In the pavilion sat three people whom Jiang Li had just seen yesterday—beside Jiang Youyao were the two illegitimate daughters from the Third Household.
Next to Jiang Youyao, two maidservants were fanning her. The Jiang estate was cooler than outside, and during the morning hours, walking outdoors didn’t feel sweltering at all.
On the table sat some ice-sugar velvet fruit cheese. Jiang Yuyan and Jiang Yu’e sat on either side of Jiang Youyao, like stars encircling the moon.
When Jiang Youyao saw Jiang Li, she didn’t take the initiative to greet her. Instead, Jiang Yuyan, who was beside her, hesitated for a moment before timidly calling out: “Second Elder Sister.”
Jiang Li was the second in the Jiang family. After Jiang Yuanbai married Ye Zhenzhen, they had no son for three years, but a chamber maid in his service became pregnant first. By the rules, this child shouldn’t have been born, but Ye Zhenzhen was softhearted and couldn’t bear to destroy two lives, so the child was born. The year after the child’s birth, Jiang Li was born, and that chamber maid was promoted to concubine.
According to what Tong’er had told her, this concubine was an honest and dutiful person. She had formerly been a maid serving Old Madam Jiang and never competed or fought for favor in her daily life, yet her fate was still unfortunate. When Jiang Li was three years old—two years after Ji Shuran entered the household—the Jiang family’s eldest daughter accidentally fell from a decorative rock mountain while playing in the garden and died. This concubine lost her daughter and grieved day and night. Afterward, she lived in seclusion and hardly appeared before others anymore.
Jiang Li nodded at Jiang Yuyan and said, “Fourth Sister.”
Jiang Yuyan had an ordinary appearance and seemed very timid. She was extremely surprised that Jiang Li actually nodded to acknowledge her, then quickly lowered her head again, as if fearing something.
Jiang Yu’e, however, stared at Jiang Li repeatedly before suddenly laughing and saying, “After several years apart, Second Sister has become much more amiable. No wonder they say the family temple tempers one’s disposition.”
When she smiled, she had quite the gentle, swaying charm of a delicate lady from a modest household, but her words were cutting. Hearing this, a trace of contempt flashed through Jiang Youyao’s eyes.
Jiang Li understood immediately. The two illegitimate daughters from the Third Household were probably fawning over Jiang Youyao because of their status. Jiang Youyao was using these two as pawns to make things difficult for her.
Jiang Li smiled slightly and replied, “The family temple does indeed temper one’s disposition. Fifth Sister need not feel regretful—who knows, perhaps you’ll have the opportunity to experience it yourself in the future. The days ahead are long.”
“Who wants to experience…” Jiang Yu’e grew anxious and was about to speak when Jiang Youyao, who had remained silent until now, tugged at her sleeve.
Jiang Li looked toward Jiang Youyao.
Ji Shuran’s biological daughter indeed closely resembled Ji Shuran. Her appearance was exceptionally refined and beautiful—an oval face, elegant nose and cherry lips, almond eyes and peach-blossom cheeks. Having grown up pampered with fine clothes and food in the Chief Minister’s estate, she was delicate and tender. Wearing a peach-pink gauze skirt, she looked like the most precious jewel in the Jixiang Building—clearly not an ordinary item at first glance. Born to be carefully cherished in someone’s palm, her jade feet need never touch the ground. When she raised her eyebrows, she instantly displayed a hundred charming and alluring gestures. Unlike Xue Fangfei’s devastatingly beautiful appearance, Jiang Youyao’s beauty was that of a young maiden—the completely blossoming beauty of youthful bloom.
Honestly speaking, with such an appearance, being doted upon was only natural. Since Jiang Yuanbai was the Chief Minister, he would naturally dote even more on this daughter.
Jiang Youyao was also sizing up Jiang Li. When Jiang Li left that year, she was only seven years old. Eight years had passed, and Jiang Youyao could barely remember what Jiang Li looked like. In her mind, after being raised in a nunnery for eight years, Jiang Li should have become cautious and timid, someone to be trampled upon at will—completely lacking pride or bearing, just a lowly, unwatched villainess.
Who would have known that after eight years, on Jiang Li’s very first day back at the estate, she would severely outmaneuver both her and her mother right at the estate gate. Not only had Jiang Li’s pride not been ground away, it had instead hidden itself in a deeper, more restrained manner. This didn’t represent a good thing—Jiang Li had become cunning and crafty.
Jiang Youyao carefully examined Jiang Li from head to toe again, and painfully discovered in her heart that even though Jiang Li’s clothing and accessories were not as refined as her own, she was not overshadowed by comparison. That pure and clean appearance was actually more like the type of person her father Jiang Yuanbai most appreciated.
Jiang Youyao twisted the handkerchief in her hand tightly, took a deep breath, and was the first to show a smile, saying, “Second Sister.” Ji Shuran had instructed her that at this critical juncture within the Jiang estate, she must never show hostility toward Jiang Li in front of outsiders.
“Third Sister.” Jiang Li also smiled. Unlike Jiang Youyao’s forced smile, Jiang Li’s smile was natural and sincere. Anyone who saw it would not doubt her friendliness at this moment.
Jiang Youyao only felt extremely disgusted. She suddenly said, “Second Sister has already had her coming-of-age ceremony, hasn’t she?”
“Yes.”
Jiang Youyao raised a smile. “In a few days, I’ll also have my coming-of-age ceremony. Second Sister mustn’t forget to send your younger sister a gift.”
Jiang Li paused briefly before replying, “Is that so? Since Third Sister is having her coming-of-age ceremony, I’ll certainly send a congratulatory gift.”
“That’s good then. I heard from Grandmother that on the day of the ceremony, many people will be invited. Since Second Sister has just returned to the capital, it would be good to become acquainted with more people. Perhaps you’ll even encounter some old acquaintances.” She spoke with hidden meaning.
Jiang Li paid no attention to Jiang Youyao’s implied meaning, nor did she take Jiang Yu’e’s mocking smile to heart. She only thought about how when Second Miss Jiang had her coming-of-age ceremony, she was cast aside alone at Qingcheng Mountain with no one remembering her. Third Miss Jiang’s coming-of-age ceremony would be lavishly celebrated. Though both were legitimate daughters of the Jiang estate, the difference was truly too great.
Thinking of this, she felt somewhat sympathetic toward that deceased Second Miss Jiang.
At least Xue Fangfei had never experienced the taste of being neglected by her own family.
She felt somewhat bored and turned to walk in another direction with Tong’er. Unexpectedly, after just two steps, she nearly collided head-on with someone.
“Can’t you watch where you’re walking!” the person said irritably.
“You’re the one who bumped into my young miss first!” Tong’er couldn’t help but argue.
“Where does a servant like you get the right to interrupt?” That voice grew angrier, but in a flash, he froze and said, “Jiang Li?”
The young man before her was about the same age as Jiang Li, with slightly dark skin and handsome features. He was none other than Jiang Jingrui, born to Second Madam Lu.
Of the two young masters from the Second Household, the eldest, Jiang Jingyou, resembled Jiang Yuanping—plump and smiling. The second young master, Jiang Jingrui, resembled Lu Shi—more handsome but with a much worse temper.
At this moment, Jiang Jingrui held a palm-sized bamboo cage in his hand, from which came the chirping of crickets. He had apparently been playing with crickets outside. His clothing was disheveled, sweat beaded on his forehead, and his manner was impetuous and arrogant—the very picture of a spoiled young master.
When he saw Jiang Li, he didn’t show strong hostility like Jiang Youyao, nor did he avoid her like Jiang Yuyan. His attitude seemed rather familiar.
Jiang Li considered for a moment, thought it over, then said gently, “Cousin.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Jingrui seemed startled and took a large step backward. His face showed an expression of disgust as he shouted, “What are you calling me?”
Jiang Li smiled on the surface but was uncertain in her heart. Jiang Jingyou was one year older than Jiang Li, while Jiang Jingrui was only about ten days older than her. She didn’t know how the former Second Miss Jiang used to address Jiang Jingrui.
Before Jiang Li could figure out what to say next, Jiang Jingrui looked at her again and suddenly spat, “Why are you acting like this now?”
Now? Acting like this?
Jiang Li was puzzled.
Then what was she like before?
—
**Author’s Note:**
Does anyone like this Second Young Master?