Chapter Eighteen: Preparing for the Funeral

Jiang Zhuo did not remember how she had left the Palace of Longevity, nor how she had returned to her residence. She only vaguely felt that she had been sitting indoors for a long time.

Qin Sile, Tao Sile, and the others had come to congratulate her, but seeing Jiang Zhuo’s desolate state, their words turned instead to consolation and mourning.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The late Deputy Minister Jiang Dun’s daughter, Jiang Zhuo, of gentle disposition and virtuous conduct, who served the Empress Dowager with utmost dedication. Now, as her father was slain en route, she is hereby granted the title of Lady of Pucheng County, bestowed the honorary name Zhaoning, with five hundred households as her fief. So commanded.”

Thus read the imperial edict.

It was said that His Majesty’s grace was boundless—not only had he granted Jiang Zhuo her father’s home county as a fief, but the Empress Dowager had also adopted Jiang Zhuo as her granddaughter, repurchased the original Jiang residence, and allowed Jiang Zhuo to remain in the capital.

Such heavenly favor left Jiang Zhuo deeply thankful.

How many times had she given the customary thanks? How many respectful bows had she made? She no longer counted.

All she felt was numbness.

In this lifetime, could she still not alter her fate?

Now that she had been ennobled as a county lady, Jiang Zhuo could no longer linger in the palace. After bidding farewell to the members of the Sile family, Nurse Li led Jiang Zhuo from the palace to the Jiang residence. Jiang Dun’s sudden death had left many matters unresolved; Nurse Li, sent by the Empress Dowager, was there to assist Jiang Zhuo in handling them.

Because the tragedy had occurred in Quzhou, Jiang Dun’s remains were not transported back. Jiang Zhuo kept the arrangements simple: a coffin containing her father’s official robes, a mourning hall, but no banquet.

The first visitor to the Jiang residence was a middle-aged man with a dark complexion and disheveled beard and hair.

Had he not been clad in a bright red official robe, the servants might have barred his entry.

“Lady Jiang, I pay my respects, Chancellor Wang,” Jiang Zhuo said with a slight bow, dressed in plain mourning attire.

The visitor was Chancellor Wang Wenyi.

As her father’s superior, Jiang Zhuo was not unfamiliar with this unkempt chancellor, for Jiang Dun had been almost entirely cultivated under Wang’s guidance.

“The deceased is gone; the living bear lasting memories,” Chancellor Wang nodded to Jiang Zhuo with simple condolences. “Should you require assistance in the future, do not hesitate to seek me out.”

He had arrived before court and, after briefly instructing Jiang Zhuo, departed.

Next to come was Shen Guanzhi.

“Congratulations on marrying Prince Jing,” she said.

Though in deep mourning, Jiang Zhuo offered her congratulations, but her face remained expressionless.

“It’s merely a secondary consort’s position; sister need not be so distant,” Shen Guanzhi embraced Jiang Zhuo with concern. “It’s only been a month—how have you lost so much weight?”

“Knowing one’s place as a secondary consort is sufficient!” a coquettish voice rang out from behind Shen Guanzhi.

It was Shangguan Xue.

Previously, Shangguan Xue and Jiang Zhuo had been at odds over the position of Prince Jing’s primary consort.

Now that Shangguan Xue was formally engaged to Prince Jing, her visit to mourn seemed more a display of power.

“Miss Shangguan, please watch your words!” Hearing Shangguan Xue mention the Empress Dowager, Nurse Li immediately stepped forward to defend Jiang Zhuo. “The Empress Dowager cherishes Lady Zhaoning’s talents, which is why she summoned her to serve by her side. Other ladies might not have such fortune.”

“Who are you? A mere servant daring to instruct me?” Shangguan Xue sneered.

As Jiang Dun’s funeral was today, Nurse Li was dressed entirely in mourning and her identity was not immediately apparent. Since Shangguan Xue had never seen Nurse Li before and was unaware she served the Empress Dowager, she mistook her for an old servant of the Jiang household.

The two were about to quarrel in the courtyard when Jiang Zhuo sighed and stepped forward to intervene.

“If I have been remiss in hospitality, I beg Sister Shangguan not to take offense.”

“Who asked you to pretend we’re sisters? If not for my father’s orders, do you think I’d come here?” Shangguan Xue snorted coldly, strode into the inner chambers, lit an incense stick without even bowing, and then left.

Before boarding her carriage, she refused the pastries Jiang Zhuo had prepared as a gift.

“Miss Jiang is too kind. You are now a county lady; Miss Shangguan is only betrothed to Prince Jing and has not yet formally entered the prince’s household. How could she speak to you so?” Nurse Liu said.

“She’s always been like that. Why bother minding it?” Jiang Zhuo lowered her gaze, knowing Nurse Liu would report today’s events to the Empress Dowager. She replied calmly.

Sometimes, gentleness and humility bring more than open confrontation.

“Zhuo, you seem different from before,” Shen Guanzhi said anxiously, grasping Jiang Zhuo’s hand.

“People grow up,” Jiang Zhuo answered quietly, her eyes calm and steady.

Shen Guanzhi hesitated, then said nothing.

After the memorial rites, Shen Guanzhi did not leave with the other guests but stayed to help Jiang Zhuo receive visitors.

Jiang Zhuo did not refuse, offering a grateful glance.

As more guests arrived, a splendid carriage pulled up before the Jiang residence, drawing many eyes.

“Earlier, I was blind and failed to recognize greatness. Today, I come specially to apologize to Lady Zhaoning,” said a tall, slender man in fine clothes, holding a paper fan with a practiced air, his shifty eyes gleaming.

It was Qian Yunyi.

He alighted with a smile.

Jiang Zhuo’s loathing deepened.

“Please, come in,” she said, striving to conceal her expression.

“Lady of the county, I hope you do not still blame me for that night?” Seeing no strong reaction, Qian Yunyi pressed his advantage, persisting.

Jiang Zhuo said nothing but stepped back.

A guard promptly stepped forward to block Qian Yunyi’s further advance.

Displeased, Qian Yunyi turned and entered the inner courtyard.

“You are magnanimous,” a cold voice sounded behind Jiang Zhuo. Without turning, she knew who it was.

“The fact he could come out today shows that General Xie and I are both sensible,” Jiang Zhuo said, signaling her subordinates to watch Qian Yunyi carefully, lest he cause trouble again.

“His father is the Minister of Revenue; he was protected by his father,” Xie Guanlan explained with helplessness.

“There are too many people with good fathers in this capital,” Jiang Zhuo said, lowering her eyelids. Had Jiang Dun not met misfortune, had the Jiang household not been struck by calamity, she might have been just another prodigal like Shangguan Xue or Qian Yunyi.

Soon after, Zhao Mingjing and Ling Heng came to pay their respects.

Zhao Mingjing offered gentle condolences, but his demeanor was no longer as earnest as when he visited the palace.

As for Marquis Wuwei Ling Heng, though he came to mourn, his gaze never left Jiang Zhuo.

Jiang Zhuo kept her head bowed, declining thanks one by one.

Though Jiang Dun had been proud and aloof in life, making many enemies, his sudden death had drawn numerous old acquaintances to pay respects.

Yet human hearts are inscrutable; many visitors came with hidden agendas—some to gloat, others coveting the Jiang estate.

Faced with these ulterior motives, Jiang Zhuo finally understood why her father had disliked socializing and entertaining.

Now, Jiang Zhuo did not like it either.