Volume One, Chapter 15: Punished Alongside His Daughter

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There was also a lesser-born young lady in the Jiang family's second branch.

Jiang Zhinian paused in her steps. "Jiang Xuening?"

Although the second and third branches had less contact with the main branch now, since she took over managing the Jiang household, these two branches had behaved themselves. Jiang Xuening was merely a lesser-born daughter of the second branch; she could neither cause trouble nor was she disobedient to Jiang Zhinian.

Inside the box were wrist guards personally sewn by Jiang Xuening.

"The Third Miss said that you must have been working hard lately. She made these wrist guards to help lighten your burden a little."

Jiang Zhinian took them and looked them over for a moment, then had Fuguang carefully put them back into the brocade box.

Jiang Xuening’s visit today was clearly not just a simple act of concern; she was here to ask for a favor.

In the previous life, Jiang Xuening had been the candidate she selected to gain favor in the Eastern Palace.

This time around, since she no longer intended to marry into the Eastern Palace, it was only proper to inform Jiang Xuening of her decision, so she had Fuguang bring her in.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Jiang Xuening entered, she knelt down with a thud. Fuguang and the others hurried to help her up.

"Third Miss, what are you doing?"

"Sister Zhinian, please help me!"

Jiang Zhinian frowned slightly. She remembered that Jiang Xuening was not usually like this. Today’s behavior must mean she had been pushed to the brink.

"Third sister, if there’s something troubling you, please speak plainly."

Only then did Jiang Xuening rise, her eyes slightly reddened. "Sister Zhinian, I know you usually have to manage matters in the household and also copy scriptures in the palace. I shouldn’t trouble you with trivial things."

"But…"

Jiang Xuening hesitated. She really didn’t want to bother Jiang Zhinian. The second and third branches had always struggled to survive in the shadows of the Jiang household. If not for Jiang Zhinian’s care over the years, their lives would be much worse.

"Third sister, please speak directly. I have indeed been very busy recently."

In her previous life, no one cared for her or helped her. This life, Jiang Zhinian would not offer undue sympathy to others.

"Madam dismissed the tutor you hired… Sister Zhinian, I am a girl, so lacking some education isn’t a big deal; I will marry eventually. But Brother Feng cannot be without a tutor!"

The second and third branches were merely the illegitimate children of the late Master Jiang. No one cared how they lived, let alone the lesser-born children beneath them.

Jiang Zhinian once thought that if the family wanted to revive its fortunes, they must study more, so she had hired a tutor to teach at the Jiang household.

At least, they wouldn’t cause trouble out of ignorance.

"Could you please, Sister Zhinian, plead with Madam on my behalf…"

If it were just about food or clothing for Jiang Xuening, she wouldn’t be so anxious. But the tutor—this matter compelled her to ask Jiang Zhinian.

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This might be the only chance for their second branch to break free from the oppression of the main branch.

Madam dismissed the Jiang family’s tutor?

Jiang Zhinian had only returned from Bailu Academy a few days ago and was busy copying scriptures, so she was unaware of this.

"Third sister, I did not know about the dismissal of the tutor."

Her tone carried a hint of sadness, her gaze lowering to the wound on her palm. Jiang Xuening followed her gaze and saw the reddened injury.

"Sister Zhinian, what happened to your hand?" she asked in surprise.

Jiang Zhinian feigned teary eyes and quickly withdrew her hand, briefly explaining the dispute that had occurred today.

"It’s not that I don’t want to help, but mother only listens to Sister Ruozhen now. Besides, these days, mother probably doesn’t want to see me anymore…"

Jiang Xuening was stunned. She had thought that if she cried pitifully, Jiang Zhinian would surely find a way to help her.

But hearing this now, she felt it was improper to ask Jiang Zhinian any further.

"How could it be like this…?" Jiang Xuening murmured sadly, then asked with concern,

"Have you summoned the doctor?"

Fuguang quickly replied, "Yes, the doctor is coming right away!"

Hearing this, Jiang Xuening didn’t linger any longer. No matter how unwilling she was, she could only take her leave.

After Jiang Xuening left, Fuguang carefully tended to Jiang Zhinian’s hand with a cloth.

The flesh had torn in one piece; Fuguang didn’t dare to rashly remove the shard of the broken wine cup embedded in it, only wiping the flowing blood.

"Miss’s hand is injured like this. How can you continue copying scriptures?" Fuguang worried not only out of concern for Miss but also because she feared Miss wouldn’t finish copying the scriptures and would be blamed by the Empress.

Jiang Zhinian hissed in pain.

"This little wound is nothing."

In the past, when practicing horse archery, she had fallen from the saddle, bruised all over, with her hands scraped raw. The next day, she still did what needed to be done.

"Have the doctor apply some medicine in a while. Today, Supervisor He will bring the account books. Tell him to ask the tutor to stay."

"Then I’ll have time to tell the Third Miss this good news."

Fuguang increasingly thought her lady was a truly kind person. Earlier, she had told the Third Miss that she wouldn’t intervene, yet she still cared deeply about this matter.

Jiang Zhinian shook her head. "No need. Let her hit a wall first, then she’ll know who truly helps her in the Jiang household."

If she told Jiang Xuening directly now, she might still believe that Madam retained some compassion.

Moreover, only when one is at their most desperate does the warmth of a fire offered feel truly comforting.

—

At the Luoxue Pavilion, after the maids and elders brought Jiang Ruozhen back, she woke up, sobbing uncontrollably.

Madam Jiang also cried, feeling that Jiang Ruozhen had suffered terribly.

"Mother, brother, I really didn’t mean to deceive you… nor did I mean to anger sister."

Jiang Yaoqi’s heart ached upon hearing this. This was truly his sister!

"Zhenzhen, don’t blame yourself. This isn’t your fault."

He quickly called for a maid to bring the tonic soup that was usually given to Jiang Ruozhen for her health.

Jiang Ruozhen then looked at Jiang Cheng. "Father, can you not punish brother? Brother only did it for me…"

Jiang Cheng remained firm. "That bastard laid such a heavy hand on his own sister. How can I not punish him!"

Jiang Ruozhen immediately tried to get out of bed to plead, but Madam Jiang stopped her quickly.

"Foolish child, what are you doing?"

"Mother, please also plead for brother. Brother did everything for me. I can’t just watch him be punished!"

"Zhenzhen, don’t plead for me. If I struck her today, then punishment there must be!"

But for Zhenzhen, no matter what punishment he faced, he was willing to bear it! She was so good to him, and he would hold her in the palm of his hand, never allowing anyone to bully her!

"He deserves punishment!" Jiang Cheng said angrily. "Laying such a heavy hand on his own sister, even drawing blood!"

Upon hearing "drawing blood," Jiang Yaoqi suddenly realized.

Zhinian—blood? Could her injury be serious?

He glanced toward the Linlang Pavilion. Should he go check on Zhinian?

But then he thought, Zhinian was always calm, collected, and thorough. She probably had everything well in hand.

Unlike Zhenzhen, who still needed care.

"Zhenzhen, take good care of yourself. Today I acted impulsively. I accept the punishment!"

Jiang Ruozhen’s eyes were swollen from crying. "Father, if you insist on punishing brother, then… punish me along with him!"

As she spoke, she was about to rise and go to the ancestral hall to kneel in punishment with Jiang Yaoqi.