Chapter 10: Purchasing the Estate

Though she had endured quite a hardship, Jiang Wu’s confinement had finally come to an end. To go outside, she had no choice but to tie a high collar around her neck to conceal the marks Chu Ling had left.

Her original plan was to seek out Mo Yangzhou immediately upon leaving, and she had even arranged it with Qingyang, but at the last moment, Jiang Wu hesitated. She never behaved this way; the feeling was strange, as if showing up to see Yangzhou bearing these marks would make her uncomfortable. She imagined Yangzhou’s eyes dimming if he saw them, and that thought was equally unsettling.

Yet, between them, she had always been the one in control; why should she care about his feelings? Torn by such thoughts, she stopped the servant just before arriving at the princess’s residence.

“Please invite the princess out. Tell her I am treating her to tea today.”

It wasn’t long before Qingyang appeared.

“I don’t understand why you always have to make things difficult,” Qingyang said, evidently rushed, her hair ornaments and attire lacking their usual splendor—no wonder she was annoyed.

Jiang Wu felt guilty and remained silent.

“Didn’t we agree to meet at the residence?” Qingyang asked again. “Why are you out again?”

With others around, Jiang Wu couldn’t explain, but the two were so familiar that a single glance conveyed everything. She understood that Qingyang’s eyes were saying that Mo Yangzhou was waiting for her.

She pretended not to know.

“Staying at home all the time is boring; it’s time to get out and about.”

Qingyang naturally went along with it.

When they were alone, Jiang Wu revealed the purpose of the outing: she wanted Qingyang to accompany her in searching for a residence.

She added, “Just say it’s what you want.”

Of course, Chu Ling must never learn of this.

Since Qingyang had heard Jiang Wu mention Mo Yangzhou last time, she was calmer now.

“So you’re going to say you want the man too? Aren’t you afraid of tarnishing the reputation of your family’s Yangzhou?”

Having made up her mind, Jiang Wu didn’t care.

“After all, he’ll be following me from now on. Whether the reputation is clean or not, it doesn’t matter.”

Since she had decided to take Mo Yangzhou as a live-in son-in-law, she needed a proper residence.

Returning to the Jiang estate was out of the question. She could almost foresee that after being repudiated by Chu Ling, her father would never allow her back home, let alone accept a son-in-law.

Perhaps it was for the best; she had saved quite a bit herself and could support a family. Eventually, she would bring her mother over.

“Fine then,” Qingyang said, adopting a self-sacrificing tone, then muttered, “If Prime Minister Chu finds out the residence was purchased under my name, even though I’m a princess, or even if I were the Emperor himself, he’d have to deal with me.”

“Don’t overthink it,” Jiang Wu reassured her. “By then, he won’t have time to meddle; he’ll be too busy doting on Chu Yan.”

But then she reconsidered. “Still, that man is cunning, narrow-minded, and ruthless. If he really finds out, it won’t be good. We should buy a place a bit further away.”

Qingyang seemed momentarily choked by those words, then nodded thoughtfully, “Indeed, the husband is best understood by the wife.”

The two then viewed several estates for sale around the capital.

Jiang Wu, accustomed to a lavish lifestyle, was the picky one, though ostensibly the purchase was for Qingyang. She criticized the quality of the building materials, the location, and so on.

The early summer weather wasn’t too hot, but they were exhausted from the search. Qingyang fanned herself with a round fan.

“All right, all right,” Jiang Wu apologized, tugging her along, “Let’s look at just one more.”

She herself was feeling the heat, leaning close to catch the breeze from Qingyang’s fan, only to be gently pushed away.

“Fan yourself.”

Jiang Wu shamelessly edged closer again.

Qingyang could do nothing but go along with it.

They had been close friends for many years, so long that Jiang Wu could no longer recall how their friendship had begun.

Qingyang was the elder sister of the late emperor and daughter of the Empress Dowager. Though noble in title and demeanor, her brother had died young, and the current emperor’s mother was Chu Ling’s sister.

The young emperor’s court was entirely controlled by the Chu family.

The royal family held no real power, so Qingyang’s life was no longer as carefree as before.

Still, she had no ambitions and carried on her extravagant life. Out of respect for the Empress Dowager, no one dared to cross her.

Qingyang was very kind to Jiang Wu.

If someone treated you well for a day, a year, or two, it might be for some gain. But to be kind for over a decade—both as the illustrious princess and now—that was genuine. If Qingyang had any schemes, Jiang Wu would be even more eager to fulfill them.

In truth, Qingyang had no schemes at all.

The last estate they visited was much better than the previous ones, but perhaps because of fatigue or being overwhelmed by choices, Jiang Wu couldn’t summon much enthusiasm.

Until they reached a side room. She opened the window, and suddenly a lush green bamboo grove came into view.

Before she even felt the breeze, her heart had already quieted amidst the greenery.

The soft rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind made her stand there silently, a sudden joy rising in her chest as she gripped the window frame.

“Who plants so many bamboos in their courtyard?” Qingyang asked, watching the bamboo outside with her hands tucked into her sleeves, a casual and unrestrained posture.

The estate’s owner was absent; their guide was the steward, who smiled and answered, “Our master simply loves bamboo—that’s why this grove was planted.”

Jiang Wu was captivated, and when Qingyang asked, “Loves it?”

She came back to herself and smiled, “You’re the buyer; why ask if I like it? But... let me say, it’s really quite nice.”

Qingyang chuckled softly.

Though smiling, Jiang Wu sensed no real amusement. Gazing out the window, she caught a flicker of complex emotion on her friend’s profile.

It was fleeting, like an illusion.

“Then it’s settled.”

When Qingyang smiled at her, her face had returned to normal.

Qingyang had secrets from Jiang Wu, of course, as did Jiang Wu from her. Everyone had them.

So she didn’t press further.

Qingyang went to pay, and when Jiang Wu followed, she overheard the amount and felt a sharp pang in her chest.

Not as a prime minister’s wife, but as the future head of the household responsible for supporting the family.

She tugged at Qingyang’s sleeve, signaling her to reconsider.

But Qingyang silently shrugged her off; her gaze clearly said: How could a princess back down over price?

Jiang Wu quietly lamented her money, but Qingyang lightly tapped her with the fan.

“Enough. Consider it a gift from me.”

“That won’t do,” Jiang Wu said, reluctant but firm. “If I don’t pay, it’ll be like you’re supporting a man for me.”

That remark seemed to awaken Qingyang. After a moment’s thought, she said, “If that’s the case, I’m the one losing out. Make sure you send the money to my residence.”

She laughed again. “Use Prime Minister Chu’s money to support a man—take it out on him properly.”

Jiang Wu widened her eyes. What did she mean by Chu Ling’s money?

“That is my money.”

After eighteen years of hard work, it was what she deserved.

***

Jiang Wu planned to return straight to her residence.

“Why the rush?” Qingyang stopped her. “What about our tea date? You’re just going to use me and then leave?”

She had a point, so Jiang Wu followed her to a teahouse.

It was a famous establishment in the capital, frequented by the city’s high officials and nobility.

Qingyang was a regular and went straight to her usual seat, ordering two small songs.

Jiang Wu had little interest.

Behind the screen in the elegant room, shadowy figures appeared—performers had arrived.

She didn’t look their way.

“What’s wrong?” Qingyang teased. “You’re willing to spend money on others, but can’t bear to order a song for me?”

“That’s not it,” Jiang Wu replied. “Whether tea or music, when others provide it, it always feels like something’s missing.”

“Oh?” Qingyang raised an eyebrow. “How do you know it’s not interesting people performing?”

Jiang Wu was about to ask what she meant when opera music began behind the curtain. Just a single note, and she was stunned.

Wasn’t that Yangzhou’s voice?