The thought suddenly arose in Old Madam Feng’s mind, but she then inwardly laughed at herself for being too sensitive, and her gaze toward Jiang Qian returned to one of loving-kindness.

However, Jiang Qian felt a jolt in her heart.

She knew clearly that her grandmother’s affection had always been conditional.

Her father was more accomplished than her eldest uncle. As her father’s only legitimate daughter, she had received more love than her other sisters since childhood. After she married the Marquis of Changxing’s family, her grandmother regarded her even more highly, which was evident from her grandmother’s attitude every time she returned to her maiden home.

But these past two times, her grandmother was noticeably different.

Jiang Qian glanced discreetly at Second Madam Xiao. Madam Xiao wore a perfectly appropriate smile, showing no signs of anything amiss.

Her gaze then passed over several people and landed on Jiang Si.

The quiet young woman sitting in the corner wore a somewhat worn light green robe. Her hair was in a conventional double bun adorned with two ordinary pearl flowers. Her delicate features were shrouded in an air of indifference as if nothing concerned her.

Even so, she was still so beautiful that she seemed to glow, making those who looked at her sigh at the unfairness of creation.

Jiang Qian’s doubts grew even stronger.

Among the six young ladies of the Earl’s mansion, the eldest sister was timid by nature, the third sister was the daughter of a concubine, and the fifth and sixth sisters were both born to concubines. Jiang Si was the one who most loved to stand out.

Jiang Si was very aware of her physical advantages. Even at home, she always appeared meticulously groomed in front of others.

When did it start to change?

Jiang Qian suddenly remembered that when she returned home a few days ago, Jiang Si’s attire was already quite casual. But at that time, she was so annoyed by Jiang Si’s inexplicable provocation that she overlooked this point.

Jiang Qian was not a foolish person. Although she had no evidence, she was certain that the subtle change in Old Madam Feng’s attitude must be related to Jiang Si.

“Qian’er, now that you’re married, you shouldn’t return to your maiden home so frequently. It might give the Marquis’s family ideas,” Old Madam Feng said, gently rubbing her left temple.

Jiang Qian obediently nodded, “Granddaughter understands. It’s just that when I came to see Grandmother a few days ago, your complexion didn’t look too good, so I was worried and came back to check on you.”

Jiang Si secretly curled the corner of her mouth.

As expected, to show her filial piety, Jiang Qian didn’t mention her letter, but attributed it to her attentiveness and consideration.

“You thoughtful girl. At my age, what complexion is there to speak of? I’m already halfway to the grave,” Old Madam Feng was very pleased by Jiang Qian’s words, her smile smoothing out the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.

Jiang Qian laughed behind her hand, “Grandmother, you’re mistaken. With your health and blessings, you’re sure to live to a hundred.”

“That’s right when Cang’er marries and has children, your great-grandson will still be waiting for you to choose a wife for him,” Second Madam Xiao chimed in.

Jiang Cang was the eldest grandson, Jiang Qian’s twin brother, and was currently unmarried.

Unlike the early marriages of noble families, scholars pursuing the imperial examinations often married late. Once they passed the exams and gained an official rank, the status of their potential bride’s family could make a qualitative leap.

It was not uncommon for Da Zhou scholars to wait until their early thirties to marry to become jinshi degree holders, let alone Jiang Cang who was not yet twenty.

Old Madam Feng was not anxious about Jiang Cang’s unmarried status and smiled at the comment.

As she smiled, her left eye suddenly felt a sharp pain, as if a needle had suddenly pierced it.

Old Madam Feng immediately closed her eyes, her face turning pale in an instant.

The harmonious atmosphere in the room suddenly froze.

Second Madam Xiao and Jiang Qian exchanged a glance, both somewhat puzzled.

After a few breaths, Old Madam Feng slowly opened her eyes.

“Old Madam—”

Old Madam Feng raised her hand, cutting off Madam Xiao’s words, and said flatly, “I’m a bit tired. You all may leave.”

“Grandmother—” Jiang Qian felt quite reluctant at the sudden change in atmosphere.

Old Madam Feng looked deeply at Jiang Qian, suppressing complex emotions, “Since you’ve come back, have a meal with your mother before you return.”

Hearing this, Madam Xiao’s face immediately flushed.

How could she not hear that Old Madam Feng was still annoyed about her investigating Cixin Hall?

Jiang Qian, unaware of these twists, had no choice but to withdraw from the others when she saw Old Madam Feng’s demeanor.

Watching Jiang Si’s graceful departing figure, Jiang Qian’s lips moved, wanting to call out and say a few words, but Madam Xiao gave a light cough.

Jiang Qian looked at Madam Xiao.

“Let’s go to Yaxin Courtyard.”

Once the mother and daughter returned to Yaxin Courtyard and dismissed the servants, Jiang Qian eagerly asked, “Has something happened in the mansion? I feel Grandmother’s attitude is somewhat strange.”

Madam Xiao, suppressing her embarrassment, related the situation to Jiang Qian.

“Mother was indeed too hasty. With Grandmother’s strong personality, how could she tolerate someone investigating Cixin Hall? If you had waited a few days before taking action, Jiang Si wouldn’t have been able to involve Grandmother. Then, as a junior, her confrontation with you would have been intolerable to Grandmother.”

“I originally thought that showing her some color at the time would make that girl behave more properly in the future. Who knew she would turn out to have such a shameless, ruffian nature!” Madam Xiao felt a surge of anger just thinking about being humiliated by a junior.

“That’s not right—” Jiang Qian’s delicate brows furrowed.

“What is it, Qian’er?”

“Grandmother’s attitude didn’t change just because you sent someone to inquire about Cixin Hall.” Jiang Qian was not a careless person, and she frowned in careful thought.

After a moment, her brow smoothed out, and she said with certainty, “It was that dream. Grandmother’s attitude only started to change after Jiang Si suddenly mentioned having a dream that day!”

“Jiang Si dreamed of two golden pheasants clawing at her eyes?” Madam Xiao was not slow in this regard. After a brief consideration, her expression changed dramatically, “I understand now. Your grandmother must have associated those two golden pheasants with you!”

Jiang Qian was quite puzzled, “What does this have to do with me?”

A fierce light flashed in Madam Xiao’s eyes, “Didn’t Jiang Si ask your grandmother if she had had any nightmares? She may claim to have had that dream was false, but your grandmother having that dream was true. That dead girl must have somehow heard about it! Qian’er, think about it, among the young ladies of the Earl’s mansion, you’re the second eldest, and you were born in the Year of the Rooster…”

“Grandmother believes in such things?” Jiang Qian’s face turned ugly.

Jiang Si had always been aloof, treating the sisters of the Earl’s mansion with indifference, but was uniquely close to her. How did it suddenly become like this?

As for her grandmother, after showing her so much love for so many years, would she become estranged because of some inexplicable dream?

“Qian’er, you’re still young. When you reach your mother’s age, you’ll understand. The older people get, the more they cherish their lives, so they become more inclined to believe in these things.”

Jiang Qian nodded slowly, her face suddenly covered in frost. She murmured, “Originally, I still felt some reluctance—”

“Qian’er, what are you saying?”

Jiang Qian came back to herself, “Nothing.”

At this moment, hurried footsteps were heard from outside, followed by a maid’s voice, “Madam, something has happened at Cixin Hall.”

Madam Xiao immediately called the maid in, “What happened?”

“The Old Madam suddenly lost sight in one eye!”

“What?” Madam Xiao involuntarily took half a step back. Thinking of the mother and daughter’s earlier speculation, she turned to Jiang Qian with a pale face.