"Why?" Ye Yunniang was puzzled—was there some hidden meaning to this?
Chunyao didn't explain, only giving her a look that said, "Figure it out yourself."
Under Shanhu's guidance, Ye Yunniang changed into fresh clothes and followed Fourth Madam Jiang to Zhongleyuan, carrying Jiang Tingjun in her arms.
As the curtain was lifted, a thick wave of fragrance rushed toward them.
Ye Yunniang felt uncomfortable, nearly sneezing, but she held it back, slowing her breathing instead.
Fourth Madam Jiang paid her respects and took her seat.
Ye Yunniang stood behind her with Zi Yuan, holding Jiang Tingjun.
This was the first time Ye Yunniang had seen so many members of the Jiang family, and though she was curious, she dared not look around for fear of embarrassing Fourth Madam Jiang. Instead, she kept her gaze lowered, watching Jiang Tingjun.
The little boy was curiously examining his surroundings but soon grew bored, clinging to Ye Yunniang’s neck as if ready to sleep.
As more people entered, the scent in the room grew stronger, making Jiang Tingjun restless. He wanted to leave.
Ye Yunniang shifted slightly, catching Zi Yuan’s attention.
Zi Yuan, familiar with Jiang Tingjun’s little expressions, could tell he was about to fuss. She leaned down and whispered to Fourth Madam Jiang before leading Ye Yunniang out of the room.
Just as they stepped outside, they ran into someone entering the courtyard.
"Second Master, Second Madam," Zi Yuan greeted with a bow.
Ye Yunniang, still holding Jiang Tingjun, followed suit.
Second Madam Jiang acknowledged them with a hum, glancing briefly at Jiang Tingjun before walking inside.
Once they had passed, Zi Yuan led Ye Yunniang to a neighboring room—a play area set up for the young masters and misses of the household.
The floor was covered with thick carpets.
Zi Yuan motioned for Ye Yunniang to set Jiang Tingjun down.
Ye Yunniang did so, and the two women sat nearby, keeping him entertained.
A maid from Old Madam Jiang’s quarters brought over a delicate pagoda toy for Jiang Tingjun to play with.
His small hands couldn’t quite grasp it, so he pushed it along the carpet instead, delighted by the clinking sound it made.
After a while, Zi Yuan was called away, leaving Ye Yunniang alone with Jiang Tingjun.
As they played, a girl of about five suddenly ran in. "That’s my pagoda!"
She reached out to snatch it.
Jiang Tingjun, gripping the tassels tightly, refused to let go.
When the girl tried to shove him, Ye Yunniang quickly shielded him.
The child, unable to budge Ye Yunniang, stumbled backward and landed on the floor.
Unused to being denied, she burst into tears.
"She hit me! She hit me! Mama, someone hit me!"
The cheerful chatter in the main room halted at the sound of crying—especially when Madam Jiang the Third recognized her daughter’s wails.
She rushed in, finding her daughter pointing accusingly at Ye Yunniang.
Without hesitation, Madam Jiang the Third slapped Ye Yunniang twice across the face.
"You wretch! How dare you hurt my daughter!"
"Third Sister-in-law, such grand authority you wield," Fourth Madam Jiang said coldly, arriving just in time to see the reddened marks on Ye Yunniang’s face. This was an insult to their household.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, it’s your servant who struck my daughter. Who’s the one flaunting power here?"
"She didn’t hit her! The young miss tried to take the pagoda from Little Master!" Ye Yunniang quickly defended herself.
"You dare talk back?" Madam Jiang the Third raised her hand again.
Fourth Madam Jiang caught her wrist.
Jiang Tingjun, finally realizing what was happening, began wailing.
"Enough!" Second Madam Jiang intervened. "Remember why Mother summoned us today. Don’t spoil the occasion."
Madam Jiang the Third and Fourth Madam Jiang exchanged glares before releasing each other, both knowing this wasn’t over.
Ye Yunniang soothed Jiang Tingjun as Zi Yuan led them back to Fanghua Courtyard.
Upon her return, Fourth Madam Jiang immediately checked on Jiang Tingjun and questioned Ye Yunniang about the incident.
Ye Yunniang pressed a handkerchief to her face and recounted everything. She had only meant to protect Jiang Tingjun—she hadn’t expected the young miss to fall.
She also learned that the girl was Jiang Fangrui, the only daughter of the third branch.
Back when the Jiang family had arranged a marriage with the Bai family, Scholar Bai was just a scholar. Later, he passed the provincial and imperial exams, entering officialdom.
Madam Jiang the Third, now Madam Bai Xiuxiu, considered herself above the rest and acted arrogantly in the household. Her daughter, spoiled rotten, threw tantrums whenever she didn’t get her way.
Zi Yuan knelt before Fourth Madam Jiang. "This servant deserves punishment for leaving them unattended."
"Who called you away?"
"Xiangluo from Old Madam Jiang’s quarters asked if Little Master could start eating solid foods." Zi Yuan regretted stepping out even for a moment—thankfully, Ye Yunniang had protected Jiang Tingjun.
"I don’t blame either of you."
Fourth Madam Jiang didn’t reprimand them. Xiangluo was someone even she had to treat with respect.
Still, the timing was suspicious.
"Madam, word from Zhenxia Courtyard says the Fifth Young Miss has developed a fever from fright," Zijuan reported.
"Bai Xiuxiu is shameless, using a child to stir trouble," Fourth Madam Jiang muttered, glancing at Jiang Tingjun, who was now asleep in the inner room.
"Watch over him," she instructed before leaving with her attendants.
Ye Yunniang obeyed, settling in to care for Jiang Tingjun.
When she woke later, her face still ached, though the pain had dulled.
Chunyao arrived early the next morning, examining Ye Yunniang’s swollen cheek. "Madam the Third struck too harshly."
"Sister Chunyao, why are you here?"
"Madam sent me to take your place for a couple of days. Go rest and recover."
"Madam is too kind. Thank you, Sister Chunyao."
"Go on, now."
Ye Yunniang nodded and returned to Zhiyu Pavilion to lie down.
When she woke again, Li'er was at her bedside. "Sister, you’re finally awake!"
"I—" Ye Yunniang’s voice came out hoarse.
"You have a fever," Li'er said, helping her sit up and handing her water before bringing medicine.
Ye Yunniang shook her head—she couldn’t take medicine while nursing.
"Take it. You’ll recover faster and return to serving Little Master," Shanhu’s voice came from the doorway.
Ye Yunniang tried to rise, but Shanhu stopped her.
"Stay in bed."
"Miss Shanhu, how is Little Master?"
"Sister Chunyao is caring for him, but he missed you terribly last night."
"I’ll take the medicine," Ye Yunniang said, downing the bitter brew in one gulp.
After Shanhu left, Ye Yunniang asked Li'er for updates on Madam Jiang the Third.
Li'er shared what she knew.
The physician had examined Jiang Fangrui and determined her fever wasn’t from fright—she had eaten something cold.
Further inquiry revealed that a maid from Old Madam Jiang’s quarters, Ding Xiang, had lured Jiang Fangrui with pastries to provoke the fight over the pagoda.
"Why would Ding Xiang do that?" Ye Yunniang wondered.
"Maybe to avenge Nanny Ding?" Li'er guessed.
Ye Yunniang couldn’t believe someone would target her.
"Don’t blame yourself, Sister. It’s not your fault. Nanny Ding made her own mistakes and refuses to admit it, so she’s taking it out on you," Li'er said indignantly.
Ye Yunniang agreed, but the chain of events left her unsettled.
What she didn’t realize was that this was merely the surface—the real conflict was a battle for control of the household.
With Second Madam Jiang pregnant and First Madam Jiang away in the capital, the responsibility fell between Madam Jiang the Third and Fourth Madam Jiang.
Jiang Mingrui was Old Madam Jiang’s own son. The matriarch was likely to entrust the household to Fourth Madam Jiang.
Jiang Mingyu, however, was not Old Madam Jiang’s biological son. His mother, Concubine Xue, had long competed with Old Madam Jiang for Old Master Jiang’s favor.
Bai Xiuxiu couldn’t accept this. When she married into the Jiang family, she was merely the daughter of a scholar. The Bai family was barely above poverty, and though the Jiangs had given eighty loads of betrothal gifts, the Bais kept most of it, sending Bai Xiuxiu off with only twenty chests—mostly filled with worthless trinkets.
Bai Xiuxiu had no money of her own, while Jiang Mingyu spent his days indulging in scholarly pursuits, collecting calligraphy and paintings.
The Jiang family had not yet divided their estate, so Bai Xiuxiu received only fifty taels of silver each month. Her daily meals and clothing were strictly rationed.
If she wanted anything finer, she had to pay for it herself.
But Bai Xiuxiu had no money—and so she had long coveted control over the household accounts.
