The Young Marquis Regrets Too Late - Chapter 12

Jiang Jingchun didn’t like being called a child, especially by Gu Huaisheng. It felt as though no matter how hard she tried to appear more mature in his eyes, no matter how much effort she put in, he could never see her growing or changing.

And besides, she was already in so much pain—could he not say something kind to comfort her?

She was a little angry, but Gu Huaisheng’s demeanour remained completely unaffected. He still acted as though he were an aloof, emotionless flower blooming high on an unreachable peak. No matter the storms or winds, he remained unmoved.

“This is different,” he said.

Just because she didn’t cry or scream out in pain didn’t mean she wasn’t a child.

“And from now on, don’t sneak off with other men who aren’t family. Sneaking out of home is something that even Gu Huailang wouldn’t do.”

Jiang Jingchun had compared herself to Gu Huailang, and now he used that comparison against her.

She claimed she wasn’t a child, yet her actions were ones even a child wouldn’t commit.

However, when Jiang Jingchun heard his words, her eyes lit up. “Cousin, do you not like me playing with other men? If you don’t like it, I promise in the future, I’ll…”

She was about to vow she wouldn’t do it again when the sound of Lady Li’s hurried footsteps approached from outside. Gu Huaisheng could hear her.

Someone was coming, so this was no longer the appropriate time to discuss these matters. Gu Huaisheng interrupted her, saying, “No, it’s simply because it’s improper. If it happens again, Uncle will punish you.”

After saying that, Gu Huaisheng turned to leave. He brushed past Lady Li, who was rushing in.

His words sounded like the simplest of reminders that came with no hidden meaning or emotion. How laughable of her that she had even begun to imagine otherwise.

Jiang Jingchun stood frozen in place. Unconsciously, she dug her nails into her palms and caused fresh blood to seep through the white bandages.

When she snapped out of her daze, only Lady Li’s voice remained. Gu Huaisheng’s figure had long disappeared.

That night, Jiang Jingchun didn’t sleep well. Perhaps Jiang Nan’s punishment had left a lasting shadow on her mind, for she was plagued by nightmares. She murmured in her sleep and was unable to rest peacefully.

When she woke the next morning, she had developed a fever. Her head felt heavy, and she lacked the strength to even get up from bed. Yet, because she recalled yesterday’s incident, she dared not request leave for fear of upsetting her elders again. She braced and forced herself to attend Governess Liu’s lessons that day.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t hold on any longer and fainted right in the middle of the lesson.

It startled everyone around her.

She was carried to the old madame’s quarters to rest. The household physician, who had only just seen her for her injured hand the day before, was called again.

Fortunately, after examining her, the physician determined it wasn’t a major issue. Likely, the fever was caused by the combined effects of fright and an inflamed wound, which was common in spring. Resting for a couple of days should suffice to heal her.

The old madame had retired early the previous evening and hadn’t been disturbed by the commotion outside her residence. Moreover, Jiang Nan had ordered for the matter to be kept quiet. 

As such, she remained unaware of what had transpired until Jiang Jingchun fainted. The latter incident had prompted the servants to inform her of what had happened the night before.

After the physician left, the old madame gave instructions to her servants with a sombre expression on her face. She said, “When that scoundrel completes his work duties, call him here.”

It was the first time that the old madame had shown such anger. It was clear to everyone that she was truly upset. It seemed that she genuinely cared for Jiang Jingchun; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so furious over seeing her injury, which hadn’t been so bad as to threaten her life.

News of Jiang Jingchun fainting hadn’t spread, and even Lady Li hadn’t found out about it. The servants busied themselves brewing medicine and fetching water, and their movements filled the old madame’s quarters with quiet activity. Meanwhile, the old madame sat by the bedside and kept vigil over the unconscious Jiang Jingchun.

The bedchamber was filled with the faint, curling smoke of incense from the hill censer.

No one knew how much time had passed before the person lying in bed finally woke up.

When Jiang Jingchun opened her eyes, she realised she wasn’t in her own bedchamber. She turned her head and saw her grandmother sitting nearby with her eyes half-closed at rest.

In a hoarse, rasping voice, she called out, “Grandmother.”

Her voice was dry and scratchy, as though sandpaper had scraped her throat.

When the old madame realised that Jiang Jingchun was awake, the old madame opened her eyes and asked, “You’re awake? Are you thirsty?”

She had been unconscious for nearly a whole day, so it made sense that she’d be thirsty.

Jiang Jingchun nodded slightly. The old madame rose from her seat and walked over to the table. There, she poured Jiang Jingchun a cup of water. She helped Jiang Jingchun sit up and carefully fed her a few sips.

Jiang Jingchun’s dry throat eased considerably after drinking some water. Before that, even breathing felt somewhat painful.

Jiang Jingchun glanced outside. The evening sun’s golden rays streamed through the latticed windows and painted the door panels with warm light.

She hadn’t realised it was already so late in the day.

She lowered her gaze and murmured, “I’m sorry, Grandmother, for causing you trouble.”

Her tone was hesitant, and it betrayed her unease. The old madame frowned slightly upon seeing her demeanour. She knew that Jiang Nan’s rebuke yesterday must have left a scar on Jiang Jingchun’s heart.

It was clear she was still unsettled by yesterday’s events.

Her fever might have been caused by physical ailments, but her mind carried the weight of a deeper wound.

The old madame directly asked her, “Are you still thinking about what happened yesterday?”

Jiang Jingchun was silent for a long moment before she finally said, “I shouldn’t have run off. Yesterday was your birthday, yet I was still thinking about going out to play. I’ve been unfilial to you, Grandmother.”

As expected, she was still dwelling on it.

The old madame sighed. She reached out to gently smooth Jiang Jingchun’s dishevelled hair while saying, “Didn’t I tell you before? The things people do are often just for the sake of appearances. Who doesn’t know how to put on a show? 

“Your father hosts a grand banquet on my birthday and glances my way a few extra times. Does that make him the epitome of filial piety? Your father says you lack decency, but does he have it? It’s you, not him, who stays by my side day in and day out. Let him say what he will, but he has no right to criticise you.

“Don’t let your father’s words frighten you. He only bullies you because you’re young and easily intimidated. As long as Grandmother doesn’t blame you, who else would dare to do so?”

Her tone was earnest, and for once, softer than her usual stern demeanour.

In this era, filial piety was held in the highest regard. There were clear distinctions of status everywhere in this society, where the Confucian ideals of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom dictated social order. Even the emperor had to show reverence to his ancestors, and he served as a model for all. Whether it was a member of the imperial family or the lowest commoners, no one could break this principle of filial piety.

Jiang Nan, as an official in the imperial court, adhered strictly to Confucian principles. However, officials often preached louder than they practised, and while Jiang Nan’s devotion to the old madame might have been genuine to some extent, much of it was also performative.

Jiang Jingchun, however, was different. Her devotion wasn’t for appearances. However, for choosing to go out on her grandmother’s birthday, she was branded as lacking decency.

Conscience was simply the heart’s sense of right and wrong. Anyhow, the old madame wasn’t foolish or heartless. She knew who truly cared for her and who didn’t.

She didn’t care whether Jiang Jingchun was present for her birthday banquet. What mattered to her was that Jiang Jingchun was there every other day.

Jiang Jingchun listened to the old madame’s words and remained silent for a long time after that. The old madame had told her that she wouldn’t blame her for what she did, but her eyes still reddened. She sniffled and seemed to want to say something, but then, a maid suddenly came from outside the door and told the old madame something by whispering to her. Jiang Jingchun had no idea what the maid had said.

The old madame told Jiang Jingchun to lie down and rest before she got up and left.

The person who had come was Jiang Nan, who had just completed his duties.

Everyone else was cleared from the place, leaving only the old madame and her son inside.

Jiang Nan sat on one side. Seeing the old madame’s expression told him exactly why she had summoned him. He refrained from speaking first.

“She may not be your daughter to whom you’re related by blood, but must you treat her like this? Do you think treating Jingchun well means you’re treating Jinghui poorly?” the old madame asked.

Jiang Nan froze for a moment, as if she had struck a nerve. He quickly let out a mocking laugh, like he’d just heard an absurd joke. When he lifted his head to meet her gaze, his eyes carried a hint of confrontation.

He replied, “How have I mistreated her? Can she not be disciplined when she makes mistakes? From the time she was a child until now, I don’t think I’ve done anything terribly cruel to her. 

“Even when she cried and threw tantrums about binding her feet, I didn’t force her to go through with it. Which other family doesn’t bind their daughters’ feet? People would say it was because her family had no sense of propriety if they heard. I’ve already been more lenient to her than most would be. What more do you expect from me?”

In the past, when Jiang Jingchun reached the age to start footbinding, she couldn’t endure the pain. She had banged her head against walls, cried until she passed out, and even threatened to drown herself. She knew Lady Li doted on her, so she would act out dramatically in front of her and refused to relent. They eventually had no choice but to stop. 

As a result, though Jiang Jingchun’s feet fortunately didn’t grow too large, they were still far from the dainty ‘three-inch golden lotuses’ size which was considered ideal. There was nothing that they could really do about it now. This matter was kept quiet and no one mentioned it again after it was closed.

“Don’t bring that up anymore,” the old madame retorted sharply. “You only relented because you had no other solution. If violently knocking her unconscious would have solved the problem, you’d have done it back then.”

Footbinding required months of torment. Knocking her out was hardly a realistic solution to the problem at that time.

Jiang Nan’s rebuttal was silenced. He insisted stubbornly, “But if yesterday’s events spread, what would people say about her?”

“If no one spreads it, then how would it spread?” the old madame countered.

Clearly, his reasoning was flawed.

Jiang Nan didn’t dare argue further. The old madame had a temper more stubborn than his. If he pushed her any further, it would only worsen matters for him.

He attempted to change the topic. “But Jingchun is at the age to be married. If she keeps tangling with young men like the young master of the Song family, how is that appropriate?”

Jiang Nan added, “She’s already past sixteen; it’s time to arrange a marriage for her.”

Lady Li would normally handle such matters, but she’d never seemed particularly concerned about it. Whenever Jiang Nan brought it up, she would counter by mentioning Jiang Jingchun’s feelings for Gu Huaisheng. 

However, what if Jingchun couldn’t marry Gu Huaisheng? Was she supposed to remain unmarried forever?

The old madame coldly responded, “Don’t try to change the subject.”

Jiang Nan pressed his lips together and said nothing more.

He endured a stern lecture from the old madame for nearly half an hour before finally leaving her quarters. His complexion was pale as he exited.

He returned to his study and found a guard waiting outside for him.

Upon seeing Jiang Nan, the guard saluted him. Jiang Nan nodded in acknowledgement and invited the man into the study.

Once they were inside, Jiang Nan sat at his desk and looked at the guard. “Have you found any leads?”

His tone was flat and reflected his low expectations. He had asked this question countless times before, and the answer was always the same. The guard would always only tell him that they were still searching. This time, he hardly hoped for a different response.

However, the guard gave him an unexpected reply.

“There’s been some news of the young miss.”

Jiang Nan’s brow twitched. For a moment, he didn’t quite register the words and even suspected that he had misheard.

“You’ve found her?”

Jiang Nan’s voice trembled slightly and betrayed his nervousness.

The guard answered, “Not yet, but we’ve discovered some traces of her.”

Jiang Nan immediately left his study and returned to his bedchamber.

Since Jiang Nan had punished Jiang Jingchun the day before, Lady Li had been simmering with resentment. She refused to speak to him and had even moved to another room to avoid him altogether.

Jiang Nan knew why she was angry. Upon returning to the main bedchamber and not finding her, he went to look for her in the other rooms. Sure enough, he found her.

Lady Lin heard movement outside and looked up. When she saw Jiang Nan entering, she immediately lost her temper and said, “What are you doing here?”

Her words were filled with irritation.

Jiang Nan ignored her hostility. He sat beside her. His demeanour was calm, and his eyes seemed to hold a certain brightness as he looked at her.

He said, “Wanning, there’s news of Xiaohui.”

Xiaohui…

That name hadn’t crossed Lady Li’s mind in years. Hearing it so abruptly caught her off guard and made her freeze. Then, she asked, “Who is Xiaohui?”

She searched her memories for the name. Perhaps because she had buried too deeply, she couldn’t recall who it belonged to. She couldn’t even remember that Jiang Jingchun had once been named Jiang Jinghui until she was renamed.

Lady Li frowned deeply. She was momentarily too stunned to remain angry with Jiang Nan.

Who was Xiaohui?

“Xiaohui is our daughter,” Jiang Nan said.

Xiaohui was their daughter?

However, the only daughter that Lady Li remembered having was Jiang Jingchun.

She said, “Don’t speak nonsense to me. I only have one daughter, Jiang Jingchun.”

She thought Jiang Nan was deliberately stirring up trouble because Jiang Jingchun had disobeyed him. She said, “Isn’t she at Mother’s place learning proper conduct? Enough of this nonsense.”

Lady Li was no longer willing to engage further with Jiang Nan. She got up and left the room.

Jiang Nan watched her retreating figure and exhaled a heavy sigh.

Nevermind. It was understandable for her to struggle with the revelation. When they found their daughter, though, she wouldn’t be able to deny it any longer.