Chapter 122: The Imperial Son-in-Law

The next day, Jiang Li, accompanied by Ye Mingyu’s entourage and the commoners of Tongxiang, set off on the long journey back to Yanjing.

Thanks to the wealth extorted by Feng Yutang, they had no shortage of funds for travel expenses. Carrying such a large group of people naturally slowed their pace, but having departed early, this was of little consequence.

The Ye family bid a sorrowful farewell to Jiang Li. Lady Ye, in particular, stood at the city gates, watching until Jiang Li’s figure disappeared completely before she could be persuaded to leave.

Inside the carriage, Xue Huaiyuan sat beside Jiang Li. Over the past few days, everyone had grown accustomed to the intimacy between them. Though Xue Huaiyuan appeared frail after being cleaned up, his former refined and handsome features began to emerge. In truth, Xue Huaiyuan was quite striking; otherwise, his children, Xue Fangfei and Xue Zhao, would not have been so exceptionally good-looking.

Jiang Li had brought many clean clothes from the Ye household for him to wear. If not for the fact that he often played to himself like a child, one could almost catch a glimpse of the man he once was.

When Ye Mingyu found a moment to duck into the carriage, he saw Jiang Li patiently wiping pastry crumbs from Xue Huaiyuan’s clothes. As he watched, a bizarre illusion suddenly took hold of him. Jiang Li and Xue Huaiyuan were clearly unrelated, and there was no physical resemblance between them, yet for some reason—perhaps in their expressions or the set of their brows—there was a faint, uncanny likeness.

They looked, for all the world, like a father and daughter.

Realizing the thought, Ye Mingyu felt a jolt and scolded himself for his wild imagination. How could Jiang Li be Xue Huaiyuan’s daughter? Her father was the high and mighty Chief Minister of Yanjing. Such a thought was an insult not only to Jiang Yuanbai but also to Ye Zhenzhen.

Putting these chaotic thoughts aside, Ye Mingyu asked, "A-Li, this journey will take quite some time. Your father doesn’t know what you’ve done yet, but once we return to Yanjing, he will surely find out. He will certainly forbid you from coming forward. Why don't you give me instructions on what I should do next? Or, if you prefer, write it down, and I will follow your lead."

Ye Mingyu could see that while Jiang Li had been acting in Jiang Yuanbai’s name in Tongxiang, her father was undoubtedly unaware. If his daughter caused such a stir, Jiang Yuanbai, as Chief Minister, would surely keep her out of sight to avoid further trouble. As headstrong as Ye Mingyu was, he couldn't stop Jiang Li from going home.

However, once Jiang Li returned home, she might not be able to leave again. Yanjing was not the world of the common people, and the Jiang household was not the Ye household. Ye Mingyu wasn't sure if he could successfully pull her out of there. It would be better to have a backup plan: if Jiang Li were temporarily confined, he could still see things through using her instructions.

Jiang Li shook her head with a smile. "That won't work. In Yanjing, the relationships between official families are incredibly complex. The Ye family is a merchant household; if someone wants to suppress this, they could easily do so. But involving me is different. Because I am backed by an official family, it will naturally draw attention. The case of the Xue family must grow larger to have any chance of success. As it expands, the opposition will grow anxious, and in their haste, they will make mistakes. That is our opportunity."

"But..." Ye Mingyu hesitated. "Your father..."

"Don't worry, I will convince him," Jiang Li said with a smile. Jiang Yuanbai was a smart man. By now, the Ye family had already offended the Right Minister, and the Xue case had offended Princess Yongning. Since the offense had already been given, the veneer of peace was shattered. Once started, there was no turning back.

Jiang Yuanbai understood this. He was riding a tiger; he couldn't get off even if he wanted to. So, the matter had to be seen through to the end to deal a heavy blow to the opposition, or they would lose their advantage entirely.

Jiang Yuanbai was not as foolish in his political career as he was in his domestic life; he was sharp. Jiang Li trusted he would make the same choice she had.

However... she wondered what expression Princess Yongning of Yanjing would wear when she learned what had been done.

She would surely be furious.

...

Yanjing was located in the north, and in winter, it snowed almost every day.

Amidst the heavy snow, the poor had to brave the freezing winds, dressed in thin rags, to earn a few copper coins on icy streets just to survive the day.

The wealthy were much better off. With the floor heating roaring, their estates were warm. Young ladies could sit inside, holding hand-warmers provided by their maids, reciting poetry, painting, playing music, or reading while watching the snow outside.

In the Princess’s residence, it was as warm as spring.

The floors were covered in long, thick wool carpets with intricate patterns, so one could walk barefoot without feeling the chill. Thus, the young lady on the high seat wore thin, gossamer robes even in winter, slightly revealing the edge of a bib embroidered with lotus flowers, looking as delicate and alluring as a summer lotus about to bloom.

She lay across a man’s lap.

The man was handsome and gentle, looking down at the lovely creature on his lap with a smile.

Her rosy lips parted to recite a lingering verse: "I haven't combed my hair in days, letting it drape over my shoulders. With my wrists resting on his lap, how could he not feel pity..." As she spoke the last word, her voice dropped seductively. She tilted her neck, and her red lips lightly pressed against the man’s thin lips.

The servants in the hall kept their heads bowed, not daring to look. When Princess Yongning was with her lover, no one dared to catch a glimpse.

"Yongning..." A sigh escaped his lips.

That sigh drove the woman into a frenzy. She looked into his eyes, nearly drowning in their tenderness, and suddenly asked, "Shen-lang, when shall we marry?"

The man—now a Secretariat Drafter and a favorite of Emperor Hongxiao, Shen Yulong—stiffened. It was as if he had suddenly woken from a drunken stupor. He leaned back slightly, pulling away from the Princess’s intimate embrace.

Princess Yongning felt his detachment and snapped out of her infatuation. But a moment later, she clung to him again, pouting coquettishly, "Shen-lang, why aren't you speaking?"

"Princess," Shen Yulong no longer called her 'Yongning.' He frowned. "My wife has not been gone for a year yet..."

Xue Fangfei again! Princess Yongning felt a deep hatred. He always claimed he wanted to observe mourning for Xue Fangfei, to show the world his devotion. But Yongning knew clearly that this was just an excuse.

The reason he refused to marry her was that he still had that bitch in his heart! Even though Xue Fangfei was dead, he couldn't let go! The reason he was so tender to her was only because she had a brother like Prince Cheng and was a princess; he was only with her for power and status!

Princess Yongning understood this, but it didn't matter, because she loved him. The more restrained and polite Shen Yulong was, the more she couldn't control herself. His hot-and-cold behavior was a fatal poison to her. Since he had Xue Fangfei in his heart, she would tear Xue Fangfei out of it piece by piece until she was reduced to dust.

What one cannot have is always the best; the more she couldn't possess Shen Yulong, the more she wanted him. Regardless of whether his feelings were true or false, she would bind him to her side. For the rest of his life, he would only look at her. If she couldn't have his heart, she would have his body. It seemed that winning his heart would take time, and she had lost her patience; she was desperate to possess him.

She wanted Shen Yulong to be her consort.

"Shen-lang," Princess Yongning said softly, "I am of age now. Mother mentioned yesterday that she is looking for a suitable match for me... Being a member of the royal family, I cannot control my own marriage. If not for my feelings for you, I would have already been married to someone else."

Shen Yulong looked at her gently. Sometimes he was cold, sometimes tender; he kept her in a state of constant agitation, unable to let go, just as she was now.

Her voice softened again, nearly melting, and her body went limp, tightly wrapping around Shen Yulong.

"Tell me, if Mother really marries me off to someone else, would you be sad? Would you regret it?"

Shen Yulong whispered, "Naturally, I would be sad and regretful."

Princess Yongning beamed. "Then what are you waiting for? As long as I tell Mother, it will be done."

"But..."

"Are you going to say you need to observe mourning for Xue Fangfei again?" For the third time, Princess Yongning’s patience finally ran out. She continued to smile, but her tone carried a chill. Her red-painted fingernails lightly traced Shen Yulong’s face. "Shen-lang, the whole world knows how Xue Fangfei died—she died of shame and grief after having an affair. The world sympathizes with you; even if you didn't observe mourning and married someone else the very next day, no one would say a word against you."

"Xue Fangfei is a dead woman, but I am a living one. Do you want to observe mourning for a dead person and let me slip through your fingers? My brother has seen you several times and thinks highly of you. If you make me sad, my brother will be angry... I wouldn't want any misunderstanding to arise between you two because of me." Her words were vague but pointed.

This was an overt threat.

Shen Yulong was currently favored by Prince Cheng, but he had yet to display his full potential to become the Prince's confidant. Prince Cheng would eventually rebel, and it seemed the chances of success were high. In the rise and fall of the world, Shen Yulong wanted to achieve greatness.

Princess Yongning could be his stepping stone or his stumbling block. She could build a bridge between him and Prince Cheng, or she could break that bridge.

He knew she was capable of it.

Shen Yulong looked at her. Princess Yongning smiled at him with lingering affection, muttering, "Shen-lang, just promise me... promise me..."

He knew she had always been impatient. When she first took a liking to him, she had quickly disposed of his wife. The patience she had spent on him was unprecedented. Perhaps he should be grateful; if her patience ran out and she turned to someone else, he would never have another chance.

The chance to change his destiny.

Shen Yulong began to laugh softly.

His smile contained a strange trace of sarcasm, but it vanished in an instant, replaced by deep tenderness. "Alright," he said.

Princess Yongning’s smile froze. She looked at him: "What did you say?" She had prepared for another refusal, and she had decided that this time, she would not take a step back. Whether through coercion or force, she would become Lady Shen, whether Shen Yulong liked it or not.

But he had actually agreed.

Princess Yongning jumped up. For a moment, her usually arrogant and somewhat cruel face showed a child-like, genuine joy. She threw her arms around Shen Yulong’s neck. "Shen-lang, you agreed! Tomorrow I will go to the palace to tell Mother and have her speak to the Emperor!"

Shen Yulong patted her back indulgently, holding her in return. The servants kept their heads down, and since Princess Yongning was facing away from him, no one saw the flash of cold indifference in Shen Yulong’s eyes.

He knew where Princess Yongning’s bottom line was, so he had to yield just enough. Often, a little too much or a little too little could ruin everything; he had to be measured. Only by not being impatient could he slowly, slowly obtain what he wanted.

When he left the Princess’s residence, Yongning was very reluctant to let him go.

She wanted him to stay the night, but Shen Yulong refused. He claimed that given his current status, many in the court were watching him, looking for a handle to use against him; if he were caught in a scandal, it would be troublesome.

Princess Yongning had to let it go. Thinking that since he had agreed, she would soon become his legitimate wife and firmly keep him all to herself, she felt this momentary separation was bearable.

Shen Yulong walked out of the residence, through the streets, and all the way back to the Shen household.

The Scholar’s Manor was gilded and as brand new as the day the Emperor had bestowed it. The gatekeeper bowed, and Shen Yulong walked into the courtyard, stopping at the flower bed.

The gentle smile he had maintained suddenly cracked. He bent over, as if nauseated by something, and began to retch violently.

Feeling dizzy and stifled in his chest, he seemed to see a pair of feet. Looking up along those feet, he saw his most familiar bedfellow.

The woman was stunningly beautiful, a face that could topple cities. She said nothing, just looked at him quietly, as she always had—nothing had changed. Yet, in those clear, cold eyes, Shen Yulong saw mockery.

Just as he saw himself mocking Princess Yongning.

He reached out, wanting to touch that blurred shadow, but the shadow shattered.

Lady Shen’s voice rang out: "Yulong, what are you doing?"

Shen Yulong swayed, stood up straight, and whispered, "Nothing." Then he returned to his room.

Nothing. There are gains and losses. He had lost some things, and though it made him sad occasionally, he had gained so much more.

He had finally changed his destiny. He was no longer the poor scholar everyone looked down upon.

A life completely different from the one before had just begun.

...

Ten days after Jiang Li left Tongxiang, the letter regarding her return to the capital finally reached Jiang Yuanbai.

Along with the letter came the rumors rampant in Yanjing: the story that the second young lady of the Jiang family, Jiang Li, had caused a scene in Tongxiang, Xiangyang, over a case involving a criminal official and was bringing villagers to the capital to lodge a complaint.

This caused a huge stir in Yanjing. The city had never seen anything so bizarre. A young lady from an official family, merely returning home to visit relatives, had somehow gotten involved in a criminal case. And not just that, she was bringing commoners to the capital—did she think she was some great judge, or did she want to enter the court as an official?

Her colleagues in the court looked at Jiang Yuanbai with strange expressions. Those from Prince Cheng’s faction who were at odds with Jiang Yuanbai deliberately said to him, "Truly, a tiger father has no dog for a daughter! Your daughter has your style—seeing injustice and drawing a sword to help. This is a righteous act, a righteous act indeed!"

The circle of noble ladies thought Jiang Li was meddlesome, doing all this just to show off and draw attention to herself. They felt that pulling such stunts and exposing herself to the public day in and day out disgraced all young ladies of noble families. It was fortunate she wasn't their own sister, or she would ruin their reputations.

The common people were even more curious. Jiang Li’s brilliance at the assessment grounds had already spread far and wide, and now that she was involved in a criminal case, it looked like a great show. The people were waiting impatiently to see what she would do; it had become a source of amusement in Yanjing, and everyone was on tiptoe, waiting for the day Jiang Li returned to see what kind of surprise she would bring.

Regardless of how others viewed it, Jiang Yuanbai was furious. Jiang Li and Ye Mingxuan had gone home to visit Lady Ye; how had they stirred up such a disaster? He didn't suspect Jiang Li’s intent, as she and Xue Huaiyuan were barely acquaintances and had no reason to intervene. Jiang Yuanbai suspected the Ye family was behind it, using Jiang Li to meddle in the case.

He wouldn't even mention the silk business; the official in charge of the weaving bureau had only hinted at it later, and that was how Jiang Yuanbai learned Jiang Li had used his name to command them. He could let that slide, as the Ye family was his in-laws, and Jiang Li had cleared their name in Xiangyang without damaging the Jiang family’s reputation. Even if she offended a few people, he was a Chief Minister; he wasn't afraid of anyone.

But the Xue case was different. Even before she returned, the city was in an uproar. If Xue Huaiyuan was truly an honest official, he wouldn't have been framed so cruelly. Feng Yutang dared to act so lawlessly in Tongxiang because he had backing. Jiang Yuanbai had already heard rumors that someone powerful in Yanjing was behind the Xue case.

Who this person was, Jiang Yuanbai didn't know. In the past, he might not have been wary, but now that Prince Cheng and the Right Minister were eyeing the Jiang family, if his opponents found any handle, they would surely kick him while he was down. Jiang Yuanbai was currently seeking stability, so he didn't want any trouble.

As soon as Jiang Li returned to the capital, he would confine her, make her reflect on her actions, and teach her that as a member of the Jiang family, she couldn't act recklessly without regard for the family’s honor. It would also help sever her ties with the Tongxiang case and get those people dismissed.

In the Shuxiu Garden.

Jiang Youyao stormed into the room without even closing the door. "Mother, have you heard? That little bitch Jiang Li is coming back!"

Since Jiang Li’s departure, Jiang Yu'e had become a concubine and had been taken into Zhou Yanbang’s residence. She had left in a hurry, perhaps fearing that Jiang Youyao would make things difficult for her, moving into the Zhou residence shortly after Jiang Li left.

Shen Ruyun would not marry into the Zhou family until the spring of this year.

Of all the young ladies in the Jiang household, only Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yuyan remained. Jiang Yuyan was timid and cowardly; with Jiang Yu'e gone, she rarely even left the third branch’s courtyard. Even if she weren't so timid, Jiang Youyao wouldn't deign to associate with the daughter of a concubine.

Lately, Jiang Youyao had gradually calmed down. She had realized one thing clearly: whether she could marry Zhou Yanbang or not, there were two people she couldn't let go. One was Jiang Yu'e, and the other was Jiang Li. Jiang Yu'e had dared to covet her fiancé—this was a provocation! And Jiang Yu'e had succeeded because Jiang Li had pushed her from behind; they were in this together!

As for Shen Ruyun, before she married into the Zhou family, she wasn't the lady of the house yet. Who knew what might happen along the way? Who said she had no chance at all?

It was as if Jiang Youyao had grown up significantly after the incident with Zhou Yanbang; she had become more insidious and cold. Sometimes, as she sat there, her expression caught a shadow of Ji Shuran.

Ji Shuran frowned, signaled for the maid to close the door, and rebuked her, "Why are you shouting? Be careful your father hears and becomes displeased."

Although Jiang Yuanbai wasn't particularly affectionate toward Jiang Li, she was still his daughter. Jiang Youyao’s behavior would naturally annoy him.

"But she’s coming back!" Jiang Youyao stomped her foot. "Mother, have you thought of how to deal with her?"

Ji Shuran felt a headache coming on.

When the news of Jiang Li’s return reached her, she couldn't hide her shock. The assassins she had sent were top-tier, and the matter had been handled by her sister, Chen Jishi. The guards Jiang Li had with her were no match for them.

She had been waiting anxiously in Yanjing for news, but none had come. Ji Shuran had felt uneasy until Jiang Yuanbai received that letter.

She gritted her teeth. It seemed Jiang Li had survived. Otherwise, those men wouldn't have failed for so long. She actually had such capabilities!

Jiang Youyao didn't know about her mother’s secret arrangements and said impatiently, "Mother, what should we do now? She’s the one who made me a laughingstock in Yanjing, who made me lose the young master of the Zhou family. I won't let her get away with it!"

"I know," Ji Shuran sighed. "I will find a way to resolve this. Don't worry. She has already caused so much trouble before even returning to Yanjing. Your father is already very displeased, and your grandmother won't stand by her this time. If she has truly offended someone she shouldn't have, she will be digging her own grave without me having to lift a finger. There is plenty of time; I am still the lady of the first branch, and there will be plenty of opportunities to deal with her." She looked at Jiang Youyao, her expression becoming slightly more serious. "It is you, Youyao. The young master of the Zhou family is in the past. In the future, Mother will find you a better husband; don't think of him anymore. It is impossible for you to marry into the Zhou family now."

Jiang Youyao’s eyes turned red. She choked back a sob and said, "I know, Mother, I won't."

Ji Shuran had a maid bring a handkerchief, wiping Jiang Youyao’s tears as she said, "Mother doesn't want to make you sad. You are my daughter, and naturally, I hope you live well and don't suffer any grievances. The Zhou family has decided to let Shen Ruyun enter their home, and for the sake of the young Master Shen, they won't let you have any further contact with the Zhou young master. Besides, I don't think much of a family like the Zhou’s anyway."

"There are millions of men in the world; Zhou Yanbang is not the only one. You deserve better; no one can compare to you," Ji Shuran said softly.

Jiang Youyao buried her face in Ji Shuran’s arms, her hand hidden in her sleeve slowly clenching into a fist.

She was still unwilling to let it go.

...

The news of Jiang Li spread far and wide, reaching the Jiang residence and, naturally, the Zhou residence as well.

Jiang Yu'e was washing clothes in the courtyard.

Her long hair was pulled into a matronly bun, and her clothes were splattered with water; she looked even more bedraggled than she had in the third branch of the Jiang household. Several maids stood nearby, chatting casually, as if they didn't see Jiang Yu'e working hard at the washbasin.

Jiang Yu'e felt deeply humiliated.

She had never lived like a servant before. Even in the Jiang family, where she had to please Ji Shuran and her daughter, she was nominally a young lady of the Jiang family, and they hadn't mistreated her.

But since entering the Zhou residence, what awaited her was not Zhou Yanbang’s tenderness. He hadn't even looked at her on their wedding night, and since then, he hadn't stepped foot in her courtyard. She had entered as a concubine, and the servants didn't treat her as a mistress. Mockery behind her back was common, and now, they were so emboldened that they didn't even show her respect to her face.

Jiang Yu'e wanted to complain, but she didn't know who to tell. She couldn't even leave the Zhou residence, and the Zhou servants whispered behind her back that she had "crawled into the young master’s bed while he was drunk."

Jiang Yu'e hated Zhou Yanbang, she hated Jiang Youyao, and she hated Jiang Li even more. If not for Jiang Li’s interference, she wouldn't be in this situation.

She was venting her anger on the laundry when a pair of boots suddenly stopped in front of her.

Jiang Yu'e was startled and slowly looked up.

Zhou Yanbang’s handsome face appeared before her eyes. Jiang Yu'e couldn't believe it.

It had been so many days, and Zhou Yanbang hadn't seen her once. Jiang Yu'e had gradually come to realize that she had thought he had at least a shred of affection for her, but now it seemed he had none at all. He hated her for ruining his career, for making a fool of himself at the palace banquet, and for ending his marriage to the Jiang family.

He blamed everything on her, and he was punishing her.

Jiang Yu'e said tremblingly, "Young Master..."

Zhou Yanbang looked at her coldly. His former gentleness was gone; after the palace banquet, he seemed like a different person, gloomy and lost in thought. He glanced at what Jiang Yu'e was doing and said, "I heard Jiang Li is returning to the capital."

Jiang Yu'e was stunned. She had heard of Jiang Li leaving the capital to visit the Ye family. It was ridiculous—a merchant household, what was there to visit? They hadn't been in contact for over a decade; it was all just for show.

"Jiang Yu'e, do you want to be mine?" Zhou Yanbang looked down at her, his tone full of flippancy.

But Jiang Yu'e didn't feel insulted; instead, a surge of joy welled up in her heart.

"When Jiang Li returns to the capital, you will help me lure her out," he said.