The Chief Secretary of the Prince’s Mansion sought out the Royal Physician.
“You’ve just examined the Princess Consort?” the old man asked, stroking his beard.
If the Princess Consort was truly ill, it would provide a good excuse if anyone criticized her for not paying respects.
The Royal Physician nodded.
“How is the Princess Consort’s health?”
The Royal Physician hesitated slightly before replying, “She’s a bit deficient in qi and blood. I’ve prescribed some medicine to nourish her. There’s no need for concern, Chief Secretary.”
The old Chief Secretary silently plucked out a whisker.
Deficient in qi and blood? That’s as good as saying she’s not ill at all!
Seeing the Chief Secretary’s expression, the Royal Physician hurriedly reassured him, “You needn’t worry. The Princess Consort is fine.”
The Chief Secretary: “…”
The old man waved his hand dejectedly, “You may go about your business, Royal Physician.”
The Royal Physician left, utterly perplexed.
From the Prince to the Chief Secretary, why was everyone acting so strangely?
The Marquis of Yining’s household soon learned that Jiang Si would not be coming to pay respects. Those in the know had mixed feelings about this news.
Although Su Dajiu understood Jiang Si’s actions, he hadn’t expected her to be so resolute.
The person was already dead. Shouldn’t she at least come and pay respects for the sake of her grandparents’ face?
As the Princess Consort of Yan, Jiang Si was the most prestigious relative of the Marquis of Yining’s household, and many people were watching her. How would others react to the Prince Consort’s niece not coming to pay respects when her aunt had passed away?
On one hand, it would be seen as a loss of face for the Marquis of Yining’s household. On the other hand, the niece might also be criticized for lacking proper etiquette.
Su Dajiu grew worried about his niece’s future: if she was so inconsiderate, her glory might be short-lived.
The funeral hall of the Marquis of Yining’s mansion was arranged solemnly and majestically. Madam You’s son and daughter knelt to one side, dressed in hemp mourning clothes, their eyes already swollen from crying.
When Jiang Ancheng brought Jiang Yi and Jiang Zhan to pay their respects, Su Qingxue embraced Jiang Yi and wept bitterly, fainting from excessive grief.
The funeral hall was thrown into chaos.
“Uncle, I’ll accompany Elder Cousin to rest in the back,” Jiang Yi said to Su Dajiu as she supported Su Qingxue.
Jiang Yi was kind-hearted. Although she despised You shi who now lay in the coffin, she didn’t transfer that hatred to Su Qingxue.
Su Dajiu felt somewhat comforted, thinking: Compared to Jiang Si, this niece Jiang Yi is much more considerate.
“Go ahead, and console your cousin well,” Su Dajiu said, then turned to glance at his two concubine-born daughters with a stern face. “You two go to the back as well.”
Second Miss Su Qingxue and Third Miss Su Qingyu hurriedly got up and flanked Su Qingxue as they left the funeral hall.
Jiang Ancheng said to Su Dajiu, “My condolences.”
Su Dajiu was inwardly startled. He carefully observed Jiang Ancheng and saw genuine concern in his brow. A thought occurred to him: Could it be that Jiang Ancheng still doesn’t know the truth about his sister’s death?
Su Dajiu’s guess was correct. At this moment, Jiang Ancheng was indeed still in the dark.
This had been discussed by Jiang Si and her siblings after leaving the Marquis of Yining’s mansion that day.
Their father’s love for their mother ran too deep. If he learned the truth, he might not be able to bear it and do something drastic, like storming into the Marquis of Yining’s mansion with a knife to kill You Shi.
Since the Marquis of Yining’s household had already tacitly agreed to let You Shi pay with her life, why dirty their father’s hands?
After waiting for a few days, news of You shi’s death indeed came.
At this point, fearing that Jiang Ancheng might destroy the funeral hall, Jiang Yi and Jiang Zhan decided after discussion to simply wait until later to tell him.
Jiang Ancheng had endured the pain of losing his wife for many years, so he sincerely sympathized with Su Dajiu, who had lost his wife in middle age. He patted Su Dajiu’s arm and consoled him repeatedly.
Su Dajiu couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Zhan.
Jiang Zhan nodded reluctantly.
He had the urge to destroy the funeral hall as well and felt sick like he had swallowed a fly when paying respects to You shi earlier. But remembering his elder sister’s repeated persuasion, he could only endure it.
His fourth sister was carefree and unrestrained, simply not coming at all. He couldn’t help but envy her.
Never mind, You shi had already paid with her life. His mother’s death ultimately couldn’t be blamed on the other members of the Marquis of Yining’s household. The one to blame was the true culprit who caused his mother’s death – Princess Rongyang.
Thinking of this, Jiang Zhan lowered his eyes to conceal the fleeting murderous intent, touching the position of the sword at his waist.
Jiang Ancheng was completely unaware of his son’s mood. He sighed and asked Su Dajiu, “How did it happen so suddenly?”
Su Dajiu’s face showed sorrow, but his eyes were indifferent: “It was an acute illness.”
“It’s truly unexpected…”
“Indeed, who could have imagined?” Su Dajiu raised his hand to press the corners of his eyes.
Who could have imagined that You shi would harm his sister and then come to harm his mother? He had shared a bed with such a venomous woman for nearly twenty years!
Su Qingxun’s eyes were red as he looked at Su Dajiu, his doubts snowballing in his heart.
Mother had been in good health, how could she suddenly pass away?
They said it was an acute illness, but his father’s grief somehow seemed not deep enough, and his grandparents’ reactions were too calm…