For Jiang Mingyue's dowry and to secure the marriage alliance with the Lin family, Jiang Mingzhe couldn't spend the New Year at home.
In the midst of a snowstorm, he traveled to another region to purchase Jiang Mingyue's dowry.
After personally arranging everything, he hurried back to Jiangcheng.
During this time, the image of Ye Yunniang kept surfacing in Jiang Mingzhe's mind.
He realized he couldn't let go of her.
Having built the Jiang family into the wealthiest household in Jiangcheng through decisive action, Jiang Mingzhe was not one to hesitate.
Once he confirmed his feelings, he would never allow Ye Yunniang to slip away.
While dispatching people to investigate Ye Yunniang's background—especially her marital status—he also prepared to discuss taking her as a concubine with Zhuang Meixue upon his return.
Ye Yunniang was the wet nurse in his fourth brother's household, and such a matter would be scandalous if made public. Jiang Mingzhe returned quietly, intending to speak privately with Zhuang Meixue first. But instead, he overheard her secret conversation with Immortal Lady Ma.
"Say that again," Zhuang Meixue whispered, her voice low.
"Madam, this old woman is powerless. You must seek another solution." Immortal Lady Ma knew Zhuang Meixue's ruthlessness and didn’t dare hide the truth. She couldn’t save this pregnancy.
"You must save it, no matter what!" Zhuang Meixue’s voice trembled with desperation. After ten years of marriage into the Jiang family, she longed for a child of her own. She couldn’t bear the whispers behind her back any longer.
What use was wealth if she remained a barren hen?
"If you ensure my child is born safely, I’ll give you ten thousand taels of silver," she promised.
"If it were possible, I wouldn’t refuse," Immortal Lady Ma said, though she knew the fetus had almost no heartbeat. She wanted the money, but the situation was dire.
"Immortal Lady Ma, I looked into your skills and your family before inviting you here. Your son has gambling debts—he’s waiting for you to bring back silver to save his life." When persuasion failed, Zhuang Meixue resorted to threats.
Immortal Lady Ma stiffened, thinking of her worthless son.
But even with her abilities, she couldn’t revive the dead. Unless…
"Madam, I can’t save this child. But if you want a child, I can give you one."
"How?"
"Not long ago, I helped a woman in South Forest Alley with her pregnancy. She’s carrying a son."
"You want me to raise another woman’s child?" Zhuang Meixue sneered.
"No, it would be yours—just carried in another’s womb first."
The way Immortal Lady Ma phrased it made Zhuang Meixue laugh.
"What of the child’s parents?"
"They already have three sons—they don’t lack heirs. The family is healthy, and the man bears some resemblance to Second Master Jiang. Coincidentally, they’re distantly related to the Jiangs."
"Make it happen, and I’ll give you twenty thousand taels. Fail, and—" Zhuang Meixue left the threat unspoken, but the killing intent in her voice was unmistakable.
"Don’t worry, Madam. I’ve been in this business long enough to know what I’m doing." Immortal Lady Ma sounded confident.
Jiang Mingzhe left at this point. As he passed behind Fanghua Courtyard, he overheard Ye Yunniang’s words.
Jiang Mingyue had a lover?!
In one night, he’d stumbled upon two major secrets. He didn’t know whether heaven was favoring him by revealing these plots early or simply testing him.
After an intense internal struggle, Ye Yunniang resolved to tell Fourth Madam Jiang what she’d heard.
Once decided, she wasted no time. After handing her duties over to Chunyao, she prepared to seek out Fourth Madam Jiang.
Zi Yuan hurried in.
"Nanny Ye, there are matters in the estate these days. You stay in Fanghua Courtyard for now. Nanny Chunyao, you may leave first," Zi Yuan instructed the two.
Ye Yunniang and Chunyao acknowledged her words. Chunyao handed Jiang Tingjun, whom she had been holding, to Ye Yunniang before departing from Fanghua Courtyard.
Ye Yunniang remained in the side courtyard to care for Jiang Tingjun, unable to leave.
She wished to see Fourth Madam Jiang but had no opportunity.
She sought out Zi Yuan instead.
"Miss Zi Yuan, I have something very important to discuss with the madam."
"Nanny Ye, the madam is occupied. Whatever it is, wait until she’s finished," Zi Yuan replied, urging Ye Yunniang to return to her room with the young master and not come out unless necessary.
"Miss Zi Yuan, you must tell the madam—this matter is extremely, extremely important." Ye Yunniang emphasized the urgency by repeating the word.
Zi Yuan frowned slightly. "Very well, I understand."
Ye Yunniang assumed Fourth Madam Jiang would summon her soon. Yet she waited half a month, well into mid-February.
The estate began preparations for summer clothing.
The Jiang household had many to outfit, so the work started three to four months in advance.
The sewing room sent attendants to Fanghua Courtyard to take measurements.
For once, the side courtyard buzzed with activity. Maids chattered and laughed, discussing summer dress designs while sharing the latest gossip.
From them, Ye Yunniang learned that Bai Xiuxiu was pregnant.
A month along, she strutted about the garden, cradling her belly and boasting that she carried a son.
Servants avoided the garden, fearful of accidentally provoking her and facing punishment—kneeling for hours or enduring slaps.
After gossiping about the third branch of the Jiang family, they turned to Second Madam Zhuang Meixue’s pregnancy.
Zhuang Meixue, five months along, had suddenly begun suffering severe morning sickness—vomiting everything she ate.
When she paid respects at Zhongleyuan, she appeared gaunt, her frame reduced to skin and bones.
Old Madam Jiang had summoned a physician, who prescribed bed rest.
"The affairs of the masters are not for you to gossip about!" Zi Yuan entered, cutting short the servants’ chatter.
The maids and matrons scattered instantly.
Zi Yuan stepped inside. "Nanny Ye, the madam summons you to the main house."
Ye Yunniang carried Jiang Tingjun to the main quarters.
After more than half a month apart, Fourth Madam Jiang had grown noticeably thinner, the dark circles under her eyes barely concealed by powder.
"Greetings, Madam." Ye Yunniang curtsied.
"Rise. Tingjun, come—let Mother hold you awhile." The separation had made Fourth Madam Jiang miss her son dearly.
Jiang Tingjun squirmed, unwilling to be held. He wriggled free, planted his feet on the ground, and tugged at Fourth Madam Jiang’s hand while pointing outside.
"Go... go..."
"Tingjun can speak now!" Fourth Madam Jiang beamed. "My son, call me 'Mother.'"
But Jiang Tingjun only pointed insistently toward the door, eager to leave.
Fourth Madam Jiang rose, bending to support him as he toddled forward.
After a few steps, exhaustion overtook her. She couldn’t continue.
Jiang Tingjun, too, grew tired and demanded to be carried.
Zi Yuan stepped in, lifting him and taking him outside.
Fourth Madam Jiang sank back onto the divan, and Zijuan moved behind her to massage her aching back.
"What did you wish to discuss?" Fourth Madam Jiang prompted Ye Yunniang.
Ye Yunniang hesitated, glancing at the maids in the room.
"Speak plainly. No need for secrecy," Fourth Madam Jiang chided, disliking her timid demeanor.
Gritting her teeth, Ye Yunniang said, "Madam, this concerns Fifth Miss."
Fourth Madam Jiang straightened immediately and waved the maids away.
Zijuan ushered them out, closing the door securely behind her.
"Go on."
Ye Yunniang recounted everything she had overheard.
“Why didn’t you speak up at the time?” Fourth Madam Jiang slammed the table in anger.
Ye Yunniang was so frightened that her legs gave way, and she dropped to her knees with a thud.
“Madam, I didn’t realize it at the time. It only occurred to me later, and I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t find you,” Ye Yunniang explained her delayed confession.
“So, it’s my fault now?” Fourth Madam Jiang’s tone was sharp.
“No, no! I overthought it. I was afraid—” Ye Yunniang stumbled over her words, unsure how to continue.
With Yan Zhi and Ding Fang involved, her fear was palpable.
Fourth Madam Jiang understood what terrified her. Suppressing her fury, she asked, “Have you told anyone else about this?”
Ye Yunniang shook her head frantically. “No one but you, Madam.” Jiang Tingjun didn’t count—he was too young to understand anything.
“Good. Act as if you know nothing. Not a word to anyone,” Fourth Madam Jiang ordered.
“I won’t say a thing. Not to anyone,” Ye Yunniang vowed repeatedly.
“Madam—something terrible has happened—Madam, Madam!” A maid rushed in, shouting breathlessly.
“Madam, Second Madam has had a miscarriage—”
