Volume One, Chapter 18: Make Yourself Clear

Xu Wenjing nodded slightly, thinking this was for the best.

The junior apprentice sister was always meticulous in her actions, so he did not question further.

Outside a small alley in the capital, Jiang Zhinian returned to the carriage of the Minister’s residence.

After everyone had left, Lu Junyan finally spoke, “What happened to Miss Jiang’s hands?”

Xu Wenjing’s expression tightened. “Her hands are wrapped in bandages. I didn’t get a close look, but the injuries must be severe.”

“The Marquis’s mansion has excellent healing medicines. You should send some along as well,” Lu Junyan said coldly.

Yun Chu, who had just lifted the curtain and entered, chuckled softly. “Young Lord, Mr. Xu is a divine healer from Nanzhao. There’s no need for the Marquis’s remedies.”

Xu Wenjing smiled awkwardly. He had brought plenty of medicines and had already planned to deliver them.

“Thank you for your concern, Young Lord.”

Lu Junyan glanced at Yun Chu. Though his eyes were covered, Yun Chu felt a chill run down his spine and quickly closed his mouth.

When Xu Wenjing went to deliver the medicine, Lu Junyan leaned back and furrowed his brow. “Isn’t she the legitimate daughter of the Minister’s residence and the Empress’s choice for Crown Princess?”

“Why is her injury so severe?”

Yun Chu lifted the curtain and glanced outside. “Miss Jiang still needs to finish copying the scriptures before the palace banquet. Can she even complete it now?”

Though Lu Junyan could not see at the moment, the blurry figure of Jiang Zhinian on the palace road that day appeared vividly in his mind.

Objectively, the noble aura she carried, along with her broad and radiant face, truly suited the role of Crown Princess.

Yet, he felt this was not her true self.

This cold and distant Jiang Zhinian was very different from the one in his dreams.

In his dreams, Jiang Zhinian was amiable and gentle.

Strange. Truly strange.

Back at the Rong’an Marquis’s mansion, he immediately sent someone to investigate what had happened to Jiang Zhinian.

—

Zheliu followed closely behind Jiang Zhinian, holding the healing medicines that Mr. Xu had just given her, each prepared differently for the hands and face.

Upon returning to the Linlang Pavilion, Jiang Zhinian had just taken off her cloak when the nurse from her grandmother’s courtyard came to summon her.

Jiang Zhinian was close to her grandmother, and the nurses from the Pine Crane Courtyard treated her kindly.

They could not speak much about the family affairs but still warned gently, “Miss, the lord and madam are also at the Pine Crane Courtyard.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhinian’s eyelashes trembled slightly. It seemed the Jiang family could no longer contain themselves.

“Alright, I understand. Thank you, Nurse Zhu.”

—

Nurse Zhu sighed softly, barely audible. She had served the matriarch for a long time and knew about the young lady’s circumstances.

Everyone, even the servants, had witnessed the young lady’s contributions to the Jiang household.

Why couldn’t madam see it?

Compared to them servants, madam and the young lady should at least have ten years of mother-daughter affection.

Yet, madam’s eyes seemed to have erased the young lady entirely.

Jiang Zhinian did not know what Nurse Zhu was thinking, only guessing the reason for being summoned today.

Upon arriving at the Pine Crane Courtyard, Jiang Zhinian bowed politely and greeted the elders. She saw her grandmother gently patting Jiang Ruozhen’s hand, speaking softly.

“Grandmother, Father, Mother.”

The old matriarch immediately noticed the wounds on Jiang Zhinian’s face and clenched the armrest tightly.

“Zhinian, how did you get these injuries on your face?”

Jiang Ruoqi looked guilty, glancing around nervously until Jiang Zhinian gave him a glance.

Jiang Ruozhen felt their grandmother was always biased. If it was known that their brother had caused this, he would surely be punished, so she quickly said, “Grandmother, it was an accident while we were playing.”

The old matriarch looked at Jiang Ruozhen, her gaze changing. Playing accident?

“Zhinian, is that true?”

Actually, the old matriarch did not believe it.

She had watched Jiang Zhinian grow up and wondered when she ever played with others. Moreover, how could only Jiang Zhinian be left with scars after playing together?

How precious was a young woman’s beauty?

Jiang Ruozhen’s eyes pleaded silently, while Jiang Ruoqi was curious to see how Jiang Zhinian would respond.

Jiang Zhinian replied calmly, “Of course not. You have gathered so many people here today not to hear about our ‘playtime,’ right?”

“If there’s something to say, just say it.”

These words only made the old matriarch more confused.

Jiang Ruoqi straightforwardly recounted how Jiang Zhinian had spoiled the mood that day, causing Jiang Ruozhen to faint from frustration.

He took responsibility for his actions, admitting everything.

“Grandmother, I was wrong to act that way, but Jiang Zhinian shouldn’t have behaved like that either! She knows Ruozhen’s intentions are good.”

“Mother, though Qi’er was wrong, I have already reprimanded him. He won’t dare repeat it,” Jiang Cheng defended Jiang Ruoqi.

What followed was the old matriarch’s response.

After a moment of silence, she looked at the Jiang family. “Is this why you came to the Pine Crane Courtyard today?”

—

“Do you want me to punish her for disrespecting her elder brother and discord with her sister? Or accuse her of lacking support for her brother?”

The matriarch’s voice grew heavier with each word, and the Jiang family could offer no rebuttal.

They could neither control Jiang Zhinian nor ignore the growing estrangement with her.

So they wanted the matriarch to impose discipline.

Especially Jiang’s mother thought that even if the matriarch favored Jiang Zhinian, there should be some limits.

This time, Ruozhen was standing up for her brother and the family’s good; why should she suffer at Jiang Zhinian’s hands?

But unexpectedly, the matriarch still favored Jiang Zhinian.

The Jiang family fell silent, unwilling to speak immediately. The matriarch then turned to Jiang Zhinian.

“Those who bleed do not complain, while those without injuries make a fuss!”

Hearing this, Jiang Ruozhen burst into tears, her eyes red, demanding to return to the Falling Snow Pavilion. “Mother, I’m not feeling well… I’m going back first.”

“Wait, Ruozhen, since you’re here, you should explain yourself properly.”

Jiang Zhinian called after her, “You shouldn’t endure grievances without understanding the cause.”

Ruozhen was the mother’s vulnerable spot. Once touched, she vented all her displeasure.

“Zhinian, the Jiang family has raised you for over ten years. Even if you have no merits, you have endured hardships. Do you truly feel no affection for us?”

“Your brother was dismissed from his post, and you didn’t care; Ruozhen has always been devoted to the family, yet you treat her coldly!”

Jiang’s mother grew more aggrieved on Ruozhen’s behalf. “You haven’t even married into the Eastern Palace, and yet you disdain this Minister’s residence so much!”

“Mother, please stop. I’m really fine,” Jiang Ruozhen hurried to soothe her mother’s worsening health.

Jiang Zhinian listened without blinking.

Who was it that truly lacked affection?

Who was it that plotted to rob her of her purity, to cast her into a deadly plight, bleeding to death in the biting cold snow?

Jiang Zhinian felt numb, letting out a bitter, mocking laugh as she looked at her grandmother. “Grandmother, it was Jiang Ruozhen who pleaded with the Crown Prince to restore my brother’s official position.”

“Today, even if you don’t mention it, I will.”

“Earlier this year, His Majesty executed numerous officials. Father, you must remember, don’t you? Colluding with Prince Yu for personal gain, the entire family was wiped out! You used private connections to ask the Crown Prince to restore his position. Do you think he can escape the harsh censure of the remonstrants?”