Volume One, Chapter Four: Seeking the Way and Rescinding the Imperial Edict

Jiang Yutang remained composed, speaking calmly, “Those aren’t my words.”

Xie Chaoyu was momentarily speechless, his expression growing exceedingly sour.

“All my elder brother’s childhood friends have children running around everywhere; yet, because of you, my brother still has no heir.”

Madam Xie frowned. “Yutang, Sister Yu means well. How can you be so ungrateful? Since you’ve married into the Duke’s household, you should prioritize the Xie family’s lineage. Otherwise, outsiders will think you are jealous and useless!”

“I cannot control the gossip of others.”

Jiang Yutang’s eyes were filled with indifference. “If Mother thinks this way, then today we might as well add more concubines for the heir, so they can bear children for the Xie family sooner.”

Times change.

Now, even if a hundred concubines entered Xie Yihe’s chambers, she wouldn’t care.

In fact, it would be better for the entire household to see clearly: whether it was her jealousy blocking others or Madam Xie refusing to let anyone in.

Madam Xie was left speechless.

“Mother, if there’s nothing else, your daughter-in-law will take her leave.”

Jiang Yutang said calmly, turning and leaving amidst the stunned gazes.

Unexpectedly, as she stepped out, she collided with Xie Yihe.

Expressionless, she brushed past him without greeting, taking Chun Tao and leaving the courtyard.

Xie Yihe’s face darkened instantly.

From inside, Madam Xie’s angry voice echoed, “She’s becoming more outrageous! It was just a kind gesture to let her drink some talisman water; she wasn’t wronged, yet she’s the one causing a fuss!”

At that moment, Xie Yihe entered the room, hearing those words, his brows knitted tightly.

“Yihe…”

Madam Xie was startled, bewildered. “Why are you here?”

Xie Chaoyu hurried to complain, “Brother, did you hear what that woman said? She was so rude to Mother and me. You must teach her a lesson and stand up for us!”

But to everyone’s surprise—

Xie Yihe said to Madam Xie, “Mother, I focused wholeheartedly on my career and didn’t want children; it has nothing to do with Yutang. From now on, do not let her drink those nonsense potions.”

Then, he looked at Xie Chaoyu. “And you, speak politely to your elder brother’s wife from now on. No more rudeness!”

Madam Xie was shocked.

Xie Yihe had always been indifferent to Jiang Yutang; this was the first time he spoke up for her.

Xie Chaoyu was discontent and about to retort, but Madam Xie quickly held her back, fearing she would anger Xie Yihe further.

After all, if the matter were to be pursued, the fault lay with her daughter.

Madam Xie first questioned about heirs; Xie Yihe gave a perfunctory answer and excused himself.

Though he disliked Jiang Yutang and resented her forced marriage years ago, he had no plans to replace his wife for the time being.

Moreover, Jiang Yutang was fair in appearance and graceful in figure, and at least in marital matters, Xie Yihe was quite satisfied.

Because of this, he was willing to make temporary concessions, hoping Jiang Yutang would accept things as they were.

News of Xie Yihe’s unexpected defense of Jiang Yutang spread swiftly throughout the mansion.

When Dream Garden heard of it, Xie Yihe finally met with Jiang Yutang.

In the main room of Dream Garden, Jiang Yutang sat on the soft couch, holding a book with a distracted expression.

Xie Yihe spoke first.

“I’ve explained to Mother about the matter of children and scolded Chaoyu. Such incidents won’t happen again. If you have other requests, you can tell me directly.”

Jiang Yutang listened quietly.

Having known Xie Yihe for so many years, she understood his temper well. He never involved himself in matters of the inner household, especially not those concerning her. Now, for him to stand up for her was unprecedented.

Logically…

She should gratefully accept his kindness, so as not to waste his favor.

Xie Yihe stood above her and added, “But the fertility-preventing potion will not be stopped; you shall continue taking it.”

“What if I do become pregnant?”

Jiang Yutang suddenly asked.

Xie Yihe lifted his thin eyelids and replied casually, “It will be miscarried.”

Jiang Yutang smiled bitterly.

She was lucky not to have been foolish enough to switch the potion, or else she would have truly harmed both herself and others.

Though Xie Yihe spoke softly earlier, his concession…

Did not mention Yun Qianqian at all. That meant if she accepted, nothing would change in the future.

She would remain trapped in this hopeless, suffocating marriage prison.

Jiang Yutang was truly exhausted.

“I…”

“Young Master!”

Just as Jiang Yutang was about to clarify that she was not quarreling with him, someone entered abruptly, interrupting her. It was Xie Yihe’s personal guard, Chu Ge.

Chu Ge entered, respectfully saluting Xie Yihe, but his gaze toward Jiang Yutang was icy, devoid of respect.

“What is it?” Xie Yihe turned to ask.

Chu Ge did not avoid mentioning Jiang Yutang as the official wife and bluntly said, “Miss Yun asks if you will be dining at her place at noon.”

Xie Yihe’s brows furrowed. “She hasn’t eaten yet?”

“She’s been waiting for you.” Chu Ge lowered his head and replied.

“Nonsense.”

Xie Yihe gave Jiang Yutang not so much as a glance.

Without hesitation, he abandoned her and strode out of the main room to seek another woman.

Chu Ge sneered at Jiang Yutang and followed him; their tall figures vanished into Dream Garden.

Chun Tao stood at the doorway, her heart aching with frustration.

“The young master rarely takes the initiative to mend relations with you, and before they could exchange even a few words, that seductive woman couldn’t contain herself and came to snatch him. And that guard Chu Ge is really something…”

She cursed indignantly, “He’s been favored by the young master since first arriving and has been blatantly disrespectful to us. Now that Miss Yun has come, he’s showing his true colors.”

Xie Yihe’s indifference toward Jiang Yutang extended to his trusted men, who also treated her with disdain.

Chun Tao’s anger turned to grievance.

The young master forbade his young mistress from bearing children.

Without an heir, how was the young mistress to live the rest of her life?

Jiang Yutang calmly put down her book and rose.

“Come help me change and do my hair.”

“Young mistress, where are you going?”

Chun Tao returned, stunned. “Are you going to find the Grand Matriarch to ask her to intervene?”

Madam Xie was Xie Yihe’s grandmother and the only one in the Duke’s household willing to protect Jiang Yutang.

Jiang Yutang no longer wished to compete for Xie Yihe’s favor or stoop to disgraceful acts.

She saw through Xie Yihe’s attitude; he did not intend to divorce her but wanted to maintain the status quo.

Yet such a marriage was like a dull knife cutting flesh—unceasing pain.

She did not want to witness the process of Xie Yihe loving another woman again.

Nor did she want to endure silently until he proposed divorce a year later.

Jiang Yutang gazed out the window, a sharp coldness reflected in her eyes.

“I am going to the palace to petition His Majesty for a divorce!”