Jiang Si hadn’t even reached Begonia Pavilion when she was called back.
The head steward from the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion appeared deeply grateful, “Thank you, Old Madam. Our Young Master is worried about Miss Xie and has to trouble the Fourth Miss to come over. Please rest assured, we will take good care of Fourth Miss.”
Old Madam Feng smiled, “Close neighbors are better than distant relatives. It’s only natural.”
She then turned to Jiang Si and instructed, “When you get there, keep Miss Xie company properly. Don’t cause any trouble for them.”
Jiang Si agreed and left with the steward from the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion.
Madam Xiao’s face turned awkward. She couldn’t help but say, “The Yongchang heir is indeed young, only thinking of Fourth Miss’s friendship with Miss Xie, without considering other aspects.”
Old Madam Feng glanced at Madam Xiao and said meaningfully, “What’s wrong with being young? Everyone goes through youth. Besides, the Yongchang heir is so young, he’ll become the head of the household before long.”
Madam Xiao’s heart skipped a beat.
What did the Old Madam mean by this?
True, the Yongchang heir would inherit the title, but what did that have to do with the Dongping Earl’s mansion?
“Without the support of elders, even if a child who hasn’t come of age becomes the head of a household, I’m afraid the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion won’t be as glorious as before.”
Old Madam Feng laughed, “Temporary difficulties don’t amount to much. No matter what, no one can take away that title. When he marries a virtuous wife in the future, won’t the Marquis’s mansion be managed perfectly?”
She originally didn’t want Jiang Si running about outside, but since the Yongchang heir had sent someone to invite her, she instantly changed her mind.
The Yongchang heir and Fourth Miss grew up together. If the Marquis and his wife were still alive, they might look down on the Fourth Miss for breaking off an engagement, but young people often don’t care about such things. If Fourth Miss was lucky, she might marry him and become the Marchioness.
When Madam Xiao heard Old Madam Feng mention “virtuous wife,” she suddenly understood.
Was the Old Madam trying to match Jiang Si with the Yongchang heir?
At this thought, a strong sense of resentment rose from the depths of Madam Xiao’s heart.
If Jiang Si married the Yongchang heir, she would become a Marchioness, even though she wouldn’t be twenty years old when she married in three years.
Which family’s daughter could become the mistress of a noble house so young? If this happened, Jiang Si would be too fortunate!
Madam Xiao left the Hall of Compassion full of resentment, walking towards Yaxin Garden with a gloomy face, her mind still on Old Madam Feng’s words.
“Mother.”
Madam Xiao came back to her senses and saw her two concubine-born daughters curtseying to her not far away. Her gaze swept over their faces.
Fifth Miss Jiang Li was fourteen this year, and Sixth Miss Jiang Pei was thirteen. Both girls were at the age of blossoming flowers, and in three years, they would be in full bloom.
Madam Xiao’s heart suddenly came alive.
Qian was already married once. Finding a minor official for her to remarry wouldn’t be difficult, but dreaming of marrying a Marquis was wishful thinking. She had enough self-awareness to know this. But her two concubine-born daughters might have a chance.
The Yongchang heir had no parents to control him. If he took a fancy to a girl and insisted on marrying her, no one could stop him.
She knew very well that young men don’t care so much about a girl’s background. Just look at the Third Young Master of the Anguo Duke’s mansion who gave up Jiang Si to marry a commoner girl.
Heh, and that was with the elders of the family still around.
The more Madam Xiao thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Her gaze alternated between her two concubine-born daughters.
Jiang Li was honest and easy to control, but such a personality might not be appealing to men. As for Jiang Pei—
Madam Xiao’s gaze lingered longer on Jiang Pei’s face.
The young girl had an oval face, with fine eyebrows above a pair of almond-shaped eyes full of emotion. Her waist was slender and soft, like a graceful and tender willow branch.
Come to think of it, all the young ladies in the mansion were beautiful, but Jiang Si was so stunning that she overshadowed her sisters.
Madam Xiao had made her choice. She said to Jiang Pei, “You come with me.”
Jiang Pei, frightened by Madam Xiao’s scrutiny, had been wondering what she had done to offend her stepmother. Hearing this, she could only obediently follow.
Jiang Li watched as Jiang Pei followed closely behind Madam Xiao into the room, frowning involuntarily.
Ever since Second Sister returned home, their stepmother had completely ignored her and Sixth Sister. Why would she call Sixth Sister away alone today?
Jiang Li sensed something was amiss but could only sigh softly and quietly walk away.
Inside the room, Madam Xiao pointed to a carved embroidered stool, “Sit.”
Jiang Pei sat down on the edge of the stool, her demeanor obedient as she waited for Madam Xiao to speak.
“I remember you used to play often with the Yongchang heir when you were little, right?”
Jiang Pei was taken aback.
The eldest daughter of the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion was about the same age as Jiang Si, and they often played together. As a result, the Yongchang heir frequently joined them. She had envied them at the time and tried to join in several times, but they didn’t pay attention to her.
Jiang Pei couldn’t guess Madam Xiao’s intention, so she lowered her head, showing a shy expression.
“In another three or four years, you’ll be of age to marry. During this time, I’ll keep an eye out for suitable matches for you. You must also strive to do well, understand?”
“Daughter understands.”
“Alright, you may go now.”
Jiang Pei was even more confused. As she stepped out of the room, she suddenly realized: Was her stepmother encouraging her to get close to the Yongchang heir?
At this thought, Jiang Pei’s heart began to race.
She had heard that the Marquis and his wife had both passed away, and the heir would soon inherit the title—even setting that aside, she was quite satisfied with the heir’s character and appearance.
Jiang Pei’s heart soared at the thought that her stepmother supported her getting close to the Yongchang heir.
She never imagined such good fortune would fall upon her!
With her stepmother’s support, as long as she could make the Yongchang heir fall for her, she could become a glorious Marchioness. Then, not only Jiang Si but even her always superior legitimate sister Jiang Qian would be beneath her for life.
The more Jiang Pei thought about it, the more excited she became. She curtseyed to Madam Xiao, “Thank you, Mother!”
Madam Xiao’s lips curved slightly, “Go on then.”
This girl was clever. She would wait and see what happened next. If successful, it would be a great help to their branch of the family. If it failed, she was just a concubine-born daughter, after all, easily discarded.
Jiang Si followed the steward toward the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion. Unexpectedly, Xie Yinlou came out of the main gate to greet her.
By now, Xie Yinlou had changed into hemp mourning clothes, which only accentuated his handsome and upright bearing. He controlled his grief well, with only slightly reddened eyes.
“Fourth Sister Jiang, thank you for coming. I entrust Qing’ao to you.”
Jiang Si lowered her eyes and curtsied slightly to Xie Yinlou, “Elder Brother Xie, don’t worry. To attend to your matters. I will take good care of Qing’ao.”
As a young lady, Xie Qing’ao didn’t need to personally manage anything after her parents’ passing. All the heavy responsibilities would fall on Xie Yinlou’s shoulders.
Jiang Si could tell from his expression that he was prepared for this.
“Please go in,” Xie Yinlou stepped aside, walking beside Jiang Si.
Watching the two, like a golden boy and jade girl, walk side by side into the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion, Yu Jin peeked out from behind a tree, his nose almost crooked with anger.