Chapter 208: Mother-in-Law Meets Son-in-Law, Grows Fonder With Every Glance

Jiang Mansion!

Zhuang Min heard the maid's report and frowned in confusion.

We just admired the flowers together with Shu Shu Suwan the day before yesterday—why is she here again today?

"Madam, the gatekeeper says that besides Miss Shu, a young boy is accompanying her."

"A young boy?"

Zhuang Min's eyes lit up—she seemed to have guessed something: "Show Miss Shu to the back garden and sit down. I'll join her shortly."

"Yes!"

The maid withdrew. Zhuang Min glanced at her attire—too flamboyant.

She loved bright clothing, often wearing light gauze dresses; fine among women, but if there was an outsider—especially if the boy Shu Shu Suwan brought was Lin Chen—this outfit would be entirely inappropriate.

A mother-in-law meeting her future son-in-law must be dignified and proper.

"Where's Miss Jiang?"

"Miss Jiang has been receiving guests with Master Jiang in the front courtyard."

Zhuang Min pondered a moment—her husband likely wouldn't want to see Lin Chen; if he came to the back garden, he'd just scowl and spoil the mood.

"Tell Miss Jiang to come to the back garden too."

…

…

Lin Chen followed his master's wife, guided by Jiang servants along a winding stone path through layers upon layers of flower beds; everywhere he looked were gardens, meticulously pruned orchids arranged in cloud-like patterns beneath corridors, white flowering vines entwining every railing he didn't recognize.

"Madam Jiang loves flowers above all. It's said that whenever Master Jiang travels anywhere, besides official duties, he collects flower seeds for her. The Jiang Mansion boasts more flower varieties than any other in the Jiangnan Circuit."

Hearing his master's wife's words, Lin Chen silently mused, picturing Madam Jiang in his mind.

Loves flowers.

A delicate, soft Jiangnan woman?

"Madam Jiang's personality is quite unique—you'll see for yourself when you meet her."

Shu Shu Suwan teased, recalling her own first encounter with Madam Jiang—she'd been stunned. Such a woman in Jiangnan? Rare indeed.

The instant Lin Chen followed his master's wife around the corridor into the back garden, the sweet fragrance of golden osmanthus mingled with autumn sunlight washed over him.

Between vermilion railings hung dark green vines; white porcelain pots overflowed with autumn chrysanthemums like brocade. A woman in lotus-pink cloud-silk robes stood on tiptoe pruning hibiscus, her jade hairpin and jade bracelets clinking softly in the crisp autumn breeze.

"Madam, Miss Shu has arrived."

Zhuang Min turned, her gaze flowing: "Shu Suwan, you've come just in time—I've just acquired a new hibiscus. Come admire it with me."

Lin Chen stared at the beautiful woman turning toward him—could this really be Jiang Qing's mother? Petals clung to her temple; the lotus-pink silk made her skin glow like snow. Not a single wrinkle marred her smile—she carried a languid, wine-like grace that Jiang Qing lacked.

"Cough, cough—Madam, I didn't come today to admire flowers. I've brought someone for you."

"I guessed—my Qing's sweetheart, the handsomest young man in the Jiangnan Circuit."

Zhuang Min handed the shears to her maid and strolled over—but her first words made Lin Chen's face flush crimson.

The handsomest young man in the Jiangnan Circuit?

Was that how Jiang Jie had described him to her mother?

"Disciple Lin Chen bows to Madam."

As she approached, Lin Chen hurried to bow—but Zhuang Min said nothing. Instead, she circled him twice. The maids nearby looked helplessly resigned—Madam's nature was always like this. Just moments ago she'd said she'd change into something more dignified, yet ended up choosing the most beautiful outfit.

How could an elder scrutinize a junior like this—especially the young lady's sweetheart?

Lin Chen stood rigid as a soldier under inspection, eyes straight ahead.

This felt more torturous than being pounded by the Thousand Hammer Diagram.

"Madam, Miss Jiang will be here soon," the maid couldn't help reminding her.

"Let her come… oh right…"

Zhuang Min finally stopped studying him and turned to Shu Shu Suwan: "Every time Qing comes home, she brings a commendation from the Wuzheng Office for Lin Chen. I've kept them all in this pavilion—curious, what kind of boy could make my Qing so devoted?"

Even with two lifetimes behind him, Lin Chen dared not reply.

His future mother-in-law's nature was exactly as his master's wife had described—unusual.

Not blunt, but childishly innocent—her words and gestures betrayed no trace of motherhood.

"Now Madam has seen him."

Shu Shu Suwan smiled warmly. She could tell Madam Jiang was pleased with Lin Chen. Though playful and unorthodox, she was no fool—how else could she manage the vast Jiang Mansion so flawlessly?

"Has Qing ever mentioned me to you?"

Zhuang Min watched Lin Chen, who looked flustered, and smiled.

"No… no."

Lin Chen answered honestly—Jiang Jie had never spoken of her family. If not for that encounter in Linhu Village, he'd never known Jiang Jie was Master Jiang's daughter.

"I thought Qing would've told you she has a mother who loves beauty and flowers. Can't help it—I'm growing old, so I use flowers to adorn myself."

"If not for my master's wife reminding me, I'd have thought I was meeting Jiang Jie's elder sister—you don't look old at all."

Lin Chen spoke without flattery—Jiang Qing and Madam Jiang walking together would be mistaken for sisters. "Smooth-tongued—this is how you stole my Qing's heart?"

Zhuang Min playfully tapped the air near Lin Chen with her finger: "Enough teasing. Qing is with her father in the front courtyard—I've sent someone to fetch her. Wait here in the pavilion while I go admire the flowers with your master's wife."

Watching Madam Jiang walk off with his master's wife, Lin Chen exhaled deeply.

Meeting his future mother-in-law for the first time still made him nervous.

Surprisingly, he felt less tension meeting Master Jiang.

After a moment's thought, Lin Chen smiled—he understood why. He knew no matter how he behaved, Master Jiang would never approve of him. With no fear of rejection, he felt no pressure.

…

…

Front courtyard.

Jiang Jiang Duanchao sat with a middle-aged man, sipping tea in the courtyard pavilion.

The front courtyard lacked flowers; instead, a stone-paved training ground stretched out, flanked by weapon racks.

"Little Qing has grown into such a fine young lady after all these years."

The middle-aged man gazed at Jiang Qing standing behind Jiang Jiang Duanchao, his expression nostalgic. Jiang Jiang Duanchao's face darkened—he hated hearing "fine young lady." In his heart, his daughter would always be his little girl.

"Qing is still young—hardly a young lady. But Xi'er seems close to marriage."

The man paused mid-sip, then laughed: "Marriage is still far off—but she's betrothed. Xiao Cheng, greet your Uncle Jiang."

Behind him stood a boy and girl. The boy stepped forward: "Nephew Jiang Cheng greets Uncle Jiang."

"You're surnamed Jiang? From the Jiang family of Jizhou Prefecture?"

"I hail from Jizhou. My father is Jiang Hong."

Jiang Jiang Duanchao studied Jiang Cheng, then turned to the middle-aged man—he understood. This man had come to gloat about his future son-in-law.

The Jiang family of Jizhou had produced a top-grade martial cultivator. Jiang Hong himself was a fifth-grade martial cultivator, likely to reach top-grade soon.

"Brother Chu has found himself a fine son-in-law."

Chu Ming laughed heartily: "With Qing's qualities, if you announced it, countless talented youths would vie to become your Jiang family's son-in-law."

For Chu Ming, this visit to Raozhou to see his junior Jiang was indeed meant to show off his future son-in-law.

He'd been crushed by Jiang's martial prowess for years, and Jiang's sharp tongue never spared him. Now he finally had a chance to strike back—he'd make the most of it.

"Even before he refined his organs, Xiao Cheng was accepted by Lord Lingxiao Wu Yuan. He's heading to Lord Lingxiao City to enroll now."

"Accepted before refining his organs?"

Jiang Jiang Duanchao was genuinely surprised—being accepted by a martial academy before organ refinement meant exceptional talent.

"Uncle Chu flatters me. I was merely lucky—a Lord Lingxiao Academy instructor took notice and gave me a disciple letter. Nothing special."

Jiang Cheng bowed humbly. Beside him, the girl Chu Xi shot Jiang Qing a mocking glance.

Her father had long been overshadowed by Uncle Jiang, and she'd spent years hidden under Jiang Qing's brilliance. Back then, every boy in the training yard flocked to Jiang Qing—she'd resented it.

She wasn't inferior to Jiang Qing. Her family's lineage had produced multiple mid-grade martial cultivators; her grandfather had even reached fourth-grade.

Sensing Chu Xi's mocking gaze, Jiang Qing rolled her eyes. Just getting into Lord Lingxiao Wu Yuan—what's so impressive?

"Xiao Cheng, you have many outstanding peers. Introduce a few to Qing. In Raozhou, no one's good enough for her."

Chu Ming smiled sweetly. Jiang Jiang Duanchao's face turned icy. This man was pushing too far—did he want another spear through his chest?

Just as Jiang Jiang Duanchao prepared to lash out, a maid rushed in and called out: "Master, Madam asks Miss Jiang to come to the back garden."

"Why does Madam want Qing in the back garden?" Jiang Jiang Duanchao frowned.

"A guest has arrived in the back garden."

"Who is the guest?"

This time Jiang Qing spoke: "If it's just any guest, Mother wouldn't summon me."

"Miss Shu of the Shu Mansion has arrived."

Hearing "Miss Shu of the Shu Mansion," Jiang Qing's eyes brightened—she knew Miss Shu was Lin Chen's master's wife.

If her master's wife had come, she had to meet her.

"Father, Mother summoned me—I'll go to the back garden."

Sitting here bored her. She had no interest in silent duels with Chu Xi.

"Xi'er, Xiao Cheng—go pay respects to your Aunt. Don't come here and forget your manners," Chu Ming chuckled.

ps: This chapter's word count is insufficient. I'll make up for it with three chapters tomorrow. Please vote for a monthly ticket.

(End of Chapter)