Jiang Qian’s expression was equally unpleasant as she stood rooted to the spot for a long while without reacting.
“Qian’er—” Madam Xiao began to panic.
The Old Madam was still annoyed with her, and with the eye problem, her temper would be even worse. It was bad enough that her days would be difficult, but if the Old Madam harbored resentment towards Qian’er, that would be troublesome. A married daughter needed her maiden family’s support to have confidence, especially for a daughter who had married into a high-ranking family like Qian’er.
However, Jiang Qian had already calmed down by this time. She sternly ordered her maid, “You go down first!”
As the maid retreated nervously, Jiang Qian took a deep breath and grasped Madam Xiao’s hand. “Mother, don’t panic. We need to think of a way to deal with this before we go to Cixin Hall.”
“Yes, we need to come up with a plan.” Madam Xiao wasn’t someone who couldn’t keep her composure; she only appeared flustered because she didn’t suppress her emotions in front of her daughter. Now, her mind was racing, and she quickly had an idea. A cold light flashed in her eyes as she said, “Since someone is using dreams to their advantage, we’ll use their methods against them!”
“What do you plan to do, Mother?”
Madam Xiao pulled Jiang Qian close and whispered a few sentences in her ear.
Jiang Qian hesitated, “Will this work?”
Madam Xiao smirked, “Why wouldn’t it? If your grandmother believes in this, then we’ll play along. It’s just about two golden pheasants, and you’re not the only one ranked second among the younger generation in the Earl’s manor!”
Jiang Si’s twin brother, Jiang Zhan, was also ranked second.
“But Jiang Zhan isn’t born in the Year of the Rooster—”
“Who says golden pheasants only refer to the zodiac? Any excuse will do. The key is whether the fortune-teller we invite can gain your grandmother’s trust.” Having come up with this idea, Madam Xiao’s earlier panic disappeared, and a look of triumph appeared between her brows. “Don’t worry. I know a somewhat famous fortune-teller. Your maternal grandfather’s family had some connections with her years ago. If I ask her to help, this matter will surely succeed.”
“Thank you for your efforts, Mother.” Hearing Madam Xiao say this, the tension in Jiang Qian’s expression relaxed.
“What are you saying? You came from my womb. If I don’t worry about you, who else would I worry about?” Madam Xiao lovingly held Jiang Qian’s hand.
Jiang Qian’s lips moved, but she seemed to suddenly think of something. She discreetly withdrew her hand and linked arms with Madam Xiao, saying, “Mother, let’s hurry over.”
The news that Old Madam Feng had lost sight in one eye exploded like a thunderbolt over Earl Dongping’s manor. Hearing the commotion, the masters of various households rushed over one after another.
When Jiang Si arrived, Cixin Hall was already crowded with people. She quietly mixed in among her sisters to observe.
Second Aunt and Jiang Qian hadn’t arrived yet.
Noticing this, Jiang Si’s lips curled in a mocking smile.
She never believed that Jiang Qian, who had fooled her into thinking they shared a deep sisterly bond in her previous life, was stupid.
This delay in their arrival must mean the mother and daughter were discussing countermeasures after some speculation.
Thinking of this, the curve of Jiang Si’s lips deepened.
She wasn’t afraid of them taking action; she was afraid they might not act at all, depriving her of the chance to strike while the iron was hot.
As Jiang Si was lost in thought, she suddenly felt a gaze upon her. Looking up, she saw Third Miss Jiang Qiao rolling her eyes at her.
Jiang Qiao lived up to her name, being a vivacious young lady. Even the act of rolling her eyes appeared cute and lively from an observer’s perspective.
Jiang Si smiled in response.
Jiang Qiao was taken aback and lowered her voice, hissing, “Grandmother is ill, and you’re smiling!”
“I just noticed how particularly beautiful Third Sister looks today, I couldn’t help but smile,” Jiang Si said shamelessly.
Jiang Qiao’s face reddened as she spat, “What nonsense are you talking about? Just wait until Grandmother sees you smiling, you’ll be in for it!”
Jiang Si put on a look of sudden realization, “Oh, so Third Sister is worried about me.”
“Don’t flatter yourself!” Jiang Qiao rolled her eyes again and turned away, no longer paying attention to Jiang Si.
At this moment, Madam Xiao hurriedly arrived with Jiang Qian.
As soon as Old Madam Feng saw Madam Xiao appear, she picked up a teacup and threw it at her, “Why don’t you wait until I’m dead to come!”
As the household manager, it indeed looked bad for Madam Xiao to arrive so late when something had happened to the Old Madam.
Third Madam Guo’s eyes flashed with schadenfreude.
As a concubine’s daughter, she had never thought of competing with Madam Xiao. However, Madam Xiao had been too domineering in daily life, holding grudges over a few inappropriate words and making things difficult for her in terms of food, clothing, expenses, and social interactions.
Guo was a sensible person who knew that complaining to the Old Madam wouldn’t do her any good, so she could only swallow these dark losses.
But even a Buddha would turn wrathful after enduring too many injustices, and Guo was no exception.
Jiang Qian shielded Madam Xiao, letting the flying teacup hit her instead.
“Qian’er, are you alright?” Madam Xiao was heartbroken.
Jiang Qian shook her head and quickly walked to Old Madam Feng, saying softly, “Grandmother, it was my fault for keeping Mother in the garden to talk. That’s why the maid couldn’t find her in time. It’s all my fault, please don’t upset yourself—”
“Haven’t you gone back yet?” As soon as Old Madam Feng said this, everyone’s gaze fell on Jiang Qian’s face.
Jiang Qian felt as if these gazes were invisible blades, cutting her face until it burned with pain.
This kind of embarrassment was something Jiang Qian had never experienced in the Earl’s manor before.
At this moment, Jiang Qian felt more grateful than anything else: thankfully, she and her mother had discussed and found the root of Grandmother’s concern. Otherwise, this embarrassment would have left her confused and suffering for nothing.
But Jiang Qian didn’t care about that now.
As long as they could successfully shift the blame onto Jiang Zhan as her mother suggested, the worse Grandmother’s attitude towards her now, the more guilty she would feel later, and the more compensation there would be.
What did a little humiliation matter now if she could have the last laugh?
“Granddaughter was worried about Grandmother,” Jiang Qian said, her face showing just the right amount of grievance.
“You’re not a doctor. There’s no use in you staying here. You’d better go back quickly,” Old Madam Feng said. Having suddenly lost sight in one eye, her emotions were like a runaway horse. She was barely restraining herself from telling Jiang Qian to “get out.”
“How can I leave with Grandmother in this state? Please let me stay, at least until we hear the doctor’s conclusion,” Jiang Qian pleaded.
“The doctor has arrived,” the head maid A-Fu announced, panting as she ran in.
“All of you, get out!” Unable to vent her anger on Jiang Qian, Old Madam Feng simply chased everyone out.
In an instant, the courtyard of Cixin Hall was filled with people.
At a time like this, even though the Old Madam had told them to leave, they couldn’t go.
The tall, straight Chinese toon tree in the courtyard could hardly provide shade for so many people. The faint fragrance it emitted with the wind drifted into Jiang Si’s nostrils, seeming particularly strong.
For a moment, it felt like the height of summer.
Two-quarters of an hour passed on the sand clock as everyone waited anxiously, fine beads of sweat appearing on their noses.
Jiang Qian and Madam Xiao exchanged several secret glances.
Finally, the doctor emerged, accompanied by A-Fu and carrying his medicine box. Madam Xiao was the first to approach him, “Doctor, how is the Old Madam?”
The doctor shook his head, “I couldn’t find any obvious pathological changes in the Old Madam’s eye. It might be due to excessive internal heat. I’ve prescribed some medicine to clear heat and detoxify. If there’s no effect after two doses, you should invite a famous doctor.”
As soon as the doctor left, Madam Xiao immediately stated that she would spare no expense to invite famous doctors to cure the Old Madam’s eyes.
Jiang Si watched the manor fall into chaos without showing any emotion, but she had already made her calculations.