As soon as Concubine Yang finished speaking, Jiang Shiyuan understood.
Surviving within the inner chambers of the Jiang household was no easy feat. Her grandmother was harsh and ungenerous, while her Second Aunt was someone who would abandon all principles for the sake of profit. When her mother was alive, she could restrain them to some extent, but now that they were the ones in power, one could forget about kind treatment—it was likely they didn’t even provide enough for basic daily expenses.
If nothing else, one only had to look at the clothes worn by Concubine Yang and the Third Sister, Jiang Shishu—both were styles from several years ago. Jiang Shiyuan knew exactly what they had come to seek. She gave a serene smile and spoke.
“It was my oversight. I haven’t been feeling well since I returned, and I was afraid of passing my illness on to everyone, so I didn’t call for you to talk. We are indeed going out today to my maternal grandfather’s house. Since it is a family banquet, there is no harm in the Third Sister coming along.”
Her sincere tone caused Concubine Yang’s eyes to instantly moisten.
“Thank you for your empathy, Eldest Young Lady.”
Truthfully, even if she had been rejected today, she could not have found a single fault with the Eldest Young Lady. But Jiang Shiyuan’s current humble and gentle manner reminded Concubine Yang of the days when the First Madam was still alive. Back then, their food and clothing were never withheld, and they never faced such difficulties when wanting to go out.
Concubine Yang was not a woman of honeyed words and could not think of any compliments at the moment. Instead, Jiang Shiyuan gave a warm, breezy smile to the slightly uneasy Jiang Shishu. She then had Lvluo bring over a plate of Yudu cakes for them to taste.
“My health is poor, so I don’t usually care for pastries, but these Yudu cakes are different. They are soft and glutinous, making them very easy to eat. Try some, Third Sister. I remember you have a sweet tooth; I’m sure these will suit your palate.”
“Big Sister… you still remember that I like sweets?”
“I was six years old when I left home, old enough to remember things. I still remember when Mother was here, you would often come to her room to play with me. Sisterly affection is precious. Since I am back, there should be no distance between us. In the future, if you have nothing to do, feel free to come and sit with me often.”
Jiang Shishu was astonished. She had originally thought herself to be nothing more than an insignificant concubine-born daughter, unworthy of mingling with the important members of the family. Thus, she had focused all her efforts on hiding in her room and passing the time with embroidery. She never expected that this elder sister—who looked like a fairy under the moonlight—would still remember those past events.
For a moment, her heart was a whirlwind of emotions.
Finally, with tears in her eyes, she picked up a piece of Yudu cake and took a small bite. Sure enough, it was soft and glutinous with a delicate sweetness, exactly the flavor she loved. She looked up and smiled at Jiang Shiyuan, the tension on her small face fading, replaced by a deep sense of gratitude.
While they were eating, Jiang Huaishan entered the room. Having changed his clothes, he appeared even more refined and elegant. As he walked in, everyone rose to greet him.
“Greetings, Father.”
“Greetings, Master.”
“Is everyone ready? If so, let us set off, lest we keep your grandmother and the others waiting.”
Jiang Shiyuan glanced at the Third Sister, Shishu. Seeing her patting away a few cake crumbs from the corner of her mouth before nodding, Shiyuan couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.
“Daughter is all prepared; we can leave immediately.”
Seeing this, Jiang Huaishan said a few brief words and led the two sisters out of the courtyard.
Concubine Yang stood where she was, her gaze lingering with a hint of reluctance. Only when the three figures had vanished did she use her handkerchief to wipe the tears from her eyes and turn to leave.
The coachman cracked his whip, and the carriage departed from Falling Petal Lane, where the Jiang family resided.
The sun was beginning to set as they left, and the afterglow filled the sky, casting a faint golden light over the entire capital. Seeing them depart, a servant at the gate sneakily slipped into the courtyard of the Second Madam, Madam Zhang.
“You didn’t see wrongly?”
“I didn’t see wrongly. The Master indeed took both young ladies out. They said they were going to the Wenyuan Marquis Mansion for a family banquet. The servants at the gate said the Third Young Lady even dressed up carefully. She likely has other motives for going there.”
The one speaking was a plump nanny named Qi. With her slanted eyebrows and sharp eyes, she looked like someone difficult to deal with.
Sitting at the octagonal table, consuming a stew of snow bird’s nest in a golden cup, was the most triumphant woman in the household, the Second Madam Zhang. She wore a bright red cloud-woven long skirt embroidered with floral patterns, covered by a thin blouse of the same color. She was thin and possessed a somewhat sharp, difficult look.
Her eyes, in particular, darted around, making it clear she was quite displeased that the Third Young Lady was allowed to go to the Marquis Mansion.
“It hasn’t even been a month since Jin’er was married. What, is Concubine Yang from the neighboring courtyard already jealous? Does she want to send her own daughter into a Marquis’s house as well?”
“How could that be? Our Second Young Lady’s marriage to the Heir was a red string tied by the Old Man of the Moon himself, a match made in heaven. How can that Third Young Lady even be compared? Besides, with her looks and talent, wanting to enter a Marquis’s estate is nothing but a pipe dream. Just you watch, Second Madam; even if she enters a Marquis’s house, she’ll have the same fate as her mother—the life of a concubine.”
Nanny Qi’s words made Madam Zhang feel much better. Her spoon clinked against the bowl as she swallowed a large mouthful of bird’s nest. Then, with a calculating glint in her eyes, she said:
“It’s been several days since I last served the Old Madam. Tidy up, and take that deer antler cream Jin’er sent over last time. Let’s go pay her a visit.”
Nanny Qi reacted immediately and agreed with a smile.
While this mistress and servant pair were full of wicked schemes waiting to be poured out, Jiang Shishu—who had not been out for a long time—couldn’t help but peek outside the carriage as it sped along the Imperial Street.
The Wenyuan Marquis Mansion was located toward the northeast corner of the capital. To get there from the Jiang house, one had to cross three main streets, including Danyang Road, which ran straight from south to north.
Danyang Road was the Imperial Street.
Whenever the royal procession made an appearance, the street would be sealed, and thousands would kneel on both sides, forbidden from looking up at the Heaven’s Grace. But today was an ordinary day, so the road was crowded with pedestrians. Many people walked along the sides of the Imperial Street, taking in the prosperity of the capital.
The street was filled with the sounds of peddlers shouting. Since it was close to dinner time, the air was thick with delicious scents. Some came from shops, while others came from simple stalls set up along the Imperial River selling sweet soups and wontons.
Jiang Shishu had never seen such a lively scene. Naturally, she was curious.
“Come to think of it, although I have lived in the capital for ten years, there are many places in the city I have never visited,” Jiang Shiyuan said. “If Father has a day off sometime, perhaps you could take us for a stroll around the city?”
Jiang Huaishan, who had been resting with his eyes closed in the carriage, heard the familiar voice. He opened his eyes to see his daughter, Jiang Shiyuan.
Though the words came from her mouth, Jiang Huaishan understood her intent—she was speaking on behalf of the younger sister beside her. He reached out to stroke his smooth goatskin beard and agreed.
“May is an unlucky month; the transition of the seasons makes it an ill-suited time for wandering. Let us wait until the beginning of July. I hear Lanyue Tower is hosting a grand Qiqiao Festival celebration. At that time, I will take you sisters out to see the sights and join in the festivities.”
Hearing this, Jiang Shishu’s eyes filled with anticipation.