How did such immense wealth fall into my family?

Chapter 54: Casting stones to ask for directions
"The Jiang family asked us to find Dr. Chang to prescribe some fertility-enhancing medicine for your nephew. Mrs. Jiang said she would also find a doctor for her daughter. That way, if something happens to your nephew, her daughter will have someone to rely on."

Second Master Jiang: "..." They're determined to make sure his nephew never returns. "You've looked for him?"

"No."

Just as Master Jiang breathed a sigh of relief, Duke Jin continued, "I just upset Doctor Chang a few days ago. Besides, everyone has their own expertise. In terms of assisted reproduction, Doctor Chang may not be as good as Doctor Jiang from the south of the city. Doctor Jiang's skills in assisted reproduction have been proven."

"So you went to see Dr. Jiang?"

"Ah."

Second Master Jiang rubbed his forehead. "What if that girl from the Jiang family is really pregnant?"

"If she really gets pregnant, she'll either be turned into a puppet or replaced directly."

Second Master Jiang clenched his fist. "Brother, do you think the person behind this might be the Emperor?"

The Duke of Jin thought it unlikely, but the mind of a ruler is unpredictable. "Regardless of who is behind it, the Jiang family are just pawns. Since they've become pawns, they must be prepared to die a violent death. Let Jiang He go personally."

"Okay. Do you think what that lady said is true?"

"Hmm. I found it strange when I first heard that the Northern Barbarians were invading. Uji only unified the Northern Barbarians three years ago. Logically, he should be recuperating now. But he wants to start a war with us. Now it seems that this battle is likely to be all bark and no bite."

"That shouldn't be taken lightly."

“I know. The Chiang family are pawns, and so is Uji.”

Master Jiang was relieved. "What about my nephew?"

The Duke of Jin glanced towards the direction of the imperial palace. "There are only those who steal for a thousand days, not those who guard against thieves for a thousand days."

Master Jiang understood.

The two brothers discussed some details before going to find the old lady.

The old lady was pleased to see that they had arrived so slowly.

After handing Jiang Erye over to his mother, the Duke of Jin went to catch up with the main force.

Those who went to war have all left, and those who saw them off should also return home.

Upon arriving at the Duke of Jin's residence, the Second Madam was about to help Second Master Jiang when Second Master Jiang looked at Third Master Jiang and said with a smile, "Third Brother, help me. I want to go sit with Mother. It's been a long time since I've been there."

The old lady was delighted to hear this. "Third son, go and help your second brother." As for the matter of going to war, she was already used to it.

While patting his second brother, Third Master Jiang said, "Mother, I would also like to go to your place to ask for a cup of tea."

"Go, go, go."

The mother and her two children walked away chatting and laughing.

The Duchess, the Second Madam, and the Third Madam smiled and went back to their rooms to rest.

They've been so busy these past few days, they're finally free, so they won't bother the mother and her two children.

When Second Master Jiang arrived at the old lady's place, he waited for the servants to set out tea and snacks before asking them to leave.

The old lady thought her second son was going to say something sweet to her, but she didn't expect him to drop a bombshell.

It took the old lady a while to recover. "What did we do to offend the Jiang family that they conspired with others to harm us? I think they were willing to marry their daughter into the family and even gave them an extra five thousand taels of betrothal gifts."

It took Jiang Laosan a while to recover. "Second Brother, what you're saying are all just guesses."

Snapped!
The old lady slapped her third son. "By the time you find the evidence, your eldest nephew will have been killed by them long ago."

Second Master Jiang looked at Third Master Jiang and said, "You've never fought a war. The most important thing in war is to make decisive decisions. My elder brother said he found it strange when he heard that the Northern Barbarians were invading, but he didn't think about it happening to him. Now, many things make sense."

The old lady slapped her third son again. "Your second brother is right. Your eldest brother's mind was honed in the officialdom and on the battlefield. Your mind was soaked in tea and wine. Can your mind compare to your eldest brother's?" Master Jiang had to admit that his mother was right.

He couldn't compare to his eldest brother. Since both his eldest and second brothers believed that woman, he shouldn't worry about whether there was evidence or not. "Mother, second brother, I'll listen to you. I'll do whatever you say."

"Alright." The old lady looked at her two sons and said, "This matter can only be known by us, understand?"

Second Master Jiang and Third Master Jiang: "Understood, don't worry."

The mother and her two children discussed the matter for over an hour before parting ways.

On the other side, Jiang Yuxin, the former sixth Miss Jiang and now the wife of the Duke of Jin, had her four head maids put all the things Chunhua had used into a box as soon as she came out of the coffin that came with her dowry.

After dealing with Chunhua's belongings, Jiang Yuxin finally had the mind to ask the old lady and the others. Knowing they hadn't returned yet, Jiang Yuxin went to rest.

Jiang Yuxin took a nap and waited for a while before the old lady and the others returned.

Upon receiving the news, Jiang Yuxin wanted to pay her respects to the old lady and the others. Although the Duchess had already told her that she didn't need to pay her respects to the elders today, and could do so after the family reunion tomorrow, Jiang Yuxin still felt it best to go anyway.

Unexpectedly, just as she stepped out, Li Mama, who served the Duchess, came over. Li Mama first bowed to Jiang Yuxin, and then told her that the Duchess, the Second Madam, and the Third Madam had all gone back to catch up on their sleep.

Jiang Yuxin had no choice but to give up after hearing this. The three ladies all went back to catch up on their sleep, and the old lady would certainly need to rest well as well.

On the other side, Qian Laifu felt both heartache and worry when he saw that it was almost noon and his two granddaughters were still fast asleep.

It's no wonder his little granddaughter is exhausted from running around with him all the time. She only had time to get a proper sleep after finding her older cousin.

His eldest granddaughter must have been quite tired these past two years. Otherwise, why would she sleep for so long?
When Dr. Chang returned, Qian Laifu invited him over. "Brother Chang, could you please check if my two granddaughters are alright?"

Doctor Chang took the pulses of Chunhua and the puppy. "They're both fine. They're both tired. The younger one is mentally exhausted, and the older one is physically and mentally exhausted."

Do I need to take medicine?

"No need, I'll be fine after a little more sleep."

Qian Laifu was relieved. He knew his eldest granddaughter hadn't had an easy time these past two years.

The puppy woke up in the middle of the night.

Qian Chunhua was still fast asleep.

The puppy woke up and went out to find something to eat. As soon as she came out, she saw Dong Laoqi staring at her with his big eyes wide open.

The little dog was startled. "What are you doing squatting at my door in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

"The Grand Master of the Imperial Academy, the father-in-law of the heir apparent of the Duke of Jin, has died."

"What?!" Little Dog Sheng instantly snapped back to reality. "Who did you just say died?"

Old Dong repeated himself. "This evening, when Chief Minister Jiang was leaving the yamen, he tripped and died."

The little dog, Sheng, walked to the table, picked up a pastry, and took a bite. "The Duke of Jin is truly decisive and efficient."

"You think it was an official business trip to Jin? The coroner said it was a sudden illness."

The little dog took a sip of water. "I bet you, this was definitely an official business of the Jin state."

"The Duke of Jin is testing the waters."

"Jiang Jijiu was also like that. He didn't have the ability but dared to meddle. Now look what happened, he's lost his life in the process."

"Luckily, I only wanted to get rid of my eldest cousin."

Old Dong glanced at Little Dog Sheng. "You're not just trying to extricate your eldest cousin; you know someone will avenge you."

(End of this chapter)