Chapter 5: A Decision Made

Fu Ju’s expression stiffened as she picked up the sachet, her fingers trembling uncontrollably.

“Furong, take her away and keep her under guard. Tomorrow, bring her before Lady Shen and let her decide the punishment!”

Jiang Jin waved her hand, signaling for them to leave.

Furong led the maid away and, not long after, returned with the sachet.

Holding it tightly, she said to Jiang Jin, “Miss, I was afraid she might destroy the evidence.”

Jiang Jin nodded. “Yes, tomorrow you must personally bring her over. All this evidence must be presented before Lady Shen.”

Furong acknowledged the order but soon asked in confusion, “Why doesn’t Miss handle this maid herself? Why wait until tomorrow?”

Jiang Jin lowered her lashes, her tone somewhat helpless. “Do you remember whose courtyard Fu Ju originally belonged to?”

Furong thought for a moment, her eyes widening in realization as she quickly understood Jiang Jin’s intention.

“Fu Ju is the daughter of Mama Li, who accompanied Lady Shen as part of her dowry. Back then, Mama Li was severely injured while saving Lady Shen and couldn’t be saved. Out of pity for Mama Li, Lady Shen brought Fu Ju into the household.”

“She even specially promoted her to serve as a second-rank maid by Eldest Miss’s side.”

“Later, when you returned from Jingzhou, Eldest Miss sent Fu Ju to you.”

“Miss doesn’t want to handle Fu Ju herself because she’s afraid of straining relations with Lady Shen!”

Jiang Jin nodded, then shook her head. “It’s not just that. What I worry about is that if someone else mentions it to Mother before I can deal with her, Mother might soften and let her off!”

When something isn’t laid out before one’s own eyes, hearing only fragments from others makes it hard to truly empathize.

Only by laying bare all of Fu Ju’s actions and connecting them to the deceased Eldest Miss will Mother harden her heart!

The next day.

Jiang Jin slept for a long time, only slowly opening her eyes when the sun was already high in the sky.

She lifted the gauze curtain, about to call Furong in.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed someone sitting on the daybed not far away in the room.

“Mother, when did you arrive? Why didn’t you wake me?”

As she spoke, Jiang Jin instinctively tightened her inner robe.

Lady Shen sipped her tea, her smile gentle. “I just arrived. Seeing you still asleep, I couldn’t bear to wake you.”

Jiang Jin lowered her gaze, saying nothing.

She called Furong to help her wash and dress, then sat down beside Lady Shen.

“What brings you here, Mother?”

Jiang Jin picked up her teacup, asking casually.

Lady Shen: “All these years… you’ve suffered!”

“That maid Fu Ju, relying on her mother’s merits, has been throwing her weight around in your Qinghe Courtyard for so many years. If it were just that, it wouldn’t be a big deal.”

Lady Shen frowned, her tone turning cold.

“But that girl, thinking too highly of herself, actually set her sights on Linyuan!”

“If in the future you were to marry—”

Realizing what Lady Shen was about to say, Jiang Jin quickly interrupted her.

“Mother.”

“Thank you for helping me screen those invitations yesterday. Were there any worth considering?”

Mentioning this, Lady Shen’s expression faltered.

She took Jiang Jin’s hand, her eyes hesitant.

But soon, as if remembering something, her gaze grew resolute.

“Jin’er, I won’t hide it from you.” Lady Shen sighed softly. “Yesterday, Linyuan came because of your Eldest Miss’s dying wish.”

Jiang Jin looked at Lady Shen, setting down her teacup. “Mother, this matter… you should discuss it with Fifth Younger Sister. Back then, Eldest Miss specifically named Fifth Younger Sister. You wouldn’t…”

“You want me to persuade Fifth Younger Sister, don’t you!”

Jiang Jin’s tone carried a hint of surprise, her expression tinged with conflict.

Upon hearing this, Lady Shen quickly shook her head.

“No, your Fifth Younger Sister will not marry!”

At these words, Jiang Jin’s expression froze for a moment.

Just like in her past life!

Whenever it concerned Fifth Younger Sister, the response was an immediate refusal.

“Mother, what plans do you have in mind by coming to see me?”

Jiang Jin feigned ignorance as she asked.

Lady Shen took out a jade pendant and placed it on the small table.

Only then did she slowly say, “Yesterday, your father, your brother-in-law, and I discussed at length.”

“Yuan’an is still young and needs someone to care for him. And your Fifth Younger Sister has not yet had her hair-pinning ceremony. Even if a marriage alliance with the marquis estate were arranged, the wedding could not take place anytime soon.”

“But you are more steady than your sister. Yuan’an always relies on you whenever he sees you.”

“And it just so happens that your own marriage is still undecided. So, your father and I discussed… changing it to have you marry into the marquis estate!”

After Lady Shen finished speaking, she met Jiang Jin’s panicked and bewildered gaze.

She gently patted Jiang Jin’s hand, comforting her, “Jin’er, don’t worry.”

“Although you would be marrying as a successor wife, all the proper ceremonies and dowry will be provided. Besides, think of it as going to take care of Yuan’an on behalf of your eldest sister.”

“If, in the future, Yuan’an grows up and you find you cannot get along with your brother-in-law, and you wish to return home, your father and I will surely come to bring you back!”

“By then, if you are willing, you could become the Marquise; if not, you would still be the maternal aunt of the Marquis’s Heir. Either way, your life would be happy and peaceful!”

Jiang Jin looked at Lady Shen, her lips tightening as she slowly withdrew her hand.

“Mother, what if your daughter is unwilling?”

Lady Shen’s expression stiffened, as if she had not expected Jiang Jin to refuse so quickly.

She gathered her thoughts and tentatively asked:

“Jin’er, do you… have some concerns?”

Jiang Jin shook her head. “No.”

“Then why are you unwilling?”

Lady Shen was somewhat confused. Jiang Jin had been obedient and sensible since childhood—among all her children, she was the one who gave her the least worry!

Jiang Jin smiled faintly and turned to look out the window.

The weather was lovely today, sunny and mild—just looking at it lifted one’s spirits.

Yet, of all days, her mother had chosen this one to bring her distress!

“Mother, have you ever stayed at the marquis estate?”

Lady Shen frowned. “What kind of question is that? Ever since your eldest sister became pregnant, I visited her at the marquis estate regularly. How could I not have stayed there!”

Hearing this, Jiang Jin suddenly smiled.

Her smile was gentle, but her eyes were filled with mockery and bitterness. “Mother, staying for a day or two is not the same as staying for ten or twenty years.”

“If the marquis estate were truly good, why did my eldest sister… meet a Fragrant Demise at such a young age?”

“Mother, having sacrificed one daughter, is it not enough? Do you truly wish to give up another?”

As she asked, Jiang Jin did not want to look at Lady Shen.

She was afraid—afraid of seeing Lady Shen’s dismissive expression.

Lady Shen did not answer immediately; she remained silent.

The atmosphere froze in an instant. It was unclear how much time had passed before Jiang Jin heard Lady Shen’s voice beside her.

“Jin’er, your eldest sister’s death was an accident. She fell ill, and your brother-in-law spared no effort to invite many renowned physicians to treat her.”

“It was the illness that was too vicious—it took your eldest sister’s life. It had nothing to do with anyone else!”

Lady Shen softened her voice:

“If you are worried about your heart ailment, then you should agree all the more.”

“The marquis estate has deep heritage, being a founding contributor. The estate receives many rewards, including rare and precious medicines. Once you marry into the marquis estate, your brother-in-law will surely spare no effort to help treat your heart ailment!”

Jiang Jin listened, then turned to look at Lady Shen.

Tears welled in the corners of her eyes, her voice trembling slightly: “Mother, you have made up your mind to marry your daughter off to brother-in-law as his successor wife, and no matter what, you will not change it, is that right?”