Two unremarkable packages lay there, but Hao's gaze swept over them without her showing any interest whatsoever.
However, her daughter's words seemed to echo in her ears, and she nodded slightly, slowly unwrapping the package.
The sight before her was quite unexpected; inside the package were two sets of clothing, one for men and one for women.
Jiang Shuqin leaned forward curiously, raising an eyebrow and a hint of disdain on her lips. "The embroidery on these clothes is indeed quite exquisite, but sister, isn't it a bit impolite to present such a meager gift on your homecoming?"
Madam Hao frowned slightly, feigning displeasure. "Shuqin, isn't it a bit too much for you to speak ill of Huaiyu like that?"
The conversation between the mother and daughter was like that of well-coordinated rivals on stage, just one step away from directly stating: Jiang Huaiyu's gift was really not presentable.
Jiang Huaiyu had anticipated this, and simply smiled and explained, "As autumn deepens and the temperature drops, I considered that the climate in the capital is even colder, so I made two sets of clothes by hand for my father and mother to keep warm."
Mrs. Hao was slightly surprised. "Did you really make this yourself?"
She picked up the garment and examined each stitch carefully. The skillful handiwork was indeed from Jiang Huaiyu, but the embroidery on the garment was more exquisite than before. No wonder she couldn't recognize it at first glance.
"That's right, I hope Father and Mother will like it."
Due to the tight schedule, she didn't have time to tailor new clothes for Jiang Wenyuan and Hao Shi. These two sets of clothes were originally made by her to sell in the county town after they were embroidered. Since she was going back to the Jiang family, she temporarily modified the size and they came in handy.
In fact, upon learning that he was about to return to the Jiang family, Bai Yujing had already prepared to purchase all sorts of valuable gifts.
But Jiang Huaiyu firmly rejected it.
Although the Bai family has some savings now, Jiang Huaiyu believes that it is not worthwhile to use this money to buy gifts.
For Jiang Huaiyu, being in the Jiang family was undoubtedly an extremely awkward situation.
Compared to Jiang Shuqin, even if she handled everything perfectly, she could hardly gain any praise in the eyes of Jiang Wenyuan and Hao Shi.
First, Bai Jinxiao's trip to Lu'an for trade negotiations was undoubtedly a crucial event.
Jiang Huaiyu entrusted Bai Yujing to assist him, and successfully persuaded Bai Qishi to hand over almost all of the Bai family's savings, including Jiang Huaiyu's personal savings, to Bai Jinxiao.
Therefore, she was indeed short of money at the moment and could not come up with enough silver. So, she simply let them mistakenly believe that she was living in poverty in the Bai family, and did as they wished. Hopefully, they would consider her good intentions and cause her less trouble in the next few days, so that she could spend a few days in peace in the Jiang family.
However, Bai Yujing failed to see through her inner schemes. He only felt that everything was caused by him, which made his wife feel looked down upon in the Jiang family. He couldn't help but feel depressed, so much so that he didn't notice Jiang Wenyuan's two conversations with him.
Jiang Wenyuan noticed that he was absent-minded, and his gaze involuntarily fell on the clothes in Hao's hands.
He took the clothes, examined them for a moment, and said with a smile, "Huaiyu's craftsmanship has always been superb. As the weather gets colder, I will definitely wear these clothes in the future."
As soon as he said that, Madam Hao also began to praise Jiang Huaiyu.
"It must have been so hard for you. Making clothes takes so much time and effort, and only you would have such filial piety."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled and shook her head, saying gently, "This is just a daughter's heartfelt gift. I hope Father and Mother don't mind."
Jiang Wenyuan was having a lively conversation with Bai Yujing and, not wanting to be disturbed, stood up and said, "You three, mother and daughters, can have a private chat. I'll take Yujing to the study to work on some academic matters."
As soon as he finished speaking, he left with Bai Yujing.
After the two left, Jiang Shuqin tugged at the handkerchief in her hand with some resentment, glared at Jiang Huaiyu, and her eyes revealed dissatisfaction and jealousy.
"The craftsmanship of this garment is really nothing to write home about, yet it has won Father's favor."
Behind her, the senior matron of the Marquis's mansion stood quietly, so she dared not complain too much, but the anger on her face could not be hidden.
Her anger was not unfounded.
Since stepping into the Marquis's mansion, the Lady of Jingyuan was quite satisfied with her outstanding appearance and illustrious family background, but she was quite disappointed with her carefree personality, lack of literary knowledge, and poor needlework skills.
Because this daughter-in-law seemed too ordinary, a strict tutor was specially hired for her to personally guide her in handling all household chores.
She had been scolded several times for her poor embroidery skills.
Returning to her parents' home today, she was unexpectedly overshadowed by that scoundrel Jiang Huaiyu. Just now, when Granny Cui saw Jiang Huaiyu's skillful hands, a hint of contempt flashed in her eyes.
It's as if it's saying: We're both daughters of the Jiang family, so why are you so incompetent?
If it weren't for the fear of angering her mother-in-law, Jiang Shuqin would have loved to curse her out.
Unable to fully express her displeasure in front of everyone, she could only try her best to convey her displeasure to Madam Hao through her eyes.
As her biological mother, Hao Shi understood her thoughts at a glance.
She smiled and said to the servants of the Marquis's residence, "Granny Cui, you have been taking such good care of my Shuqin, it is truly admirable. There are no outsiders here, and I have already instructed the servants to prepare tea and refreshments in the side room. Why don't you take the young ladies down to rest for a while?"
Granny Cui knew they wanted to talk privately and it wouldn't be appropriate for her to stay there.
She was quite tactful; she gave a slight bow and led the two maids from the Marquis's residence out of the room.
With the house empty, Jiang Shuqin immediately felt relieved, then glared angrily at Jiang Huaiyu without any politeness.
"This so-called sisterly affection, making me act out this charade with you, is utterly exhausting!"
Seeing her daughter making advances towards Jiang Huaiyu, Madam Hao remained unconcerned, leisurely sipping her fragrant tea.
Jiang Huaiyu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a calm smile. "Why should you be so formal, sister? Everyone knows that I am your adopted daughter. You don't need to hide it from the Marquis's mansion."
"How could I possibly keep your identity as a fake heiress a secret? It's clearly..."
Jiang Shuqin suddenly stopped speaking.
Deep down, she longed to see Jiang Huaiyu scorned, to trample her underfoot, but...
Jiang Huaiyu took over the conversation and said softly, "Even though I am just an adopted daughter, we share the same surname, Jiang, and come from the same Jiang family. If others witness us sisters being at odds, wouldn't they think that daughters of the Jiang family lack manners, thus damaging your reputation? Isn't that right?"
"It's good that you understand!"
Jiang Shuqin gave a cold laugh, her tone sharp, "Therefore, you must uphold the Jiang family's reputation in your words and actions outside!"
Jiang Huaiyu gently blew away the foam from her teacup, her smile warm. "Don't worry, I live a secluded life, far from the hustle and bustle of the world. Hundreds of miles away, how could I easily allow the Jiang family's reputation to be damaged? But you, sister—you don't seem to be quite at ease entering the Marquis's residence. Who was that old nanny just now? Why are you so wary of her?"
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