Volume One, Chapter Seven: All the Money Is Gone

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But she wouldn’t force Nian Nian to see them; she simply sat down and spoke to them quietly.

“Ruo Qi, grandmother asks you: Nian Nian is so seriously ill—have you hired a doctor for her? Or sent anything to help?”

Jiang Ruo Qi responded with displeasure, “Grandmother, your grandson has been dismissed from office. How could I have the heart to think about such things?”

Madam Jiang ignored him and turned to Jiang Mu. “Huilan, what about you? You’re Nian Nian’s mother. With such a serious illness, have you even gone to see her once?”

Her entire attention was fixed on Jiang Ruo Zhen; how could she have thought to visit Jiang Zhi Nian?

Seeing her falter, Madam Jiang’s heart ached for Jiang Zhi Nian. As for Jiang Cheng, there was no need to ask—he was the one who had dealt harshly with Nian Nian.

Madam Jiang then looked toward Jiang Ruo Zhen, her eyes sharp as an eagle’s, seeming to pierce through everything. She sighed deeply. “Ruo Zhen, your chance to attend Bailu Academy was begged for personally by Nian Nian. She went out of her way to bring you home for the New Year, caring for you along the journey with all her heart. Have you ever once thanked her?”

“Grandmother, I...” Jiang Ruo Zhen hesitated. She hadn’t, but in her heart, she also felt wronged. Jiang Zhi Nian had once attended Bailu Academy too. If not for Zhi Nian occupying her place, she would have finished her studies and returned long ago.

Everything Jiang Zhi Nian had now should have been hers.

Jiang Mu sensed her daughter’s grievance. “Mother, my daughter-in-law knows you have taught Zhi Nian more, so she understands her better. But what mistake has Ruo Zhen made? The privileged life that should have belonged to her was given to another, while she suffers hardships away from home.”

Madam Jiang looked at her daughter-in-law with disappointment. It seemed Nian Nian had worried her too much, leaving her old heart still so naive.

“You only see Nian Nian enjoying comfort in the Jiang family, but have you ever seen her hardships? At five, she practiced calligraphy until midnight to write beautifully; at eight, she trained in dance so hard she wept beneath her quilt; at ten, she learned horsemanship and archery; at twelve, she knelt in the snow until the master of Bailu Academy agreed to admit her.”

It was because of Nian Nian’s perseverance that the Empress noticed her. The Jiang family prospered following her, not the other way around.

“Nian Nian’s illness began when she was twelve. She suffers pain every month. These men don’t know, but you, her mother, do you?”

Madam Jiang’s voice rang out like thunder. Jiang Mu was speechless, having lavished all her love and care on Jiang Ruo Zhen, even before she returned.

She had thought Zhi Nian was destined to become the Crown Princess, so some hardship was justified.

Seeing the guilt slowly rise on her mother’s face, Jiang Ruo Zhen’s eyes reddened, tears falling to the floor. “It’s all because I came back. If I hadn’t returned—”

All her guilt was swept away in that moment. Jiang Mu stopped her before she could finish. “Ruo Zhen, what nonsense are you saying? You are the one who truly suffered.”

After all, the Jiang family wouldn’t starve Jiang Zhi Nian, would they?

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Ruo Zhen said she could only eat one meal a day while away!

Madam Jiang, seeing this, helped the nanny to her feet. “Enough said. What you decide to do now is up to you.”

Madam Jiang vaguely sensed that the distance between Nian Nian and the Jiang family was growing. If they didn’t heed this advice, they might lose their daughter.

Watching Madam Jiang’s retreating figure, the Jiang family first comforted Jiang Ruo Zhen, then summoned a doctor and ordered servants to prepare Nian Nian’s favorite dishes.

They went together to visit Jiang Zhi Nian.

Inside the Linlang Pavilion.

Jiang Zhi Nian had not gone out for two days. Her body was warm, and the abdominal pain had lessened considerably. Upon hearing the Jiang family approaching with food, she, like always, wanted to refuse.

“Let them in.” She knew that unless this matter was settled, they would never leave her in peace.

When Jiang Mu entered and saw Jiang Zhi Nian’s pale, sickly face, her doubts were dispelled; a rare flicker of genuine concern appeared.

“Zhi Nian, I heard you’ve been ill for days. At last, I can come see you today.” Jiang Mu directed the servants to bring out the prepared food boxes, filled with shrimp and crab, showing how much they “valued” her.

Jiang Zhi Nian coughed twice. “Mother, I have already eaten today.”

She gently turned her head away, signaling she didn’t want to eat. Jiang Mu’s smile froze. For her daughter to fall ill and then be scolded by her own mother-in-law—and Ruo Zhen’s eyes were swollen from crying.

Jiang Zhi Nian was simply still upset about being punished that day. But as a child, was it reasonable to expect her parents to apologize?

From a distance, Jiang Ruo Qi felt even more frustrated, thinking Jiang Zhi Nian must have schemed with Lord Huang, which led to his dismissal. While he was shut away at home, the outside world was in chaos, yet she still put on airs here!

“Jiang Zhi Nian, your mother specially had your favorite dishes prepared. Don’t be ungrateful!”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhi Nian stood up, holding onto Zhe Liu’s hand, and wrapped herself in a thick cloak. “Mother, brother, what is it you want? Just say it.”

If they truly cared, they would have come earlier. Now, this gesture was only to lay groundwork for asking her for favors later.

With such a stiff attitude, Jiang Mu and Jiang Ruo Qi hesitated to ask her outright. Jiang Ruo Zhen spoke up beside them. “Sister, you know brother was dismissed from office, right?”

She had been “sick” and confined to the courtyard for days; what could she possibly know? Ruo Zhen was digging a hole for her everywhere she turned!

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Jiang Zhi Nian feigned surprise. “How would I know? No wonder brother has time to visit me today.” She didn’t forget to sneer at Jiang Ruo Qi.

Jiang Ruo Zhen, seeing no response, continued, “Sister, we are family. There’s no such thing as holding grudges overnight between children and parents. Brother has been worrying over his official position these days. Sister, please help him!”

Jiang Ruo Qi clenched his fists. After all, blood was thicker than water. No matter how many years, if not by birth, there was no real closeness. Only Zhen Zhen truly cared for him!

Jiang Zhi Nian sat down, wearing an expression of sudden understanding. She lowered her eyes to the food box and scoffed, then looked at Jiang Ruo Zhen. “Do you think matters in the officialdom are decided by a woman like me?”

Jiang Ruo Qi grew anxious. “But you helped me before at the Ministry of War, didn’t you?”

Her eyes flickered slightly. So brother knew everything.

Jiang Zhi Nian nodded. “Brother, your previous post was actually bought with my money. But this year, Jiang family’s estate harvest was poor, so there wasn’t enough money to buy you a position.”

Before he could speak, she feigned remembering something. “Oh yes, a few days ago there was some money... but Ruo Zhen spent it all giving out porridge outside.”

Jiang Ruo Qi was shocked. “She spent it all?!”

“Brother, don’t worry so much. The spring examination is coming; you can’t buy a position anyway. Why not try to pass the exam?”

Her tone was sincere, but every word cut like a blade.

If Jiang Ruo Qi could really pass the imperial exam, why would she need to buy an office for him?

He was furious. “You have no idea what you’re talking about! The exam is so difficult! How would a woman like you understand?”

Jiang Zhi Nian met Jiang Ruo Qi’s gaze. “If I weren’t a woman, you wouldn’t have a chance at all.”

“Jiang Zhi Nian, you—”

Her dark brows arched. “Brother, do you have a better plan?”