Chapter 27: Madame Su Arrives

Jiang You’an walked up to the carriage. Just as she placed one foot on the step, she felt that something was not right. She called into the carriage, "Yun Yao?"

There was no response.

Jiang You’an looked at the maid who had led her there and stepped back a few paces.

The maid grew anxious, grabbing her arm and trying to pull her onto the carriage. "Cousin, please don't dawdle. Miss Yun Yao is already waiting impatiently."

Jiang You’an tried to push her away, but the maid was surprisingly strong. Unable to break free, she found half her body being dragged onto the carriage.

In a flash of inspiration, Jiang You’an yanked the hairpin from her hair and drove it hard into the horse’s rump.

The horse let out a startled neigh and bolted forward.

A commotion erupted inside the carriage. The back door was forced open, and two matrons tumbled out, rolling several times on the ground before coming to a stop.

Jiang You’an took a closer look. Both women were from Madam Zhao’s household, and one of them was Matron Wang.

As expected, Madam Zhao loathed her so much that she wished she would disappear to stop interfering with the affairs between Lu Xuanheng and the Princess. How could she have so easily abandoned the idea of marrying her off?

With Lu Xuanheng away from home today, Madam Zhao could not sit still and had orchestrated this scheme. If Jiang You’an had boarded that carriage, she feared she would never have returned.

Jiang You’an reinserted the hairpin into her hair, watching with a mocking gaze as Matron Wang climbed up from the ground.

Matron Wang was elderly, and the fall had been severe; she felt as though her bones were falling apart. Clutching her aching back, she groaned incessantly.

Jiang You’an sneered, "Oh my, I thought the carriage was empty. I never imagined Matron Wang would be inside. You didn't even say a word! Well, now that’s that—no trip into the city today."

Furious and clutching her chest in pain, Matron Wang lunged to grab her arm. "You... you are coming with me! Don't think you can stay in the Lu residence any longer!"

Jiang You’an shook her off. "What is the meaning of this? Young Master Lu said I am to stay in the residence and go nowhere. Even if you are the Madam, you cannot make decisions for me. If she has any thoughts on the matter, tell her to go speak to her son."

Matron Wang looked at her with utter disgust. "To think you would use the Young Master as a shield! Have you no shame? You are terrified that others don't know you’re a seductress!"

Jiang You’an blinked. "What was that, Matron Wang? Your voice is too quiet. Would you like me to shout it out for you?"

Matron Wang realized what she had been saying and quickly clamped her mouth shut. They were at the main gate; it would be disastrous if those words were overheard. She glanced around nervously, relieved to see no one else was there.

Jiang You’an scoffed and turned back toward the residence.

Matron Wang stomped her feet in frustration and had no choice but to slink away to report to Madam Zhao.

When Madam Zhao saw her return in such a disheveled state, she was both anxious and enraged. Upon hearing Jiang You’an’s words, she was so furious that she smashed the teacup in her hand.

"That little harlot! She has become so arrogant, thinking that because she has gained Xuanheng’s favor, she can ride roughshod over me? Today, I will tear her apart with my own hands!"

Madam Zhao stormed out of the room, heading straight for Jiang You’an’s courtyard in a fury.

Jiang You’an knew Madam Zhao would not let this rest. As soon as she returned, she sent Qiulan to find Lu Xuanheng; only he could stop Madam Zhao.

Indeed, no sooner had Qiulan left than Madam Zhao arrived.

"You base creature, relying on crawling into a man’s bed to win favor! How dare you be so wild? Do you truly think I cannot handle you?"

Madam Zhao entered cursing, followed by four or five burly maids, looking aggressive and imposing.

Jiang You’an knew she could not win a head-on confrontation; her only hope was to stall for time. She deliberately tried to distract her, saying, "Madam, when the Princess consort of Xian came to the door, I went to great lengths to play along with your charade. Now that things have settled down, isn't it a bit heartless to burn the bridge you just crossed?"

"If you hadn't seduced my son, none of this would have happened! You are the root of all this trouble!"

"Lu Xuanheng doesn't see it that way. He told me he wouldn't let anyone touch me. If you marry me off to Lingnan behind his back, he will likely be furious with you upon his return. Is it really worth damaging the bond between mother and son over this?"

Madam Zhao laughed in spite of her anger. "Do you really think my own son would turn against me because of you? You think far too highly of yourself! Besides, getting rid of you is for his own good. Someone, seize her and throw her into the carriage!"

The four sturdy maids immediately stepped forward, grabbing Jiang You’an’s arms to drag her away.

Panic rising, Jiang You’an struggled fiercely. "What right do you have to force me into marriage?"

"The right of being your maternal aunt, since your parents are both dead," Madam Zhao sneered. "The Xu family is already waiting outside the city. Whether you marry or not is no longer up to you!"

Jiang You’an’s vision blurred. In such a short time, Qiulan could not possibly have reached the military camp to find Lu Xuanheng!

Before she could say anything more, a rag was stuffed into her mouth.

Just as she was about to be dragged out, another maid came running over. "Madam, the Marchioness of Yong’an has arrived and is currently speaking with the Old Madam. The Old Madam requests your presence, and says for the young miss to come as well."

Hearing this, Jiang You’an’s eyes lit up. The Marchioness was here! It was perfect timing!

Madam Zhao, unaware of the reason, felt a twinge of suspicion. It was normal for the Marchioness to see her, but why specifically request to see Jiang You’an? This was disrupting her plans!

She glared at Jiang You’an, who had already pulled her arms free and spat out the rag, a look of triumph on her face.

"Since the guest wishes to see me, it wouldn't be proper not to go."

Madam Zhao glared at her—the wretched girl, she might escape today, but she wouldn't escape forever! Unhappy as she was, she had no choice but to lead Jiang You’an to the hall.

Jiang You’an tidied herself up and walked toward the Hall of Longevity with a joyful heart. She had finally waited for the Marchioness, and though she was thrilled, she dared not show it, maintaining a calm expression as she followed Madam Zhao into the room.

The Marchioness sat in the guest seat to the right of the Old Madam. When she saw Jiang You’an enter, she looked over, her eyes filled with faint anticipation.

As a noble Marchioness, her life was comfortable and prosperous, with nothing to worry about—except for the marriage of her fourth son, Su Mingxiu.

Su Mingxiu had been injured several years ago, leaving him with a lingering illness. Because his health was poor, his marriage prospects had stalled. She was anxious day and night, frequently visiting Taoist temples to pray for her son’s match, yet nothing ever came of it.

Two days ago, she had visited the Xuanzhen Temple, where the Taoist Chongxu told her that Su Mingxiu’s destined partner had appeared. Marrying this person would act as a "lucky charm" to help him cast off his illness.

Excited, she had the Taoist calculate the birth date of this destined partner. Upon returning home, she had pondered it and identified two or three candidates, and Jiang You’an was one of them.

Initially, she had been concerned about Jiang You’an’s background. But if Jiang You’an could help Su Mingxiu recover, it was not for her to be picky—she would be lucky if the girl was even willing!