Chapter 24
Xie Shi panicked. No longer caring about the precious jewels and jade wares, she hurriedly informed the Duke of Anguo and rushed toward Linglong Pavilion.
Yet she was still too late. By the time she arrived at Linglong Pavilion, Yan Jingyu was already gone, leaving behind only a room in disarray and a group of terrified maids kneeling on the floor.
A glimpse of crimson caught the corner of her eye, and Xie Shi’s legs weakened, nearly collapsing under her.
Pointing at the bloodstains beside the shattered teacup, she asked in a trembling voice, "Whose... whose blood is this?"
A maid followed her finger and quickly replied, "It belongs to an old servant sent by the Dowager Lady. The young lady refused to go with them, so they tried to seize her by force. In her desperation, the young lady threw a teacup at them. One of the servants was struck in the face, injured, and bled this much."
Upon hearing that the blood was not Yan Jingyu’s, Xie Shi let out a sigh of relief. But soon, worry crept back in. The Dowager Lady had never favored Yan Jingyu to begin with, and now, not only had Yan Jingyu defied her orders, but she had also injured one of her people. There was no telling what punishment awaited her.
Thinking of Yan Jingyu, who might now be suffering, the dowry she had painstakingly prepared for her daughter over the years, and the items in the storeroom that should have rightfully belonged to her future grandchildren, resentment surged once more in Xie Shi’s heart. This couldn't go on. With this thought, she closed her eyes, concealing the flicker of ruthlessness that passed through them.
In Mingxuan Courtyard, Yan Jingshu received a report from a maid that the Duke of Anguo and Xie Shi had already left Rong’an Courtyard. He immediately set down the book in his hands and made his way there.
"I knew you wouldn’t be able to hold back and would come," the Dowager Lady remarked upon seeing Yan Jingshu, not at all surprised and even teasing him lightly.
Yan Jingshu smiled sheepishly but couldn’t resist asking, "Has Grandmother met him yet?"
Without needing to ask, the Dowager Lady knew that the "him" Yan Jingshu referred to could only be Jiang Chenghan. She nodded with a smile. "Of course I’ve met him. He has clear, upright features, a handsome face, and carries himself with courtesy and dignity. He truly is a fine man. Your judgment is good."
"Grandmother is mocking me," Yan Jingshu said, though his expression showed little embarrassment. Instead, his smile deepened, even carrying a hint of pride, which made the Dowager Lady shake her head in amusement.
As the grandmother and grandson were speaking, a sudden clamor arose outside, mixed with a female voice that Yan Jingshu recognized all too well. He turned to the Dowager Lady. "Grandmother, what is Yan Jingyu—?"
The Dowager Lady’s smile faded slightly as she explained her decision to have Yan Jingyu reflect in the small Buddhist hall. Additionally, she informed Yan Jingshu of the dowry arrangements she had settled upon with the Duke of Anguo and his wife, which would now be given to him instead.
However, upon hearing this, Yan Jingshu did not show delight at receiving a large dowry. Instead, his brows furrowed with concern. "Grandmother, whether it’s sending Yan Jingyu to the Buddhist hall or taking her dowry for me, Mother will never accept this easily."
He understood Xie Shi’s temperament to some extent. Having managed the household for many years, she appeared gentle and virtuous on the surface but was actually strong-willed and self-centered. Now that the Dowager Lady had not only acted against Yan Jingyu but also forcibly reassigned what rightfully belonged to her, it had crossed Xie Shi’s bottom line—something she would never tolerate.
Yet the Dowager Lady remained utterly composed. "What if she doesn’t accept it? I’d like to see what waves she can stir up."
Yan Jingshu immediately realized that the Dowager Lady was deliberately provoking Xie Shi.
After all, if the Dowager Lady had merely wanted to punish Yan Jingyu, she could have sent her to the Buddhist hall long ago. But by doing things this way—whether regarding Yan Jingyu’s punishment or the dowry—the decisions were all made by the Dowager Lady. If Xie Shi were to retaliate, she would likely direct her actions at the Dowager Lady herself.
Thinking of this, Yan Jingshu couldn’t help but worry. "Grandmother, I’ve already sent someone to investigate the beating of the Marquis of Yongchang’s son. I believe Mother is involved in this matter. Once confirmed, we can hold her accountable. There’s no need for Grandmother to put yourself at risk."
But the Dowager Lady shook her head. "Even if it’s proven that your mother deliberately arranged for the Marquis of Yongchang’s son to be beaten, your father won’t do anything to her. After all, she is the mistress of the Duke’s household, the mother of you three siblings. For your sakes alone, he would just lightly punish her—unless she commits a far more severe, unforgivable crime. Such as... attempting to murder her mother-in-law."
"Grandmother..." Yan Jingshu grew even more anxious. Though he knew that in his past life, his mother had poisoned the Dowager Lady, many things had already changed in this life. Who could say whether she would act the same as before?
Compared to Dowager Lady Yan's safety, whether Xie Shi could be toppled was no longer the most important matter.
"Don't worry. Now that I know your mother will scheme in secret, I will naturally take precautions and not let her succeed." the Dowager Lady understood Yan Jingshu's concern for her but had no intention of changing her plans. She added, "I'm doing this not just for you, but for the Yan family. If we continue to let your mother act unchecked, our Yan family will surely be ruined by her."
Because the Dowager Lady was not the birth mother of the Duke of Anguo and had never been fond of managing household affairs, she had handed over the household responsibilities to Xie Shi shortly after Xie Shi married into the family. At first, Xie Shi was respectful and filial, never missing a day of paying respects or attending to her.
But as Xie Shi gave birth to three children in succession, she grew more confident in her position and gradually became casual and neglectful toward the Dowager Lady. Eventually, even Yan Jingyu followed her mother's example, showing no regard for her grandmother, to the point of causing trouble on the Dowager Lady’s birthday.
Now, while the Dowager Lady truly wanted to stand up for Yan Jingshu, she also could no longer tolerate Xie Shi and intended to use this opportunity to eliminate her completely. Thus, no matter what Yan Jingshu said, she would not change her decision.
Since the Dowager Lady was resolute, Yan Jingshu’s attempts to dissuade her were in vain. In the end, he could only urge An Momo to be extremely cautious and ensure the Dowager Lady’s safety, so that no mishap would befall her.
An Momo solemnly agreed to each of his instructions.
Yet, despite the Dowager Lady’s confidence that she would remain unharmed, Yan Jingshu couldn't ease his worries. Even the joy of his impending marriage to Jiang Chenghan dimmed somewhat.
Fortunately, this torment did not last long. Xie Shi proved even more impatient than Yan Jingshu had expected, and the Dowager Lady, far more formidable and decisive than he had imagined. In just five days—before Yan Jingshu could even react—everything was settled without his notice.
At first, the Dowager Lady deliberately kept the details hidden, so even Yan Jingshu did not know what had happened. Then, one day, he, Yan Jingyu (who was confined to the Buddhist hall), and his elder sister-in-law Shen Shi (who rarely left her room due to illness) were summoned by the Duke of Anguo to the main hall of Rong'an Courtyard. There, they found the Dowager Lady lying in bed, appearing severely ill.
Yan Jingshu was terrified, thinking his grandmother had been harmed by his mother just as in his past life. Overcome with grief and regret, he suddenly felt the hand he was holding give his a light squeeze. Only then did he realize—his grandmother was feigning illness.
Meanwhile, Yan Jingyu and Sister-in-law Shen Shi, unaware of the truth, grew worried upon seeing the Dowager Lady’s condition and asked An Momo how she had fallen ill and what illness she had.
An Momo’s answer shocked them all: the Dowager Lady had been poisoned by a substance added to her daily incense, which weakened the body. Combined with her advanced age and frailty, this had caused her sudden collapse.
Just as they reeled from the revelation that someone had dared to poison the Dowager Lady in the Duke’s residence, the Duke of Anguo delivered another thunderbolt—the culprit was none other than Xie Shi.
Not only that, but after interrogating Xie Shi’s confidante, Aunt Liu, the Duke also learned that Xie Shi had ordered her to bribe a physician so Yan Jingyu could feign illness to evade punishment, as well as to frame the Duke’s estate for the assault on the Marquis of Yongchang’s son, Zhao Xian.
Xie Shi’s attempt to murder her mother-in-law already enraged the Duke, but her deception regarding Yan Jingyu and her schemes against Yan Jingshu made him feel as though he no longer knew the woman he had shared a bed with for years. He could not fathom how she could be so hypocritical and ruthless.
In his fury, the Duke immediately considered divorcing her—how could he keep such a venomous woman in the household? But then, the Dowager Lady stopped him.
After persuasion, and out of consideration for Yan Jingshu and the family’s reputation, the Duke ultimately followed the Dowager Lady’s advice. He neither reported Xie Shi to the authorities nor divorced her. Instead, like Yan Jingyu before her, Xie Shi’s servants were imprisoned, while she herself was sent to the ancestral hall to reflect and atone.
When the Duke explained everything, Sister-in-law Shen Shi was too stunned and disbelieving to speak, while Yan Jingyu refused to accept it outright.
Xie Shi was her backbone, her greatest support. With Xie Shi punished, no one could save her now. Moreover, judging others by herself, Yan Jingyu became convinced that the Dowager Lady had framed Xie Shi deliberately. She immediately began screaming and making a scene, even hurling insults at the Duke and the Dowager Lady.
Yan Jingyu had first plotted against her elder brother, then deceived her father, and now dared to disrespect her gravely ill grandmother. The Duke, utterly furious, felt nothing but complete disappointment toward her. And because he was past all hope, this time he neither scolded nor struck her—instead, he granted her wish.
Since she wanted to see her mother, then he would send her to join Xie Shi. Surely, with her mother by her side this time, she would no longer be afraid.
Amidst her cries and struggles, Yan Jingyu was forcibly dragged away to the ancestral hall by servants. As her pleas faded into the distance, the room gradually fell silent.
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