'Her mother is truly incredible.'
With just that one sentence, Ji Qingwu understood her mother's character. She was decisive and resolute when faced with problems—a natural head of the household.
'She liked people who were so refreshingly direct.'
Mrs. Qiao had already made the decision for her daughter.
Even if that unreliable son-in-law hadn't died in battle and came looking for her after hearing the news, he was just a minor soldier guarding the border. The Ji Family could easily handle him.
Mrs. Qiao feared she might be unwilling, still holding onto the past, so she coaxed her gently, "Xiao Wu, Mother has been through this. Let go of the past. You must look forward. You can't waste the best years of your life on such a heartless man."
Ji Qingwu nodded, her fair little face filled with trust.
Seeing her daughter so obedient and gentle, Mrs. Qiao's heart felt warm.
But in the next moment, Ji Qingwu rose and walked to the center of the main room, under Mrs. Qiao's astonished gaze.
She gracefully fell to her knees.
She bowed, her forehead touching the floor in a firm kowtow.
The words that came from her mouth made Mrs. Qiao's heart tremble violently.
"Thank you for protecting me, Mother."
Her voice was as clear as a bell.
Mrs. Qiao had imagined many scenarios of Xiao Wu returning home, weeping and accusing her.
But the child showed not a hint of resentment. She was so sensible and understanding.
Mrs. Qiao's eyes stung. She quickly rose, went to Ji Qingwu's side, and helped her up. She wanted to pull Xiao Wu into her arms, but she realized Xiao Wu was already a bit taller than her.
"Xiao Wu, from now on, Mother will be here for you. I will never let you suffer again. The bond between us is deep. My only fear is that my protection won't be enough for you."
As she spoke, tears spilled from Mrs. Qiao's eyes.
Ji Qingwu took a handkerchief tinged with the scent of medicine from her sleeve and gently wiped away her tears.
"Mother, don't cry. It won't be pretty if your eyes get puffy like little walnuts."
Ji Qingwu subconsciously used the same tone she used to coax Jiu Jiu, speaking softly to comfort Mrs. Qiao.
Mrs. Qiao felt a bittersweet mix of emotions, feeling as if she would give her life for Xiao Wu in that moment.
The mother and daughter were speaking softly to each other.
Chunhua, the head maid of Anju Garden, knocked on the door.
"Madam, Miss, the Old Madam is awake and waiting for you."
Mrs. Qiao said, "Xiao Wu, come with Mother to pay respects to the Old Madam."
Old Madam Ji had given birth to two sons and one daughter.
Ji Qingwu's father, Ji Bo Lian, was an official serving outside the capital, holding a key position in the Salt Transport Department. He only returned home to report on his duties. Her second uncle, Ji Shulan, had passed away from illness several years prior.
The first branch, headed by Mrs. Qiao, had one son and two daughters. Besides her eldest brother Ji Changlin, Ji Qingwu also had an older, married sister, Ji Qingrong.
The second branch wasn't large. There was the Third Young Master Ji Changyan, the Fourth Miss Ji Qingyuan, and their widowed mother, Ms. Wu—three people in total.
Ji Qingwu was ranked fifth and was the youngest in the family.
By the time the mother and daughter arrived at Old Madam Ji's Shou'an Hall, the room was already filled with people.
The laugh of the second branch's madam, Ms. Wu, was hearty and smug. Ji Qingwu could hear it clearly even through two doors.
Ji Qingwu helped Mrs. Qiao through the door, and the voices in the room gradually died down.
Ji Changlin was not present; he was away on official business.
Sitting in the first seat to the right of the old madam was the Fourth Miss, Ji Qingyuan—the one who had been holding the umbrella at the gate. It was clear she was the most favored by the Old Madam.
She fanned herself with a round silk fan and said with a coquettish laugh, "Grandmother, First Aunt and the others are here. Now that we have a new sister in the family, you won't insist on seeing me the moment you wake up every day. I can finally get some rest."
Ji Qingwu and Ji Qingyuan exchanged a glance, and Ji Qingwu saw the disdain in the other's eyes, clear as day.
The old madam looked over and beckoned. "This must be the fifth girl. Come here and let me have a good look at you."
Mrs. Qiao sat down in a seat to the left and said gently to her daughter, "Go on. Go talk with your grandmother."
The seat of honor was a long couch. The old madam sat in the middle, looking at her with a loving gaze.
Ji Qingwu walked forward, casually picked up a nearby waist pillow adorned with gold branches, and placed it behind the old madam. With a radiant smile, she said, "Grandmother, lean against this. You'll be more comfortable."
The old madam's gaze deepened slightly.
Looking at her face, she remarked, "This child is not only beautiful, but also considerate and well-mannered. Her temperament is very much like Fangmin's."
Ji Qingwu didn't know who "Fangmin" was, but when the women in the room heard the name, their expressions all changed.
The smile that had been plastered on the face of Ms. Wu, the madam of the second branch, froze.
Ji Qingyuan's almond-shaped eyes turned sharp, her gaze landing on Ji Qingwu like daggers.
Mrs. Qiao's expression didn't change, but inwardly she was greatly astonished.
Ji Fangmin was the Old Madam's only daughter. She had married Marquis Yong'an, Zhao Shichang, as his second wife.
But unexpectedly, the Princely Heir of the Marquis Yong'an Mansion was far too successful. He joined the army on the border and rose all the way from the position of Provincial Governor to General Dingbei.
After the great chaos of the previous dynasty, he rallied widespread support with a single call, took control of Lin'an City, and became the most revered master of the Imperial City.
Now, Ji Fangmin had become the Empress Dowager, second only to one and above all others. Who wouldn't envy her good fortune?
In all of Beili, the only person who could address the Empress Dowager by her maiden name was her own mother, Old Madam Ji.
Hearing her incredibly proud mother-in-law say that Xiao Wu resembled the Empress Dowager, Mrs. Qiao's back straightened considerably.
The first branch managed the household, but Mrs. Qiao's character was upright and straightforward. She was unwilling to engage in convoluted schemes and couldn't bring herself to shamelessly fawn and grovel before her mother-in-law like the second branch did. As a result, she had suffered many hidden losses over the years.
The mother-daughter pair from the second branch were highly favored by the Old Madam, and the servants of the mansion naturally knew which way the wind was blowing.
Nowadays, the two branches of the Ji Mansion were in a stalemate—they appeared harmonious on the surface but were at odds underneath.
Mrs. Qiao chimed in, "Mother, it's only natural for a niece to resemble her paternal aunt."
Although Ji Qingwu didn't know why she had become the target of everyone's animosity, she continued to smile her delicate, gentle smile.
Her expression showed neither much joy nor any fear; she simply allowed everyone to scrutinize her with an open and poised demeanor.
Seeing her like this, the Old Madam was even more satisfied.
The madam of the second branch also nodded along. "Sister-in-law is right. Qingyuan has always respected her aunt. For over a month, she has been practicing the Qingping Dance, which was the Empress Dowager's favorite in her maiden days. I wonder when she'll have the chance to perform it and bring the Empress Dowager some amusement."
With just a few words, she had turned the conversation back to the Fourth Miss.
Ji Qingyuan looked at Ms. Wu with feigned reproach. "Mother, why did you say it now? I was planning to give Grandmother a surprise."
The Old Madam's smile widened. "Good, good child. Grandmother hasn't doted on you for nothing."
'Is this dance really for the Empress Dowager, or is it for that *person* in the palace?'
Mrs. Qiao lowered her eyes, picked up a teacup from the rosewood table, and took a sip. She knew exactly what schemes this mother-daughter pair were plotting.
The Old Madam looked at her two granddaughters, both as beautiful as flowers and jade, and said, "You are all of the same bloodline. If one prospers, all prosper; if one falls, all fall. Now that the fifth girl has returned home, the women of the Ji Family must practice self-restraint and propriety. Do not disgrace the status of a Noble Lady of the imperial family."
Ji Qingyuan opened her mouth to say something.
But her mother, Ms. Wu, tugged at the corner of her sleeve.
Just before dinner, a decree from the Empress Dowager arrived urgently at the mansion.