Jiang Huaiyu took the hand warmer, hugged it tightly to her chest, and asked with concern, "What brings you here, Mother?"
"Nothing much, Madam said that thanks to Miss's great help today, she wanted to personally express her gratitude to you!"
Granny Fang's attitude was completely different from before; she was all smiles and did everything she could to please her.
"Miss, Young Master, please don't stand in the cold wind any longer, be careful not to catch a cold. Come inside and warm up, Master and Madam are waiting for you!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Huaiyu no longer hesitated and went to Hao's residence with Bai Yujing.
Upon entering the house, Madam Hao did not rush to talk to them. Instead, she considerately asked them to warm up by the charcoal fire and gestured for Granny Fang to bring over hot ginger soup to dispel the chill from their bodies.
Once they had calmed down, Madam Hao began to speak slowly with a smile.
“Huaiyu, I did make you suffer a lot of grievances when I asked you to temporarily take over the ritual in place of Shuqin. Moreover, you skillfully resolved an awkward situation in front of Lady Jingyuan today.”
She gently opened the exquisitely carved brocade box on the table and continued, "As a woman, one should naturally have a few presentable pieces of jewelry. I noticed the jade hairpin you often wear; although its texture is pure and its color pleasing, it seems a bit too plain. In this brocade box are a pair of jade bracelets that I treasured. They were part of my dowry when I got married, and today I'm giving them to you. Come, try them on, and let me admire how beautiful you look wearing them."
Mrs. Hao waved to her warmly.
Seeing the extraordinary quality of the jade bracelets, Jiang Huaiyu was reluctant to accept them, so she gently declined, saying, "This gift is too precious. Mother should keep it for herself."
At this moment, Mr. Jiang spoke up, "Since your mother has already given it to you, you should accept it. Remember on your wedding day, we didn't prepare any decent dowry for you, so this is a kind of compensation for you."
After Lady Jingyuan left, Lady Hao came to his study to discuss the matter with him. Only then did he realize the enormous crisis the Jiang family was about to face. Once the Jiang family was exiled to Yanmen Pass, they would probably never be able to return to their homeland. At that time, any talk of reviving the Jiang family and supporting the family would be nothing but empty words.
The fact that everything was able to turn from danger to safety was entirely thanks to this adopted daughter.
He was secretly amazed. Although Jiang Huaiyu had studied with him since childhood and he had personally guided her in reading and writing, the daughter he remembered, apart from being well-mannered, obedient, and docile, had not shown any particular courage or determination. Yet now, she dared to step forward and become a controversial female tutor.
Just today, when faced with the accusations from the Lady of Jingyuan Marquis, she remained calm and composed, had the courage to speak frankly, and then successfully persuaded the other party.
All of this made even her father, a seasoned official, feel a certain respect for her. He thought to himself, "If she were truly my biological daughter, how proud I would be..."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Huaiyu did not refuse any longer. She stepped forward slowly, stretched out her hands, and Hao Shi personally and gently slipped the emerald green jade bracelet onto her delicate wrist.
The bracelet was as pure and transparent as crystal, emitting a faint emerald green light, like a tranquil spring, making her snow-white arms appear even more soft and radiant.
Hao's gaze lingered on the bracelets for a long time before she couldn't help but exclaim, "They are absolutely beautiful, Huaiyu. These bracelets complement you perfectly."
This exclamation came from the bottom of my heart and was full of sincerity.
These bracelets were once part of Hao's collection, and Jiang Shuqin had also been fond of them. However, after trying them on, she felt that jade was too old-fashioned. Now it seems that Jiang Shuqin lacked the depth to carry off the elegant temperament of jade, but on Jiang Huaiyu's hands, they were just right, highlighting her gentleness and nobility.
Jiang Huaiyu smiled and withdrew her hand, giving a graceful bow. "I will always remember the kindness my mother has shown me."
She moved quietly and sat down next to Bai Yujing.
Jiang Wenyuan continued, "I am fully aware of the conditions you have proposed."
He sighed softly, "Alright, you've averted a crisis for the Jiang family today, which can be considered as making up for the Jiang family's kindness in raising you over the years. So, as you wish, apart from major occasions such as weddings and funerals that you absolutely must attend, if you don't want to come, we won't force you."
Jiang Huaiyu immediately stood up and bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you for your understanding, Father and Mother."
Bai Yujing also accompanied her to exchange greetings.
Jiang Wenyuan waved his hand, looking at her with a complicated expression, and said, "You are now a member of the Bai family and have your own life to live. In any case, as your father and daughter, I still hope that everything goes well for you."
Taking the opportunity, Jiang Huaiyu proposed, "My daughter has purchased a small and exquisite courtyard in Yuqian Lane. I would like to move there today. I humbly request your permission, Father and Mother."
Hao looked surprised. "You just got back, when did you buy property? I had no idea?"
She regretted it as soon as she finished speaking.
In recent days, she had been focusing all her attention on Jiang Shuqin, knowing almost nothing about Jiang Huaiyu's whereabouts. However, upon learning that Jiang Huaiyu actually had the means to purchase property in the capital, she couldn't help but be surprised. Had the Bai family really struck it rich?
Jiang Huaiyu explained, "Yujing will be preparing for the imperial examinations in the capital after the New Year, and will need a quiet place to live. I had my eye on this courtyard for a while, and it was a good opportunity to buy it when I came back. It wasn't too much trouble at all."
After a moment of contemplation, Hao said, “Actually, with the imperial examinations in Yujing, the Jiang family has many vacant houses, and your father has already made arrangements. Why do you need to spend money to buy additional properties? Given the current situation of the Bai family, this money should be used wisely, where it is most needed.”
Jiang Huaiyu smiled gently, his tone revealing a sense of calm and pride: "Mother, my elder brother and sister-in-law and I are working together on a business. Fortunately, the weather has been favorable, and we have made a small profit. Therefore, our family is much more prosperous than before."
"So that's how it is."
Hao suddenly understood. It turned out that the Bai family's business was booming, which explained the new look of their home. They had both increased the number of servants and purchased a new house.
Jiang Wenyuan listened quietly to their conversation, and couldn't help but sigh again at how superficial his understanding of this adopted daughter was.
“Now that you have made up your mind, we, as your parents, will not interfere any further. But please remember, as long as you still bear the surname Jiang, we are all on the same vine, sharing joys and sorrows. In the future, if you want to come home for a visit, the Jiang family’s door will always be open for you.”
Jiang Huaiyu bowed respectfully, "Your daughter will remember this."
After talking things out, the two seemed much more at ease.
Jiang Huaiyu no longer needs to worry about receiving letters from the Jiang family at any time, and having to personally handle all matters, big or small, and endure unwarranted grievances.
Madam Hao was finally free from the worry of having to guard against her adopted daughter's return after expelling her from the family. However, she suddenly realized that no matter how harsh she was to Jiang Huaiyu, Jiang Huaiyu had never asked her for anything.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
