The great and powerful Jiang family had never, from beginning to end, been able to tolerate the male wife of the Jiang family’s Second Master, Pei Cheng.
The Old Master of the Jiang family had only three sons. The eldest inherited the family estate; the third was currently the prefect of Huacheng, enjoying a smooth official career and boundless prospects.
But only the second son, Jiang Linzhi—a child prodigy once praised in person by a marquis at age five—had, a year later, been struck by a sudden severe illness that ruined his constitution. After three years bedridden, when he appeared again he was no different from any ordinary man.
Six years ago, Pei Cheng married into the Jiang family as a man, solely to ward off Jiang Linzhi’s illness through marriage.
Five years ago, Pei Cheng narrowly escaped death giving birth to Jiang Yanzhi; Jiang Linzhi was nowhere to be seen.
Four years ago, Eldest Master Jiang used an untenable excuse to toss Pei Cheng into the side residence, and from then on he could never again enter the Jiang family’s main residence.
The only ones who followed Pei Cheng to the side residence were Jiang Yanzhi, still in swaddling clothes, and several servants who would not obey orders at all.
Yet four years later, Pei Cheng, bringing Jiang Yanzhi—the only child he and Second Master Jiang had—stood openly and justifiably before the main gate of the Jiang family’s main residence, his back straight.
Pei Cheng held Jiang Yanzhi’s hand; it was thin, with not a bit of flesh in the palm.
Jiang Yanzhi secretly raised his head to glance at Pei Cheng’s profile, then quickly lowered it again, anxiously clenching his other hanging hand into a fist.
Eldest Master Jiang’s wife was named Hu Xiayun. She came from a scholarly family and was excellent at embroidery; unfortunately, her husband was wholly absorbed in several concubines in the rear court and treated her with indifference.
Hu Xiayun wiped the corner of her mouth, casually swept a glance over Pei Cheng, and finally fixed her gaze on Jiang Yanzhi. With a sneer, she said, “Long time no see. Young Master Pei doesn’t seem very good at raising a son.”
Pei Cheng frowned. He was not provoked by Hu Xiayun’s words; he was merely displeased that after all these years she still had not improved in the least—her tactics for giving people a show of authority had not changed in all this time.
So it had been in his previous life, and so it was in this one.
Hu Xiayun slammed the teacup hard onto the table and said coldly, “Pei Cheng, what do you mean by this!”
Pei Cheng paid her no mind, pulled Jiang Yanzhi to one side, sat down, and ignored Hu Xiayun. Turning to the little maid who had not moved, he said indifferently, “Do the servants of the main residence not even have a bit of sense?”
The little maid’s face flushed instantly, and she ran off to fetch hot tea.
When Hu Xiayun saw that Pei Cheng was completely ignoring her, she trembled with rage, yet there was nothing she could do about him. She could only say stiffly, “Pei Cheng, the maid and wet nurse who just served you ran back and said that in the side residence you have always neglected Yanzhi? Pei Cheng, is this how you act as a father?”
Jiang Yanzhi’s hands, resting on his knees, suddenly clenched tight, and his little heart pounded thump-thump-thump.
Pei Cheng soothingly stroked the little one’s hair. He was not worried about what Hu Xiayun might do to him; he was only worried that the little one would be frightened. In truth, if he, as a father, had not been so incompetent, Jiang Yanzhi would not have been bullied by those servants to such an extent.
“Judging by your expression, you must be admitting it.” Hu Xiayun lowered her eyes, concealing a flash of ruthlessness. Jiang Linzhi had only this one son, Jiang Yanzhi; as long as something happened to Jiang Yanzhi, there would be one fewer person to compete with her Qi’er for the family fortune.
As for Pei Cheng, she had never believed that a male wife could have any say at all in a great family like the Jiangs.
Hu Xiayun continued, “Since you dislike Yanzhi so much, then from now on let Yanzhi stay in my courtyard. It happens that Yanzhi can go to the academy next spring, so let him accompany Qi’er to the academy half a year early to have a look.”
A faint smile hung at the corner of Pei Cheng’s lips, but his tone was cold: “Sister-in-law means to have Yanzhi serve as Qi’er’s study companion?”
Hu Xiayun nodded as if it were only natural.
Jiang Yanzhi timidly raised his head to glance at Pei Cheng, his eyes full of worry. He was afraid that Pei Cheng really would abandon him. After taking in all of the child’s reaction, Pei Cheng finally withdrew his gaze and replied, “As I see it… this will not do!”
Hu Xiayun was so enraged that her facial expression turned savage. “Pei Cheng, what do you mean by this!”
The little one looked at Pei Cheng in disbelief, his eyes holding delight, but even more disbelief.
He would not be abandoned?
