Old Lady Jiang asked suspiciously, “Are you Jiang Qingran?”
“Yes.”
As Jiang Qingran replied, her personal maid Qinghe had already placed a chair behind her.
She sat down as if no one else were present, lazily lifting her gaze. “I wonder why you summoned me?”
Old Lady Jiang’s expression changed, and the teacup in her hand slammed down right in front of her feet.
“Impudent! Why didn’t you kneel and pay respects when seeing your elders? How dare you sit down so brazenly? You ill-mannered wretch!”
Faced with Old Lady Jiang’s fury, Jiang Qingran remained indifferent, smiling lightly.
“I, too, would like to be well-educated and knowledgeable, but with no parents above and no elder brothers around, who is there to teach me?”
“Fifth Sister!” Jiang Qingyue stepped forward. “You mustn’t say such things. Aren’t you cursing the whole family to die?”
Hmph!
She had been worrying about how to make this Zaixing even more despised by the family, and now, without even trying, she had spoken words that invited death.
Jiang Qingran gave her a cold glance. “Step back! When I, the young lady, am speaking, you, a concubine-born daughter, have no right to interrupt.”
It was laughable—her birth mother was the legitimate wife of Chengxiangfu, and she herself was the only legitimate daughter of Chengxiangfu.
Yet, Cai Xiumei was humble, weak, and submissive, going so far as to serve tea and water to Jiang Wenxiang’s favored concubine Shen Ruoliu just to please him.
As a result, she became the Zaixing, while Jiang Qingyue, born to Shen Ruoliu, became the Fu Nu.
What a ridiculous farce!
Jiang Qingyue’s face turned pale, her teeth grinding audibly.
Since childhood, she had been the jewel in her parents’ hands, pampered and spoiled, studying under renowned masters.
Not only was she accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but she was also skilled in medicine and adept at social graces.
Coupled with her breathtaking beauty, she was the center of attention among noble young ladies wherever she went.
Only the identity of being a concubine-born daughter was a thorn in her heart that could never be pulled out.
A mere touch would cause excruciating pain, bleeding profusely.
Her eyes reddened, and large teardrops fell silently.
“Fifth Sister is right. Fourth Sister overstepped.”
How could Jiang Wenxiang bear to see his precious jewel suffer such humiliation? He raised his hand to slap Jiang Qingran.
“You little beast! How dare you bully your own sister right in front of me? I’ll beat you to death!”
“Minister Jiang!” Qinghe warned sharply, grabbing his wrist. “No one is allowed to touch our young lady.”
Jiang Wenxiang frowned, his eyes blazing with anger.
“Let go!”
How dare a mere maid lay hands on him? She must be tired of living!
Jiang Qingran chuckled mockingly. “Qinghe, you’re too bold. Even a tiger, fierce as it is, does not eat its own cubs. Yet our esteemed Minister Jiang is heartless enough to abandon his own daughter in the countryside to fend for herself—worse than a beast. If you hit him, wouldn’t you be devoured alive?”
“Hmph!”
Qinghe abruptly released Jiang Wenxiang, nearly throwing him to the ground.
Jiang Wenxiang’s chest tightened with anger, furious beyond words.
“Guards! Take this—”
“My lord!”
Before he could finish, Shen Ruoliu delicately supported his arm.
“Fifth Young Lady was sent to live at the Manor Estate from a young age. It’s only natural for her to harbor resentment. Though her words are inappropriate, the important matter at hand must be addressed!”
Jiang Wenxiang closed his eyes, taking several deep breaths before his emotions slightly calmed.
“A child’s lack of discipline is the father’s fault. Rebellious daughter, your disrespect for elders and wild arrogance are all because I failed to break your defiant spirit from childhood.”
“You should never have set foot in this Imperial City, but His Majesty has shown great mercy by arranging your marriage to the Seventh Prince. Prepare yourself—in three days, you will be wed to the Seventh Prince’s Mansion.”
“Crash!” Jiang Qingran kicked over the tea table before her, her expression turning icy. “Jiang Wenxiang, who do you think you are? You say I can’t set foot in the Imperial City, and I won’t? Keep such talk to yourself at home, but outside, you’d better keep your mouth shut, or others might think you’re plotting a rebellion!”