Chapter 597
Chapter 597
“Miss, I can see that Young Master Yuanjie is busy at the moment. I’m sure he’ll come back to you once he’s finished,” Lan’er said quickly, trying to soothe Jiang Siyue’s anger.
“Hmph! What could a mere illegitimate son possibly be busy with? I think he believes that marrying me means he’s already secured the Jiang family,” Jiang Siyue said, her face full of displeasure.
Lan’er lowered her head and did not dare reply.
In her heart, she felt that today was a joyous occasion, and with so many guests at the Jiang family’s banquet, it was only natural for the young master to be busy.
But Miss was clearly furious, and would probably not appreciate her speaking up on his behalf.
“Where is Aunt?” Jiang Siyue asked unhappily.
She was determined to find Madame Jiang and have a proper word with her.
She was Madame Jiang’s own niece, after all.
Madame Jiang would surely take her side.
Besides, the reason Jiang Yuanjie had been able to become the Jiang family’s next heir was all thanks to her.
At the wedding banquet, Madame Jiang watched as Jiang Yuanjie chatted animatedly with the various merchants. A sense of relief filled her heart.
Even without Jiang Yuanrang, the Jiang family was still functioning perfectly well.
“Madam, look at Young Master Yuanjie speaking with those gentlemen. He’s becoming more and more like the head of the Jiang family,” Nanny Tang said with a smile.
“Yes. Jie’er is a good child,” Madame Jiang said, nodding with satisfaction.
“Your cousin will certainly be blessed in the future,” Nanny Tang praised with a smile.
“All I ask is that the Jiang family not fall apart in my hands.” Madame Jiang was in a good mood, and Nanny Tang’s words clearly pleased her.
“Madam, what about Madam Song?” Nanny Tang asked, glancing uneasily at Concubine Song, who was watching Jiang Yuanjie with a broad smile.
“Leave her be. She knows what is best for Jie’er,” Madame Jiang said indifferently.
Madam Song was an intelligent woman. She certainly would not try to take Jiang Yuanjie away from her at a time like this.
“Oh, elder sister-in-law, you certainly picked up a bargain—a son for nothing,” Madam Feng remarked sarcastically from nearby.
Back then, she had wanted to have her own sons, Young Master Da and Young Master Li, adopted into the main branch, but Madame Jiang had refused no matter what.
Yet now, Madame Jiang had adopted a son from the second branch. Wasn’t that a slap in her face?
What angered her most was that both of her sons were now injured.
Wouldn’t they have to rely on this illegitimate son for their livelihood in the future? The thought made Madam Feng furious.
“This is all thanks to Concubine Song for giving me such a fine son,” Madame Jiang said with a smile, turning toward Concubine Song.
Madame Jiang naturally knew what was bothering Madam Feng, but so what?
The more unhappy Madam Feng was, the happier she felt.
“Thank you for your praise, Madam,” Concubine Song said with a smile, giving Madame Jiang a curtsy.
Today was her son’s wedding day.
Although she did not like Jiang Siyue, her son would be the Jiang family’s heir from now on.
What kind of woman could he not marry in the future?
“Hmph! You really think he’s so wonderful?” Madam Feng said unhappily to Madame Jiang.
“Madam, I know you dislike me and Jie’er, but today Jie’er is the legitimate son of the main branch. As his aunt, you should not be finding fault with him at a time like this,” Concubine Song said without hesitation.
In the past, she would have shown Madam Feng some consideration.
But Second Master was now injured so badly that he was unlikely to recover.
Her greatest support was her son.
How could Concubine Song allow Madam Feng to criticize him?
Besides, whether the people of the second branch would be able to continue living in the Jiang residence in the future would be entirely up to her son.
“What Concubine Song says is true. Now that Second Master and both nephews have married, shouldn’t you move out?” Madame Jiang looked mockingly at Madam Feng. She had wanted to drive them out for a long time.
Everything in the Jiang family had nothing to do with the second branch.
“Madame Jiang, what do you mean by that?” Madam Feng immediately bristled.
Could it be that the main branch intended to seize the entire Jiang family’s property for itself?
“Since the family estate was earned single-handedly by my husband, it has nothing to do with the second branch. Back then, my husband was kind enough to let you stay in the Jiang residence, which was already more than generous. You’ve lived here for so many years, and even Jie’er is now married. Isn’t it time for you to move out?” Madame Jiang looked at Madam Feng without the slightest mercy.
She might as well have called them poor relatives who had come to mooch off the family.
Madam Feng’s face turned pale, then green, then pale again.
Although she knew that Madame Jiang was speaking the truth, how could she bear to leave the Jiang residence?
“Elder sister-in-law, my husband and both my sons are seriously ill and confined to their beds. If you make us move out at a time like this, aren’t you forcing us onto the road to ruin?” Madam Feng wiped her tears with a handkerchief and began to complain tearfully.
She knew that confronting Madame Jiang head-on would get her nowhere.
“Besides, the second branch was originally counting on Jie’er. Now that you’ve adopted him into the main branch, what hope is left for us?”
After saying this, Madam Feng looked at Madame Jiang with a trace of smugness in her eyes.
Madame Jiang wanted to discuss this matter in front of everyone today? Then she did not mind letting everyone see how the main branch behaved.
They wanted to drive the second branch out of the Jiang family?
Not a chance!
“There is an estate outside the city that would be suitable for Second Uncle and the two nephews to recuperate. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone take you there,” Madame Jiang said without hesitation.
“No!” Madam Feng grew anxious the moment she heard this.
How could she leave at a time like this?
“Second sister-in-law, although both of your sons are injured, both of their wives are pregnant. The second branch is not without heirs, is it? Besides, that estate really is suitable for Second Uncle and the two nephews to recover. Surely you aren’t deliberately refusing to take them there because you want to continue mooching off the Jiang family?” Madame Jiang looked at Madam Feng strangely as she spoke.
She might as well have accused Madam Feng of refusing to take her husband and sons for treatment so that she could continue enjoying a comfortable life herself.
“You’re talking nonsense!” Madam Feng shouted angrily.
She could not afford to carry such a reputation.
“If we’re going, then Concubine Song is one of us from the second branch. She should come with us as well.” Madam Feng turned toward Concubine Song, who had just been opposing her, and smiled triumphantly.
As long as Concubine Song stayed with the second branch, Jiang Yuanjie could not possibly abandon them.
Once she had Jiang Yuanjie under her control, wouldn’t she have the entire Jiang family in her grasp?
She did not believe Jiang Yuanjie would dare defy his adoptive mother.
Concubine Song pressed her lips tightly together.
She knew Madam Feng’s words were reasonable.
As long as Jiang Huaishan was still alive, she would remain his concubine.
There was no reason for her to stay in the Jiang family’s main residence while Jiang Huaishan was sent away to the estate.
“I should naturally remain by my master’s side,” Concubine Song said, lowering her eyes.
Concubine Song understood that she would probably have to endure some hardship at Madam Feng’s hands.
However, before the group could celebrate, a commotion suddenly broke out among the guests.
A commotion had indeed broken out in the middle of the banquet.