Arriving by the bed, Jiang Tingjun was already awake, his bright eyes fixed on her before he called out sweetly, "Nanny."
"Yes, little master, are you hungry? Nanny will feed you right away." Ye Yunniang reached out to pick up Jiang Tingjun.
But Jiang Tingjun didn’t want to nurse. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Ye Yunniang’s neck, calling out repeatedly, "Nanny."
Each soft cry of "Nanny" melted Ye Yunniang’s heart, stirring a momentary impulse to stay by his side forever.
Yet the thought of her own child, Pan’er, at home quickly cooled her emotions—she couldn’t act recklessly.
"Play, play," Jiang Tingjun pointed insistently toward the door.
"Alright, let’s go play outside." Ye Yunniang carried him to the outer room.
Jiang Tingjun continued pointing outside, urging, "Go."
She took him into the courtyard, but he shook his head in dissatisfaction, pointing further beyond.
When they reached Fanghua Courtyard, he still wasn’t pleased and kept gesturing outward.
"Flowers."
Ah, he wanted to go to the garden.
Jin Huifang, fearing another mishap with her son, had strictly ordered the household not to take Jiang Tingjun to the garden.
Ye Yunniang dared not disobey Jin Huifang’s command.
"You little rascal, trying to trick your nanny into taking you to the garden," Ye Yunniang teased, playfully pressing her nose against his tiny one.
Jiang Tingjun giggled, pointing again, "Mama, mama."
"Flowers."
"Play."
"My son can say three words in a row now! How clever!" Jin Huifang beamed, reaching for him. "Come, Mama will take you to the garden."
With Jiang Tingjun in her arms, Jin Huifang headed toward the garden, followed closely by Ye Yunniang and the other attendants.
Leaving Fanghua Courtyard, they walked along a stone path until they reached the garden.
At this time, the poppies were in full bloom—their petals vibrant and elegant, their colors dazzling in shades of scarlet, pink, orange, and white.
Jiang Tingjun pointed at a bright red poppy, eager to pluck it.
But the stems and sepals were thorny, and Jin Huifang, worried her son might get pricked, instructed a maid to pick it instead, reminding her to remove the thorns first.
"Sister-in-law, and little Tingjun, here to admire the flowers too?" A gentle voice sounded behind them—Zhuang Meixue.
Ye Yunniang’s heart skipped a beat, sensing trouble.
Jin Huifang’s mood soured at the sight of the woman she despised. She turned to leave with her son, the entourage following suit.
Zhuang Meixue blocked their path. "Why leave as soon as I arrive? You still haven’t forgiven me, have you?"
"Zhuang Meixue, spare me your fake kindness. It’s nauseating." Jin Huifang had no patience for her.
"Tingjun, have you missed your second aunt?" Zhuang Meixue ignored Jin Huifang’s coldness, reaching for Jiang Tingjun.
The child twisted away, clinging to Jin Huifang’s neck and presenting his back to Zhuang Meixue.
"A good dog doesn’t block the road. Move." Jin Huifang’s words were sharp as she prepared to leave again.
"Sister-in-law, I truly wish to talk. We’re family—this estrangement isn’t right." Zhuang Meixue stood firm, refusing to budge.
Jin Huifang handed Jiang Tingjun to Ye Yunniang behind her.
"Take him back first."
Ye Yunniang accepted the child and tried to leave, but Zhuang Meixue’s servants blocked their way once more.
"Zhuang Meixue, keep your people away from my son!" Jin Huifang stepped forward, shoving Zhuang Meixue forcefully.
Staggering back, Zhuang Meixue barely kept her balance.
"Madam, be careful." Bailu and the other maids rushed forward to steady Zhuang Meixue as she stumbled back.
Jin Huifang paid no attention to the commotion behind her, her eyes fixed anxiously on Jiang Tingjun.
Jiang Tingjun showed no fear—instead, his eyes sparkled with admiration as he looked at his mother. "Amazing!"
Ye Yunniang: "...There it is again, that familiar tone of someone who thrives on drama."
"Good! That’s my son." Jin Huifang nodded approvingly. "Let’s go back to our courtyard."
Zhuang Meixue’s attendants had all rushed to her aid, clearing the path for Jin Huifang to leave.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, don’t you want to know whether your suspicions are true or not?" Zhuang Meixue called out, stopping Jin Huifang in her tracks.
Jin Huifang turned to face her.
"It was you," Jin Huifang stated coldly, her voice firm.
Zhuang Meixue pushed away the maids supporting her and stepped closer, lowering her voice. "What a pity. The traffickers failed to sell Jiang Tingjun."
Slap! Slap! Jin Huifang struck Zhuang Meixue with all her strength, twice. "You vile woman! I’ll kill you!" She lunged at Zhuang Meixue, clawing and hitting her again.
"Enough!" A sharp, domineering voice cut through the chaos. Two matrons restrained Jin Huifang.
"Sister-in-law, you’re finally back!" Zhuang Meixue burst into tears at the sight of the speaker.
Lu Xueying strode to Zhuang Meixue’s side.
The two bright red handprints on Zhuang Meixue’s face stood out starkly against her frail, paper-thin frame.
"Meixue, how have you become so thin?"
"Sister-in-law, I—" Zhuang Meixue’s legs gave way, and Lu Xueying caught her. "Fetch a physician, now!"
"Such a convincing act," Jin Huifang sneered.
Ye Yunniang thought to herself, This is bad.
"Jin Huifang, you have no respect for your elders. Take her away!" The attendants who had returned with Lu Xueying moved to seize Jin Huifang.
"Stop!" Jiang Mingrui strode forward, shoving the matrons aside and shielding his wife. "What authority, Sister-in-law, to punish your younger sister-in-law the moment you return!"
"If I hadn’t returned, I wouldn’t have known how shamelessly this household disregards hierarchy," Lu Xueying retorted, though her tone softened slightly when addressing her younger brother-in-law.
"Let me offer you some advice, Sister-in-law: Do not judge what you do not fully understand." Jiang Mingrui’s words were blunt.
"You—"
"Sister-in-law, please don’t argue on my behalf. It was my own weakness that led me astray. I harmed my own child… My baby, your mother failed you…" Zhuang Meixue’s voice broke as she collapsed into unconsciousness.
"Meixue! Where is the physician? Hurry!" Lu Xueying urged.
Word quickly spread through the Jiang residence: Ever since the Fourth Madam took over household management, she had acted recklessly.
This time, she had gone too far—striking the Second Madam right in front of the First Madam. And the Fourth Master hadn’t lifted a finger to stop her; instead, he had joined in humiliating the Second Branch, trampling their dignity underfoot.
The matter involved her most beloved son, so Old Madam Jiang wanted to smooth things over.
But Lu Xueying would tolerate no injustice. "The nation has its laws, the family its rules. Wrongdoers must be punished—otherwise, how can order be maintained? How can the Jiang family hold its standing in Jiangcheng? If the household is in chaos, how can my husband focus on his duties at court?"
"Sister-in-law, you certainly know how to wave the banner of righteousness," Jiang Mingrui scoffed. He had always despised Lu Xueying’s habit of invoking grand principles to justify everything.
"Mingrui!" Old Master Jiang frowned at his son’s disrespectful tone.
"My wife is not at fault here. Second Sister-in-law knew exactly what would provoke Fourth Branch, yet she deliberately approached them. What was her intention? Did she think everyone else was a fool?" Jiang Mingrui had already heard Jin Huifang’s account of what happened.
In his eyes, she had struck well—but not hard enough. She should have hit harder.
Jiang Mingrui's attitude made Lu Xueying frown. She thought to herself, Zhuang Meixue was right—the fourth branch of the Jiang family had grown far too arrogant.
"Father, I have good news for you. Da Lang's superior, Official Lu, has recently been promoted, leaving his position vacant. Da Lang has always handled affairs to Official Lu's satisfaction. Moreover, Official Lu's son is currently discussing a marriage alliance with the Zhuang family."
Lu Xueying's words carried a clear implication.
"Master—"
Old Master Jiang cut off Old Madam Jiang before she could speak.
"Enough. Our family is one of harmony and kindness. Mingrui and Jin Huifang have acted improperly as of late. At White Cloud Temple, there is a great Zen master who has traveled from afar. The two of you shall take Jiang Tingjun and go listen to his teachings for three months."
