When news arrived that a palace messenger had come to deliver an imperial edict to Jiang Zhan and Jiang Si, Old Madam Feng was utterly shocked and hurriedly led a large group to meet them.
The eunuch who came to deliver the imperial edict was none other than Pan Hai. Upon seeing him, Second Master Jiang quickly stepped forward to pay his respects.
“Master Jiang is too courteous. May I ask where your second son and fourth young miss are?” Pan Hai inquired.
Second Master Jiang turned to scan the crowd.
Jiang Si and Jiang Zhan stepped forward from the crowd and greeted Pan Hai respectfully.
Pan Hai quickly assessed the siblings with a glance, secretly admiring their fine appearances before speaking, “His Majesty says that under Heaven’s bright sun and in the capital of the empire, such incidents should never occur. He has learned of the grievances suffered by Second Young Master Jiang and Fourth Miss Jiang today. He has specially commanded this servant to bring a jade ruyi scepter as a gift for Fourth Miss Jiang and a complete set of the four treasures of the study for Second Young Master Jiang. Please accept these gifts and express your gratitude.”
Jiang Si and Jiang Zhan quickly knelt to receive the gifts, and after expressing their thanks, rose amid the envious gazes of the crowd.
Pan Hai turned his attention elsewhere: “This must be the Earl?”
Jiang An Cheng only entered the palace for major court assemblies, where he was but one among countless officials and nobles, with no opportunity for individual recognition. However, Pan Hai was exceptionally good at remembering faces and still recalled seeing Jiang An Cheng once many years ago.
Old Madam Feng watched from the side, feeling a deep sense of melancholy. When the old Earl was still alive, he had occasional opportunities to be summoned for private audiences with the Emperor. Who would have thought that by her eldest son’s time, even the Emperor’s eunuchs would fail to recognize him?
“I am the Earl of Dongping,” Jiang An Cheng responded to Pan Hai with composure. Unlike his second brother who had advanced through scholarly pursuits or those brilliant generals who could defend territories, he believed that family peace and happiness were enough. How many could reach the pinnacle in this world? There was nothing wrong with being above some but below others.
Being free of excessive ambition, Jiang An Cheng naturally felt no need to particularly flatter even a powerful figure from the Emperor’s inner circle.
Pan Hai smiled slightly: “My Lord can rest assured that those families whose children wronged your son and daughter will be reprimanded by His Majesty. However, His Majesty has said that since these were merely the thoughtless actions of children, it would be best not to escalate the matter further.”
Pan Hai’s meaning was clear – the Emperor did not wish to see Jiang An Cheng seek retribution from the three families.
Since Jiang An Cheng was unaware of the true circumstances behind Jiang Zhan’s fall into the water, and considering his children had suffered no lasting harm, he nodded in agreement.
“This servant shall take his leave now.” Pan Hai’s gaze lingered briefly on Jiang Si, feeling somewhat emotional. This Fourth Miss of the Dongping Earl’s mansion must be the daughter of Lady Su from the Yining Marquis’s family. Mother and daughter truly looked alike – it was unfortunate that Lady Su had died so young, and who knew what fate awaited her daughter.
Seeing Pan Hai preparing to leave, Second Master Jiang hurried after him, pressing a perfume pouch into his hand: “Eunuch Pan has gone to such trouble, you should at least stay for a cup of tea in this heat.”
“Master Jiang is too kind.” Pan Hai smiled and quickly departed with his junior eunuchs.
The scene grew quiet, with all eyes fixed on the jade ruyi in Jiang Si’s hands and the wooden box Jiang Zhan held.
Second Master Jiang was consumed with envy. Despite his many years as an official, he had only received routine imperial gifts during festivals, never an individual imperial bestowal.
Second Madam Xiao was even more envious. An imperial gift of the four treasures of the study – with the autumn imperial examinations approaching, how auspicious it would have been if her son Cang had received it! This was something that could be passed down through generations. And that jade ruyi in Jiang Si’s hands—
Madam Xiao stared at the foot-long jade ruyi with its red silk tassel, her eyes gleaming. Such a ruyi included in a daughter’s dowry would ensure the in-laws’ respect.
Looking at Jiang Si’s calm expression, Madam Xiao felt as if her heart was being pricked by needles. This little hussy was truly blessed, yet she dared to appear so nonchalant – truly hateful!
Whether jealousy makes one ugly may be uncertain, but Madam Xiao deeply felt how it made her heart ache.
Jiang Si held the cool jade ruyi, equally confused about the situation. It had only been some typical mischief by a few privileged young masters – how had it reached the Emperor’s ears, resulting in gifts for her and her brother?
A jade ruyi and a set of scholar’s treasures – their monetary value aside, imperial gifts carried far different significance. For instance, while she had originally planned to temporarily yield to her grandmother, this jade ruyi completely changed her position. In the future, if anyone dared mention today’s events, she could firmly stand her ground.
“Mother, didn’t I say Sister Si was blameless? Even the Emperor has gifted her a ruyi, hoping for her future good fortune,” Jiang An Cheng said delightedly. While he hadn’t given it much thought before, now he truly felt the Emperor was a wise ruler.
Old Madam Feng tightened her grip on her walking stick. How had this stroke of luck fallen to the fourth girl? It was like a slap in her face!
Old Madam Feng felt both pleased and annoyed. She was pleased that imperial gifts had been bestowed – heaven knew how many years it had been since the Earl’s mansion had received such honor. But she was annoyed because she had just ordered Jiang Si’s confinement, and now the Emperor had awarded a jade ruyi, effectively nullifying her words. What became of her authority as a grandmother?
With mixed feelings, Old Madam Feng gave a faint acknowledgment before saying, “Imperial gifts must be treated with utmost care. They should be placed in the ancestral hall for safekeeping.”
Jiang An Cheng immediately responded, “Let’s place Zhan’er’s scholar’s set in the ancestral hall, but allow Si’er to keep the ruyi.”
Old Madam Feng glanced sidelong at her eldest son, wishing she could crack open his skull to see what filled it. Others favored their sons, but her eldest had his heart completely set on his daughter.
Ultimately, it was because Jiang Si resembled her deceased mother!
This thought made Old Madam Feng even more irritated with Jiang Si. After all these years, she couldn’t forget how her eldest son had defied her for Lady Su’s sake, and now, even years after Su’s death, her influence remained evident.
Suddenly, an idea struck Old Madam Feng. Her eldest had been alone for many years – if she arranged a second marriage for him, perhaps once he developed feelings for his new wife, he might finally forget that vixen Su.
With this thought, Old Madam Feng temporarily abandoned her plans to make things difficult for Jiang Si. An unmarried young lady would be more easily dealt with by a stepmother than by a grandmother, and it would spare her from appearing unkind.
“Very well, Si’er, you must take excellent care of the jade ruyi. It’s an imperial gift – any damage could bring grave consequences,” Old Madam Feng advised, resuming her kindly demeanor.
Jiang Si bowed with the ruyi in her hands, smiling sweetly, “Thank you for the reminder, Grandmother. Your granddaughter understands.”
Seeing her casual handling of the jade ruyi, not only Old Madam Feng but even Madam Xiao felt anxious. This thoughtless girl might not fear death, but she shouldn’t endanger others – how unfortunate that she had received the jade ruyi!
After leaving the Dongping Earl’s mansion, Pan Hai quickly visited the other three families. It was only then that General Cui learned of his daughter entering the palace to petition the Empress Dowager, and immediately summoned Cui Mingyue for a stern reprimand.