Two small pots of braised pork intestines, along with the dishes Jiang Yixi and Jiang Xun prepared in the kitchen, made for quite a lavish spread.
Jiang Xun ate the intestines with a beaming smile. “Sis, these intestines are even more delicious than the ones I’ve had at restaurants.”
Jiang Yixi chuckled inwardly. Of course they were delicious—she had added several medicinal herbs to them. After Old Doctor Shen tasted the braised dishes from “Gourmet’s Delight,” he had identified those particular herbs.
Seeing that he alone had eaten nearly half the portion, Jiang Yixi stopped him. “Eating too much will upset your stomach. I’ll save the rest for you to enjoy tomorrow at noon.”
After the meal, the siblings stayed in the room sharing secrets.
“Sis, do you really think Duke Chengguo and Madam Meng will come to our home?”
“Young Master Meng said they would, so they definitely will.”
“What if Grandmother and The Eldest Uncle agree to the marriage? Hmph, even if they do, it won’t matter. In our branch of the family, I’m the only man. I’ll go and refuse it myself.”
Looking at the earnest young boy, Jiang Yixi smiled. “With my little brother backing me up, I’m not afraid of anything.”
The young boy pursed his lips into a smile, straightened his chest, and held his slender waist upright.
Jiang Yixi gently advised him, “Brother, you must study hard. Only by achieving something will you have a say, and then I can rely on you even more.”
Knowing his academic performance was lacking, Jiang Xun said, “I want to be a general when I grow up. Even Lian Shan says I have a talent for martial arts.”
Jiang Yixi replied, “To be a general, you need wisdom and strategic insight. Otherwise, you’ll end up like The Eldest Uncle, relying on connections to secure a sinecure with no real prospects. I’m going to the countryside, and who knows when the elders will bring me back. If you study hard and in a few years earn the title of Top Military Graduate or Military Graduate, not only will you have a future, but I’ll have hope too.”
Hearing that his success would give his sister hope, Jiang Xun quickly declared, “I will study hard. It’ll take years to become a Military Graduate, but I’ll work diligently without slacking off. I’ll strive to become a Military Licentiate next year. Once I have the leverage to negotiate with Grandmother, I’ll make sure she brings you back sooner and finds you a good husband.”
Jiang Yixi smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons. “Good, I’ll be waiting.” She added, “If you want to be a general, you must carry yourself like one. Generals are described as calm, steady, and unshaken even under immense pressure. Their strides are vigorous and swift—have you ever seen a general skipping and hopping? If you want to be a general, start by perfecting your demeanor so no one looks down on you.”
Jiang Xun knew his walking posture wasn’t ideal, but he disliked walking slowly. Embarrassed, he rubbed his nose. “I’ll change. Sis, you have to remind me.”
He stood up and took a few steps, but walking too slowly and deliberately made him move awkwardly.
Jiang Yixi praised him, “Yes, just like that. Take your time, step by step…”
At the beginning of the Weishi hour, Jiang Xun went to the front courtyard for his lessons, reminding Jiang Yixi to clarify with the Old Madam that she must not agree to the marriage. Of course, he cautioned her not to betray Young Master Meng—just mention it as a “guess.”
After Jiang Xun left, Jiang Yixi sat by the window, gazing at the blooming courtyard.
In her past life, when the Old Madam learned that Duke Chengguo and his wife had come to propose marriage, she eagerly agreed. As soon as the Duke and his wife left, all the prominent members of the Jiang family and their respected servants flooded into the small courtyard. Everyone was overjoyed, congratulating Second Miss Jiang on soon becoming the Third Young Madam of the Duke Chengguo Estate… Recalling it now, it seemed only Jiang Xun and Mama Wu had been weighed down with worries.
The glory of those days was matched only by the misery that followed.Near the end of the Weishi period, a visibly excited Shui Lu rushed into the courtyard. Even before reaching the steps, she called out toward Jiang Yixi by the window, “Second Miss, distinguished guests have arrived—Duke Chengguo and Madam Meng are here!”
Last night, when she had gone to the main residence, she overheard the Madam, the Eldest Young Mistress, and Third Young Miss gossiping about Second Miss daydreaming. Who would have thought Duke Chengguo and Madam Meng would come today? If they were truly here to propose a marriage alliance, perhaps she ought to stay by Second Miss’s side after all…
Jiang Yixi frowned and said, “Duke Chengguo and Madam Meng went to the Hall of Auspiciousness. Why are you so excited?”
Shui Lu halted mid-step, unsure how to respond.
Mama Wu worriedly asked, “Miss, could they be here to demand an explanation?”
Jiang Yixi replied, “Whatever their purpose, they won’t kill me. The worst outcome would be sending me off to a manor estate. I wouldn’t mind staying at Hu Estate for a while—don’t you miss Wu Bo, Fu Ge, and Gui Ge, Mama Wu?”
Wu Fu and Wu Gui were Mama Wu’s sons; of course she missed them. Still, she said, “Those rough boys? Nothing to miss. I’m only concerned that Hu Estate is too humble for you, Miss.”
Jiang Yixi smiled. “Whether it’s humble or not doesn’t matter, as long as I can live in peace.”
A little over two ke later, Yingluo from the Hall of Auspiciousness arrived. She walked hurriedly, and her gaze toward Jiang Yixi held more respect and warmth than usual.
Duke Chengguo and Madam Meng had come to propose a marriage between Third Young Master Meng and Second Miss, yet Old Madam and Lord Jiang had actually refused. Yingluo suspected her mistress was employing a strategy of retreat to advance.
Madam Meng had then requested to meet Second Miss. If Second Miss agreed to the marriage, she would soar to the highest branch like a phoenix. Third Young Master Meng was not only talented and handsome but also gentle as jade. With rumors that Young Master Meng’s eyes could not be cured, once he went completely blind, Third Young Master Meng would become the heir apparent of Duke Chengguo and eventually the Duke himself.
Heavens…
Yingluo said cheerfully, “Second Miss, Duke Chengguo and Madam Meng have arrived and asked to see you. Old Madam requests your presence.”
As soon as Yingluo finished speaking, Mama Wu, Shui Xiang, and Shui Lu all turned their eyes to Jiang Yixi. Shui Lu, in particular, was so excited her eyes sparkled. Mama Wu gave a light cough, and only then did Shui Lu suppress her smile.
In that other lifetime, Old Madam had readily agreed to the marriage proposal, so there had been no need for Jiang Yixi to go to the Hall of Auspiciousness. This time, perhaps because Old Madam and Lord Jiang had refused, Duke Chengguo feared he would have a hard time explaining to the old Duke upon his return and wanted to confirm with Jiang Yixi directly. If Jiang Yixi also refused, the old Duke couldn’t blame them.
Jiang Yixi touched up her light makeup in the mirror. She then inspected her attire: a pale purple gauze gown with embroidered flowers and a moon-white satin horse-face skirt. It was fresh and elegant, fitting her temperament and appropriate for someone who had just emerged from mourning.
Shui Lu suggested, “Second Miss, Duke Chengguo and Madam Meng are distinguished guests. Shouldn’t you dress more brightly?”
Jiang Yixi pretended not to hear and turned to walk out the door.
Yingluo followed closely. Shui Lu wanted to go as well, but Mama Wu held her back, while Shui Xiang hurried forward to support Jiang Yixi.
Outwardly calm, Jiang Yixi felt as if needles were pricking her heart, her fists clenched tightly inside her sleeves.
It was this seemingly kind Madam Meng who had made her life miserable in that other lifetime, ultimately orchestrating the incident that led to her being divorced. The Jiang family hadn’t even allowed her through their gates, sending her directly to Blue Stone Nunnery…
After the incident, she had always suspected that the mastermind was either Madam Meng or Third Young Master Meng. By framing both her and Meng Cimo, they could strip Meng Cimo of his heir apparent title and expel their low-status daughter-in-law—killing two birds with one stone.
But she wasn’t entirely certain, because Madam Meng had always treated Meng Cimo extremely well.
It was only later, upon learning that Meng Cimo had killed Madam Meng and then taken his own life, that Jiang Yixi truly confirmed that incident had been Madam Meng’s doing…