Chapter 34: The Struggles of the Vulnerable in the Inner Chambers

Once the men had left the room, only the women remained. Seeing the dark expression on her second daughter-in-law's face, Old Madam Jiang lowered her voice and warned, "Have you lost your mind? How dare you talk back to me in front of the Heir? You had better smooth this over today, or I will make you pay dearly for it!"

Madam Zhang was filled with hatred, but she knew she lacked sufficient backing. If she truly angered her mother-in-law, her future days in the Jiang household would be difficult. Thus, she could only lower her head and remain silent, her face cold.

Jiang Shijin did not understand why the situation had suddenly shifted, but given the occasion, she could not ask too many questions. She could only steady the Old Madam and say, "Grandmother, please do not be angry. Even if Mother was in the wrong, her heart was still for the sake of this family. As for the Fourth Sister, if she does not wish to be seen, then so be it. I will speak with the Heir and the Third Young Master later to smooth things over."

Her tactfulness pleased Old Madam Jiang, who patted her hand comfortingly. "It is still you who are sensible, Jin'er. That Third Young Master is no good; your Eldest Sister just said his reputation outside is poor. He likely couldn't find a suitable match, which is why he lured you into choosing someone for our Jiang family. You must not let him deceive you!"

It was Jiang Shiyuan again! Jiang Shijin gritted her teeth; why did that girl always have to stand in her way? She wished that Jiang Shiyuan would fall ill and die immediately, sparing her the bad luck of their clashing destinies. However, she had to maintain a look of innocence and ignorance, saying with feigned surprise, "Oh? I truly did not know. It is all my fault for not inquiring properly; I almost brought harm to the Fourth Sister."

"What does it have to do with you? Did I not send people to inquire as well? We found nothing. These kinds of private matters require the right connections to uncover." In Old Madam Jiang’s eyes, her second granddaughter was not a bad person, so she reasoned that she must have been deceived. She began to comfort Jiang Shijin instead. Seeing her granddaughter act so innocent and frail, the Old Madam did not say anything more. "Let us go. It would be improper to keep the Heir and the others waiting."

"Yes, Grandmother is right."

Jiang Shijin reached out to support the Old Madam, as intimate as ever, and they walked toward the water pavilion.

Not long after they arrived, the meal was served. It was clear that today’s dishes had been carefully selected: there was the braised duck with eight treasures favored by the Heir, the delicate assorted platter loved by Jiang Shijin, and the spicy braised pork knuckle favored by the Old Madam—yet there was a notable lack of dishes that suited the tastes of the rest of the Jiang family.

Jiang Huaishan ate calmly, his mind mostly occupied with thoughts of how to send the people from the Prince of Chun’s estate away as soon as possible. In contrast, Madam Zhang, the second aunt, kept urging the guests to eat, quickly piling the bowls of the Heir and the Third Young Master high with food.

The Third Young Master, Song Shizhui, felt a strong dislike for this unprovoked fawning, but since she was the mother of his sister-in-law, he could not say much. However, when the two concubines came to serve the dishes, his eyes wandered persistently, causing the veins on Jiang Huaishan’s temples to bulge.

Compared to Concubine Hai’s flustered state, Concubine Yang was slightly more composed. She stood less than half a meter behind her master, adding food to the plates of the Old Madam and the master. When it came to serving wine, she left it to the attendants, refusing to take a single step toward the side where the Third Young Master was seated. Concubine Hai, standing behind Madam Zhang, was similarly timid, not daring to step forward without being summoned. She could naturally feel the Third Young Master’s malicious gaze, but she dared not utter a word, forced to swallow her bitterness in silence.

The Heir was quite conversational, laughing and joking with Jiang Shijin, which kept Madam Zhang in high spirits. But while the second branch enjoyed the meal, the others were lost in their own thoughts—including the three sisters far away in the Listening Time Pavilion.

Ever since returning to the pavilion, Jiang Shiyue had not stopped crying. Because it was not her own courtyard, she exercised some restraint, but after hearing her weep for so long, everyone in the room began to feel a sense of irritation. Jiang Shishu watched her with concern, handing her two handkerchiefs, though they were of little use.

Jiang Shiyuan reclined on a chaise longue, watching Jiang Shiyue’s quiet sobbing, and could not help but sigh. "Fourth Sister, please stop crying. Just rest peacefully in my courtyard. When things end over there, someone will come to report, and you can return then."

"Eldest Sister has a kind heart. If it weren't for your righteous words today, I fear I would have walked into a den of wolves without even knowing it. But Mother has already spoken; I am afraid... afraid there will be no peace for me in the future."

The mention of this made Jiang Shiyuan’s heart turn cold. She fanned herself with a round fan, the already stifling heat made all the more oppressive by the girl’s crying. Seeing her mistress’s face darken, the maid Lǜluó spoke up.

"Fourth Miss, you should go wash your face. If you keep crying, your makeup will be ruined beyond recognition."

At her words, Jiang Shiyue stood up like a startled deer. Seeing her reflection in the bronze mirror, she realized the powder she had carefully applied had indeed smudged. She gently covered her face with her handkerchief and said with a wounded tone, "Could Sister Lǜluó please take me to wash up? I cannot be seen like this."

Lǜluó did not particularly enjoy dealing with this Fourth Miss, but it was better than listening to her sob. Since the items in the side room were for Jiang Shiyuan’s exclusive use, she did not want others touching her mistress's things, so she led Jiang Shiyue to the left wing room.

Once they were gone, Jiang Shiyuan let out a long breath. It was clear she held no great affection for Jiang Shiyue; at best, she did not dislike her.

"Eldest Sister, Fourth Sister is still young. If there was anything improper, please do not hold it against her. Second Aunt has always been the type who cannot tolerate a grain of sand in her eyes. After Fourth Sister defied her so openly today, I fear her days will be hard. If you can help, please do."

The meaning was similar to before, but coming from Jiang Shishu, Jiang Shiyuan found it much easier to accept. She looked at this third sister, who was always so low-key, and remarked pointedly, "She is quite clever. Otherwise, she wouldn't have broken with Second Aunt in front of so many people, effectively pinning her own future on me. It is as if it would be my fault if she fails to marry into a good family later. I know you are kind-hearted, Third Sister, but pleading for her today was unnecessary."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shishu was stunned, her expression darkening. She was clearly filled with grievance, but she did not know how to speak of it.

Jiang Shiyuan, being sharp-witted, immediately sensed her inner thoughts. Seeing her grief and frustration, she pulled her closer and asked, "Was it the trip that Father and I took you on to the Marquis’s estate that caused Second Aunt to make things difficult for you and Concubine Yang?"

"Eldest Sister, I... I am of low status and meager fortune. I truly do not deserve the kindness that you and Father have shown me. Concubine Yang has a difficult life in the inner courtyard, and I do not wish to cause any more trouble because of my own affairs."

Although Jiang Shishu did not state it explicitly, her meaning was clear.