Breakfast returned to its usual routine: small shaomai, steamed buns, steamed egg custard, and a bowl of goat’s milk.
After hurriedly finishing breakfast, she brought Shui Xiang along to the Hall of Auspiciousness to pay respects to Old Madam.
As soon as she stepped out, she encountered Third Miss Jiang Yirou, who lived next door.
Jiang Yirou quickened her pace and took Jiang Yixi’s hand. “Second Sister, I was just about to come find you.”
Her voice was soft and sweet, her small hands smooth, and her smile charming.
In her previous life, before marriage, Jiang Yixi hadn’t been particularly close to Jiang Yirou, thinking she resembled her parents—the type who smiled while hiding a dagger. Only later did she realize that the Third Household was actually quite decent.
Jiang Yixi’s mood improved even further. Only those who had experienced hardship could more easily appreciate the beauty in ordinary things. In life, experiencing joy was far more pleasant than enduring distress.
The two walked hand in hand to the Hall of Auspiciousness.
Jiang Yirou whispered in Jiang Yixi’s ear, “If Grandmother hasn’t brought you back by the New Year, I’ll have my father remind her.”
Jiang Yixi smiled and expressed her gratitude.
First Madam Jiang, Third Madam Jiang, Jiang Yiyan, and Jiang Yishan were already in the Hall of Auspiciousness. The boys had paid their respects and gone to the front courtyard to study.
Previously, the Jiang residence had employed a female tutor to teach the young ladies reading and zither. However, by the end of last year, even the youngest Fifth Miss had turned eleven. Old Madam believed the girls should focus more on embroidery and household management, so she dismissed the tutor.
Having resolved that troublesome matter and considering that her second granddaughter might still bring significant benefits to the family in the future, Old Madam now regarded Jiang Yixi with much more kindness than before.
“Have you prepared everything? If you need anything, ask your Eldest Aunt.”
Jiang Yixi smiled. “Thank you, Grandmother. I understand.”
After chatting and laughing with Old Madam for a while, the young ladies went to the garden to chase butterflies and swing, but Jiang Yixi did not join them.
She had just returned to the Brilliant Garden and settled down when she heard footsteps in the courtyard, followed by Silly Girl’s voice.
“Second Miss, Second Miss! Sister Hua’er told me I’m being transferred to serve you. Is it true?”
As she spoke, she rushed into the room, her eyes wide as she stared at Jiang Yixi and the others. She couldn’t believe such good fortune had fallen on her and feared someone was teasing her.
Jiang Yixi smiled. “It’s true. If you’re unwilling, I can speak to First Madam again.”
Silly Girl immediately knelt on the ground, overjoyed. “This servant is willing, this servant is willing! Serving Second Miss is this servant’s good fortune.”
Mama Wu laughed. “Look how sweet Silly Girl’s words are.”
Jiang Yixi told Silly Girl to rise. “On the third day of next month, I’ll be going to the Hu Estate to stay long-term. Go home and arrange your affairs, then report for duty here on the first.”
Silly Girl asked again, “If I serve you, Miss, will my monthly stipend increase? I was a low-ranking maid before, only earning three hundred coins a month. Because I did the work of two people, the steward gave me an extra fifty coins.”
Mama Wu laughed. “Silly Girl isn’t silly at all—she’s sharp when it comes to money.”
Jiang Yixi smiled. “From now on, you’ll be my second-rank maid, earning six hundred coins a month.”
Silly Girl jumped for joy, laughed twice, then quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
Shui Xiang chuckled. “Silly Girl has gone mad with happiness.”
Silly Girl excitedly knelt down again and kowtowed. “Thank you, Second Miss. Now I have money to treat my elder brother’s illness again. My grandfather was the Old Marquis’s personal guard and lost an arm in battle. My father was Second Master’s personal guard and died with him on the battlefield, never returning. They were both Loyal Servants, and I too wish to be your Loyal Servant, protecting you with my life.”
Jiang Yixi was taken aback. “Your father was Uncle Jiang Tie?”
She knew Jiang Chen’s personal guard was named Jiang Tie and had met him twice as a child.
Silly Girl nodded. “Yes, my father was Jiang Tie.”
Mama Wu examined Silly Girl carefully and said, “Now that you mention it, she does resemble Jiang Tie. I remember Jiang Tie saying his daughter was named Ling’er…”
Silly Girl smiled. “My name is Jiang Ling’er. My father said no matter how foolish others might think me, in his eyes I would always be the cleverest.”
Jiang Yixi personally stood up and helped Silly Girl to her feet. “From now on, you shall be called Shuiling—not just clever, but radiant too.”
Silly Girl’s eyes sparkled like little stars. “I know—Shuiling means being beautiful.”
Jiang Yixi laughed. “With some proper dressing up, our Shuiling will be a lovely girl.”
She then inquired about Silly Girl’s family situation.
When news of Jiang Tie’s death in battle arrived, Silly Girl’s grandfather nearly died of grief, and her brother fell and broke his leg. The court provided fifteen taels of silver as compensation, and the estate gave ten taels, but almost all was spent within six months on medical treatment for her grandfather and brother. Her brother became lame, didn’t recover well, and lost his job as a carriage driver for the estate. Fortunately, she entered service last year, providing some income again…
Jiang Yixi sighed inwardly. The family’s breadwinner had died, and after giving ten taels, they were left to fend for themselves. Such poor treatment of a loyal servant’s family was why the Marquis Wuxiang Estate was declining. In her past life, she had been too oblivious, failing to notice many such things.
She went to her bedroom and opened her jewelry box. Inside were two five-tael silver ingots, some loose silver, and over ten pieces of gold and silver jewelry. Most of her monthly allowance was spent on jewelry, plain silk, embroidery thread, or storybooks, so she had little savings.
This was nearly all Jiang Yixi’s assets. The fifty taels Old Madam had verbally promised hadn’t materialized yet.
Jiang Yixi took out ten taels. Tomorrow she would need to sell some jewelry in town—there were many things to buy.
She handed the silver to Silly Girl. “My brother and I didn’t know Uncle Tie’s family was struggling so much. We overlooked this. Use this silver for your grandfather and brother’s treatment to make their lives easier. If they need anything, go find Jiang Xun—he’ll help.”
Silly Girl wept with joy, kowtowing repeatedly to Jiang Yixi. Her brother’s leg had never fully healed and was terribly painful…
At noon, Jiang Xun came to Brilliant Garden for lunch.
He whispered, “Sister, Brother Lian Shan came to see me again today. I told him you’re going to stay at the Hu Estate in the southern suburbs. He said Young Master Meng’s usual estate is also in Linfeng Town in the southern suburbs. If you need anything while at the estate, you can send someone to find him… He also asked if we needed any help. I said not for now.”
As he spoke, he pulled out five hundred-tael silver notes and gave them to Jiang Yixi.
Jiang Yixi shook her head. “I already said we can’t accept more money from them. How can we take such a large sum?”
The first time she accepted, it was Meng Cimo’s gratitude to the orphan of his savior—acceptable then. Later, small amounts could be considered pocket money for the child. But this time, such a large sum…
Jiang Xun said, “I refused at first, saying I’ve grown up and shouldn’t casually accept others’ money. But Brother Lian Shan insisted on giving it to me, saying since we have no parents, they ought to look after us more. He told me to accept it this time, and he would explain it to Young Master Meng when he returns, ensuring no further gifts unless necessary. Sister, take this silver to spend at the estate—life in the countryside is hard.”
Jiang Yixi thought about what she needed to buy. She took three notes and returned the other two to Jiang Xun, saying, “Hide these well. Don’t let Granny Yu see them again, or Grandmother will confiscate them.”