Du Juan, who stood beside Madam Jiang, looked at Jiang Ruan and her companions with surprise. Cai Que softly said, “Madam, the eldest miss has arrived.”

Madam Jiang remained motionless, her eyes still closed. Lu Zhu felt somewhat uneasy, but Jiang Ruan showed no reaction and continued standing in place. Both Cai Que and Du Juan stood quietly to the side, neither speaking nor greeting Jiang Ruan, leaving her standing there alone.

Jiang Ruan’s gaze was calm as she discreetly observed the old madam. Madam Jiang differed somewhat from her memories. In the past, she had seen Madam Jiang as nothing more than a rigid and harsh grandmother, but looking at her now, every inch of her exuded wealth and nobility. Her demeanor was serene, yet there was a natural sharpness between her brows. Clearly, this woman who chanted Buddhist sutras was not as detached from worldly matters as the Buddhist scriptures in her hands proclaimed. Her shrewdness was probably known only to herself.

Time passed quietly. The room was so silent that even the sound of a pin dropping could be heard clearly. After an unknown amount of time, the elderly woman on the couch slowly opened her eyes and immediately looked toward Jiang Ruan.

Jiang Ruan returned her gaze with composure, standing straight and respectfully. Madam Jiang narrowed her eyes and said in an indifferent tone, “Why didn’t you greet me when you arrived? What are you doing standing there like a stone?”

“When I entered, I saw grandmother was in silent meditation. During meditation, one must be wholehearted, otherwise it shows insincerity. Jiang Ruan didn’t dare disturb grandmother,” Jiang Ruan smiled. “Yet I still ended up disturbing you.”

Madam Jiang shifted slightly on her side, and Du Juan immediately offered her hot tea. After taking the tea and sipping it, Madam Jiang turned to size up Jiang Ruan and said, “You certainly can keep your composure.”

“Compared to grandmother, I fall far short,” Jiang Ruan replied humbly. “Yesterday I returned to the residence in haste and didn’t come to see grandmother. That was my fault.”

Madam Jiang said indifferently, “Your return to the residence has caused quite a stir throughout the capital. Yesterday you must have been exhausted from dealing with everything. It was appropriate not to come here.”

The tone of these words was ambiguous, making it impossible to discern the old madam’s attitude. Jiang Ruan thought briefly: “Regardless of anything else, grandmother is still grandmother, still the madam of the Jiang residence, and still my family.”

Unexpectedly hearing Jiang Ruan say this, Madam Jiang was slightly surprised. She lowered her head to sip her tea and said, “I haven’t seen you for several years either. Come closer so I can see you more clearly.”

Jiang Ruan stepped forward as instructed. Cai Que and Du Juan stood to the side, their gazes also examining Jiang Ruan. These two served the old madam personally and knew her temperament. They had anticipated what might happen today but hadn’t expected this current situation. There was no disgust or crudeness, but rather complete calm. The eldest miss’s attitude was unexpectedly generous and composed, without a trace of timidity.

Looking at the young girl who had stepped closer, she had a delicate figure with her spine held perfectly straight. Sunlight fell on her smooth face, making her skin appear white as jade, with expressive brows and eyes. A pair of lustrous, alluring eyes revealed a calm smile, carrying both gentleness and determination. Most importantly, as she stood in the room, there wasn’t a trace of the fear and awkwardness typical of young girls her age, only a settled composure that transformed her bright and vivacious appearance into something noble and distinguished.

Cai Que and Du Juan exchanged glances, both seeing the surprise in each other’s eyes. How had the eldest miss, after spending several years at the country estate, become so different? She seemed like a noble lady carefully raised in the palace.

Not only Du Juan and Cai Que, but Madam Jiang’s gaze also paused. Her sharp eyes bore directly into Jiang Ruan, but Jiang Ruan’s expression remained unchanged, still smiling faintly as she met her gaze. Madam Jiang looked away and said indifferently, “You’ve grown a few years older and have matured somewhat.” Her expression was cold as she suppressed a trace of surprise in her heart. Having lived most of her life, she was fairly good at reading people. The current Jiang Ruan was completely different from before. Just her composure alone surpassed Jiang Susu by a great margin. She wondered what kind of opportunities Jiang Ruan had encountered at the estate. At such a young age, her presence was already imposing.

“You came today surely not just to see me, your grandmother. What other business do you have?” Madam Jiang asked. Earlier, before Jiang Ruan arrived, a maid had already reported the incident at Yanhua Courtyard’s gate. Jiang Ruan’s proposal to come to her to resolve the matter had also surprised Madam Jiang. She then understood – since this girl was not favored by Jiang Quan and her stepmother was not benevolent, coming to rely on her grandmother was probably her only option. However, if she wanted to curry favor with her to help Nanny Zhou, she was unwilling to do so.

Before Jiang Ruan could speak, a maid outside announced, “Madam has arrived.” Immediately after, a clear voice rang out: “Grandmother!”

Jiang Ruan didn’t turn around but saw a white-clad figure rush past her and climb onto Madam Jiang’s couch, snuggling beside her like a cat and saying happily, “Grandmother, look what I brought you – your favorite almond cakes.” She placed a small woven basket from her hands onto the table like presenting a treasure.

“Su Niang, look at yourself. What if you disturb grandmother?” Xia Yan’s voice came from behind.

Jiang Susu pouted: “What does it matter? Grandmother won’t blame me.”

“Little monkey,” Madam Jiang scolded, though her face showed a smile. “Being so improper – when you marry in the future, won’t people laugh at you?”

“What are you saying, grandmother?” Jiang Susu blushed and, turning her head, seemed to notice Jiang Ruan for the first time. She said in surprise, “Big sister is here too.”

Jiang Ruan nodded with a smile.

Jiang Susu looked at Madam Jiang, then at Jiang Ruan, and suddenly said, “Grandmother, were you and big sister whispering secrets behind Su Su’s back? Su Su wants to hear too. Big sister, what were you just doing?” She blinked her eyes – misty and hazy like clouds, lively and expressive – with a crimson teardrop mole like a small flower. Her innocent and naive manner was like a fairy who had descended to the mortal world, inspiring pity in those who saw her.

Madam Jiang said nothing, only cast her gaze indifferently toward Jiang Ruan.

Cai Que looked at Jiang Ruan with some concern. Though the room was lively, the eldest miss seemed to be alone, cold and lonely, without even anyone who could help her or speak on her behalf.

Xia Yan smiled: “Su Niang, don’t talk nonsense. Your big sister…”

Before she could finish, Jiang Ruan sighed softly, her voice gentle, light, and soft as she slowly said, “Su Niang, you’re mistaken. I came today only to see grandmother. Su Niang, you know that I spent five full years at the estate, and it’s been five years since I last saw grandmother. Buddhist scriptures emphasize completeness, and I believe that among all worldly matters, nothing is more complete than family reunions. Unlike you, Su Niang, who can enjoy such completeness at every moment, for me, today’s meeting is the most complete moment I’ve had in five years. Grandmother and I weren’t sharing any secrets. I… simply wanted to see my family.”