Perhaps because her days of hesitation and uncertainty had finally found an answer, Jiang Si unexpectedly felt a sense of relief. It was as if a stone that had been suspended in midair had finally touched the ground. Even knowing the path ahead would be difficult, she no longer regretted her decision.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhan frantically winked at Jiang Si: “Fourth Sister, how can you gamble with something as important as marriage?”
Have you forgotten about Brother Yu from Quezi Alley?
Jiang Ancheng also disagreed with Jiang Si’s decision: “Si’er, Father will find a way to resolve your elder sister’s matter. You can’t mess around with your marriage!”
Seeing her father and brother’s anxious expressions, Jiang Si chuckled: “Father, Second Brother, if I truly marry into a family better than the Zhen family, shouldn’t you be happy for me?”
Jiang Zhan was so anxious he started cursing: “Happy my foot! What use is a high social status if the man isn’t reliable? Eldest Sister and Second Sister both married into good families and what was the result?”
If he had known this would happen, he would have helped Brother Yu back then. How regretful!
Jiang Ancheng gave Jiang Zhan a rare look of approval, nodding repeatedly: “Your Second Brother is right. Family background is just icing on the cake. Whether one truly lives well depends on the reliability of the person you marry.”
“But people of humble origins aren’t necessarily reliable, and might be even less so,” Jiang Si said calmly.
High or low birth is relative. In the Earl’s mansion’s view, Eldest Sister and Zhu Ziyu were considered a match, while compared to Cui Mingyue, Zhu Ziyu’s background was slightly lower.
Yet Zhu Ziyu still harbored thoughts of climbing the social ladder, which led to his evil intentions to harm his lawful wife.
As for ordinary families, it wasn’t uncommon for men to send their wives to sleep with others due to gambling debts…
As these thoughts flashed through her mind, Jiang Si suddenly froze.
After her rebirth, she seemed to find fault with every man, yet somehow Yu Qi had become the most reliable person.
When did she start having such dangerous thoughts? Miss Jiang silently despised herself.
Jiang Si’s words stumped Jiang Ancheng.
Indeed, who said people of humble origins were more reliable? Such people, once given the opportunity, might abandon everything to climb the social ladder…
Old Madam Feng’s gaze towards Jiang Si immediately showed a hint of approval.
She hadn’t expected the fourth girl to be so clear-headed in this regard.
“Father, don’t worry. The daughter won’t joke about her lifelong happiness. Right now, resolving Eldest Sister’s matter is most important.”
As the conversation turned to Jiang Yi’s situation, the atmosphere suddenly became heavy.
An elderly maid hurried in: “Old Madam, someone from the palace has arrived.”
“The palace?” Old Madam Feng was startled for a moment before adjusting her clothes and, supported by the maid, walked out.
The person from the palace was a young eunuch. Old Madam Feng looked at him carefully, her expression changing slightly.
This was a eunuch from the Empress Dowager’s side.
“Old Madam, please have a private word with the Earl,” the eunuch said in his high-pitched voice.
Old Madam Feng sent Jiang Si and her siblings away.
Jiang Zhan kept looking back, worry clouding his brow, and whispered: “Fourth Sister, why do you think someone from the palace has come?”
Jiang Si’s thin lips pressed together lightly as she said calmly: “It must be about Cui Mingyue.”
Jiang Zhan paused: “Miss Cui has caused such a scandal. Could it be that the palace wants to suppress it?”
Jiang Si looked back at Cixin Hall and sighed: “Cui Mingyue is the Emperor’s niece and the Empress Dowager’s granddaughter. If they don’t suppress such a scandal, do they want everyone to know about it? Even if people know who the woman is, at least it can’t be mentioned openly.”
“Isn’t that letting her off too easily!”
“Rome wasn’t built in a day. As long as Zhu Ziyu doesn’t benefit, it’s fine,” Jiang Si was quite open-minded about this.
The natural status gap was there, and some things couldn’t be rushed.
Moreover, even with the royal family suppressing the open discussion of Cui Mingyue’s scandal, her reputation was thoroughly ruined. It would be nearly impossible for her to enter the palace or any formal occasions in the future.
For a favored daughter of heaven like Cui Mingyue, falling into such a situation was probably worse than death.
Jiang Si suddenly thought of something and glanced sideways at Jiang Zhan: “How does Second Brother know Cui Mingyue?”
“Ah?”
Jiang Si looked at him, finding it increasingly strange, her bright black eyes narrowing slightly.
Under his sister’s scrutinizing gaze, Jiang Zhan’s ears reddened slightly. He looked around to ensure no one was nearby and said softly: “Cui Mingyue seemed to be trying to use her beauty to manipulate me…”
Jiang Si almost stumbled and fell.
Jiang Zhan quickly steadied her, annoyed: “Fourth Sister, why such a big reaction?”
Jiang Si calmed herself and said with a smile: “I think it’s great that Second Brother wasn’t swayed by beauty. Men like Second Brother are so rare.”
But inwardly, she was furious.
Cui Mingyue was something, not content with toying with Zhu Ziyu, she even tried to ensnare Second Brother. This account would be settled sooner or later!
Jiang Zhan heaved a heavy sigh: “Whether I’m good or bad doesn’t matter, it only benefits other families’ daughters. As for you, Fourth Sister, when you marry, you must look carefully. Don’t ruin yourself just for a bet with Grandmother.”
Jiang Si was amused by Jiang Zhan: “Benefiting other families’ daughters? Second Brother, how can you boast like this without blushing?”
But Jiang Zhan couldn’t laugh at all.
Seeing how Jiang Qian and Jiang Yi had encountered such unworthy men, he was indeed extremely worried about his only sister.
If she were to meet scum like Cao Xingyu or Zhu Ziyu, it would be better for her not to marry at all. He could support her for life.
Seeing Jiang Zhan’s worried expression, Jiang Si felt a wave of warmth in her heart and said softly: “Second Brother doesn’t need to worry. I’ll be fine.”
Jiang Zhan raised his hand, wanting to ruffle his sister’s hair, but seeing that her hairstyle was quite complex today and fearing he might mess it up and get scolded, he lowered his hand reluctantly and sighed: “Let’s go see Eldest Sister.”
In Haitang Residence, Jiang Yi had returned to normal.
She didn’t think much about her body’s sudden immobility earlier.
When a person is heartbroken to the extreme, it feels as if their whole being is about to die. What’s strange about the body experiencing a temporary abnormality?
When the siblings entered, they saw Jiang Yi leaning against a screen, her expression blank and lost in thought.
The two siblings exchanged a glance and walked over side by side.
“Eldest Sister,” Jiang Zhan called out.
Jiang Yi’s eyes moved slightly, looking at Jiang Zhan.
“Eldest Sister, don’t be sad. A man like Zhu Ziyu isn’t worth it.”
Jiang Yi lowered her eyes without responding.
“Eldest Sister, just stay at home and rest easy. I’ll do well in the Imperial Guard and be a support for you and Fourth Sister in the future.”
Jiang Yi’s eyelashes trembled, tears falling silently, but she still didn’t speak.
Jiang Zhan looked helplessly at Jiang Si.
Jiang Si sat down next to Jiang Yi and took her hand: “Eldest Sister, are you thinking about Yan’yan?”
At the mention of Yan’yan, Jiang Yi’s face was immediately filled with pain, and the handheld by Jiang Si began to tremble.
“Eldest Sister, I promise you, I will bring Yan’yan to your side. So you need to pull yourself together first and not harm your body, okay?”
“Yan’yan… can come to me?” Jiang Yi, as if suddenly infused with life, finally showed a reaction.
“Definitely!”
After comforting Jiang Yi, Jiang Si went to the study and instructed A’Man in a detached tone: “Call Qing’er over.”