Chapter 25

"Madam Jiang, what brings you to the Wang Fu today?" She had no time to beat around the bush, to practice tai chi with those stewards, to beat around the bush with Ning Hanmo; for others, she had little patience.

Young Lady Kang sat on the stool; the person before her was clearly the same person, yet his bearing had changed, making her feel as if she saw her sister's shadow.

Back then, her sister was the same—full of vigor and fearless.

"Your maternal grandparents want to see you." After saying that, Young Lady Kang picked up the freshly poured tea, covered her face and took a sip, then set it aside.

Jiang Yun Chu lowered her head, thinking about recent events, then looked at Zi Su; much of her time lately had been arranged by Zi Su, and she had deliberately cultivated Zi Su into a secretary's role.

Zi Su's memory is extraordinary; she can remember everything she has seen or heard, and can recall it whenever asked.

She is perfectly suited for this position.

"Princess Consort, you have two free hours tomorrow afternoon." Zi Su immediately understood, considering the Princess Consort's schedule; these days she has been inspecting every shop, closing those that weren't suitable.

Including her dowry shop; strangely, these shops had been managed by Young Lady Kang, yet the accounts showed not a single error—by her experience, it was clear these were genuine books, not perfectly fabricated false ones.

Moreover, a false ledger remains false; it cannot be made to seem true.

This also indicates a problem…

Over these years, Young Lady Kang merely helped manage them, and since these shops were profitable, it shows she cared; furthermore, regardless of the final profit, she counted them as part of her dowry, bringing everything over without loss.

Then what about her…

What is she after?

She reviewed her dowry list and the shops, then asked herself, what is she after?

"My schedule is fairly fixed; now Zi Su handles my time arrangements, and I have two free hours tomorrow afternoon." Jiang Yun Chu looked at the person opposite her.

Since marrying into the family, Young Lady Kang has spoken very little—she says nothing if she can, and speaks as little as possible.

Both the Jiang Manor and the Kang Manor seem like riddles.

I don't know whether visiting the Kang Manor this time will shed some light on this riddle.

"Alright, I'll have someone go to the Kang Manor to give notice." After saying that, Young Lady Kang stood up, appearing ready to leave.

Those who don't know think there must be some flood or ferocious beast in this Wang Fu.

"You're leaving just like that?" Jiang Yun Chu asked.

Young Lady Kang paused, turned to look at her, and said, "Is there anything else between us?"

Jiang Yun Chu rubbed her plump fingers, then told Zi Su, "Guard the door; I want to speak a few private words with Madam Jiang."

The private talk is pending discussion, but the content isn't suitable for others to hear—so be it.

"Yes!" Zi Su went out; Bai Zhi was already guarding outside. Since learning of the situation in the Wang Fu, the maids have been especially attentive to these matters.

"Madam Jiang isn't ready to say—what secrets do the Jiang Manor and Kang Manor really hold?" Jiang Yun Chu smiled faintly, but when she lifted her eyes, one could see her gaze was sharp, as if she could see into people's hearts.

Young Lady Kang's heart jumped: "What secrets?"

"Oh?" Her tone was light, rising slightly, with a hint of nonchalance, and some…

"Yun chu, if you hold a grudge, hold it against me." Young Lady Kang clenched her fists, looking at Jiang Yun Chu's eyes with a hint of determination.

Jiang Yun Chu chuckled; it seemed this secret was huge—so huge that…

she still couldn't know it.

or perhaps they thought it was still not appropriate for her to know.

What could it be?

"Is it related to my mother?" Her voice remained as light as a breeze that could be blown away.

Young Lady Kang's standing figure showed no change; she didn't even dare to turn around.

"Jiang Yun Chu, I am your mother." Young Lady Kang shouted, then sighed: "I don't know what you're talking about; if you have any hatred or resentment, direct it at me."

This time, she didn't linger, leaving the side hall and the Regent Prince's Manor directly.

"Princess Consort." Zi Su entered, looking at her with some concern.

Everyone knows the Jiang Manor has a talented young woman, Jiang Yun Hui, but no one knew there was also a Jiang Yun Chu.

Only after Jiang Yun Chu married into the Regent Prince's Manor did everyone suddenly realize: the Jiang Manor actually had an eldest daughter.

"I'm fine." Jiang Yun Chu shook her head.

It was merely a first probe; she had already made preparations.

Young Lady Kang would rather let herself hate her than speak of the past events; moreover, when mentioning her mother, her reaction was so strong that it must mostly be related to her mother.

But…

What exactly is it, then?

"An San." Jiang Yun Chu called out.

Somewhere, a disturbance suddenly arose, but it quickly faded; Jiang Yun Chu knew this was his response.

Follow Madam Jiang and see whether she went to the Kang Manor.

Jiang Yun Chu's words fell, and inside the room a breath vanished— the door didn't move, the window didn't move, that breath just disappeared.

She laughed and shook her head, it became more and more interesting.

Interesting Regent Prince's Manor, interesting General's Manor, interesting Kang Fu, now there's also an interesting Cao Fu.

This chess game, who exactly is the player?

"Princess Consort……" Shunzi's face turned pale, he stumbled in from outside.

Jiang Yun Chu saw his appearance, immediately stood up, "Ning Hanmo had an accident?"

Zi Su quickly poured a cup of cool tea, handed it to Shunzi, letting him catch his breath.

"Princess Consort, the Young Master got into a fight with someone." Shunzi took a breath, then hurriedly said.

Just then while running, I felt like I was about to suffocate, and now I'm still gasping for air.

"Zi Su, prepare the carriage."

"Bai Zhi, grab a weapon."

Su Xin, Zi Wu, you stay at the Wang Fu and guard for me; while I'm away, no one is allowed to enter.

Yes. Everyone received the order and went about their own business.

Su Xin and Zi Wu exchanged a glance, and she immediately stood guard beside Miss Ning Yue Xue; in the Wang Fu, the person the Princess Consort worries about most is probably the young lady.

Shunzi, let's go. Jiang Yun Chu strode forward without asking why or how.

She knows her own child's temperament.

If speaking of arrogance and domineering behavior, that is Ning Hanmo.

But if speaking of not distinguishing right from wrong and resorting to violence directly, that is definitely not Ning Hanmo.

Nor is it the child she has taught for a month.

Princess Consort. Shunzi was a bit slow to react; he thought it would take a lot of talk to persuade the Princess Consort.

But…

Too slow. Jiang Yun Chu felt the carriage's speed and furrowed her brow.

Has An Wu appeared? she asked the driver Shunzi.