Volume One, Chapter 17: Grandmother's Affection

Beside her, Su Yunyan listened with a secret delight swelling in her heart.

Wonderful, Jiang Jinshu—you should have died long ago.

Yet Shen Nanxing hesitated before speaking.

“Mother, the thing that was lost all those years ago still hasn’t been found.”

Madam Shen responded, “It’s been so many years without any sign of it; the item likely isn’t even in her possession anymore. Since she’s become useless, there’s no need to keep her around.”

Shen Nanxing said, “Mother, if she doesn’t have that item, then there’s no need to take her life.”

Madam Shen glanced at Shen Nanxing. “Xing’er, if she had been obedient, I wouldn’t mind you keeping her. But now she’s trampling the entire Shen family’s honor underfoot. And with the backing of the Princess, given her temperament, if this continues, should she wish to leave the Shen family, we would lose both people and fortune.”

Su Yunyan seized the opportunity to speak. “Husband, if sister leaves the Shen family with her dowry, we risk being emptied out.”

“She’s already married to you, husband. She belongs to you now, and her dowry should be under your control,” Nanxing said.

Then, with a look of shock, he added, “Mother, husband, could it be that sister is already preparing to leave? She recently visited the Princess’s residence and has been buying things outside lately. It looks like she might be asking the Princess for help, preparing gifts.”

Shen Nanxing frowned. “She wants to leave the Shen family? Just because Yun’er is pregnant? Hasn’t she already caused enough trouble?”

Madam Shen sighed deeply, her expression grave. “Xing’er, Yun’er’s words aren’t without reason. Jiang Jinshu seems like a different person lately. She used to be gentle with the household staff, but now she not only punishes them harshly but even sells them off.”

“Though it might seem like she’s asserting authority, calmly sipping tea while those maids and servants are beaten bloody is hardly normal. Leaving her here could spell disaster for the Shen family.”

Shen Nanxing fell silent.

Madam Shen said, “Xing’er, hesitation only invites chaos.”

Su Yunyan added, “Husband, if sister truly leaves with her dowry, we might not even have steamed buns and pickles to eat.”

Recalling the recent days when only steamed buns and pickles were on the table, Shen Nanxing said, “I understand.”

“Mother, keep an eye on what Jiang Jinshu is up to recently.”

雅韵居.

The gift was lightly nodded upon.

---

Early in the morning, Jiang Jinshu set out for her maternal grandmother’s Zhou family home, carrying a pile of gifts.

At the Zhou residence.

Madam Zhou had just finished breakfast.

Her daughter-in-law, Zhou Liushi, arrived.

“Mother, I have something to discuss with you.”

Madam Zhou looked at her, “Why the trouble of coming all this way?”

“It concerns Jinshu,” Zhou Liushi said.

Madam Zhou fell silent.

Seeing this, Zhou Liushi glanced at her and continued, “Since marrying, Jinshu has grown distant from us. But after all, she is the only bloodline left from the younger sister.”

“Today, I heard some rumors and thought it best to inform you.”

Madam Zhou’s voice lowered, “What rumors?”

Zhou Liushi explained further, “It’s the gossip about the favored concubine ruining the wife in the Shen family. It all started at a banquet at the Prime Minister’s mansion some time ago, where the Shen family’s adopted daughter, Su Yunyan, was revealed to be pregnant—with Shen Nanxing’s child.”

“The news has spread throughout the streets. Su Yunyan has the favor of the Shen family, and Jinshu has even lost her authority as housekeeper.”

Madam Zhou paused, her teacup trembling slightly, worry flashing across her eyes.

“If she had truly suffered wrongs, she would have come to us for help. Since she hasn’t come to the Zhou family herself, we need not worry unnecessarily.”

Zhou Liushi, clever and perceptive, noticed the worry hidden behind Madam Zhou’s stern words—concern masked by a hard exterior.

“You’re right, mother. Jinshu has been thoughtless. Her home is here; if wronged, she should come back and speak up. But perhaps she’s just afraid of worrying us, enduring her troubles alone.”

She looked again at Madam Zhou. “And now that the younger sister is gone, Jinshu may be more sensitive. Regardless, she is still family. We should investigate this matter: if Jinshu truly has been wronged, we must protect our own.”

Madam Zhou glanced at Zhou Liushi. “If you want to worry yourself sick, go ahead. But if they don’t appreciate it, don’t come complaining to me.”

Zhou Liushi laughed. “Yes, yes, it’s just my worry. If they don’t appreciate it, it’s my own fault.”

Suddenly a maid entered. “Madam, First Madam, the young lady has arrived.”

Jiang Jinshu, here already? Zhou Liushi’s eyes flashed with surprise before she smiled.

“Hurry, bring her to Madam’s courtyard.”

Madam Zhou pressed her lips, silent.

Soon Jiang Jinshu entered.

Seeing Madam Zhou’s hair now streaked with gray, Jiang Jinshu felt a deep pang of guilt. How blind had she been in her previous life? How heedless her heart, to have become so estranged from the grandmother who had loved her since childhood?

“Jinshu greets Grandmother and Aunt-in-law.”

Madam Zhou snorted coldly. “Hmph. How do you have time to come here today and not try to win favor at the Shen household?”

Jiang Jinshu knew this was her own fault—believing Madam Shen and Shen Nanxing, thinking that without her parents, the Zhou family would reclaim her mother’s dowry. She had distanced herself, not even visiting her grandmother. Step by step, she had pushed away the family she should have held dear.

She approached and knelt deeply before Madam Zhou.

“Grandmother, it is Jinshu’s unfilial fault. I have not visited or fulfilled my duties these years, wholly absorbed by the wolf’s den that is the Shen family. It is my fault. I know my mistakes and beg your forgiveness.”

Cai Ping knelt beside her as well. “Madam, Miss has always thought of you. But there were too many troubles at the Shen household. Miss was soft-hearted and entangled in their petty affairs, which kept her from being with you.”

“Now she sees the Shen family’s true nature and has come to visit you.”

Madam Zhou looked at Jiang Jinshu kneeling before her, emotions flashing in her eyes. Though her tone remained stern, her heart longed for her granddaughter. Seeing Jinshu so sincere in her apology, her expression softened slightly, but she still spoke with feigned severity.

“Rise. Don’t kneel before this old bone. You don’t know how cold the floor is.”

Lady Zhou hurried to help Jiang Jinshu up.

“You child, come on. Your grandmother has always cared for you. She would never truly hold it against you.”

“Though she rarely says it, if a single rumor about you spreads outside, she worries more than anyone.”

Jiang Jinshu felt a sting of sadness. After rising, she did not sit but crouched beside Madam Zhou, resting her head on her legs.

“Grandmother, I have missed you.”

Madam Zhou sighed and stroked Jiang Jinshu’s hair. “Jinshu, your mother was my youngest child. I loved her dearly. When she married and had you, I loved you as one of the Zhou family. Whenever your cousins had something, were you ever left out? But why, child, have you grown distant since marrying?”

Jiang Jinshu remembered those loving moments clearly. Tears welled and spilled over.

“I’m sorry, Grandmother. It’s all my fault. I was wrong. I made you sad.”

Madam Zhou took her hand and helped her sit beside her.

“Jinshu, tell me honestly—has the Shen family mistreated you?”