Chapter 16: Friends in AdversityFirst Madam was startled by Jiang Yiyue.Jiang Yiyue playfully pressed, "Aunt, what were you talking about?""What could I possibly have to say to her?" First Madam replied unhappily."I thought Aunt was teaching Rufang how to evade blame," Jiang Yiyue said jokingly."You…" First Madam wanted to retort but disdained to stoop to her level, so she simply ignored her.Throughout the journey, Jiang Yiyue positioned herself between First Madam and Rufang, preventing any communication between them.The group arrived at the Listening Rain Pavilion.The Countess of Jingnan said, "Go and search."Rufang dawdled as she walked toward the bedroom."Xiangcao, follow her to prevent any tricks," Jiang Yiyue commanded."Yes," Xiangcao followed.Rufang had originally planned to return to her own room and fetch some hairpins or similar items to frame Jiang Yiyue.After all, Jiang Yiyue was so madly infatuated with Cui Lianqing that she was capable of anything.The Countess of Jingnan would surely believe it.Who would have thought Jiang Yiyue would now be so serious, bringing a whole group of people along.Steeling herself, she entered Jiang Yiyue's bedroom and turned to say, "Xiangcao."Xiangcao looked at her: "Hurry up and search. The Countess and the others are waiting."Rufang continued, "Xiangcao, I remember the young lady bought you—""Hurry up and search. The Countess and the others are waiting," Xiangcao repeated her earlier words.Clearly, she had no intention of colluding with Rufang.That wretched girl!Just you wait!You'll get what's coming to you later!Rufang cursed Xiangcao silently in her heart and reluctantly approached Jiang Yiyue's jewelry box.After rummaging through it, she actually found a few inconspicuous hairpins and hair ornaments.She took them out and said, "Please take a look, Countess."The Countess of Jingnan took them.Madam Shen immediately grew nervous and whispered, "Yiyue."Seeing this, First Madam smiled faintly.Third Madam was convinced Jiang Yiyue had overplayed her hand.Xiangcao was anxious for Jiang Yiyue.Rufang waited for the Countess of Jingnan to punish Jiang Yiyue.The Countess of Jingnan looked at Jiang Yiyue and asked displeased, "What do you have to say?"Jiang Yiyue looked at Rufang and asked, "Is this all?""Yes," Rufang replied."Are you sure?" Jiang Yiyue asked again.Jiang Yiyue was a picky person.She preferred buying clothes and jewelry from well-known shops like Jinxiu Fang and Su Ji.Reputable shops would imprint small marks on their garments and accessories to prevent counterfeiting.The items Rufang had just selected were made of fine materials, but the craftsmanship was not refined enough, and they bore no marks.They were likely items Jiang Yiyue had casually bought from roadside stalls.They were perfect for framing Jiang Yiyue.So she said firmly, "Yes."Jiang Yiyue suddenly laughed.What was she laughing at?Rufang had always believed Jiang Yiyue was foolish and impulsive, someone she could easily handle with a little effort.But seeing Jiang Yiyue like this, she felt increasingly uncertain.Jiang Yiyue looked at the Countess of Jingnan and said, "Grandmother, have you forgotten these hairpins and ornaments?"The Countess of Jingnan examined the hairpins and ornaments carefully: "This…""These were made by your granddaughter together with you during last year's Mid-Autumn Festival," Jiang Yiyue said with a smile.The Countess of Jingnan enjoyed handicrafts and would often make hairpins, ornaments, and the like to pass the time.Last Mid-Autumn Festival, she was in high spirits and brought her three granddaughters together to do handicrafts.She carefully examined the materials and styles of the hairpins and ornaments.Before long, she saw the truth.She immediately looked at Rufang: "How dare you have the audacity to slander your mistress!"Rufang fell to her knees with a thud, terrified. "Countess, I didn't, I truly didn't!"First Madam's expression shifted.Third Madam also grew serious."Guards, sell off this filthy maid," ordered the Countess of Jingnan."Have mercy, Countess!" Rufang hurriedly defended herself. "The Fourth Young Miss admires Young Master Cui, this is—""Yes, I once admired Young Master Cui!" Jiang Yiyue's words drew everyone's attention.The Countess of Jingnan frowned."But who made me admire Young Master Cui?" Jiang Yiyue asked.Rufang was stunned."It was you!" Jiang Yiyue pointed at Rufang. "It was you who kept whispering praises of Young Master Cui in my ear."You said Young Master Cui was exceptionally handsome."You said Young Master Cui was a man of remarkable appearance."You said Young Master Cui stole glances at me during the Spring Banquet."You said Young Master Cui had feelings for me."…"It was all your guidance that slowly led me astray!""I…" Rufang had indeed deliberately spoken of Cui Lianqing in front of Jiang Yiyue."Do you dare deny it?" Jiang Yiyue pressed."I…" Rufang stammered."I was kept in the dark by you all along."Until I encountered bandits and met Ji Shuhuai, the heir of the Marquis of Zhenbei."While assisting in suppressing the bandits, I learned much from him."Such as how to judge people."To judge a person, one must not only listen to what others say but also observe what they do."Only then did I realize Young Master Cui had no affection for me at all."Only then did I realize you, Rufang, were deceiving me!"But out of regard for our past relationship, I did not pursue your malicious intent."Yet you brought another love letter from Young Master Cui to fool me again."Speak!"What is your purpose in repeatedly ensnaring me in romantic entanglements?"Speak!" Jiang Yiyue raised her voice, her presence overwhelmingly powerful.Rufang was completely intimidated.First Madam's face stiffened.Third Madam glanced guiltily at First Madam.Madam Shen felt gratified by her daughter's growth.The Countess of Jingnan was also greatly astonished.Seizing the moment, Jiang Yiyue bowed to the Countess of Jingnan.Unexpectedly, the movement was a bit too forceful, pulling at her wounds.It hurt a little.Damn it, I shouldn't have bowed.Now… it's already done.She must take this opportunity to reshape the original owner's image.With righteous indignation tinged with grievance and reluctance, she said, "Grandmother, please uphold justice for your granddaughter.""Yiyue, you're covered in injuries. Please stand up quickly," Madam Shen hurriedly helped Jiang Yiyue up.What a good mother!Madam Shen truly is a good mother!Jiang Yiyue did not rise.She leaned against Madam Shen to conserve strength, adopting a resolute demeanor. "Mother."Your daughter is fine."These minor injuries on your daughter are nothing."Heir Ji even suffered fractures yet still thinks of serving the country and its people."Your daughter naturally cannot compare to Heir Ji in intelligence, skill, and such."But your daughter and Heir Ji are comrades in adversity."Inspired by him, your daughter has made progress."Your daughter will no longer act foolishly."Your daughter only wishes to do what is best for herself, for Mother, for Grandmother, for Grandfather, and for the entire House of Jingnan."Now, no matter what, everyone must understand that a maid like Rufang cannot be kept."Injured?Heir Ji?Serving the country and its people?So she's using the suppression of bandits, Ji Shuhuai, and the Great Wei Dynasty to pressure the Countess of Jingnan, is she?Since when did Jiang Yiyue become so eloquent?First Madam sneered coldly.Unexpectedly, the Countess of Jingnan truly bought into this and said, "Rufang, speak!"First Madam couldn't help but be taken aback."Someone, bring the household rules!" Countess of Jingnan ordered directly.Two matrons walked over solemnly.Rufang's face instantly turned deathly pale, immediately crying out: "This servant will speak, this servant will speak!"

The Aloof Grand Minister Doted on Her Until She Cried