“To hell with ‘lovers are destined to be together.’ I think it’s more like ‘scoundrels deserve each other for eternity,'” Jiang Si chuckled.

“It’s the same meaning,” Jiang Zhan burst into laughter.

His sister was increasingly matching his temperament.

Jiang Zhan stopped laughing and curiously asked Jiang Si, “How did Fourth Sister know Ji Chongyi couldn’t marry a noble lady?”

Jiang Si smiled and asked him, “Was Second Brother’s effort yesterday all for nothing?”

“Sister is so clever…” Jiang Zhan’s eyes sparkled.

Jiang Si smiled gracefully, “It’s not that I’m clever, it’s all thanks to Second Brother’s help.”

Jiang Zhan chuckled, “That’s true.”

A-Qiao lowered her head to hide her laughter. A-Man lifted the curtain and entered from outside, “Miss, the sister from Cixin Hall came with a message. The Old Madam is calling for you. She said Second Miss has returned.”

The Earl of Dongping’s household had three branches. Jiang Si’s father, Jiang Ancheng, was the eldest son. The second Miss was the daughter of Second Master Jiang.

Currently, two young ladies from the Earl’s family had married. The eldest daughter, Jiang Yi, had married the Deputy Chief of the Court of Judicature and Revision. The second daughter, Jiang Qian, had become the wife of the heir of Marquis Changxing.

In the eyes of the entire household, if not for the later comparison with Jiang Si’s marriage, Second Miss would have been considered to have made an excellent match.

Second Miss Jiang Qian was beautiful and clever, the most favored among the six young ladies by Old Madam Feng. Jiang Si used to be close to this outstanding cousin, but now, hearing A-Man’s report, she felt a wave of disgust.

If possible, she never wanted to see Jiang Qian’s face again!

But now was not the time to be willful. When Grandmother sent someone to invite her, how could a granddaughter have the right to refuse without a proper reason? Moreover, Grandmother was already upset about her broken engagement and was looking for reasons to criticize the eldest branch.

Jiang Si wasn’t afraid of Old Madam Feng’s coldness towards her, but she didn’t want her father, whose temples were already starting to frost, to be scolded by Grandmother again.

“Second Brother, do you want to come with me?” Jiang Si stood up.

Jiang Zhan quickly shook his head, “I won’t go join the crowd. It’s all girls’ talk, troublesome.”

He didn’t like the coquettish Second Cousin at all!

What? His Fourth Sister was also coquettish.

Heh, sisters were supposed to be coquettish with brothers to protect them. How could an elder sister be the same?

Jiang Zhan, wearing a face of impatience, waved his hand and left.

He might as well go drink with Brother Yu Qi!

Jiang Si took A-Man with her to Cixin Hall. As they approached the entrance, they could hear Old Madam Feng’s laughter.

“Grandmother should laugh more often. Nothing is more important than your health,” a young woman’s voice came through.

“You and your sweet talk,” Old Madam Feng’s reproachful tone was full of affection.

“Second Miss should come back more often in the future. The Old Madam’s mood always improves when she sees you,” chimed in Nanny Feng, the Old Madam’s trusted servant.

“Fourth Miss has arrived,” A-Fu called out. The room suddenly fell silent, and several gazes turned towards them.

“Granddaughter pays her respects to Grandmother,” Jiang Si greeted Old Madam Feng.

Old Madam Feng barely lifted her eyelids, her tone cold, “Come and sit. Your Second Sister came back especially to see you.”

Jiang Si steadied herself and looked at the young woman sitting close to Old Madam Feng.

Jiang Qian wore her hair in a loose bun, with willow-leaf eyebrows and an oval face, exuding an approachable air. Her ruby earrings and gold hairpin inlaid with rubies complemented each other, showcasing the brightness of a young noble lady.

Jiang Si thought she had prepared herself mentally on the way from Haitang Residence to Cixin Hall, but when her eyes met Jiang Qian’s smiling ones, her heart still clenched, and hatred surged uncontrollably.

In her previous life, she had wronged many people, and many had wronged her. But no matter how much she hated or resented, nothing compared to the disgust she felt facing Jiang Qian.

Back then, she always complained about her father and brothers being incompetent, and her elder sister being weak, and she was very close to her gentle and kind Second Cousin. So when Jiang Qian sent someone to say she was unwell and wanted to see her after being widowed for half a year, she went to visit without hesitation.

As a result, in the adjoining room where she met Jiang Qian, the heir of Marquis Changxing, who was also her brother-in-law, had been waiting like a hungry wolf pouncing on its prey.

And at that time, her good Second Sister had imperceptibly blocked her escape route.

Whenever Jiang Si recalled that day’s encounter, nausea overwhelmed her like a tidal wave.

She could hardly remember how she escaped, and although she preserved her chastity, the humiliation and fear lingered, haunting her countless times in nightmares.

Jiang Si stared at Jiang Qian’s smiling face, almost blurting out the question that had troubled her for years.

Why? For what reason would a woman help her husband violate her sister?

“Jiang Si, where are your manners? You see your Second Sister and don’t even greet her?” Old Madam Feng said disapprovingly.

Jiang Qian reached out and held Jiang Si’s hand.

The coldness of the young girl’s fingertips made Jiang Qian’s eyebrows rise slightly, “Fourth Sister, you’ve been wronged.”

Jiang Si suddenly pulled her hand away.

“Fourth Sister?” Jiang Qian was surprised.

Old Madam Feng’s expression grew even more displeased.

“I don’t feel wronged. Second Sister doesn’t need to sympathize with me,” Jiang Si said coolly.

She had always been competitive by nature but never directed it at Jiang Qian before. Now that she spoke this way, it felt unexpectedly natural, though it made others uncomfortable.

“Jiang Si, apologize to your Second Sister!” Old Madam Feng rebuked.

Jiang Qian quickly regained her gentle smile, “Grandmother, don’t be angry with Fourth Sister. She’s been jilted, so she’s not feeling well—”

“No, actually, I’m feeling quite well,” Jiang Si unceremoniously interrupted Jiang Qian’s words.

Although she couldn’t immediately slap Jiang Qian across the face, she no longer wanted to act out the charade of sisterly affection.

Jiang Si looked at Jiang Qian’s fair face and smiled mockingly, “In fact, it’s Second Sister who keeps bringing it up that makes me feel unwell.”

Jiang Qian’s body trembled slightly, and the smile on her face was barely holding.

“Jiang Si, have you gone mad? Your Second Sister rushed back as soon as she heard about your situation, and this is how you repay her? Not an ounce of gratitude! Apologize to your Second Sister right now!” Old Madam Feng suddenly slammed the tea table, causing the teacups to rattle and spill.

Jiang Si feigned innocence, “Grandmother, what’s the matter? Second Sister and I haven’t fought or quarreled. We’re just speaking from the heart. Why should I apologize to Second Sister for no reason?”

She finished speaking and turned her head to look at Jiang Qian, “Second Sister, have I offended you?”

“No offense…” Jiang Qian forced a smile, staring at Jiang Si’s profile, somewhat lost in thought.

Her sister’s beauty was truly heaven-sent!

Yesterday, when she heard about the broken engagement between the Duke of An’guo’s family and the Earl of Dongping’s family, her husband, the heir of Marquis Changxing, sighed with regret, “Such a beauty, Ji San is truly unfortunate!”

“Fourth Sister, is it because seeing me reminds you of Elder Sister, and that’s why you’re feeling uncomfortable?” Jiang Qian, unwilling to fall out with Jiang Si, quickly smiled again. “Don’t worry, Fourth Sister. Elder Sister might arrive soon.”

Heh, if Jiang Yi could come to see Jiang Si, she’d write her name “Qian” upside down.

Jiang Si laughed coldly in her heart.

It was pitiful that she had been so blind before, not realizing how masterfully Jiang Qian wielded the art of sowing discord.

Elder Sister was timid by nature and had only one daughter after years of marriage. Her life in her husband’s family was not easy. With Jiang Si’s broken engagement being far from a glorious affair, even if Elder Sister wanted to come back to see her, she might not have the means to do so.

“If I miss Elder Sister, I’ll go see her myself. Second Sister, you’re overthinking,” Jiang Si retorted.

“Fourth Sister—” This time, Jiang Qian could no longer force a smile.

Old Madam Feng was furious, “Jiang Si, are you possessed today? You’re constantly at odds with your Second Sister!”

“Grandmother, did you have a nightmare last night?” Jiang Si suddenly asked, ignoring Old Madam Feng’s anger.

Old Madam Feng was taken aback.

How did the fourth girl know she had a nightmare?