Chapter 32: The Blow Was Too Heavy

Incense burned in the ancestral hall, its tendrils of smoke drifting upward.

The scent wafted toward Jiang Jin, who wrinkled her nose and frowned.

As unpleasant as ever!

She raised her eyes and said slowly, “Mother, there are always… exceptions to everything.”

“Not everyone weighs the pros and cons before making a decision!”

She chuckled softly, “Besides, Ning Wang is of noble birth and lacks for nothing. What harm is there in acting on impulse?”

After all, even she couldn’t understand why Ning Wang’s idea of “fulfilling her wish” would take such a form!

What she had originally asked for was simply a man of good character and a simple family background.

But now, what Xie Chengzhi had given her… was far more than that!

Being the principal consort of a prince was not something a Marquis’s Heir’s wife could compare to!

“But Jin’er, marrying into the imperial family isn’t as good as you imagine!” Lady Shen said helplessly. “If you suffer grievances in the future, no one will be able to stand up for you!”

Jiang Jin shook her head. “Mother, this is a marriage arranged by the Empress Dowager. Do you really want your daughter to defy an imperial decree?”

“Moreover… no matter how complicated Prince Ning’s Mansion may be, it’s still far better than Yong’an Marquis Mansion! Isn’t today… a living example?”

Ning Wang was willing to request the Empress Dowager’s decree for the marriage, while Yong’an Marquis Mansion even resorted to falsifying the betrothal gifts. Comparing the two, even a fool could see which was better!

Yet… her mother remained so stubborn.

Who knew what kind of bewitching potion Yong’an Marquis Mansion or that Song Linyuan had fed her!

Unable to get the answers she wanted in the ancestral hall, Lady Shen did not linger.

But before leaving, she still asked Jiang Jin, “How long do you intend to kneel?”

Jiang Jin replied, “Shouldn’t that be up to you, Mother?”

Lady Shen was annoyed. “If you were truly this obedient, why did you… never mind. The weather is turning. Return to Qinghe Courtyard.”

Jiang Jin raised an eyebrow. “Thank you, Mother.”

Lady Shen left quickly. Jiang Jin extended her hand, allowing Furong to help her up.

As she stood, she felt a brief dizziness, swaying unsteadily and nearly falling.

Fortunately, Furong held her hand tightly, preventing her from actually collapsing.

Furong helped Jiang Jin sit in an armchair and hurriedly poured her a cup of tea.

“Miss, please drink some hot water to calm yourself.”

Jiang Jin took it and drank a few sips.

The warm tea settled in her stomach, clearing her mind considerably.

However, she had not rested for long before a light rain began to fall outside.

The rain wasn’t heavy, but the howling wind sounded frightening.

Jiang Jin stood up. If she stayed any longer, the rain would grow heavier, and she would be soaked halfway home.

“Furong, let’s go back.”

As she spoke, Jiang Jin headed toward the door.

When she opened it, she saw Cuiyu standing outside with an umbrella, seemingly waiting for someone.

Jiang Jin raised an eyebrow. “Why haven’t you left yet?”

Cuiyu looked surprised and said, “Third Miss, I was waiting for you!”

Jiang Jin blinked. “Did Madam send you to Qinghe Courtyard?”

“Yes, just now when Madam left, she instructed me to serve you in Qinghe Courtyard from now on.”

“Very well, follow us then.”

After saying this, Jiang Jin glanced at Furong.

Furong stepped forward and took an umbrella from Cuiyu’s hands.

The group walked toward Qinghe Courtyard under their umbrellas as the rain gradually intensified.

Despite their best efforts to be careful, the hem of Jiang Jin’s skirt was soaked through.

Disliking the sticky, damp feeling, she went to bathe as soon as she returned to Qinghe Courtyard.

But just as she entered the bathing chamber, someone from Xuesong Studio came again.

“Sister Furong, where is Third Miss? Where is Third Miss?”

Furong had already seen people from Xuesong Studio several times today. Moreover, because Jiang Jin had been slapped and punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall, she felt resentful and her tone was somewhat unfriendly: “My young lady is bathing. What is it? Does Madam want to summon her again?”

The person from Xuesong Studio shook her head: “No. It’s Ning Wang. He wants to see Third Miss!”

Furong: “Ning Wang?”

Wasn’t Ning Wang injured and unconscious?

Even if he had awakened, surely he wouldn’t ignore his injuries and come here?

But this maid had no reason to lie. Ning Wang’s visit this time must be because he had urgent business to discuss with the young lady!

Thinking this, Furong hurried to the outside of the bathing chamber.

“Young lady, His Highness Ning Wang has arrived and says he wishes to see you.”

Jiang Jin was leaning against the edge of the bathtub, enjoying her soak. Suddenly hearing Furong’s voice, she lifted her eyelids, momentarily dazed.

Seeing that Jiang Jin didn’t respond, Furong quickly added: “Young lady, shall this servant come in to help you dress?”

This time, Jiang Jin snapped back to her senses. She sprang up from the bathtub, revealing a few faint red marks on her waist—left from last time…

These marks had lingered for quite a few days, but because their location was discreet, Jiang Jin hadn’t paid them much mind.

Yet seeing them now, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of emotion—Xie Chengzhi had been too rough!

As Furong entered to help Jiang Jin dress, she seemed to remember something and asked: “Young lady, should we still go to the physician this month to get some medicine?”

Jiang Jin nodded: “Get some. Irregular menstruation isn’t something that can be regulated in just a month or two. In case it’s delayed again this month, we can decoct some medicine to take.”

Furong acknowledged and quickly finished styling Jiang Jin’s hair.

When the two stepped out of the room, they saw the maid from Xuesong Studio anxiously pacing back and forth.

“Where is His Highness Ning Wang?” Jiang Jin asked.

“When this servant left, he was seated in the main hall.”

Jiang Jin nodded: “Good, let’s go there.”

With that, she hurried toward the main hall.

The rain was lighter now than when she had returned earlier. Holding up her skirt, Jiang Jin intentionally quickened her pace.

After all, from the time the little maid arrived until she finished bathing, quite some time had already been wasted.

Jiang Jin didn’t know why Ning Wang was seeking her, but since he had come despite his injuries, she ought to be considerate.

As she reached the entrance of the main hall, Jiang Jin suddenly remembered something.

She looked down and saw the Dragon and Phoenix Double-Ring Jade Pendant fastened at her waist, and quietly breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.

She hadn’t thought of it earlier, but now she recalled Zhangshi’s instructions.

Presumably, Ning Wang had come for this pendant. Having it on her person would make it easy to return it to him promptly!

“Third Miss has arrived,” the maid called inside.

Nanny Lin quickly came out and ushered Jiang Jin in.

As soon as Jiang Jin stepped into the main hall, she saw Ning Wang already seated in the place of honor.

Accompanying him were her father, who had just returned from duty, and her mother, wearing a strained smile.

“Your Highness Ning Wang.”

“Father, Mother.”

Jiang Jin addressed them.

Ning Wang’s gaze turned toward her. He glanced at her, then quickly looked toward her waist.

Upon clearly seeing the pendant, Ning Wang’s lips curved imperceptibly before he composed himself again.

Jiang Jin quickly took her seat. Minister Jiang looked at her and asked: “Why did it take you so long to come?”

Jiang Jin replied truthfully, “I had just returned from the ancestral hall to the courtyard earlier, and my whole body was soaked. It wasn’t proper to come see anyone, so changing clothes took a bit of time. Please don’t blame me, Father.”

“The ancestral hall? Why did you suddenly think of going to the ancestral hall?” Minister Jiang asked, puzzled.

Jiang Jin didn’t speak, only glanced toward Lady Shen.

She suddenly felt a bit curious—how would Mother… explain it?

She also wanted to see whether Mother was particularly partial to the Yong’an Marquis Mansion or if she treated everyone else this way—everyone except her.