Chapter 16: Mother and Daughter

Because her children had all returned home, Jiang Wu stayed at home for quite some time and didn’t visit Qingyang. Although Qingyang sent her a few invitations, she declined them all.

It wasn’t for any other reason.

Jiang Wu’s affair with Yang Zhou, when facing Chu Ling, stirred at most a panic of being discovered rather than any guilt.

But when it came to her children, her mindset shifted entirely.

She didn’t want to leave them with any ridiculous impressions. Besides, Nian Yin was growing up; if she accidentally acquired a bad reputation, even with the Prime Minister’s mansion backing her, it could still bring a negative influence on her husband’s family.

After much contemplation, she stopped contacting Yang Zhou altogether.

She only knew that he and Mingzhu had moved into the residence she prepared for them. Through Qingyang, she received a letter of thanks from him, which she read and then put away.

At the end of the letter, for the first time, the man boldly asked what their relationship would be now that he had moved in.

According to Jiang Wu’s original plan, moving in meant he was considered part of her household—this was how she had explained it to Qingyang at first.

But now, perhaps because of her children’s presence, she chose to ignore that question and continued to avoid facing it.

The last invitation was personally delivered by Qingyang.

Seeing Jiang Wu flustered and uneasy, Qingyang teased exaggeratedly, “Oh my, you’ve been having an affair for five years without a hint of nervousness, and now suddenly you can’t sit still?”

This was truly the first time Jiang Wu felt so flustered. She glanced left and right, fearing someone might overhear and tell her children. “Don’t say that,” she defended herself, insisting that her relationship with Yang Zhou was above board. “I was just... relaxing.”

Relaxing? Could that be called an affair?

Such a reaction was rare.

Although their relationship was indeed pure, Jiang Wu usually gave tacit consent to Qingyang’s teasing. This was the first time she had openly refuted her.

Qingyang’s smile faded slowly. Twirling her folding fan, she tucked it into her pocket, crossed her arms, and suddenly asked, “You used to talk about divorce all the time. Now that the children are back and your lover has disappeared, are you... planning to live properly with Chu Ling?”

“Ah?” Jiang Wu was momentarily stunned.

Before she could respond, Qingyang continued, “If you’re not planning to keep Yang Zhou, why don’t you just give him to me?”

“Ah?” Jiang Wu was even more stunned, her mind blank. Without hesitation, she replied firmly, “No!”

Very resolutely.

“With your speed of taking concubines, you shouldn’t bother him. I’m not taking him either. It’s only a few days anyway. Once I divorce, I can be with him openly and honestly. Why stir up trouble now?”

Qingyang arched an eyebrow, understanding the meaning.

“Also,” Jiang Wu looked at her, “stop calling him Yang Zhou. Call him Mr. Mo properly.”

Qingyang clicked her tongue, “You really won’t give me even a little advantage.”

The mood between them remained unaffected by the topic.

Whether Qingyang was serious or joking, Jiang Wu couldn’t tell. But it didn’t matter. Matters of the heart were about mutual consent. Qingyang wasn’t the type to play dirty behind someone’s back. If Yang Zhou really ended up with her, Jiang Wu had nothing to complain about.

“But...” Qingyang added, “this invitation is real. Don’t skip it. It’s a spring banquet at my residence. Lend me your face and come.”

Although Qingyang held the title of princess, it wasn’t nearly as useful as Jiang Wu’s position as the Prime Minister’s wife.

Jiang Wu understood and waved her hand habitually, “Alright, use it. There isn’t much time left to use it anyway.”

Qingyang was at a loss for words, finally pressing her temples in frustration, “Just remember to come.”

***

Jiang Wu attended the banquet with her daughter.

Lately, she had been inseparable from her beloved daughter. Only after living so long did she realize how comforting it was to have a close companion.

Of course, A Ye was also wonderful, but he was no longer young and was in the crucial period of reviewing lessons for the imperial examination. Jiang Wu rarely disturbed him.

Her obedient daughter, however, accompanied her in reading, embroidery, flower appreciation, and tea tasting.

At first, Nian Yin was somewhat distant and cautious, speaking formally and touching carefully. But gradually, she laughed and chatted easily with her mother.

Jiang Wu didn’t want to be apart from her for even a moment.

So the two of them went to Qingyang’s banquet together.

It wasn’t Nian Yin’s first time attending such an event, but previously she had always accompanied her grandmother. The mother and daughter rarely appeared together.

Compliments flowed endlessly—how much the daughter resembled the mother, both stunning beauties capable of captivating the nation, how close their mother-daughter bond was, and so forth.

At first, Jiang Wu smiled genuinely; she was truly pleased to hear such words. But as she smiled longer, her expression gradually stiffened.

Later, Nian Yin went off to chat with her friends, while Jiang Wu still had to engage with others.

She seldom attended such occasions—it was exhausting. She didn’t care much, and she barely recognized the noble ladies of the capital. Others only flattered her without a hint of sincerity.

It was utterly pointless.

She wondered why Qingyang was so enthusiastic about it.

After mingling with everyone like a fish in water, Qingyang finally came to rescue Jiang Wu. Linking arms as if they were best friends, Qingyang exchanged a few words with others before leading Jiang Wu away.

In her words, although Jiang Wu was rather dull, without her, so many people wouldn’t have come.

Jiang Wu sighed, “It would be great if you could marry Chu Ling.”

Qingyang’s expression turned a little terrified, “Does cursing me like that really make you happy?”

Jiang Wu smirked. See? That’s the normal reaction.

***

When the banquet began, per Jiang Wu’s special request, Qingyang arranged for Lady Li, wife of the Minister of Revenue Li, to be seated beside Jiang Wu.

Lady Li thought Qingyang was giving her special attention and looked at her with deep gratitude.

Jiang Wu usually disliked mingling with such ladies, but today she patiently made small talk with Lady Li.

When the moment was right, she casually asked, “By the way, I heard that Lady Li’s fifth son is quite handsome. Has he promised to marry any young lady yet?”

At their age, conversations often revolved around their children’s affairs, so Jiang Wu’s question was not out of place.

But the question seemed to stump Lady Li, who after a long pause forced a smile, “Not yet.”

Jiang Wu’s smile stiffened. What did that mean? That young man had already been betrothed to Mingzhu, with tokens exchanged, yet “not yet”?

Before Jiang Wu could even press further, other ladies who disliked her broke into laughter nearby, “Oh? Is my memory failing? Didn’t your son already have a marriage arrangement?”

They had long been jealous of Lady Li’s closeness to Jiang Wu, and now they relished the chance to undermine her, eagerly waiting for Lady Li to be embarrassed.

Jiang Wu stared at Lady Li, genuinely expecting an explanation.

This made Lady Li break out in a cold sweat. The girl her son had chosen was the daughter of an actress—a completely unsuitable match. She could never accept such a woman into their family.

Not only an actress’s daughter, but also Qingyang’s concubine. If her son married her, the Li family’s reputation in the capital would be ruined.

It was only because of Qingyang’s connections that the Li family had managed to keep this father and daughter from disappearing from the capital entirely.

“Who hasn’t had a wild youth? My son was just momentarily bewitched by some temptress outside. But lately, he’s settled down and focused on studying at home.”

Lady Li would rather admit her son’s rakishness than acknowledge he intended to marry a girl of such low status.

Nian Yin glanced at her mother, sensing her anger. She could feel the tight grip of her mother’s hand under the table, and the usually gentle eyes now concealed a fierce resentment.

Was it because of that woman? Nian Yin lowered her head, silently repeating the name she despised so much. A shadow flickered in her eyes, along with a rare, uncharacteristic bitterness.

Jiang Wu was indeed furious.

Luckily, she had inquired today; otherwise, she wouldn’t have realized that what she thought was a proper marriage arrangement was actually only at this stage.

Hearing Lady Li call that woman a “temptress” ignited a nameless fury within Jiang Wu.

A fortunate daughter should not enter an unfortunate household. Their Mingzhu was so fine; that family simply wasn’t worthy.