After Saving The Disabled Villain, I Was Attacked In Return! - Chapter 65

“What, are you staring at me for a reason?” Dowager Consort Zhang demanded, her painted smile failing to hide her ugly expression. Jiang Yu inwardly rolled her eyes before forcing a polite smile. “Dowager Consort Zhang, you’re mistaken,” she said. “Everyone in the Capital knows how the Empress Dowager’s favorite rose to prominence. Her daughter was originally just a lowly palace maid in the Bureau of Garments. How did she climb step by step to become the Empress Dowager’s favored confidante? It’s common knowledge here.”

Jiang Yu’s smile was thin and insincere as she finished speaking. She then led Dowager Consort Zhang into the house. Despite her reputation for abusing her power, Zhang still understood the hierarchy of court etiquette. After all, she was merely a minor Dowager Consort, far beneath the Empress Dowager in status. Hearing Jiang Yu’s words, Zhang’s face flushed green, then pale, in alternating waves.

In the main hall, all the Madams and Misses rose to greet Dowager Consort Zhang. Shen Yun’s smile mirrored Jiang Yu’s, both thin and insincere as they watched Zhang enter.

Just as Dowager Consort Zhang was about to lose her temper, the Mama beside her pinched her sleeve and shot her a meaningful glance. “Dowager Consort,” she whispered, “don’t let this trivial matter disrupt our plans for today.”

After Mama spoke, Dowager Consort Zhang seemed to have devised some wicked scheme, and she grinned maliciously. “All of you, rise. Am I late?” she asked in a sly tone as she strode to the head of the hall and sat down with an air of self-assuredness. Shen Yun, unwilling to cause further embarrassment on this important day, merely agreed that she wasn’t late. However, the displeased expression on her face remained unchanged. Dowager Consort Zhang knew she wasn’t in her own territory; Jiang Shengrong was entertaining guests in the outer courtyard. She cunningly adopted a kindly demeanor.

Jiang Yu noticed the unexpectedly harmonious atmosphere in the hall and decided not to linger in the front reception area. Instead, she continued walking toward the entrance.

Just then, a stocky middle-aged woman emerged from the kitchen in the Central Wing. Her appearance was unfamiliar, and her movements seemed awkward and restrained. Jiang Yu had recently worked with the cooks at the General’s Residence while preparing Laba porridge for the festival, and this woman clearly didn’t resemble someone who had been trained within the estate for long.

Out of caution, Jiang Yu quickened her pace and stepped into the corridor to block the cook’s path. Her eyes narrowed slightly, yet retained the warmth and approachability unique to the Eldest Miss. “Who are you? Are you a new cook here?”

The first part of her question carried a probing tone, as if she sensed she might have been too direct and risked alerting the cook. To avoid alarming her, she added the second part.

The cook shrank back, looking almost as timid as Liu Xueyun. Jiang Yu clicked her tongue and waited quietly for her to speak.

“You’re right, Miss,” the cook stammered. “I… no, no, no—I mean, this humble servant was brought to the General’s Residence by Madam Shen Lian. I may not be skilled at much, but I excel at quickly stir-frying meat dishes. I’d never bring shame to the General’s Residence!” Though the cook appeared timid, she was remarkably practiced at self-promotion—a skill that had likely earned her Madam Shen’s favor.

Just yesterday, Shen Lian had been aligned with our side. Given her timidity and disposition, she wouldn’t dare do anything to threaten the General’s Residence. Most importantly, when Jiang Yu glanced down at the cook’s rough wrists, she saw no sign of a bracelet.

Jiang Yu felt slightly relieved. Beside her, Qi An tilted her head in confusion, watching Jiang Yu ask a new kitchen maid for information. Her puzzled expression was quite adorable, and Jiang Yu found herself momentarily distracted.

The kitchen maid sighed in relief and turned back to the kitchen. Everyone was busy today, and she disappeared into the kitchen without a trace.

Jiang Yu stopped focusing on the maid. As more guests trickled into the main hall to sip tea and chat, a genuine fear gripped her.

She kept glancing at the entrance, seeing so many people come and go. Some wore bracelets, but none matched the one in her memory. Besides, these people surely wouldn’t be serving dishes. Could it be a serving girl?

Jiang Yu’s face hardened, and Qi An looked thoughtful. By noon, no more guests would arrive. Lu Wu, her cheeks sore from smiling, turned to go inside and noticed Jiang Yu and Qi An still standing frozen in place.

“Miss?” Lu Wu asked. “Even though the weather is nice today, it’s still cold. Why don’t we go back inside?” She gently tugged at Jiang Yu’s outer robe. Startled out of her thoughts, Jiang Yu stared at Lu Wu in a daze before waving her inside.

Lu Wu was about to ask another question when Lülüo called her name from inside. Blushing, she hurried over.

Qi An gently took Jiang Yu’s hand and led her to a secluded corner of the corridor. She gently rubbed Jiang Yu’s stiff, smiling cheeks, concerned. “You’ve seemed worried all day. What’s wrong?” Qi An’s voice was as clear and refreshing as winter spring water, instantly clearing the fog in Jiang Yu’s mind. Jiang Yu sighed and cautiously explained her wristband concern.

“So I decided to trust my instincts and keep an eye out for anyone wearing a bracelet like that today.” Jiang Yu lowered her head, looking like a frightened kitten, vulnerable and in need of protection.

Qi An felt the same way. From the start, she had wanted to protect Jiang Yu, only to find herself being protected instead. Now, seeing Jiang Yu so helpless, Qi An focused intensely, her phoenix eyes quickly scanning everyone around them. Yet strangely, despite seeing wrists adorned with bracelets of all sizes, none matched Jiang Yu’s description.

Soon, all the guests had arrived, and the troupe of performers invited by the General’s Residence was already warbling on the makeshift stage. It was like a rare village movie screening, though the attendees were all officials and nobles. Still… unless it was an exceptionally grand occasion, they usually wouldn’t bother with a professional troupe.

Moreover, this particular troupe was notoriously difficult to book, typically reserved for high-ranking officials and nobility.

Jiang Yu couldn’t stand up and move around; she had to sit obediently beside Shen Yun, engaging in idle chatter with the Madams around them.

Qi An had initially planned to wander the hall, keeping an eye out for anyone suspicious on Jiang Yu’s behalf. But Jiang Yu clung to her sleeve like a little beast, her eyes gazing up at Qi An. “I feel safer when you’re by my side…”

At first glance, the words seemed perfectly innocent. Yet both speaker and listener felt a faint blush creep up their necks, and Qi An obediently remained in place.

The performance began. Since it was customary to remain silent during the show, Jiang Yu didn’t need to make any special effort to keep her composure.

Meanwhile, the kitchen of the General’s Residence was bustling with activity. Jiang Yu had been closely monitoring the staff, but she saw nothing suspicious. Lu Wu had also been inexplicably sent to keep watch, and her report upon returning confirmed that everything seemed normal.

Dowager Consort Zhang, being the most senior and influential figure among the guests, sat in the prime seat below the stage. From time to time, she would feign discomfort with a theatrical “Aiyo,” her tone dripping with malice.

Jiang Yu frowned. If it weren’t for that old hag, I wouldn’t have so many troubles. All she thinks about is scheming against the General!

The more Jiang Yu thought about it, the angrier she grew. But she knew that losing her temper now would be a defeat. So she suppressed her anger, silently seething.

The troupe performed only two or three plays before taking their bows. By then, it was almost time for the banquet. After a bit more small talk and idle chatter, a maid would come to announce that the meal was ready.

The momentary lull in conversation gave Dowager Consort Zhang the opportunity to attack Jiang Yu.

“Madam Shen,” Dowager Consort Zhang began, showing a veneer of courtesy, “I must ask, does the General’s Residence truly disregard social norms? How else can a mere daughter of a disgraced official be allowed to mingle so freely with the family’s young ladies, enjoying herself so thoroughly? Has there been no regard for rank and status?”

Shen Yun rolled her eyes openly, showing no restraint. The longstanding feud between Dowager Consort Zhang and the General’s Residence was well-known among the other Madams and Misses present.

In that tense moment, no one dared utter a word, holding their breath like startled quail, clutching their teacups in silence. But Jiang Yu could endure it no longer. She stood abruptly, first making a proper curtsy to Dowager Consort Zhang, before speaking:

“The Current Emperor is merciful by nature, never one to pursue utter annihilation. Demoting the daughter of a disgraced official to servitude and granting her a new chance at life truly exemplifies His benevolent heart…”

Jiang Yu hadn’t finished speaking, her body trembling with anger. Qi An held her hand, her icy fingers paradoxically providing Jiang Yu with a surge of strength.

“Your words hold truth,” Shen Yun interjected, her timing impeccable. Today, they were in the General’s Residence, and Jiang Shengrong could be here in a few steps if a real argument broke out. Shen Yun wasn’t afraid of this old woman anymore.

Dowager Consort Zhang, still unaware of Jiang Yu’s intentions, watched the mother and daughter warily.

“But today, Dowager Consort Zhang’s words seem to contradict His Majesty’s intentions! Otherwise, why would you persist in clinging to the label of ‘the criminal minister’s daughter’?” As Jiang Yu spoke, Qi An knelt dramatically.

That face—anyone who saw it would inwardly gasp. Now, it was filled with wounded innocence, a stark contrast to Qi An’s usual aloofness.

Support After Saving The Disabled Villain, I Was Attacked In Return!