As Jiang Yi was about to struggle to speak, Jiang Si naturally stepped forward and took her arm, lightly pricking her with a needle coated with a paralyzing poison.
Jiang Yi immediately felt numb all over, unable to even make a sound.
Jiang Si steadily supported Jiang Yi, saying gently, “Elder Sister, let’s go.”
Since her elder sister’s greatest concern was Yan’yan, it was even more important not to let her display heart-wrenching emotions when leaving her daughter. Otherwise, if the Zhu family used this against them, it would be harder to take Yan’yan away from the Zhu residence in the future.
Jiang Yi’s silence made Jiang Ancheng breathe a sigh of relief.
He had feared his eldest daughter would stubbornly refuse to leave, making it impossible for him to maintain a tough stance.
Fortunately, his eldest daughter was still sensible.
Jiang Ancheng gave Jiang Si a look, signaling her to move quickly.
However, Jiang Si was in no hurry. She handed Jiang Yi over to Jiang Zhan to support, then smiled at Madam Zhu, “Madam Zhu, didn’t my elder sister bring back a maid named Qing’er when she went to offer incense at Baiyun Temple recently?”
Zhu Ziyu suddenly looked at Jiang Si.
Jiang Si met his gaze unflinchingly, giving Zhu Ziyu a bright smile.
She wanted Zhu Ziyu to be on edge, unable to sleep at night, lest he think everyone was a fool after committing such harmful acts.
Madam Zhu was already in an extremely bad mood, and hearing Jiang Si’s words made her expression even darker as she stared at her silently.
Jiang Si’s lips still held a faint smile, creating an inexplicable chill in the tense atmosphere.
“I don’t know if my elder sister mentioned to Madam Zhu, but Qing’er was bought by me, so she’s considered my person. Since my elder sister is returning home today, I’ll take Qing’er with me as well.”
Zhu Ziyu’s eyes suddenly narrowed, staring intently at Jiang Si.
But Jiang Si ignored him, smiling at Madam Zhu, “Does Madam Zhu agree?”
At a time like this, Madam Zhu hardly cared about a small maid’s comings and goings, and immediately ordered someone to call for Qing’er.
Soon after, a maid with delicate features entered.
Seeing it was indeed Qing’er, Jiang Si said coldly, “Let’s go.”
Qing’er was stunned and instinctively looked towards Zhu Ziyu.
Zhu Ziyu kept his head down, looking like a frost-bitten eggplant, no longer the spirited man he once was.
Jiang Si coldly stared at Qing’er, “Reluctant to leave?”
Qing’er’s expression changed slightly, and she quickly averted her gaze, not daring to look again.
“Brother-in-law, Brother-in-law—” Zhu Shaoqing came to his senses and chased after Jiang Ancheng.
Madam Zhu hadn’t expected her usually docile daughter-in-law to leave without a word, following her natal family. Only then did she realize the gravity of the situation.
If Jiang Yi left like this today, Earl Dongping would surely not let the matter rest, and her son’s future would truly be ruined.
Madam Zhu immediately signaled to her headmaid.
The head maid understood and left, returning shortly after with Yan’yan in her arms.
“Yan’yan, your mother is leaving and won’t be coming back. Quickly, go after her.”
Just as Jiang Ancheng was leading his children to the main gate, a child’s cries rang out, “Mother, Mother, where are you going? Are you abandoning Yan’yan?”
Everyone’s steps faltered.
Her daughter’s cries shattered Jiang Yi’s heart, but she couldn’t move, not even able to turn her head to look at her daughter.
Jiang Ancheng, watching his young granddaughter running from afar, rarely showed such a cold expression. He said firmly, “Zhan’er, Si’er, help your elder sister into the carriage!”
Jiang Zhan hesitated slightly, “Father—”
“Are you deaf?” Jiang Ancheng shouted.
Jiang Zhan sighed heavily.
Seeing her mother boarding the carriage, Yan’yan cried even more heart-wrenchingly, stumbling as she ran.
Jiang Zhan could no longer hold back. He jumped down from the carriage, ran over to pick up Yan’yan, and comforted her lovingly, “Don’t cry, Yan’yan. Uncle will take you to your maternal grandfather’s house to play.”
The Zhu family’s people immediately blocked Jiang Zhan’s path.
Jiang Zhan was furious, “What? Yan’yan can’t go to her maternal grandfather’s house?”
Madam Zhu was in turmoil but maintained her composure on the surface, “Of course, Yan’yan can go to her maternal grandfather’s house, but not at this time.”
She looked towards Jiang Ancheng in the distance, “Brother-in-law, Yan’yan bears the Zhu surname after all. The issues between adults haven’t been resolved yet, so it’s not appropriate for you to take the child away.”
Jiang Ancheng was momentarily silent.
He admitted that Madam Zhu was right.
Yan’yan was his only granddaughter, and of course, he cared for her, but taking Yan’yan away now indeed wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny.
As Madam Zhu said, Yan’yan bore the Zhu surname. Taking her away at this time would make the Jiang family lose the moral high ground, even if they were in the right.
Jiang Si jumped down from the carriage and instructed Old Qin, “Take my elder sister back to the Earl’s mansion first.”
Old Qin nodded and cracked the whip, driving the carriage away.
Jiang Si walked back, standing shoulder to shoulder with her father and brother.
“Zhan’er, hand Yan’yan over to Madam Zhu,” Jiang Ancheng said with a stern face.
“Father!”
“Do as I say!”
“Ah!” Jiang Zhan stomped his foot hard and handed Yan’yan to Madam Zhu.
Madam Zhu took Yan’yan and passed her to a nearby old woman. Seeing that the carriage had already gone far, keeping Yan’yan here was pointless, so she instructed the old woman to take Yan’yan back.
“Wait a moment.”
Madam Zhu looked warily at Jiang Si.
For some reason, whenever this seemingly gentle and weak Fourth Miss Jiang spoke, she began to feel uneasy.
Jiang Si walked past Madam Zhu towards Yan’yan.
“What does Miss Jiang want to do?”
Jiang Si ignored Madam Zhu’s question and bent down slightly to speak softly to Yan’yan, “Yan’yan, Auntie promises you that we’ll come to pick you up soon to see your mother. Will you promise Auntie not to cry anymore?”
“Really?”
“Of course it’s true.” Jiang Si held out her hand, “Pinky promise.”
Yan’yan sniffled, hesitantly extending her little finger.
After Yan’yan was carried away by the Zhu family’s old woman, Jiang Si turned around and bowed slightly to Mr. and Mrs. Zhu Shaoqing, “Please take good care of my niece. The Jiang family will send someone to pick her up soon.”
Jiang Si’s composure successfully provoked Madam Zhu.
Madam Zhu’s face darkened as she said sternly, “Don’t even think about it!”
Jiang Si looked at Madam Zhu in surprise.
She had thought this mother-in-law, known for her strictness in her elder sister’s words, would be more composed. She didn’t expect her to lose her cool so quickly.
This was indeed Jiang Si being unreasonable.
No one can be completely unaffected by emotions, and Madam Zhu was no exception.
Her pride and joy of a son had suddenly become a beast who abandoned his wife and deceived an unmarried young lady, and she had been repeatedly provoked by a young girl like Jiang Si. Anyone would be furious and embarrassed in such a situation.
Jiang Si didn’t understand Madam Zhu’s feelings.
In her view, for a son to behave so inhumanely and for his mother to still be so overbearing, they truly deserved to be taught a lesson.
The young lady’s gaze was icy, her smile even colder as she enunciated each word, “Then let’s wait and see.”
Passing by Jiang Zhan, Jiang Si reached out and pulled him, “Second Brother, let’s go.”
On the way back, Jiang Zhan kept glancing at Jiang Si.
Jiang Si turned her head, “Why are you looking at me like that, Second Brother?”
“Fourth Sister, I’ve realized you’re quite good at intimidating people.”
Jiang Si rolled her eyes at Jiang Zhan, “Who says I’m just intimidating people?”
To help her elder sister move past the shadow of the Zhu family, they must bring Yan’yan over.
“You have a way to bring Yan’yan away?” Jiang Zhan became excited.
Jiang Si glanced at Qing’er, who was following behind with her head down and nodded slightly.