Jiang Yixi said aggrievedly, “I didn’t mean to pull Third Young Master Meng. Someone bumped into me, and I instinctively grabbed his arm. Who would have thought that despite coming from a military family, Third Young Master Meng would be so delicate? Not only did he fail to help me steady myself, but he also ended up being dragged into the lake with me.”
First Madam Jiang, standing nearby, scolded, “What nonsense are you spouting, you silly girl? You caused harm to someone, and now you’re blaming them? With so many people around, you specifically grabbed Third Young Master Meng. Who would believe you didn’t do it on purpose? And you didn’t even consider your own background—how could you possibly aspire to someone like Third Young Master Meng? Now look what’s happened: you failed to cling to a high branch, and we’re all left embarrassed because of you.”
She had gone through great trouble to obtain an invitation and had dressed her daughter in splendid attire, hoping to leave a good impression on the noble ladies. But it was all ruined by this little flirt. Now Marquis Wuxiang Estate had become a laughingstock, and her daughter’s marriage prospects had become difficult. The more she thought about it, the more she wished she could scratch that wretched girl’s face.
Jiang Yixi glanced at First Madam Jiang, then lowered her eyes and ignored her.
Jiang Xiao and his wife were as cold and selfish as Old Madam Jiang. Jiang Chen’s death had brought them many benefits, which they enjoyed without a hint of guilt. But the moment Jiang Yixi caused trouble, they turned against her, believing she had ruined their bright futures.
In her previous life, after Jiang Yixi was divorced, the Jiang family only accepted her dowry and sent her directly to a nunnery. Among the members of the main branch, only Jiang Yihui, who had already married out, visited her once. They hadn’t treated Jiang Xun well either.
The third branch was far more compassionate than Old Madam Jiang and the main branch. The third master and his wife had visited Jiang Yixi twice at the nunnery and had servants deliver money and supplies to her several times. Before Jiang Xun’s death, they had even helped arrange a marriage for him… Even though their actions hadn’t been of great help to Jiang Yixi, she still remembered their kindness.
Old Madam Jiang cast a disdainful glance at Jiang Yixi. Suppressing the urge to scold her, she calmly said, “We’ve tried every possible solution. I’ve even sacrificed my dignity, but Duke Chengguo Estate doesn’t want you. Your virtue is tarnished, you’ve become a laughingstock, and you’ve brought shame upon our Marquis Wuxiang Estate. I cannot allow you to stay here and hinder your brothers’ and sisters’ futures and marriages. Go kneel outside the ancestral hall for two hours, pack your things, and leave for the manor to avoid attention for a few years.”
Jiang Yixi was fifteen this year. If she spent a few years at the manor, she would become an old maid. Even if she were to marry, it would only be as a second wife to an old widower.
Punishing Jiang Yixi—who had grown into a beautiful young woman, just ripe for a marriage alliance that could benefit the family—by sending her to the manor pained Old Madam Jiang deeply.
But she had to do it, both to avoid further scandal and to appease the anger of the Duke and Madam of Chengguo.
Jiang Yixi also wanted to go to the manor, not to avoid attention but for another purpose. However, she feared that Old Madam Jiang might finalize her engagement with Meng Ciyu tomorrow, which would be disastrous. She had no intention of repeating her past mistakes and would not marry into the Meng family again.
In that previous life, Meng Ciyu had never consummated their marriage, not even for a single night. Even when the old Duke had whipped him, he couldn’t be driven into her courtyard.
The thought of Madam Meng’s icy gaze, Meng Ciyu’s look of disdain, and the contempt from everyone except the old Duke and Meng Cimo sent a chill down Jiang Yixi’s spine, even after two lifetimes.
Jiang Yixi used a handkerchief to wipe the tea leaves and tea from her clothes. Ignoring the anger in Old Madam Jiang’s eyes, she said nonchalantly, “My father died saving Young Master Meng. The Old Duke remembers this debt of gratitude. Perhaps he will send the Duke and Madam Meng to our home to propose marriage.”
As soon as she finished speaking, several mocking laughs echoed in the room.The servants lowered their heads, stifling laughter until it hurt internally, while Old Madam Jiang and the other masters looked at Jiang Yixi as if she were a fool.
Old Madam Jiang’s face grew even darker.
First Madam Jiang curled her lips mockingly and said, “Xī girl, are you still dreaming? Even in this state, you’re still pining for Third Young Master Meng. You may be a girl from a noble household, but we don’t expect you to be overly reserved—just not like this. It’s truly delusional. If word of this gets out, people will laugh themselves to death.”
In front of Old Madam Jiang, she didn’t dare to outright say, “You’re so obsessed with men you’ve lost your mind.”
Mrs. Zhao, Third Madam Jiang, also thought Jiang Yixi might have lost her senses over Third Young Master Meng, causing her to hallucinate. Frowning, she said, “Xī girl, wake up. Third Young Master Meng is like a celestial being, not someone you can aspire to. The Duke Chengguo Estate is beyond the reach of families like ours. Go away for a while to avoid the scandal. Once it blows over, Old Madam Jiang, who dotes on her granddaughters, will surely bring you back.”
Though angry that Jiang Yixi’s blunder might affect her own children, she couldn’t bring herself to speak too harshly, knowing Jiang Yixi’s life was already ruined.
Seeing the foolish girl still stubbornly clinging to her delusions, Old Madam Jiang lost all desire to speak. Just as she was about to order her to kneel in the ancestral hall, Jiang Yixi uttered another earth-shattering statement.
“Last night, I dreamed that it would rain heavily this evening. When Uncle gets off the carriage, the slippery ground will cause him to fall…”
Old Madam Jiang and the others instinctively glanced at the window. The small window was half-open, letting in brilliant evening sunlight that formed a halo in the room and carried the warmth of spring.
Rain on such a fine, sunny day? And saying the Marquis would fall…
Truly delusional.
Eldest Granddaughter-in-law Jiang said with a worried expression, “Second Aunt, should we call a physician?”
Eldest Granddaughter-in-law Jiang had married into the family the previous year and was now four months pregnant.
Like her husband Jiang Jin, this sister-in-law was the type to mind her own business.
Ignoring her, Jiang Yixi continued, “Grandmother, Aunt, Third Aunt, it’s only an hour away. Let’s wait patiently and see if my dream comes true. I’m curious too.”
Old Madam Jiang stopped First Madam Jiang from speaking further and pointed to a nearby chair. “Xī girl, sit. If you’re spouting nonsense, your punishment will be doubled.”
So they would wait—to make the girl accept her fate willingly and cause less trouble when sent to the estate.
Jiang Yixi obediently sat down, lowering her head and eyes without a word, listening to the elders’ idle chatter.
First Madam Jiang kept steering the conversation toward topics like the girls in the household growing up and how to find them husbands, with Eldest Granddaughter-in-law Jiang chiming in. The more they spoke, the angrier they became, casting increasingly hostile glances at Jiang Yixi.
Jiang Yixi remained expressionless, treating their words as bird chatter. Let them gloat for now. Once she resolved that matter, she wouldn’t tolerate their chirping or their arrogance. In her previous life, she had lived cautiously, yet she died so miserably. Since heaven had granted her a chance to be reborn, she would live freely and boldly.
Soon after, Jiang Yiyan, Jiang Yirou, and Jiang Yishan arrived at the Hall of Auspiciousness.
Knowing Old Madam Jiang was in a foul mood, they dared not speak much. After paying their respects, they quietly took their seats and twisted their handkerches.
Not long after, Eldest Young Master Jiang Jin brought Jiang Xun, Jiang Wen, and Jiang Fei, who had just returned from school.
The Jiang family’s third generation consisted of four boys in total.
Earl Jiang had two legitimate sons. The eldest, Jiang Jin, was nineteen years old, accomplished neither in literary nor martial pursuits. He had purchased a sixth-rank official position and managed the household affairs. The second son, Jiang Wen, was twelve years old. The third lord of the Jiang family had a son named Jiang Fei, aged eleven. Together with Jiang Xun, who was thirteen, the three boys studied with their tutor in the front courtyard.
Jiang Jin, Jiang Wen, and Jiang Fei walked in, while Jiang Xun jumped in.