The commoners’ discussions could not be heard clearly, but even without hearing them clearly, Ji Shuran knew what they were saying. She looked toward Jiang Li, who was smiling at her with a gentle expression and sincere appearance.

However, things were ultimately different from before.

Without waiting for Ji Shuran to continue speaking, Jiang Li looked toward the still-dazed Jiang Yuanbai and said, “Father, let us go inside.”

Only then did Jiang Yuanbai come to his senses. After glancing at Ji Shuran, he nodded to Jiang Li, saying, “Very well.” He took the lead and walked inside first.

Ji Shuran’s fingertips in her sleeves immediately dug into her palms. That glance from Jiang Yuanbai clearly showed his dissatisfaction with her. Yet before she could say anything, Jiang Yuanbai and Jiang Li were already walking into the house. She could only suppress the emotions in her heart and follow with a beaming smile.

Jiang Youyao said urgently, “Mother, look at her…”

“Shut up.” Ji Shuran rebuked in a low voice. After pausing a moment, she continued, “Your father was already angered just now. Once we reach the hall, do not say a single word.”

Seeing that Ji Shuran’s expression did not seem false, Jiang Youyao became somewhat afraid. Although her heart was full of grievance and dissatisfaction, she dared not show it on her face.

Nanny Sun, who remained outside the door, nervously wrung the handkerchief in her hands with hesitation and unease. In contrast, Yuxiang, who stood to the side, felt a weight lift from her heart. Originally, Madam Liu had kept her by Jiang Li’s side not only to look after her at Mount Qingcheng, but also to ensure that when Jiang Li first returned to the residence, she would not be bullied by the cunning servants in the household. One would expect a fourteen or fifteen-year-old young lady who had not returned home in many years, whose relationship with her father was not particularly deep, and who had to live under her stepmother’s control, would inevitably face hardships.

Who knew that upon just returning to the capital, before even entering the Jiang family gates, Jiang Li had already given Ji Shuran and her daughter a solid hidden setback. Jiang Li’s temperament was beyond everyone’s expectations—she was not one to simply endure, and her counterattacks struck just right. She was a clever young lady.

Yuxiang thought that if Ji Shuran wanted to make Jiang Li uncomfortable, it would not be so simple.

Meanwhile, Jiang Li was following Jiang Yuanbai as they approached the Jiang family residence.

Perhaps because the Jiang residence housed someone like Jiang Yuanbai, the current Chief Minister of the court, it needed to display the dignity and character of scholarly officials. Rather than pursuing extreme luxury, it was arranged quite elegantly. The corridors, courtyards, pavilions, bridges, flowers, plants, eaves, and corners were primarily in black and white, appearing refined and clean, yet exquisite and ingenious. Though distinctive, it naturally required considerable silver expenditure, but compared to the garish use of gold and silver plating, it appeared far more noble.

Jiang Li even spotted bamboo planted in a corner of the garden, truly resembling the style of a recluse.

After all, she was not the real Second Miss Jiang. Upon first entering the Jiang residence, everything she saw was completely unfamiliar. Jiang Li did not intend to hide her unfamiliarity with the Jiang residence, examining everything as she walked. In the eyes of the servants and maids in the residence, this scrutinizing gaze made them feel that this Second Miss had indeed spent too long in the wilderness and was unaccustomed to wealth and luxury.

However, in Jiang Yuanbai’s eyes, it felt extremely uncomfortable. His legitimate daughter, no matter how inadequate, going out and displaying such provincial behavior, still brought shame upon the Jiang family.

Jiang Li made no effort to conceal her curiosity, but Tong’er walked with extreme propriety, mindful not to embarrass her mistress, deliberately assuming an air of familiarity, which Jiang Li found somewhat amusing.

When they reached “Wanfeng Hall,” two slender-figured maids stood at the entrance, one on each side, wearing tender yellow narcissus skirts. They had pretty appearances, and seeing Jiang Li’s group approaching, the one on the left smiled before they even drew near, saying, “Master, Madam, Old Madam has been waiting for Second Miss to return home—finally you’ve arrived.”

Jiang Li glanced at the two maids. Both were dressed in wealthy attire and spoke warmly, suggesting they were quite favored by Old Madam Jiang. She generously returned a smile to the two.

The two maids were momentarily stunned. Second Miss had been away for many years, and now that she was returning to the residence, there were naturally all sorts of rumors in the household. However, upon seeing Second Miss in person, they found her extremely gentle and docile, even more comfortable to be around than Third Miss.

She was not some crude country girl.

Having formed this assessment, the two maids thought no more about it and smilingly welcomed the group inside.

On this scorching summer day, the Jiang residence was not hot at all, naturally due to the many trees and plants in the courtyard, but also thanks to the ice blocks stored in the cellar. And this “Wanfeng Hall” was even cooler than the rest of the Jiang residence—stepping inside felt like entering the human realm during the third or fourth month, neither cold nor hot, perfectly comfortable.

Many people were seated in the hall. Seeing Jiang Li’s group enter, everyone except the person in the foremost cushioned seat stood up.

“Mother, Li’er has returned.” Jiang Yuanbai cupped his hands toward the person in the seat.

The person in the seat then spoke, her steady voice revealing neither joy nor anger for the moment. She said, “It is good that you have returned. Second girl, come forward and let me look at you.”

Jiang Li complied and slowly raised her head.

The elderly woman in the seat was probably already over seventy years old, with silver hair meticulously combed back, kept very clean. She wore a pine-green silk thin robe, appearing very light and convenient, with jade-colored button clasps that added several degrees of nobility to her appearance. Her face was covered with wrinkles, somewhat aged, but those eyes were very spirited, full of authority.

This was a very efficient elderly woman. Even at her advanced age, her dress was particular. She was probably demanding and strict with herself and others, not appearing kindly, but sufficient to shoulder the burden of an entire household. She was an intelligent woman with presence.

Come to think of it, Old Master Jiang had died early, and Old Madam Jiang had begun her widowhood before turning forty. As a mere woman who raised the current Chief Minister of the court, she was naturally not simple.

Jiang Li had already heard from Tong’er that this Old Madam Jiang had a strict temperament, but handled matters fairly. After Ye Zhenzhen passed away and Ji Shuran entered the household, Old Madam Jiang had not neglected Jiang Li because of this. However, after Jiang Li caused Ji Shuran’s miscarriage, resulting in the loss of the first branch’s legitimate grandson, Old Madam Jiang became disappointed in Jiang Li. When Jiang Li was sent to Mount Qingcheng, Old Madam Jiang had not spoken a single word to stop it.

In summary, the grandmother-granddaughter affection between the current Jiang Li and Old Madam Jiang was so thin it could be considered nonexistent.

Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly heard chaotic footsteps from outside, accompanied by a child’s tender call: “Mother, Grandmother!”

Jiang Li turned her head. A servant woman walked in from outside, still holding the hand of a child wearing a golden silk small robe, approximately five or six years old, born fairly porcelain-white and adorable.

As soon as the child entered, he broke free from the servant woman’s hand and ran straight toward Old Madam Jiang. Old Madam Jiang quickly had the matron beside her support him, and the child, with practiced familiarity, climbed onto Old Madam Jiang’s lap and wrapped his arms around her neck. Suddenly seeing Jiang Li, he said crisply, “Are you the bad person who killed my older brother?”

Older brother? Bad person?

As soon as these words came out, the surroundings fell silent for a moment. Ji Shuran reprimanded, “Jige’er, do not speak nonsense!”

That Jige’er’s mouth drooped, looking at Old Madam Jiang with grievance.

Old Madam Jiang said nothing. Jiang Yuanbai coughed lightly before saying to Jiang Li, “Li’er, this is your younger brother, Bingji.”

Jiang Bingji? Younger brother?

Jiang Li looked at the child in Old Madam Jiang’s embrace, then at Jiang Youyao whose mouth corners were rising, and suddenly understood everything.

Being so doted upon by Old Madam Jiang and calling Ji Shuran “Mother”—it appeared that the matter of Second Miss Jiang plotting to harm the fetus in her stepmother’s womb at the very least contained the falsehood that the stepmother could never conceive again.

And before her was the first branch’s legitimate grandson of the Jiang family, the son Ji Shuran later gave birth to, Jiang Youyao’s younger brother, Jiang Yuanbai’s only son—Jiang Bingji.

In an instant, many things became clear to Jiang Li without needing explanation.

No wonder Jiang Youyao dared to brazenly steal Second Miss Jiang’s marriage prospect—it turned out Ji Shuran had given birth to a son and secured her position. Ye Zhenzhen had completely become a thing of the past, and the first branch had completely turned a new page.

This was being fearless because she had something to rely on!