Jiang Yixi walked directly into the bedroom and opened the wardrobe. There were quite a few outer garments, and they were relatively new. However, there were only four sets of inner wear, all washed until yellowish, with one set noticeably shortened. Several pairs of socks had turned yellow, and their holes remained unmended.
Jiang Yixi’s face darkened as she said, “Every season, the manor provides two sets of outer garments, two sets of inner wear, two pairs of shoes, and four pairs of socks for the masters… Why are there so few sets of inner wear, and this one seems to be from the year before last? And the socks—why are there so few? Has the Needlework Room been withholding Second Master’s share?”
Xiao Chan turned pale with fright and hurriedly shook her head. “No, the Needlework Room hasn’t withheld anything.”
Jiang Yixi pressed, “Then did you steal them?”
Xiao Chan knelt down. “This servant wouldn’t dare! I didn’t steal…”
“If you didn’t steal them, then tell the truth—who did? If you continue covering for the thief, you’ll be treated as an accomplice, beaten with boards, and sold off immediately.”
Xiao Chan wept as she confessed, “It was Granny Yu. She said Second Master had too many clothes and it was a waste not to use them all, so she took them back for her younger son to wear.”
Jiang Yixi sat down on the kang, her expression icy. “What else has Granny Yu withheld from Second Master? Confess everything, one item at a time.”
She then instructed Shui Xiang to summon Jiang Xun’s attendant, Wang Fu.
As Xiao Chan continued her account, Jiang Yixi grew increasingly horrified—the audacity of that servant was beyond belief. Earlier, she had been contemplating how to set a trap to drive Granny Yu out, but it turned out the old woman had dug her own pit.
After Jiang Chen’s death, Granny Yu had begun pilfering small items. Once she moved to the outer courtyard, her courage grew even bolder. From inner garments, socks, and other wearables to writing brushes, inkstones, teacups, and other daily items, as well as loose silver and copper coins—anything that wouldn’t be immediately noticed—she dared to take for her own family. The only exception was food; Jiang Xun was particularly vigilant about his meals, and Granny Yu absolutely could not lay a finger on his provisions.
Jiang Xun was aware that Granny Yu occasionally took some of his belongings for her grandson but didn’t mind. He felt that since he couldn’t use everything anyway, it was better to put them to good use.
Jiang Yixi was so furious it felt like a physical pain. Jiang Xun was careless and paid little attention to daily trivialities. Put kindly, he was unconcerned with minor details; put bluntly, he was somewhat naive. What did he mean by “putting things to good use”? He was nurturing a thief, feeding their greed, and raising a tiger that would eventually turn on him.
She was even angrier at herself. She had never truly cared for this younger brother, who had lost his mother at birth and his father at eight. She had neglected his daily life and failed to guide him properly. She had failed her brother and, even more so, her deceased parents.
Jiang Yixi took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears.
Wang Fu returned. He was a year younger than Xiao Chan—still a mere child. Under Jiang Yixi’s intimidation, he broke into loud sobs and revealed everything he knew, providing even more detail than Xiao Chan.
Jiang Yixi sent Shui Xiang to fetch Yingluo from the Hall of Auspiciousness.
When Yingluo saw the kneeling maid and attendant, she was baffled and smiled. “Did they upset you, Second Miss? Please don’t be angry, miss. Have them beaten twenty times and driven out.”
Xiao Chan and Wang Fu cried even harder, pleading, “Have mercy, Second Miss! Have mercy, Sister Yingluo!”
Jiang Yixi pulled Yingluo to the wardrobe and, pointing at the clothes inside, tearfully said, “Who made it so that we siblings have no parents and deserve to be bullied? But to be treated like this by a mere servant—how can I bear it…”
Yingluo hurriedly helped Jiang Yixi sit on the kang and asked, “What happened?”
Xiao Chan and Wang Fu tearfully recounted the incident involving Granny Yu.
Yingluo cursed, “That wretched old woman has grown far too bold.”
She knew Granny Yu was Steward Yu’s sister, but since the matter had already blown open, it likely wouldn’t be resolved quietly. She instructed several maids to bundle up all the clothes from the wardrobe and accompany them to the Hall of Auspiciousness to report to Old Madam.
First Madam Jiang, Third Madam Jiang, and Eldest Granddaughter-in-law Jiang were all in the Hall of Auspiciousness chatting and laughing with Old Madam when they saw a crowd enter. The servants were carrying large bundles, and Jiang Yixi’s eyes were red from crying, leaving everyone puzzled.
First Madam Jiang asked, “What’s happened to Xi Girl?”
Jiang Yixi walked over and knelt before Old Madam, weeping, “I beg Grandmother to stand up for my brother and me. My brother has been bullied so badly by wicked servants—how could I dare go to the estate alone?”
Old Madam was suspicious. “What’s going on?”
Yingluo then explained what had happened and opened the bundles to show everyone the clothes inside.
Although Old Madam herself didn’t care much for that grandson, she absolutely would not allow servants to bully him like this.
Enraged, she slapped the kang table and scolded, “Wicked slaves! How dare they mistreat their masters like this!” Then she turned to First Madam Jiang. “You’re the lady of the house and Xun’er’s Eldest Aunt. That servant has been stealing from Xun’er for years—don’t tell me you knew nothing about it.”
First Madam Jiang, terrified, quickly stood to apologize. “It was my negligence. I truly, truly didn’t know. That old wretch is utterly despicable. I will punish her severely.”
Jiang Yixi thought to herself: How could First Madam not have known at all? She just never expected Granny Yu to steal so much. Enduring Old Madam’s attitude was unavoidable, but she couldn’t let the eldest branch walk all over them like this. Jiang Chen had sacrificed his life for this family’s benefit, yet these people only enjoyed the rewards without caring for the orphans’ welfare.
She said, “It’s not Eldest Aunt’s fault for not knowing. I’ve heard Granny Yu’s brother holds considerable influence in the household. Those who knew the truth naturally wouldn’t dare speak up in front of Eldest Aunt.”
This remark deeply provoked Old Madam, who said angrily, “Although our Jiang family is declining, we’re still a titled household. How can servants wield more power than their masters? Where is such a rule found? Mrs. Min, how have you been managing this household? I don’t believe you were completely unaware. Turning a blind eye to the plight of orphans and indulging servants who bully their masters—aren’t you afraid of tarnishing my eldest son’s reputation and accelerating this family’s decline?”
First Madam, terrified, knelt down.
Old Madam instructed a maid to help Jiang Yixi up. “Poor child, you and your brother have suffered. Alas, I’m old and thought your aunts would look after you, so I didn’t pay much attention. Who would have thought even a lowly servant would dare bully you? I’ve failed my second son who’s no longer with us…”
This remark also implicated Third Madam Jiang, who quickly stood up in fear to apologize.
Old Madam wiped her tears and began praising Jiang Chen again—how his death had brought so much benefit to the eldest and third branches. Mrs. Min’s capabilities were limited, and she had her biases; henceforth, the third daughter-in-law would help share the household management duties…
Jiang Yixi didn’t believe Old Madam’s tears. This old woman hadn’t felt that strongly about Jiang Chen. Her actions served two purposes: first, to use this incident to discipline both daughters-in-law and keep them in line; second, to secure advantages for her beloved third son by legitimately involving his wife in household management.
Jiang Yixi still felt secretly pleased. Although this would offend the eldest branch, the third branch would grow closer to her and her brother because of the benefits they stood to gain.
The Hall of Auspiciousness was filled with noise, and several young ladies who had come to pay their respects were barred from entering.
Only when the boys from the outer courtyard returned from school did everyone enter the Hall of Auspiciousness together.
Old Madam scolded Jiang Xun again, saying he failed to assert his authority as a master to discipline the servants. At the very least, he should have sought help from his elders to resolve the matter.