Chapter 35 - Old Jiang Madame

The moment Jiang Ruan spoke, the person on the ground trembled before finally raising her head in a steady manner. Upon seeing this, Jiang Ruan’s breath became labored as she slowly balled up her fists.

Lines were woven across Zhou momo’s weathered face. Her body was so thin, like merely skin wrapped around bones. The two cheeks that had once expressed good fortune were now deeply sunken. Yet, the most terrifying feature was her pair of eyes, because now, there remained only dried eye sockets in their place. It was clear that someone had mercilessly gouged her eyeballs out.

“Ah!” Lu Zhu exclaimed, before immediately clasping her hand over her mouth. She did not have the heart to continue being a spectator of this scene. Evidently, this old married woman had gone through countless painful experiences. Her whole body discharged whiffs of rotting stench. Because she had lost her sight in both eyes, she could only tilt her head upwards blankly. With quivering lips, she spoke, “Eldest Miss?”

“It’s me.” Jiang Ruan disregarded the odd looks from people around her and bent her body to pull Zhou momo into her embrace. Her gaze was as cold as ice, and yet, her voice was strangely mesmerizing. Jiang Ruan consoled Zhou momo, “Nai Niang, A’Ruan[1] has returned.”

[1] Ā [ 阿 ] : prefix used before monosyllabic names, kinship terms etc to indicate familiarity.

It seemed like the time had suddenly returned to a few years ago, when she and Jiang Xin Zhi were still young and foolish children. Every time they had angered Zhao Mei, it was Zhou momo who had helped them to mollify her. Whenever she and Jiang Xin Zhi were punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall after they had stirred up trouble, it was also Zhou momo who had secretly had food sent to them in the middle of the night. Zhou momo did not have any children in her life so she had treated them as if they were her own. Except now, instead of a pair of always affectionate and smiling eyes, only empty, gaping eye sockets remained- how could one remain indifferent to her plight!

Lin Lang creased her eyebrows, “Eldest Miss, what are you doing? Please don’t defile your body. This servant has made a serious mistake. I still need to quickly punish her, in accordance to my Mistress’ orders. If you do not have other matters, please move back a little.”

However, before Jiang Ruan could open her mouth, Lian Qiao spoke, “Since Miss is present, let her be in charge of deciding the fate of this servant. As a servant, how can you have the right to meddle in the master’s affairs?”

Lin Lang laughed. A maid beside her replied, “You are wrong. We are carrying out our Mistress’ orders. Sister Lin Lang’s Mistress is Jiang Furen[2]. Although Eldest Miss is also a master of this manor, currently, Furen is in charge of managing domestic matters in this fu. Of course, even as powerful as Eldest Miss is, you will not be able to override her. Please do not continue to force us into a difficult position.”

[2] Fūren [ 夫人 ] – Mistress or madam/lady. It can be added to the surname of the household as a form of address; like Mrs. in English.

“You-” Lian Qiao wanted to continue what she was saying when Jiang Ruan interrupted her. “You are not wrong, since you all are merely complying with Furen’s orders to punish this guilty servant.” Zhou momo’s body in Jiang Ruan’s arms was still shaking slightly. Jiang Ruan patted her shoulders and smiled, “You are indeed right. It is just that I am slightly doubtful about the rules in the Jiang fu. I do not know which family rule she did not follow that she is being made to eat night soil? Lin Lang, you are also someone who has served in the manor for a long time, so can you tell me which rule it was?”

Lin Lang was stunned. She had not expected Jiang Ruan to challenge her explanation. Originally, she only mentioned it to patronize her as such a rule did not exist at all. For a short moment, she could not think of any reply so she just said, “Eldest Miss, at present I do not remember it exactly. I am only doing what Furen has asked me to do.”

Lin Lang’s thoughts were simple. She tossed the blame to Xia Yan because she was banking on the fact that Jiang Ruan would not set herself against her. Today, Jiang Ruan had already crossed Xia Yan and stepped on her toes when she stood up for Zhou momo. It was just that since it was clear that pretending to be deaf and mute was not working, why not escalate the matter? Jiang Ruan had created the present situation through her interference, but it would not be up to her to dictate how it ended.

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, “Lin Lang, based on your words, do you mean that it was Furen who has committed a mistake?”

“This is not what I meant,” Lin Lang was anxious, “Eldest Miss, there is no need to bother about an insignificant servant.”

Jiang Ruan shook her head, “Jiang Family is well-reputed in the capital so we cannot mislead the public with deliberate falsehoods. Even though she is merely a servant, we cannot wrongly blame her or punish her unjustly. If she has committed a crime, then she should be punished severely according to the family rules. If not, she should be listened to without prejudice. If just anyone can administer their own punishment as they wish, this would cause a uproar in the Jiang fu. Therefore, this matter must be investigated clearly.”

“Eldest Miss, what are you planning to do?” Although Jiang Ruan was unyielding in her attitude, Lin Lang had sensed a change in her so she did not trouble her any further. However, she was still slightly rude and unreasonable. Jiang Ruan wanted to speak further when she suddenly became aware of a sinking weight in her arms. Zhou momo had fainted. Her expression darkened, “Bai Zhi, bring Zhou momo into my room and ask for a medical practitioner to come immediately.”

“Eldest Miss,” Lin Lang blocked their way, “This is unreasonable. She has not received her punishment yet, moreover, she is not a servant under your authority. I’m afraid that you do not have this power.”

“Lin Lang, then tell me, do you have the power to stand in front of me?” Jiang Ruan spoke coldly, “Bai Zhi, make haste.”

Lin Lang still wanted to stop her but when she glimpsed Jiang Ruan’s frigid expression, she could not help but be startled. She did not dare to speak further and with wide eyes watched Bai Zhi help Zhou momo back to Jiang Ruan’s residence. Jiang Ruan’s eyes swept over her and then coldly stated, “Lin Lang, I do not have the power to decide certain matters, and I also do not know if Furen has the authority either, but there is certainly someone who does.”

Lin Lang was dumbfounded as she looked at Jiang Ruan.

“Lin Lang, please invite Furen to meet me in Gui Lan Courtyard.”

The Old Madame, who was Jiang Quan’s adoptive mother, resided in Gui Lan Courtyard. Jiang Quan was birthed by a Jiang family concubine. After the concubine passed away, he was then raised under the name of the main wife. The relationship between them was as natural a love as between a parent and her child. The Old Madame’s position in the Jiang fu was unshakeable. Jiang Ruan did not have a relationship with the Old Madame at all in her past life because Xia Yan and Jiang Su Su always mentioned how eccentric she was. Therefore, she did not develop any closeness with her. In her memory, Old Madame was someone who placed a heavy emphasis on rules and established customs. Although she did not warm up to Zhao Mei at that time, when Jiang Quan married Xia Yan and was then reluctant to leave Xia Yan’s residence, he was harshly reprimanded by Old Madame. When she reached a marriageable age in her past life, everyone had supported the idea of her entering the palace in place of Jiang Su Su, but it was only Old Madame Jiang who had disapproved of it. However, it was during that time that her body was already in poor health. And as the days passed, she became bedridden, hence no one listened to her.

But now, there were still a few years left before Jiang Ruan was eligible for marriage so Old Madame was still in charge of the significant matters in the Jiang fu. In front of Old Madame who was still in her prime, and was intelligent and capable, Xia Yan’s tricks might possibly not succeed.

In the Jiang fu, Gui Lan Courtyard was located in the west so it was the furthest from Ruan Ju. The maid that had passed a message to Old Madame had brought a higher-ranked maid, who served by Old Madame’s side, back. Cai Que had a huge shock when she saw Jiang Ruan. When Zhao Mei was still alive, this Eldest Miss, who was the least favored, was completely estranged from Old Madame so why did she want to come to her courtyard as soon as she returned to the manor?

Jiang Ruan directed a smile towards her, “ Cai Que jiejie, is zumu[3] still resting?”

[3] Zǔmǔ [ 祖母 ] : father’s mother / paternal grandmother

“Old Madame awoken earlier,” Cai Que put away her doubts and spoke politely, “Miss, come with me.”

As Jiang Ruan walked, she smiled at her, “I was afraid that I might be disturbing zumu’s rest. I did not expect that she would be in such good spirits. She has risen from bed so early, seeing that I am quite ashamed at myself.”

Although Jiang Ruan worded her courtesy in this way, she was already stepping inside the room. Immediately, she caught the scent of sandalwood, which lifted her heart and refreshed her mind, slowly wafting around. Looking forward, an old madame with a head full of silver hair was leaning on a chaise, with her eyes closed, silently meditating with prayer beads in her hand.