Second Master Jiang was a genuine jinshi graduate. Not yet forty, he had already returned to Beijing after serving in the provinces and was currently the Vice Minister of the Imperial Stud. His official career had been smooth sailing, and many praised him as promising and accomplished for his age.
Such a person, regardless of how others viewed him, held himself in high esteem. Yet today, he had been snubbed at the Minister of Rites’ mansion.
The taste of being snubbed was certainly unpleasant.
Second Master Jiang returned with a face as black as the bottom of a pot. He sighed to Old Madam Feng, “I’m afraid our Earl’s mansion has now incurred the displeasure of the Minister of Rites’ household.”
Just then, Jiang Ancheng returned. Old Madam Feng glanced at him and said coolly, “Zhan has indeed been too unruly, constantly bringing trouble to the Earl’s mansion. This time, you must discipline him well and make sure he learns his lesson.”
Hearing this, Jiang Ancheng was displeased.
The little beast did often cause trouble, but one thing should not be confused with another.
“Mother, in this matter, Zhan was the victim. He was invited by the Yang family’s young master to go boating. Fortunately, he didn’t come to harm. We can’t blame everything on Zhan just because the Yang family’s son died while Zhan was safe. If the Minister of Rites’ household bears a grudge against our Earl’s mansion because of this, then they’re the ones who are sick in the head!”
Old Madam Feng was rendered speechless by Jiang Ancheng’s words. She angrily retorted, “At a time like this, you’re still protecting him! How come Cang didn’t go boating on the Jin Shui River? Ultimately, it’s still his fault!”
Jiang Si calmly interjected, “Grandmother, Second Brother was invited by the Yang family’s young master to go boating. If he hadn’t gone, wouldn’t he have offended those people? I’ve always said that good people are rewarded, and evil people will be punished by heaven. Now that Second Brother is safe, it proves that he is a good person.”
Her words made the corners of everyone’s mouths twitch.
The Fourth Miss was daring to say that the Second Young Master survived because he was a good person. Wouldn’t that mean the Yang family’s son met his fate because he was evil?
Those who felt Fourth Miss had led them astray couldn’t help but shake their heads. But remembering that Fourth Miss had confidently said this even before the Second Young Master was found, they were stunned. Especially Second Madam Xiao, whose gaze towards Jiang Si gained a thoughtful edge.
Was this a coincidence? Or did this little minx have some ability unknown to ordinary people?
No, no, what ability could a girl who had just come of age have? This must be her imagination.
“When adults are speaking, a little girl like you shouldn’t interfere,” Old Madam Feng said coldly.
The Marquis of Yongchang’s heir had to observe mourning for three years, and it was hard to say what would happen after that. Seeing that Jiang Si wasn’t one to seize opportunities, Old Madam Feng’s regard for her diminished once again.
For Old Madam Feng, juniors who weren’t valued naturally had no right to speak.
Hearing this, Jiang Si smiled faintly, not minding at all.
Only harsh words from those she cared about could hurt her. As for harsh words from those she didn’t care about, they were no different from passing gas to her.
While Jiang Si didn’t mind, Jiang Ancheng wouldn’t stand for it. He frowned and said, “I think Si’er’s words make more sense than what many adults say.”
He turned to directly confront Second Master Jiang, “Second Brother, what do you mean by coming back and saying these things? Is it because the Minister of Rites’ household has a higher status than our Earl’s mansion that they can reasonably vent their anger on us for losing someone? Hmph, it’s their narrow-mindedness and bullying. If you were treated coldly there, you should have left immediately, not come back to vent on your juniors. You’ve read the classics for so many years, have you forgotten all about integrity?”
Hmph, since Mother was putting on airs as an elder and giving his daughter the cold shoulder, he would assume the role of the eldest brother and severely reprimand his younger brother. After all, the eldest brother was like a father, and even Mother couldn’t say anything against that.
Second Master Jiang’s face, which was usually quite handsome, turned the color of a pig’s liver.
He had forgotten that his elder brother had always been a firecracker. When their father was still alive and they were young, his elder brother had often been beaten.
Come to think of it, Jiang Zhan took completely after his father!
Being scolded so harshly by Jiang Ancheng in front of so many people, Second Master Jiang couldn’t save face. He angrily retorted, “Elder Brother, your words are mistaken. The son of the Minister of Rites’ household has died. If I received some cold treatment, should I have made a scene at their house? That’s not the breadth of mind and temperament a gentleman should have!”
Jiang Ancheng sneered, “In the end, it’s still because you see the threshold of the Minister of Rites’ household as too high!”
Second Master Jiang became so angry that he started speaking without thinking, “Isn’t it a fact that the threshold of the Minister of Rites’ household is higher than our Earl’s mansion? Elder Brother doesn’t care about the future of our Earl’s mansion, but I have to think about the prospects of the younger generation.”
His elder brother was just an incompetent fool who didn’t know how to navigate the world. Just because he was born two years earlier and inherited the title of Earl, he didn’t think about how to bring glory to the family name and pass down the title for generations to come.
“No flower blooms for a hundred days, no person stays in favor for a thousand days. Second Uncle might see the threshold of the Minister of Rites’ household as high now, but perhaps in the future, it won’t even compare to our Earl’s mansion.” The young girl’s cold, indifferent voice rang out.
Her words stunned everyone.
Old Madam Feng’s face darkened, “Fourth girl, do you have any manners left? Spouting such nonsense!”
Jiang Si stood up and gracefully bowed to Old Madam Feng, “Grandmother, please don’t mind your granddaughter’s nonsense. I’ll take my leave now.”
She walked out of the courtyard of Cixin Hall, letting out a long sigh. She didn’t wait long before she saw Jiang Ancheng come out.
Seeing Jiang Si waiting there, Jiang Ancheng showed a gentle smile, “Si’er, were you waiting for me?”
Jiang Si nodded and asked, “Father went to the Capital Prefecture with Second Brother, why did only Father return?”
Jiang Si was very clear about Zhen Shicheng’s abilities and thus was very concerned about the progress of the case.
“Uh, we went to the place of your Second Brother’s savior. When I left, your Second Brother stayed behind.”
Jiang Si was quite surprised but kept her expression neutral, “I see.”
Jiang Ancheng suddenly sighed, “Your Second Brother has finally made a reliable friend. If he associates more with young people like Little Yu in the future, I can rest easy.”
Little Yu??
Jiang Si’s mind suddenly flashed to that person’s phoenix eyes with their faint smile.
If he heard Father’s evaluation, who knows how smug he’d be?
No, that’s not right. Smooth talking was his specialty. If Father visits a few more times, he might end up selling his daughter.
A clear cough sounded, “Si’er, you’ve met Little Yu before, at the Marquis of Yongchang’s mansion. Do you remember?”
Little Yu had a large dog with him, so logically, his daughter should have a deep impression.
“I remember.”
“Ahem, what do you think of Little Yu?” Jiang Ancheng felt he had laid enough groundwork and asked what he thought was a subtle question.
Jiang Si’s face momentarily contorted.
She had overestimated her father’s integrity. This was just after his first visit!
“I don’t know him well, and I’m not interested in getting to know any of Second Brother’s friends. Father, I’m going back to my room now.”
Seeing his daughter walking away quickly, Jiang Ancheng called out from behind, “Hey, Si’er, Little Yu is different from your Second Brother’s other fair-weather friends—”
Jiang Si silently rolled her eyes.
Of course, he was different. Her Second Brother’s fair-weather friends couldn’t charm her father so thoroughly.
Returning to Begonia Residence, Aman approached her.
“Did Old Qin take care of the boat?”