Jiang Xun bowed to Old Madam and admitted his mistake.
He glanced at his sister, whose eyes and nose were red from crying, and felt deeply ashamed. He had originally intended to make something of himself to become her support, yet instead, she had to fight for him all the way to the Hall of Auspiciousness.
After returning from his office, Lord Jiang was furious upon hearing about the incident. Old Madam’s sharp, accusatory scolding and Xi Girl’s insinuations made it seem as though the servants who bullied the orphaned second branch were emboldened by the influence of the eldest branch.
In the end, Granny Yu was given twenty strokes of the cane, and she and her entire family were sold off. Xiao Chan and Wang Fu were given ten strokes each and expelled from the estate. Granny Yu’s brother had three months’ wages deducted and was reassigned to another post. The estate steward and the gatekeeper also had three months’ wages withheld.
Xiao Chan and Wang Fu tearfully pleaded with Jiang Xun.
Jiang Xun felt that both Xiao Chan and Wang Fu were decent servants. Aside from their fear of Granny Yu, their conduct had been acceptable. Wang Fu, in particular, had been very obedient to him. He pleaded on their behalf, and in the end, they were only given ten strokes and had six months’ wages deducted. Wang Fu continued to serve Jiang Xun, while Xiao Chan was reassigned to another post.
First Madam Jiang added, “Xun’er is still young. Having only maids and attendants to serve him may not be sufficient. I would feel more at ease if we assigned an older woman to look after him.”
She appeared exceedingly virtuous and considerate.
Jiang Xun bowed and said, “Thank you for your concern, Aunt. As for the maids, I leave their assignment to your discretion. For the manager granny, I would like my wet nurse, Granny Qin, to return.”
First Madam Jiang had forgotten about Granny Qin and was still pondering when Jiang Xun added, “Granny Qin has already been sent to Dingzhou.”
Only then did First Madam Jiang recall who she was and said with hesitation, “Sending someone hundreds of miles just to fetch an old woman… With so many people in the estate, is there really no one else you fancy, Xun’er?”
Jiang Xun’s eyes reddened. “Granny Qin was my mother’s maid who came with her when she married. She took excellent care of me before. I heard her husband has already passed away from illness…”
Lord Jiang frowned and said, “If Xun’er wants her, send someone to bring her back.”
Old Madam also said, “Since she was left to Xun’er by Mrs. Hu, if she doesn’t take good care of him, no one else can be blamed.”
First Madam Jiang had no desire to grant the siblings their wish, but since Old Madam and her husband had spoken, she had no choice but to nod in agreement.
After the meal, Jiang Xun followed Jiang Yixi to Blazing Courtyard. Jiang Yixi first scolded him severely, and in her anger, even pinched and twisted the flesh on his arm. Then, she reasoned with him, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to details, as major events are built upon countless seemingly insignificant ones…
Seeing how worried she was about him, Jiang Xun’s eyes grew moist. “Sister, I already miss you, and you haven’t even left yet.”
Jiang Yixi poked his forehead. “Enough of your glib talk. Did you remember what I said?”
“I did. I’ll write it down when I return and recite it every day from now on.”
The next morning, after paying their respects to Old Madam, the two madams stayed to chat with her, while the young ladies left the Hall of Auspiciousness.
Jiang Yixi and Jiang Yirou walked hand in hand at the front, while Jiang Yiyan and Jiang Yishan followed behind.
Once they were a sufficient distance from the Hall of Auspiciousness, Jiang Yiyan hurried forward to block Jiang Yixi’s path, her eyes blazing with anger.
“Jiang Yixi, it was Jiang Xun’s own foolishness that his things were stolen by the servants. How dare you blame my mother for it?”
Jiang Yixi’s face darkened. “I only spoke the truth. It was Grandmother who reprimanded First Madam for her poor management of the household—what does that have to do with me? Are those without parents truly meant to be bullied? Grandmother is still alive. Shall we go to her and clarify this matter?”
Jiang Yiyan said angrily, “You say go and I go? Why should I? Hmph, you know you’re an orphan girl, only regarded as the legitimate daughter of the Earl’s mansion because of my father. You don’t remember the kindness, yet you play tricks and scheme, even harming elders. This is indeed your style, always two-faced. First you dragged Third Young Master Meng into the water, then hypocritically claimed it wasn’t intentional and refused the marriage. Fake nobility! But no matter how glib you are, you’re still being sent off to the countryside. What is there to be proud of? Just wait, there will be times when you suffer.”
After saying this, she stormed off in a huff, and Jiang Yishan hurriedly quickened her pace to follow.
Jiang Yixi snorted at their retreating backs, “We’ll see who ends up suffering.”
Jiang Yirou tugged at Jiang Yixi’s sleeve and advised, “Second Sister, don’t be angry.”
Jiang Yixi said, “I wouldn’t waste anger on a blockhead.”
She would definitely deal with that girl when she had the chance, but not now.
In the afternoon, Jiang Yixi went to Third Madam Jiang’s courtyard.
She curtsied and apologized, “I’m sorry for causing Third Aunt to be scolded by Grandmother because of me.”
Third Madam Jiang had just gained authority over the Needlework Room and the garden plants, and was feeling quite pleased. How could she possibly blame Jiang Yixi?
She said, “You and your brother have suffered so much injustice, you should have spoken up earlier. Ah, no wonder Old Madam scolded. I never imagined that servant would be so bold, and Eldest Sister-in-law also… ah.”
Jiang Yixi said, “When I go to the estate, I entrust Third Uncle and Third Aunt to look after Jiang Xun. I know there are some matters Third Aunt cannot intervene in too much, so I just ask that you privately guide Xun’er to help him avoid disadvantages.”
After speaking, she curtsied again to Third Madam Jiang.
Third Madam Jiang looked at Jiang Yixi. After that incident, this child had matured suddenly. Previously, this girl had been introverted and aloof – she wouldn’t speak much even with her own brother, let alone with an aunt like her.
With Old Madam running the household and Eldest Sister-in-law managing affairs, there were some things she saw but didn’t want to comment on. Now that Old Madam had spoken, and with this girl’s request, perhaps she could intervene in some matters.
Looking again at Jiang Yixi’s delicate features – peach-blossom cheeks, bright eyes and white teeth… truly a rare beauty, and clever to boot. If Old Duke Chengguo’s promise still held, she might indeed marry into a good family in the future.
Third Madam Jiang’s smile became more sincere. She said, “My husband often reminds me that since Second Brother and Sister-in-law are gone, we should look after you more. Ah, there are many household matters I cannot intervene in, and you’ve suffered for it, especially Xun’er. With your request as his sister, I will pay more attention. For matters I cannot speak about directly, I’ll have my husband speak with Old Madam.”
Jiang Yixi bowed solemnly again. She could guess Third Madam’s thoughts – relationships between people are built on mutual use or mutual appreciation. If you’re neither useful nor appreciated, why should others help you? In this world, only parents love their children unconditionally… though not necessarily, given how Old Madam Jiang treated Father.
How ridiculous that in her previous life she had held a grudge, thinking Old Madam, the eldest branch, and third branch only knew how to benefit from Jiang Chen’s influence, and had aloofly kept her distance from them. If she had seen through this in her previous life, won over those who could be useful to her, and handled relations with the third branch properly, Jiang Xun would have received more care and guidance from them. He wouldn’t have lived so hardship-filled a life, and might not have fallen ill and died young.
After bidding farewell to Third Madam, Jiang Yixi went to Jiang Xun’s courtyard. She was leaving tomorrow and still couldn’t rest easy about this younger brother.
The newly arrived maid Xiao Hong came forward to kowtow to her. Xiao Hong was fifteen years old and not particularly clever. For now, this would have to do until Granny Qin arrived later.
Jiang Yixi rewarded her with a sachet containing silver ingots and offered a few words of admonishment.