Volume One, Chapter 14: What Madness Is This?

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Only now did Jiang Zhinian realize that today’s gathering was a trap. She clearly remembered how Jiang Ruozhen had responded when they visited the Empress together. Now that Jiang Ruoqi had been reinstated, it was likely Jiang Ruozhen who had spoken to the Crown Prince privately.

“Ruozhen, that day when we met the Empress, why don’t I recall you asking for such a favor?” Jiang Zhinian asked sharply.

A flicker of panic flashed in Jiang Ruozhen’s eyes. “I…”

Jiang Ruoqi, displeased with Jiang Zhinian’s aggressive tone toward Ruozhen, said coldly, “Jiang Zhinian, if you have no business here, then just stay out of it. Why show off your arrogance in front of Ruozhen?”

Jiang Cheng was also unhappy. “What favor or not, as long as it helps your brother, isn’t that enough?”

Fools.

The Jiang family was shortsighted, fixated only on immediate gains. The Emperor now detested factionalism and nepotism above all else. Official positions could be bought or granted as a favor, but absolutely could not be given unclearly by the Crown Prince!

The Empress must have been unaware of this, or she would never have allowed the Crown Prince to act so recklessly.

Jiang Zhinian didn’t want to meddle in the Jiang family’s mess, but she was still part of the family. If she angered those above, she could also be implicated.

She smiled coldly, refusing to argue further, and looked at Jiang Ruozhen. “At Weiyang Palace, did you speak up for your brother?”

Jiang Ruozhen’s face instantly paled. She clutched her mother’s sleeve tightly, her eyes reddened.

She hadn’t expected Jiang Zhinian to expose her in public because she herself thought it didn’t matter how her brother was helped, only that he was helped.

“Sister, I…”

Tears fell before words could form. She seemed to know she had done wrong, lowering her head, unable to meet Jiang Zhinian’s gaze.

Jiang Zhinian pressed on, “That day, besides visiting the Empress, you also met the Crown Prince, didn’t you?”

Her implication was clear, and everyone understood: Jiang Ruozhen must have petitioned the Crown Prince.

But what did it matter?

Especially Jiang Ruoqi, whose anger surged uncontrollably. No matter who she petitioned, wasn’t it all to help him?

He slammed the wine cup in front of Jiang Zhinian onto the floor. “If you don’t want to drink, then don’t!”

“You shouldn’t have waited for me today!”

The shards scattered, some splashing against Jiang Zhinian’s cheek, leaving a streak of blood.

Jiang Zhinian didn’t notice, but Jiang Ruozhen did and quickly stepped between Jiang Ruoqi and Jiang Zhinian.

“Brother, please don’t be angry! It was my fault. That day in the palace, I truly didn’t ask the Empress for any favor…”

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Then she turned to hold Jiang Zhinian’s hand. “Sister, please calm down. Huai’an and I are just friends, nothing more…”

“I only lied because I was afraid you’d misunderstand our relationship—ah!”

Jiang Zhinian quickly withdrew her hand, but for some unknown reason, Jiang Ruozhen lost her footing and bumped into the table, sending dishes crashing to the floor.

Jiang Ruoqi hurried to catch her, but his anger overwhelmed reason. Seeing his sensible sister being bullied like this by Jiang Zhinian—and all for his sake—he lost all control.

Fearing Jiang Zhinian would continue to hurt Ruozhen, he shoved her away forcefully.

“We’re supposed to be a family, happy together—why are you suddenly acting crazy?”

His shove was heavy.

Jiang Zhinian was caught off guard, stumbled, and fell to the ground.

The shards that had scattered earlier cut deep into her palm.

No one had expected the scene to escalate like this.

Their mother originally tried to help Jiang Zhinian up but heard Jiang Ruozhen’s sobbing and couldn’t help but feel heartbroken.

Although Jiang Cheng was annoyed by Jiang Zhinian’s unprovoked outburst, Jiang Ruoqi pushing his sister was also unacceptable.

He scowled and ordered Jiang Ruoqi to kneel in the ancestral hall all night without rising until dawn.

Outside, Zheliu, who had been waiting, heard the commotion and rushed in to help Jiang Zhinian.

“Miss, are you alright? Miss! Your face!”

Jiang Zhinian frowned in pain, barely having time to check her palm before Zheliu’s words caught her attention. She touched her cheek, feeling the warmth of blood.

Looking closer, it was blood.

Jiang Cheng wanted to ask why Jiang Zhinian had pushed Jiang Ruozhen, but seeing the blood on her palm, he hesitated.

Zheliu’s tears fell as she fretted; if the wound wasn’t treated properly, it would scar.

Jiang Ruoqi saw the blood, and his blood seemed to freeze.

He took a step forward, about to apologize. “Zhinian, I’m sorry—”

But their mother’s sharp voice interrupted, “Ruozhen! Qi’er! Hurry, help Ruozhen back to her room!”

Hearing Ruozhen’s name, Jiang Ruoqi went blank and immediately turned to care for her. Everyone crowded around, anxiously asking, while maids and servants supported Ruozhen and left.

The once-chaotic dining hall was now left with only Jiang Zhinian and Zheliu. Seeing the shards embedded in her lady’s palm, Zheliu was at a loss.

“Miss, I’ll go fetch madam! The master and madam are ignoring this while your lady is hurt like this!”

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They had all gone to see the Second Miss!

“I’m fine. Let’s go back.” Jiang Zhinian stood with Zheliu’s careful support, looking at the mess on the floor. She didn’t know if her heart or her hand hurt more.

Their mother probably still thought Jiang Ruozhen had been pushed by Jiang Zhinian.

How would she notice the injury?

“How could the Eldest Young Master treat Miss like this?” Zheliu complained, sniffling.

“Miss hasn’t married yet; if she’s left with scars, what will she do?”

After stepping outside, the cold wind made Jiang Zhinian’s palm burn with pain—but compared to her past life, this was nothing.

“The Second Miss is the Eldest Young Master’s sister. Isn’t Miss also? Why such favoritism?”

“Enough, Zheliu.”

Years ago, the Jiang family had swapped babies by mistake, and Jiang Ruozhen only returned to the Jiang household after her coming-of-age ceremony. To protect Ruozhen’s reputation, the family concealed the truth, only saying there had always been two girls.

Even the servants rarely knew.

No wonder Zheliu was so indignant on her behalf.

She didn’t know that Jiang Zhinian wasn’t really Jiang Ruoqi’s sister.

“First, let’s get a doctor, and later send a letter to Senior Brother Wen Jing.”

Back at Bailu Academy, Jiang Zhinian and Wen Jing had both been students under the same teacher. Born into a medical family, Wen Jing had returned to Nanzhao after his studies.

If memory served, Wen Jing was in the capital around this time during her past life.

He had even arranged a meeting with her once.

Unfortunately, she had been too busy introducing Jiang Ruozhen to the capital’s elite and had to decline.

Jiang Zhinian tapped her cheek in the bronze mirror, the wound bleeding. She would trouble Senior Brother to prepare some ointment to prevent scarring.

After carefully wiping away the blood, she gritted her teeth against the pain and began writing the letter.

Just as she handed the letter to Zheliu, Fu Guang entered carrying an embroidered box.

“Miss, Third Miss is outside and wishes to see you.”