Three days later, Jiang Yao sat in the carriage heading to the Xie Estate.
It was a rare nice day. Sunlight filtered through the thin clouds and onto the stone road, not too hot. A gentle breeze brushed past the carriage curtain, bringing a hint of coolness.
Jiang Yao had prepared a long list of things to say to deflect Shen Shi, but unexpectedly, after Shen Shi had offered her usual two phrases of concern upon boarding the carriage, she didn’t speak again.
For a time, the carriage was terrifyingly quiet.
The clamor from outside gradually reached her ears. Jiang Yao couldn’t help but lift the curtain and peer out.
Jiang Mingji served as the Minister of Revenue, which was considered a lucrative post in the court. The main branch of the Jiang family was also involved in business, so the Jiang family was not short of money, and their residence was the largest and most luxurious in their area.
But compared to this street…
It couldn’t compare; there was simply no comparison.
Jiang Yao thought to herself, if the Jiang family lived on the Fifth Ring Road, then this Xie Estate must be inside the Second Ring Road. The people living here were likely imperial relatives, marquises, and nobles.
The carriage slowly stopped in front of the Xie Estate’s gate. After getting down, Jiang Yao secretly scrutinized the estate.
The Earl of Cheng had fought with the former Emperor on his campaigns. It wasn’t until the former Emperor ascended the throne that he was ennobled as the Earl of Cheng.
It could be said that this hereditary foundation was carved out with his own sword.
Therefore, the Xie Estate alone occupied a quarter of this street. The front gate was wide and bright, with imposing stone lions standing guard, showcasing the Marquess Estate’s dignity.
The gate tower was carved with exquisite cloud patterns, making it solemn and magnificent. The four large characters, “Earl of Cheng’s Residence”, on the plaque were written in a grand, powerful calligraphy.
Standing at the base of the steps was a middle-aged man who looked like a steward, followed by several maids, clearly having been waiting there for some time.
“Greetings to Madam Jiang. Your humble servant is the steward of the Xie Estate, and I was ordered by my Madam to respectfully welcome the distinguished guests here.” The steward immediately stepped forward when the carriage stopped.
After the Steward Xie exchanged a few pleasantries with Shen Shi, his gaze turned to Jiang Yao. “This must be the Third Miss Jiang, I presume? Our Madam has been looking forward to your arrival ever since she received your visiting card!”
He smiled respectfully but without deliberate flattery, suggesting he held a respectable position in the Xie Estate.
Hearing Steward Xie’s words, Jiang Yao was stunned. What exactly was written on that visiting card?
Why would the Madam Xie be so eager for her to come?
Shen Shi was also a little surprised. She had originally thought the Xie Estate would at most send a few maids and old matrons to escort them in, never expecting the steward himself to come.
After exchanging formalities, Steward Xie led the two into the Xie Estate with a beaming smile.
Crossing corridors and courtyards, Steward Xie led Shen Shi and Jiang Yao straight toward the main hall.
A warm breeze gently drifted in, bringing with it a rich floral scent. It was mid-summer, and the flowers in the courtyard were in full, brilliant bloom.
Madam Xie was wearing a lake-blue silk gown today, with gold-threaded peonies embroidered on the cuffs.
On her wrists, she wore a pair of jade bracelets which made a crisp clinking sound with her movements. This sound, intermingled with the faint scent of sandalwood on her, made her seem gentle and soft.
Inside the room, Madam Xie heard the movement from the courtyard outside. Knowing the guests were being led in, she turned her head again to ask the maid beside her, “Quickly, check my makeup. Is anything wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, nothing’s wrong, Madam. You’ve asked this several times,” replied the maid Qinglian, examining her carefully with a smile.
Madam Xie smoothed down the hair at her temples and said, “I’m nervous, that’s all. Nian’er is twenty now. Even a blockhead should start feeling affection.”
Heaven knows how excited she was when she received the visiting card from the Jiang family.
A few days ago, when she went to look after Xie Yunian, she found a crumpled, wadded-up piece of paper in a drawer under his desk.
Upon unfolding it, she found two soppy poems.
They were full of words of admiration.
She secretly called over Qiyin, the young attendant who waited on Xie Yunian. Before she could ask a few questions, she saw the boy’s eyes darting around, a clear sign that he was hiding something from her.
Madam Xie didn’t want to tip him off, so she didn’t press further and simply waved Qiyin away.
Then, heck, only a few days later, the Jiang family’s visiting card was delivered.
It was originally just for Madam Shen to come alone, but the day before yesterday, they sent word that her daughter was an old acquaintance of her son and would come to visit together.
What “old acquaintance” or not? She knew her own son well enough!
If he wasn’t infatuated with this Third Miss Jiang, how could they have gotten close?
“In my opinion, this matter might not be true. I’ve never heard of this Third Miss Jiang having any connection with the young master,” Qinglian whispered.
In her view, they were just here to curry favor.
“That may be so, but Nian’er has been unconscious for more than ten days now. Other young ladies are avoiding him, yet she is still willing to send a card to visit at this time. She must be sincere,” Madam Xie insisted.
How many years has it been? Even dead wood should find its spring; even an iron tree should bloom.
“Madam, perhaps you should read fewer storybooks,” Qinglian said with a helpless smile.
Madam Xie gave Qinglian a playful, chiding look. “Don’t say anything like that out loud later.”
Hearing the footsteps approach, Madam Xie quickly rose and walked out. She saw Shen Shi, warmly grabbed her arm, and smiled, “Dear—no, Madam Jiang has arrived! Quickly, come in, come in.”
Shen Shi was startled by Madam Xie’s enthusiasm for a moment. “Madam Xie, you are too kind. It is we who are intruding.”
She finished speaking and motioned for Jiang Yao to step forward and perform the courtesy.
Jiang Yao curtsied to Madam Xie. Madam Xie’s eyes couldn’t help but linger on Jiang Yao. She patted the girl’s hand with great affection. “Such a beautiful girl, how could she have taken a liking to a wooden —” block.
“Ahem, Madam, shouldn’t we serve tea now?” Qinglian quickly interrupted Madam Xie.
“Oh, right, quickly serve the tea.”
After they were all seated and exchanged a few more pleasantries, Shen Shi slowly brought up the topic of Xie Yunian.
“I heard that Young Master Xie fell from his horse a few days ago. I wonder how he is now…” Shen Shi’s words were tactful, afraid of displeasing Madam Xie.
After all, no matter how close Madam Xie was to them, she was still a Marquess’s wife.
Madam Xie waved her hand, seeming a bit resigned. “He’s still unconscious. We’ve seen the best doctors in the capital. The Marquess even invited the imperial physician from the palace, but no one can say what the reason is.”
She finished speaking and looked at Shen Shi. “Madam Jiang and Miss Jiang, why don’t you go and see him yourselves?”
Madam Xie’s thinking was simple: This Miss Jiang was very likely her son’s sweetheart. Maybe the moment she went over, her son would wake up?
After all, that’s what happens in storybooks.
“…”
“Wouldn’t that be improper…” Shen Shi was a little stunned.
She felt like things were deviating from her plan.
She had only met Madam Xie a few times at banquets and hadn’t exchanged much conversation, so she didn’t realize Madam Xie had this kind of personality in private.
“What’s improper about it? Let’s go,” Madam Xie was the first to stand up.