Volume One, Chapter Nine: So What If I'm This Malicious?
The Princess Royal listened to Jiang Jinshu’s heartfelt words, her eyes slightly reddening. She gently patted the back of Jiang Jinshu’s hand, her voice filled with tenderness.
“You, my child, see through things clearly. If your mother were watching from the heavens, she would undoubtedly be proud of your courage and resolve today.”
“Since you have made up your mind, let us plan carefully. You said the Shen family depends on your dowry; they certainly won’t let you go easily.”
“Here’s the plan: I will try to find an opportunity to petition the emperor for a decree of divorce. Meanwhile, you should visit your maternal grandmother’s house. Although I feel for you, it is your maternal family who has the rightful authority to help you reclaim your dowry from the Shen family.”
Jiang Jinshu bit her lip, guilt evident in her voice.
“Aunt, I was blind and foolish before. I heeded Lady Shen’s words and have become estranged even from my maternal family, and even from you…”
The Princess Royal comforted her softly.
“No one would begrudge their own child. Since you came to the Princess Royal’s residence, have I ever treated you coldly?”
“Just listen to me. Go see your grandmother and spend some time chatting with her.”
Jiang Jinshu nodded.
“Very well, Aunt. I will visit my grandmother in the next couple of days after selecting some gifts.”
The Princess Royal then asked many questions about Jiang Jinshu’s life in the Shen household. They talked continuously, until after lunch and afternoon tea, when Jiang Jinshu finally began her return to the Shen mansion.
---
At the Shen residence, Shen Nanyue looked at Shen Nanxing, who was confined to bed, with a mixture of pity and frustration.
“Xing’er, how did your injuries become so severe? You can’t even rest properly. And Jiang Jinshu—she doesn’t know how to take care of you at all. She went gallivanting outside! When she returns, I’ll make sure to teach her a lesson.”
Shen Nanxing, never so pitiful before, felt the dull ache from her wounds. Her hatred for Jiang Jinshu grew even stronger.
“Sis, don’t mention her. Just the thought of her fills me with anger.”
Su Yanyan, standing nearby, added softly, “I wonder where sister has gone. Could she still be complaining to the Princess Royal?”
“Yesterday, sister beat and scolded me, and even caused brother to be punished. If she’s angry or jealous, she should have calmed down by now.”
“As the wife of my brother, she won’t even come to check on him. Does she even care about him?”
Su Yanyan’s candid remarks moved Shen Nanxing, who felt deeply understood.
“Yanyan, don’t speak of that venomous woman. She will never be as sensible as you.”
Hearing Su Yanyan call out “brother” repeatedly, Shen Nanyue felt a strange discomfort.
“Yanyan, since everyone knows your relationship with Xing’er, it’s time to change how you address him. Though this has damaged the Shen family’s reputation, you and the child you carry need no longer hide.”
Su Yanyan lowered her head, clutching her handkerchief, her voice heavy with grievance.
“I fear sister will never accept me or the child. Mother, eldest sister, husband—as long as I can stay in the Shen family, I don’t care about titles. But the child I carry is the Shen family’s firstborn grandson…”
Tears began to fall.
---
“It's my failure as a mother that he was born with unclear status. I fear he will suffer mockery in the future,” Shen Madam said immediately.
“This child is our bloodline. How could we let him be wronged? The matter concerns the Shen family’s heir, and Jiang Jinshu has no say in it,” Shen Nanyue asserted.
“Yanyan, you are crying, but you’re pregnant. Crying too much isn’t good for the child.”
“Your child is my nephew. If Jiang Jinshu dares to neglect him, I won’t let it go,” Shen Nanxing, still lying in bed, said with determination.
“Mother, eldest sister, since Jiang Jinshu knows now, why not let Yanyan be my secondary wife? That way, our firstborn won’t be illegitimate. Besides, Yanyan and I are well matched, and I don’t want her to be slighted in status.”
Shen Madam nodded approvingly.
“That’s good. This way, you’ll have a legitimate son.”
A victorious gleam flashed in Su Yanyan’s eyes, though it quickly faded.
“Yanyan thanks mother, eldest sister, and husband on behalf of the child.”
Shen Nanyue spoke warmly.
“Our sisterly bond has lasted many years. Your relationship with Xing’er makes you family indeed. Just take good care of yourself and the baby. Mother and I will speak to Jiang Jinshu.”
As they plotted, Bin’er entered.
“Madam, Miss, the young mistress has returned and gone straight to her own compound.”
Hearing this, Shen Nanyue was incensed.
“That wretched girl has grown brazen. She’s been out all day and still won’t visit Xing’er. Where is the dignity of a wife?”
“Mother, please remain seated. I will go and teach her what it means to be a good wife and daughter-in-law.”
---
In the refined residence of the Shen family, Cai Yue poured tea for Jiang Jinshu.
“Young Mistress, the maid said that Bin’er, who serves the eldest Miss, came to our courtyard today. She said Madam is unwell and asked you to come attend her. But, if I’m honest, this is just another scheme to trouble you.”
Jiang Jinshu sipped her tea leisurely.
“Cai Yue, you’ve grown up with me. Just call me Miss from now on. Let whoever wants to be the Shen family’s young mistress, be so!”
Suddenly, a loud voice rang out.
“Jiang Jinshu, you unfilial wretch! Now you dare to defy my mother?”
Shen Nanyue entered with several maids and servants, her bearing commanding.
---
She exuded an air of authority, but Jiang Jinshu calmly continued sipping her tea.
“The scandal involving Nanxing and Yanyan has spread everywhere, even reaching the Princess Royal. I spent this morning at the princess’s residence apologizing and cleaning up the Shen family’s mess. And you, a daughter married into another family, return here to shout at me like this?”
Shen Nanyue approached step by step, her eyes blazing with fury and disdain, as if she wanted to devour Jiang Jinshu alive.
Cai Yue, nervous, stood close to Jiang Jinshu, clenching her fists tightly.
“Apologize? Jiang Jinshu, don’t think I’m an idiot. You went to the princess’s residence just to complain. I see right through your little schemes.”
Jiang Jinshu raised her teacup, her expression unshaken as she watched Shen Nanyue fume.
“Think whatever you want.”
Seeing Jiang Jinshu’s composure only fueled Shen Nanyue’s rage.
“Jiang Jinshu, you have the nerve to drink tea here? Do you know how badly Xing’er is hurt? As his wife, you not only neglect him but run around all day. Do you even care about the Shen family?”
Shen Nanyue’s sharp voice pierced the room like a blade.
Jiang Jinshu gently set down her teacup, her gaze calm as still water, a faint smile playing on her lips.
“Isn’t Su Yanyan taking care of him?”
Shen Nanyue looked down her nose at Jiang Jinshu.
“If you’re too lazy to care for him, then let Yanyan do it. She’s gentle and pregnant. Bearing the Shen family’s next generation is a great service. She will be Xing’er’s secondary wife, equal to you. You must not make things difficult for her.”
Jiang Jinshu set down her cup again, a mocking smile curling her lips.
“Secondary wife? Do you think the Shen family’s disgrace isn’t enough? A daughter becoming the secondary wife of a son—if that story got out, the whole world would laugh themselves silly.”
“I won’t agree to this. If Su Yanyan has any sense, she’ll be a concubine and stay out of my sight. If not…”
Jiang Jinshu glanced at Shen Nanyue.
“I am not someone to be trifled with.”
Shen Nanyue, seeing the complete loss of respect in Jiang Jinshu’s eyes, spoke angrily.
“If Yanyan does not become the secondary wife, then the child she carries is illegitimate. Jiang Jinshu, that child is the Shen family’s firstborn grandson. How can you be so cruel as to make him illegitimate?”
Jiang Jinshu looked her over. Shen Nanyue wore garments made from the fabric in her dowry, and the hairpin in her hair was also from her dowry. How shameless.
Jiang Jinshu slowly rose to her feet.
“Yes, I am that cruel. And I suppose something as wicked as I am wouldn’t want to keep things that kind souls like you disdain. Why don’t you return everything you took from me?”