The daily life of a cold and aloof general raising his wife

As soon as she got into the carriage, Madam Gu began to weep.

Marquis Dongping was already feeling down, and seeing her cry only made him more annoyed. He suppressed his frustration and comforted Madam Gu.

"Don't cry, you'll hurt yourself."

Madam Gu said angrily, "What does Mother mean? She is determined to protect Shu Wan. She doesn't care about our reputations for Shu Wan's sake."

"This is not Mother's fault. If all else fails, I will go to the Earl's mansion and call off the engagement."

The marriage between the two families was hasty in the first place, and the Marquis of Dongping is now filled with regret.

A few years ago, the Earl of Huian saved the Marquis of Dongping's life, and as a result, the Earl of Huian became lame. At that time, the Marquis of Dongping felt very guilty and tried his best to make it up to him. Unexpectedly, the Earl of Huian told him not to worry about it and jokingly said that if he really wanted to repay him, he should let his daughter marry into the Earl's family.

At the time, Marquis Dongping didn't think much of it. He only felt that he owed Earl Hui'an his life, so he agreed to the matter without saying a word. The two families even exchanged tokens.

When Madam Gu found out, she said that Jiang Shuwan should marry into the He family. Jiang Shuwan was the eldest daughter of the family and the Marquis of Dongping thought there was nothing wrong with it, so she agreed. Who would have thought that things would turn out like this today?

Madam Gu stopped crying and shouted, "Return the engagement? How can we return it? Let alone Rou'er, what good family will Shu Wan, a girl who has already broken off an engagement, be able to find in the future!"

"Are you suggesting we just let Rou'er marry him if we don't break off the engagement?"

"This marriage is Shu Wan's business, what does it have to do with my Rou'er!"

Marquis Dongping reached out and pinched his forehead. "Since you are also unwilling for Rou'er to marry into the He family, then let's call off this marriage."

Madam Gu said defiantly, "Then my husband, go and return it."

Marquis Dongping was in a bind. The other party had risked their life to save him; if he were to break off the engagement now, wouldn't that be a slap in the face?

The two remained silent the entire way.

After getting off the carriage, Madam Gu returned to her courtyard. Marquis Dongping watched her departing figure and knew she was angry.

Alas, his mother is back; his days are probably numbered.

Princess Zhaorong did not want her son to marry into a noble family for political alliances; she only wanted him to find someone he liked. Therefore, Lady Gu was the wife chosen by the Marquis of Dongping. However, the Princess Zhaorong and her daughter-in-law did not get along.

Not wanting to put her son in a difficult position, she returned to live in the Princess's residence after her son got married. Later, they sent Jiang Shuwan to the Princess's residence as well. The Princess disliked Gu Shi because of her personality. On the surface, the two women, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, seemed to have nothing going on, but in fact, Gu Shi had long harbored deep resentment towards her mother-in-law.

***

Linfeng Pavilion

Jiang Shurou's personal maid, Xia He, was waiting outside the door.

The maid whispered to Xia He what she had just seen, word for word.

After hearing this, Xia He told her to leave and turned to push open the door.

Outside it was freezing cold, but inside it was as warm as spring.

The incense burner on the table emitted wisps of smoke, and Jiang Shurou, with her slender figure and white clothes, had a somewhat otherworldly and refined air about her.

Xia He silently reported what had just happened.

Jiang Shurou put down her pen and looked at Xia He, the maid who came in to report.

You said Mother is back?

"Yes, and I heard that Madam doesn't look too well."

Jiang Shurou put down her brush. "Let's go take a look."

Xia He washed her hands and helped her put on a thick dress and then a fox fur coat. Before she went out, she put a hot water bottle in her hand.

Jiang Shurou is frail and easily falls ill, so those who attend to her closely dare not be careless.

Sure enough, when Jiang Shurou arrived at the Gu family's courtyard, she heard the sound of things being smashed.

"Auntie."

Gu's gloomy face immediately changed upon hearing Jiang Shurou's voice.

"Rou'er, what brings you here?"

"I heard you and Father are back. I was wondering if Sister's cold is getting better?"

Marquis Dongping and Madam Gu only learned of Jiang Shuwan's illness today when they arrived at the Grand Princess's residence. Jiang Shurou knew about it before even leaving the house, but Madam Gu didn't think much of it at the moment. She only felt that her youngest daughter was so well-behaved and sensible, and Madam Gu's resentment towards Jiang Shuwan deepened.

"Alright, she's always been in good health. But you, it's so cold outside, what will you do if you catch a chill?"

When Gu Shi spoke of Jiang Shuwan, her tone was indifferent, but when she spoke of Jiang Shurou, she was extremely distressed.

“My daughter isn’t that delicate. I should go and check on my sister.” Jiang Shurou said, looking remorseful.

"You're just too soft-hearted. You're so worried about her, but she's not worried about you at all. She's even thinking of having you marry into the He family in her place."

Gu has always been outspoken and straightforward.

Jiang Shurou's heart tightened, but she didn't show it on her face. "Mother, what are you saying?"

Madam Gu then told her everything that had happened at the Princess's residence.

After listening, Jiang Shurou said with a righteous air, "If it can make my sister happy, I am willing to marry into the He family in her place."

Without even thinking, Madam Gu said, "No, the He family is just a small earldom, how can it be worthy of you?"

"What should we do? Although the He family is not as powerful as ours, they have a daughter who is a concubine in the palace."

“Since your grandmother has said that the engagement is off, then the marriage probably won’t happen. Don’t worry about it. Your father and I are here. But I’m afraid this will affect your future marriage prospects.”

People in the capital knew that Princess Zhaorong was a woman of her word.

"Why don't you, Mother, go and have a good talk with my sister?"

Gu hesitated, "Her?"

“After all, Mother is my sister’s biological mother. She shouldn’t disobey you. Besides, Mother and sister have been separated for so many years. Don’t you miss her?”

To be honest, Gu Shi didn't have deep feelings for Jiang Shuwan, but when she thought that she had also gone through a lot of hardship to give birth to her, she still felt sorry for her.

Seeing Gu's appearance, Jiang Shurou had a new plan in mind.

***

Grand Princess's Residence

Jiang Shuwan returned to her room, thinking that it would be difficult to cancel the marriage with the He family. If she wanted to cancel the engagement, she would have to find the key person, Lin Ruoqing.

Lin Ruoqing was He Zhilin's soulmate.

"Find a few skilled bodyguards to protect Lin Ruoqing. If she is in any danger, make sure to save her life."

"Yes."

After Feiyue left, Feiyun said somewhat unhappily, "Why did you still protect her, young lady?"

"Because she's the key to your daughter breaking off the engagement, and important people can't be allowed to get hurt."

In her past life, Lin Ruoqing drowned and He Zhilin blamed it on her. This time, she'd better live a good life.

Second day

The Grand Princess has come again. This time she is here to see Jiang Shuwan, but before she comes, she will first pay her respects to her mother-in-law.

Grand Princess Zhaorong didn't want to see her, so she didn't. Gu Shi breathed a sigh of relief and went to find Jiang Shuwan with light steps.

Jiang Shuwan saw Gu Shi bow to her.

"Mother."

Looking at her daughter, Gu's maternal love was rekindled.

"Your mother hasn't looked at you closely in many years. Let your mother take a good look at you."

As she spoke, Madam Gu took her hand.

In her previous life, Jiang Shuwan would have been very moved, but now she felt nothing at all, and even felt a little disgusted. She quietly took her hand out of Gu's hand.

"I serve tea to my mother."

Gu's smile froze on her face. Remembering the purpose of her visit today, she suppressed her displeasure.

“Wan’er, we are mother and daughter, but it’s so troublesome to see you now. Why don’t you come back to the Marquis’s mansion with me?”

Jiang Shuwan placed the tea in front of Madam Gu and said calmly, "Isn't this something Mother herself caused?"