Jiang Bingji’s single remark placed Jiang Li in an extremely awkward position.

Tong’er stood beside Jiang Li, wanting to argue a few words on her behalf, but a mere maid had no place to speak here.

Jiang Bingji reminded everyone present just how ruthless Jiang Li had been back then. Such a woman who plotted against her own bloodline was truly frightening.

Jiang Li acted as if she had not heard Jiang Bingji’s words at all. The smile on her face did not diminish in the slightest as she smiled at Jiang Bingji, saying, “So this is my younger brother? I did not expect to return and see him grown so tall already—he truly is adorable.”

Her praise did not seem false, but to Ji Shuran’s ears, it carried ill intent. Before she could speak, Jiang Bingji loudly declared, “Who is your younger brother? You are a murderer!”

Saying this once was enough, but saying it twice became rather grating. Especially since Jiang Bingji had raised his voice, Jiang Yuanbai’s face darkened as he said, “Who taught you to speak this way?”

Jiang Bingji’s neck shrank back, seeming somewhat afraid of this father, and he spoke no more.

Old Madam Jiang soothingly patted Jiang Bingji’s back and glared at Jiang Yuanbai. “If you want to speak, speak. What kind of man loses his temper at a child?” She then looked toward Jiang Li and said indifferently, “Second girl, come meet your uncles and aunts.”

Jiang Li complied and only then raised her eyes to look at the others.

Besides the first branch’s Jiang Yuanbai, the Jiang residence also housed the second branch’s Jiang Yuanping family and the third branch’s Jiang Yuanxing family.

Jiang Yuanping was Jiang Yuanbai’s legitimate brother, currently a third-rank Commissioner of Transmission in the capital. His wife was the legitimate daughter of a Vice Director, Madam Lu—a perfectly matched pair.

Jiang Yuanping had a large belly, completely different from Jiang Yuanbai’s elegant appearance. He looked jolly and smiling, quite amiable toward Jiang Li. Madam Lu was a typical noble lady of the capital, very particular about her dress and adornment. Jiang Li glanced briefly and saw that her clothing and hairpins were mostly jewels—she clearly did not lack silver and loved to dress up. Madam Lu had a slender, delicate beauty, though her gaze was shrewd, complementing Jiang Yuanping. She removed a string of jade beads from her wrist as a gift for Jiang Li, saying “it’s good that you’ve returned” while continuously sizing up Jiang Li.

Jiang Li graciously accepted it.

As for the third branch’s Jiang Yuanxing, he was the son of Old Master Jiang’s concubine—a son born of a concubine. Though a concubine’s son, he got along peacefully enough with the other two branches of the Jiang family. However, Old Madam Jiang did not particularly like the third branch and was always distant toward them. The third branch’s Jiang Yuanxing had a delicate, frail appearance with a somewhat timid demeanor. His wife, Madam Yang, however, appeared to have a fierce temperament. She was said to be the concubine-born daughter from the household of a Rectifier. Though a concubine-born daughter, a Rectifier’s rank was still much higher than Jiang Yuanxing’s position as Collator. Perhaps because of this, Madam Yang always believed she had married beneath her station and treated Jiang Yuanxing quite domineeringly.

When Jiang Li exchanged greetings with the third branch, Madam Yang gave Jiang Li a pair of pearl earrings. These pearl earrings were even old, and whether it was because the third branch was in financial straits or Madam Yang was stingy, in any case, compared to the jade beads Madam Lu had given, they were truly not worth mentioning.

These were Jiang Li’s second uncle and aunt, and third uncle and aunt. Beside Madam Lu stood two young men. The older one was sixteen or seventeen years old, resembling Jiang Yuanping, chubby and smiling. The younger one was about the same age as Jiang Li, resembling Madam Lu in appearance—dignified and imposing. He was staring intently at Jiang Li, but when she looked his way, he immediately shifted his gaze away.

Jiang Yuanbai said, “These are your elder cousins Jingyou and Jingrui.”

So they were the two legitimate grandsons of the second branch.

The third branch’s Madam Yang had two daughters who appeared about the same age as Jiang Li. The older one was called Jiang Yuyan—plain-looking, dressed quite ordinarily, and appearing somewhat timid. The younger one was called Jiang Yu’e, who had quite the air of a modest beauty from a small family. Her dress was more vivid than Jiang Yuyan’s, and she stared at Jiang Li, seemingly lost in thought.

These were Second Miss Jiang’s family members.

Standing in the hall, looking at these completely unfamiliar faces—her nominal relatives—Jiang Li’s mind instead conjured up scenes from the small county of Tongxiang, of herself playing and frolicking with Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao.

Even though this place offered fine clothes and exquisite food, gold and jade in splendor, Jiang Li did not feel the Jiang residence had anything worth cherishing. These family members looked at her with eyes full of only probing, scrutiny, hidden schemes, or malicious intent, making even this seemingly elegant and tranquil residence feel filled with murderous intent.

They stared at Jiang Li, perhaps because too much time had passed and they truly could not feel close to her. Only Jiang Yuanping exchanged a few words with Jiang Li; the others hardly spoke. Jiang Li even caught fear and disdain in the eyes of her two concubine-born younger sisters, Jiang Yu’e and Jiang Yutang. Probably the incident of her plotting against her stepmother’s legitimate elder brother had truly penetrated deep into people’s hearts. Now everyone regarded her as a ruthless, vicious woman, unwilling to associate with her.

Jiang Yuanbai surprisingly did not notice this. Seeing that Jiang Li had already greeted all her relatives, he said to Ji Shuran, “Madam, have someone take Li’er to her courtyard. After traveling all this way, Li’er must be tired. Let her rest early today.”

Jiang Yuanbai’s relatively gentle attitude toward Jiang Li caused everyone in Wanfeng Hall to display various expressions.

Ji Shuran smiled and said, “Even without Master’s instructions, I had already made arrangements long ago. Nanny Sun,” she ordered, “take Second Miss to her residential courtyard.” Suddenly remembering something, she smiled at Jiang Li, “Li’er has just returned to the residence. I see you only have one small maid attending you, which is not proper. So I thought to arrange two maids to serve you.” She then addressed Old Madam Jiang in the high seat, “The Xiangqiao and Yunxiang from my courtyard are quite good—diligent and well-behaved. I wish to take it upon myself to give them to Second Miss. What does Mother think?”

Old Madam Jiang said indifferently, “You handle it as you see fit.”

Ji Shuran then smiled and inquired of Jiang Li, “Does Li’er like them?”

Watching Ji Shuran’s gentle and considerate appearance, Jiang Li only found it laughable. She truly could not understand why, now that Ji Shuran had a legitimate son and Jiang Yuanbai’s heart belonged to Ji Shuran, she was still so uneasy that she would not even spare a legitimate daughter with a bad reputation who had not returned home in seven years. Just upon returning to the residence, she had sent a pair of her own people to stay by her side.

Jiang Li smiled, “Mother shows such thoughtfulness—naturally Li’er is pleased. Li’er will gratefully accept.”

Ji Shuran seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Seeing his wife and daughter getting along harmoniously, Jiang Yuanbai’s expression relaxed considerably. He said, “Then do not delay any further. Take Li’er to settle in first.”

Nanny Sun quickly led Jiang Li away.

Since the Jiang residence housed three branches of the family, the grounds were naturally not small. As Jiang Li followed Nanny Sun, she was unfamiliar with the paths of the Jiang residence, though Tong’er recognized them. The further inside they walked, the more peculiar Tong’er’s expression became.

This courtyard was truly very far away. By the time they arrived, Jiang Li looked at the three characters above the courtyard gate, her gaze stunned.

At the courtyard entrance hung a small wooden plaque. The calligraphy was not particularly fine, yet it had a certain inexplicable carefree loveliness.

Fangfei Garden.

Jiang Li’s heart filled with indescribable feelings. After pausing for a long moment, she murmured softly, “Fangfei…”

“This was the courtyard where Madam convalesced in the past,” Tong’er quietly reminded her from beside her.