Lady Hou is reborn and, by pampering her illegitimate son, reclaims her life of wealth and privilege

Jiang Huaiyu pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "I will give these gifts to the ladies and young misses in the manor, as well as to the meritorious officials. In this way, we can not only bring them closer, but also make these gifts play their greatest role."

Cuiying and Granny Wu exchanged a smile, a hint of joy flashing in their eyes.

Jiang Huaiyu looked out the window, pondered for a moment, and then instructed Cuiying, "Cuiying, go and fetch a piece of silk gauze and a piece of pearl brocade."

Cuiying was slightly taken aback, then respectfully replied, "Yes, Madam." After saying that, she turned around to fetch the fabric.

A moment later, Cuiying brought over two bolts of cloth. Jiang Huaiyu picked up the cloth, gently stroked it, and a look of satisfaction flashed in her eyes.

She placed the fabric on the bed and said to Cuiying, "Cuiying, look at these two pieces of fabric. One is gauze, and the other is pearl brocade. They are both of the finest quality. I want to use them to make two dresses so that I can take Xinrui to the palace to attend the Apricot Blossom Banquet hosted by the Imperial Concubine."

Cuiying looked at the fabric, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it and smiled, "Madam is truly ingenious; these two bolts of fabric are indeed very suitable for making dresses. Miss will surely like them."

Jiang Huaiyu smiled slightly and said, "I plan to let Xinrui stay in our Duke of Wei's mansion and not return to Jiangnan with my elder brother and the others. She is my only niece, so naturally I will take good care of her."

Cuiying was taken aback, then smiled and said, "Madam is truly kind-hearted. It is a blessing for Miss Cousin to be able to stay in the Duke's mansion."

Jiang Huaiyu sighed and said, "I know my elder brother and the others might be unhappy, but I can't let Xinrui continue to live a life of constant wandering. Staying in the Duke's mansion will at least allow her to live in peace."

Cuiying nodded and said, "Don't worry, Madam, I will take good care of Miss Biao."

Jiang Huaiyu's gaze suddenly fell on Xiaoxiang Garden in the inner courtyard. Looking at Xiaoxiang Garden, a resolute look flashed in her eyes, and she said to Cuiying, "Cuiying, go and make arrangements to clean up Xiaoxiang Garden so that Xinrui can live there."

Cuiying was taken aback for a moment, then replied, "Yes, Madam."

A short while later, Cuiying returned and reported: "Madam, Xiaoxiang Garden has been prepared, and Miss Biao can move there at any time."

Jiang Huaiyu nodded slightly and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Cuiying."

Cuiying smiled and said, "Madam, you're too kind. It's what I should do."

Just then, a maid rushed in and reported, "Madam, your uncle has returned."

Jiang Huaiyu was slightly taken aback, but quickly regained her composure. She looked at the maid and said, "I understand. You may leave."

The maid acknowledged and withdrew. Jiang Huaiyu looked at Cuiying and said, "Cuiying, come with me to see my elder brother."

Cuiying nodded slightly and followed Jiang Huaiyu to the living room.

Inside the living room, Jiang Xunzhi was sitting there. He looked at Jiang Huaiyu and said, "Second sister, what brings you here?"

Jiang Huaiyu smiled slightly and said, "Brother, I plan to let Xinrui stay in the Duke's Mansion and not return to Jiangnan."

Jiang Huaiyuan was taken aback, then frowned and said, "Second sister, what do you mean? Xinrui is our Jiang family's daughter, she should return to Jiangnan with us."

Jiang Huaiyu looked at her elder brother and said firmly, "Brother, Xinrui is my only niece. I can't let her continue to live a life of constant wandering. Staying in the Duke's mansion will at least allow her to live in peace."

Jiang Huaiyuan frowned and said, "Second sister, you are interfering in our affairs."

Jiang Huaiyu smiled slightly and said, "Brother, I'm not interfering in your affairs. I just want Xinrui to have a better life."

Jiang Huaiyuan looked at Jiang Huaiyu, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes. He sighed and said, "Since that's the case, then let's do it your way."

Jiang Huaiyu smiled slightly and said, "Thank you, elder brother."

Jiang Huaiyuan left the living room, and Jiang Huaiyu looked at Cuiying and said, "Cuiying, go and tell Xinrui to move into Xiaoxiang Garden."

Cuiying responded and withdrew.

……

"Reporting to Madam, the Lady of Changtai Marquis has come to pay her a personal visit."

Not long after, Cuiying walked lightly from the outer hall into the inner room, bowed, and reported respectfully.

Jiang Huaiyu was startled. The grudges and entanglements between the Marquis of Changtai's mansion and the Duke's mansion were like ancient trees with intertwined roots, difficult to resolve. First, Mai Yufeng maliciously slandered Wei Fengyun, falsely accusing him of stealing money. If it weren't for Xie Baihu's timely intervention, Fengyun would almost have been imprisoned.

Subsequently, Mai Yuxi repeatedly attacked Wei Fengyun within the Fujian Division, and the last time he almost killed him.

This series of grudges left Jiang Huaiyu with a lingering resentment. She was desperately seeking an opportunity to make the Marquis of Changtai pay the price she deserved, but unexpectedly, the other party walked right into her trap.

"Let her in."

Jiang Huaiyu gave the order with a cold and stern expression and a chilling tone.

In a short while, Lady Pei, the wife of the Marquis of Changtai, walked in hurriedly, her face humble, and slowly bowed.

"Respectfully wishing Lady Wei, wife of the Duke of Wei, peace and tranquility."

Jiang Huaiyu sat upright at the head of the table, his gaze sharp as he looked down at Pei Shi's humble posture and smiled contemptuously, "What good fortune has blown the Lady of Changtai Marquis to the doorstep of the Duke's mansion?"

Madam Pei gave a bitter smile, her expression full of flattery. "You flatter me, Duchess. I know my sins are grave, and I have come here specifically to apologize to you."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huaiyu raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh? Heinous crimes? Ha, then tell me how heinous his crimes are."

Madam Pei maintained her bowing posture and said solemnly, "I implore the Duchess to forgive me. In the past, Mai Yufeng's framing of the Heir Apparent was actually due to coercion and enticement by the Lady of Jing'an Marquis. My son Mai Yuxi's evil deeds were also instigated by the Liao family. As you know, the Changtai Marquis's Mansion is no longer as glorious as it used to be and is gradually declining."

Lady Jing'an then seized the opportunity to exert pressure, using us as her tools, a sharp knife in her hand, while her Jing'an Marquis's mansion remained hidden behind the scenes, leaving us to bear all the blame and punishment. My nephew lost his life, my son lost his official position; I could no longer tolerate this.”

Jiang Huaiyu snorted coldly, her tone devoid of any sympathy, "That's your own fault. If you were unwilling to submit, how could the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion force you to become their henchmen?"

Her gaze was sharp as a knife, and a sarcastic smile played on her lips. "I see that you're not at your wit's end, but rather that because your Changtai Marquis's Mansion has failed to achieve its goals in these matters, the Jing'an Marquis's Mansion is planning to abandon you."

Pei's legs were sore and numb, but she persevered. She knew in her heart that if she could not obtain Jiang Huaiyu's forgiveness today, then if the Duke of Wei's mansion made a move against the Marquis of Changtai's mansion, the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion would definitely stand idly by.

"The Duchess is respectful and courteous. My presence here is out of sincerity. I am willing to provide testimony for your family and expose the past sins of the Marquis of Jing'an. Furthermore, I have already instructed my son to resign from his position as a captain in the Fujian Division. I am well aware that my family cannot escape blame. This action is only to seek a little leniency from the Duchess and to find a chance for my Marquis of Changtai to survive."

Jiang Huaiyu pondered for a long time and realized that these things alone were not enough to completely destroy the Jing'an Marquis's mansion.