Jiang Yitang did not remain despondent for long.
Time heals many wounds. For Jiang Yitang, her concubine mother's passing was something that happened many years ago; she had long grown accustomed to it.
She suddenly stood up, stood on tiptoe, and tied the newly woven osmanthus knot to the head of the bed.
The tassel of the osmanthus knot swayed gently. Jiang Yitang had woven it with golden thread, and in the dimly lit room, it became a splash of bright color.
Jiang Yitang looked up at the osmanthus knot.
In her past life, Xie Yuzhao had loved the knots she wove, and the tassels on the jade pendants he carried with him were all made by her.
After hanging the osmanthus knot, Jiang Yitang glanced sideways—the rain outside still hadn't stopped.
All the umbrellas in Song'an Yuan had been taken by her. Today, Qing Su wouldn't be able to bring them their meals, so Jiang Yitang had to go fetch them herself.
Jiang Yitang estimated the time and hurriedly said:
"The rain hasn't stopped, Qing Su can't come. I need to go check."
She turned to leave. Seeing her rushed manner, Xie Yuzhao frowned imperceptibly and spoke softly:
"The path is slippery in the rain. Go slowly."
After a slight pause, he calmly added, driven by a private wish: "A Li."
After her birth mother passed away, he was the only one left in the world who called her "A Li."
Jiang Yitang turned back and stared at him blankly for a moment. Soon, she dared not look any longer, lowering her head and murmuring softly:
"Alright."
For an instant, in Jiang Yitang's eyes, the Xie Yuzhao before her overlapped with the Xie Yuzhao from her past life.
That man had always loved to call her A Li, his tone gentle with a hint of barely noticeable affection.
Jiang Yitang's body stiffened slightly.
She had to admit that she was somewhat afraid to face the Xie Yuzhao from her past life.
The wind on rainy days carried a chill. Jiang Yitang didn't dare open the window and was especially careful even when opening and closing the door.
Only when she stood on the covered wooden walkway did Jiang Yitang feel the stiffness gradually fade. Her hand trembled twice as she opened the oil-paper umbrella before finally managing to open it fully.
On the walkway, the woman reached out and patted her cheeks, whispering to herself:
"Don't let your thoughts wander…"
If Xie Yuzhao had also returned from many years later, just like her, how could he possibly treat her so calmly?
He should resent her.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yitang suddenly felt somewhat downcast.
She thought she was being overly sentimental. It was her own choice, so why should she feel downcast?
Did she abandon Xie Yuzhao, not seeing him for years, yet still expect him to treat her with the same gentleness as before?
Jiang Yitang pursed her lips.
Even she felt that having such thoughts was shameless.
Jiang Yitang shook her head vigorously, no longer dwelling on these unrealistic questions. Holding an umbrella and carrying another oil-paper umbrella in her arms, she hurried into the rain.
The misty, fine drizzle soon obscured the woman's figure.
Running all the way to the rockery, Jiang Yitang was momentarily confused—she couldn't find the food box nearby.
But it was indeed noon.
Jiang Yitang frowned, unable to believe that the servants of Shangshu Fu would be so bold. After all, the midday meal was delivered along with the medicine.
Who would dare withhold the medicine for Songrong Courtyard?
Worried that she might have overlooked it, Jiang Yitang searched the area thoroughly.
Still finding no food box, Jiang Yitang began to grow anxious. Holding her umbrella, she gazed into the distance, wondering if perhaps the kitchen staff had been delayed.
Before this thought could settle, Jiang Yitang saw Jiang Shuangyuan and her group approaching from around the corner.
Jiang Shuangyuan and Jiang Yanzhen walked side by side.
Both of them had maidservants holding oil-paper umbrellas for them, with several more maidservants following behind. They seemed to be discussing something, as Jiang Yanzhen kept covering her mouth to stifle her laughter.
From a distance, Jiang Yanzhen also spotted Jiang Yitang. She nudged Jiang Shuangyuan beside her:
"Second Sister, isn't that Third Sister over there?"
Jiang Shuangyuan followed her gaze and her expression immediately darkened.
As usual, Jiang Shuangyuan instinctively walked toward Jiang Yitang. Seeing this, Jiang Yanzhen's expression shifted slightly, and she cursed inwardly.
Was Jiang Shuangyuan out of her mind?
Jiang Yitang went in and out of Songrong Courtyard every day. Who knew if she had picked up something contagious? Instead of avoiding her, Jiang Shuangyuan was actually approaching her?!
Unfortunately, she was with Jiang Shuangyuan and had a favor to ask of her. Since Jiang Shuangyuan had already gone over, she had no choice but to follow.
Jiang Yanzhen cursed Jiang Shuangyang relentlessly in her heart, her face slightly pale as she trailed behind her.
However, she took particularly small steps, and the surrounding maidservants were also reluctant to approach San Gu Niang, so her actions didn't stand out.
At least, Jiang Shuangyuan didn't notice anything amiss.
She strode right up to Jiang Yitang. Fengling lowered her head, hiding her fallen expression, but didn't dare to intervene.
"Jiang Yitang, why aren't you in Songrong Courtyard taking care of Dianxia? What are you doing out here?"
As she spoke, Jiang Shuangyuan raised her hand to cover her nose and mouth, as if Jiang Yitang were some kind of contagion.
Jiang Yanzhen rolled her eyes discreetly.
Jiang Yitang's mind was entirely on the food box and she had no intention of engaging with Jiang Shuangyuan. She knew the people of Shangshu Fu all too well.
She had been sent by the Old Madam to take care of Xie Yuzhao. Even if Jiang Shuangyuan disliked her, there was nothing she could do about it at this stage.
As for the future?
Once Xie Yuzhao recovered, he would naturally be able to protect her.
Jiang Yitang had always trusted Xie Yuzhao.
Although Jiang Yitang didn't want to deal with Jiang Shuangyuan, thinking of Xie Yuzhao in Songrong Courtyard, she still lowered her eyelids slightly and said:
"The kitchen didn't deliver lunch to Songrong Courtyard today. I'm waiting for it."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuangyuan suddenly frowned.
Were the kitchen staff trying to get themselves killed?
It was one thing not to send food to Song'an Yuan, but how dare they delay the meals for Songrong Courtyard?
Jiang Shuangyuan glanced at the maidservant behind her and snapped impatiently:
"What are you standing around for? Go and see what the kitchen is up to!"
Hearing this, Jiang Yitang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The servants in the mansion were all afraid of Jiang Shuangyuan because, among the masters of the household, she had the worst temper and punished the servants the most frequently.
No servant in the mansion wanted to cross her.
Soon, a maidservant hurried toward the kitchen. However, Jiang Shuangyuan still felt a knot of frustration in her chest. She had intended to cause trouble for Jiang Yitang, but instead, she ended up helping her. Of course, she was fuming.
Jiang Shuangyuan gave Fengling a meaningful look, and Fengling understood immediately:
"Miss, we mustn't neglect the esteemed guest in Songrong Courtyard. Perhaps I should go and hurry them along myself."
Jiang Shuangyuan nodded in agreement.
Jiang Yitang's heart sank.
From Jiang Shuangyuan and Fengling's exchange, anyone who wasn't a fool could guess that Jiang Shuangyuan was planning something underhanded.
After all, Jiang Shuangyuan practically wore her intentions on her sleeve.
Jiang Yanzhen curled her lip in disdain. She couldn't understand Jiang Shuangyuan.
Jiang Yitang hadn't done anything to offend her, so why was she always targeting her?
Jiang Yanzhen was young. By the time she was born, Jiang Ze Min had gradually stopped visiting Concubine Song's courtyard. She knew nothing of the grudges from the previous generation.
However, Jiang Shuangyuan's dislike for Jiang Yitang was actually a good thing for her. First, there was a girl in the mansion whose status was lower than hers, and second, she could use Jiang Yitang to curry favor with Jiang Shuangyuan.
Although it was unfair to Jiang Yitang, they were both daughters of concubines, while Jiang Shuangyuan and the other were legitimate daughters. This world had never been fair from the start.
Thus, even if Jiang Yanzhen couldn't understand what Jiang Shuangyuan was thinking, she was still pleased to see this situation.
After about a quarter of an hour, Fengling returned with the same maid from earlier, carrying a food box in hand. Jiang Yitang did not see anyone from the kitchen.
Jiang Yitang couldn't help but glance at Jiang Shuangyuan. What exactly did she want to do?
Soon, Jiang Yitang found out.
The maid handed the food box to Jiang Yitang and hurriedly stepped back, even secretly cupping her hands to wash them with rainwater.
Though it was done discreetly, Jiang Yitang saw her actions clearly.
Jiang Yitang couldn't even tell if she had done it on purpose, but one thing was clear: everyone in the mansion now avoided her as if she were a plague.
There was a subtle hint of disdain.
If she hadn't returned and it was her former self standing here, she would likely have felt embarrassed, even a little hurt, and unconsciously developed a sense of inferiority.
Jiang Yitang admitted that she used to be timid and cowardly, yet particularly concerned about others' opinions.
Later, Xie Yuzhao taught her confidence. His unwavering protection ensured no one dared to target her, allowing Jiang Yitang to gradually develop a personality that disregarded others' views over time.
In truth, Xie Yuzhao still had some dissatisfaction with her.
He had sighed to her several times, saying that if she were more domineering, perhaps he wouldn't worry about her so much.
He always wished she could be more assertive, even if it meant having a worse temper, as it would be better than being easily hurt.
Perhaps it was because she had died once. Before her death, her entire life flashed before her eyes, and among the few who had treated her well, Xie Yuzhao occupied the largest portion.
Whenever Jiang Yitang thought of Xie Yuzhao now, she could only recall his kindness.
Fengling took back the oil-paper umbrella and stood beside Jiang Shuangyuan, explaining:
"Laoye has colleagues dining in the front courtyard, so the kitchen is temporarily busy and forgot about Songrong Courtyard."
At this point, Fengling suddenly changed her tone:
"The one in Songrong Courtyard is an esteemed guest, so the kitchen didn't dare delay. They quickly assigned someone to prepare the lunch and medicinal soup for Songrong Courtyard. However, San Gu Niang will have to endure some inconvenience. The kitchen still can't spare anyone, but they said they will send lunch to San Gu Niang as soon as the front courtyard is settled."
Raindrops pattered noisily against the umbrella.
The kitchen couldn't spare anyone to prepare lunch for her?
What a joke.
She was hardly an important figure in the mansion. Since there were guests dining in the front courtyard, the kitchen wouldn't skimp on the portions. They could easily set aside some from the preparations, which would be more than enough for her lunch.
Fengling's trip wasn't about urging the kitchen but about creating trouble for her.
The method was simple but effective.
Jiang Shuangyuan couldn't do much to her or cause her excessive trouble, but making her go hungry for a couple of meals was no issue at all.
Jiang Yitang silently took the food box, said nothing, and turned to leave with her umbrella.
Behind her, Jiang Shuangyuan frowned:
"What does she mean? She didn't even react?"
Tormenting someone but seeing no change in their expression—Jiang Shuangyuan didn't get to witness Jiang Yitang's look of grievance and endurance, so naturally, she felt unsatisfied. She pouted lightly, her interest waning.
On her way back, Jiang Yitang's expression remained unchanged throughout.
Today, Jiang Shuangyuan had tormented her, but even without Xie Yuzhao's help, she had her own way to retaliate.
She only needed to feign illness and stop coming to Songrong Courtyard to care for Xie Yuzhao. The first to grow anxious would be the old madam, and by then, Jiang Shuangyuan would naturally face consequences.
Even with the Shangshu Fu's negligence, they would never allow a sick person to care for Xie Yuzhao.
But Jiang Yitang could not do this.
At least not before the second imperial decree arrived.
Xie Yuzhao waited for a long time, only to see the woman return in low spirits, carrying a food box, looking entirely different from when she had left.
Xie Yuzhao's gaze finally settled on the food box in her hand.
There was only one.
For days, Jiang Yitang had been having lunch with him.
But out of concern for his illness, Xie Yuzhao only allowed her to stay outside the screen, keeping a distance.
Xie Yuzhao asked directly:
"Where is yours?"
Jiang Yitang's eyes reddened instantly. Her cheeks, pale from the cold wind, paired with her reddened, teary almond-shaped eyes, made her look utterly aggrieved. She instinctively complained to Xie Yuzhao:
"I ran into my second sister."