Chapter 19: Jiang Huaishan Visits and Encounters the Supernatural

On the sidelines, Cousin-in-law Xiang, perhaps due to her pregnancy, felt a sudden prick at her nose, and tears began to fall. Aunt Pei looked at her with sympathy, then gently patted the back of her hand in consolation. The two women exchanged a smile, both pleased at Jiang Shiyuan’s steadfast resolve.

All the women in the room were somewhat saddened.

It was only when Second Cousin Wang Kuan and Third Cousin Wang Hong stepped forward to break the mood that the atmosphere grew lively once more.

“Grandmother, Mother, don’t be sad—this is truly a joyous occasion! After all, the meat was just rotting in our own pot. If Zisu dares treat Cousin poorly, you two should just storm Uncle’s house and make a scene. Who would dare refuse?”

“That brat, always spouting nonsense. If your uncle hears you, he’ll drag you back to Hanzhou and throw you into the military camp for three to five years of training. Let’s see if you still dare be a troublemaker then!”

Aunt’s words startled Second Cousin Wang Kuan so sharply he shuddered. Unlike his third brother, who was endlessly enamored with the military, he had once preferred to ruin his own reputation rather than follow him south to enlist in Hanzhou. Hearing this veiled threat, he forced a sheepish laugh.

“Son’s life is hard—praise is no good, no praise is worse. At home, I have no standing; I’m ordered around all day. I think you just want to get rid of me! Speak plainly—why beat around the bush?”

Before anyone could respond, eldest brother Wang Su replied calmly, “Finally, your brain works for once. Father has already made arrangements at the Metropolitan Waterworks. If a position opens up, you’ll fill it immediately. This time, I advise you to behave properly and do your duties well. Clean up your reputation, or no girl will dare enter the Wen Yuan Marquis household’s door!”

Wang Su’s disdain for his second brother was clear. At first, he knew Wang Kuan’s wild ways were a facade to keep Princess Qinghuan from noticing him, thus avoiding trouble. But he hadn’t expected his brother to take advantage of the excuse and become complacent day after day. Originally, Wang Kuan’s academy rankings were quite good, and an excellent result at the autumn exam seemed likely. Yet, he failed the examination three years in a row, prompting the family to pull strings to send him to the Guard Office.

Even without Pei Zisu’s reminders, Wang Su knew he had to manage Wang Kuan’s future and marriage prospects. His brother’s frank words only gave Wang Su a more straightforward reason to do so.

Wang Kuan sighed twice, no longer able to argue.

He now thought that if he really entered the Metropolitan Waterworks and was sent to Hanzhou to work on canals, it might be a good thing—at least his ears could find some peace! With this thought, he felt less anger towards Pei Zisu, the so-called “culprit.”

Compared to his “unpopularity,” Third Cousin Wang Hong was much more cheerful and generous. He strode over to the two and respectfully clasped his fists, laughing heartily.

“Returning this time, I never expected such good news. Cousin Zisu, Cousin Anian, congratulations to both of you!”

Third Cousin’s straightforwardness left Jiang Shiyuan unembarrassed; she returned his respectful greeting with a sincere “Thank you, Third Cousin.”

The stark difference in treatment left Second Cousin Wang Kuan even more resentful. Yet, with so many people in the room overpowering him, he could only pout and feign grievance, which only made Lady Wang pity him.

She beckoned him over, and Wang Kuan squatted beside her, wearing a pitiful expression. Lady Wang knew he was pretending, but as her favorite grandson, she indulged him with a comforting smile.

“Alright, our little second son is still young. His future can be planned, but marriage need not be rushed. Let him choose for himself; as long as he likes her, she is the grandmother’s choice too. No one can force him.”

Lady Wang’s obvious favoritism was well known and long accepted within the Wen Yuan Marquis household.

The eldest son, Wang Su, held the most influence, so after he married, many family affairs were handled by him and his wife, Lady Xiang. The second son was more mischievous but excelled at pleasing the old lady, so he suffered no real losses. The third son was resolute and had long dreamed of military life, thus he got along well with their uncle’s family in Hanzhou. The youngest was still a child and the most doted on by the Wen Yuan Marquis couple. Thus, each brother had his own pillar of support, and no one felt slighted.

Pei Zisu watched the brothers playfully bickering, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Thinking of his own siblings back in Hanzhou, he felt both comforted and troubled.

Before he could dwell further, footsteps sounded outside, and soon a servant loudly announced,

“The Marquis and Lord Jiang have arrived.”

They returned together from court and came straight to the Marquis’s residence. Along the way, they had briefly discussed Jiang Shiyuan’s marriage, intending to further strengthen her resolve to refuse the match. Yet, upon entering, they were met with this warm and harmonious scene.

Jiang Huaishan was no fool. Seeing everyone smiling as they looked toward his daughter and Pei Zisu, he understood the marriage was likely settled. Yet his eyes fixed coldly on Pei Zisu, ignoring the faint smile on his daughter’s lips. After greeting the old lady, he spoke solemnly.

“Mother-in-law, please forgive me. Anian has been away from home for several days now. My wife and younger siblings miss her dearly. Today, I have come to bring her home. I humbly ask for your permission.”

Jiang Huaishan was always steady and mature in speech and demeanor, so no one detected the underlying dissatisfaction in his words. But Pei Zisu, ever perceptive, knew from Jiang Huaishan’s glance upon entering that this future father-in-law would be a difficult man to deal with.

Still, he stood firmly by Jiang Shiyuan’s side, undeterred by the disapproval in Jiang Huaishan’s eyes.

Lady Wang frowned and cast a cold glance at her son-in-law. If it were anyone else, she might tolerate it, but for him to claim it was his mother who missed her granddaughter so much displeased her greatly. With a stern face, she retorted,

“Oh? Now you remember Anian is your Jiang family granddaughter? I thought the Jiang family only had a second young lady, revered by the entire household. Wasn’t she already married into the Prince Chun residence as the Crown Prince’s wife? I forgot to ask—she must be living a comfortable life there, right?”

Lady Wang had always been kind and gentle, doting on Jiang Huaishan as her only son-in-law. But ever since the matter of Jiang Shiqin’s substitution marriage, she harbored resentment toward the entire Jiang family.

In the past, the two families frequently interacted, but now, even gifts sent by the Jiang family to the Wen Yuan Marquis household were refused outright, let alone reciprocated. Jiang Huaishan was cornered by his mother-in-law’s cold remarks, his face betraying his embarrassment.

Yet he understood the old lady’s bitterness and could only endure it.

“Mother-in-law, please calm your anger. The matter of Shiqin did indeed wrong Anian, but I am her father and would never harm my daughter. I have come sincerely today to bring her home. I earnestly ask for your permission.”