Days flowed by like water. Jiang Li remained as arrogant and domineering as before, provocatively making remarks from time to time. However, since Jiang Ruan paid her little heed, it was Jiang Susu and her mother whose attitude toward her had become somewhat subtle. Whether it was that she now saw people differently or that Jiang Susu and her mother could no longer maintain their composure, their words had carried hints of confrontation several times. Although Madam Jiang treated Jiang Ruan with neither warmth nor coldness, she wouldn’t deliberately suppress her either. In the blink of an eye, it was time for Jiang Quan and Jiang Chao to return to the manor.
With the year’s end approaching, there were many social obligations in officialdom. Jiang Quan had said he would return to the manor some days ago, but his superior had matters that delayed him, dragging things out until today before he finally returned. Xia Yan was naturally extremely happy, having people prepare and arrange things early on. She said they must have a lively reunion dinner—Jiang Quan had worked hard outside for the Jiang Manor for a whole year and deserved proper reward.
Jiang Li and Jiang Susu were also very pleased, though Jiang Susu displayed calm indifference, her smile was unstoppable. Although Jiang Quan was not affectionate toward his legitimate daughter, he truly doted on Jiang Susu. In her previous life, he would rather risk offending the supreme ruler in the palace than protect Jiang Susu, which showed this clearly. Jiang Susu should be the daughter Jiang Quan was most proud of. He spared no affection in lavishing it on Jiang Susu, even using Jiang Ruan herself to pave the way for Jiang Susu. Thinking of it now, she didn’t know whether to feel desolate or angry.
It could only be said that Jiang Quan perhaps truly held affection for Xia Yan, which was why he so doted on their daughter, and Jiang Chao was the same. In contrast, regarding Jiang Ruan and Jiang Xinzhi, Jiang Quan had never paid them attention—neither beating nor scolding them, nor being affectionate, treating them more like two irrelevant outsiders. Even Jiang Li could earn Jiang Quan’s good graces because of Second Aunt’s family influence, but not these two siblings.
This made sense too. Zhao Mei had long severed relations with General Zhao, could provide no assistance in officialdom, and had originally requested to marry down herself. Having gained advantage in neither emotion nor power, how could Jiang Quan have half a bit of pity for her? Thus he let her and Jiang Xinzhi become stepping stones for Jiang Susu’s siblings. If they blocked Jiang Susu’s siblings’ bright future, he would mercilessly remove them.
Lost in these thoughts, Jiang Ruan forgot about the tea soup in her hands, accidentally spilling a few drops. Bai Zhi at her side saw this and hurriedly said: “Miss, be careful.”
Jiang Ruan came back to her senses, steadying her teacup, and asked: “Has father returned?”
Lian Qiao walked in from outside. Hearing Jiang Ruan’s words, she said: “Just returned, currently speaking with Madam and the old madam.” She glanced left and right before lowering her voice: “However, his complexion doesn’t look good, as if he’s encountered something unpleasant.”
Bai Zhi said curiously: “Perhaps it’s official business.”
Just then Lu Zhu came running in hastily, her face bearing a somewhat cunning smile. Lian Qiao scolded: “Acting so recklessly—aren’t you afraid of disturbing miss?”
Jiang Ruan said: “If you have something to say, speak.”
“Miss is truly divine,” Lu Zhu blinked: “This servant just went to the front to inquire and learned the reason for master’s displeasure.”
Lu Zhu was young with a sweet tongue and quick wits. In her daily interactions in the marketplace she carried three parts smoothness, easily getting along with maids and old women. Jiang Ruan often had her go out to listen for news, so as not to be completely in the dark within the Jiang Manor. Lu Zhu was also clever and could often gather some information.
This time even Lian Qiao couldn’t be bothered to scold her, listening carefully to what she would say.
“I heard that somehow he quarreled with Minister Shen. Minister Shen was extraordinarily angry, and master also argued until his face was red and neck thick. Strangely, despite such quarreling, Miss Shen still specifically wrote an invitation just for Third Miss, inviting Third Miss to visit their manor. However, master flew into a rage, not only forbidding Third Miss from leaving the manor but also confining her to her quarters.”
“What does this mean?” Lian Qiao asked strangely: “That day it seemed Third Miss and Miss Shen didn’t have such good relations. Why not invite Second Miss, but specifically invite Third Miss?”
Lu Zhu smiled mysteriously: “The servants are all saying that the Shen Manor lost something, and this behavior suggests they suspect Third Miss.” The maids in Ruan Residence all had quite a few complaints about Jiang Li. Jiang Li usually put on airs and spoke harshly, nowhere near as personable as Jiang Susu. The maids and old women in the manor all felt three parts disgust toward her. So when something happened to her, there were plenty who gloated.
Bai Zhi said: “To suspect a Jiang Manor young miss like this, no wonder master would fly into a rage. If Third Miss went, wouldn’t it be slapping the Jiang Manor’s face, admitting to stealing something? But why would the Shen Manor use Miss Shen’s hand to send Third Miss an invitation—could they really question her about something? This servant sees that although Third Miss is usually somewhat domineering, she’s not someone who would casually take others’ things. There are many suspicious aspects to this. Besides, master has extremely deep friendship with Minister Shen—they wouldn’t quarrel like this over some external possessions. What exactly did the Shen Manor lose?”
What did they lose? Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, unhurriedly picking up her tea for a sip: “It should be something very important.”
The Shen Manor being in uproar was nothing more than their secret being exposed—Minister Shen discovering his account books were missing. At the time, as an outsider visiting the Shen Manor for the first time, she naturally didn’t know the Shen Manor’s layout. Only Jiang Li had left her seat during that time, so it would be difficult not to suspect Jiang Li. But Jiang Li wouldn’t go take account books for no reason—it could only be Jiang Quan’s idea. Minister Shen thinking this way was understandable. The friendly relations between the Shen and Jiang manors involved a tangled mess of unclear interests. If Jiang Quan had taken Minister Shen’s leverage, from then on Minister Shen would be beneath Jiang Quan. But this was done extremely dishonorably—no wonder Minister Shen would tear off all pretense.
Jiang Quan was truly wronged now—this matter indeed had nothing to do with him. Jiang Ruan smiled. Relationships between people were inherently extremely fragile. Even if Jiang Quan and the Shen Manor managed to maintain surface friendliness after this account book incident, today’s events would be buried deep in Minister Shen’s heart like a thorn. This thorn would someday break through the soil and sprout. The alliance between Jiang Quan and the Shen Manor had already begun to crack at this moment.
Jiang Li had tried to harm her, but instead became her scapegoat—this could be considered a minor punishment and major warning. From now on the Shen Manor would view Jiang Li as a thorn in their side, and Jiang Quan’s heart wouldn’t be pleased either. This was also Jiang Li bringing it upon herself.
In her previous life, Jiang Quan had still ultimately taken the Shen Manor’s account books, holding the Shen Manor’s vital weakness. But at that time the Jiang Manor was already thriving, and the Shen Manor could only submit. In this lifetime it was still early, and the Jiang Manor still needed to rely on the Shen Manor’s help in many matters. The alliance breaking too early was disaster, not fortune, for jiang Quan.
Jiang Ruan patted her clothes and stood up: “Since father and second brother have returned to the manor, we can’t not go see them, lest people say we’re without propriety or filial piety. Let’s go—I wonder what my father and second brother, whom I haven’t seen for five years, look like now.”