Old Madam Feng found Jiang Si’s words utterly preposterous and fixed her with a heavy gaze.
Jiang Zhan anxiously winked at Jiang Si, whispering, “Fourth Sister, don’t get involved. Go to Father!”
Jiang Si remained unmoved, calmly meeting Old Madam Feng’s gloomy gaze. “Grandmother, may I ask why you want to punish Second Brother?”
“This scoundrel tried to beat Duke An’s heir’s wife and chased her to the manor gates for so many people to see. How can Duke An’s household let our Earl’s family off easily now?” Old Madam Feng trembled with anger.
She had originally hoped to gain more benefits from Duke An’s household, but with Jiang Zhan’s actions, those gains would likely be canceled out.
Old Madam Feng wasn’t just angry; she was more distressed.
Jiang Si let out a light laugh. “Has Grandmother forgotten that Duke An’s household was at fault first in this matter?”
“This troublemaker’s actions have turned our righteous stance into the wrong,” Old Madam Feng fumed.
“I believe that right is right, and wrong is wrong. It’s precisely because Duke An’s household acted improperly that Second Brother came to my defense. How can Second Brother’s actions to protect his family be considered troublemaking? Should we offer our other cheek when someone slaps us, just to show our magnanimity?”
Jiang Si’s bluntness made Old Madam Feng somewhat uncomfortable.
“If we truly did that, others wouldn’t think our Earl’s household magnanimous. Instead, they’d believe we’re bending over backward to curry favor with a higher-ranking family, becoming sycophants!” As Jiang Si spoke, everyone’s expressions changed.
“Nonsense!” Old Madam Feng felt her face burning and coldly snapped.
Jiang Si’s expression grew more serious. “Grandmother, our Earl’s household is upright and honorable. Do we want people to laugh behind our backs for being spineless? If so, the members of our household would be unable to hold their heads high when they go out.”
At this point, Jiang Si’s gaze swept briefly over Jiang Zhan. “Fortunately, Second Brother reacted quickly, making our household’s stance clear before outsiders could speculate and spread rumors. If Grandmother doesn’t believe me, you can send someone to inquire. Our neighbors will surely think we did the right thing. That’s why I said Second Brother shouldn’t be punished, but rewarded.”
Jiang Si’s words were well-reasoned, leaving Old Madam Feng wanting to refute but unable to find a reason. She couldn’t lower herself to pull rank as a grandmother in front of the entire household, and her face turned pale with frustration.
“Well said!” Jiang An-cheng slapped his thigh. Seeing Old Madam Feng’s expression, he quickly comforted her, “Mother, don’t worry. I’ll take the letter breaking off the engagement and return the betrothal gifts to Duke An’s manor right away!”
Old Madam Feng felt a lump in her throat, unable to speak.
Jiang An-cheng seized the opportunity to kick Jiang Zhan. “You little beast, why are you still kneeling? Quickly get up and help your father!”
“Aye!” Jiang Zhan responded loudly, winked at Jiang Si, and ran after Jiang An-cheng.
“This—” Old Madam Feng finally caught her breath, only to find that her eldest son and second grandson had both runoffs. She prepared to vent her anger on Jiang Si.
Jiang Si blinked, her eyes welling up with tears. She curtsied to Old Madam Feng: “Grandmother, although I feel relieved to break off the engagement with such an ill-mannered family, it’s still not a glorious thing for a girl to have her engagement broken. I’m feeling a bit upset, so I’ll return to my room.”
In the blink of an eye, Jiang Si had also disappeared, leaving Old Madam Feng bewildered.
“Old Madam, is the engagement being broken off?” The speaker was Xiao-shi, Jiang Si’s second aunt.
Jiang Si’s mother had passed away long ago, and Jiang An-cheng had never remarried. Thus, the household management fell to Xiao-shi.
Xiao-shi was strong-willed herself. Although her natal family was ordinary, Jiang’s Second Master was quite capable. He had taken the rare path of civil examinations among the nobility and was a genuine jinshi graduate. He now held the position of Deputy Minister in the Court of the Imperial Stud. Their eldest son, Jiang Cang, had inherited his father’s scholarly aptitude and was already gaining a reputation among his peers in the capital.
In comparison, the eldest branch of the family was at a disadvantage. The only thing they could boast about was Jiang Si’s marriage.
Of course, now even this advantage was gone.
Madam Xiao was more than happy to see this turn of events unfold. Otherwise, if Jiang Si’s marital family overshadowed her own daughter’s status, it wouldn’t bode well. Yet, she understood how much Second Master Jiang valued this marriage alliance, which was why she asked about it.
Madam Feng, regaining her composure, immediately ordered the steward, “Hurry to the yamen and summon Second Master back at once!”
In Haitang Residence, Jiang Si had just a moment of peace when Ah-Qiao came in to report, “Young Miss, the Old Madam has sent someone to call for Second Master.”
Jiang Si wasn’t surprised and immediately instructed Ah-Man, “Go and invite Second Brother over.”
Not long after, Jiang Zhan slipped quietly into the room, moving as though he were sneaking about.
Jiang Si frowned, “Why does Second Brother look like a thief?”
Catching sight of his sister’s gaze, clear as autumn water, Jiang Zhan suddenly didn’t know where to put his hands and feet. His ears turned a faint shade of red as he mumbled, “Grandmother is furious at me right now. If she knows I’m here visiting you, she might take it out on you…”
“That’s nonsense. Grandmother is fair in her rewards and punishments, and she’s broad-minded,” Jiang Si said.
“Are you serious?” Jiang Zhan looked skeptical.
Jiang Si smiled gently, “Just listen and don’t take it to heart, Second Brother.”
“I knew it! Grandmother’s not that kind of person!” Jiang Zhan heaved a sigh of relief, his eyes shining as he looked at Jiang Si.
In the past, he had always wanted to get closer to his younger sister but felt that she was like a flower perched on a lofty peak, unattainable and distant, making even speaking with her feel like a calculated effort. Now, he found her to be more approachable and charming than before.
“Second Brother, it’s best not to speak about Grandmother like that. If word spreads, it could become a problem,” Jiang Si warned gently.
With a silly grin on his handsome face, Jiang Zhan nodded. “I’ll only say it in front of you, Little Sister. By the way, did you call me over for something?”
“Please, have a seat, Second Brother,” Jiang Si gestured to a chair beside her, then took a seat opposite him.
Ah-Qiao placed a cup of tea in front of Jiang Zhan.
He picked up the cup and took a sip. While he wasn’t keen on leisurely pursuits like tea tasting and poetry, he still had to give his sister face.
“Second Brother, you often go to Bichun Pavilion, don’t you?” Jiang Si asked with a smile, her fingers still cold from last night’s rescue efforts, as she warmed them around the teacup.
“Pfft—” Jiang Zhan spat out a mouthful of tea.
Jiang Si wasn’t in a hurry. She propped her chin on one hand and waited patiently for her brother to calm down.
Suppressing the urge to flee, Jiang Zhan stiffened his handsome face and said seriously, “Nonsense! I don’t even know where the entrance to Bichun Pavilion is! Who’s been whispering in your ear, Little Sister? If I find out, I’ll flay them alive!”
Ah-Man and Ah-Qiao, standing to the side, suddenly felt a chill down their spines.
They both had the sense that the Second Young Master might leap up and commit murder to silence someone.
Jiang Si gently placed her tea cup on the table and sighed softly, “I initially thought Second Brother was well-acquainted with that place and could help me with a small matter. But since that’s not the case, I’ll have to figure out another way…”
Jiang Zhan’s eyes widened in shock.
What does that mean? Heaven help him, could it be that Little Sister wants to disguise herself as a man and sneak into the brothel?
As if reading his thoughts, Jiang Si hesitated and said, “If there’s no other way, I’ll just have to go in person—”
“No, no! I’ll go!” Jiang Zhan blurted out.
“Didn’t Second Brother say you don’t even know where the entrance to Bichun Pavilion is?” Jiang Si asked teasingly.
“N-no, I’m familiar with it. Ahem, no, I mean I’m not that familiar, but I do pass by occasionally—” Jiang Zhan realized the more he spoke, the worse it sounded. His face flushed hotly.
“In that case, I’d like to ask Second Brother to run an errand at Bichun Pavilion for me.” Jiang Si retrieved something from her sleeve and handed it over.