Chapter Ten

The birthday celebration was nearly over. Lord Gu returned first to the Gu residence, while Lady Gu stayed at the Jiang household with Gu Huaisheng and Gu Huailang for the night.

As the youngest daughter of the family, her bond with her mother was naturally close. She remained behind to share many heartfelt words with her mother, losing track of time until night had fallen. Since there was nothing pressing, it was no trouble to stay. Unexpectedly, Gu Huaisheng also stayed, explaining that it was late and troublesome to go back and forth, so he followed her.

Lady Gu didn’t think much of it. It was good to stay; he was so promising, and it would comfort the elders to see him.

Gu Huaisheng’s staying at the Jiang estate sparked much discussion among the household staff.

“I heard the young lord is staying at the mansion tonight?” a maid with a high bun asked someone beside her.

She held a tray of dishes recently cleared from the table, and the two were headed towards the kitchen.

The other replied, “Absolutely. I heard the young lord and Lady Gu talking when I was clearing the table. I even overheard the housekeeper ordering Cui Ping and Cui Tan to serve at the young lord’s temporary quarters. Lucky them to be so close to the young lord.”

Her tone brimmed with envy, wishing she were one of those two maids.

The high-bun maid responded, “That’s really strange. Since the young lord is here, why haven’t we seen the young lady at all?”

“Right, come to think of it, I haven’t seen her since this afternoon.”

They found it odd but didn’t dwell on it, returning to their chores.

As night deepened, the main hall of the Rongde Mansion was filled with members of the Jiang family’s elder and second branches, along with Lady Gu and her company. The feast had ended, guests gradually dispersed, and the lively mansion finally grew quiet.

Jiang Nan led a few younger family members, staying behind to exchange blessings.

After a day of socializing, the matriarch looked visibly tired but forced a smile to accept their congratulations. “Thank you all for your hard work today,” she said.

The feast had been exhausting for everyone; the younger generation was no exception. Despite her stern demeanor, the matriarch was not without reason.

Jiang Nan quickly said, “It’s what sons should do.”

Jiang Cheng agreed, “Exactly. Mother didn’t want to hold the banquet in previous years; this year, finally having one, there’s no such thing as hard work.”

The matriarch smiled and said, “Well then, let’s call it a day. I’m tired, and you all should rest.”

Everyone rose to take their leave.

At that moment, Gu Huailang, who had been silent nearby, tugged at Lady Gu’s sleeve and whispered, “Where is cousin? I haven’t seen her.”

Usually, when his brother was present, Jiang Jingchun would be there too, but this time, she was conspicuously absent.

Though his voice was low, it reached Jiang Nan’s ears.

Only then did Jiang Nan notice that Jiang Jingchun hadn’t appeared for a long time. His expression darkened. On this special day, when everyone was present to pay respects to the matriarch, she was nowhere to be seen.

At that moment, Jiang Jingfang suddenly spoke up, “She’s not in her room. I went back late today and heard she had a stomachache, so I thought I’d check. But when I entered, only her maid was there—she wasn’t.”

Jiang Jingfang had never gotten along with Jiang Jingchun and seemed to let this slip unintentionally but with malice.

Jiang Jingchun wasn’t in her room? Then where was she?

Jiang Nan guessed she had snuck out to play, especially with the Chen family’s young ladies and the Song family’s young masters present. She couldn’t stay still! He had thought she was learning proper behavior recently since she’d been by the matriarch’s side, but evidently, she was her usual troublesome self. A few days without mischief and she’d be restless again.

Jiang Nan’s face turned ashen, and the atmosphere stiffened; no one spoke first.

Li Shi glared at Jiang Jingfang, who shrank behind her mother with an innocent look.

Jiang Nan, losing patience, spoke harshly despite the occasion, “This brat, on such an important day, yet still won’t settle down. If she insists on sneaking out on your sixtieth birthday, I’ll have her found and punished.”

Li Shi retorted with displeasure, “If the child wants to have fun, let her. She’s been cooped up for so long; what harm is there in letting her relax?”

From her words, it was clear she already knew about this, and her earlier claim that the child was resting was a lie.

Jiang Nan wasn’t a bad-tempered man, but he had little tolerance for Jiang Jingchun. He was about to continue when the matriarch interrupted.

“Enough. Even if she isn’t here today, she’s usually more dutiful than anyone else. That’s enough; it’s better than just performing filial piety in public.”

With that, the matriarch rose and headed inside, assisted by a nanny.

After she left, the atmosphere grew tense again. After a long silence, Jiang Cheng, along with Lin Shi, his concubine, and children, left the contentious hall first. Though not sharp, he knew to read the room; his brother’s anger wouldn’t subside soon, and to avoid collateral damage, it was best to leave early.

The second branch withdrew from the main hall.

As expected, despite the matriarch’s words, Jiang Nan was not willing to let the matter drop. He wore a dark expression and sent people out to find Jiang Jingchun.

After a while, Lady Gu hesitated, wondering whether to leave. She glanced at Gu Huaisheng, who was calmly sipping tea, considering how to broach the subject.

At that moment, a commotion came from the door. They looked up to see guards returning with Jiang Jingchun, whom they had caught not long after she left. Surprisingly, Song Xuan’an was with her.

By chance, Song Xuan’an had escorted Chen Muqing home first, then accompanied Jiang Jingchun back. But as she was halfway through the dog hole at the back gate, she looked up to find a group of guards waiting.

In less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, she was caught and brought back.

Song Xuan’an showed loyalty, refusing to let her take the blame alone and insisted on entering with her.

The hall fell deathly silent. Jiang Jingchun glanced at her father’s darkened face and thought, she was doomed.

She had really caused a tremendous scandal.

She had intended to return early, knowing the later it got, the higher the chance of being caught. But being a child, once she started playing, she lost track of time, moving from the southern suburbs to other places, reckless and carefree. Seeing the night fall, she gave up and played on, half scared, half defiant.

Returning late, she was caught while crawling through the dog hole.

After nearly a day of mischief and squeezing through dog holes with Song Xuan’an, both looked disheveled. Jiang Jingchun even had a dog’s tail grass stuck in her hair, looking utterly messy.

Despite everything, she somehow had the nerve to glance at Gu Huaisheng.

He sat calmly, casting a faint glance their way but quickly looked away, seemingly indifferent.

Being this late and still not having returned to the Gu residence?

That single glance was enough to ignite Jiang Nan’s fury. He shouted harshly, “You brat! How dare you look at others with such insolence!”

Though Jiang Nan lowered his voice out of respect for the matriarch’s domain, it was still intimidating.

Jiang Jingchun shuddered like a quail, pulling back and lowering her head, afraid to look again.

Jiang Nan, worried about disturbing the resting matriarch, took Jiang Jingchun outside under the corridor for a scolding.

Li Shi immediately stood up to follow but was held back by Jiang Runchu.

“Mother, this time she really crossed the line. We can’t keep spoiling her.”

In the past, her night escapades with outsiders might have been forgiven as childish ignorance. But now, at sixteen and having recently come of age, she should know better—the propriety between men and women.

She claimed to like Gu Huaisheng yet played so intimately with other young men.

If such rumors spread, she’d be seen as fickle and untrustworthy.

Li Shi considered Jiang Runchu’s words and refrained from further protest, though she kept her gaze outside, watching their movements.

Night had fully deepened. The festive red lanterns still hung from the corridor, casting a glow that made Jiang Nan’s face even more menacing.

After taking Jiang Jingchun outside, Jiang Nan showed no restraint. He glared and demanded, “Your grandmother loves and cherishes you, but what about you? How could you sneak out on her birthday? Do you have any sense of propriety?”

The young girl’s eyes drooped; all joy had vanished from her face. Nervously, she bit her lip until it bled, making her lips appear even redder.

Jiang Nan’s words were harsh beyond measure.

“Propriety?”

He had just called her heartless.

She didn’t understand why he said such cruel things, why he could treat his own daughter so harshly.

But laughably, when she heard this, Jiang Jingchun had no words to defend herself.

Tears welled up uncontrollably, spilling down her pale cheeks as she lowered her head. Cold tears fell onto her hand.

“It’s not true... I didn’t...” she stammered.

Li Shi couldn’t bear it any longer. She stepped beside Jiang Nan and tugged at him, “That’s enough. No need to scare her like this!”

Jiang Nan ignored her. “It’s because you’ve spoiled her! Today I’ll punish her; otherwise, she’ll never learn.”

He ordered someone to fetch a paddle.

Seeing this, Song Xuan’an tried to intervene, wanting to explain that it was his idea to take Jiang Jingchun out, and it had nothing to do with her.

But as he stepped forward, Gu Huaisheng called out, “I think it’s better if Young Master Song doesn’t get involved.”

Even if Song Xuan’an stepped up to defend Jiang Jingchun, what good would it do? It would only enrage Jiang Nan further.

Song Xuan’an paused and turned to look at Gu Huaisheng.

Gu Huaisheng was still sitting, having set down his cup, watching him silently.