Chapter 114: Sent Away Again

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When Chu Jinyao sent her second elder brother off, she turned past the wooden screen divider and was immediately confronted with someone completely unexpected.

 

Chu Jinyao was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered, seething with anger. “When did you get here? How long have you been standing there listening?”

 

“Not long,” Qin Yi replied as he moved to support Chu Jinyao. He was being truthful; in fact, he hadn’t overheard much. However, what little he had heard was enough. Chu Jinyao had privately been disciplining her family, and most importantly, her stance had been in support of Qin Yi. Just this was already enough to satisfy him.

 

But Chu Jinyao was genuinely furious. She brushed Qin Yi’s hand away and turned to glare at the attendants outside. The arrival of the Crown Prince was a significant event, yet none of the maids, eunuchs, or even the guards outside had come to inform her.

 

The maids kneeling outside didn’t dare speak and immediately prostrated themselves, pleading for forgiveness. Qin Yi intervened, “I was the one who told them not to inform you. If you need to vent your anger, take it out on me. Just don’t exhaust yourself in the process.”

 

“What’s the use of me getting angry? Even if they are replaced, the next ones serving me will still be your people, won’t they, Your Highness?”

 

“Fine, blame me.” Qin Yi didn’t mind being brushed off. He grabbed Chu Jinyao’s hand again and spoke softly to calm her down. “It’s my fault. Next time I come to see you, I’ll make sure they inform you in advance. Or better yet, I’ll issue an order that your commands take precedence over mine. Does that make you feel better?”

 

Second Young Master was startled when he realized that the Crown Prince had been silently standing outside, but he managed to remain calm because he knew there was nothing inappropriate in the conversation between him and his sister. However, Chu Jinyao’s subsequent reaction truly shocked him. Chu Jinyao had directly referred to the Crown Prince as “you,” had even shaken off his hand, and had dared to show him such attitude. What was even more astonishing was that the Crown Prince, known for his strict and often harsh demeanor, showed no anger. Instead, he spoke gently, trying to soothe her.

 

A thin layer of sweat broke out on his forehead. Without daring to glance back, he seized the opportunity to excuse himself and leave quickly. Meanwhile, outside, the elder matron, Old Madam Chu, and the other female family members anxiously watched the main hall. They had been startled when they saw the Crown Prince arrive. Old Madam Chu had watched the Crown Prince head straight into the hall where Chu Jinyao and her second grandson were talking, and she feared that something inappropriate might be said. She was wringing her hands in worry, but because the Crown Prince had forbidden any of the servants from announcing his arrival, she was left anxiously waiting outside.

 

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Second Young Master Chu emerged. The women immediately gathered around him, asking, “What did you and the Crown Princess discuss just now? The Crown Prince went in—he wasn’t angry, was he?”

 

Second Young Master Chu’s mind was still filled with the scene he had just witnessed, leaving his expression somewhat bewildered. He simply shook his head and refused to say more.

 

It seemed that things were not quite as they had imagined. Inappropriately, a thought crossed Second Young Master Chu’s mind: though it was presumptuous to say so, he couldn’t help but think that the Crown Prince and the Emperor were indeed father and son—they seemed equally… besotted when it came to women.

 

Since the Crown Prince’s unexpected arrival had disrupted things, the members of the Changxing Marquis Household had no choice but to hurry back to their residence. Once they were settled, Old Madam Chu immediately called for her second grandson and asked, “Chengye, what did the Crown Princess say today?”

 

Second Young Master Chu recalled their earlier conversation. In just a few brief exchanges, his entire worldview had been turned upside down. He found himself questioning everything he thought he knew. What did Chu Jinmiao really want? She had always portrayed herself as pitiable, almost neurotically defensive against Chu Jinyao. According to Chu Jinmiao, Chu Jinyao was nothing short of a scheming villain, ruthless and without morals. But… was that really true?

 

If asked before today, Second Young Master Chu would have believed it without question. The contrast between the strong and the weak had been so stark that he had seen no reason to doubt it. But today, after hearing what Chu Jinyao had said, he felt as though he had been doused with cold water—his misconceptions shattered. Chu Jinyao wasn’t the kind of person who couldn’t distinguish right from wrong. If so, why would Chu Jinmiao paint her as such?

 

After a long silence, Second Young Master Chu finally said to Old Madam Chu, “Grandmother, leave this matter to me. I should have taken responsibility for these things a long time ago.”

 

—

 

In the west of the capital, the streets weren’t filled with the grandeur of the nobility near the imperial city, nor the chaotic mix of classes found in the southern districts. The houses here weren’t large, but they were well-equipped—ideal homes for modestly wealthy families or prosperous merchants from out of town. In one of the simple courtyard homes, Chu Jinmiao anxiously sat by the window, frequently glancing toward the front gate, looking increasingly nervous and somewhat paranoid.

 

Chuntao, the maid who had fled with Chu Jinmiao from the Su family, was twisting a handkerchief nervously. “The Second Young Master Chu sent his servant over with a message a few days ago. What does it mean?”

 

At that time, Chuntao had just finished closing the door when there had been a knock. The young servant didn’t say much, only instructed that the Fourth Young Lady should pack her things and stay inside the house for the next few days, not venturing out.

 

Chuntao had been utterly confused, but Chu Jinmiao had understood immediately. If Chu Chengye was sending someone to deliver a message in the dead of night and warning her to prepare her belongings, it could only mean one thing: the Chu family knew.

 

Chu Jinmiao had deliberated over the situation, then tore up several letters she had written before sending only a short note back.

 

Sometimes, less was more when it came to pleading one’s case. A short, emotional message would leave him to fill in the blanks himself.

 

Despite her attempt to stay calm, after sending the servant off, Chu Jinmiao found herself growing increasingly restless, clinging nervously to the few silver coins she had. The fear of losing what little she had left was far worse than never having had it at all. She couldn’t afford to lose it a second time.

 

Three anxious days passed without further news, and Chuntao finally exhaled in relief, scolding Chu Jinmiao for worrying too much. In the past, Chuntao, a mere maid, wouldn’t have dared to speak to her mistress in such a manner. But after their shared experience with the Su family, the dynamic between the two had shifted. Su Father and Mother had once even considered marrying Chuntao to their son, Su Sheng, and thus had treated her well. By contrast, Chu Jinmiao, the “trouble-making” girl who had ruined their plans, had fallen out of favor. Over time, Chuntao lost her reverence for Chu Jinmiao. If it weren’t for the fact that Chu Jinmiao still held her contract of servitude, and that Chuntao was counting on her mistress to regain some semblance of wealth, she might not have even bothered to serve her tea.

 

Having no choice but to endure, Chu Jinmiao bore Chuntao’s insolence, disdaining her greed and pettiness, but also holding onto a faint hope: perhaps Chu Chengye and Madam Zhao had managed to withstand the pressure from that “old witch” in the Chu family. If that were the case, perhaps she would finally have the chance to return to Changxing Marquis Household.

 

But before that hope could fully bloom, it was cruelly dashed by the arrival of a guest.

 

“Fourth Young Lady,” said the guest as she entered the courtyard, surveying her surroundings with a noblewoman’s practiced gaze, then greeting Chu Jinmiao with a nod, a gesture of aristocratic politeness that Chu Jinmiao was all too familiar with. “So, this is where you’ve been staying.”

 

“It’s you.”

 

Duan Yinghua smiled faintly. “I thought at least you would address me as ‘sister-in-law.’”

 

Chu Jinmiao sneered and turned her face away in disdain. Seeing that despite everything, Chu Jinmiao still dared to act superior, Duan Yinghua’s irritation grew. She dropped her smile and spoke coldly. “I used a polite form of address to give you some face. You may not want to see me, but I certainly don’t want to see you either. You’ve certainly done a fine job—manipulating pity to win over Second Master’s heart. What’s your next move? Are you planning to poison me and take my place as the proper wife?”

 

Duan Yinghua’s anger flared as she spoke, and she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of fear. Men often harbored forbidden fantasies, and Chu Jinmiao had once been the most beloved sister in the family. If Second Master ever came to terms with his feelings, the nostalgia of growing up together, mixed with the taboo of a “sisterly” relationship, would make for a potent attraction. With Madam Zhao’s support behind her, if Chu Jinmiao ever truly succeeded, Duan Yinghua shuddered to think what her own fate would be.

 

In fact, Duan Yinghua had once wondered why Chu Jinmiao hadn’t gone to Lin Xining’s household (the Huailing Prince’s residence). She’d heard that the second son of the Lin family was also quite fond of his cousin, Fourth Young Lady. But it didn’t take long for Duan Yinghua to figure out the answer. How could a distant cousin compare to one’s own mother and elder brother? Besides, the Huailing Prince’s residence wasn’t as powerful as the Changxing Marquis Household, and there was still the matter of their past conflict with the Crown Princess. Even if Chu Jinmiao could make it through the gates of the Lin family, she wouldn’t stand a chance against the likes of the County Princess and the Princess Consort.

 

All things considered, the second elder brother of the Changxing Marquis Household, now a marquis heir, was clearly Chu Jinmiao’s best option.

 

Duan Yinghua prided herself on her own competitive nature, but even she had to admire Chu Jinmiao’s ruthless tenacity and cunning. To escape the Su family, Chu Jinmiao had set fire to the house—her own parents’ house! If Chu Jinmiao had succeeded in worming her way back into the Changxing Marquis Household, Duan Yinghua’s nightmare would have only just begun.

 

Fortunately, there was the Crown Princess. Thinking of Chu Jinyao brought a sense of relief and satisfaction to Duan Yinghua. No matter how much her husband and mother-in-law coddled this poisonous woman, all it took was a mere hint of displeasure from the Crown Princess, and the entire Changxing Marquis Household had to rush to send Chu Jinmiao away.

 

Chu Jinmiao saw the burly maidservants behind Duan Yinghua and quickly realized what was coming next. Her expression hardened with anger and frustration. Why? These people had already taken away her identity, her status, and her life of luxury as a noblewoman. Wasn’t that enough? She was already pitiful enough, so why couldn’t they just leave her alone?

 

“Who sent you here?” Chu Jinmiao asked coldly. “Where’s my brother?”

 

“Your brother?” Duan Yinghua repeated the words with a smirk, her voice full of sarcasm. “I know what you’re up to, and I suggest you give it up. I’m here on the orders of the Old Madam and the marquis, and yes, your dear brother is well aware of this.”

 

Chu Chengye knew? How could that be? Chu Jinmiao’s face paled as she forced out a bitter laugh. Glaring at Duan Yinghua, she spat, “Do you really think sending me away will win back my brother’s heart? This will only make him resent you more.”

 

“Fourth Young Lady—no, I should call you Miss Su—you seem to be mistaken about something,” Duan Yinghua replied, her tone icy. “Your brother wasn’t confined by the marquis. In fact, it was your brother himself who told me where to find you. If you think you can still win his affection by shedding a few tears, you’re gravely mistaken. Sending you away was your brother’s own decision.”

 

At those words, Chu Jinmiao felt a chill run down her spine. “My brother knew? How is that possible? He must have been forced—he wouldn’t have… he wouldn’t have…” Chu Jinmiao’s voice faltered as realization dawned. Her eyes filled with hatred as she stared at Duan Yinghua. “You told Chu Jinyao, didn’t you? It must be Chu Jinyao again! She’s trying to ruin me!”

 

“Enough! You’re not even worthy of mentioning the Crown Princess by name,” Duan Yinghua snapped, her patience running thin. She signaled the servants behind her. “She’s lost her mind. Gag her and take her to the carriage.”

 

“I’m not going!” Chu Jinmiao, who had been relatively calm moments ago, suddenly began to thrash wildly. “It’s Chu Jinyao again! She’s trying to kill me! She wasn’t satisfied with sending me to the Su family—now she wants me dead! You say you’re sending me away, but you’re just going to kill me as soon as I get in that carriage. Why should she be the Crown Princess? With her venomous heart, why does she deserve to be anything? Take me to her—I want to confront her myself! Mmm…”

 

The maidservants were well-practiced in handling such situations. Swiftly, they gagged Chu Jinmiao, cutting off her hysterical rant. Duan Yinghua, finally able to breathe again, looked down at Chu Jinmiao with contempt. “You really think you matter that much? What do you take yourself for? The Crown Princess doesn’t even have you on her mind. And confronting her? That’s laughable. Even third-rank ministers’ wives can’t get an audience with the Crown Princess, so what makes a peasant like you think you’re worthy of meeting her? Take her away.”

 

The place where Chu Jinmiao was being sent had indeed been selected by her second elder brother himself. Given her complicated background and ties to the Crown Princess, and after all the trouble she had caused, no one in the Changxing Marquis Household dared let Chu Jinmiao roam freely. What if she spread baseless gossip about the Crown Princess? To avoid this risk, they decided to lock her away in a countryside estate. Once enough time had passed, or once the Crown Prince ascended to the throne and Chu Jinmiao no longer posed a threat to the Crown Princess, they would reconsider what to do with her.

 

Duan Yinghua personally escorted Chu Jinmiao to the estate, ensuring that the servants there understood the importance of keeping a close watch on her. Only then did she hurry back to the city. Since the estate wasn’t far from Changhe Garden, Duan Yinghua decided to stop by there first.

 

Changhe Garden had become a favorite gathering place for the capital’s young noblewomen. When Duan Yinghua arrived, she saw that Princess Ru Ning was also present.

 

In the past, Duan Yinghua wouldn’t have dared dream of interacting with someone of such high status as a princess, but now, Princess Ru Ning was sitting next to Chu Jinyao, chatting casually. When Princess Ru Ning noticed Duan Yinghua, she even smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

 

Duan Yinghua quickly curtsied, then stepped aside to listen to their conversation. Princess Ru Ning said playfully, “Sister-in-law, your place here is truly serene. No wonder my brother (Crown Prince) is always running off to the west suburbs. Honestly, I feel like moving in myself!”

 

Chu Jinyao chuckled at Princess Ru Ning’s teasing. “If you like it, you’re more than welcome to stay. But I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to handle the consequences if your husband (the princess’ husband) were to come looking for you.”

 

Princess Ru Ning’s marriage had been one of mutual respect, and their relationship was considered one of the better ones in the imperial family. Hearing Chu Jinyao’s joke, the princess blushed slightly and feigned annoyance. “Sister-in-law, you’ve learned to tease people too! You must have picked that up from my brother.”

 

The attendants serving nearby couldn’t help but laugh, one of the senior maids joining in the playful banter. “Your Highness, you’re a step behind. Everyone knows how affectionate the Crown Prince and Princess are. With the Crown Prince himself as her teacher, how could the Crown Princess not know a thing or two about teasing?”

 

With all the laughter, the conversation inevitably veered into lighthearted teasing about Chu Jinyao’s relationship with the Crown Prince. Chu Jinyao, unable to keep up, took a sip of tea to excuse herself until the teasing subsided. Off to the side, her sister Chu Jinxian cradled her child, smiling softly, while Duan Yinghua carefully chimed in with a few remarks of her own.

 

Ever since their last visit to Changhe Garden, the Changxing Marquis Household had come to fully appreciate just how much they had underestimated the Crown Princess’s influence within the Eastern Palace. From the moment they entered the palace to the moment they left, the Crown Prince hadn’t said a single word to them. His meaning was clear: this was a family matter, and he would not interfere. But whatever decisions were made, they would follow the Crown Princess’s lead.

 

The entire household quickly realized one thing: the Crown Prince trusted the Chu family, but he protected the Crown Princess above all else. Without her, what worth did the Changxing Marquis Household hold in his eyes?

 

Having understood this, Duan Yinghua became even more diligent in maintaining a positive relationship with her sister-in-law.

 

Once the teasing subsided, Chu Jinyao discreetly steered the conversation toward other topics. Soon, Princess Ru Ning brought up a piece of news from the imperial court.

 

Chu Jinyao was startled by what she heard, repeating it to make sure she understood. “You said the Emperor wants to personally lead a military campaign?”