Volume 1, Chapter 19: If There Is No Heartfelt Attachment, There Will Be No Heartbreak

Jiang Yutang did not pause for even a second, returning straight to the carriage.

Yun Qianqian’s inquiry only served to make everyone feel that Jiang Yutang was losing face, desperate to leave and find a place to hide and weep.

Chu Ge, who had been waiting quietly outside the hunting grounds, felt a complex mixture of emotions. He had seen everything that transpired. Although the Young Mistress had come under the orders of Old Madam Xie, she seemed to have no intention of pestering the Heir, nor did she care whether Miss Yun met with the Old Madam or not.

Inside the carriage, Jiang Yutang sat in silent stillness, shut off from the bustle outside the hunting ground gates. Yet, the persistent sounds of laughter drifted in, continuing for a long while before finally fading away.

Xie Yihe arrived with Yun Qianqian. Instead of taking the carriage Jiang Yutang had brought, they boarded another under the gaze of the surrounding crowd. The coachmen signaled, and the two carriages set off one after the other, moving steadily toward the Duke of Anguo’s residence.

…

After such a long delay, by the time Jiang Yutang returned, the Xie family’s reunion dinner was nearly prepared.

In the dining hall of the Duke of Anguo’s residence, the female relatives had arrived and taken their seats first. The main seats remained empty; the Old Madam, the Duke, and the Second Master of the Xie family had not yet appeared. The room was noisy and boisterous.

When Xie Yihe entered with Yun Qianqian, the chatter in the dining hall abruptly ceased. Everyone froze, confused by the situation. Hadn't Jiang Yutang gone to fetch the Heir? Why, then, had the Heir arrived with this "cousin"?

Immediately after, another person entered the hall: Jiang Yutang, alone.

In an instant, the women present exchanged glances, their minds racing. Had Jiang Yutang been spurned by the Heir once again?

Xie Chaoyu sat at the Eight Immortals table, cracking melon seeds, a look of disdain curling her lips. She shouted deliberately, "Big Brother, are you bringing a new sister-in-law for us to see?"

Yun Qianqian blushed a deep crimson. Xie Yihe did not deny it.

Madam Xie cast a sidelong glance at the entering Jiang Yutang, then pursed her lips and scolded with a smile, "You girl, nothing is even settled yet, why are you shouting nonsense..."

"It's settled enough," Xie Chaoyu retorted. "My brother has already put the final touches on it."

The Second Madam’s brow furrowed slightly.

Jiang Yutang ignored the scrutiny and walked into the banquet area, heading toward her seat. However, just as she approached and before she could sit down, Xie Yihe, who was still standing, spoke in a low, stern voice: "Go and sit with Mother."

The air grew heavy. Jiang Yutang’s body stiffened. How could she have forgotten? Her seat was beside Xie Yihe’s, and since he had brought Yun Qianqian, he naturally intended for her to sit there. He would not allow her to occupy that spot.

"Very well," Jiang Yutang replied softly.

Xie Yihe watched her face, his narrow eyes darkening slightly.

Yun Qianqian had already taken Jiang Yutang's seat. As the places at the main table were limited, the arrival of Yun Qianqian meant the servants had to scramble to add a chair for Jiang Yutang. She stood in the dining hall, waiting.

Xie Chaoyu and Madam Xie, sitting together, were filled with dissatisfaction upon hearing Xie Yihe’s words.

"Big Brother, just because you don’t want to sit with the sister-in-law doesn't mean you should push her onto me and Mother," Xie Chaoyu protested loudly, glaring at Jiang Yutang with disgust. "With her sitting here, how am I supposed to have an appetite?"

Madam Xie remained silent, silently agreeing with her daughter.

Jiang Yutang stood alone. The commotion was so great that even the concubine-born relatives in the side halls turned to look. The Second Madam’s heart tightened. Before Xie Yihe could speak again, she called out to Jiang Yutang.

"A-Tang, if you don't mind, come sit with me. I was just hoping to have a chat with you."

Jiang Yutang gave her a look of gratitude. The Second Madam and her husband were of the concubine line; although they sat at the main table, their positions were off to the side. Chun Tao, with her head lowered and eyes red, brought over a chair, placing it in a rather awkward, secluded corner.

Jiang Yutang finally sat down. The Second Madam glanced at her, her eyes full of pity, and whispered, "I am sorry you have to sit here."

Jiang Yutang smiled and shook her head. "I should thank you, Second Aunt, for helping me out of that situation."

The Second Madam felt even more pity for her. Looking across at the pair, Yun Qianqian occupied the seat that should have been Jiang Yutang’s, sitting side-by-side with Xie Yihe. Her eyes were bright, her cheeks flushed, and she was chatting merrily with Madam Xie and the others.

To an outsider, one might easily mistake Yun Qianqian for the true Heir’s wife.

"I didn't expect A-Tang would want to sit with the Second Madam; I was just about to tell you to sit next to me," Madam Xie said, looking over with a feigned expression.

Then, a look of apology appeared on her face. "A-Tang, I’ve been so busy these past two days that I only just remembered about returning your dowry. Your dowry is so precious that I feared something might happen to it, so I registered it and deposited it with a bank for the manager to safeguard..."

Madam Xie paused, pretending to be annoyed. "As luck would have it, the manager left this morning to visit his hometown. I fear he won't be back for at least ten days or half a month. You’ll have to wait a little longer."

Madam Xie wanted to keep Jiang Yutang's dowry, but not wanting others to gossip, she had concocted this scheme to delay her. After saying this in front of everyone, she saw that Xie Yihe was busy chatting with Yun Qianqian and paying no mind to the matter. She breathed a sigh of relief and, without caring about Jiang Yutang’s reaction, turned back to join the conversation.

The family was wrapped in harmony.

Jiang Yutang’s throat felt parched. She felt as though the air in the dining hall was stagnant and stifling, making it hard to breathe.

"The Old Madam has arrived—" someone shouted from outside.

Everyone immediately stood up as the Old Madam was escorted in by the Duke and the Second Master...

"A-Tang, why are you showing me such formal respect today? Get up quickly."

The Old Madam was advanced in age and her eyesight was not what it used to be. Squinting, she looked at the young woman bowing her head beside Xie Yihe, and approached with a playful smile.

Suddenly, everyone froze.

Yun Qianqian looked up, stammering, "I... I am not Sister Jiang..."

The smile on the Old Madam’s face vanished.

Yun Qianqian looked embarrassed. Xie Yihe gave her a reassuring look and immediately explained, "Grandmother, you have mistaken the person. This is Qianqian. I mentioned her to you before, and I brought her tonight specifically for you to meet."

He then turned his head. "Qianqian, greet Grandmother."

"Grandmother."

Yun Qianqian was obedient, her smile sweet. Combined with her gentle attire, she was the type of person elders tended to favor.

Madam Xie added, "Mother, this girl, Qianqian, is no ordinary woman. She is well-read, perfectly versed in etiquette, and even skilled in medicine. She attended the Imperial Medical Academy’s examinations a few days ago and took first place. I have grown quite fond of her from the bottom of my heart..."