The light was dim by the moon-shaped doorway, and Pei Yanchao, caught off guard, was bumped into by the young girl before him. He found it rather surprising.
The girl kept her head lowered in a fearful, deferential manner, her features unclear—only two silk ribbons hanging neatly from her twin buns could be seen, draping obediently on either side.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean it. The light here is too dim, and I couldn’t see clearly…”
She must not let him think she was one of those women who admired him—otherwise, she might very well end up having her family’s property confiscated and being exiled!
“It’s no matter…”
His voice was clear and pleasant, like a cold spring in a mountain ravine, but Jiang Sihe had no mind to appreciate it. The moment she heard the words “no matter,” she breathed a sigh of relief.
Pei Yanchao wondered why this young girl seemed so afraid of him—her body even appeared to be trembling slightly.
“Thank you… I won’t disturb you any further…”
Jiang Sihe stammered out the words, then, keeping her head low, hurriedly ran off to the side, pressing a hand to her chest as she went.
In the future, she must keep her distance from him. A person like that was someone she simply couldn’t afford to provoke.
Returning to her seat, she arrived just in time for the birthday congratulations to her father.
Every year, before Father’s birthday, her mother would teach the two of them to dance—in truth, it was all to win Father’s approval.
She and Jiang Jingshu, this pair of sisters, performed a dance that made the guests’ eyes light up, drawing praise they couldn’t hold back.
“Lord Jiang is truly blessed—this pair of sisters, one as bright and lovely as a crabapple blossom, the other as elegant and understated as a dark chrysanthemum…”
“Indeed, indeed—Lord Jiang is truly fortunate…”
Hearing this, her mother maintained an air of cool composure and self-restraint.
“Your mother has done well in teaching them…”
Father Jiang Zongyuan finally turned his gaze toward her mother. He had a pair of phoenix eyes, and when his gaze grew deep, it made one feel a hint of affection.
Her mother immediately stepped forward, saluting Father with great dignity and poise before speaking.
“My lord, this concubine dare not claim credit. Raising and teaching the children is simply my duty. It’s just that in recent years, I’ve been residing in the separate courtyard and have been unable to serve you, my lord—this weighs heavily on my heart!”
Jiang Sihe watched her mother speak with such lofty, self-righteous words at the banquet and knew that the First Madame would soon be angered.
Sure enough, the First Madame abruptly rose from her seat, a proper smile on her face. “Concubine Ruan, the two young ladies must be tired. You should take them down to rest now…”
Having been publicly humiliated, her mother’s face instantly turned pale.
“First Madame, this concubine still has something to say…”
At that moment, Nanny Qiu, who stood beside the First Madame, came over and gently supported her mother.
“Concubine Ruan, please…”
Her mother saluted Father with great reluctance, and in the end, couldn’t help but cast one lingering, affectionate glance at him before pulling her and her younger sister away.
As Jiang Sihe left the banquet, she glanced at her father’s expression—there was no pity, no guilt, only disgust.
Her mother was always like this, showing off her noble character and unapproachable aloofness regardless of the occasion.
By the time the banquet ended, it was already late. A servant informed her mother that the three of them—mother and daughters—were to stay in the residence for the night.
Her mother agreed happily, her heart full of hope that Father would come to see her. But instead of Father, what came was a summons from the First Madame.
“Concubine Ruan, the First Madame requests that you bring the two young ladies to the flower hall for a word!”
Jinlan, the maidservant by the First Madame’s side, was cold in manner and none too pleasant in tone.
At today’s banquet, her mother had publicly failed to show the First Madame respect, so it was only natural that the First Madame’s people would not give them good faces.
Years ago, her mother had voluntarily requested to move to the separate courtyard, causing the newly installed mistress of the household to lose face. And today, returning and speaking those words in public had nearly left the First Madame unable to save face at the banquet.
It was only to be expected that the First Madame’s personal maidservant would treat her poorly.
“Yes, this concubine will bring the two young ladies over at once!”
Jinlan did not wait for them but left ahead.
“Mother, why is the First Madame summoning us—is she trying to reprimand us?” Jiang Jingshu couldn’t help but ask in a low voice.
“When the mistress of the household summons you, you must endure it. Even if it’s a reprimand, you still have to go and listen. It’s just a pity that you two must suffer along with me.”
“Mother, my sister and I aren’t afraid. We haven’t done anything wrong—she won’t make things difficult for you…”
Jiang Sihe couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Haven’t done anything wrong?
Entering the residence without paying respects to the First Madame, and behaving the way she did at the banquet—that’s called not doing anything wrong?
“Mother, if the First Madame is summoning us, we should hurry. Better not to be late and give her more reason to talk…”
Jiang Sihe didn’t know when that glazed tile would fall, but if she missed the timing, she’d lose this chance, so she couldn’t help but urge them along.
“Sister is so eager to go see the First Madame—anyone would think you were the First Madame’s own daughter…”
Jiang Sihe ignored her, though inwardly she thought: if only she really were the First Madame’s daughter. If she were the di-daughter of the Jiang family, why would she need to scheme like this?
Hearing Jiang Jingshu’s words, her mother looked at Jiang Sihe with a chill in her eyes.
Following her mother to the flower hall, they were stopped by a maidservant outside.
“The First Madame still has matters to attend to. You may wait here by the door!”
Jiang Sihe had something on her mind and found herself distracted.
This was different from what Jiang Jingshu had said. First Madame was already in the flower hall—she hadn’t arrived together with them?
She secretly glanced up at the tiles on the roof. There was indeed one that was slightly loose, but there was no guarantee it would fall exactly when First Madame came out.
Her heart was anxious when a young servant boy ran in from outside.
“Quick, report to First Madame—the maternal uncle has arrived!”
Upon hearing this, the maidservant at the door broke into a slight smile and turned to go inside to report.
This maternal uncle was First Madame’s elder brother by blood. He was a military officer, but he doted on First Madame the most.
Soon, footsteps could be heard from within the flower hall. First Madame emerged, accompanied by her two personal maidservants, Jinlan and Jinsu.
She also saw the three of them—mother and daughters. The smile on her face immediately turned cold.
When Mother saw First Madame come out, she hurriedly pulled the two of us forward to pay our respects.
“Your concubine greets First Madame.”
“Ruan Mei, it’s been so many years. I thought you might have learned to be more obedient, but it seems you still refuse to change your ways…”
Mother quickly knelt down. “Your concubine does not know what has displeased First Madame. Please, First Madame, enlighten me…”
Seeing Concubine Ruan’s arrogant and aloof demeanor, First Madame grew even angrier. Always putting on such airs—it was truly disgusting!
First Madame took a few quick steps toward the entrance.
Jiang Sihe’s heart raced. She stole a glance at the glazed tiles on the roof—there seemed to be no sign of them falling.
Could it be that because she had been reborn, this opportunity would disappear as well?
“Ruan Mei, let me ask you—were you not putting on that pretentious act of purity at the banquet today just to embarrass me in public, so that all of the capital would know that I, as the head of the household, mistreat you all…”
“Your concubine has not… When First Madame entered the household back then, your concubine voluntarily requested to move to the side courtyard. I never had any intention of fighting with you. Now that the master has called me back, First Madame must be displeased and wishes to make an example of me. Your concubine accepts this. I only beg First Madame not to be angry… and not to take it out on my two daughters…”
First Madame had a straightforward temper. After hearing Mother’s few words, her chest heaved with displeasure. She stepped down from the stairs, pointed at Mother, and sneered.
“What I hate most is this act of yours. Who are you putting on a show for… ah?”
“First Madame, watch out!”
Jiang Sihe shouted as she lunged toward First Madame. Before anyone could react, a heavy piece of glazed tile crashed down onto Jiang Sihe’s back.
Jiang Jingshu, who was standing closer to First Madame, spread her arms open, feeling inexplicably as though she had lost something.