Chapter 152: Conspiracy and Starting Over

Lady Jiang Hou was just about to use the restroom when suddenly someone covered her mouth from behind and dragged her into the darkness beside her. The abruptness of the incident startled her so much that she momentarily forgot to resist. She was dazed as she was pulled aside, then, in a panic, she struggled fiercely, preparing to call for help. From behind came a familiar voice: “Weiwei, don’t scream.”

Taking a deep breath, Lady Jiang Hou stopped her frantic flailing. The person behind her released her, and when she turned, it was none other than Shaohua Shi.

The face she had longed for day and night suddenly appeared before her, making her feel as if she were dreaming. “Shaohua, where have you been all this time? Why are you only coming now?”

Shaohua Shi was momentarily stunned. He keenly realized that Lady Jiang Hou still had no idea he had eloped with Miaodan Jiang.

That made sense—once Jiang Lin found out about this, he would certainly keep it under wraps. And since Lady Jiang Hou and Shen Zhifeng had been hiding out in the inn, they naturally wouldn’t know the truth.

He breathed a sigh of relief, his expression tinged with sorrow. “It’s a long story. I only just managed to come back. Weiwei, have you been well?”

Hearing Shaohua’s greeting and seeing his noticeably gaunt face, Lady Jiang Hou’s tears finally spilled uncontrollably.

Shen Zhifeng cared only about power and the child, paying her no genuine attention. Though they shared a bed, their hearts were worlds apart, and even that aspect of their relationship was nonexistent.

Of course, she had no way of knowing that Shen Zhifeng’s lack of desire wasn’t unwillingness but incapacity.

“Shaohua, I haven’t been well. Take me and the child away with you,” Lady Jiang Hou sobbed, collapsing into Shaohua’s embrace.

Shaohua’s brows twitched sharply.

That was impossible. Having barely returned to the capital, he swore to live a life of wealth and honor and would never leave again.

So he resolved to return with Lady Jiang Hou to the marquis’s residence. Come autumn’s imperial examination, he would feign illness to avoid attending. As for the matter of Miaodan Jiang, that would require careful timing.

“Weiwei, I don’t want to be apart from you and the child either, but there’s no other way. Look at how exhausted you are; it pains me deeply. In a few days, you’ll return to the marquis’s residence. Let’s live as before, alright?”

Shaohua gazed at Lady Jiang Hou with deep affection, soothing her anxiety.

***

“What about the child? Should we still let Shen Zhifeng take him back to the Duke’s mansion?” Lady Jiang Hou hesitated.

Of course, she only spoke out of emotional impulse. After wandering homeless for so long, she didn’t want to leave far away; she simply wished to return to the marquis’s mansion and resume her place as the marquis’s wife.

Shaohua’s eyes flickered. Perhaps sending the child back to the mansion wouldn’t be so straightforward anymore, but it was worth trying.

Eventually, he retraced his steps.

The two exchanged heartfelt words again. Fearing Shen Zhifeng might notice anything amiss, Lady Jiang Hou went to the restroom before returning.

In the courtyard, Shaohua and another sat watching the night sky for a long time. When he returned to the room, Miaodan Jiang was snoring, sprawled across the bed, nearly occupying the entire space. He didn’t wake her but instead leaned against a chair, making do for the night.

Despite everything, he still had feelings for Miaodan. He sighed that they were born in the wrong era; being together only brought pain to both.

His last act of kindness was that, for all this time, he hadn’t touched her. They merely slept side by side without consummating their marriage. Initially, he had hoped to save that for their wedding night. Now, at least, when Miaodan married in the future, she wouldn’t be scorned by her husband’s family for not having a bloodstain as proof of virginity.

The next morning, Miaodan returned to the mansion alone.

If they had gone back together, it would have drawn too much attention.

Most of the servants at the marquis’s mansion were unaware of the truth, only hearing that Miaodan had gone to a temple to pray for Lady Jiang’s wellbeing.

Seeing Miaodan dressed plainly, her complexion sallow and her figure gaunt, many sighed. Though the eldest miss was somewhat spoiled, her motherly affection for Lady Jiang was evident. It was clear she had been devoted to prayer at the austere temple—no wonder she appeared so frail.

Only Miaodan’s personal maid knew the truth. Upon seeing her mistress’s return, the two embraced and wept bitterly.

Miaodan hurried to wash up, changed into an old dress, and lay on the couch, finally breathing a sigh of relief as if awakening from a dream.

She timidly asked, “Where is my brother? Is he angry that I left?”

The maid’s expression darkened slightly. “The young master is naturally angry, but you are his beloved sister. Now that you’re home, a few gentle words will surely make him forgive you.”

She dared not mention how furious Jiang Lin’s wrath had been, a fury that kept everyone in the marquis’s residence trembling with fear.

***

“So where is my brother now? Why hasn’t he come to see me?” Miaodan relaxed, believing Jiang Lin wouldn’t bear to blame her.

She had acted foolishly, but now she had returned.

“The young master went out. I heard he’s with the third prince, heading to the racetrack,” the maid said as she poured tea. “You didn’t know, but the prince and princess of the Northern Liguo Kingdom have arrived in the capital. The young master has been accompanying them all over the city these past few days.”

So that was it. Miaodan blinked, thinking it might be better this way. She wasn’t sure how to explain to her brother yet; she would wait until he returned tonight.

As for Shaohua, he was still staying at the inn. After Miaodan left, he formally moved into the opposite room.

Shen Zhifeng was astonished. “Shaohua, where have you been all this time?”

Lady Jiang Hou, having already seen him the previous night, still feigned ignorance. “Yes, Shaohua, we were all so worried about you. What happened?”

Shaohua sighed heavily. “Last time I went to the Duke’s mansion, the eldest miss stopped me. Not only did I fail to see the matriarch, but I was also driven out of the capital by her people. It was only after much difficulty that I managed to return.”

“What? That treacherous Shen Qingyun—I knew she was behind this!” Shen Zhifeng flew into a rage, not doubting Shaohua’s words, as he had long suspected Shen Qingyun’s meddling.

Shaohua’s disheveled appearance only confirmed his story, and even Lady Jiang Hou believed him.

He had pondered for a long time last night and decided to pin everything on Shen Qingyun. After all, they wouldn’t confront her directly.

“I don’t mind suffering a little, but what should we do next?” Shaohua asked earnestly.

Shen Zhifeng thought for a moment. “We need to find a way to avoid Shen Qingyun’s watchful eyes and get in touch with the matriarch. Once she knows, things will be easier for us.”

Lady Jiang Hou timidly asked, “And what about me? I think I have recovered enough to return to the marquis’s mansion.”

“That’s good. Weiwei, you’ve suffered following me. Don’t worry, once everything settles, I will make it up to you,” Shen Zhifeng said, deeply moved. Then he added, “We’re running low on funds here. When you return to the mansion, remember to send some silver over.”