Jiang Yao stayed at Wu’an Marquis Manor for two more days.
The three members of the Marquis Wu’an’s household treated her very kindly, with daily meals prepared according to her preferences.
Regardless of the hidden intentions of the Marquis’s family, she lived quite comfortably.
Two days later, Jiang Yao bid farewell to Marquis Wu’an.
Marquis Wu’an said, “It is time to return after all, you are family. I have already spoken to your husband, and he knows he was wrong. When you return, your sister-in-law will also apologize to you. Now that your husband has entered the Grand Secretariat, you must still give him some face.”
When mentioning Jiang Yao’s sister-in-law, Marquis Wu’an’s tone was not particularly favorable.
He also felt that the Pei family’s sister-in-law was meddlesome.
His final remark was naturally a reminder to Jiang Yao not to embarrass Pei Muzheng in front of outsiders.
This referred to the incident at Dingguo Duke Manor where Jiang Yao had slapped Pei Muzheng in front of everyone.
Jiang Yao did not argue with Marquis Wu’an about this. After all, the slap had already been delivered. Whether she would do it again in the future would depend on her mood.
Jiang Yao responded gently, following Marquis Wu’an’s words.
“Your daughter remembers. Thank you for the reminder, Father. I was just too angry that day.”
Looking at his docile daughter, Marquis Wu’an was momentarily dazed.
His and the Eldest Princess’s daughter had such a gentle temperament, completely opposite to the Eldest Princess’s character.
Recalling the years he had spent with the Eldest Princess, Marquis Wu’an’s eyes darkened.
After Marquis Wu’an offered a few more words of advice, Jiang Yao left Wu’an Marquis Manor with Zhenzhu.
As they turned out of the Marquis Manor’s alley, Jiang Yao lifted the curtain slightly and said to the coachman, “Xiao Liuzi, take us to the Jiang family.”
The coachman was Chen Momo’s grandson, named Feng Liu. He was only thirteen years old, very clever, and skilled at both driving and running errands. He usually only obeyed Jiang Yao’s orders.
Chen Momo’s family were bondservants of the Jiang family and had followed Jiang Yao as part of her dowry to Pei Manor.
Chen Momo’s husband’s family, the Feng family, managed the estates that Jiang Yao had brought as dowry, as well as other shops.
Zhenzhu was relieved to learn that the young mistress was returning to the Jiang family.
Since the young mistress had been found by the Wu’an Marquis Manor half a year ago, she had only visited the Jiang family during festivals in the past six months.
Each visit had been strained.
She knew the young mistress had deep feelings for the Jiang family. Perhaps she felt she had already occupied the Jiang family’s affections for over a decade and, not being their biological daughter, hoped Shen Yuanwu would return to the Jiang family more often. She did not want to continue monopolizing the Jiang family’s love.
Throughout the journey, Jiang Yao remained silent and somewhat nervous.
In her previous life, she had been confined to the rear courtyard by the Pei Family.
The Pei Family did not allow the Jiang family to visit. On several occasions, her father and mother had forced their way into the Pei Manor, only to be beaten and driven out by the Pei family’s servants.
Pei Muzheng coldly told the Jiang family, “You are not Yao Yao’s biological parents and have no right to visit her again.”
It was only years later that she learned the Jiang family had been accused of treason, and Pei Muzheng had led the raid on their home.
She never saw the Jiang family again.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yao’s eyes reddened.
In this life, she no longer cared.
The Jiang family was her family, regardless of blood ties.
Jiang Yuanwu was her biological sister, but whenever she returned to the Jiang family, she only asked for money and had never once called their parents “Mother” or “Father.”
As for Marquis Wu’an, he was her biological father, but it was clear he had ulterior motives for finding her.
In this life, she would only follow her heart.
But for now, she would still proceed cautiously when interacting with the Jiang family.
The Jiang family was also in the capital. Half an hour later, the carriage stopped in front of the Jiang family’s main residence.
The Jiang family’s gatekeeper was overjoyed to see the young mistress return, immediately opening the main gate and inviting her in.
A maid hurried to the Main Courtyard to announce the news.
Upon hearing their daughter had returned, Jiang Fu and his wife Cheng Shi were thrilled.
Yet in the next moment, Cheng Shi’s face showed a trace of worry.
Over the past six months, Yao Yao had only visited during festivals, always seeming somewhat reserved.
But they knew well this wasn’t due to lack of affection.
Rather, it was because of her status.
They had assumed this visit would be the same.
To their surprise, the moment their daughter entered, she threw herself into Cheng Shi’s arms, sobbing, “Mother, I’ve missed you so much, and Father too.”
She missed everyone in the Jiang family.
Jiang Yao’s sudden embrace deeply moved Cheng Shi and Jiang Fu.
Even Jiang Fu, a stout man, instantly reddened at the rims of his eyes.
Jiang Fu was somewhat plump and appeared very amiable.
Cheng Shi was slimmer; in her youth, she had been quite beautiful, but now in her forties, age had brought wrinkles and spots at the corners of her eyes, giving her the appearance of an older woman.
“My precious, what great wrongs have you suffered?”
Though Cheng Shi looked frail, her temper was fiery, and she immediately began cursing,
“Did the Pei family bully you? That Pei Muzheng is no good either—he relied on our family to attain his rank, yet at banquets he doesn’t even protect you, instead spouting nonsense!!”
News from the Dingguo Duke Manor had spread throughout half the capital.
Seeing Jiang Yao return in tears, they assumed she had suffered greatly, thinking the Pei family had continued blaming her after she went back.
Jiang Yao lingered in Cheng Shi’s embrace, unwilling to rise.
She had simply missed her parents too much.
“Mother, no, I wasn’t wronged. I just missed you and Father too much. I’ve realized now—even if I’m not your biological daughter, I still want to cling to you. You will always be my parents.”
“My precious, the apple of my eye.”
Cheng Shi held her daughter, exclaiming affectionately.
She had borne three sons and only one daughter, whom she had pampered and doted on since childhood.
As a child, her daughter had been somewhat mischievous, climbing walls and trees.
They could never bring themselves to scold her, always coaxing her instead.
It was no exaggeration to say they feared she would fall if held in their hands, or melt if kept in their mouths.
Such deep affection could never be severed.
Jiang Yao chatted with Jiang Fu and Cheng Shi for a long while before saying, “Mother, I’m going to see Second Brother.”
“Alright, go see your Second Brother. Will you stay for lunch? I’ll have the kitchen prepare your favorite dishes.”
Cheng Shi never held back in expressing her love for her daughter—it was always generous, fervent, and as intimate as could be.
Jiang Yao smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons. “Yes, I’ll do as Mother says.”
She took Zhenzhu with her to Second Brother’s courtyard.
Watching Jiang Yao leave the courtyard cheerfully, Jiang Fu and Cheng Shi felt both comforted and sorrowful.
They knew their daughter must have experienced something at the Pei family.
But it was good that she had come to her senses and was now close to them again.
Cheng Shi sighed and said to her husband, “I don’t know what’s wrong with that child, why she was the first to start gossiping about Yao Yao in the side courtyard of the Dingguo Duke Manor, so sure it was Yao Yao inside.”
They were speaking of their biological daughter, Shen Yuanwu.
Hearing his wife mention their biological daughter, Jiang Fu couldn’t help but frown.
How could they not ache for their own flesh and blood?
Initially, they had also met Shen Yuanwu with great affection and hope.
Both of them were merchants who had traveled extensively and encountered countless people.
Yet at first glance, they could sense the child’s intense disdain toward them.
Every time she visited the Jiang family, she would sit on the stool as if barely touching it.
Each visit, she would bring a casually prepared gift and leave within half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
It was as if she treated the Jiang residence like some filthy place.
But considering they hadn’t raised her for the first dozen or so years, they didn’t force the issue, believing affection would gradually develop through interaction.
So whenever Shen Yuanwu visited, they remained generous, readily giving her silver notes in hopes of compensating for those lost years.
Yet with each visit, Shen Yuanwu’s attitude remained largely unchanged.
They often felt she didn’t seem like a child they could have raised.
But the mix-up from years ago was indeed real.
Jiang Fu sighed, “Enough, let’s not speak of her. Since Yao Yao has finally returned, I’ll prepare some fine things for her.”
Cheng Shi shot him a mock-annoyed glance. “Fine, I’ll head to the kitchen first.”
Jiang Yao left her parents’ courtyard and went to Second Brother’s quarters.
The Jiang family structure was simple.
Jiang Fu had only married Cheng Shi, without a single Qie.
Cheng Shi had borne four children.
The eldest, Jiang Conghong, was already married with children—a pair of twins, now five years old, utterly adorable.
The second, Jiang Congxing, was twenty this year, around the same age as Pei Muzheng.
Jiang Congxing was exceptionally talented in literature, having passed the Imperial Examination for Cultivated Talent at just twelve.
It was then that the entire family moved to the capital.
The most prestigious academy in the capital, after reading just one of Second Brother’s essays, made an exception to admit him into Ningde Academy.
Unfortunately, two years after moving to the capital, Jiang Congxing met with a tragedy.
While saving a young girl, his legs were crushed by a suddenly out-of-control carriage.
From then on, even though Jiang Congxing never gave up, his path to the Imperial Examination and official career was closed.
Over the years, he continued reading, practicing calligraphy, and writing essays at home, never abandoning his pursuits.
Thinking of Second Brother’s legs, Jiang Yao felt a stir in her heart.
Soon, she arrived at his courtyard.
Second Brother was in his study, reclining on a daybed beneath the window and reading.
When Jiang Yao entered, Jiang Congxing set his book aside and smiled at this sister who shared no blood relation.
“Yao Yao, you’re back?”
Second Brother Jiang resembled Cheng Shi in appearance—elegant and refined, making him quite handsome.
Jiang Yao went over and sat beside Jiang Congxing.
“Second Brother, I’m back.”
In the six years since his legs were crippled, Jiang Congxing had never abandoned his studies nor given up on himself.
Whenever there was a renowned Langzhong or miracle-working doctor, no matter how distant, the Jiang parents spared no expense or effort to bring them to treat Second Brother’s legs.
But without exception, after examining him, each would shake their head and say recovery was impossible.
Jiang Congxing couldn’t resist patting his sister’s head.
He disliked Shen Yuanwu; from their first meeting, he had sensed a trace of malice in that girl toward the Jiang family.
Yes, just a hint of malice.
He adored Yao Yao.
Even without blood ties, this familial bond was unbreakable.
Seeing the ease on Yao Yao’s face, Jiang Congxing knew his sister had resolved her inner conflict.
For the past half-year, every time Yao Yao returned home, she had seemed conflicted—wanting to draw closer to the Jiang family yet holding back, as if continuing to be intimate would wrong the family’s biological daughter.
Fortunately, Yao Yao had come to her senses.
Jiang Yao rubbed against her second brother’s hand and couldn’t help saying, “Second Brother, I will help cure your leg!”
Being killed by Pei Muzheng wasn’t without its benefits.
She had lived an extra lifetime in another world and became a renowned medical practitioner, highly skilled in medicine.
Now she could already cure her second brother’s leg, allowing him to pursue his ambitions.
Instead of letting Pei Muzheng continue to take advantage of Second Brother! Climbing up by stepping on Second Brother and the Jiang family!
Jiang Congxing knew that his younger sister had started reading medical books several years ago, all with the intention of helping cure his leg.
But studying medicine was inherently difficult, especially through self-study.
Everyone thought she was just playing around, only learning superficial knowledge and recognizing a few medicinal herbs.
Jiang Congxing still couldn’t help but coax his sister like when she was little.
“Alright, alright, Yao Yao will definitely be able to cure Second Brother.”
“Second Brother, I’m serious!” She clenched her fists, her fair and tender cheeks puffing up slightly, still as adorable as when she was young.
“Second Brother, Divine Doctor Xue has recently come to the capital. I plan to beg Divine Doctor Xue to treat your leg, and also ask him to take me as his disciple. I want to study medicine under Divine Doctor Xue.”
She needed to find a source for her future exceptional medical skills.
She couldn’t just have read a few medical books through self-study and then cured Second Brother’s legs that everyone had given up hope on.
Not to mention curing Ning Wang Dianxia’s headache condition as well.
“Divine Doctor Xue?” Jiang Congxing was slightly stunned.
Of course he knew of Divine Doctor Xue – he was the world’s foremost divine doctor.
But he had heard that Divine Doctor Xue had a very peculiar temperament and was from the martial world. He treated patients according to his whims, and even the imperial family might not be able to secure his services.
Seemingly aware of her second brother’s concerns.
Jiang Yao shook his arm, “Second Brother, don’t worry. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. I’ll do my best to invite Divine Doctor Xue to treat your leg.”
No matter what method it took, she was determined to invite Divine Doctor Xue and make him accept her as his disciple.
After spending an hour with her second brother, a maid came to call them to the Main Courtyard for lunch.
Cheng Shi had the kitchen prepare a large table of dishes for her daughter, all flavors Jiang Yao had loved since childhood.
This time, Jiang Yao only saw her elder sister-in-law and a pair of twins.
Her eldest brother had gone out with their third brother.
Jiang Yao also had a third brother, Jiang Congwu.
True to his name, he had loved practicing martial arts and wielding weapons since childhood. At ten years old, he said he wanted to join the military camp and become a great general.
Jiang Fu found him too unruly and forced him to go out on business trips with the eldest brother.
The elder sister-in-law also came from a merchant family but had a gentle and graceful personality.
The twins clung to Jiang Yao, calling “Auntie, Auntie” repeatedly.
Jiang Yao adored them immensely, hugging her nephew and niece, kissing them again and again, reluctant to let them go.
Seeing Jiang Yao’s affection for the two children.
The Jiang family couldn’t help but think of Shen Yuanwu.
The two little ones also knew they had gained another aunt.
When Shen Yuanwu came, they also wanted to get close to their other aunt.
They had just called “Auntie” and walked over.
Shen Yuanwu actually subconsciously frowned and moved aside.
Cheng Shi watched how Yao Yao treasured the two children.
She sighed softly.
Jiang Yao ate until her stomach was round at the Jiang family, almost too full to walk.
When leaving the Jiang family, Jiang Fu even stuffed two bags into her carriage.
“Yao Yao, these are all the dried seafood that your father brought back from the south recently – dried abalone, dried scallops, large dried fish, dried fish maw, dried sea cucumber, dried prawns… These are all excellent ingredients, delicious and nourishing. Take them back with you to eat.”
Not only that, but fearing that the Pei family’s cooks might not know how to prepare these properly, Jiang Fu even assigned one of the Jiang family’s cooks to accompany Jiang Yao back.
Jiang Yao didn’t refuse.
Her courtyard was separate from the Pei family’s main kitchen, and she wouldn’t be eating with the Pei family going forward.
The two cooks in her small kitchen were quite skilled at preparing homestyle dishes, but weren’t as proficient with more elaborate cuisine.
She had always been somewhat particular about food.
Naturally, she had no intention of depriving herself.
Carrying two large bags filled with her father’s affection, along with the cook her parents had insisted she take,
Jiang Yao returned to Pei Manor.