Suddenly, she thought that although Jiang Qinian was unpredictable and had many lives on his hands, she just wanted to save him.
Given Jiang Qinian's fate, if he didn't rein himself in and continued to take human lives casually, living through this year would count as a long life.
It wasn't impossible for her to help him live a few more years, but it was the karmic consequences...
Jiang Zhao clicked her tongue. She'd have to consider this matter carefully. There was no rush.
As soon as Jiang Zhao left, Jiang Zhong was carried into He's room in a hurry by the servants.
Seeing her beloved son beaten to a pulp, He let out a howl towards the sky: "I'm not staying here! I can't stay in this family any longer!"
"They're all heartless! I'm going back to the Duke's Mansion!" Once He's temper flared up, she left right away, regardless of Jiang Zhong groaning in pain on the bed.
He went back to her natal family, and Yicui quickly followed. The remaining servants looked at each other in dismay.
Hey, were they just going to leave the eldest young master alone?
Fortunately, the mansion doctor they'd gone to fetch arrived. They didn't have time to chase after He and started to assist the doctor.
...
In the Duke of Su's Mansion.
"Madam, Miss He is back," Nanny Zheng whispered in the ear of the Duchess of Su.
The current Duchess of Su was He's sister - in - law.
Just as she finished speaking, they heard He's undisguised sobbing from outside.
The Duchess of Su was embroidering a handkerchief. Hearing the sobs, her hand trembled, and the silver needle pricked her finger, drawing blood.
He trotted in and threw herself on the couch, sobbing. Yicui, looking helpless, followed behind.
The Duchess of Su threw the handkerchief down with a headache. She glared at He in frustration. She'd lost count of how many times this had happened this year.
Ever since He got married, whenever she was a bit unhappy, she'd cry and run back to her natal family.
Every time, Lord Ningyuan had to come in person to coax her before she'd agree to go back.
Miss He was just born into a good family. In an ordinary family, no one could be so troublesome.
It was all her and her husband's fault for spoiling this younger sister.
Moreover, since they'd taken Lan'er from beside He, they felt guilty towards He. For unimportant things, they'd just let He have her way.
"Tell me, what happened this time?"
Yicui didn't dare to hide anything. Nor did she dare to add fuel to the fire in front of the Duchess of Su. She told the whole story truthfully.
The more the Duchess of Su listened, the tighter her brows frowned. She'd heard from Lan'er about Jiang Zhao's return.
She had a general understanding of Jiang Zhao's temperament and knew what to make of it.
"Are you done crying?" the Duchess of Su said coldly.
He sniffled and sat up straight: "Sister - in - law, I don't want to live anymore! I can't stay in that family for another day!"
"For that dead girl Jiang Zhao, he didn't care about me at all! And Zhong'er was severely punished by him. I don't even know if he's dead or alive!"
"That girl wasn't with me since she was a child. Not only is she estranged from me, but now she even disobeys me, her mother! I really can't go on living!"
The Duchess of Su poked He's head with her finger: "Miss He, Miss He, what should I say about you?"
"Sister Zhao was also born to you after ten months of pregnancy. They're both your children. How can you be so partial? Don't you want the mother - daughter bond between you?"
He twisted the handkerchief in her hand and said aggrievedly: "She was sent away when she was young. We've just reunited. Where's the bond between us?"
"You're so stupid!" the Duchess of Su scolded: "That's exactly why you should feel guilty towards Sister Zhao!"
"Think about it. If Yunxi hadn't testified for her today, giving her a chance to prove her innocence, no one in the Marquis's Mansion would have stood by her side. Her reputation would have been completely ruined!"
He pursed her lips and stammered: "I, I was just too angry at that time..."
At that time, all she could think about was Jiang Zhong. She thought that since her son had been raised by her, how could he frame Jiang Zhao?
She only felt that her son had been wronged and had never considered Jiang Zhao at all.
But Jiang Zhong was raised by her with her own hands. How could she not be partial?
The Duchess of Su shook her head: "Miss He, have you forgotten everything I've taught you?"
"Now that Sister Zhao is back, she can be your support in the future. Together with Sister Yu, they can help you secure your position as the Marquis's wife. But what did you do? You pushed her away and sided with the good - for - nothing Jiang Zhong. Are you afraid that the concubines in Lord Ningyuan's inner courtyard are too peaceful?"
He didn't expect that even her beloved sister - in - law would scold her. Tears welled up in her eyes instantly: "Sister - in - law! Why are you speaking up for her? You're my real sister - in - law! You should be on my side!"
"Jiang Zhao doesn't have me, her mother, in her heart at all! If she were as obedient as Yu'er, how could I not tolerate her? How could I not dote on her!" He waved her hands and cried heart - brokenly.
Looking at her sister throwing a tantrum, the Duchess of Su really wished she could stuff her back into her womb.
"Don't you really forget why Sister Zhao left home in the first place!"
"She's a girl. Without her parents' love and care, her life has been hard enough. Why can't you show some understanding?" The Duchess of Su softened her voice: "We've spoiled you and made you a bit willful, but our family has never taught you to be unable to tell right from wrong or to treat your own child as an enemy!"
"Miss He, you owe that child."
The Duchess of Su's words made He's face turn pale instantly.
The almost forgotten memories flooded back, but it wasn't what she'd wanted either.
The night Jiang Zhao was taken away, she'd sat in Jiang Zhao's courtyard all night without closing her eyes for a single moment!
She really did care.
At first, she'd often hoped that Jiang Zhao would come home, but the child had never come to see her, her mother. As time went by, she'd stopped longing so much.
What little care she'd had was almost gone.
"Aunt, I'm back," Jiang Lanzhi's voice came.
The Duchess of Su gave He a meaningful look: "Alright, stop crying. Go in and tidy up. Then go back with Lan'er."
He was being stubborn and refused to get up. The Duchess of Su half - pushed her inside: "Don't let the child laugh at you, his mother."
Jiang Lanzhi stepped in. Seeing Yicui, he was obviously taken aback: "Mother came to see you?"
The Duchess of Su nodded with a smile: "Your mother missed home, so she came back for a visit. It's just right for you to go back with your mother."
Jiang Lanzhi nodded. He also came out of the inner room after tidying up.
Jiang Lanzhi saw that He's eyes were red, and it was obvious that she'd been crying.
He didn't ask but pretended not to see. He respectfully greeted He.
He was used to this kind of scene. But would his mother be willing to go back just like this if his father didn't come to invite her?
He sniffed. At the Duchess of Su's hint, she said reluctantly: "It's getting late. Lan'er, let's go back."
Jiang Lanzhi lowered his eyes and nodded.
After seeing them off, the Duchess of Su sat down wearily. Nanny Zheng behind her massaged her shoulders.
The Duchess of Su said: "In a few days, go to the Marquis of Ningyuan's Mansion in person and bring Sister Zhao here."
"After all these years, I'm sure that child has grown into a graceful young lady."
Nanny Zheng smiled and agreed: "Miss He and the Marquis are both extremely good - looking. The eldest young lady must be as beautiful as the second young lady."