"No, your daughter and the Wei family's young master made a huge scene at the teahouse, and my Su family, though not as prosperous as before, is still a respectable family."
Qin's mind cleared instantly, and she was just short of pointing her finger at Aunt Yang and cursing her for stuffing sluts into the Su family.
Yang waved her hands frantically, “It’s a misunderstanding! It’s all a misunderstanding. The one who was having an affair with the third young master of the Wei family was Jiao’er’s maid. It was my Jiao’er who caught them red-handed at the teahouse that day, which is why people spread the rumors.”
Seeing Qin looking at her with a puzzled expression, Yang said, "Madam, think about it, the Wei family was expelled from the capital, so why is my beloved child safe and sound?"
Madam Qin also thought what he said made sense, and swallowed hard, saying, "Are you telling the truth? You're not lying to me?"
Qin was naturally aware that the Wei family had been expelled from the capital.
"I swear to heaven, it's all my fault for choosing a pretty maid for my daughter."
Originally, I planned to be Jiao'er's dowry maid and also a concubine for the young master, but who knew that maid would be so audacious and arrogant...
I had no idea when I had gotten involved with the third young master of the Wei family. If it weren't for Jiao'er's keen observation, we would still be completely in the dark.
Qin was completely fooled by Yang's ramblings.
Seeing that Qin's expression had softened, Yang seized the opportunity to press her advantage.
"Don't worry, Madam. My master values family reputation most. This lowly servant has already been sold off, and that incident was a big blow to my daughter. We have already sent her to a manor outside the city to recuperate. If Madam thinks it is appropriate, we can choose an auspicious day to exchange the betrothal papers."
Madam Qin also knew that Jiang Jiaojiao's treatment in the mansion was no worse than that of the legitimate daughter.
What Qin didn't know was that after Yang became the principal wife, she was demoted back to a concubine.
It seems unreal that such a good thing happened to her family.
Could it be that Miss Jiang has some hidden illness?
Madam Qin concealed her expression and cleared her throat. "I remember that Miss Jiang is older than my Peng'er, so... this might not be appropriate."
“What’s inappropriate? They say a woman three years older than her husband is a lucky match, but my darling is only one year older than your son.” In her anxiety, Madam Yang almost stood up from her armchair.
After much deliberation last night, she concluded that the Su family had no reason to refuse the marriage proposal.
Although Jiao'er was born out of wedlock, she was still considered a daughter of an official family. She was not a good match for the second-place scholar, but she was more than qualified to be with the other sons of the Su family.
Madam Qin nodded slightly: "That's true. Being a year or two older doesn't matter. You've seen my family's situation. I'd be more at ease if I married a capable daughter-in-law."
Qin was still thinking about the word "support". Her husband had a bad reputation. In the past, even Jiang, the son-in-law, didn't like him, let alone help him.
If the two families were to become in-laws, Jiang Zhengming would have to help his daughter out in order to make her life better.
Qin Shi's mind raced. She tucked her hands into her sleeves, her face showing difficulty. "It would be good to strengthen the family ties, but the betrothal gifts are not generous. Will Mr. Jiang say that the Su family is ignorant of etiquette and has neglected the second young lady?"
These things were exactly what Yang had expected.
She waved her hand, "We're family, so let's not stand on ceremony. These are all formalities. My husband said we don't care about betrothal gifts, and Jiao'er's dowry will be no less than that of the legitimate daughter."
Overjoyed to have gained a daughter-in-law for free, along with a generous dowry, Madam Qin immediately said, "It's settled then. Tomorrow I'll ask the matchmaker to go to the Jiang residence to exchange the betrothal gifts."
"It would be better if I asked a matchmaker to come tomorrow. The mansion is no longer in its original location, and the matchmaker may not know the way."
These words were exactly what Madam Qin wanted to hear, saving her the trouble of paying for a matchmaker.
Little did she know that Yang had ulterior motives, and it would be bad if the matchmaker heard any gossip when she came to visit.
Having received confirmation, Madam Yang left with a beaming smile.
That evening, the eldest patriarch of the Su family learned that Madam Qin had agreed to the marriage.
I was so happy that I drank a few more glasses of wine.
When he was in high spirits after drinking, he said to Madam Qin, "When our eldest sister passed away, she left two jewelry boxes for Yueya. Yueya didn't live to enjoy them, so Jiang Zhengming will definitely give them to Jiang Er as part of her dowry. We won't lose out in this marriage."
On the other end.
Yang went back and told Jiang Zhengming the news.
Jiang Zhengming thought that Jiang Shuyue was still connected to him after going around in circles, and it was only a matter of time before she started calling him "Dad".
He was so happy he lost his mind and said to the servant, "Go and call the madam over."
Madam Yang quickly stopped her, "Master, you mustn't! Today, I finally managed to smooth things over between Jiao'er and the Wei family. If Madam finds out, she might expose it, and all our efforts will be in vain."
"With the mistress of the house busy preparing for the wedding, how could this be kept secret?"
Jiang Zhengming felt utterly ashamed when his daughter's shameful affair was brought up.
Yang dismissed Jiang Zhengming's servant, glanced out the window, and said in a low voice, "Master, what we need now is to be bound to the Su family, not to worry about saving face."
She then revealed her plan.
"We'll hire a matchmaker. What about the betrothal gifts? We'll have Jiao'er send them to the Su family as soon as she returns from the estate."
"This is too much! I'm a senior official in the Ministry of Revenue, it would be so embarrassing if this got out."
Jiang Zhengming's face immediately darkened.
With no one else in the room, Madam Yang simply said, "If we let Madam Zheng handle Jiao'er's wedding, she'll definitely ruin it. The Su family is in a difficult situation right now, so let's keep things simple. Master is doing the Su family a favor, and Yue'er will remember your kindness in the future."
Jiang Zhengming remained silent for a long time, then sighed and said, "Fine, as long as Su Peng doesn't squander money like his father, I'll go to the storeroom to get Jiao'er's dowry."
Overjoyed, Madam Yang quickly stepped forward and grabbed Jiang Zhengming's arm, saying, "Master is still the one who treats us mother and daughter the best."
"If I remember correctly, there should still be Su's makeup boxes in the storeroom. I'll go get them in a bit, and you can secretly give them to Jiao'er so she can take them to the Su family."
Yang was startled. "I'll go with you to the storeroom. I recognize my sister's belongings."
Jiang Zhengming had no suspicions. He called his servant to get the storeroom key from Zheng Shi and then took Yang Shi to the storeroom.
As Yang walked behind Jiang Zhengming, she silently prayed, "I hope the master won't remember, and that he won't discover anything is missing."
Most of the jewelry that Su Shi rarely wore before was taken out and used by Yang Shi. On the day Jiang Jiaojiao went to the estate, Yang Shi even let Jiang Jiaojiao take a few gold hairpins and jade bracelets with her.
Upon entering the storeroom, seeing that Jiang Zhengming hadn't even opened the makeup box, he picked it up, turned around, and handed it to Yang, saying, "Take this. Tomorrow I'll send a coachman to the estate to pick her up."
"Isn't this a bit too fast? We haven't even had anyone choose an auspicious day yet."
"There's no need to choose an auspicious day. This matter might get complicated if we delay. The sooner the better. The Su family didn't spend a single penny. Do you think they would dare to make excuses?"
As Jiang Zhengming spoke, he walked out. After leaving the storeroom, Yang saw that no one was around and hurriedly returned to the side courtyard.
...
As night fell, a thin mist enveloped the entire village.
It was an ordinary day, but Zhao Wu found the night scene to be particularly alluring.
He lay on his back on the bed, thinking about his aunt's words.
Find a way to get close to the second young lady; if you can do *that*, you won't have to worry about food and clothing.
Just as he was lost in his fantasies, Caiyan called out from outside, "Is Zhao Wu asleep?"
Zhao Wu jumped up. "No, I wasn't asleep. Miss Caiyan, is there something Miss wants to tell you?"
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