Chapter 98: Mother, Are You My Biological Mother?
That winter.
The twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month.
It snowed.
It was a day deeply etched in many people’s memories.
The owner of Qingfeng Restaurant recalled that day; there was too much blood. The waiter carried several buckets of water but still couldn’t scrub it clean. Fortunately, the Rebels settled the bill in the end and paid the money.
They were actually not bad people.
Outside the window, the snowflakes fell more densely.
Gong Qichi sat back in his seat, cupped his hands, and said to Jiang Changtian, “Excuse my rudeness.”
Jiang Changtian’s expression remained unchanged. He sincerely poured a cup of wine for Gong Qichi, while pouring tea for himself.
“Brother Yehang has excellent martial arts skills, proficient in both literature and martial arts; it is enviable and worthy of a drink.” He held his tea and said earnestly.
Jiang Mianmian was a little nervous; Father toasting with water probably wouldn’t go over well.
But given Father’s alcohol tolerance, one cup and he’d be carried off by Mother.
Sure enough, someone at the scene muttered. Others didn’t dare to speak, but Great Marshal Zi’s foster son, the youth Zi Ganjiang, spoke up, “Toasting with tea, is Mr. Jiang looking down on us?”
He was at the scene anyway. From what he saw, other than this man surnamed Jiang being exceptionally good-looking and seemingly doting on his wife and daughter, there was nothing special about him.
Jiang Changtian smiled bitterly, “My alcohol tolerance is shallow; I fall after one cup. Once, because I drank a cup of wine, I woke up to be reprimanded by my elder brother for being unfilial and lacking brotherly love, worse than a beast. I didn’t even know what I had done before I was kicked out of the house. Since then, I have not dared to touch alcohol.”
Gong Qichi held his wine and downed it in one gulp.
“No matter. In this life, who hasn’t been wronged a few times? We rise and fall, we strike with swords, we settle grudges with satisfaction. A drink is in order. Tea or wine isn’t important; what matters is the intention.”
When Jiang Changtian said this, everyone’s eyes couldn’t help but turn toward the three representatives of the Jiang Mansion.
This was a direct call-out.
Jiang Huaisheng’s expression was indeed ugly.
Old Madam Jiang’s expression was even uglier.
It was rumored that the Jiang Family’s eldest daughter of the main branch, Jiang Wan, was talented and beautiful. Seeing her in person today, her skin wasn’t that snow-white, but her features were very pretty; she was indeed quite special.
Under such circumstances, she could actually remain calm and composed, calmer than most men present, making people admire her and leaving a good impression.
It was evident that Old Madam Jiang must have been a beauty when she was young. Although her expression was displeased, she still maintained a graceful posture.
Old Madam Jiang was truly skilled at giving birth; the eldest son had an outstanding appearance, and the younger son had a stunning face.
It was said that when Old Madam Jiang was young, she was one of the four beauties of the capital.
It seemed normal that the younger son had a stunning face.
Jiang Changtian drank the tea in his hand and also looked at Old Madam Jiang.
He had never suspected that he might be a concubine’s son, because his Father was truly upright and honorable; he was a man who would absolutely never have mistresses or concubines.
He felt that he was able to have such a good appearance because of his Father. In his eyes, his Father was flawless.
He shouldn’t be the child of Old Madam Jiang and someone else either.
Because Old Madam Jiang also extremely liked his Father, and the two were very close.
Of course, this thought was a bit treasonous. Jiang Changtian could only sigh; he was indeed unfilial to actually suspect that Old Madam Jiang had someone outside and was cheating.
He had also suspected that he was not Old Madam Jiang’s child.
In those years, because he had done something wrong, he was locked in a dark room. When he saw his elder brother practicing swordplay outside through the crack in the door, he had wondered if he wasn’t Old Madam Jiang’s child.
But the Jiang Family’s status was not low; how could Old Madam Jiang bear to swap her own child? That could only mean swapping for a wealthier and better family. Who else in this world was wealthier and better?
He had even fantasized that he might be someone else’s child, swapped out by Old Madam Jiang.
Then his original identity should have been better.
He had probed Aunt Yao.
The result was that the look in Aunt Yao’s eyes when she looked at him was one of righteous disgust and loathing.
He was not.
So he was truly just a poor wretch who was despised by his biological Mother from the moment he was born.
Pitifully, his life was messy; he had spent most of his life thinking about this matter and still hadn’t figured it out.
Today.
He wanted to ask.
He wanted to ask again.
After drinking that cup of tea, Jiang Changtian grabbed Gong Qichi’s sword and said, “Today, I would like to borrow Brother Yehang’s sword!”
Jiang Changtian drew the long sword and just like that, walked up to Old Madam Jiang.
Jiang Huaisheng was startled.
He was not carrying a sword; weapons were not allowed.
He reached out, grabbed the teacup in front of him, and smashed it.
“Clang!”
The teacup shattered, making a crisp sound.
The restaurant owner downstairs clutched his chest, his heart aching.
“You unfilial and disloyal beast, what are you doing?”
The long-haired youth, in a green robe and cotton boots.
Tall and thin, holding a sword as he walked forward.
Sad and grieving, his steps were slow.
“Everyone says I am an unfilial and disloyal villain. Then what can I do? Naturally, I will do some unfilial and disloyal things. Since Eldest Brother knows I am unfilial and disloyal, how could you think I am kind and tolerant, deserving to be bullied?”
Jiang Huaisheng’s expression was ugly.
Looking at his younger brother standing in front of the shards, he said, “Do you really want me to speak of those dirty matters? You… worse than a beast.”
Jiang Huaisheng was unwilling to speak. His wife was pregnant; he couldn’t bear to talk about those things at this time. The world was harsh on women, and a woman’s reputation was crucial. If it were said now, it would only force his wife to die, resulting in two deaths.
He was grateful to Mother in his heart for preserving Madam Wu’s reputation.
Jiang Changtian stepped onto the shards.
The soles of his shoes were thick, so it wouldn’t pierce his feet, but some people still let out a soft gasp.
Seemingly worried that the beautiful feet would be injured.
Qin Luoxia watched her husband. She did not stand up; she was holding a pair of chopsticks in her hand, gripping them tightly.
She knew this was her husband’s knot in his heart; she had to let her husband solve it himself.
Her husband could do it.
“Eldest Brother told me that day that Sister-in-law was pregnant. I told Eldest Brother that my Sister Yu had been eyed by an old man over forty who wanted to take her as a concubine. You were full of joy that you could add another child, and you are such an upright and honorable person, why didn’t you help me? You only needed to say one word to Master Liu, and he wouldn’t have dared, wouldn’t have dared to trample on us like that.”
“Shut up, don’t you dare mention your sister-in-law.” Jiang Huaisheng gripped the edge of the table, his eyes red, his body trembling slightly with agitation.
He and Jinger were childhood sweethearts, a perfect match. Even after being exiled, Jinger had no complaints and followed him all the way.
He truly loved Jinger.
If something happened to Jinger, he would also… At this moment, Jiang Huaisheng realized that he hated this younger brother. In his heart, he felt extreme disgust toward him. He should go die; Mother was right, he didn’t deserve to live.
“Thump, thump, thump.” Old Madam Jiang’s cane struck the ground heavily, making a sound.
“Enough!” She said.
“How much longer are you going to make a scene and embarrass yourself? There is no overnight grudge between Mother and son. Back then, I just scolded you once, and you got angry and ran away from home, holding a grudge for so many years, and never came to see this old woman. You married without a matchmaker or betrothal, hiding it from your Mother and brother. How is this any different from eloping? Now that you are also a Father, do you know how difficult it is to be a parent? Stop making a scene. While Mr. Gang is here, it’s just right to be a witness. Move back tomorrow.”
After Old Madam Jiang finished speaking, her eyes were teary, looking exactly like a Mother whose heart had been broken by her child.
“Pfft.” At this emotional moment, someone in the crowd suddenly laughed.
That Young Master Zi, who had been expressionless the whole time, suddenly laughed.
Thank you for reading + listening 🙂 I hope you all liked my translations. If you enjoyed my work, please consider buying me a Ko-Fi 😉
