Chapter 405: Extra: Cause and Effect

At the Jiang family residence, Jiang Chuan’s two pregnant concubines gave birth: one to a boy and the other to a girl.

Madam Jiang, the Duchess of Jingguo, was overjoyed. She heavily rewarded both concubines and even gave Qin Lianyue a piece of expensive jewelry.

Once the two children turned one month old, she took them to her own room.

A few months later, Qin Lianyue also became pregnant.

Madam Jiang then summoned Jiang Chuan and told him to have this son and daughter adopted by his elder brother.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chuan understood his mother’s intention. This was to pass the position to his elder brother, and then to his elder brother’s “son.” Disappointment and dejection were evident on his face, and he did not immediately agree.

When he returned to his room and told Qin Lianyue, she immediately became anxious, no longer pretending to be delicate due to her pregnancy. “They…” she glared at Jiang Chuan hatefully, “I told you long ago, but you didn’t believe me. Now you understand, don’t you? Mother and your sister-in-law have already planned it all out. The title of Duke of Jingguo is meant for your elder brother! They are afraid he won’t be able to inherit it without an heir, so they made you bear a son for him! This is truly disgusting!”

Jiang Chuan remained silent, sulking.

Pregnant women are easily agitated, and Qin Lianyue was now both crying and laughing. “I was such a fool… Jiang Chuan, do you know what I gave up to marry you…”

She shook her head helplessly, a wry smile on her face: After the new Emperor ascended the throne, the first thing he did was to bestow the title of Duke Pingguo upon her cousin. Wen Yu had become a Duchess! If she hadn’t broken off the engagement, she would have had a handsome and devoted husband, and she would also have become a Duchess!

But now…

A sharp pain in her stomach forced her to lie down on the bed.

Although Jiang Chuan didn’t understand what she was saying, he felt truly dejected. Although he had no great ambitions and loved to enjoy life, who wouldn’t want a prestigious title?

He had a good relationship with his elder brother. Although he never wished for anything to happen to him, he did think that if his brother couldn’t hold on any longer, as the only legitimate son, the position would definitely fall to him.

But he never expected his mother to have such a plan… Why?

He was her biological son too. She treated his elder brother well, but she didn’t treat him badly either!

Qin Lianyue suppressed her sadness and put on a scornful expression. “The illegitimate son and daughter have suddenly become the legitimate eldest! Then what about the child in my belly? Jiang Chuan, tell me, what does this make my child?” She shrieked and started hitting her own stomach.

Jiang Chuan was terrified and quickly pulled her back. “What are you doing?!”

“Have you treated me fairly?!” Qin Lianyue cried, her tears and snot running down her face. “I traveled thousands of miles to marry you, but I get nothing in return. What did you promise me back then?!”

Jiang Chuan, also a man who cared about his reputation, retorted, “What did I promise you back then?”

Qin Lianyue choked. This matter was something they had secretly inquired about, and he indeed hadn’t made any promises.

“Then have you treated yourself fairly? Aren’t you Mother’s own son? That illegitimate son is also your son. Mother is doing this to bypass you and me and give the title to your sister-in-law! Don’t you understand?”

“What should we do now?” Jiang Chuan’s head ached from Qin Lianyue’s ranting.

“Go tell Mother that we don’t agree! I’m still pregnant, and they have no regard for me. Jiang Chuan, if anything happens to the child in my belly, I won’t let you off!”

She then went on to repeat everything from the beginning.

Tormented by Qin Lianyue, Jiang Chuan had no choice but to seek out his mother again. Before he even entered the room, he heard laughter from inside. He went in and saw…

His mother and his pale elder brother sitting there. His sister-in-law stood beside his brother, her face full of smiles. The two children were playing in front of them.

Seeing him enter, Jiang’s elder brother glanced at his mother and wife. “Mother, take them out to play! I have something to say to my younger brother.”

Madam Jiang glanced at her two sons, then took her daughter-in-law and the two children out.

“Younger brother.”

“Elder brother…” Jiang Chuan mumbled.

Jiang’s elder brother smiled. “The matter Mother discussed with you, it was actually my idea. Don’t blame her!”

“Elder brother!” His directness made Jiang Chuan feel a bit awkward.

Jiang’s elder brother’s expression turned serious. “The title of Duke of Jingguo is not just an honor, but also a responsibility and a legacy. My health is poor. Back then, Father and Mother also considered passing the burden onto you. I have repeatedly reminded you, but did you listen?”

Jiang Chuan didn’t like hearing this and kept a sullen face.

“All these years, besides playing ball, enjoying yourself, and spending money, what have you done that benefits the family? This time, the imperial court has undergone drastic changes, with many families suffering misfortune and falling from grace. But there are also families that have risen! Even Jinzi has gained merits for supporting the new Emperor. But you? Do you even understand what happened from beginning to end? I’m afraid you still don’t know that I’ve already secured a position in the court, do you?”

“Elder brother…”

“You love to play, and our parents and I couldn’t control you, so you might as well enjoy yourself to the fullest. Don’t try to have it both ways. When you returned from studying at the Qin family and wanted to marry Qin, Mother carefully inquired about her and told you that she was not suitable to be the mistress of the family, not suitable to be your wife. But did you listen then?

After she entered the household, Mother observed her for a long time. Qin has talents, but she has petty schemes without great wisdom. She doesn’t have the temperament to nurture the future head of the Jiang family. Your illegitimate son and daughter, if they were to grow up under her care, they might either be raised poorly or die prematurely. What’s the point of having them then?”

Jiang Chuan lowered his head, agreeing with this point.

“Younger brother, choose the days you like and live happily. You can’t have everything! As your elder brother, I don’t complain that I couldn’t guide you properly. However, you must also understand yourself.”

Jiang Chuan couldn’t find any reason to refute his elder brother’s words, so he mumbled in agreement and left.

“Cousin, how did the talk go?”

Jiang’s elder brother turned and looked at his wife who had quietly entered. He smiled and said, “My younger brother is understanding.”

“Mm. You’ve been busy all day, so take a good rest.”

✿✿✿

“…My health… I’ve wronged you all these years.” Jiang’s elder brother sighed.

“Look at what you’re saying! Being able to marry you, to accompany Mother, I don’t know how happy I am! Besides, if your health was good back then, you wouldn’t have chosen me!”

“Nonsense!”

“It’s not nonsense! Maybe you would have married someone like Duchess Pingguo, Wen, who is both beautiful and capable!”

The couple laughed.

✿✿✿

Basking in the warm sunlight, the Grand Empress Dowager, who didn’t look old at all, strolled around the garden and returned to her room to drink tea. She had heard about Wen Yu’s pregnancy and sighed, “Their child will be incredibly beautiful! If it’s a girl, she’ll be perfect for our Huan Lang.”

The palace maid chuckled. “That’s exactly what the Empress said!”

The Grand Empress Dowager smiled, but her mind drifted back to her childhood self… the plain and chubby girl who always sat in the corner, stuttering and blushing whenever she spoke.

Her mother came from an ordinary background but was beautiful. She could be considered to have married up to her father. Afraid of being looked down upon, she was competitive and strived to surpass her sisters-in-law in everything. She did quite well, until her birth…

She looked just like her elder brother. People said she resembled her deceased great-grandmother.

If her great-grandmother were still alive, this appearance might have brought some favor. But she was already gone.

So, her chubbiness, short stature, round face, and ordinary features became the target of ridicule from her aunts and cousins.

Later, she realized that although she wasn’t as beautiful as her cousins, she was by no means ugly.

They did this simply to attack her mother.

But it was very effective!

She could still recall her mother’s exasperated and disappointed tone in her dreams:

“Eat, eat, eat, all you know is to eat! Look how fat you are, you have no waist!”

“Straighten your neck! Are you a turtle?”

“Look at your scribbles! Not only are you ugly, but you’re also clumsy! What should I do with you?”

Later, her mother even found a governess who was strict and cruel. Those days… every night before going to bed, she would look at the red welts on her thighs from the beatings.

She was always hungry, gradually becoming self-conscious and timid. She stuttered when she spoke and always found a corner to stay by herself.

But even this wasn’t enough!

That day, when they were going to the palace, heaven knows how many outfits and shoes she tried on the day before. But after they arrived, when her cousin was praised, the look of disdain in her mother’s eyes…

At that moment, she truly didn’t want to live anymore!

She hid by the pond, weeping silently.

Then, she heard a gentle voice, “Where did this little girl come from? Why are you crying alone here?”

She would never forget that day, that person. He stood there quietly, smiling at her.

Although his face was pale and his body weak, it couldn’t conceal his elegant demeanor.

He walked over and sat beside her. “What’s wrong? Do you want to tell your big brother?”

For some reason, she trusted him and told him all her painful experiences, sobbing.

From him, she learned that even among family, there are different levels of closeness. Do what you are willing and able to do, and then let everything take its course.

In this world, the most important thing is to cherish yourself!

She also understood that beauty is subjective: thin or plump, different periods have different preferences. But basically, it all revolves around the current trends. Although people live in the world and cannot completely detach themselves, being healthy, happy, and mentally at ease is the most important thing.

She even agreed with her big brother’s opinion that she had decent features, clear eyes, and straight teeth, a very presentable little girl.

“You don’t know how much I envy you!” Her big brother looked at her round face and rosy cheeks…

From that moment on, she let go of her self-doubt. Even if no one else cherished her, she would be good to herself.

Even later, when she was sent to the palace by her family and married to the Emperor who was much older than her, suspicious, and ruthless, she could still find joy amidst hardship.

She could freely tease the Crown Princess who didn’t deserve the title of “big sister”… and promote Prince An according to her family’s wishes, but at the crucial moment, she didn’t hesitate to help the Crown Prince.

Now, although she had no children, she was happy and lived a luxurious life. This was all thanks to the Crown Prince who changed her life that day by the pond.

“Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress has arrived with the little prince!” A palace maid announced.

“Huan Lang is here? Quickly take off my earrings, don’t let that little rascal pull my ears off again, that little brat…”