Chapter 7: Anger Unleashed

On the way back, Jiang Wu was still in a gloomy mood.

She was unhappy because she hadn’t seen Mo Yangzhou, and the thought of having to face Chu Ling’s deadpan expression later made her even more sullen.

Why hasn’t Chu Yan come back yet?

Jiang Wu didn’t dare to bring up divorce herself—who would dare mention divorce to the Prime Minister? How could she embarrass him like that?

Talking about divorce was a way to save face for herself, but in reality, it was just waiting for him to dismiss her, becoming a discarded wife. Oh… her barren mind suddenly realized, not a widow, but a cast-off woman.

Ugh, worse than a widow.

Jiang Wu was burning with anger as she was about to step through the main gate when Chu Yi called out to her.

“Madam.”

“What is it?” Her mood was so sour that her tone was sharp.

Chu Yi hesitated for a moment, then cautiously reminded her, “Do you remember what day it is today?”

Jiang Wu wasn’t in the mood to be kind. If it were Chu Ling’s death anniversary, she wouldn’t forget it for a moment.

Seeing her expression, Chu Yi knew she had forgotten and whispered, “Today is the eighteenth anniversary of your marriage to Master.”

Jiang Wu froze, then quickly snapped out of it. She had forgotten the date, but the gift had already been prepared in advance. She hurriedly waved for Zhizhi to fetch it from the room.

At the same time, she glanced toward Chu Yi, who was wearing the same deadpan expression as her master. Jiang Wu wondered why the executioner was being so considerate today.

She must have been out of her mind these past few days to forget this date.

But then again, Chu Ling might not remember either.

Speaking of this cursed date, Jiang Wu was really bringing trouble upon herself. Back then, she had been madly devoted to Chu Ling, remembering every little detail clearly, always finding excuses to be with him.

Regret! Now, thinking back, Jiang Wu wished she could slap herself twice.

Once something has begun, it cannot easily end. Just as she was slowly trying to forget these dates, Chu Ling casually said, “Have you not been paying much attention lately?”

Jiang Wu immediately became uneasy.

If she hadn’t before and didn’t now, then it was fine.

If she had before but didn’t anymore, that was definitely neglect!

Who dares to neglect the lord of this mansion?

As for this inexplicable wedding anniversary, it wasn’t hard to remember. It was shortly after the Duchess’s birthday. If she hadn’t been overwhelmed by one thing after another, she wouldn’t have forgotten.

***

When she arrived at the front hall, Chu Ling was indeed waiting there. The large table of food looked barely touched.

“My lord.”

Jiang Wu had reined in all her moods and put on a very obedient expression.

Chu Ling glanced at her coolly.

“Sit.”

Jiang Wu carefully sat at a lower position beside him. When he picked up his chopsticks, she did the same.

She reached for a dish nearby, which happened to be her favorite fish, and put it in her mouth… but it didn’t taste good. It was cold and had a slight fishy smell.

She frowned and secretly glanced at Chu Ling. The man ate with elegant movements, his face expressionless.

“My lord,” she cautiously spoke, “the food is cold. Shall we ask the kitchen to warm it up?”

Chu Ling gave her a cold glance. “You came back late yourself, and you still want to trouble the kitchen?”

Jiang Wu’s eyes widened.

How rare! This scoundrel was afraid of troubling others? When he killed without blinking, did he ever say it troubled anyone?

But she wasn’t foolish—she knew Chu Ling was blaming her for not coming back earlier.

Under his roof, one must bow.

She silently repeated that three times in her heart and shoved the fish into her mouth without a sound.

“Why cut down the tree?” Chu Ling suddenly asked again.

The tree had already been replanted; why was he still looking for trouble? Jiang Wu thought this but dared not speak, struggling to think of an explanation. Since she had none, she remained silent.

“You’re not speaking now?” Chu Ling’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. “Before, you said Nian Yin and A Ye wouldn’t forgive me, and you were quite talkative then, weren’t you?”

Jiang Wu remembered how she had boldly lost her temper before and dared not speak now. Her chopsticks remained motionless in her hands.

Perhaps because she had been with Chu Ling for so long, she vaguely felt that he didn’t sound angry this time.

“Is it because it’s planted for Chu Yan, so you’re unhappy?”

When Chu Ling said this, Jiang Wu’s suspicion grew even stronger. She didn’t consider that he might be scolding her.

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and caught a trace of pleasure in his gaze for a moment.

Jiang Wu thought it over and realized that Chu Ling believed she was jealous! He was actually happy to see her jealousy.

Realizing this, Jiang Wu felt like vomiting.

Yes, who wouldn’t want to see beauties fighting over their favor? She really couldn’t understand why he didn’t take more concubines to fully enjoy that.

She felt sick but had to comfort herself: well, as long as he’s happy, everything will be peaceful. Then, riding on his good mood, she said, “Today is the eighteenth anniversary of our marriage. My lord, I have prepared a gift for you.”

Chu Ling looked over, but not at her—his eyes went to Chu Yi.

Jiang Wu cursed his sharpness in her mind, then stood up to block his view.

“Zhizhi.”

Zhizhi brought over a nanmu wood box. Jiang Wu took it and handed it to Chu Ling.

The man didn’t question further. After a moment’s pause, he opened the box to reveal a jade pendant.

Jiang Wu didn’t mind. Year after year, gifts were exchanged—there weren’t enough holidays to give presents every day. Just give whatever caught your eye. Chu Ling never criticized her for it.

But this time, Chu Ling looked at the pendant for a long time, making Jiang Wu’s heart pound. She couldn’t tell from his face whether he liked it or not.

Finally, she saw him pick up the pendant, turning it over carelessly in his hand. She stared at his hand, and after a long while, he spoke.

“You put thought into this.”

Jiang Wu breathed a sigh of relief, ready to say “You’re welcome,” but the next words came.

“But does Madam really like this pendant? It’s been the same for three years.”

From the moment she heard “Madam,” a shiver ran through Jiang Wu’s body, making her feel nauseous. Hearing the rest, she felt even worse.

“Huh?”

The same? Was she giving the same gift?

Chu Ling even kindly explained, “The year before last was your birthday, last year was the Qixi Festival, this year—” He glanced at Jiang Wu and stopped speaking. From that look, she read dissatisfaction.

It was over. This wasn’t about thoughtfulness; it was a criticism of her carelessness.

Of course, she truly didn’t remember what she had given Chu Ling before. Admitting it was out of the question.

So Jiang Wu smiled, “I just saw that you really liked it, so I gave it. It seems people can like the same…”

The word “thing” disappeared from her mouth when she saw the shattered pendant. The broken pieces were not just of the jade pendant, but also of her heart.

Terrifying.

Jiang Wu didn’t know how she had offended this unlucky star. This time Chu Ling’s anger was palpable—not only to her but also to the servants in the room, who all quickly knelt down.

After a moment’s shock, Jiang Wu suddenly realized that Chu Ling was thinking of Chu Yan.

After all, at the beginning, Chu Yan’s beloved was her fiancé. For Chu Ling, this was a suppressed illicit love; for Chu Yan, it was her lifelong older brother.

She liked someone else.

So, what had Jiang Wu said? He must have thought she was mocking him—that even if Chu Yan returned, she wouldn’t love him. After all these years, she couldn’t even flatter him properly.

Jiang Wu knelt down as well, trembling with fear.