Volume One, Chapter Three: A Harsh Slap

That slap was swift and fierce, delivered with all of Jiang Yutang’s strength.

Liu Momo’s neatly arranged hairdo was knocked askew. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her cheeks swelling visibly, and the corner of her mouth cracked.

Everyone in the room was astonished. Even the servants waiting at the door never imagined that the usually graceful and reserved young mistress would suddenly strike out.

“Young Mistress, I only did this for your own good. What are you doing?” Liu Momo clutched her face, nearly enraged.

She had intended to stand up for Madam Xie and assert her authority in front of the concubines and other daughters-in-law, but instead, Jiang Yutang had reprimanded her.

“How dare a mere servant act high and mighty over her master? You’ve lived the good life too long and forgotten your place,” Jiang Yutang’s eyes were cold as she continued, “Mother-in-law hasn’t even spoken yet, and you’re already making decisions for her. You pick such trivial faults to provoke me, and keep saying ‘your Duke’s Mansion’—are you a servant of the Duke’s Mansion, or its ancestor?”

Jiang Yutang’s words were sharp, leaving Liu Momo speechless and flushed with embarrassment. She cast a pleading glance at Madam Xie.

“Madam, I am wronged…”

Madam Xie’s expression was no better now.

That slap wasn’t just on Liu Momo’s face—it was a blow to her dignity as well.

Yet, Madam Xie’s own words had backed Jiang Yutang up. If she made a fuss now, it would only confirm accusations of mistreating her daughter-in-law.

Madam Xie looked at Jiang Yutang anew; she hadn’t realized that her usually compliant eldest daughter-in-law had such a fierce side.

“Liu Momo, who authorized you to make decisions for me? You’re not needed here anymore. Get out and don’t block my view.”

Though Madam Xie’s tone sounded like a scolding, it was lightly said, as if letting the matter drop.

Liu Momo covered her face in embarrassment but sneered at Jiang Yutang before retreating from the main room.

“You too, why are you quarreling with a servant and even hitting her? Where is the dignity of a noble family’s matron?” Madam Xie frowned displeased as she sat by the dressing table and scolded Jiang Yutang.

Then she turned to the maid brushing her hair. “Yutang is here. You’re no longer needed.”

It was clear she wanted Jiang Yutang to serve her.

Jiang Yutang had no choice but to step forward and take the comb from the maid.

In her past life and this one, she had served Madam Xie many times, skillfully helping to arrange her hair.

“You’re the only one who serves me properly,” Madam Xie praised kindly, looking at Jiang Yutang in the bronze mirror.

She continued, “Yutang, among all these sisters-in-law, you’re the one I cherish most. So when you sulk and monopolize Xie Yihe, I never interfered or said much.”

Jiang Yutang lowered her eyes, her hands working steadily.

She knew very well that Xie Yihe did not love her, so how could she be monopolizing him?

Xie Yihe was an ambitious man, focused entirely on court affairs, with no time for personal matters. Thus, for now, Jiang Yutang was the only one in the inner household.

Madam Xie had suggested to Xie Yihe several times to take concubines, but he had refused. Madam Xie did not want to interfere, but she could not go against him.

Jiang Yutang understood what Madam Xie meant: she was urging her to bear a grandson.

Long ago, Jiang Yutang had desired a child with Xie Yihe.

But he was adamant against it.

Perhaps in his heart, he felt Jiang Yutang unworthy of bearing his offspring.

So every time after they were together, he sent someone to make sure she drank the abortifacient soup. Such intimate matters couldn’t be spoken of openly.

Eager for a grandson, Madam Xie kept pressuring Jiang Yutang, giving her countless potions over three years.

“But Yutang, it’s been three years. What about your belly? Why hasn’t there been any sign yet?” Madam Xie asked, slightly irritated, turning her head without realizing she was causing Jiang Yutang pain while attaching the earrings.

“Ouch… how can you be so careless!”

“Sister-in-law, look, you hurt Mother. You’re so clumsy, what can you do well? Let me handle it!” Xie Chaoyu burst into the room in a hurry.

Madam Xie had two sons and a daughter; Xie Chaoyu was her youngest daughter and Xie Yihe’s full sister.

By now, Jiang Yutang had finished the makeup except for the last step of putting on earrings.

Xie Chaoyu rushed forward, ignoring Jiang Yutang’s consent, snatched the earrings from her hand, and pushed Jiang Yutang back.

“Mother, I’m gentle. I promise I won’t hurt you like sister-in-law did.”

While speaking, she fastened the earrings on Madam Xie, then looked at the bronze mirror feigning surprise.

“Wow, is this really Mother? After I dress you up like this, you look years younger. If you said you were still unmarried, people would believe it!”

Xie Chaoyu’s sweet words made Madam Xie smile brightly.

“You’re the only one good at cheering me up.”

The mother and daughter talked happily, while Jiang Yutang was completely excluded.

The other women in the household were used to this. In Madam Xie’s room, Jiang Yutang always worked hard without complaint, but in the end, Xie Chaoyu enjoyed the benefits and earned Madam Xie’s favor.

“By the way, I brought a good thing for sister-in-law.”

Xie Chaoyu’s eyes glittered mischievously as she glanced sideways at Jiang Yutang, then mysteriously pulled out a yellow talisman.

“Mother, you’ve always worried about brother’s heirs, right? Early this morning, I went to Hanshan Temple and sincerely asked the master for this fertility talisman. The master said if sister-in-law burns it to ash and drinks the water mixed with it, in less than a month, she’ll have good news. You can get ready to hold a chubby grandson!”

Madam Xie immediately saw through her daughter’s little scheme, but since she was in a good mood, she playfully tapped Xie Chaoyu’s forehead.

“Girls! You never say or do anything serious. But since you have such good intentions, Yutang, burn this talisman and drink it.”

“I’ll do it!”

Xie Chaoyu eagerly took a fire starter and lit the talisman, mixing a glass of dark water with floating ashes.

She smiled as she lifted the cup and walked over to Jiang Yutang.

“Sister-in-law, you drink all the medicines Mother gives you, so don’t refuse my good intentions. Drink this talisman water, and you’ll surely bear brother a strong son. Then no one in the capital will dare call you a hen that lays no eggs.”

Xie Chaoyu seemed to mean well.

But—

Something had been secretly added to that talisman water.

In her past life, Jiang Yutang had been forced to drink it, suffering unbearable pain for two days, becoming the subject of ridicule throughout the Duke’s Mansion. After that, Xie Chaoyu tormented her mercilessly for sport.

Now reborn, Jiang Yutang understood that endless submission would not bring peace but only embolden her tormentors.

Her eyes turned icy cold. “I don’t want to drink it.”

Xie Chaoyu’s smile vanished instantly. “Sister-in-law, don’t be so selfish! You can’t bear children, so Mother can’t have grandchildren. I’m trying to help you, and yet you’re ungrateful. Do you mean to cut off brother’s line?”

“How dare I?” Jiang Yutang smiled faintly. “The doctor checked me. My body is fine. If you’re so worried, why not give this talisman water to your brother?”

“How could my brother drink that?” Xie Chaoyu’s eyes widened in anger.

As soon as she spoke, she realized her mistake and hurriedly scolded, “Fine, you don’t understand Mother’s desire for grandchildren, but to question brother’s health—”

Jiang Yutang claimed her own health was sound, implying the problem lay with Xie Yihe.

At that moment, Xie Yihe, who was resting today, paused at the doorway and overheard the conversation.

He stopped abruptly, frozen in the corridor.