Jiang Li laughed: “Why did big sister choose such a completely different color from second sister? Now when you two stand together, it’ll be quite striking and interesting.”

Jiang Susu was stunned for a moment, then also laughed: “Big sister will definitely look better than Su Niang in red, and it’s very festive too.” Though she knew Jiang Ruan had chosen red silk, she hadn’t expected Ruyi Building to create such an elaborate and gorgeous garment. However, this actually comforted her somewhat – a young girl surely couldn’t carry such magnificent and complex red colored clothing. Even if Jiang Ruan had a bright appearance, wearing this outfit would only be overwhelmed by the garment’s presence, appearing top-heavy and quite vulgar.

Jiang Li thought the same way, looking at Jiang Ruan with some schadenfreude, though she said: “Manager Liu is really biased, making big sister’s clothes with such gorgeous patterns. We can’t compare. Only big sister would dare wear such flower-like clothing.”

“Since I’m the Jiang residence’s legitimate eldest daughter, it’s good to dress more formally,” Jiang Ruan smiled. “The clothes you chose also suit you very well. Every young lady of the Jiang residence is absolutely wonderful.”

Jiang Dan glanced at Jiang Ruan and said softly: “Big sister’s clothes are truly beautiful. I’ve never seen anyone in the residence dress like this.”

Madam Jiang on her seat slightly narrowed her eyes, staring at Jiang Ruan meaningfully: “The clothes are indeed good, but something’s still missing. Eldest girl seems to lack a cloak. Du Juan, go back and take that bright red crane cloak from my chest and send it to Ruan Residence.”

The bright red crane cloak was part of Madam Jiang’s original dowry, naturally extremely precious. Though Jiang Susu had always preferred white and simple colors and had never asked for it, this didn’t mean she didn’t like it. Now seeing Madam Jiang give her dowry item to Jiang Ruan, she was inwardly surprised. Jiang Li’s eyes had already turned red with envy, saying sourly: “Grandmother really dotes on big sister, giving such fine things right after she returns.”

Madam Jiang glanced at her, her tone revealing neither pleasure nor anger: “You’re all raised in the Jiang residence – have you ever lacked for clothing or necessities? Eldest girl has just returned, and she suffered quite a bit at the estate these past years. Look, she doesn’t even have a decent piece of jewelry.”

Jiang Susu thought for a moment and said: “Grandmother is right. Big sister, I still have quite a lot of jewelry. Why don’t you come sit in my courtyard and choose some to take? Though my jewelry is rather plain, I don’t know if you’d like it.”

Jiang Li couldn’t be as generous as Jiang Susu, and even pretending wouldn’t work, so she simply turned her head aside, pretending not to hear. Jiang Dan only lowered her head, tightly clutching her dress corner. She didn’t have as much jewelry as her two sisters – at most she received rewards from Madam during holidays, saving them up for possible future emergencies when they might need to be pawned.

“How could I take my sister’s things?” Jiang Ruan said. “It’s fine, mother will surely prepare everything for me.”

Madam Jiang’s eyes flickered as she waved her hand: “Very well, you’ve all received your clothes. Tomorrow when you go to Shen Shilang’s residence, you must dress properly and presentably. All daughters of my Jiang residence are noble young ladies. Second girl, your sister has just returned to the capital and isn’t familiar with many people in the capital. Tomorrow you must take good care of her. When out and about, you all represent the Jiang residence’s reputation and should support each other.”

Jiang Susu nodded: “Grandmother’s instruction is right. Su Niang understands.”

Jiang Ruan also nodded in agreement.

After talking for a while, Madam Jiang wanted to meditate, so everyone took their finished clothes and returned to their courtyards. Jiang Ruan ultimately didn’t go to Jiang Susu’s courtyard to choose jewelry, though she heard that Jiang Li had gone and taken some necklaces and hairpins. Jiang Susu wasn’t stingy with Jiang Li regarding jewelry and gems, perhaps because Jiang Quan never deprived her of anything.

That evening, Cai Que from Madam Jiang’s side indeed delivered the bright red crane cloak, along with a case of jewelry, saying it was a reward from Madam Jiang, instructing Jiang Ruan to dress properly tomorrow. Jiang Ruan didn’t refuse, smiling as she accepted, then picked a rather ordinary silver hairpin from the case to give to Cai Que, saying it was for the trouble of making this trip. Cai Que initially refused to accept it, but after repeated declinations, she finally smiled and accepted it.

After Cai Que left, Lian Qiao said: “The old madam treats miss so well now. Miss’s days can finally be considered as having weathered hardship to find sweetness.”

“This bright red crane cloak is precious, yet she just gave it to miss. It shows the old madam’s heart still cherishes our miss,” Bai Zhi was also delighted, carefully examining the fur while folding the cloak.

Lu Zhu shook her head: “I don’t think that’s necessarily so. Now that miss has just returned to the residence, the old madam is having miss dress properly to go to Shen Shilang’s residence. Tomorrow’s gathering will include noble young ladies from throughout the capital. With our miss not having returned to the capital for five years, this appearance will surely let everyone know that the Jiang residence’s eldest miss is a proper noble beauty. I estimate that’s what the old madam means.”

Jiang Ruan adjusted the lamp wick: “Lu Zhu is right. It’s just the benefits of being called the Jiang residence’s eldest miss. Put that case away properly. Tomorrow probably won’t be so easy.”

In Guilan Courtyard, Nanny Zhang rose to serve the old madam a cup of red date and lotus seed tea. Madam Jiang took the tea but didn’t drink it, only thoughtfully looking at the floating red date pieces in the teacup: “Nanny Zhang, what do you think of eldest girl?”

Nanny Zhang smiled: “Eldest miss is beautiful, and now her speech and behavior also show great grace. She’s just had some hard luck, losing her mother so early.”

“She’s a clever one,” Madam Jiang frowned. “That time she first returned to the residence to see me, you didn’t see – this girl’s entire bearing was like nobles born in the palace. Before, she seemed timid and gentle, but now her temperament has also changed, quite unlike her birth mother. But all these years she’s been at the estate, and you’re not unaware of what Xia Yan arranged there. How could there be any good treatment for eldest girl? Not being raised into waste would be good enough. How did she manage to become what she is today?”

“Perhaps it’s like you,” Cai Que, hearing this, smiled and interjected: “After all, she’s your granddaughter. Old madam, you were one of the capital’s foremost noble young ladies. Who didn’t say your propriety and talent were first-rate? Eldest miss seems perceptive – perhaps it’s natural. Even at the estate, she could cultivate palace-like bearing.”

“You sweet-talker,” Madam Jiang laughed and scolded. “I don’t know what benefits that girl promised you to make you speak for her like this.”

“I’m not flattering eldest miss – I’m trying to please the old madam,” Cai Que retorted.

Nanny Zhang also laughed: “Old madam, don’t worry so much. It’s good that eldest miss understands propriety. I think among the capital’s young ladies, she’s also one of the best. The Jiang residence producing such a person can hold its head high with pride.”

Madam Jiang nodded: “I just hope she can do well tomorrow.”