Chapter 7: Jiang Shiyuan Shows Consideration for Her Family

As soon as Aunt Yang finished speaking, Jiang Shiyuan understood.

Making a living in the inner courtyards of the Jiang family was no easy task. Her grandmother was harsh and unfeeling, and her second aunt was driven entirely by greed and betrayal. While her mother was still alive, she could keep them somewhat in check, but now that those two women held the reins of power, she could forget about being treated generously; she feared even basic provisions might fall short.

Without dwelling on other matters, just by looking at the outfits of Aunt Yang and her third sister, Jiang Shishuh, which were styles from several years ago, Jiang Shiyuan knew what the two visitors were asking for. She offered a gentle, serene smile and replied:

"It was an oversight on my part. I haven't been feeling well these past few days since returning, and fearing I might pass my illness on to everyone, I didn't invite you in to chat. I do indeed have to go out today, heading to my maternal grandfather's estate. Since it is merely a family banquet, there is no harm in Third Sister coming along."

Her sincere tone instantly made Aunt Yang's eyes well up with tears.

"Thank you, Eldest Miss, for your consideration."

Truth be told, even if she had been turned away today, she could not have found a single fault with the Eldest Miss. Yet Jiang Shiyuan's current modest and amiable demeanor reminded Aunt Yang of when the First Madam was still alive. Back then, they had never been shortchanged on food or clothing, nor had they ever been troubled just because they needed to go out.

Aunt Yang was not a woman of sweet words and could not utter any flattering remarks for the moment. Instead, Jiang Shiyuan looked warmly and gently at the slightly uneasy Jiang Shishuh, and then instructed Luyuo to bring over a plate of Yudu pastries for the two of them to taste.

"My health is poor, so I don't usually care for pastries and sweets. However, these Yudu pastries are different; they are soft and glutinous, and quite easy to swallow. Third Sister, have a try. I remember you love sweets, so this should suit your palate."

"Eldest Sister, you still remember that I like sweets?"

"I was already six years old when I left home, old enough to remember things. I recall that when Mother was still here, you often came to her rooms to play with me. Sisterly bonds are precious. Since I have returned, we should not act like strangers. In the future, if you have free time, you are welcome to come over and sit with me."

Jiang Shishuh was somewhat surprised. She had always thought of herself as nothing more than an inconspicuous concubine-born daughter in the household, certainly not worthy of coming forward to mingle. Thus, she had single-mindedly hidden away in her room, passing the time with embroidery. She had never expected that her eldest sister, who looked like an immortal maiden beneath the moon, would still remember these past events.

For a moment, her heart was in a tumult of mixed emotions. Finally, holding back tears, she picked up a piece of the Yudu pastry and took a small bite. True to expectation, it was soft, glutinous, and carried a mild, refreshing sweetness—just the flavor she loved. She then looked up and smiled at Jiang Shiyuan. The tension on her young face had largely faded, replaced by a deep sense of being moved.

Just as they were eating, Jiang Huashan stepped through the door.

Having changed his clothes, he exuded an even greater air of scholarly elegance and romantic flair. As soon as he entered, everyone stood up and saluted.

"Greetings, Father."

"Greetings, Master."

"Are you all ready? If so, let us set off so as not to keep your maternal grandmother and the others waiting."

Jiang Shiyuan glanced at her third sister, Jiang Shishuh, and could not help letting out a soft chuckle when she saw her patting away a few crumbs of pastry from the corner of her mouth and nodding.

"Your daughter is completely prepared and can leave at once."

Seeing this, Jiang Huashan exchanged a few brief words and led the two sisters out of the courtyard.

Aunt Yang stood in place, her gaze lingering with reluctant affection until the three of them vanished from sight. Only then did she use a handkerchief to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes and turn away.

The coachman flicked his whip, and the carriage departed from Luoying Lane, where the Jiang family resided.

By the time they left, the sun was sinking westward, casting its afterglow across the sky and making the entire capital look as though it were bathed in a faint layer of golden light. After watching them leave, the gatekeeper sneaked into the courtyard belonging to the Second Madam, Madame Zhang.

"Are you certain you saw correctly?"

"I am quite certain. The Master truly took two young ladies out with him, saying they were going to the Marquis Wenxuan's estate for a family banquet. The gatekeeper said the Third Young Lady had even dressed up quite nicely, so I suppose she must have other motives in going."

The person speaking closely was a plump matron surnamed Qi, with upturned, slanted brows that made her look formidable at first glance. Sitting at the eight-immortal table and partaking of a double-boiled bird's nest stew with golden cups and snow lotus was none other than the household's currently triumphant Second Madam, Madame Zhang.

She was dressed in a bright red cloud-brocade long skirt embroidered with clustered floral patterns, covered by a thin outer garment of the same shade. She appeared slender and somewhat sharp-featured, especially her rolling eyes, which made it clear at a glance that she was deeply displeased by the Third Young Lady's trip to the Marquis Wenxuan's estate.

"Qiner has been married for less than a month, yet why is Aunt Yang in the neighboring courtyard turning green with envy? Does she wish to send her own daughter into the marquis's estate as well?"

"How could that be? Our Second Young Lady marrying the heir was a red thread personally tied by the Matchmaker in the Moon, a marriage blessed by the heavens. How can this Third Young Lady possibly compare? Besides, with her looks and talent, dreaming of entering the marquis's estate is sheer delusion. Second Madam, just wait and see—even if she enters the marquis's estate, she'll end up just like her mother, with nothing more than the fate of a concubine."

Madame Zhang felt greatly gladdened by Matron Qi's words. With a spoon clinking against the bowl, she scooped large mouthfuls of the bird's nest into her mouth before speaking with a calculating look in her eyes.

"I haven't gone to wait upon the Old Lady for several days. Tidying up, take the deer antler cream that Qiner sent someone to bring over last time, and let us go pay her a visit."

Matron Qi immediately understood and responded with a smile.

While the two mistresses were brimming with malicious schemes waiting to be unleashed, inside the slightly speeding carriage on the Imperial Street, Jiang Shishuh, who had not been out of the house for a long time, could not help peering outside.

The Marquis Wenxuan's estate was located towards the northeastern corner of Western Jingcheng. Traveling from the Jiang residence required crossing three main streets, including Danyang Avenue, which ran straight from south to north.

Danyang Avenue was the Imperial Street. When the imperial procession went out on patrol, the streets and roads were naturally sealed off, with the common people kneeling in worship along both sides, forbidden to gaze upon imperial grace. Today, however, was an ordinary day, and consequently, the streets teemed with pedestrians, many of whom walked along both sides of the Imperial Street to take in the bustling prosperity of Western Jingcheng.

Hawkers shouted their wares everywhere along the street. With mealtime approaching, appetizing aromas filled the entire length of the Imperial Street; some wafted from within shops, while others came from simple roadside stalls set up near the Imperial River, where sweet soups and wontons were being sold.

Such bustling liveliness was something Jiang Shishuh had never witnessed before, and naturally, she was filled with curiosity.

"Speaking of which, although your daughter has spent ten years in Western Jingcheng, there are still many places in the city I have never visited. Another day when Father is resting from official duties, would you take us around the city for a stroll?"

As Jiang Huashan sat inside the carriage with his eyes closed to rest, he heard a familiar voice beside his ear. Opening his eyes, he saw it was his daughter Jiang Shiyuan.

Although the words came from her lips, Jiang Huashan understood the underlying intent—she was speaking on behalf of her younger sister beside her. He reached out to stroke the smooth, drooping goatee on his chin and replied:

"May is an unlucky month, a time when heaven and earth commune, so it is not a good time to go out wandering for leisure. Let us wait until early July. I hear the-Moon-Embracing Tower is going to hold a Qixi Festival celebration. By then, your father will take you sisters out for a stroll and join in the festivities."

Hearing this, a look of eager anticipation filled Jiang Shishuh's eyes.