Farmer girl swaps husbands: buys a sickly villain and pampers him

Chapter 252 Madness
After the little incident, everyone had a pretty good grasp of Su Yaoguang and her daughter's personalities, and anyone with a modicum of intelligence wouldn't dare to provoke them again.

Throughout the entire banquet, everyone got along peacefully, without even a quarrel, making it a rare and quiet meal.

After the meal, servants from the general's mansion brought tea to aid digestion and fruit for dessert.

The women formed an alliance and talked to Zhang Zhaodi. Some fawned over her, while others tried to suppress her. The scene was quite interesting.

"Madam, this is a gift from the General." A servant brought over a cloak and said to Zhang Zhaodi, "The General said it's a bit windy today, so he wants you to keep warm."

Zhang Zhaodi said with a smile, "Our general is always like this, he likes to worry about everything. I'm such a grown woman, and he's still worried that I can't take good care of myself. But we haven't seen each other for many years, and he owes me something, so it's normal for him to go along with everything I say. Madam Xia, Madam Yang, Madam Li, and Madam Wang are much better. They are with their husbands day and night, and their love remains unchanged for ten years. They don't have to be separated for so long, so I'm sure everything goes smoothly for them."

The ladies: "..."

Seeing that Zhang Zhaodi hadn't suffered any loss, Su Yaoguang even subtly and overtly satirized those sharp-tongued ladies.

Which of these aristocratic families didn't have a multitude of wives and concubines in their private quarters? The women she mentioned were in even more chaotic situations. It was precisely because these women were unhappy themselves, and saw others living more comfortably than they did, that they wanted to tear apart their happiness. Little did they know, others weren't fools; how could they possibly allow them to have their way?

Su Yaoguang met several noble ladies and was invited by them to have tea.

"This is the second wife of the Marquis of Jing'an's household." A noblewoman introduced a young woman with her back to Su Yaoguang.

The young woman had her back to her, holding a child in her arms. She then handed the child to a servant beside her and slowly turned to look at her.

When Su Yaoguang saw the face in front of her, the smile on her face disappeared.

Jiang Yihuan.

The second wife of the Marquis of Jing'an?

This means that after being abandoned by Xiao Yanci, she climbed to a new high branch, and this person was a marquis.

Was that a baby she was holding? Could that baby be hers?
Su Yaoguang's expression was strange, while Jiang Yihuan opposite her remained calm with a normal smile, as if the two did not know each other.

"Is this the only daughter of the Grand General of the Nation, Lady Su? I feel an instant connection with you. If you have time, come to the Marquis of Jing'an's residence for tea."

“Alright, Second Madam,” Su Yaoguang said. “But you look so familiar, like someone I used to know. That person’s surname is Jiang. I wonder what your surname is, Second Madam?”

“My surname is Fang,” said Madam Fang, the second wife of the Marquis of Jing’an. “Are you on good terms with this friend surnamed Jiang you mentioned?”

“Oh, we’re like sisters.” Su Yaoguang wiped away her tears. “We were best friends, we grew up together, but one day she fell in love with a heartless man and was dumped by him. I don’t know how she is now. If I could, I’d really like to find her and tell her that man has become a top scholar, and he’s really something…”

Su Yaoguang covered her mouth as she spoke, looking as if she shouldn't have said it but had just revealed everything.

The others looked shocked upon hearing this.

"The third-ranked scholar? Could he be the newly appointed third-ranked scholar?" the people nearby whispered among themselves.

"Isn't that Scholar Xiao already engaged to Prime Minister Wang and going to marry Wang Ruyan soon? If that man has been married before, wouldn't Wang Ruyan become his second wife? What's the difference between that and a concubine? Do you think Wang Ruyan knows about this?"

"She's such a proud person, she probably doesn't know! If she did, she'd be too ashamed to face anyone."

"Do you think this second madam is really the friend Miss Su mentioned?"

Listening to their conversation and hearing Su Yaoguang mention Xiao Yanci, Madam Fang said with a stern face, "I am the second wife of the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion, and the current heir of the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion is my son. I am not the friend you mentioned, nor do I know any newly appointed third-ranked scholar. Even if your friend was really bullied by the newly appointed third-ranked scholar, that is your friend's business, don't pin it on me."

"Second Madam, please don't get so agitated. I only said you look alike, not that you are that woman. My friend has a mole on his wrist; Second Madam shouldn't have one, right?"

Fang pressed her wrist and said calmly, "Of course not."

The baby's cries eased the awkward atmosphere. Fang, citing the need to care for the child and the fact that the child disliked crowded places, left the general's mansion with the child and servants.

As Su Yaoguang watched Fang Shi leave, she was certain that this person was Jiang Yihuan.

If she is Jiang Yihuan, then what's going on in this situation?

"That Fang lady was the second wife. As far as I know, the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion currently only has one branch of the family. Where did this claim of a second wife come from?"

“Miss Su, you may not know this, but the second wife does not refer to the wife of the second son of the family. Rather, it refers to the second wife of Marquis Jing’an. Compared to the first wife, she is a newly promoted commoner wife. Marquis Jing’an’s first wife was in poor health and was bedridden for many years. The affairs of the inner courtyard were originally handled by the dowry maid, but now this commoner wife is in charge.”

"That child just now..."

"That's the son that the second wife gave birth to for Marquis Jing'an. Marquis Jing'an had three daughters but no sons. He was recuperating at the estate for half a year, and when he returned to the capital, he actually brought back a pregnant woman."

"His first wife was already frail and sickly, and hadn't cared about his affairs for a long time. Unexpectedly, she kindly let the other woman stay to rest during her pregnancy, and after the child was born, a concubine was directly promoted to a secondary wife. Marquis Jing'an told his first wife that this was to give the child face. Marquis Jing'an is fifty years old this year, and he can still have a son of his own. How could he not be happy? He gave her whatever she wanted. This is no secret in the capital; everyone knows it."

Su Yaoguang had heard this story before when she was doing business, but no one told her that the female protagonist of the story was actually that shameless woman, Jiang Yihuan, who haunted her like a ghost.

Jiang Yihuan is now the wife of the Marquis of Jing'an, and Xiao Yanci has climbed up the social ladder by marrying into the Wang family. This couple is truly a pair of scumbags, both equally fond of clinging to powerful figures and seeking connections.

If Xiao Yanci knew that Jiang Yihuan had entered the capital and even become the principal wife of a nobleman, I wonder what his reaction would be.

"What are you thinking about?" Zhou Wangshu waved his hand in front of Su Yaoguang.

Su Yaoguang looked around and found that everyone else had left, leaving only her and Zhou Wangshu in the pavilion that had originally been full of people.

"When did they leave?" "While you were lost in thought. I saw you were thinking about something, so I didn't disturb you. Instead, I had the butler see the guests out."

"I just saw someone." Su Yaoguang pulled Zhou Wangshu down to sit and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. "How much did you drink?"

“My father-in-law’s military friends are such heavy drinkers. If it weren’t for my father-in-law’s pity on me, I wouldn’t have been able to get off the table!” Zhou Wangshu said, then asked, “Who did you see?”

“Jiang Yihuan,” Su Yaoguang said, “I tested her a bit, and she didn’t admit that she was Jiang Yihuan. She said her surname was Fang, and everyone else called her Madam Fang. But I’ve been fighting with Jiang Yihuan for so long. Even if her own mother doesn’t recognize her, I can’t possibly mistake her. I’ll recognize that woman even if she’s turned to ashes.”

"If it's her, then she's really lucky. Her brother died under suspicious circumstances, and later her mother also disappeared in a strange way. Everyone thought that she was probably doomed too, but unexpectedly, she not only survived, but is living such a comfortable life."

"The second wife of Marquis Jing'an..." Zhou Wangshu tried hard to recall the scene just now, "She was a fairly honest and kind man. So many people were trying to get me to drink, but he was the only one who drank for me, so I have a deep impression of him."

"Honest and simple-minded is the best. Jiang Yihuan has always liked to target men like that. However, she really went all out to climb the social ladder. She was old enough to be a father to him, yet she still had a child with him."

"Alright, let's not think about this anymore," Zhou Wangshu said. "If she doesn't bother you, let's just pretend she doesn't exist. Whether she's from the Fang family or Jiang Yihuan, it has nothing to do with us."

“Her affairs have nothing to do with us, but…” Su Yaoguang leaned closer and said mysteriously, “They are related to Xiao Ci. Let’s find a way to let these two former lovers meet and let them know each other’s new identities. That way, we can at least have a few good shows to enjoy.”

"You really are the type to stir up trouble." Zhou Wangshu pinched her nose. "Leave this to me. I'll definitely get those two former lovers together sooner rather than later. Maybe we'll even see a good show of their old flames rekindled."

Su Yaoguang fell into deep thought.

Is the old flame rekindled?
Their breakup was so unpleasant. Most importantly, he caught Jiang Yihuan cheating on him. Any man with a shred of self-respect would never have anything to do with a woman like that. But Xiao Ci is no ordinary man.

The Wang family was not invited to today's banquet, and therefore Xiao Ci was not invited either.

This wonderful reunion of former lovers can only be performed another day. They certainly have the energy to put on a show today, but unfortunately, the venue is not right.

At this moment, inside the carriage, 'Fang Shi', also known as Jiang Yihuan, was furiously clutching her handkerchief, her face as dark and grim as a cloud.

The maid beside her dared not utter a sound.

Unlike the first wife, who appeared stern but was compassionate at heart and rarely made things difficult for servants, this second wife handled matters in a way that was always convincing.

This second wife, Madam Fang, was different. She was gentle and submissive in front of the Marquis, but her expression immediately changed once the Marquis was not around.

Now, for some reason, she's acting strangely, her expression contorted and ugly, her eyes seeming like she wants to devour someone alive.

"Is the Grand General who protects the nation greater, or our Marquis?"

The maidservant quickly said, "Our Marquis's title is hereditary and will be passed on to the young master. No matter how powerful the Protector-General is, he earned his position through his own abilities. The Protector-General has no son, and once he falls out of the Emperor's favor, the position of Protector-General will eventually belong to someone else. At that time, the wives and daughters of generals will be just ordinary people, far inferior to our Marquis's family."

Jiang Yihuan's complexion improved.

“Yes, my lord’s title is hereditary, and I will be his mother from now on.” Jiang Yihuan looked at the child in the cradle, her eyes full of ambition.

Before attending the banquet, she was unaware that the wife and daughter of the Grand General were actually this mother and daughter. She had seen Su Yaoguang first, which was why she was able to deal with her so calmly.

She doesn't admit that she is Jiang Yihuan, and with Su Yaoguang's brain, she probably wouldn't be able to tell.

Jiang Yihuan died on the day she witnessed Xiao Yanci murdering her mother.

Xiao Yanci...

Jiang Yihuan trembled all over at the mere thought of this man's name.

Previously, Su Yaoguang said that Jiang Yihui's death was related to Xiao Yanci. At that time, she said that Su Yaoguang deliberately sowed discord between them until her mother disappeared. She happened to witness her mother's 'disappearance' and dared not show up again, so she secretly left that county.

However, Jiang Yihuan has always been lucky.

After leaving the county town, she ran out of money and decided to beg to make ends meet. That's when she met Marquis Jing'an, Li Su.

Li Su has been poisoned and needs an antidote, and she is that antidote.

This passage is very similar to the scenes of men and women meeting in traditional storybooks. In many storybooks, men and women have a one-night stand due to some improper or illicit affair, and from then on, they are physically connected and begin to have emotional entanglements.

The difference is that the male protagonist in her storybook is too old and too ugly. She has to close her eyes and force herself to be nauseous while she pleases him.

Sure enough, her efforts paid off; she became pregnant on the way and successfully secured a place for herself with him.

He took her back to the Marquis's mansion. At first, she was just a concubine. But after she gave birth to the only son in the mansion, and through repeated whispers in her ear, she successfully became a secondary wife and even gave her son the right of inheritance.

"Second Madam, I heard that the First Madam is feeling better and will be taking charge of things soon," said the maid beside her. "The eldest young lady, who is already married, has found her a doctor from somewhere, and that doctor's medical skills are extremely high."

"What's that doctor's surname and name?" Once she found out, she could bribe him with some silver. Then, she could decide when the lady of the house would die.
"It seems his surname is Jiang, and he works in a cosmetics shop called... Peach Blossom Inn," the maid said. "Yes, that Doctor Jiang is the physician in Peach Blossom Inn."

Jiang Yihuan's face darkened: "Why is it them again? Do they have a grudge against me? I run into them everywhere."

"Does Madam know this doctor? Should we still go to see her?" the maid asked.

"There's no need to look for her anymore; it's useless anyway." When Jiang Yihuan heard that the doctor was Jiang Jing, she knew that her previous plan was doomed to fail.

Jiang Jing's medical skills are superb, so she has to stop her from treating that first wife, otherwise her position as the second wife will really be in jeopardy.