As the saying goes, one doesn’t raise a hand against a smiling face.
Jiang Yi had a good nature. Although she had seen through Jiang Qian’s true colors, she still couldn’t bring herself to ignore her when they met face to face.
“What a coincidence, Second Sister. Are you out for a walk too?”
Jiang Qian’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she smiled, “Yes, I’ve been cooped up in my room all day. I was starting to feel moldy, so I thought I’d come out for a stroll.”
She then turned to Jiang Si, “I heard Fourth Sister got engaged. I went to congratulate you that day, but unfortunately, I missed you. Luckily, I’ve run into you today. I hope you don’t mind my late congratulations.”
Jiang Si smiled at Jiang Qian, “How could I mind? I never think it’s too late for congratulations, no matter when they come.”
Jiang Qian took off the pouch hanging from her waist, looking somewhat uneasy, “I don’t have anything fancy, but there’s a pearl necklace in this pouch. I’d like to give it to Fourth Sister as an engagement gift. Please don’t think it’s too humble.”
Jiang Si smiled warmly, showing no trace of the coldness she had displayed towards Jiang Qian the other day, “Of course, I won’t think it’s humble. We’re sisters of the same household. Even if Second Sister gave me just a silk flower, I would cherish it.”
“Then Second Sister can rest easy,” Jiang Qian said, clutching the pouch as she walked closer to Jiang Si, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Jiang Yi glanced at Jiang Si, then at Jiang Qian, and sighed inwardly: It’s good that Fourth Sister can save some face for Jiang Qian. Now that the Fourth Sister is the Baopin, it’s not worth getting into a conflict with Jiang Qian.
As for driving Jiang Qian out of the Earl’s mansion… Jiang Yi wasn’t sure if she agreed or disagreed. For someone staying as a guest in her maiden home, it was better to have less trouble than more. Compared to the Fourth Sister’s decisiveness, she would rather just keep her distance from Jiang Qian.
Jiang Qian had now reached Jiang Si and was handing over the exquisite gourd-shaped pouch, her voice soft and gentle, “Fourth Sister, please open it and see if you like it.”
“Thank you,” Jiang Si said, taking the pouch with a neutral expression as she began to open it.
Suddenly, a cold glint caught the corner of her eye, and Jiang Yi’s scream pierced the air, “Fourth Sister, watch out!”
Jiang Qian had raised a pair of scissors high, ready to stab Jiang Si.
Jiang Si seemed stunned by this sudden turn of events, freezing for a moment before turning to run.
“Trying to run? Too late!” Jiang Qian, though frighteningly thin, somehow summoned an incredible burst of strength. She grabbed Jiang Si’s sleeve and stabbed at her without hesitation.
“Jiang Qian, stop!” Jiang Yi pushed Jiang Qian with all her might.
Jiang Qian paid no attention to Jiang Yi’s shoves. Her eyes flashed with the ferocity of a lone wolf, singlemindedly intent on taking Jiang Si’s life.
Why should she rot away like mud trapped in her room while Jiang Si gets to become a princess in all her glory?
She had been forced into this situation all because of that bitch Jiang Si. Since there was no hope of turning her life around, she might as well die together with Jiang Si.
Jiang Yi’s maid, who had been walking behind them chatting with A-Man, saw what was happening and started screaming.
A-Man sprinted over, kicking Jiang Qian away and throwing herself onto Jiang Si, wailing, “Miss, are you alright? You scared this servant to death!”
Jiang Qian kicked to the ground and felt dizzy but desperately reached for the scissors that had fallen nearby.
An embroidered shoe kicked the scissors away.
Jiang Qian looked up with difficulty.
Jiang Yi, pale-faced, stared at Jiang Qian as if she were looking at a demon, “Jiang Qian, you’re terrifying!”
How could there be such a person in the world, attempting to murder her sister in broad daylight…
By this time, many people had heard the commotion and were rushing over.
Hearing the chaotic footsteps and shouts, Jiang Qian instantly felt all her strength drain away, lying on the ground like a dying fish out of water.
The people who arrived were all scared half to death.
Good heavens, Second Young Lady was trying to kill Fourth Miss.
Fourth Miss was now the future princess consort. If something had happened to her, wouldn’t they all have to pay with their lives?
“Are you all dead? Hurry up and tie her up, then send her to the Hall of Compassion!” A-Man cried, jumping up and down in distress.
It was heartbreaking. Her mistress had told her to stand far away and wait until the Second Young Lady had finished her madness before coming over. Was she not going to give this headmaid any chance to shine?
Several old women came forward and roughly grabbed Jiang Qian, escorting her to the Hall of Compassion.
Old Madam Feng looked at the disheveled Jiang Qian, too angry to speak.
“Old Madam,” A-Fu respectfully presented a shiny pair of scissors to Old Madam Feng.
Old Madam Feng only needed one glance to feel her heart pounding with fear.
“Jiang Qian, have you gone mad?”
Jiang Qian remained silent.
“What exactly happened?”
Jiang Si, pale-faced, said nothing.
Jiang Yi stepped forward and spoke, “Grandmother, this isn’t something your granddaughter should say. But Jiang Qian has gone too far, actually trying to stab Fourth Sister with scissors. Please deal with her properly, so she won’t have the chance to harm Fourth Sister again in the future!”
Old Madam Feng’s expression grew even more severe as she turned to Jiang Si, “Si’er, what do you have to say?”
Jiang Si lowered her eyes, her tone icy, “Your granddaughter has nothing to say.”
“Go call Second Master here,” Old Madam Feng instructed A-Fu.
She didn’t even mention Second Madam Xiao.
It being a rest day, Second Master Jiang quickly arrived at the Hall of Compassion. Seeing the scene before him, he was startled, “Mother, what’s going on?”
“What’s going on?” Old Madam Feng’s voice rose as she pointed at Jiang Qian with a trembling hand, “Ask your precious daughter what she’s done. She tried to stab Fourth Miss with scissors!”
“Really?” Second Master Jiang looked at his daughter, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, hardly believing what he was hearing.
Jiang Qian kept her head down, her messy hair hiding her face, making it impossible to see her expression.
Second Master Jiang strode over, “Qian’er, did you do such a thing?”
Jiang Qian slowly raised her head, revealing a distorted face.
Second Master Jiang instinctively took a step back, his heart jolting in shock.
When had his daughter, once as beautiful as a flower, turned into this ghostly appearance?
He suddenly lost patience to hear anything more from Jiang Qian and said to Old Madam Feng, “The country has its laws, and the family has its rules. Qian’er has made a mistake, you may deal with her as you see fit, Mother. I have no objections.”
Hearing her father’s words, Jiang Qian suddenly burst into maniacal laughter, “Hahaha, this is my dear grandmother, my dear father. You’re all so wonderful. I only regret that I lacked the strength, otherwise, I would kill you all, every single one of you…”
Everyone in the room felt a chill run down their spine.
Had the Second Young Lady gone completely insane?
Old Madam Feng’s last shred of affection for the granddaughter she had once truly loved vanished like smoke. She called out loudly, “Second Young Lady is ill. Feng Ma, go fetch a physician to examine and prescribe medicine for Second Young Lady!”
Jiang Qian was quickly pushed out.
Old Madam Feng, not caring that Second Master Jiang was present, asked Jiang Si with concern, “Si’er, you weren’t frightened, were you?”
Jiang Si glanced at Second Master Jiang and said coolly, “I was scared. Your granddaughter will return to Begonia Courtyard now.”
Old Madam Feng had been rebuffed, but she showed no sign of annoyance, “A-Fu, escort Fourth Miss back. Don’t let anyone disturb the young lady again.”
Jiang Si smiled faintly and left, arm in arm with Jiang Yi.
Back in her quarters, Jiang Qian had calmed down. A bowl of steaming medicine appeared before her.