Granny Bai stood there, unsure whether to leave or stay. Just then, Jiang
Zhenzhou
strode in.
As soon as he entered, he saw the food laid out on the table.
“Perfect timing! I haven’t eaten yet, cousin, let’s eat together!”
he said, sitting down directly at the table. Granny Bai
, as if seeing a glimmer of hope, immediately said, “Then this old servant will go prepare a bowl and chopsticks for the young master.”
Without waiting for Jiang Zhiyu to say anything, Granny Bai immediately left with her servants.
Leaving the guest courtyard, Granny Bai instructed her maid, “Go prepare a set of bowls and chopsticks and take it in. I’m going back to report to Madam.”
Finally, she could leave!
Granny Bai walked with a brisk pace, as if afraid Jiang Zhiyu would catch up from behind.
However, Jiang Zhiyu was no longer concerned about Granny Bai at this point.
Looking at Jiang Zhenzhou sitting at the table, Jiang Zhiyu curled the corners of her lips.
She hadn’t even gone to find him yet, but he’d come to her first.
Jiang Zhiyu also sat down at the table. “Wangyou, Rendong, you two go out and keep watch.”
“Yes!”
The two greeted her in unison, bowed, and left.
Only Jiang Zhiyu and Jiang Zhenzhou remained in the room.
Jiang Zhenzhou’s expression was serious as he stared intently at Jiang Zhiyu. “Speak, what do you want me to do!”
Jiang Zhiyu smiled. “Don’t be so nervous! I’m not asking you to kill or set fires.”
“Stop talking nonsense!” Jiang Zhenzhou urged. “A bet is a bet. What do you want? Speak quickly! You’ll miss your chance!”
Jiang Zhiyu rested her chin on her hands. “So urgent? But I haven’t thought of anything yet!”
Jiang Zhenzhou’s eyes widened instantly. “If you haven’t thought of anything, then think of something! I don’t want to owe you anything forever!”
Just thinking about it made him uncomfortable; he hadn’t slept well last night!
If Jiang Zhiyu hadn’t been learning etiquette this morning, he would have come over then!
Jiang Zhiyu looked troubled. “Then let me think about it!”
After pretending to think for a while, she finally said, “You know, I haven’t seen much of the world, and I just want to broaden my horizons! Does the Marquis’s mansion have many treasures? Heirlooms or something? Could I take a look?”
“Of course the Marquis’s mansion has many treasures!” Jiang Zhenzhou said smugly. “Letting you see them isn’t impossible! But heirlooms… forget about them! I’ve never even seen one! Let alone you! Father said it’s meant to be part of the dowry for the Marquis’s legitimate daughter! Our Marquis’s mansion hasn’t had a legitimate daughter for five generations. My eldest sister was the first! That’s her dowry! So forget about it!”
Jiang Zhiyu, “…”
The information she found clearly stated that the heirloom jade pendant would be passed down to the legitimate daughter, not as part of her dowry!
Could it be that she had to first acknowledge her ancestors and become the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis’s mansion, and then marry herself off, before she could get that jade pendant?
Just thinking about it made Jiang Zhiyu feel dizzy.
“Oh, I see!” Jiang Zhiyu’s face showed realization. “Then my cousin is so lucky!”
“Of course!” Jiang Zhenzhou glanced at Jiang Zhiyu smugly. “Anyway, I’m much luckier than you!”
Jiang Zhiyu sighed. “Of course! Who told you to be the eldest daughter of the Marquis’s mansion, while I’m just a cousin! I can’t be envious!”
Jiang Zhenzhou, who had just been
so smug, froze on his face. He was clearly showing off, but Jiang Zhiyu’s agreement made him feel uneasy.
To be honest, Jiang Zhiyu was the true eldest daughter of the Marquis’s mansion.
It was just that by a twist of fate, she grew up in the countryside.
Jiang Zhenzhou secretly looked at Jiang Zhiyu and saw that she had her head down.
Although he couldn’t see her expression, he could guess that she was feeling very sad.
“Um…”
Jiang Zhenzhou hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“I definitely can’t give you the family heirloom, but I can let you take a look, maybe it’ll still be alright!”
“Really?”
Jiang Zhiyu suddenly raised her head, looking at Jiang Zhenzhou expectantly.
Her eyes sparkled, as if they held all the stars in the sky.
Looking at Jiang Zhiyu’s expression, Jiang Zhenzhou was a little afraid to meet her gaze.
He looked away and nodded, “Re…really…”
Jiang Zhiyu raised her hand and slapped Jiang Zhenzhou on the shoulder, “As expected of your heroic and extraordinary cousin, you’re really amazing! Thank you very much!”
Jiang Zhenzhou felt his shoulder sink suddenly from the slap, and even felt a little pain.
He turned around and dodged Jiang Zhiyu’s hand.
“How can a girl like you have such strength?”
Jiang Zhiyu sighed, “Probably because of watering the fields and doing too much farm work!”
Jiang Zhenzhou, who had been a little angry just now, instantly lost his anger after hearing this.
A pang of gui lt followed.
Jiang Zhiyu grew up in the mountains; how could she do farm work if she wasn’t strong?
She was forced into it by circumstances, and he had just shown her disdain.
The guilt that welled up in his heart made Jiang Zhenzhou feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.
Jiang Zhenzhou immediately stood up. “I’ll be going now. As for the family heirloom, I’ll take you to see it after I’ve made arrangements.”
Before Jiang Zhiyu could say anything, Jiang Zhenzhou strode out.
No sooner had Jiang Zhenzhou left than Wangyou and Rendong entered.
“Miss, why did Young Master Jiang’s expression seem so strange when he left?” Wangyou asked, puzzled.
Rendong added, “Yes! He was in such a hurry, as if he was afraid of something.”
Jiang Zhiyu smiled and picked up her chopsticks. “He’s feeling guilty for accidentally hurting me, and he didn’t want me to see his guilt, so he was in a rush to leave. Don’t worry about him. His guilt won’t last long.”
…
Two days passed in a flash.
Early that morning, Granny Bai arrived with her entourage.
“Miss, you’ll be going to the palace soon to attend the Empress Dowager’s flower-viewing banquet. Madam sent this old servant to help you with your makeup and dressing.”
Jiang Zhiyu looked at the clothes and jewelry Granny Bai had brought.
The clothes were fairly normal.
But the jewelry was increasingly elaborate and dazzling.
Just looking at it on the tray was almost blinding.
If she wore that on her head, wouldn’t she look like a nouveau riche? Those
who could attend the flower-viewing banquet at the palace were all prominent figures in the capital, each thinking about how to dress themselves in a noble, elegant, and otherworldly way.
If she really dressed like that, she’d probably become a laughingstock.
Seeing Jiang Zhiyu staring intently at the clothes and jewelry without saying a word, Granny Bai couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.
She had only sent such jewelry because of the young lady’s hint.
If Jiang Zhiyu made a scene now, reaching the Madam’s ears, the young lady might be fine, but there would likely be trouble!
After much deliberation, Granny Bai finally spoke, “Miss…”
Before she could finish, Jiang Zhiyu smiled at her, “Granny Bai is so kind! Then hurry up and dress me up!”
“Ah?”
Granny Bai was somewhat surprised.
Jiang Zhiyu had been staring without speaking, and she had thought Jiang Zhiyu had figured something out.
But now, Jiang Zhiyu was so impatient?
Thinking about it, it made sense. Jiang Zhiyu grew up in the mountains and might never have seen gold before. Seeing so much gold jewelry, how could she not be tempted?
Her worries were completely unnecessary!
Granny Bai stopped worrying and immediately led the maids to dress Jiang Zhiyu up.
Half an hour later,
Granny Bai led the dressed-up Jiang Zhiyu to the main courtyard to see Fan Suwan.
On the way, Jiang Zhiyu touched her hair ornaments, looking at Granny Bai expectantly, “Granny, will Auntie like me dressed like this?”
Granny Bai pursed her lips, remaining silent, feeling somewhat uneasy.
Over the years, she had never disobeyed the Madam’s wishes, and she didn’t know if the Madam would be displeased by obeying the young lady’s orders this time.
But, didn’t the Madam not care about Jiang Zhiyu?
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have only recognized her as a cousin.
Thinking this, Granny Bai’s heart calmed down a little.
Before long, they arrived at the main courtyard.
“Madam, Miss Jiang is all dressed up,” reported Granny Bai.
Fan Suwan slowly raised her head, and the moment she saw Jiang Zhiyu, she felt a wave of dizziness.
She couldn’t even believe her eyes.
Jiang Zhiyu was wearing a green dress, which was somewhat normal, and green suited her well.
However, Jiang Zhiyu’s head was covered in jewelry:
gold hairpins, red hairpins, and hair ornaments.
Despite her simple and elegant attire, she insisted on wearing a head full of gold ornaments, making herself look completely out of place.
“You!”
Fan Suwan took a deep breath, finally calming herself down a little.
“Why are you dressed like this?”
Jiang Zhiyu blinked innocently. “Aunt, what’s wrong? Didn’t you ask Granny Bai to have me dressed up? Aunt, Granny Bai also brought a crown, a golden peony flower, so beautiful, more beautiful than any peony I’ve ever seen before. I actually wanted to wear that too, but unfortunately there wasn’t enough space on my head!”
Jiang Zhiyu sighed, her eyes full of regret.
Hearing Jiang Zhiyu’s words, Fan Suwan felt her brow twitching.
She knew about the golden peony flower Jiang Zhiyu mentioned.
It was something that had been gathering dust in the storeroom!
The Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion, a high-ranking and noble family, how could they possibly wear such jewelry on their heads?
Granny Bai had served her for decades; she couldn’t possibly not understand this. Why would she give Jiang Zhiyu jewelry that had been gathering dust in the storeroom?
Fan Suwan looked at Granny Bai, and although she didn’t say a word, her cold gaze sent a chill down Granny Bai’s spine.
Seeing that Fan Suwan remained silent and her expression was unpleasant, Jiang Zhiyu finally stopped smiling.
“Aunt?”
Jiang Zhiyu asked softly, her face full of caution.
“What’s wrong? Is it that I’m not worthy to wear these things? I know these are all good things, very valuable. I’m just a cousin, I really am not worthy. Then I’ll take them off now.” As
Jiang Zhiyu spoke, she raised her hand and took off the jewelry from her head one by one, placing them all in Granny Bai’s arms.
Granny Bai didn’t want to accept them, but she didn’t dare not refuse, so she could only take them nervously.