This action was practically a blatant slap in the face to the Chang family. In a fit of rage, Madam Chang invalidated the marriage contract, returned the betrothal gifts, and cut off relations with Madam Dong. From then on, the Chang and Dong families became strangers.
Minister Dong had fought and schemed his way up the official ranks. Shrewd and meticulous, he maintained a reputation for integrity while cultivating good relations high and low. Yet his own daughter had tarnished his name. No matter how doting he usually was toward Dong Ying’er, this time he was truly enraged. He confined Ying’er, but she stubbornly refused to admit any wrongdoing, further straining the father-daughter relationship and leaving Madam Dong caught in the middle.
Recalling these matters gave Madam Dong another headache. Gazing at the porcelain bowl, she remembered how little Ying’er had eaten these past few days. “Take it to Ying’er’s room. I’ll go check on her.”
The maid acknowledged and headed to Dong Ying’er’s room, where she happened to see the young lady sitting dazed before her desk, completely unaware of Madam Dong’s entrance. Madam Dong looked over and saw two lines of poetry written on the paper: “The delicate sieve arranges the red beans, does the heart-piercing lovesickness know?”
Madam Dong felt both pained and infuriated. Wasn’t it common for young ladies to have a touch of romantic fancies? Dong Ying’er was at the age prone to falling in love. If it were someone else, it wouldn’t matter, but she was already betrothed. Moreover, her infatuation seemed rather frenzied.
Yet Madam Dong ultimately doted on her daughter. She instructed the maid to bring over the porcelain bowl and said, “Ying’er.”
Dong Ying’er finally came to her senses, hurriedly smiling, “Mother.”
Madam Dong looked at her reddening eyes, about to shed tears again. In just a few days, Dong Ying’er had grown significantly thinner, no longer the charming beauty she once was but rather haggard and wan.
“Eat something,” Madam Dong picked up the bird’s nest bowl. “Look at you, so thin. Just apologize to your father, and he won’t blame you.”
Dong Ying’er turned her head away, her tone carrying an unprecedented resoluteness. “I won’t apologize, Mother. I haven’t done anything wrong. Am I supposed to marry someone I don’t love? What’s the point of living such a life?” Chang’an is a good man, but I already have someone in my heart. How can I wrong him?”
Madam Dong stared at her, but ultimately yielded before Dong Ying’er’s stubborn gaze. “You child…just who is this person that has you so infatuated? How could he shamelessly get involved with a betrothed girl? If he were a good man, he would never commit such an improper act.”
“He is a great hero!” Hearing her mother speak ill of her beloved, Dong Ying’er hurriedly refuted, “He is the youngest hero of the Dajinzhou dynasty, not a bad person, Mother. Don’t be biased against him.”
Madam Dong frowned. “The youngest hero of Dajinzhou? You’ve set your sights on a martial officer?”
Dong Ying’er turned away, biting her lip tightly and saying nothing more. Seeing her demeanor, Madam Dong felt a surge of helplessness. She slammed the porcelain bowl onto the table, her tone hardening. “Since that’s the case and you’ve made up your mind, my words will fall on deaf ears. So be it.” She stood up to leave.
Dong Ying’er’s personal maidservant saw her out. At the courtyard entrance without Ying’er in sight, Madam Dong looked sternly at the maid. “You are Ying’er’s personal maid. You must know wherever she goes. With this incident, you are not blameless.”
The maid was startled and immediately knelt. “It was my failure to look after the young lady properly. I accept punishment from the madam.”
“You accept punishment?” Madam Dong, usually gentle and amiable, showed some anger over this matter concerning Dong Ying’er. “I shall find someone to sell you off to a despicable master. How about that?”
“Madam, spare me!” Being sold to a despicable place meant being sent to the lowliest brothel, endlessly servicing customers day and night – a fate worse than death. The maid trembled in fear. “Madam, please forgive me this once. I will never dare again.”
Madam Dong looked at her coldly. “If you don’t want to be sold off, then honestly tell me everything you know. Just who is this person Ying’er spoke of? What tricks did he use to infatuate her?”
With her vital weakness grasped by Madam Dong, the maid dared not hide anything and recounted the entire story in detail. Upon hearing it, Madam Dong shook with rage. “How could I have raised such a daughter! Foolish! So foolish!”
Madam Dong never expected that Dong Ying’er’s beloved was none other than Jiang Xin, currently the youngest battle god of the Dajinzhou dynasty. The maid dared not lie – it seemed Jiang Xin had done nothing, and it was just Dong Ying’er’s one-sided infatuation. Yet for a lady, a degree of propriety was necessary. Dong Ying’er’s brazen pursuit left Madam Dong, from a renowned family upholding etiquette, utterly embarrassed. Ying’er was now deeply entangled, unaware this was an impossible match. Leaving aside Jiang Xin’s total indifference toward her, even their statuses made it extremely difficult for Ying’er to marry him.
Who was Jiang Xin? In recent years, he had repeatedly crushed enemy armies. Tianjin’s defeat was only a matter of time. Upon his triumphal return, Jiang Xin would be the greatest contributor. The emperor had always been generous in promoting capable individuals. At that time, Jiang Xin’s status would soar, and countless families would seek ties with him. What weight did a minor official like the Minister of Jingzhao carry? With her stubbornness, Ying’er could at best become Jiang Xin’s concubine. But for a legitimate daughter to become someone’s concubine? The joke would make everyone’s teeth fall out laughing. Moreover, though willful since childhood, Ying’er still had pride – if she knew this outcome, she would be devastated.
Madam Dong felt her head spinning in confusion. After inwardly cursing a few times, she could only think of finding Minister Dong to discuss how to handle this matter going forward. This was a serious issue that could not be decided solely based on Dong Ying’er’s wishes.
Among her close confidants, while Dong Ying’er’s situation was complicated, the Lin Taishi’s manor was recently filled with joy and celebration. These past few days, Lin Taishi had been overly indulgent toward Lin Zixiang, leaving her rather puzzled. Her father had always been stern and rigid. Though doting, he was also strict, never spoiling her. Yet recently, he frequently bought her clothes and jewelry, sparing no expense.
Lin Zixiang was sensitive and asked Madam Lin what had happened, but Madam Lin could not provide a clear reason either. Being insightful, though perplexed, Lin Zixiang soon dismissed it from her mind. She simply wondered when she could go play with Jiang Ruan again. Ever since the Jiang Li incident, she had not seen Jiang Ruan for a long time and felt rather bored. She thought the young lady friends should frequently gather.
In the study room, the old Master Lin was speaking with Madam Lin. She reproached him, “It’s all your fault for being so obvious these past few days. Xiang’er even asked me today what had happened. You should restrain yourself more and maintain propriety, lest the child notices something amiss.”
(End of chapter)
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