Qiao Shi smiled. “How could that be? I was young once too, and I know how close young girls can be—they’d even share the same skirt. You simply misplaced your kindness, that’s all. You didn’t do anything wrong. Just be more careful from now on.”
Jiang Qiaonian felt somewhat reassured and said obediently, “I’ll be more careful in the future. When we get back, I’ll make an inventory of all the clothes and jewelry. I won’t make such a mistake again.”
Qiao Shi patted her hand comfortingly. It was a blessing in disguise—Qiaonian had not only seen through a petty person but also learned her lesson by taking charge of her clothes and jewelry.
At her age, it was time she learned to manage household affairs so she wouldn’t be flustered when she married in a couple of years.
After returning to the manor and settling the sleeping Jiang Xianian, Qiao Shi recounted the day’s events to Jiang Yucheng and mentioned the matter of finding a match for Jiang Qiaonian.
Jiang Yucheng could only agree, feeling that every word and arrangement from Qiao Shi perfectly aligned with his own thoughts and wishes. He was deeply grateful for her goodness and increasingly convinced that his youngest daughter was right—his wife was the best mother and the best wife in the world.
Qiao Shi then asked about Jiang Yizhen’s mistress. Jiang Yucheng replied, “I’ve already informed Father and arranged for someone to keep an eye on Jiang Yizhen. He’s a meticulous man who has remained hidden all these years without exposure, so it will take some time.”
Qiao Shi felt heartbroken that her Eldest Aunt had been deceived so thoroughly and urged, “Then you must hurry!”
“Understood, my lady!” Jiang Yucheng responded, then asked, “Huimin Princess’s birthday is in a few days. Do you want to visit White Horse Temple before then?”
Qiao Shi shook her head. “Qiao’er has been busy listing the clothes and jewelry she lent out lately and probably isn’t in the mood to go out. Let’s postpone it for now.”
Jiang Yucheng agreed. “Just let me know when you’ve decided on a date.”
“Alright.”
Jiang Qiaonian spent several days compiling a list of about eighty to ninety percent of the clothes, jewelry, ornaments, and trinkets.
She brought the list to Qiao Shi and said, “Aside from these, there were also seasonal pastries, fruits, winter furs, and meals and tea paid for when we went out. I didn’t include those—they can’t be reclaimed.”
Qiao Shi glanced at the list and said, “Those are minor expenses. Don’t bother with them.”
Jiang Qiaonian agreed and then asked, “Mother, when do you think I should ask for them back?”
Qiao Shi thought for a moment. “Huimin Princess’s birthday is approaching. The Xu Family will likely attend. Ask for them back then. If she pretends not to hear or refuses, I’ll take you to their manor to demand them afterward.”
Jiang Qiaonian immediately agreed.
On the day of the Princess’s birthday, not only did their branch of the family set out together, but the other branches were also bustling with activity early in the morning.
The second son, Jiang Xunnian, and the third son, Jiang Danian, arrived at Qiao Shi’s courtyard first thing, vying to hold their younger sister.
Because of their studies, they had little time to visit the inner courtyard and had surely missed many of their sister’s heartfelt words. What a heartbreaking thought!
“Niannian, do you want to go play at the Princess Manor? Do you?” The third son teased Jiang Xianian deliberately, eager to hear what his little sister would say.
Sure enough, Jiang Xianian’s inner voice soon rang out: 【I want to go! Banquet occasions like this are full of people and even more gossip! And it’s during such events that classic scenes often unfold—like someone pushing another into the water, drugging someone else, a young lady’s clothes being deliberately soiled by her maid, only for her to end up in a young master’s room while changing, or even secret rendezvous. I want to witness it all firsthand!】
The second and third sons were dumbfounded: After attending so many banquets, why had they never encountered any of the situations their sister described?
Qiao Shi was shocked: Niannian is just over a month old, and her last outing to the Qu residence was her first time outside. Where did she learn about all these things?
The family quickly prepared to leave. Although they all departed from the Marquis Manor, the second branch left earliest, while the fourth and fifth branches went together. Qiao Shi and Jiang Yucheng simply took their children and arrived at the Princess Manor.
It was a sixtieth birthday celebration, so the Princess Manor was bustling with activity.
After entering, Qiao Shi led her children to pay respects and offer greetings to the birthday celebrant, Huimin Princess.
Huimin Princess was delighted to see the children accompanying Qiao Shi: the boys tall and handsome, exuding youthful vigor, and the girl fair-skinned and beautiful, poised and dignified. “Well, well,” she said, “Lady Jiang certainly knows how to raise children—each one so outstanding.”
Qiao Shi politely replied, “Thank you for your praise, Gongzhu.”
Noticing the infant in Qiao Shi’s arms—fair, tender, and adorable as jade and snow—Huimin Princess felt a surge of affection. “Is this the little thousand gold of your household? May I hold her?”
Accustomed to others’ fondness for her youngest daughter, Qiao Shi handed Jiang Xianian over directly. “It is a rare blessing for my daughter to earn your affection and share in your joy and fortune, Gongzhu.”
As Huimin Princess took Jiang Xianian, Qiao Shi heard her daughter exclaim with great curiosity: 【Wow! So this is a princess? It’s my first time seeing a real, living princess!】
Qiao Shi pressed her lips together, relieved that the princess couldn’t hear her daughter’s inner thoughts.
Huimin Princess found it amusing how the infant’s bright, pure eyes fixed intently on her, as if studying her, without any shyness.
【Oh no! I can’t hold it in!】 Qiao Shi suddenly heard Jiang Xianian cry out.
Before Qiao Shi could figure out what she couldn’t hold in, she saw the swaddling clothes suddenly soak through in a large patch, followed by droplets of moisture dripping down—and the princess’s skirt fell victim as well!
Qiao Shi nearly choked on her breath. Niannian had actually wet the princess’s skirt!
【Wah… How did this pee turn out so big! The swaddling clothes must be soaked through too. So embarrassing! Wah wah…】
Qiao Shi quickly composed herself and apologized to the princess, “Please forgive us, Gongzhu. My daughter is still too young to understand…”
Only then did Huimin Princess notice her dampened skirt and hear a milky voice: 【Wah wah… The princess is so kind; surely she won’t blame me or my mother, right? After all, I’m only a month old…】
She looked at the child in her arms in astonishment. She was certain the voice had come from this child—how was this possible?
After a moment of stunned silence, Huimin Princess collected herself and said, “It’s no matter. I shall change into another dress. You may accompany me to change this child’s clothes as well!”
Seeing that the princess wasn’t angry, Qiao Shi breathed a sigh of relief and promptly replied, “Thank you for your magnanimity, Gongzhu.”
Princess Huimin returned Jiang Xianian to Qiao Shi, but her heart remained fixated on the child. She overheard the little one murmuring about how she was a good person who never mistreated others—a truly wonderful princess, and so on. This intrigued her deeply. How could a one-month-old infant understand so much?
As she walked, Princess Huimin observed Qiao Shi’s reaction. Noticing her calm expression, as if she hadn’t heard the voice at all, the princess grew even more astonished. Could it be that only she could hear the child’s voice? Was their bond truly so profound?
After changing her attire, Princess Huimin invited Qiao Shi to sit beside her, surprising many noblewomen present. Although Qiao Shi was the official wife of the Marquis Weiyuan’s eldest son, the Marquis had long delayed petitioning to appoint an heir. Many speculated privately that the Old Marquis was dissatisfied with his eldest son Jiang Yucheng and reluctant to pass the title to him.
How could someone with an unsuccessful husband gain the princess’s favor? How peculiar!
Qiao Shi herself found it strange, but as Princess Huimin was both her elder and royalty, she could not refuse and reluctantly took the seat.
Princess Huimin inquired about Jiang Xianian’s daily routines, and Qiao Shi answered respectfully.
Soon after, Jiang Qiaonian approached her mother and asked, “Mother, may I take my sister to play? Wan Ting and the others wish to see her.”
Qiao Shi glanced at Princess Huimin and, seeing no objection, handed Jiang Xianian to Jiang Qiaonian.
After a moment’s thought, Princess Huimin quietly instructed her Mammy to keep an eye on the children in the adjacent room.
When Jiang Qiaonian carried Jiang Xianian over, the young girls gathered around delightedly, each eager to hold little Niannian.
One girl remarked sourly, “It’s just a baby sister—as if no one else has one! Hmph! These little things are so annoying; all they do is cry!”
Qu Wanting immediately defended, “Niannian is different! She doesn’t cry without reason!”
Jiang Qiaonian added, “Exactly! My sister rarely cries. Even when she’s hungry, sleepy, or needs to relieve herself, she just whimpers or fusses softly—never cries or disturbs sleep at night. She’s so well-behaved!”
Hearing her elder sister’s praise, Jiang Xianian felt embarrassed: [I just wet the princess’s clothes earlier. It’s awkward to be praised like this.]
Jiang Qiaonian froze—her sister had urinated on the princess?!
Before she could process this, she heard Jiang Xianian’s disgusted voice: [The look Xu Lin is giving my sister is full of outright hatred! How dare she hold a grudge against my sister over what happened last time? It wasn’t my sister who pushed her.]
[What? It’s because someone she likes has a crush on my sister?] Jiang Xianian made a mental face of bewildered disgust, while Jiang Qiaonian was equally shocked. Xu Lin had a crush? And that person liked her? What nonsense was this!
Jiang Qiaonian knew nothing of Xu Lin’s affections, let alone that someone favored her. She felt utterly stunned.
Meanwhile, Jiang Xianian relished the gossip: [I can’t figure out who it is yet, but Xu Lin actually thinks that person likes my sister just because she dresses well? How shallow! Though my sister is fair-skinned and beautiful—it’s no surprise if a few people secretly admire her.]
Jiang Qiaonian couldn’t help but blush slightly. What did he mean by “it wouldn’t be strange if a few people had crushes on her”? It was absolutely strange! She had never interacted with any unrelated men—could they possibly develop feelings for her just from catching distant glimpses?
Just as Jiang Qiaonian’s thoughts were in disarray, Xu Lin suddenly approached and said to her, “Qiaonian, I have something I’d like to discuss. Could you step outside with me for a moment?”