If Jiang Si had only received one plum blossom, Old Madam Feng would have been delighted. Even though there was no chance of becoming a princess consort, receiving a plum blossom from a prince would at least prove her granddaughter was outstanding, bringing glory to the Earl of Dongping’s family. However, Fourth Miss didn’t receive just one plum blossom, or even two, but six!
Regardless of Prince Yan’s intentions in giving all six plum blossoms to the Fourth Miss, it was the Fourth Miss and the Earl of Dongping’s family who were thrust into the spotlight.
How would the nobles interpret a young lady receiving all of a prince’s plum blossoms?
The more Old Madam Feng thought about it, the more uneasy she became. She stared intently at Jiang Si and asked, “Prince Yan gave you all the plum blossoms. What did Princess Consort Zhuang say? And what about Consort Xian?”
Jiang Si answered truthfully, “Princess Consort Zhuang didn’t say anything. Consort Xian said Prince Yan’s actions were improper…”
“Of course it’s improper!” Old Madam Feng stomped her foot again, her expression extremely unpleasant.
No matter how reckless Prince Yan was, he was still a prince. At worst, he might fall out of the Emperor’s favor. But what about Fourth Miss?
Once news of the plum blossom banquet spread, people would call Fourth Miss a femme fatale.
And what good would be said about the Earl of Dongping’s family who raised such a troublemaker?
Old Madam Feng felt terrible just thinking about it.
What had happened to the Earl of Dongping’s family this past year? It was truly a string of misfortunes. Two disowned young ladies, one troublemaker, could the rest even get married?
At this point, there was only one possibility that could save the Earl of Dongping’s family from this embarrassing situation: Fourth Miss becoming Prince Yan’s consort.
But this possibility only flashed through Old Madam Feng’s mind before she scoffed and dismissed it.
Fourth Miss becoming a princess consort? She dared not utter a word of it, lest people laugh their teeth off.
“Fourth Miss, tell me in detail what happened at the plum blossom banquet, especially after Prince Yan gave you the flowers.”
Jiang Si keenly noticed the change in Old Madam Feng’s tone.
Before the plum blossom banquet, she had been gentle and kind. Now, she was utterly aggressive.
Jiang Si slightly curved her lips and unhurriedly recounted the events of the plum blossom banquet to Old Madam Feng.
The old madam was her elder, and she was the younger generation. No matter how impatient she felt, she still had to maintain a basic level of courtesy.
When Old Madam Feng heard that the Emperor had also attended, her face turned as white as if it had been painted, frighteningly pale. Her prayer beads spun rapidly in her hand.
“Go back to Haitang Residence,” Old Madam Feng said in a heavy voice, no longer bothering to look at Jiang Si. “From now on, just read books and embroider in Haitang Residence. Don’t come here unless necessary, and don’t go out anymore.”
As expected, the Emperor and Consort Xian had said the flower-giving meant nothing, clearly not taking Prince Yan’s gesture seriously. Fourth Miss had practically become a laughingstock at the flower banquet. How could the nobles think well of Fourth Miss in the future?
Now, they could only confine Fourth Miss at home to avoid further embarrassment.
Jiang Si raised her eyes to look at Old Madam Feng, her voice slightly cool, “Is Grandmother putting your granddaughter under house arrest?”
Some things could be glossed over, but others needed to be stated clearly.
If she left without a word, and later became Prince Yan’s consort, Grandmother would continue to act like a kind elder, and she would have to show respect.
By directly pointing out Grandmother’s thoughts now, at least when her status changed, she could be a bit colder, and Grandmother would understand and not rely on her status as an elder to overstep.
Old Madam Feng’s face twitched, her eyes filled with shock.
This girl dared to ask such a question!
“What else?” Old Madam Feng stared back at Jiang Si, enunciating each word.
Jiang Si’s expression remained calm, “I don’t know what wrong I’ve done for Grandmother to put me under house arrest?”
Her attitude undoubtedly angered Old Madam Feng, whose mood had already been volatile.
The old madam grabbed a teacup and threw it at her, her voice harsh, “You dare to ask, you shameless thing!”
Jiang Si didn’t dodge, letting the teacup hit her.
The impact was painfully sharp.
The tea was hot, but fortunately, it had cooled somewhat in the cup. It trickled down her clothes, staining her rose-red jacket brown.
Jiang Si sighed inwardly.
What a pity for the new clothes. She had quite liked this rose-red jacket.
The old madam’s voice was like gravel, with a rough sharpness, “It was just a plum blossom banquet, and you caused so much trouble. Do you still want to shamelessly go out and let people point fingers at you? You might not be embarrassed, but the Earl’s family is!”
“What’s going on here?” a voice came from outside.
Jiang Si turned to look and saw Jiang Ancheng and Third Master Jiang entering one after another.
After the new year, some of the Earl’s businesses needed to be reorganized. Jiang Ancheng and Third Master Jiang had left after the Lantern Festival.
Seeing Jiang Si’s disheveled state, Jiang Ancheng’s face suddenly changed. He walked over in a few steps and asked urgently, “Are you scalded?”
Jiang Si shook her head.
Jiang Ancheng shielded her behind him and frowned at Old Madam Feng, “Mother, can’t you discuss things properly? Sier is a young lady after all. How could you raise your hand against her?”
Old Madam Feng pointed at the silent young woman, “You’re still protecting her. She’s so troublesome, all because of your indulgence!”
Jiang Ancheng kicked a small stool, sending it flying, “What exactly happened?”
He had only been gone for a few days, and they were already abusing his daughter. If he were gone longer, would he come back to find his daughter’s corpse?
The flying stool hit the wall with a loud crash, startling the servants outside who kept peeking into the room. Inside, the maid Afu almost lost her footing.
Third Master Jiang quickly grabbed Jiang Ancheng’s arm, “Elder Brother, don’t be agitated. Let’s talk this through calmly.”
Old Madam Feng trembled with anger, “Eldest son, are you trying to hit your mother?”
This unfilial son was truly infuriating!
“Of course, I wouldn’t dare, Mother. I just felt the stool was in the way and enjoyed kicking it.”
“You… get out of my sight!”
Jiang Ancheng didn’t move, “Mother, why don’t you explain what happened that warrants such anger from you.”
“Do you know how much trouble Fourth Miss has caused?”
Old Madam Feng recounted the events of the plum blossom banquet, and Jiang Ancheng became even more agitated, “What? The palace sent the Fourth Miss an invitation to select a consort for the prince. How come I didn’t know about this?”
Furious, he looked around and went to kick the fallen stool again.
“There’s no point discussing that now. Fourth Miss has brought trouble upon herself. If we don’t keep her at home, do you want her to go out and embarrass us?”
Jiang Ancheng sneered, “If we’re talking about shamelessness, it’s Prince Yan who’s shameless. How did this become Sier’s fault? The world might think that way because they’re bullying the weak, but Mother, you’re wise and shouldn’t be influenced by those cowardly, unprincipled people. Calm down, I’ll take Sier away first.”
“Eldest son—” Seeing Jiang Ancheng leave with Jiang Si without looking back, Old Madam Feng, who had stood up and called out several times, was so angry she felt dizzy. Her foot touched the stool that hadn’t settled yet, and she kicked it to the corner of the wall.
What sin had she committed to have such troublesome children, both old and young!
Third Master Jiang silently picked up the small stool, bowed, and retreated.
Now, what had the poor stool done to deserve this?