Chapter 46: The Grand Finale

“Grandmother, you speak too gravely. It is not that I refuse to kneel, but I wish to know why you treat me this way.”

Jiang Wanqing stood opposite the Old Madam, her presence not the least bit diminished.

Clearly, even at this moment, she did not believe she had done anything wrong.

“You still refuse to admit your fault!” the Old Madam rebuked angrily. “Do you not know that the things you did at the Wei Guogong Residence are already common knowledge? Outsiders may not speak of it, but that is only out of fear of the power of the Guogong Residence and the Jiang family. Do you think the Wei Guogong Residence let you return to the Jiang family simply to wash their hands of you?”

Jiang Wanqing looked at the Old Madam with skepticism. “Why not?”

“Hah, if you were the legitimate wife, it might be different. But you, relying on the favor of the Wei Guogong Heir, engaged in all sorts of unsavory deeds at the Guogong Residence.

That Madam Wei is not an easy person to get along with. She did not punish you before only because she did not wish to create a rift with her son. But now that the Wei Guogong Heir has severed all ties with you, do you think she will spare you out of consideration for the Jiang family’s face?

If even the Wei Guogong Residence cannot tolerate you, do you think any other family in the future will?”

The Old Madam laid bare the stakes directly. She had long heard of Madam Wei’s temperament—she was by no means a soft-hearted person. Moreover, after waiting so many years for a grandson, only to have him harmed by Jiang Wanqing, how could she possibly let Jiang Wanqing walk away unscathed?

For Jiang Wanqing to remarry into an official family in the capital would likely be impossible!

This time, the Old Madam had summoned Jiang Wanqing with the intention of making plans for her.

Yet Jiang Wanqing’s defiant and unmanageable attitude chilled her to the core.

Jiang Wanqing had no intention of remarrying in the first place. Her only hope was that Wei Shuli would turn back and come for her.

Thus, the Old Madam’s talk of remarriage and marital prospects held no meaning for her.

“Granddaughter understands Grandmother’s teachings, but Grandmother, why are you so certain that the Heir will not turn back?” Jiang Wanqing retorted.

Her attitude was not disrespectful, but her words sounded like outright defiance to Concubine Zhao’s ears.

Concubine Zhao frowned, signaling Jiang Wanqing with her eyes, but Jiang Wanqing pretended not to see and paid her no heed.

Instead, after hearing Jiang Wanqing’s words, the Old Madam pondered for a moment.

What Jiang Wanqing said was not without reason.

A man’s feelings for a woman are ever-changing and unpredictable.

Before, Wei Shuli had doted on Jiang Wanqing as if she were the most precious thing in the world. Even if he ignored her now, who could guarantee he would not think of her again in the future?

Moreover, the two had shared several years of intimacy and dependence—such a bond could not be severed overnight.

But…

What if that were the case?

“Do you think that even if the Wei Guogong Heir were willing to turn back, he could still come for you? Not to mention the Wei Duke above him, he also has several brothers below. The Wei Duke is not much older than your father; it is not impossible for him to cultivate a new heir.” The Old Madam looked at Jiang Wanqing, her expression calm, as if discussing an ordinary matter.

Jiang Wanqing was no fool. The Old Madam’s words made sense. Wei Shuli had doted on her, yet that day he had still allowed the bailiffs to take her away and had not come to see her once since.

Even if he was not heartless enough to stay away, the facts had already proven that he could not defy the Wei Duke.

Even if the things she did later were gradually forgotten by the world, by then Wei Shuli would already have a new companion by his side.

Would he still treat her as before at that time?

Jiang Wanqing did not know the answer to this, nor did she dare to gamble.

She was no stranger to taking desperate risks, but the outcome had already served as a warning to her.

She stood in place, her eyelashes lowered, concealing her gaze and the emotions in her eyes.

Concubine Zhao held her breath, staring intently at Jiang Wanqing, her expression filled with tension.

Old Madam, meanwhile, picked up the tea beside her and drank it unhurriedly.

She was waiting—waiting for an answer from Jiang Wanqing.

After all, she still felt a pang of compassion.

The Jiang family had few daughters, and the closest to her was Jiang Jin. But aside from Jiang Jin, the one she cared most about was Jiang Wanqing.

After all, before Jiang Jin was born, she had raised Jiang Wanqing for a time.

Only, Jiang Wanqing was still young back then. Now, she had likely long forgotten the events of her childhood, as well as the kindness this grandmother had once shown her!

After a long wait, Jiang Wanqing finally spoke: “Grandmother, if your granddaughter listens to you, could you promise her one thing?”

Jiang Wanqing raised her eyes to look at Old Madam, but there was no expectation in her gaze.

Her request, even to her own ears, seemed impossible.

But no matter what, she still wanted to try!

Seeing her like this, Old Madam was momentarily taken aback before saying, “If you knew it would come to this, why did you do those things in the first place!”

She set down her teacup and looked at Jiang Wanqing: “Speak, what is it you want me to promise?”

“Your granddaughter wishes to ask you to arrange a marriage for me, so that I may marry into the Wei Guogong Residence!”

Upon hearing Jiang Wanqing’s request, Old Madam frowned and immediately refused: “That is absolutely impossible!”

It was true that making her a concubine had been unfair to Jiang Wanqing before, but as for making her a wife—not to mention the scandal Jiang Wanqing had caused—just Wei Shuli’s status alone meant that arranging such a marriage was beyond her ability.

If Wei Shuli were not the Heir, she might have been able to try. But he was the legitimate successor of the Guogong Residence. For him to marry a Jiang family’s daughter of lesser birth as his wife would likely only be possible with an imperial decree.

Moreover, the Duke and Duchess of Wei had placed all their hopes on Wei Shuli. How could they be content with the emperor bestowing a daughter of lesser birth as the Shizi Furen?

Such an unappealing matter—even if she personally pleaded with Her Majesty the Empress, it was unlikely to be granted.

Besides, as a mother herself, she would never sacrifice her own daughter’s interests for the sake of a granddaughter.

“Since Grandmother is unwilling to help your granddaughter, I shall take my leave now.”

Jiang Wanqing curtsied, then left Shou’an Hall without a second glance at Concubine Zhao.

She left in a hurry, her demeanor somewhat disheveled.

She believed Old Madam would not make things difficult for Concubine Zhao, which was why she dared to leave directly.

Although she had already known the answer beforehand, hearing it still left her disappointed.

In everyone’s eyes, she was inferior to Jiang Jin. Aside from her own mother, no one would ever go to great lengths for her.

Old Madam’s affection existed only when it did not threaten the Jiang family or her own interests.

“Hah,” Jiang Wanqing sneered coldly, then watched as a maid carrying food passed by ahead. In that instant, something flashed through her mind.

She returned to her own courtyard and, not long after, heard a maid knock on the door, followed by someone bringing the meal to the table.

Jiang Wanqing picked up her chopsticks and began to eat, only to notice that none of the dishes on the table were to her liking.

Back in the Guogong Residence, every dish served to her had been her favorite. If even one displeased her, Wei Shuli would have it removed and have a separate meal prepared just for her.

Yet in just half a month, everything had changed.