Chapter 18

A hundred-year-old Lingzhi mushroom was already rare, and a thousand-year-old Lingzhi was even rarer. Regardless of how much the old madam disliked Liu Xiu, she couldn’t help but be moved upon seeing the thousand-year-old Lingzhi. “You’re so thoughtful,” she said.

“Third Aunt, please don’t just stand there. Sit down. We may need to discuss today’s matter for a while,”

Jiang Peihuan whispered to Liu Xiu as she heard footsteps outside.

Liu Xiu was aware of the issue in the chrysanthemum hall. She gently patted Jiang Peihuan’s hand, and they both sat quietly to one side.

“How dare you fight with your master, you insolent servants? Who gave you such courage?” Zhou Rongfang’s scolding voice came from outside. The old madam’s eyes grew cold upon hearing this.

The door curtain was lifted, and Jiang Ruyun was pushed in by two maids. Second Madam Zhou Rongfang followed her, and Nanny Xu walked behind them with a clear five-finger mark on her face

“Yu Zhen, who slapped your face?” the old madam asked.

Yuzhen was Nanny Xu’s maiden name. She had served the old madam for many years, and the entire Jiang family respected her.

Jiang Peihuan was getting more and more annoyed with her second aunt.

“Mother, Nanny Xu took advantage of your favor and ordered someone to attack Yun Er. I…”

“So, you’re the one who slapped Yuzhen’s face,” the old madam interrupted the second madam before she could finish.

“Yes, I accidentally hit her,” admitted the second madam.

“Hmph… Yu Zhen grew up with me. Even Jiang Yuan politely addresses her as ‘Nanny.’ You, on the other hand, hit her so casually. Are you trying to slap me in the face?” the old madam asked.

“Mother, I didn’t do it on purpose,” the second madam replied, her eyes filled with panic. The old madam, however, ignored her and looked at Jiang Ruyun instead.

“Kneel down!” the old madam ordered.

Jiang Ruyun’s back was still in pain, but she knelt at the old madam’s command.

Once she had knelt, the old madam turned to the quiet Doctor Zhang and said, “Take her pulse.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ruyun’s face instantly turned pale, but she didn’t dare to refuse or move, as the old madam was watching her closely.

Doctor Zhang, unaware of the situation, obliged when he heard the old madam’s words. He approached Jiang Ruyun and said, “Second Miss, please extend your hand.”

As Doctor Zhang felt Jiang Ruyun’s pulse, he froze, looking shocked. He glanced at the old madam, who seemed unfazed.

Seeing Doctor Zhang’s expression, the old madam had a hunch about the situation but held onto a glimmer of hope. “Doctor Zhang, what’s her condition?”

“Old Madam, the Second Miss is already pregnant for three months,” Doctor Zhang announced.

Upon hearing this, the room fell silent.

Jiang Peihuan looked at Jiang Ruyun’s stomach, her eyes full of coldness. She knew that Jiang Ruyun and Zhao Fuqing had been having an affair, but she didn’t realize it had started so early.

Jiang Ruyun was already three months pregnant.

“Grandmother, why don’t we let Doctor Zhang go back and rest first?” Jiang Peihuan suggested.

“Yu Zhen, escort Doctor Zhang out,” the old madam instructed.

“Yes, Old Madam.”

After Nanny Xu escorted Doctor Zhang out, the gentleness in Old Madam’s eyes vanished without a trace. “You wicked girl!” She pointed at Jiang Ruyun, her hand shaking uncontrollably.

Worried that that the Old Madam might faint again, Jiang Peihuan quickly held her hand. “Grandmother, please don’t be angry.”

Seeing the worry in Jiang Peihuan’s eyes, Old Madam’s expression softened a bit. However, when she saw Jiang Ruyun, her gaze turned sharp and disapproving.

With a cold expression, she said directly to Jiang Peihuan, “Huan Er, beat her up. Beat her till she can’t get up. The Jiang family has no place for such shamelessness. Beat her!”

Old Madam had a stubborn personality and could not tolerate Jiang Ruyun’s behavior.

Jiang Ruyun had just been beaten, and now hearing Old Madam’s words, her face went pale.

“Grandmother, I know I was wrong. Please have mercy for the sake of the child in my womb.”

“Child? You’re pregnant before marriage; that child is a disgrace. If I taught someone like you, I wouldn’t have the face to meet your grandfather even in death. No matter, I’ll deal with you today and ask your grandfather for forgiveness after I die.

“Huan Er, what are you waiting for? Do it!”

“Grandmother, I truly realize my mistake…”

Jiang Ruyun crawled on her knees to Old Madam, but she was kicked away.

Seeing this, Zhou Rongfang’s heart ached. She pushed away those around her and rushed to embrace Jiang Ruyun. “Mother, the child in Yun Er’s womb is the legitimate grandson of King Huainan’s Mansion. Aren’t you afraid they will be displeased if you harm the child in Yun Er’s womb?”

“King Huainan’s Mansion has insulted the Jiang family’s reputation. Zhao Fuqing seduced our family’s daughter before marriage. Even if this matter reaches the Emperor, it’s their fault. You also bear responsibility for raising such a daughter.”

“Jiang Yuan isn’t here today, so I can’t provide a divorce paper. But I’ll teach you a lesson on his behalf.”

“You…”

Upon hearing the word ‘divorce,’ the Second Madam’s face turned deathly pale.

“Mother, I’m willing to accept the punishment. Please don’t be angry.”

“Fine, since you’ve accepted your punishment, get out and kneel. You may not rise without my command.”

“Yu Zhen, assign someone to keep an eye on her.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Mother?”

Watching the Second Madam being led away, Jiang Ruyun’s already pale face grew even paler.

Old Madam’s gaze returned to Jiang Ruyun. “Tell me, when did you start your affair with Zhao Fuqing? And who covered for your secret meetings? Jiang Ruyun, you better explain everything clearly.”

Jiang Ruyun’s eyes were filled with shame and anger, especially when she saw Jiang Peihuan’s mocking gaze.

“I, I…”

“Speak up already!”

Seeing Jiang Ruyun’s hesitance, Old Madam scoffed coldly.

“Grandmother, I genuinely realize my mistake.”

Tears suddenly filled Jiang Ruyun’s eyes. If it weren’t for her occasional glances towards the door, Jiang Peihuan might have believed her.

“Elder sister?”

At that moment, Jiang Sijin entered with another person. Behind her was a young maid, tied up tightly. This was Jiang Ruyun’s other maid, Xiang Er.

“Xiang Er?”

Jiang Ruyun’s expression changed drastically when he saw the servant girl he sent to deliver the letter was captured.

“Eldest sister, this maid was sneaking out of the mansion, so I brought her here.”

“What do you want to do when you leave the mansion?”

Jiang Peihuan looked at Xiang Er indifferently and spoke softly.

“I…”

Hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words, Xiang Er subconsciously looked at Jiang Ruyun. Observing this, Jiang Peihuan coldly said, “Xiang Er, you should consider Xi Er’s fate before you speak.”

“Don’t forget, as servants of the Jiang family, your loyalty should always lie with the family.”

“Yes, it was the young miss who asked me to deliver the letter.”

As she spoke, Xiang Er pulled a letter from her clothes. Jiang Peihuan stepped forward and took it from her.