Chapter 55: Calculating the Naughty Child 1

Although the two sons of the Jiang family were born from the same mother, their personalities were very different.

Jiang Song was the eldest son. Jiang Huai and Liu had high hopes for him and never let him get involved in any secrets.

In addition, he was kind by nature and showed a good talent for studying when he was young, so he went to the academy to study at an early age, which was considered a blessing in disguise.

In the original body's limited memory, this younger brother was respectful and caring to her and Jiang Wanqiu.

Because he is a supporting character, there is not much description of him in the original novel. It only says that Jiang Song is an upright and steady person, and he has a good reputation as an official after passing the imperial examination.

Jiang Quan is a negative example for his brother. Even though he is not described much in the book, it is not difficult to tell from his actions that he is a born bad guy.

If it was just because Jiang Quan did evil to Jiang Xinyu in the original novel, she could let him off because he was young and nothing serious had happened, but she could not forgive him for the evil he had already done.

Jiang Quan is the youngest son in the family and is extremely spoiled. Jiang Wanqiu also dotes on his younger brother and always responds to his requests.

Jiang Quan is smart. At just a few years old, she knows how to distinguish between close and distant relatives and bully the weak and fear the strong. She hates Jiang Xinyu, her nominal elder sister, and has no respect for her at all.

If it was just a minor prank, it would be fine. As long as it didn't lead to a big disaster, Jiang Xinyu wouldn't keep harping on it.

But a life was lost here. Jiang Xinyu felt disgusted whenever she recalled this incident and had already listed Jiang Quan as an enemy who deserved to die like Zhao Chengye.

Actually, this incident happened not too long ago, at the beginning of winter last year.

Just because Jiang Wanqiu complained a few times about her grievances, Jiang Quan thought that Jiang Xinyu had bullied his sister, so he sneaked into Jiang Xinyu's room, stole her bellyband and casually stuffed it around the waist of a servant.

The fact that Jiang Quan could come up with this idea proved that he knew that doing so would bring disaster to Jiang Xinyu, but he did not consider the other consequences of this matter at all.

The boy was wearing thick clothes in winter and was unaware of it, but his bright red bellyband was soon discovered by others.

The boy was only about twelve or thirteen years old, and several servants older than him started to make fun of him. His bellyband was snatched away and passed around.

It was not until a literate servant saw the word "rain" embroidered on it that he realized something was wrong. Then he looked at the material of the bellyband and was completely stunned.

Jiang Huai eventually found out about this.

Jiang Xinyu was slapped and cried out that she was innocent and wanted to commit suicide. Jiang Huai was afraid that Jiang Xinyu was really dead and it would be difficult to explain, so he took the trouble to investigate thoroughly.

Jiang Quan's actions were not very secretive. No one caught him when he stole things because the maids and servants thought that the young master was playing a prank and spreading bugs, so they did not take it seriously.

Now that something big has happened, no one dares to hide it. The matter of Jiang Quan stealing the bellyband and framing his eldest sister was soon discovered.

When Jiang Huai and Liu Shi found out, they were furious and scolded him severely.

It wasn't because he framed his sister, but because he acted without considering the consequences and almost ruined the family's reputation.

A girl's innocence is never just her own business. If the news gets out, not only will her father lose face, but Jiang Wanqiu will also be implicated.

Liu and Jiang Wanqiu ruined Jiang Xinyu's reputation by only finding fault with her temper and character, and never bothering with her innocence. They were afraid that the chain reaction would delay Jiang Wanqiu's marriage.

After finding out the truth about the matter, Jiang Huai didn't feel much guilt towards Jiang Xinyu. He just said a few perfunctory words saying that he had taught Jiang Quan a lesson and that was it.

But he was unwilling to teach his own precious son a lesson, so he took out his anger on the innocent servant who was implicated.

A frail child of only twelve or thirteen was accused of being a thief and beaten half to death. He was locked up in a shabby house in the cold winter and died of illness within two days.

Jiang Xinyu was so scared after finding out that she was sick for more than ten days, but that family acted as if nothing had happened, and Jiang Quan continued to act naughty every day without any restraint.

Some people are dead but live in others' hearts, while some people are alive but should have died long ago.

Looking at Jiang Quan's childish face, Jiang Xinyu sighed deeply.

He's just a child!

So strangle it in the cradle as early as possible and never let it grow up!

This little poisonous creature is a damn nuisance as long as he lives.

Jiang Quan is just vicious but he is not stupid at all. On the contrary, he knows how to seek benefits and avoid harm, and bully the weak and fear the strong.

He dared to harm his eldest sister but never dared to be disrespectful to his eldest brother because he knew that they had different status in the family.

Before he was brought here today, the nanny had already told him that his annoying elder sister had married a very fierce official and that he must behave himself today, otherwise his father would not be able to protect him.

Eight-year-old Jiang Quan already understood a lot of things. Especially when he saw his father nodding and bowing with a fawning look when he walked in, he knew that he could not afford to offend the man his eldest sister married.

Coupled with Xiao Yuan's pair of terrifying snake eyes, Jiang Quan became as obedient as a cat after entering the door.

Unfortunately, it's no use for him to be good now.

The innocent boy who died tragically did not survive, and his elder sister, who had never taken him seriously, had no intention of letting him grow up.

Jiang Xinyu's gaze was too direct, which made Liu feel nervous. She secretly pushed Jiang Huai under the cover of serving food, signaling him to let Quan'er leave quickly.

The table was so small that Jiang Xinyu also noticed Liu's actions.

Jiang Huai hadn't received Liu's signal yet, but Jiang Xinyu said softly,

"My daughter wanted to discuss something with Dad, but now that I see my younger brother getting cuter and cuter, I am a little hesitant."

Jiang Huai immediately put down his chopsticks and said in a dignified manner,

"There is nothing wrong with a family.

You are your father's first child. As long as it is not too difficult, why would your father not agree to your request?

When Liu and Jiang Wanqiu heard this, they were very nervous. Was the old man drunk?

Can't you see that this little bastard has bad intentions?

Jiang Xinyu immediately looked grateful, "Thank you very much, Father. This is actually a good thing.

Today's family dinner should have been a reunion, but Brother Song is in the academy and can't come back. I feel really bad.

Songdi's talent has always been top-notch. In a few years, he will be able to pass the imperial examination and make great achievements.

But...

Alas, Songdi is good in everything except his background.

Why don't you let father register Songdi under my mother's name? Having a legitimate son will make it easier in officialdom."

As soon as the words fell, Liu screamed in surprise, and then looked at Jiang Huai with a sad face, expecting him to refute the matter immediately.

Jiang Xinyu's face suddenly darkened, "What do you mean, Auntie?"

My mother has passed away for so many years and she won't compete with you for her son. It's just a status.

When Songdi becomes successful in the future, he will still honor you. How can you ruin his future just for some false reputation?"

These words were so righteous and reasonable that Jiang Huai couldn't help but be moved.

There is no difference between the eldest son and the eldest son from another family in his family, but outside there are some people who look down on others and pick on the eldest son from another family.

Song'er is the most favored and promising one among his children. If she is registered under the name of Qian family, not only will her family background be good, but Yu'er may also give her a part of her dowry.

Jiang Huai even felt a little regretful that he had not thought of this idea earlier.

A woman's dowry is meant to be passed down to her children. If Song Ge had been registered as Qian's daughter earlier, he wouldn't have had to...

But it's good this way now. It's a good deal to keep the eldest girl without spending much money and use her to climb up the social ladder.

When Liu saw Jiang Huai's expression, her heart suddenly turned cold.

How could you do this, sir?

Doesn't he know that Song'er is her only hope for success?

According to the laws of the Jin Dynasty, a concubine cannot be promoted to the position of legitimate wife unless she has made significant contributions to the clan. However, it is not easy to make such significant contributions.

She had no money to rebuild the ancestral hall, so she donated thousands of acres of sacrificial land to the clan. Her only hope was for her son to pass the imperial examination and bring honor to the family.

It's obvious that Quan'er is not a good student. If she passes Song'er on to the Qian family, everything will be over for her.