Chapter 573
Chapter 573
Madame Jiang’s first thought was to hurry back home and avoid that family.
“So, we finally meet, Madam,” Li Zhiwei said as she walked up to Madame Jiang, speaking without the slightest courtesy.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Afraid that Jiang Yuanrang might learn that she had deliberately refused to receive them, Madame Jiang’s eyes darted away. She was filled with regret. She should never have agreed to meet that family.
“You lowly woman! How dare you speak to my aunt so rudely?” Seeing Ah Zhiwei’s overbearing manner, Jiang Siyue stepped between them and shouted angrily.
“Impertinent! You commoners—when you see the Princess Consort of An, why have you not knelt and paid your respects?” Cuiyue immediately stepped in front of Li Zhiwei and scolded them.
“What Princess Consort?” Jiang Siyue asked, utterly bewildered.
“My younger sister is Princess Consort of An. You should pay your respects when you see her.” Standing beside Li Zhiwei, Jiang Yuanrang spoke with a smug look on his face.
“Who knows whether she’s really Princess Consort of An?” Jiang Siyue rolled her eyes, clearly refusing to believe it.
“Oh my, Princess Consort of An! If you needed anything, you only had to send word to this humble official. Why did you come in person?” Hearing that Li Zhiwei had stormed out of the county office, Lu Jinchang hurried after her, terrified.
He was worried that if anything happened to Li Zhiwei, Prince An would twist his head off and use it as a stool.
At the thought, Lu Jinchang secretly wiped the sweat from his brow.
“Lord Lu, don’t let this woman deceive you. She claims to be Princess Consort of An, and you simply believe her? What if she’s an impostor?” Jiang Siyue stood to one side and earnestly tried to persuade Lu Jinchang.
“Where did this insolent girl come from? Does this official need a little brat like you to teach me how to do my job?” Lu Jinchang angrily turned and glared at Jiang Siyue, feeling that the girl had no respect for her elders.
“Lord Lu, I’m only saying this for your own good,” Jiang Siyue said, unwilling to back down.
“Do I need you to teach me how to do my job?” Lu Jinchang inwardly rolled his eyes. Did she really think he couldn’t tell whether this was the real Princess Consort or a fake? He had seen her golden seal himself.
Besides, the entire world knew about Prince An’s wedding.
There had also been word from above some time ago that Prince An’s elder brother-in-law had been found in Lu City.
Thinking about it now, this Jiang family’s eldest young master was probably Prince An’s brother-in-law.
With that realization, Lu Jinchang’s expression grew noticeably more ingratiating when he looked at Jiang Yuanrang.
After all, Jiang Yuanrang was not only Prince An’s brother-in-law but also the only son of the Vice Minister of Revenue.
If Young Master Li could put in a good word for him with the Vice Minister of Revenue, perhaps he might be promoted sooner.
Hearing this, Jiang Siyue looked at Madame Jiang with an aggrieved expression. After all, her aunt had once told her father that even the magistrate of Lu City had to show the Jiang family some respect.
Yet Lord Lu had unexpectedly shown her no consideration at all, reprimanding her in front of outsiders.
“Lord Lu, that was rather harsh. Siyue was only trying to help you. After all, it’s best to be cautious when dealing with someone of unknown origins,” Madame Jiang said pointedly.
“Lord Lu, listen to that. Madam Jiang is being so considerate of you. Why not give her suggestion some thought?” Li Zhiwei said sarcastically.
“This humble official wouldn’t dare!” Lu Jinchang replied nervously. Still, a trace of doubt crept into his heart. Surely no one would dare impersonate the Princess Consort of An…would they?
“Did you hear that? Even Lord Lu wouldn’t dare question my identity. You’re nothing but a mere…” Li Zhiwei cast Jiang Siyue a disdainful look before finishing coldly, “a merchant’s daughter. What gives you the right to question this Princess Consort?”
Li Zhiwei’s lofty, disdainful expression enraged Jiang Siyue. She rushed forward and tried to slap her across the face.
“Guards, arrest this troublemaker and throw her in jail!” Lu Jinchang hurriedly ordered when he saw what was happening.
“On what grounds are you arresting me?” Jiang Siyue’s hand was still raised in midair as she heard Lu Jinchang’s order, and for a moment she did not know how to respond.
She had never imagined that simply wanting to hit this wretched woman would result in the county magistrate ordering her arrest.
The constables did not dare waste time arguing. They hurried forward and seized Jiang Siyue.
“Aunt, save me!” Jiang Siyue cried out in panic to Madame Jiang.
“Lord Lu, is there some misunderstanding?” Madame Jiang anxiously turned to Lu Jinchang.
“Mother, Lord Lu must have his reasons. Don’t interfere. Besides, aren’t we supposed to dine with Father and Mother? Come on.” Jiang Yuanrang did not give Madame Jiang time to hesitate. He took hold of her and started leading her away.
“But your cousin…” Madame Jiang was still worried about Jiang Siyue. Moreover, if Jiang Siyue was not there that evening, what would happen to her plans?
“She hasn’t committed some unforgivable crime. At most, she’ll be locked up for a couple of days before being released. Mother, Siyue is spoiled and willful. She should learn a lesson.” Jiang Yuanrang spoke without the slightest change in expression.
In his heart, however, he was thinking: How long Jiang Siyue stayed locked up had nothing to do with him.
“Princess Consort of An, do you think this official handled the matter appropriately?” Lu Jinchang asked Li Zhiwei obsequiously.
“Not bad.” After saying this, Li Zhiwei swept away with her entourage.
Only then did Lu Jinchang let out a sigh of relief.
“My lord, are we really keeping Miss Jiang locked up?” one of the guards asked uneasily.
The Jiang family held considerable influence in Lu City. Normally, Lord Lu would not dare interfere with anyone from the Jiang family.
But today…
The constables were genuinely worried that after punishing the Jiang family’s cousin, the Jiang family would come knocking on their door the next day to cause trouble.
They did not dare punish Jiang Siyue too harshly.
Jiang Siyue, who had initially been terrified, relaxed when she heard this.
“Let me tell you, I’m the Jiang family’s cousin! My aunt dotes on me most of all. If you take me away, she certainly won’t let you off!” Jiang Siyue shouted at them.
“My lord, we’ve been running a little short of…” One of the constables made a money gesture with his fingers.
Lu Jinchang understood at once. They had recently needed a considerable amount of money.
In the past, the Jiang family had always been willing to provide them with some assistance.
“Release her for now,” Lu Jinchang ordered.
He wondered whether he had only ordered Jiang Siyue punished earlier because the Princess Consort of An had been present. Perhaps he had merely been putting on a show.
The more he thought about it, the less certain he felt.
“Hmph! At least you know what’s good for you!” Jiang Siyue said smugly.
She rubbed her sore hand.
Her heart was filled with venomous resentment toward that wretched woman.
“My lord, what is the punishment for someone who impersonates a princess consort?” Jiang Siyue deliberately moved closer to Lu Jinchang and asked with an innocent expression.
“Hmph. Impersonating a member of the imperial family is a capital offense,” Lu Jinchang replied without hesitation.
“My lord, that woman claims to be Princess Consort of An. Could she be a fake?” After saying this, Jiang Siyue left with a triumphant look on her face.