Yinzhu, caught off guard, choked violently on a mouthful of water.
Her survival instinct kicked in, and she flailed wildly, grasping at anything she could.
Clang!
The young maid, startled, let go of the silver basin, sending it crashing to the floor. Water splashed everywhere.
Gasping for air, Yinzhu collapsed onto the ground, coughing uncontrollably.
“Interrupting your master without permission—what kind of behavior is that? Drag her out and give her twenty lashes of the rod.”
The servants at the door didn’t dare make a sound. Bowing their heads, they hurried in and hauled Yinzhu toward the back courtyard.
Jiang Xingyan cast an indifferent glance at the panicked Old Madam Huo before speaking coolly, “Mother has been far too lenient. The servants around you have forgotten their place. You must discipline them properly from now on.”
Old Madam Huo’s lower lip trembled for a moment, but no words came out.
Why is Cier so furious today? Could it be that those four wretched maids in the side courtyard said something they shouldn’t have?
Yesterday, she had sent Yuzhu to the annex under the pretense of checking on Xiao Ya’s injuries, hoping to probe for information. But Xin, the deputy general, had dismissed her with a few words. Now, she felt even more uneasy.
Hurriedly, she picked up a piece of lotus root and osmanthus cake and placed it in “Huo Ci’s” bowl. “My son, try this—it’s your favorite.”
Jiang Xingyan disliked sweets. The mere thought made her stomach churn, so she took only a small bite before setting it aside.
Old Madam Huo watched her with concern. “You look so pale. Did those girls not serve you well last night?”
Jiang Xingyan lowered her eyes and placed a piece of auspicious cake in Xiao Ya’s bowl, watching as the little girl cupped it in her tiny hands and began eating. The sight of her chubby cheeks puffing up soothed the irritation in her heart.
“Thank you for your concern, Mother. Xiao Ya had a high fever last night. I stayed by her side all night and didn’t sleep, so I’m a bit irritable.”
Hearing that “Huo Ci” had suffered because of this, Old Madam Huo’s heart ached for her son.
That wretched girl, born from a wretched woman—all she does is drag my son down!
She shot Xiao Ya a venomous glare.
Startled, Xiao Ya let out a squeak and ducked back into the armor, leaving only her round, wary eyes peeking out at the mean grandmother across from her.
Snap!
Jiang Xingyan’s expression turned icy as she slammed her chopsticks onto the table.
“It seems Mother does not welcome my presence. I’ll take my leave now.”
With that, she stood to leave.
Old Madam Huo, flustered and guilty, hastily grabbed “Huo Ci’s” wrist. “Don’t misunderstand, my son. Your mother’s eyes have been acting up—it wasn’t directed at anyone.”
As she spoke, she shot Yuzhu a meaningful look.
Yuzhu immediately ladled a bowl of lotus leaf and seed soup for the young general. Having witnessed Yinzhu’s fate, she didn’t dare speak a word and silently retreated to the side.
“You’ve barely eaten anything. Have some of this appetizing soup before heading to court, alright?”
Old Madam Huo lived by the doctrine that a woman must obey her husband in marriage and her son after her husband’s death.
Coming from humble rural origins, she had always felt inferior to the prestigious Huo family.
If not for our parents arranging our marriage before birth, would I ever have become the wife of a great general?
When General Huo was alive, she had taken charge of every aspect of his daily life—even menial tasks meant for servants, she insisted on doing herself.
After giving birth to Huo Ci, she doted on him excessively, almost to the point of fawning.
Their usual mother-son harmony had been tolerable, but now that Jiang Xingyan refused to indulge her, her behavior bordered on sycophancy.
Jiang Xingyan picked up the soup and carefully fed it to Xiao Ya, making Old Madam Huo grind her teeth in frustration.
My son cares so much for this brat. He must never find out about that incident.
But with Xiao Ya clinging to him so tightly, it was impossible to act now.
Suddenly, an idea flashed in her mind. A cunning glint flickered in her eyes as she tentatively suggested, “My son, since Xiao Ya refuses to let Xiaoyan near her, you can’t possibly take her to court every day, can you? What if His Majesty takes offense? How could we bear such a grave consequence?”
Jiang Xingyan smirked faintly. “Oh? Does Mother have a solution?”
Encouraged by “Huo Ci’s” softened tone, Old Madam Huo eagerly proposed, “Why not invite your cousin to stay with you? She’s a good girl—it’s been two years since her mourning period ended. Perhaps Xiao Ya will even take a liking to her.”
Before Jiang Xingyan could respond, an announcement came from the doorway: “The young general’s wife has come to pay her respects.”
Dressed in lavish attire, Huo Ci arrived fashionably late.
Amused, Jiang Xingyan observed her own appearance from Huo Ci’s perspective.
What was once a stunning beauty has been worn down by that old hag into a sallow, emaciated figure—so frail a gust of wind could knock her over.
Yet, her hair was styled in an elaborate peony updo, adorned with excessive pearls and jade, making her look top-heavy—like a bean sprout.
Fortunately, her breathtakingly beautiful face still carried the look, lending her an unconventional charm.
As Jiang Xingyan stared intently at her, Xiao Ya’s tiny hands clutched at the collar of the armor, her round eyes peering out with wary detachment.
Huo Ci averted his gaze, filled with regret.
Strangers as husband and wife, estranged as father and daughter—all because I was too foolish!
“Oh, Xiaoyan, you’re finally here! The food will get cold soon. See if it suits your taste. If not, I’ll have the kitchen make something else.”
Old Madam Huo’s words sounded solicitous, but every syllable carried an undercurrent of reproach for Jiang Xingyan’s laziness and rudeness.
Jiang Xingyan watched, amused, as Huo Ci’s face flushed red with humiliation before he lowered his head.
Mimicking Huo Ci’s usual tone when scolding her, she snapped coldly, “Jiang Xingyan, what fine manners you have. Mother is benevolent and kind, yet you take advantage of her patience—disrespectful and incorrigible! I’m utterly disappointed in you. If not for Grandfather Jiang’s sake, I would have long since written a letter of divorce and thrown you out!”
Not a single word was out of place.
Each sentence struck Huo Ci’s heart like a swiftly shot arrow, piercing deep.
He had no defense.
Old Madam Huo’s eyes lit up.
Even if my son dotes on Xiao Ya, he’s completely lost patience with this merchant’s daughter.
Her distant niece hadn’t succeeded in getting close to him during his wedding—wasn’t this the perfect opportunity to strike?
“My son, don’t be angry. Xiaoyan was spoiled by her grandfather since childhood—she’s used to being free and unrestrained. It’s only natural she struggles with the rules of our household. She must be lonely in the side courtyard. Inviting your cousin over would be good—she could teach Xiaoyan the etiquette befitting a noble lady.”
Old Madam Huo shot a smug, sidelong glance at the shame-faced “Jiang Xingyan” standing below.
Huo Ci sank into deep self-doubt.
In the past, he hadn’t noticed anything wrong with his mother’s words.
But now, every sentence sounded like a carefully laid trap.
Jiang Xingyan watched with relish as Huo Ci’s face paled and flushed alternately before scoffing coldly.
“Your cousin is pure and filial—how could someone like her ever compare?”
Huo Ci’s head snapped up.
I never said that!
His cousin had often visited the estate as a child, endearing herself to his mother. She had a gentle nature.
After his marriage to Jiang Xingyan, her father had passed away from illness, and she had returned home to observe the mourning period—two years had passed since then.
He had praised her filial piety in letters, but he had never once compared Jiang Xingyan to her.
Even in his past life, after Jiang Xingyan’s death, when his mother urged him to marry his cousin as his second wife, he had firmly refused.
He truly saw her as a younger sister—nothing more.
Even now, Huo Ci still didn’t understand why his mother was so fixated on targeting Jiang Xingyan.
If my cousin comes, perhaps she can mediate and clear up the misunderstandings.
Under Jiang Xingyan’s mocking gaze, Huo Ci stiffly bowed. “If Cousin can come, that would be wonderful. I’d be happy to spend more time with her.”
The air around Jiang Xingyan instantly turned frigid. Her voice carried a teasing edge that Huo Ci couldn’t decipher.
“Then you’d better get very close to her. Maybe she’ll fix all your terrible flaws.”
A servant outside announced, “Young General, Deputy General Xin has been waiting for you for some time.”
Jiang Xingyan adjusted her cloak and strode out without another word.
Old Madam Huo hastily ordered Baozhu, “Quick, pack some warm food for Cier to take with him!”
Baozhu worked swiftly, assembling a small food box before rushing after her.
Turning back to see “Jiang Xingyan” still rooted in place, Old Madam Huo’s anger flared.
She jabbed a sharp finger at “her” forehead.
“Kneel!”