Aqiao entered and said, “Miss, Afu from Cixin Hall is here. The Old Madam requests your presence.”
“I see. Tell her to wait,” replied Jiang Si.
As Aqiao left to relay the message, Jiang Yi became uneasy.
“Fourth Sister, it’s not right to keep Grandmother’s servant waiting. You should go quickly.”
Jiang Si smiled nonchalantly, “Is a mere maid too important to be kept waiting?”
What a spoiled attitude, thought Jiang Yi.
“It’s not about the maid. Grandmother—”
Jiang Si’s expression turned serious, her voice cool, “It won’t hurt Grandmother to wait a bit.”
She needed to make it clear to her elder sister that this was the Earl of Dongping’s residence. Their father was the Earl, and Big Sister’s return wasn’t as a dependent. There was no need to be overly cautious with servants, even those from Grandmother’s quarters.
Jiang Yi was shocked by Jiang Si’s attitude and stared at her, dumbfounded. “Fourth Sister, Grandmother will be displeased…”
If her sister fell out of Grandmother’s favor because of her, it would be her fault.
Jiang Si laughed at this.
“What’s so funny, Fourth Sister?” Jiang Yi felt increasingly that her sister was different from her memories.
Jiang Si reached out and held Jiang Yi’s cold hand.
“Don’t worry, Big Sister. Whether Grandmother is displeased or not isn’t that important.”
Jiang Si suddenly felt that having a grandmother who prioritized benefits wasn’t so bad.
In this world, talking about money and benefits isn’t problematic. What’s troublesome is dealing with emotions.
How nice it was that Grandmother was like this. She only needed to show Grandmother her usefulness, and a little impudence wouldn’t matter.
“Fourth Sister, I don’t understand what you mean…”
Jiang Si patted the back of Jiang Yi’s hand and stood up. “Big Sister, stay and play with Yanyan. I’ll go to Cixin Hall.”
Afu left waiting outside, feeling somewhat annoyed.
As the Old Madam’s chief maid, everyone usually treated her with respect. This was the first time she had been left to cool her heels.
But when she saw the young lady with a cold expression walk out, Afu’s resentment instantly vanished.
The Fourth Miss was the one who dared to berate the Zhu family in court. A small maid like her couldn’t afford to provoke such a temper.
Perhaps proving the saying that ghosts fear the wicked, Afu almost reflexively bowed to the approaching young lady, respectfully saying, “Fourth Miss, the Old Madam requests your presence.”
Jiang Si nodded slightly and strode out.
Afu followed behind with her head lowered, not daring to straighten her back even after leaving the courtyard.
Jiang Yi, watching Jiang Si leave from the window, was lost in thought.
“Mother, will we live here from now on?” Yanyan, in her arms, asked, looking up.
Jiang Yi looked down at her daughter with a gentle smile. “Yes, we’ll be living at your maternal grandparents’ home from now on.”
“What about Father? Will he come to live here too?”
Jiang Yi was silent for a long while before smiling at Yanyan. “Your father won’t be living here. But Mother will be with Yanyan all day. If Yanyan wants to buy candied haws in the street, Mother will go with you. If Yanyan wants to watch magic shows at Tianqiao, Mother will accompany you. How does that sound to Yanyan?”
For a three-year-old girl, these promises were undoubtedly very attractive. Yanyan quickly nodded happily.
“Old Madam, the Fourth Miss has arrived.”
Madam Feng gestured for Afu to leave, then suddenly confronted Jiang Si. “Fourth girl, do you still remember that I’m your grandmother?”
“Of course, granddaughter remembers.”
“Do you need to be carried here in a grand sedan chair to visit Cixin Hall?”
Jiang Si didn’t respond to this. Instead, she asked with a smile, “Grandmother, have you seen the letter of severance?”
“What if I have?” Madam Feng’s anger subsided a little.
The Old Madam had already sent people to inquire about the situation when her eldest son took his children to the Shuntian Prefecture to sever ties with the Zhu family. She knew clearly about Jiang Si’s performance in court.
This girl’s boldness and quick wit far exceeded her expectations.
Because of this, she didn’t know how to treat this granddaughter anymore.
“Previously, granddaughter made a bet with Grandmother. It seems I’ve won.”
Madam Feng’s face darkened. “What, you want a reward for winning? I remember the bet was that I wouldn’t interfere with your elder sister and her daughter’s affairs in the future.”
Jiang Si shook her head, smiling. “I wouldn’t dare ask for a reward. I just wanted to tell Grandmother that I’ll win the other bet too.”
“Ahem.” Jiang Ancheng repeatedly gave Jiang Si meaningful looks.
This foolish girl, why bring that up now? He still wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with Little Yu.
Madam Feng stared at Jiang Si steadily and uttered three words: “I’ll be waiting.”
After leaving Cixin Hall, Jiang Ancheng walked ahead with a dark face.
A hand grabbed his sleeve.
“Father, are you angry?”
Jiang Ancheng ignored Jiang Si, walking quickly for quite a distance before suddenly stopping. He grumbled, “I’m your father. I should have the final say in your marriage!”
“But I’ve already made a bet with Grandmother.”
“Then back out of it.” Jiang Ancheng said righteously.
Now that his eldest daughter had moved back home and they had the letter of severance, the Old Madam couldn’t do anything even if they reneged on the bet.
“Anyway, you don’t have the final say in this. Marriage is a big deal, and you should listen to me!” Jiang Ancheng pulled his sleeve free. “Go keep your elder sister company. I have important matters to attend to.”
Don’t think he hadn’t noticed. On the way back to the Earl’s residence, he had seen Si’er peeking at Little Yu through the carriage curtain. This girl fancied Little Yu, yet she was still thinking about marrying into a noble family.
Those sons from noble families weren’t as reliable as Little Yu.
Jiang Ancheng bid farewell to his daughter and arrived at the flower hall, hearing hearty laughter from inside. He couldn’t help but smile.
Seeing Jiang Ancheng enter, Yu Jin stood up. “Uncle.”
Jiang Ancheng walked in with his hands behind his back. “Little Yu, sit down.”
He glanced at his son. “What were you talking about?”
“I was discussing the Jinwu Guard with Brother Yu.”
Jiang Ancheng nodded approvingly.
One becomes like one’s company. Since that good-for-nothing son started spending time with Little Yu, he had indeed become more presentable.
“Little Yu, how old are you this year?”
Yu Jin’s heart skipped a beat.
He loved answering this question, always feeling that something good was about to happen.
“This nephew is eighteen years old.” No matter how happy he felt inside, Yu Jin maintained a serious expression.
“Eighteen, a good age.”
Yu Jin maintained his smile.
Jiang Ancheng felt he should be more reserved, so he sighed heavily.
“What’s wrong, Uncle?”
“Ah, Little Yu, you’re not married yet, so you don’t understand a father’s feelings. My eldest daughter met an unworthy man. Now I’m thinking of keeping my second daughter forever.”
Yu Jin’s expression froze, and he laughed dryly. “Uncle, you shouldn’t give up because of one bad experience. There are still good men out there.”
“Is that so? Where?”
Yu Jin’s mouth twitched.
Can’t you see such a good man right in front of you?
“This nephew thinks that one life, one world, one partner is quite good. Having more people is not only troublesome but also expensive to maintain.”
Jiang Ancheng burst into laughter. “That’s exactly right!”
He knew it was more reliable to marry someone like Little Yu, who came from an ordinary background but was hardworking. How good he was at managing life!
After talking with Yu Jin, Jiang Ancheng felt that Jiang Si’s marriage couldn’t be delayed any longer. He immediately invited Zhen Shicheng out for tea.
“Brother Zhen, I have a favor to ask today.”
Zhen Shicheng held his teacup and listened.
“Little Yu is your subordinate. I’d like you to inquire about his family situation and his intentions. If it’s suitable, I’m thinking of arranging a marriage between him and my daughter.”
Zhen Shicheng looked at him with a strange expression. “Brother Jiang, don’t you know Little Yu’s identity?”