Jiang Jingxian recounted the entire story, from the moment she met Lan Bing'er to the events that unfolded at the Jiang residence gate today, embellishing the details.

When she spoke of her grievances, she wiped away her tears with her sleeve, secretly glancing at Old Madam Jiang.

Seeing her grandmother's increasingly unpleasant face, Jiang Jingxian laughed.

Lan Bing'er, you're in for a world of trouble.

Suddenly remembering that her grandmother was still ill, she was filled with remorse and quickly knelt down:

"Grandmother, please don't be angry. It's all Xian'er's fault. I shouldn't have come to Ningzhou without permission."

Granny Zhao stepped forward to help Jiang Jingxian up and comforted her:

“Get up quickly, child. The ground is cold. You saved someone, so you did a good deed. Your grandmother won’t be angry with you.”

Granny Zhao watched Jiang Jingxian grow up. The child has always been kind-hearted and likes to stand up for the weak, but she is also easily taken advantage of.

If there's anything wrong with that, it's that I'm too kind.

Madam Jiang glared at Lan Bing'er.

Lan Bing'er was so frightened that she quickly knelt on the ground and said timidly, "Grandmother, I didn't mean to."

Seeing Lan Bing'er's injuries, Old Madam Jiang couldn't bear to blame her anymore. After all, she had spoiled the child, so she was partly to blame.

She waved her hand impatiently: "Alright, alright, go back and heal your wounds. Don't come back until you're fully healed. She looks rather creepy. Green Willow, take her out."

Lan Bing'er was startled, and then knelt down on the ground. Did her great-aunt despise her?

Knowing that her cousin was still watching her, she couldn't afford to lose her composure, so she quickly said, "Grandmother, please take care of yourself. Bing'er will head back now."

Back at the Lan residence, another round of smashing ensued.

His hatred for Shen Danru intensified.

"You slut! You slut!"

No wonder her cousin always ignored her; it's all her fault.

The servants knelt in the corner, trembling and afraid to speak.

Jiang Shuyou: "Speak, now that there are no outsiders here, why did you leave the manor without permission?"

Jiang Jingxian seemed somewhat embarrassed and glanced at Chen Danru.

Shen Danru was slightly taken aback. Could this matter be related to her?

Jiang Jingxian knelt down: "Grandmother, Father and Mother want to send Xian'er to the Crown Prince's residence to be a concubine, but Xian'er is still young and does not want to get married."

Six months ago, the Duke's Mansion wanted to climb the social ladder by sending Jiang Jingxian to the Crown Prince's residence.

She had met Shen Danru once before, a few years ago, at a palace banquet when she was framed and Shen Danru helped her.

At that time, she sent invitations to the Marquis of Xuanping's residence many times, but Shen Danru was proud and aloof and never interacted with many people, so she was rejected.

But Jiang Jingxian kept the kindness in her heart; how could she possibly steal Song Jie's husband?

Besides, with a wonderful woman like Sister Song around, she didn't have the confidence to win the Crown Prince's favor.

After she refused the marriage proposal, her mother confined her to the courtyard and forced her to agree.

Shen Danru: It turns out she's connected to me.

What did your father say?

Jiang Jingxian's father is Jiang Yun, the current Duke of Xingguo.

"My father initially disagreed, but later my mother said something and he agreed."

Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang angrily smashed the teacup on the ground with a loud "crack".

"Nonsense! Do they think this old woman is dead? I immediately guessed it was that woman who instigated it. I told him right then and there, don't marry her, don't marry her, but he wouldn't listen. I think he won't stop until he destroys the Duke's mansion."

Everyone in the room was so intimidated by Old Madam Jiang's imposing presence that they dared not even breathe.

Only Granny Zhao rushed forward to soothe Old Madam Jiang's breathing.

Jiang Shuyou's mother died in childbirth. Old Madam Jiang couldn't bear to part with her grandson, so she kept Jiang Shuyou in her room.

Jiang Yun then married his second wife, and after this woman entered the family, Jiang Yun changed a lot.

Since the old Duke passed away last year, Madam Jiang has rarely returned to Shengjing, and Jiang Yun has inherited the title of Duke of Xingguo.

Jiang Shuyou, however, was worried about his grandmother and spent most of his time living with Madam Jiang in Ningzhou.

The fact that the Xingguo Duke's Mansion has yet to officially appoint Jiang Shuyou as the heir apparent is also related to the current Xingguo Duke's wife.

Having lived most of her life, Madam Jiang naturally understood the situation clearly. The current court was politically unstable, and although Qi Jingcheng was the crown prince, it was not certain that he would be the one to sit on the throne.

Choosing sides so early, what if things go wrong later... wouldn't that put Jingxian and the entire Xingguo Duke's Mansion in the fire?

Besides, with that child from the Song family, it will be difficult for Jingxian to gain the Crown Prince's favor.

Shen Danru had also heard about some things that happened in the Xingguo Duke's mansion, but she was an outsider after all and it was not appropriate for her to offer advice, so she sat there without saying a word.

“You’er, go and draft a letter for your father. I’m keeping my granddaughter here. If they still want me as their mother, then let them shut up. Otherwise, he can forget about the Duke’s position and give it to you.”

Although the master of the Xingguo Duke's Mansion has changed, the old lady Jiang's influence remains. As long as she goes back, Jiang Yun won't dare to utter a single word in front of this old mother.

Jiang Shuyou's lips twitched slightly, but he didn't say anything.

He replied "yes" and went to draft the letter.

He would tell his father what his grandmother had said earlier, but as for giving him the position of Duke of the State, he would rather not.

Father can give it to whomever he wants; he doesn't care. He can earn his own fame and fortune.

From a young age, he reminded himself that he could rely on himself, but not on others.

Despite being so angry, Old Madam Jiang was quickly cheered up by a few words from Jiang Jingxian and Shen Danru.

"Grandma, you have no idea how delicious Sister Ru's cooking is. I can never get enough of it."

Madam Jiang smiled to herself, knowing she had already eaten, but Xian'er probably didn't know.

She had to use a trick to get it.

Grandma Jiang held one child on her left and another on her right, looking around. It was wonderful; it felt like her sister had returned, and her grandchildren were by her side. She was truly blessed.

"Grandmother, I heard from Sister Ru that you've fallen ill again. Haven't you told Xian'er yet? Does your chest still hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore, it doesn't hurt anymore. With you all here with me, Grandma is completely healed."

She now has only one wish: to make Shen Danru a legitimate member of her family. Even if she doesn't want to marry You'er, it would be fine to have her as her goddaughter.

But she doesn't dare to bring it up now. They've only known each other for a few days, and she's already trying to get the girl to become her godchild. That would scare the girl, and besides, her parents wouldn't agree to it.

Shen Danru realized that her purpose in coming to the Jiang residence was to complete a system task, and with lunchtime approaching, it was time to prepare.

She stood up, gave a slight bow, and said, "Madam, please continue your conversation with Jingxian. I'll go to the kitchen. Last time you were ill, so I only prepared some simple dishes. This time, I'll cook a few more dishes for you, Jingxian, and Young Master Jiang to try."

Old Madam Jiang felt embarrassed. Last time, she had lured the girl into the Jiang residence for her grandson's sake. She was a guest at the Jiang residence, so how could she let the girl suffer again?

Spoiler alert: The female lead's fighting prowess is revealed! Guess what her weapon is?