Chapter 1
Midnight, Los Angeles
The drizzle fell on the endless blue brick roofs in the city, making a slight "click" sound, like a ringing bell, echoing around the beams.
Wherever the smoke goes, the sky is shrouded in clouds and mist, as if covered by a veil.
Wenmingcuiyuan is located to the west of Jiang Mansion and is surrounded by blue brick houses.
The sound of a woman murmuring in her dream could be heard from the couch in the inner room. She suddenly opened her eyes, pressed her delicate hands tightly against her wildly beating chest, and gasped for breath.
She had a nightmare. She dreamed that she was walking alone on the gloomy streets. The cries of countless children were like evil spirits that tightly entangled her. When she reached the city gate, the scene suddenly changed and became prosperous and noisy.
She suddenly saw her parents' heads hanging high on the city wall. The group of people were ruthlessly using machetes to madly ravage her father's body and looted all his money...
After a while, she rubbed her eyes and felt better.
With a creaking sound, the window frame was blown open a little by the wind.
In the moonlight, the woman's face could be vaguely made out: her black hair was like clouds, her eyebrows were like picturesque features, her skin was whiter than snow, her eyes were pale, and beads of sweat the size of beans were running down her cheeks and collarbones into her inner clothes.
Jiang Zhaoli lifted the quilt and got off the couch wearing soft-soled slippers.
As the candlelight lit up, she poured herself a glass of water and drank two gulps to suppress the anger in her heart.
She stood up and walked to the window frame to close it, but the drizzle fell on the back of her hand, cold and icy, which suddenly woke her up.
Looking at the window frame that was wet by the rain and had become darker in color, Jiang Zhaoli sighed. She would be eighteen the day after tomorrow, which would be the day for her to find a son-in-law.
There seemed to be an lingering sadness in the woman's eyes.
The cocks crowed, but the clouds remained as thick as ever.
The air was filled with the smell of moisture and earth.
Today, there are a lot more people coming and going in the city than in the past. There are four more guards stationed at the gate, who are strictly screening the identities of those coming and going.
Changming Street is bustling with people coming and going, each doing their own job.
There were merchants traveling between the north and the south who were specifically looking for the Jiang family's advice, there were guards who patrolled back and forth to protect the safety of the people, and there were vendors who hawked their wares along the streets to make a living. They seemed to be stopping to listen to something.
"Have you heard that the Jiang family's daughter is looking for a son-in-law?"
"It is said that he will be in the attic of Jiang's manor at noon tomorrow."
“I heard that no matter how beautiful or ugly you are, everyone can participate.”
"Really? I'd like to join in the fun. Maybe I'll get lucky and never have to worry about food and clothing for the rest of my life."
"If it's not for the money, I'd give it a try just for the reputation of Miss Jiang's beauty."
The news that the daughter of the Jiang family was about to marry a son-in-law quickly spread throughout the entire Luo City. The people in the city suddenly became agitated and gathered in groups in any corner of the street to exchange news they had collected from all sides.
The Jiang family is the richest family in Los Angeles. They have been in the fabric and spice business for generations. Not only are they well-known in their own country, but their products are also exported to other countries. Even many businessmen come to learn from them.
Jiang Zhaoli was the eldest daughter of the Jiang family. Before she was born, they had announced to everyone that they would not marry off their daughters but only take in sons-in-law.
Those who were interested were waiting for Jiang Zhaoli to reach the age of 15 so that they could win her over in one fell swoop. This was not only because of her outstanding appearance, which made people very popular, but also because of the enviable wealth she had.
There is a popular saying in Luocheng: Whoever gets the Jiang family's support will be rich and powerful all over the world.
The Jiang family girl was taught to identify various spices and fabric styles at the age of five in order to develop a business acumen.
At the age of twelve, she made a floor-length dress with a slanted neck and a cross-shaped pattern for the Spring Equinox, with a gauze jacket on the outside. The dress was carefully sprinkled with perfumed powder, so it could retain its fragrance for a long time without the need for sachets. It instantly became popular in Los Angeles and neighboring cities. At the age of fifteen, she developed honey powder and rouge, which when applied on the cheeks made her look as delicate as a shy girl about to smile, and it stuck to the skin and became very popular.
Everyone can admire the talent and strategy of Ms. Jiang.
The servant ran into the vermilion pavilion with a "thump thump" sound, stepping on the rain water splashing in the courtyard, crossed the lotus arch bridge, walked through the garden, and finally stepped into the central hall.
Before entering the hall, he called out, and the sound resounded like thunder in front of the hall: "Old man, there are thousands of people gathered at the door asking about the rules for recruiting a son-in-law."
The official guarding the main hall stopped the boy, hushed him, and led him a little further away. Then he took out the red paper with black words that had been prepared and handed it to him: "Don't worry, the old man has already sent someone to prepare it. Hurry and post it in the attic."
The examination rules for recruiting a son-in-law were written in black and red on one side of the big mahogany door of the Jiang family manor. The first part was a martial arts competition on stage, and the one who came out on stage would lose. The second part was shooting at rotating balls, and the one who shot the most would win.
The Jiang family gathered in the main hall, their faces serious and talking in low voices.
Sitting at the head was the patriarch of the Jiang family, Old Man Jiang. He had white hair on his temples and was wearing a plain jacket with a slanting collar and a cross-lapel. His hands were folded on a sandalwood round-headed cane.
He looked coldly at the group of useless people below, angrily knocked the ground with his cane, and said sternly: "Stop talking."
As soon as the old man opened his mouth, everyone shut up.
"The eldest brother has only one daughter, Erya. Zhaoli is a smart girl and has had a business mind since she was young. I feel relieved to pass the Jiang family to her. I believe she will be able to do something great in the future."
After these words were spoken, the second son's wife Li Congying could no longer sit still.
She kicked Jiang Wenyuan secretly. Jiang Wenyuan felt the pain and jumped up instantly. He looked at his wife with resentment.
Li Congying glared at him, and he retracted his gaze and turned his eyes to the old man, saying, "Dad, what are you talking about? Since ancient times, there has never been a woman in charge of the family. Your sons are still alive, how can you pass on the family business to a junior? How can your son go out and meet people in the future?"
Old Master Jiang was instantly annoyed. He slammed his cane on the ground with a dull sound. "Junior? I think you are not as good as this junior. You are not even as good as Li'er, a little girl, and you are still thinking about such a beautiful and fantastic thing."
"They say a man should be independent at the age of 30, but look at what you have become."
"How many shops of my Jiang family have fallen into your hands?"
Jiang Wenyuan glanced at the angry old man secretly, shook his head and pouted: "Dad, how can you say that to me? I am your son after all. There are so many people here, don't I have any face?"
Old Master Jiang snorted coldly: "You are shameless. I am afraid that you don't understand, so I will just explain it more clearly."
Seeing him folding his arms and looking unconvinced, he really is a fool.
Old Master Jiang took a sip of tea and put it on the table again: "Since you have complaints, how do you think it should be divided? I want to hear what you think, old man."
Jiang Wenyuan took a step forward, looking smug, and began a long speech, thinking he was smart: "Dad, isn't it easy to divide it? Since ancient times, family property has been divided according to seniority. My brother and his wife are gone anyway. Now I am the eldest in the Jiang family, so this should be..."
Before he could finish his words, he heard a loud crash and a scalding hot glass cup fell under his boots, with the fragments mixed with scalding water vapor splashing everywhere.
Old Master Jiang stared with his silver beard flying, "You unfilial son, what's the matter? Your elder brother and sister-in-law are gone, and now you think that an old man like me is an eyesore, so I should follow him?"
Our country's emperor has always attached great importance to filial piety and advocated filial piety.
Unfilial people cannot even take part in the imperial examinations. Those who have achieved honors will have their titles stripped and demoted to commoners. If the news of an unfilial person spreads, he will be spit on by thousands of people and will be beaten and scolded by everyone like a rat crossing the street.
Being called unfilial by elders is the harshest word.
Jiang Wenyuan's face turned pale when he heard this. He didn't care about the broken pieces of the cup on the ground. He knelt on the ground with a thud and howled with a sad face, "Dad, why are you suddenly speaking so harshly? That's not what I meant."
Li Congying also knelt down hurriedly and begged for mercy: "Dad, Wenyuan never thinks before speaking, you know that, please don't bother with him."
Jiang Wenyuan immediately agreed, "Yes, yes, Dad, just treat it as a fart, don't bother with me."
Old Master Jiang gave him a useless look and snorted coldly.
This second brother, he always said in the past that Zhaoli should be the head of the family, but he has never been so concerned about it as he is today. Why is he saying such shameless words now?
The second girl would take over the Jiang family sooner or later. It was decided when she was not even born, when it was unknown whether she was a boy or a girl.
In order to prevent anyone from being dissatisfied, all the children of the Jiang family can compete with the second girl, but they must be comparable in knowledge, business, and talent.
Old Master Jiang glared at him and snorted coldly. He knew his son's character best and most of the time he was instigated by Li.
The second son was also a loser. He allowed Li to instigate and order him around, regardless of whether he was right or wrong.
Old Master Jiang's sharp gaze instantly fell on Liu Congying, and Liu didn't dare to breathe.
Finally, he fixed his gaze on the third brother Jiang Zhiping, who had remained silent the entire time: "Third brother, what do you think about this matter?"
Jiang Zhiping stood up and said humbly, "Father, I think the Jiang family must have Li'er. After all, her abilities are obvious to all of us. I also believe that Zhao Li can take on this responsibility."
Old Master Jiang nodded in appreciation, his beard raised, and he finally heard the answer he wanted to hear.
Jiang Wenyuan looked somewhere and muttered in dissatisfaction: "It's hindsight."
Old Master Jiang glanced at him and said, "In that case, let's go our separate ways. After finding a son-in-law, the Jiang family's assets will be officially handed over to the second girl to take care of."
"You uncles and aunts should help her more in the future."
"Only when the Jiang family is doing well, can you have a good life."
After the few people left, Mr. Jiang asked the servant waiting on the side: "What is the second girl doing?"
The servant answered truthfully: "My lord, the second young lady is studying."
Finally, Mr. Jiang's tense face relaxed.
This is the kind of hardworking and intelligent person the Jiang family needs. The second girl has been quiet and studious since she was young, and she has unique insights into business at a young age. While others are playing, she is alone in the study, reading books, studying fabrics, and preparing spices, making the best use of "fragrance" and "fabric".
Old Master Jiang felt very relieved to have the Jiang family handed over to her.
In Wenming Cui Garden, Jiang Zhaoli was sitting on a swing chair covered with green vines, with a blue cover of "Business" on his knees. He had read half of it. The spring breeze was blowing gently, and his black hair was slightly fluttering.
She stared sadly at the several-meter-tall locust tree in the yard. Its branches had not been trimmed for a long time, and it was allowed to grow outside the high wall.
The woman was wearing a scarlet skirt with a front opening. Her black hair moved slightly and her eyelids drooped slightly, with a few strands of black hair falling in front of her shoulders.
"Plop" a stone fell at Jiang Zhaoli's feet and then sank into the puddle.
Hearing the voice, Jiang Zhaoli raised her eyes and saw a figure quickly dodging. She put the book aside and said helplessly: "Song Shimin, don't hide, I saw you."
"How boring." Song Shiyan jumped up and landed on the thick trunk of a locust tree. He stretched lazily, his starry eyes and drooped eyebrows looking down at the woman on the swing.
He was about nineteen years old, wearing a green robe with a slanted neck and a cross-over collar. He had a half-bun and a silver hair crown. There were two strands of hair in front of his forehead that extended to the end of his eyes, with a slight curve, making him look handsome and elegant.
He wore a bunch of peonies on his head, had a handsome face, and looked lively and alert, looking like a handsome young man.
"Hello? Jiang Zhaoli, why are you looking so sad? Are you unhappy?" He said nonchalantly, swinging his legs.
Jiang Zhaoli looked at the grinning Song Shiyan and said, "I am happy and unhappy at the same time."
The good news is that she has turned eighteen and will soon take over the Jiang family. The bad news is that she will have to live with a strange man in Wenming Cuiyuan until she dies...
You tell me, is there anything more tragic than this?
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