Faced with Qingyang’s confusion, Jiang Youning merely smiled and did not answer.
As long as it was something that could make Song Ying suffer, she was happy to do it.
If nothing unexpected happened, she would soon be marrying into Prince Jing's Residence.
After she married over there, she naturally could not let Song Ying live too comfortably in the manor.
It was only a Lingfeng dagger. Among the dowry her mother had left her, there were several daggers even better than this one. She would simply consider it repayment for the favor Concubine Qin had shown her in her previous life by sending her a ginseng root when she was seriously ill.
Concubine Qin was indeed someone who knew how to repay kindness. In addition to the gold jewelry, she had also sent over a thousand taels of silver.
At present, all the Jiang family’s property was kept in the storehouse of Jiang Residence. Before her death, her mother had reported the matter to the authorities and submitted a petition, asking the government to protect the property for Jiang Youning until she married.
Now, the storehouse of Jiang Residence had all been sealed. Its contents could only be inventoried before the wedding, and on the day of the wedding, the government office’s people would check everything one by one.
Earlier, she had asked the Prefect of Jingzhao to take a dagger from her dowry.
Strictly speaking, this did not comply with the rules. However, in Qiu Jingcheng’s eyes, Jiang Youning had already reached marriageable age and had answered the Imperial Proclamation. If nothing unexpected happened, she would soon become Princess Jing. These things belonged to Jiang Youning in the first place. Taking only one dagger was no great matter, so he had simply turned a blind eye and allowed Jiang Youning to sign the dowry list to acknowledge it.
In her previous life, the entire Protector-General's Manor had lived fairly well by relying on the things Su Rou had left them. Moreover, they had been certain that Jiang Youning would marry into Protector-General's Manor, and that her dowry would belong to them sooner or later. Thus, they had not asked Jiang Youning to take her dowry in advance, lest it attract gossip.
It was only after Jiang Youning married into Protector-General's Manor that she learned that the Lingfeng Xu Yuanshan had been searching for was among the dowry her mother had prepared for her.
After Song Ying obtained the dowry, she first hid Lingfeng away. She then pretended that she had found it herself through her own efforts, using it to win Xu Yuanshan’s favor and suppress Concubine Qin.
Now, she would let Song Ying taste the feeling of being suppressed as well.
Song Ying, this was only the beginning.
A meal had to be eaten one bite at a time, and revenge had to be taken bit by bit.
*
The next day, Song Ying felt as though she had only just fallen asleep when Nanny Li woke her.
Early that morning, His Majesty had once again sent people from the palace to deliver rewards. Dozens of chests of gold, silver, jewelry, fine silks, and satins arrived, throwing Protector-General's Manor into another chaotic flurry.
Although everyone was busy, smiles adorned every face. After all, when their master received rewards, the servants could benefit as well and receive some reward money.
Close to the hour of Shen—three in the afternoon—a little maid who served Song Ying came to invite Jiang Youning to Jinghe Residence.
Jiang Youning agreed. After tidying herself up, she took Qingyang and prepared to go over. Just then, Qinghe opened the door and rushed out.
Qinghe had waited all night, but the young lady had not gone to find her to apologize or comfort her. In a fit of pique, she had stayed inside her room that morning and refused to come out. She had even petulantly refused to eat when the little maid from the courtyard brought her food. She simply wanted to make the young lady worry about her.
Qingyang had initially wanted to persuade her, but seeing Qinghe like this, she knew that persuading her would be useless. She said nothing more and simply remained at the young lady’s side to serve her alone.
When Jiang Youning woke up and saw that only Qingyang was beside her, she did not ask about Qinghe at all.
However, no matter how angry Qinghe was, she still pricked up her ears and listened to the sounds coming from the courtyard.
When she heard that the young lady was going to Madam Xu’s Jinghe Residence, and saw that she seemed not to intend to call for her, Qinghe grew anxious.
As was customary, whenever the palace sent down rewards, the servants in the residence would receive some as well. This time, the General and the Young General had also been promoted, so the servants’ rewards would certainly be much more generous than before.
If she did not go, what would she do if the young lady secretly kept the rewards for herself and refused to give Qinghe any?
Besides, if she did not go, she would not get to see the Young General.
At the thought of the Young General’s handsome and distinguished appearance as he had sat atop his horse yesterday, Qinghe could not help blushing.
According to the customs of the previous dynasty and Dayue, after a young master from a prominent household married, the maidservants who came with his wife’s dowry all had a chance to become his concubines.
If she could become the Young General’s concubine…
At this thought, Qinghe quickened her pace and caught up with Jiang Youning and Qingyang. “Young Lady, where are you going? Why didn’t you call for this servant to come along?”
Jiang Youning glanced at Qinghe and said indifferently, “Weren’t you ill?”
That was the excuse Qinghe had casually found earlier for not coming out to serve her.
Qinghe’s expression turned awkward. “This servant… this servant feels much better now.”
Jiang Youning did not look at her again. She turned and continued walking. Qingyang glanced at Qinghe and gestured for her to hurry and follow.
The three of them arrived at Jinghe Residence. When they heard laughter and cheerful conversation coming from inside, a little maid led the three of them into the room, and the room instantly fell silent.
Although Song Ying had applied a thick layer of cosmetics to her face today, she still could not conceal the dark circles around her eyes.
Jiang Youning casually swept her gaze over Concubine Qin, who was sitting to one side. Compared with Song Ying’s poor complexion, Concubine Qin was positively glowing, and there was a hint of friendliness in the way she looked at Jiang Youning.
Heh. It seemed Song Ying had not had a good night.
Song Ying smiled and waved to Jiang Youning. “Youning, come over quickly. Let me introduce someone to you.”
Jiang Youning had already seen Song Xiuyi, who had changed back into women’s clothing and was standing behind Madam Xu. Today, Song Xiuyi wore a goose-yellow ruqun, and her hair was arranged in a double-loop Wangxian coiffure. She could be considered a beauty, though perhaps because she had spent so long at the border, her skin was somewhat dark.
Seeing Song Xiuyi, Qinghe, who was following behind Jiang Youning, felt somewhat puzzled. She always felt that she had seen this young woman somewhere before, but for the moment, she could not remember where.
“Youning greets Aunt.” Jiang Youning gave her a bow according to etiquette.
“Youning, this is Xiuyi, Song Xiuyi, my maternal uncle’s daughter. She was separated from us before, but by a fortunate coincidence, the General and the others encountered her and brought her back. It can also be considered fate.
“By my reckoning, Xiuyi is a year younger than you, so she should call you Sister. Xiuyi will be staying in our General’s Manor from now on. You two should become more familiar with each other,” Song Ying introduced.
Song Xiuyi stepped forward and bowed to Jiang Youning. “Xiuyi greets Sister Jiang.”
Jiang Youning glanced at her without any reaction and walked straight over to sit down to one side.
A trace of resentment surfaced in Song Xiuyi’s eyes, vanishing in an instant. She turned to look at Song Ying with an aggrieved expression.
Xu Qiming’s younger sister, Xu Yalan, spoke up indignantly at this sight. “Sister Jiang, Mother has always taught us to be learned and courteous. How could you not return the courtesy when Sister Song bowed to you? If word got out, people outside would probably say that Sister Jiang does not understand etiquette.”
Jiang Youning looked at Xu Yalan and said calmly, “I am the Pavilion Lady personally appointed by His Majesty. I wonder what rank this Miss Song… whatever her name is, holds that would make her worthy of my returning her bow?”
When her father and brothers had died on the battlefield, His Majesty had not only bestowed rewards, but had also granted her, the sole surviving bloodline of the Jiang family, the title of Pavilion Lady.
Although the rank of Pavilion Lady was not considered very high in Dayue and was more of an honorary reward, it came without a fief and was far inferior to a County Princess or Commandery Princess, both of whom possessed fiefs and real authority—
she was still a woman of rank. To put it plainly, Song Xiuyi came from a commoner background. How could she possibly be worthy of receiving a return bow from Jiang Youning?
If they truly followed proper etiquette, apart from Xu Yuanshan and Xu Qiming, who held official ranks, everyone else in Protector-General's Manor should have bowed to her upon seeing her.
It was just that Jiang Youning had lived in Protector-General's Manor since she was ten. She had never brought up the matter, treating herself only as a junior of the household and showing everyone in the residence due courtesy.
As time passed, everyone had forgotten about it.
Now that Jiang Youning had mentioned it, the people present finally remembered.
In that case, there was nothing wrong with Jiang Youning’s actions.
Displeasure flashed through Song Ying’s eyes. She had no idea what had possessed the usually obedient and well-behaved Jiang Youning today, making her bring up this matter.
If Jiang Youning continued using this as an argument in the future, would that not mean that even Song Ying herself would have to bow to Jiang Youning?
How could she possibly be worthy!
Song Ying had already slept poorly and had spent the entire day forcing herself to hold everything together. She was filled with all sorts of vexation, and now that Jiang Youning had caused this disturbance, a surge of anger rushed straight to her head.
But when she thought of what was to come next, Song Ying forcibly suppressed her anger and struggled to maintain a smile on her face.