"By heaven, when did I ever send you ruby jewelry? I swear this wasn't me." Kong Jialiang had no idea about this hidden aspect. It turned out that her silence in court, neither refuting nor admitting, was because she believed those ruby ornaments were a gift from him.
"But along with the rubies came the poem 'Butterfly's Song' that I wrote for you back then. Such an important item, would you just misplace it? Furthermore, I've seen the steward who delivered the gifts at your mansion before. If it wasn't you, who else could it be?" Zhou Shaoqiu's mind worked with lightning speed. Even if it wasn't him, it was his wife. Regardless, this was a capital offense, and would they let Kong family's reputation be tarnished? Impossible. Ultimately, only he would suffer.
As expected, her guess wasn't wrong. Kong Jialiang suddenly recalled an incident from the past, involuntarily taking a few steps back, looking utterly devastated. If he wasn't mistaken, the deed must have been done by his wife. Once, she had accidentally stumbled into his study while he was reading the poem 'Butterfly's Song.' Seeing her enter, he quickly put it away. His wife had casually inquired, and he'd brushed it off with an excuse.
After she left, he'd gone to look for it again, only to find the poem missing. Even though he had meticulously searched his study from top to bottom, he couldn't find it. He had regretted it for a long time, but eventually forgot about it. Little did he know it had been delivered to her.
What Zhou Shaoqiu could deduce, he could also deduce. His wife could not go to prison. Firstly, his mother would never agree. Secondly, with a wife in prison, his future career would be ruined. He had finally become the prefect, a source of pride for his family. He had a bright future, which could not be destroyed.
Looking at his expression, Zhou Shaoqiu understood everything. She said sadly, "Even if it wasn't you, it was your wife. The biggest mistake I ever made in my life was knowing you. If it weren't for you people, my life would have been fine. Although Meng Lang didn't have your status and position, he treated me very well. The reason he took concubines was because he suffered too much while alive. You people kept tormenting his nerves, otherwise, how could he have died so young?"
After a moment's thought, she continued, "My poor son, first he lost his father, now he's losing his mother. When he grows up, he'll have to endure people's strange glances. Having a mother who is a murderer is a stain that will never be erased from his life. If you feel guilty towards me, find a way to kill him. Anyway, once I'm gone, the Meng family's assets won't be saved. It's not hard to imagine how difficult his life will be, to spare him from suffering alone in this world." Su Dan Novel Network
"Don't worry, as long as I live, I will treat him as my own son." This was spoken from the bottom of his heart.
Zhou Shaoqiu's strategy was one of advancing by retreating. She didn't want her son to accompany her to the underworld; clearly, she wanted Kong Jialiang to look after him, to ensure he grew up safely and lived a life of comfort.
"You may leave. Do not come again," Zhou Shaoqiu turned away, tears falling uncontrollably. In her heart, she whispered, "Husband, walk slowly. I'll be with you soon."
Kong Jialiang reached out a hand, opened his mouth, unsure what to say. In the end, he could only leave, crestfallen.
Jiang Yin was angry about Kong Jialiang seeing Zhou Shaoqiu for two reasons. First, she genuinely felt he placed Zhou Shaoqiu in an important position. Second, she was afraid her own actions would be exposed.
She sent someone to guard the front courtyard. As soon as her husband returned, she received the news. Knowing he was in a bad mood, she felt a pang of anxiety. Had her affairs been exposed? Before she could ponder further, he rushed before her.
"Was it you? Was it you who did it?" Although he already had an answer in his heart, he still wanted to hear it from her directly.
Jiang Yin's heart sank. She knew the moment had come. What she had done was not a well-kept secret, and it could be uncovered with a little investigation. She saw no point in hiding it. After all, no matter what, Zhou Shaoqiu would not escape unscathed, nor could her aunt stand idly by and watch her go to jail.
"It seems she told you," she had imagined countless times what her expression would be when things were revealed. Now, she found that with everything laid bare, there was a sense of reckless abandon.
"Why? Why would you do this? She's married, and it's impossible for us two in this lifetime. Why are you still clinging to her?" Meng Jialiang looked at her with hurt eyes.
"Why? I originally wanted to have a good life with you, but what about you? You were always hesitant when you married me. I had already entered your family, and yet you were still thinking of her from time to time. No woman could tolerate this. Naturally, I felt unhappy and wanted to vent my anger on her. So, under your name, I repeatedly sent gifts to the Meng family to create conflict between them. You don't know how thrilled I was when I heard that Meng Changqing had taken a concubine."
Looking at the manic woman opposite him, Kong Jialiang was somewhat frightened. At this moment, he truly regretted it. He knew that he had always loved only Zhou Shaoqiu. His beloved woman was about to die because of him. He would never forgive himself in this life, yet he could not confess to the magistrate. For a moment, he was consumed by unbearable pain.
The next morning, as soon as Jiang Yin stepped out of her room, she saw the master's attendant waiting by her door. Upon seeing her, the attendant respectfully said, "Madam, the master has instructed me to escort you back to the capital."
Jiang Yin had expected him to scold her, but instead, he was simply driving her away. She was unwilling. She had liked her cousin since childhood and didn't want to leave him. She ignored him directly, "I'm not leaving. There isn't even a mistress here. If I leave, who will manage the household affairs for him?"
The attendant glanced at her cautiously and said in a low, soft voice, "The master said you have the best relationship with the old madam, and asked you to go back and fulfill your filial duties to her. The inner court is temporarily without a mistress; it will have one after a while."
Jiang Yin immediately turned to look at him, surprised, "What do you mean by that?"
"Madam, you probably don't know, but the master already set out with betrothal gifts this morning to propose to Miss Li." The attendant was loyal to Kong Jialiang and understood his feelings. He also resented Madam for being too ruthless and cutting off her own escape route. He couldn't be bothered with her feelings and revealed it directly.
"Impossible. He wouldn't do this to me. Sending me away so they can have a good time here? Don't even think about it." Jiang Yin never expected Kong Jialiang, who always seemed gentle, to be so ruthless. If she had known this earlier, she might as well have stayed with Zhou Shaoqiu.