To Marry the Elder Brother of One's Late Husband - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: A Little Investigation — Where Does Lu Changji Spend His Evenings?

Lu Changji’s gaze was gentle, and his voice was mild, devoid of any sharp edges. Yet, it seemed to carry a weight of ten thousand tons, making one feel grounded and secure.

Because of his words, Jiang Shu’s anxious heart finally settled. She lifted her feet and followed Lu Changji toward the dining hall.

Lu Changji was highly relied upon by Lady Zhao; he came and went from Yanxi Hall as he pleased, never needing an official announcement. Jiang Shu, however, was a different story. The Marchioness had clearly intended to give her the cold shoulder—how could she simply walk into the room with the Eldest Young Master?

The maid guarding the door opened her mouth, originally intending to stop Jiang Shu. But catching a warning glint in Lu Changji’s eyes, she had no choice but to swallow her words and raise her arm to lift the door curtain for the two of them.

Lady Zhao had already finished her morning meal and was currently standing by the washstand rinsing her hands. Seeing Lu Changji and Jiang Shu enter together, she froze for a brief moment.

Lu Changji appeared gentle on the surface, but he was cold and indifferent to his core. He never interfered in matters that did not concern him. Why on earth would he bring Jiang Shu into the room for no reason?

With suspicion, Lady Zhao turned her gaze toward Jiang Shu. The girl stood gracefully; her waist was as slender as a willow branch, yet her figure was remarkably lush. Her face was even more flawless, radiating a soft, seductive charm unique to women—a breathtaking beauty even without a touch of rouge.

Looking at that flower-like countenance, a wild thought suddenly surged in Lady Zhao’s mind. It was a thought so rebellious and terrifying that she hardly dared to dwell on it.

Frowning, Lady Zhao reconsidered and felt her idea was too absurd. Who was Lu Changji? Jiang Shu was no goddess, and her family background was lowly. How could Lu Changji ever commit such an act of scandalous intimacy for her sake—one that the world would never tolerate?

She must be muddled.

Lady Zhao smiled slightly, suppressing her doubts. After a maid assisted her in washing and drying her hands, she spoke warmly to Lu Changji, “You are busy with official duties. If there is anything, just send a servant to let me know. Why did you make this trip yourself in such heavy rain?”

Lu Changji replied that it was no trouble. “Today is my day of rest. It is rare that I have time to pay my respects to Mother. Please do not be so formal, or you will shame your son.”

He pulled out a transfer order and handed it to Lady Zhao. “I have handled the matter you requested. The Inner Cabinet will transfer Inspector Zhao back to the capital within a few days.”

Inspector Zhao was Lady Zhao’s nephew. Normally, with the Zhao family’s influence, moving a family member back to the capital wouldn’t be difficult. However, the Six Ministries were currently checking and balancing one another, making operations less convenient than before.

Furthermore, even if the Zhao family used their connections, the final personnel transfer still required Lu Changji’s approval. Lady Zhao had simply entrusted the matter to him.

It wasn’t particularly honorable for an elder to ask a junior to handle such business. Had her sister-in-law not visited the Marquis of Xinyang’s estate several times, Lady Zhao would never have been able to humble herself to ask.

She smiled awkwardly and said to Lu Changji, “I recently obtained a box of Huizhou ink. I’ll have Nanny Zhou send it to Canaan Courtyard later. See if it suits you. If it works well, I’ll have more sent.”

A gift from an elder cannot be refused. Lu Changji did not decline and graciously accepted Lady Zhao’s kindness.

He glanced at Jiang Shu, who was standing to the side, and suddenly changed the subject. “I noticed the ‘Pine and Crane for Longevity’ embroidery on this chair back is quite exquisite. My second sister-in-law is skilled in this craft—do you know what style of embroidery this is?”

The embroidery Lu Changji mentioned was flanked by armchairs. Jiang Shu could only see the stitching clearly if she sat in one.

Taking the opportunity, she sat in the left chair. With her body supported, her ankles could finally relax. Jiang Shu let out a long sigh of relief, quietly hiding her ankles under the chair to stretch them. When she looked up, she realized she was extremely close to Lu Changji.

Both of their hands were resting on the chair arms. The edges of their sleeves overlapped; with just a slight movement, she would touch his arm.

As Jiang Shu reached out to point at the embroidery, her sleeve brushed against Lu Changji’s arm like a feather before fluttering past his face, bringing with it a faint, sweet fragrance.

Her heart felt as though it would leap from her chest, yet Jiang Shu still tried her best to hold herself upright. She leaned forward, her waist pulled tight, her back curving into a seductive, graceful silhouette.

Pointing her finger at the crane on the chair back, her voice was like poured honey. “This ‘Pine and Crane’ design has vibrant colors and dense stitching. The back-stitch overlaps the tail of the front-stitch; it should be Xiang embroidery from the Huguang region.”

Though Lu Changji had asked the question, once Jiang Shu gave the answer, his eyes never flickered toward the chair back again. His gaze was deep and unreadable; no one knew what he was thinking.

…

Once Lu Changji left, Lady Zhao finally turned her attention to Jiang Shu. Although she had dismissed her previous suspicion, she still felt a lingering irritation toward the girl. “What are you doing at Yanxi Hall so early in the morning?”

Jiang Shu knew her request was abrupt, but since things had come to this, she had to try. She chose her words carefully: “My third sister has reached the age for marriage. Her background is humble, but she is very well-mannered and gentle. I ask for nothing else but that she find a husband who is kind and attentive. Mother, you are well-traveled and acquainted with the matrons of many noble households. I hope you might keep an eye out and help arrange a decent match for her.”

The disparity between the Marquis of Xinyang’s house and the Jiang family was vast. Even a match Lady Zhao looked down upon would be an unattainable heights for the Jiangs.

Regarding Jiang Shu, aside from her undistinguished background, she hadn’t caused any trouble since marrying into the estate. She had also looked after Lu Changyi with great care; his health was visibly better than before.

Lady Zhao looked down on Jiang Shu, but she had to admit this daughter-in-law was satisfactory in her duties. Since they were raised by the same mother, the younger sister likely wouldn’t be much worse than the elder.

Finding a match for Jiang Rong wasn’t impossible, but seeing Jiang Shu’s flat belly beneath her slender waist, Lady Zhao’s anger flared again.

Hu Lingshuang’s belly was growing larger by the day. In a few months, she would add a new heir to the Marquis’s house. Lu Lin was overjoyed, showering Hu Lingshuang with rewards daily; rare medicinal herbs flowed into Bihua Pavilion like water. Lu Lin’s concern for his daughter-in-law was almost shocking.

Hu Lan, that wench, was also rising in status because of it, becoming increasingly favored.

The aunt and niece pair were becoming more arrogant by the day, practically causing a riot over Lady Zhao’s head. Lady Zhao had been dignified her whole life; she could not stomach such humiliation.

She sighed, once again putting pressure on Jiang Shu: “I am getting old and have nothing to do all day but hope to enjoy the company of grandchildren. As long as you can continue the bloodline for Master Yi, I will find a match for your third sister.”

At that, Lady Zhao seemed to remember something. She leaned over, pulled an invitation from a drawer, and tossed it in front of Jiang Shu. “Your legal mother sent me an invitation the day before yesterday, saying the Jiang residence is holding some Moon-Viewing Banquet. The weather is so hot, and I doubt the Jiang house can even afford ice basins. I don’t feel like moving; you go in my stead. After all, the Jiang house is your maternal home. While you’re there, you can visit Concubine Lin.”

When Jiang Shu first married into the estate, Yang Shi thought that since the Jiang and Lu families were now related, she could butter up Lady Zhao. She frequently sent invitations, but Lady Zhao’s standards were high; she had no desire to associate with the Jiangs and threw the letters into storage without a second look.

Jiang Shu knew Yang Shi was thick-skinned, but she hadn’t expected her to be so shameless as to keep “pressing her warm face against a cold buttock.” Regardless, Jiang Shu wanted to return to the Jiang house to test Yang Shi’s intentions anyway, so she sheepishly picked up the invitation and took a carriage to her old home.

…

Jiang Shu arrived early. No other guests had arrived yet; only the lonely carriage of the Marquis’s estate stood at the gate.

Since mother and daughter had already dropped their pretenses, Yang Shi didn’t bother being polite. She wouldn’t even let Jiang Shu into the inner rooms, standing at the door looking down her nose at her with a sarcastic tone: “What wind blew the Marchioness of Xinyang’s heir-apparent here today?”

“Our temple is small and our reputation is stained; we cannot accommodate a great Buddha like the Young Madam. You had better go back to where you came from!”

Jiang Shu acted as if she hadn’t heard a word. She bypassed Yang Shi, entered the flower hall, and poured herself a cup of tea to moisten her throat. Only after Yang Shi entered the room did she whisper, “I heard Mother wants to arrange a marriage for Third Sister?”

Yang Shi sneered, “You certainly are well-informed. People would think you have a pair of ‘heavenly ears.'”

Ignoring the mockery, Jiang Shu asked, “Who does Mother intend to marry Third Sister to?”

“Haven’t you already gathered the news? Why act so sanctimonious now?” Yang Shi’s voice suddenly rose. She arched an eyebrow and said, “Now that you’ve flown up to a branch and become a phoenix, I can’t mistreat your sister. Administrator He holds an important post and has great wealth. For Rong-er to be his concubine is a step up. I’ve found her a good match; as her elder sister, you should kowtow and thank me.”

Jiang Shu was almost moved to laughter by the absurdity. She stopped circling and said directly: “I know Mother resents me for ruining Ran-er’s reputation. But how can that be blamed on me? It was simply Mother and Ran-er reaping what they sowed. If Mother wants to vent her anger, aim it at me. If you want something, ask me. It’s pointless to use Rong-er as a pawn.”

Yang Shi knew Jiang Shu was right. She had been outmaneuvered and plotted against by Jiang Shu. But at the thought of Jiang Ran’s current state, her heart turned to stone, wishing she could cut Jiang Shu into a thousand pieces.

She stared at Jiang Shu sinisterly and hissed, “You destroyed Ran-er’s reputation, so you must be responsible for her. I want you to find a good marriage for Ran-er. Be it a scholarly family or a wealthy one, Ran-er must be the primary wife; she cannot stay hidden at home being laughed at.”

The Marquis’s estate was helmed by Lu Changji, who held immense power. Countless people wanted to curry favor with him. Yang Shi didn’t know the reality of Jiang Shu’s situation; she assumed Jiang Shu could easily use Lu Changji’s influence to find a match for Jiang Ran.

She continued, “If Ran-er marries well, Rong-er can also find a good home. The He family is currently the choice. If I get angry, the regulars at the brothels, the drunks at the taverns, or the gamblers at the dens—any of them could be matched with Jiang Rong. I may be Rong-er’s mother, but ultimately, her marriage is decided by you, her elder sister. If Ran-er is well, Rong-er will be well. If Ran-er cannot marry out, don’t even dream of Rong-er having a good life.”

Jiang Shu had expected Yang Shi to manipulate her, but she hadn’t expected her to use Jiang Rong’s life as the bargaining chip. It was she who had schemed against Jiang Ran; she couldn’t let Jiang Rong suffer for her.

Though she had no confidence at all, Jiang Shu forced a smile. “Though I am not very capable, I have married into the Marquis’s estate. Their social circle consists of high officials and nobles. I will certainly keep a lookout to find a good match for Ran-er.”

Yang Shi curled her lips. “I’ll give you one month. If you can’t find a good family for Ran-er within a month, just wait to drink the wedding wine of Administrator He and Jiang Rong.”

Jiang Shu’s body trembled slightly. She took a deep breath, clenched her fists secretly, and looked up at Yang Shi with a gentle voice: “Mother, just wait for my good news.”

Her words were beautiful, but they were a bluff. Under Yang Shi’s gaze, Jiang Shu kept her back straight as she walked step by step to the main gate.

The moment she entered the carriage, she looked as if the life had been drained out of her. she slumped against the embroidered stool, her face full of worry.

Jiang Ran’s marriage, Jiang Rong’s future, and her own womb—these were three mountains weighing heavily on her shoulders.

The other two matters could still be planned over time, but getting pregnant was urgent. Pregnancy depended on the right time and place; often, multiple attempts yielded nothing. She had to start planning early.

As the image of Lu Changyi’s gaunt face appeared in her mind, Jiang Shu’s heart turned cold and bitter, an incomparable ache.

By this point, she couldn’t afford to worry about Lu Changyi. She had to look out for herself and Jiang Rong first.

Taking a deep breath, she called Zhu-er into the carriage and whispered, “After we return to the estate, quietly investigate the Eldest Young Master’s schedule. Especially at night—see where he likes to go for his evening entertainment.”