"Okay." Jiang Huaiyu nodded gently.
"Madam, you must be tired from your journey. Why don't you lean on my shoulder and rest for a while?"
"Then it's your decision."
Jiang Huaiyu slowly rested her head on Bai Yujing's broad shoulder, closed her eyes, and pretended to be asleep.
In fact, she doesn't need to worry too much, after all, her life is completely different now, and her fate has been completely changed.
The die is cast, and even if Jiang Shuqin feels regret, she cannot change the fact that the die is cast.
We traveled by carriage, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, we were expected to arrive at the Jiang family's residence the following evening.
However, the weather turned against them, with a light drizzle making the roads muddy and causing delays in their journey.
As night fell, Jiang Huaiyu and Bai Yujing arrived at a town only twenty miles from the capital. With no other choice, they found an inn in the town to stay for the night and would continue their journey to the capital the next day.
...
the next day.
The two arrived at the Jiang family's gate and unexpectedly encountered the carriage of the Marquis of Jingyuan's residence.
The carriages of the Marquis of Jingyuan's mansion were spacious and imposing, while the alley in front of the Jiang family's house was already narrow. The two carriages, one in front of the other, completely blocked the entrance to the alley.
"What's wrong? What happened?"
A clear female voice came from inside the car, with a hint of doubt in her tone.
The next moment, a pair of slender hands, as delicate as spring onions, gently lifted the curtain of the carriage, and a head peeked out from inside. This person was none other than Jiang Shuqin.
The moment her gaze fell upon Jiang Huaiyu, a hint of surprise flashed across her face. Her eyes then lingered on Bai Yujing's face for a moment before she parted her lips slightly and said with a smile, "Oh dear, it's you and brother-in-law who have graced us with your presence. What a coincidence that we've met today."
Bai Yujing bowed politely and said, "Greetings, Lady of the Heir Apparent."
Hearing this address from his mouth, a complex emotion flashed in Jiang Shuqin's eyes.
They had spent a lifetime together, and now that they had met again, she was naturally moved. However, when she thought of her tragic past life, all that remained in her eyes was deep resentment.
"Brother-in-law, you're too kind. We're family, why be so formal?"
Supported by her maid, Jiang Shuqin slowly stepped out of the carriage and walked lightly to stop in front of Jiang Huaiyu.
Jiang Huaiyu asked with a smile, "It's been several months since we parted. Is my sister doing well?"
Jiang Shuqin did not answer immediately, but carefully examined him.
The two of them had traveled a long way from outside the city, and not only were they exhausted from the journey, but they had also been caught in the rain. Jiang Huaiyu's skirt was covered in mud, making her look rather disheveled, and Bai Yujing's shoes were also covered in mud.
In contrast to them, Jiang Shuqin wore a fiery red pomegranate-red dress, the hem of which was embroidered with intricate patterns. She wore exquisite brocade shoes, the surfaces of which were spotless, without a speck of dust. Behind her was a luxurious carriage, followed by a group of male and female servants.
This stark contrast made her even more smug, and she even felt that changing her marital fate after being reborn was a very wise choice.
Jiang Shuqin casually pushed up the gold-threaded ruby-inlaid hairpin at her temple with her hand.
"Sister, I'm perfectly fine, but you—"
Her eyes swept coldly over Jiang Huaiyu and Bai Yujing with disdain, her tone scornful: "It seems you two aren't doing so well."
"uh-huh?"
Jiang Huaiyu waited patiently for her next words.
Jiang Shuqin curled her lips slightly, her expression clearly contemptuous, and said sarcastically, "Knowing that you are going back to your parents' home, you can't even be bothered to dress up properly. Look at you like this, it's really a pity. People who don't know you would think that you are living a miserable life in your husband's family."
Her words were full of sarcasm, and Bai Yujing couldn't help but frown slightly after hearing them.
"Your Highness, you are mistaken. My wife and I are not dressed properly, which is a breach of etiquette, but it was not intentional. In fact, it was because of the bad weather this morning, and traveling in the rain inevitably caused many inconveniences."
Upon hearing his explanation, Jiang Shuqin smiled faintly and glanced at him sideways.
"I was just joking with my sister, why did you take it so seriously, brother-in-law?"
Witnessing Bai Yujing's protectiveness towards Jiang Huaiyu, a strange emotion welled up in her heart. After all, in her previous life, all the care and consideration belonged only to her.
Jiang Huaiyu noticed the change in her tone, gently moved a step to the left to block her view, and said with a smile, "As the noble lady of the Crown Prince, my sister enjoys a prominent position in the capital. How can I compare to her?"
Jiang Shuqin gave a disdainful snort, "It's good that you understand."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled and said gently, "Sister, we sisters have been reunited after a long time, but we were so busy talking that we forgot that the alley is narrow and our vehicles are blocking the way, making it impossible for others to pass. Why don't we go inside first to pay our respects to Father and Mother, and then we can talk in detail later?"
Seeing her humble attitude, Jiang Shuqin's slight displeasure vanished.
Despite his exceptional talent, Bai Yujing was ultimately just a poor scholar.
In her previous life, she was unfortunate to be dragged down by the Bai family for life because she married Bai Yujing, a heartless man, and ultimately died a tragic death.
However, in this life, she has been promoted to the noble wife of the crown prince, no longer the submissive woman she was in her previous life.
Only Jiang Huaiyu and Bai Yujing could be considered a match made in heaven; they were always at a disadvantage in front of her.
After Jiang Shuqin understood this principle, she became even more arrogant and rude. She slightly raised her chin and said imperiously, "You're quite sensible, so you can come inside first."
As soon as she finished speaking, she strode into the house, followed closely by her maids carrying all sorts of gifts.
The driver for the Bai family was a temporary hire. After Jiang Huaiyu and Bai Yujing unloaded the luggage, they gave the driver some extra money and told him to arrange his own destination.
Then they went inside together.
Jiang Wenyuan and Madam Hao were sitting in the main hall waiting. The table was piled high with all sorts of gifts, all brought by Jiang Shuqin.
After exchanging greetings with Bai Yujing, Jiang Huaiyu also presented the gifts he had brought.
Compared to the dazzling array of gifts on the table, the two packages that Jiang Huaiyu handed over seemed rather meager.
As expected, Madam Hao hesitated to accept the gift. After sipping her tea for a while, she seemed to suddenly remember something and gestured to her servants to hand the gift to her.
Madam Hao stroked the bundle, which felt light and airy inside. She couldn't help but ask, "Huaiyu, you're going back to your parents' home. Why be so formal? Doesn't it make you seem distant?"
Despite the large table of gifts around her, she spoke only to Jiang Huaiyu, highlighting the stark difference in the gifts the two Jiang daughters brought when returning to their parents' home.
A hint of mockery flashed across Jiang Shuqin's face as she raised her voice and said, "Mother, you are mistaken. Once a daughter is married, she is like water spilled from a cup. It is rare for her to come home, so naturally she should express her filial piety. As for what is in my sister's package, let us all have a look."
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