If all went smoothly, the misdeeds of the Marquis Changxing’s heir would soon become the next hot topic in the capital. At that time, Jiang Li and Jiang Pei, who had stayed at the Marquis Changxing’s mansion for quite some time, would inevitably face criticism.
After all, with such a brother-in-law, gossipmongers were quite imaginative.
Unfortunately, Jiang Pei didn’t understand the deeper meaning of Jiang Si’s words and continued to show off: “Second Sister gave me a gold and jade hairpin. Fourth Sister, look how pretty it is on me!”
“It’s beautiful. I’m so envious I could cry. Are you satisfied now, Sixth Sister?” Jiang Si replied helplessly.
Jiang Pei finally detected the mockery in Jiang Si’s tone and frowned: “Fourth Sister, why are you talking like that? Even if you’re jealous that Second Sister gave us so many nice things, you don’t have to be so sarcastic. This isn’t the Marquis chang xing’s mansion, and I’m not afraid of you here—”
Jiang Zhan, unable to tolerate it any longer, raised his hand and tapped Jiang Pei on the forehead.
Jiang Pei winced in pain, covering her forehead as she looked at Jiang Zhan: “Second Brother, what are you doing?”
Jiang Zhan rolled his eyes: “Sixth Sister, are you out of your mind? You put on a hairpin and suddenly think you’re a phoenix with feathers? It’s utterly ridiculous. Fourth Sister, let’s go.”
Jiang Si suppressed a laugh as Jiang Zhan pulled her along. He complained, “You’re still laughing? Why bother talking nonsense with someone who’s not right in the head?”
“Yes, I was wrong,” Jiang Si said, her smile deepening.
Second Brother was always so blunt and forceful, yet one couldn’t help but feel helpless about it.
Jiang Pei stomped her feet repeatedly while holding her forehead: “Second Brother is too much! I’m going to tell Uncle!”
The concubine-born daughter, who usually carefully curried favor with her stepmother, naturally knew that her stepmother wouldn’t stand up for her in such matters. To deal with Jiang Zhan, she’d have to rely on Jiang An-cheng.
Jiang Li hurriedly held Jiang Pei back: “Sixth Sister, it’s better to let it go than to make a fuss.”
“Why should I let it go? I didn’t say anything wrong, yet Second Brother is so protective of Fourth Sister. It’s too unfair!”
Seeing Jiang Pei’s persistence, Jiang Li, not wanting to cause trouble, persuaded her: “Sixth Sister, don’t you remember? Second Sister said she’d invite us to play at the Marquis’s mansion in a few days. Fourth Sister will be there too.”
Jiang Pei’s anger dissipated instantly.
She didn’t know what had gotten into Second Sister, treating Jiang Si with such favor despite them all being sisters.
The second Sister had mentioned organizing a flower party next time, inviting some noble ladies to join. It was a rare opportunity to establish connections with those ladies, and she couldn’t miss it because of something Jiang Si said.
Thinking this way, Jiang Pei had no choice but to swallow her pride, vowing inwardly: One day, I’ll make Jiang Si pay!
Jiang Si and her brother entered Ci-xin Hall, where Old Madam Feng was listening to opera with her eyes closed.
Second Madam Xiao, who had come to report on family matters, was waiting on the side. The siblings could only stand there as well.
The two young girls performing the opera had graceful figures and voices as sweet as orioles. Their every turn and sleeve movement was particularly enchanting.
Jiang Zhan, however, looked impatient.
The high-pitched singing was giving him a headache. When would it end?
After a while, the two young girls sang the last note, and Old Madam Feng finally opened her eyes, signaling them to withdraw.
“Greetings to Grandmother,” the siblings said.
“It’s good that you’re back. As the weather gets warmer, especially you, Fourth Miss, a young lady shouldn’t go out too often.”
“Granddaughter understands.” At this moment, Jiang Si naturally wouldn’t argue with Old Madam Feng.
Madam Xiao, resentful that Jiang Si had returned so quickly from the Marquis Changxing’s mansion and embarrassed her daughter, seized the opportunity to speak: “Old Madam has been thinking of Fourth Miss during these days away from home. As they say, ‘A mother worries when her child travels a thousand miles,’ and the same applies to a grandmother. Fourth Miss, you shouldn’t wander about in the future. If you want to go out, just visit your Second Sister. She said she’d organize a flower party at the Marquis’s mansion when you return, so all the sisters can gather and have a lively time.”
“Second Sister is waiting specifically for me to hold the flower party?” Jiang Si asked.
Madam Xiao faltered at Jiang Si’s question: “Yes, among all the sisters, your Second Sister dotes on you the most. Haven’t you two been close since childhood?”
Jiang Si smiled faintly: “Second Aunt, you’re mistaken. I treat all my sisters equally, without favoritism.”
Madam Xiao felt her anger rising, but remembering Jiang Qian’s plea in her letter, she didn’t want to antagonize Jiang Si. She could only force out a dry laugh to cover her discomfort.
Why on earth was Qian’er treating the Fourth Miss so differently? She’d have to find an opportunity to ask Qian’er about it.
“Alright, you may go now. Xiao-shi, you can speak about your matters now,” Old Madam Feng said impatiently, dismissing Jiang Si and her brother.
Once outside, Jiang Zhan patted his chest: “It’s so much more comfortable out here. If I’d known, I would have stayed out for a few more days.”
“Oh? A few more days?” A cool voice came from behind.
Jiang Zhan’s body stiffened as he slowly turned around, forcing a smile worse than crying: “Father—”
Jiang An-cheng’s face darkened, and his heart filled with anger.
His pair of children had been gone for days, and though he didn’t say it, he had been so worried that he couldn’t even enjoy his meals. When he heard they were back, he rushed to Ci-xin Hall without waiting for them to come to pay their respects. He didn’t expect to hear such words from this little brat.
Indeed, three days without a beating and the skin starts to itch!
Jiang Si lifted her skirt and approached, smiling as she greeted Jiang An-cheng: “Father, we’ve brought back many local specialties for you. I’ve tasted them all, and they’re delicious.”
Jiang An-cheng’s heart melted, though he tried to keep a stern face: “It’s good that you’re back. Why bother bringing all those things?”
“Second Brother and I found them tasty, so of course we wanted to show our filial piety to Father. Second Brother bought all those things.”
Jiang An-cheng glanced sideways at Jiang Zhan, temporarily putting aside the thought of punishment: “Since it’s your filial gesture, I’ll try them later.”
Jiang Si accompanied Jiang An-cheng as they walked back. Jiang Zhan consciously fell two steps behind. Seeing Jiang Si look back at him, he secretly gave her a thumbs-up.
Compared to his sister, he always felt like he was blown in by the wind.
While this family was enjoying their reunion, Yu Jin returned to his residence in Quezi Hutong only to find it cold and empty. He sat on a stone bench under a tree in the courtyard, lost in thought.
They had only just parted, so why did he feel so empty inside?
“Woof woof—” Er’niu wagged his tail and approached. Seeing his master not responding, he placed his front paws on Yu Jin’s shoulders and licked his handsome face with his tongue.
Yu Jin wiped his face and grabbed the big dog’s ears, scolding: “You rascal, who told you to do that?”
Er’niu looked unconcerned, wagging his tail and turning to bark at the door.
“What’s wrong?” Yu Jin didn’t immediately understand.
Er’niu gave Yu Jin a look of contempt, his big tail nearly sweeping across his face. He quickly ran to the door and back, then shook his entire body, head and all, at Yu Jin.
Yu Jin’s eyes were dazzled, trying to decipher Er’niu’s intentions.
He hadn’t brought Er’niu along for these past few days. Had the dog been traumatized somehow?
“Woof woof!” Seeing his master didn’t understand, Er’niu slapped the ground with his big tail, raising a cloud of dust.
It was Long Dan who couldn’t bear to watch anymore and boldly guessed: “Master, is Er’niu complaining that you didn’t bring that young lady back?”
The smile on Yu Jin’s lips froze as he stared at Er’niu.
Er’niu barked happily at Long Dan, indicating he had guessed correctly.
Yu Jin felt a pain in his heart.
He had been gone for so long and still hadn’t brought back a wife. Was he being looked down upon by a dog?