Could she just admit it already!
Seeing Jiang Yuehua’s fierce stance, rather than wasting time arguing with her, it would be better to go back and get some more sleep.
Jiang Yuehua was left speechless by her words and snorted coldly, “Stop pretending. Either way, Young Master Shen won’t like you.”
After her recent conversation with Shen Ze, she was now filled with great determination to win his heart. If she could marry Shen Ze and enter the Dingbei Marquisate, and if Shen Ze were to inherit the title in the future, she would become the Marchioness, enjoying endless wealth and luxury.
Jiang Xuerong nodded perfunctorily, “Mm-hmm, yes, Young Master Shen won’t like me. Third Sister, may I leave now?”
Jiang Yuehua had intended to make a scene, having already prepared a string of mocking remarks in her mind. Yet now, she felt as though she had nowhere to vent her anger, like punching cotton, and could only watch helplessly as Jiang Xuerong walked away.
Yin Chan pursed her lips, once again frustrated by her lack of ambition. “Fourth Miss, that’s the heir of the Dingbei Marquisate. You didn’t even try to seize the opportunity to speak more with him…”
Jiang Xuerong replied, “Would speaking a few more words make the Young Master take a liking to me?”
Yin Chan said, “This servant noticed that the Young Master seemed quite fond of you. But when Third Miss arrived, you stopped talking…”
Jiang Xuerong cut her off, “First, even if the Young Master truly has some fondness for me, whether I speak or not won’t change anything. Second, the situation in the Dingbei Marquisate is complicated. Marrying into it would surely be exhausting, and I don’t want to tire myself out like that.”
In the end, it was just that she didn’t want to put in the effort. Look at Third Miss—how hard she was trying!
Yin Chan shook her head helplessly. Upon returning to Ruoshui Pavilion, she couldn’t help but recount the day’s events in detail to Zou Ruoshui.
To her surprise, Zou Ruoshui agreed after hearing the story, “The situation in the Dingbei Marquisate is indeed troublesome. Not marrying into it is quite fine too.”
Yin Chan sighed in resignation—this mother and daughter were truly cut from the same cloth!
Zou Ruoshui ate the cucumber she had grown in her own courtyard, crisp and refreshing, while lost in thought. For the past few days, she had been thinking that their life was a bit too frugal. It was time to seek favor from the master to improve their meals. Besides, Rong was now of marriageable age, and without the master’s favor, her heartless father probably wouldn’t even think of finding her a good match.
After some consideration, Zou Ruoshui made up her mind.
That day happened to be Jiang Ping’s day off.
Zou Ruoshui sat before the bronze mirror, carefully drawing her eyebrows. Reflected in the mirror was a beautiful face, bearing some traces of time but still breathtakingly lovely.
She also personally prepared a plate of pastries, placed them in a food box, and headed toward Chaohui Hall.
On the way to Chaohui Hall, she happened to run into Concubine Su.
Concubine Su had been riding high on her recent favor. With Jiang Yuehua and the Dingbei Marquis heir growing closer, she was even more delighted. Although nothing substantial had happened between them yet, she already acted as though she had a future son-in-law from a noble family.
Concubine Su had always been arrogant. Not long ago, she had brought up the matter in front of Lady Sun, infuriating her.
Lady Sun had originally intended to match Shen Ze with Jiang Sixian, never expecting Jiang Yuehua to seize the opportunity.
As for Jiang Ping, he didn’t care much about such matters. Whichever daughter could marry into the Dingbei Marquisate would do—either way, it would forge a marital alliance with the Marquisate, benefiting Jiangguogongfu.
As soon as Concubine Su saw Zou Ruoshui, she said, “It’s been quite a while since I last saw Sister Zou. Sister Zou is still as radiant as ever, not a day older. Truly, Sister Zou is blessed—you don’t have to attend to the master day and night, unlike me. Even the corners of my eyes have grown wrinkles.”
Zou Ruoshui merely smiled faintly.
Concubine Su and Zou Ruoshui had entered the household around the same time. Back then, Zou Ruoshui had been more favored than her, and Concubine Su had never forgotten it. Over the years, she had always wanted to outshine Zou Ruoshui.
“Oh, by the way, Sister Zou, I heard that a few days ago, your courtyard requested mutton, but the kitchen staff ended up delivering it to me instead. I only found out about it later. Please don’t take it to heart, Sister Zou. Had I known earlier that you needed it, I would have gladly given it to you.”
“Speaking of which, it seems they delivered some more mutton today. Do you still need it, Sister Zou? I’ll have someone send it over to you later?” Concubine Su deliberately provoked her.
Zou Ruoshui responded indifferently, “Then I’ll thank Sister Su for your kindness.”
Concubine Su was momentarily speechless. She hadn’t expected Zou Ruoshui to show no sign of annoyance at all; instead, she accepted it as if it were her due.
Concubine Su quickly regained her composure and continued with a smile, “Well then, I’ll have someone send it over to you later.”
Zou Ruoshui said, “I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now.”
In the Zhaohui Hall, a servant came to report.
“Master, Concubine Zou requests an audience.”
Jiang Ping set down the wolf-hair brush in his hand, momentarily lost in thought. It took him a while before Zou Ruoshui’s face surfaced in his mind.
It had been so long since he last saw Zou Ruoshui that even her face in his memory had grown somewhat blurry.
“Let her in,” Jiang Ping said.
The servant withdrew upon hearing the order. Not long after, Zou Ruoshui entered.
Over the years, Zou Ruoshui had come to understand Jiang Ping’s temperament quite well. She knew he was both affectionate and fickle. After such a long absence, he would likely grant her an audience.
Today, Zou Ruoshui had deliberately worn a light blue dress, the same color she had worn when she first met Jiang Ping all those years ago. Back then, Jiang Ping had fallen for her at first sight and later took her into the household.
She smiled gently at Jiang Ping, curtsied gracefully, and spoke softly, “Your concubine pays her respects to Ping-lang.”
Jiang Ping looked at the woman before him, and his memories seemed to drift back to many years ago, stirring something in his heart.
“You… why have you come?”
Zou Ruoshui placed the food box she was carrying on the table, took out some pastries, and said with a smile, “Your concubine made some pastries today and remembered that Ping-lang enjoys them, so I thought I’d bring them to you.”
She turned slightly, revealing her slender, fair neck and the delicate curve of her lowered chin—an angle Jiang Ping had always favored.
Jiang Ping’s eyes flickered slightly, and a flood of memories surged within him.
Zou Ruoshui picked up a pastry, lowered her gentle gaze, and offered it to Jiang Ping. As Jiang Ping took the pastry, his fingers brushed against Zou Ruoshui’s smooth hand, sending a tremor through his heart.
Suddenly, he reached out and grasped Zou Ruoshui’s hand.
…
That night, Jiang Ping did not go to Concubine Su’s courtyard but instead visited Ruoshui Pavilion.
For many days afterward, Jiang Ping stayed at Ruoshui Pavilion.
“Rong-er looks very much like you,” Jiang Ping said.
Zou Ruoshui smiled warmly and sweetly, “Yes, Rong-er does resemble me, but her mouth is the spitting image of Ping-lang’s.”
Jiang Ping was pleased by these words. He squeezed Zou Ruoshui’s hand and, remembering something, added, “Rong-er is not young anymore. Does she have someone she likes in her heart?”
Zou Ruoshui lowered her eyes demurely as she straightened Jiang Ping's collar. "No, Rong'er is a simple-minded girl, still a child at heart."
After saying this, she sighed again. "Speaking of which, I'm truly worried about Rong'er. With her temperament, how will she ever marry in the future?"
Jiang Ping smiled. "You're overthinking it, Ruoshui. Don't worry, I'll naturally arrange a good marriage for Rong'er. I won't let her suffer."
Zou Ruoshui shyly lowered her head and nestled into Jiang Ping's embrace.
When Jiang Xuerong returned from paying respects at Yayun Courtyard, Jiang Ping had already left for court. Zou Ruoshui was lying on a rocking chair beneath the corridor with her eyes closed, resting. Jiang Xuerong approached a few steps. "Concubine Mother, has Father left?"
Zou Ruoshui opened her eyes and sighed. "Your father is getting old after all, becoming harder and harder to please. His stamina isn't what it used to be, yet you still have to praise his prowess, flatter him, and prop him up. It's truly exhausting."
Jiang Xuerong felt this topic wasn't something she should be listening to and was about to turn and leave when Zou Ruoshui called her back. "Why are you embarrassed? You're at this age now; you'll have to face these things eventually. Why don't I teach you about marital matters today?"
Jiang Xuerong quickly waved her hands. "No, no, no, I don't want to learn today. We can talk about it later."
Zou Ruoshui was only teasing her and let the topic drop. She continued, "Serving men is truly exhausting. Men, they like you to be gentle and attentive. You have to maintain a certain demeanor, admire them, never let them lose face, and satisfy their pride. When you marry in the future, you'll surely be the principal wife, unlike your concubine mother here. Some things you can't avoid, but you can have your husband take a couple more concubines to help share the burden."
Jiang Xuerong made an acknowledging sound, indicating she understood.
Zou Ruoshui added, "Don't think your concubine mother speaks too harshly. Men are the most unreliable. If they tell you sweet nothings and make grand vows, just listen politely, but never take them seriously. Those things are like passing wind—not to be believed. Just look at your father and you'll know."
Jiang Xuerong nodded. "I know, Concubine Mother."
Zou Ruoshui then said, "Weren't you saying last time you wanted to eat lamb pancakes? Now we can have as much lamb as we want! We'll make them for you today! Not just lamb pancakes—braised lamb, hot pot lamb, scallion-braised lamb, red-braised lamb… we'll make it all. We'll have a whole lamb feast today."
Jiang Yuehua went out with Shen Ze again today. Upon hearing this, Lady Sun couldn't help but grumble about it in Jiang Sixian's ear. Jiang Sixian grew annoyed listening and said impatiently, "Enough, Mother. What does Shen Ze have to do with me? He can go out with whomever he likes. I don't care for him anyway."
Lady Sun was also angry, frustrated with her daughter's stubbornness. "I know you don't like him. You like The Crown Prince, but The Crown Prince hasn't selected a consort yet. What can you do?"
Jiang Sixian's eyes reddened. "The Crown Prince surely won't go his whole life without selecting a consort…"
Lady Sun said, "The Crown Prince is a man; he can afford to wait. But you're different—you're a woman, and you can't wait! If The Crown Prince still doesn't select a consort this year, you'll be twenty."
Jiang Sixian interrupted her. "Mother, The Crown Prince will definitely select a consort this year… Please let me wait just one more year. I beg you."
Lady Sun looked at her daughter and couldn't bring herself to speak harshly, only sighing.
Unexpectedly, the situation took a turn for the better, and Jiang Sixian finally received news that The Crown Prince would be selecting a consort.