Jiang Sheng slept until dark.
I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar four-poster bed, draped with pink gauze curtains. It was pretty, but I'd never seen it before.
She jumped up with a start, startling the maidservant beside her.
"Miss, you're awake." The maid stood up anxiously. "Do you want some water? Are you hungry? Do you want anything to eat tonight? Would you like to wear some new clothes?"
Jiang Sheng was stunned, it was the first time she had ever met someone who was even more talkative than herself.
"Miss, why aren't you saying anything?" The maidservant became even more anxious. "Miss, are you feeling unwell? Should we call the physician?"
The term "府醫" (fuyi) literally means "physician employed by the household."
Jiang Sheng then remembered that she was in the Jiang family. Although there was mutton and beef to eat and a kind and loving grandmother, she still felt empty inside.
Especially when she glanced out the window, she couldn't help but wonder if her brothers had eaten, if her eldest brother was studying late into the night again, if her fourth brother was drying herbs again, and if her fifth brother was idling around again.
Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing.
A young maidservant brought over a new set of clothes and held them up, saying, "Miss, this set is so beautiful, will you wear it?"
Jiang Sheng nodded listlessly, letting the maidservant tidy her up, even putting her hair up in a new bun.
After finally getting ready, she stepped out of her bedroom and, as expected, saw a swing swaying in the wind in the yard.
It was indeed at Yunxi Pavilion.
Jiang Sheng wanted to sit on it and sway for a while, but suddenly she heard a commotion following the wind. Her eyes fell on the nearest Deren Courtyard, and she decisively ran over there, stumbling along the way.
The Jiang family home was very large, and the night was very dark.
The maidservant chased closely behind, finally stopping at the courtyard gate. Just as she was about to speak, Jiang Sheng covered her mouth.
Their gazes fell simultaneously on the brightly lit Deren Courtyard.
There stood all the members of the Jiang family.
The late General Jiang had two sons, one legitimate and one illegitimate. The legitimate son was General Jiang himself, who is currently guarding the border in the Northwest. His wife and children live with the old lady in the East Courtyard.
The illegitimate son is Jiang Jizong, a tall and powerful civil official who currently works in the Hanlin Academy and lives in the west with his children and wife.
Although the two academies did not have much interaction, the civil and military branches complemented each other, establishing the Jiang family's extraordinary position in Fengjing.
When they were out in public, Jiang Jizong, his two wives, and the young masters and ladies all acted as superior, noble, and proud.
But at this moment, in front of Madam Jiang, they all lowered their heads and listened attentively to her reprimand.
"They're usually so busy, but today they're completely deserted. Is it intentional or just plain stupid?"
"What do you mean by blood ties? Are they less important than strangers you pass by?"
"How come all the informants in this courtyard have failed us today? Or do you all look down on the person this old woman brought back!"
These words were rather harsh, and everyone in the Jiang family was startled.
Jiang Chengfeng and Jiang Chengyuan looked at each other with some confusion.
Jiang Jizong stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Mother, please calm down. It was indeed the Hanlin Academy that delayed us today; it was my fault. But... did Mother mean that Nannan has returned?"
As expected of a civil official who attends court, he always manages to accurately extract the key points.
Jiang Chengyuan and Jiang Chengfeng were both surprised and delighted. Jiang Chengyu couldn't help but open his mouth, but was forcibly pulled back by Madam Jiang, and swallowed it back down.
Madam Jiang was not someone who would lose her temper indiscriminately.
Jiang Jizong was busy with official duties, his two grandchildren were at the Imperial College, and the mother and child had gone out for a spring outing. It was understandable that they were unaware of the family's situation.
The only one who truly knew the news immediately, yet never showed up, was her good sister-in-law, Jiang Liao from the East Courtyard.
When Madam Jiang takes action, she is always both shrewd and capable.
When asked by her illegitimate son, she replied indifferently, "He came back today."
Jiang Jizong smiled slightly. Jiang Chengyuan and Jiang Chengfeng were already excited, and Jiang Chengyu also looked around, asking, "Where is he? Where is he?"
But Madam Jiang, who was truly related to Jiang Sheng by blood, simply stood silently in place, without uttering a word.
Old Madam Jiang held back for a long time, but finally couldn't help but speak up, "Mrs. Liao, aren't you going to ask where your daughter is?"
This is already quite an impolite way of addressing someone.
Jiang Liaoshi paused slightly, glanced at Jiang Chenghuan to make sure she was standing steadily, and then said softly, "Of course I have to ask. Today, Chenghuan burned her hand, and I really couldn't find the time..."
This was utterly absurd, and even the Second Madam couldn't stand it, rolling her eyes where no one was watching.
Madam Jiang suppressed her anger even more, "Then how did you manage to find the time tonight? Could it be that the burns have already healed?"
“Of course there is no good one,” Jiang Liao said softly. “Chenghuan is weak. Please allow your daughter-in-law to take her back to rest, so that she will not fall ill again.”
She flatters him from beginning to end.
They never mentioned Jiang Sheng even once.
Even Jiang Chengyuan was a little puzzled. He turned around and looked at her. "Mother, Chenghuan is weak. She can be helped back by the maid first. Today, Jiang Sheng is coming back. We should give her a welcome dinner first."
“Yes, yes,” Jiang Chengfeng and Jiang Chengyu, the siblings, echoed in unison.
This was probably the most harmonious time they'd ever been together.
Madam Jiang, seated in her seat, lowered her eyes and looked at the Jiang family members expressionlessly.
"I..." Jiang Liao was speechless when asked the question. After a long while, she said, "Of course, we should have a welcoming feast. However, things should be done in order. I will send Cheng Huan back first, and then we can have a welcoming feast for her later."
“Yes, yes, Madam still needs to go back to get the gift for Miss,” the head maid added from the side.
Jiang Chengyuan, unsuspecting, happily turned back and began planning what to give his sister.
Before, he had to be careful even when his grandmother told him to throw away a land deed, but now that his sister has come home, he can take it openly.
Jiang Chengfeng and Jiang Chengyu, one on the left and one on the right, followed up with suggestions.
“Besides that land deed, I also have one hundred taels of gold, and the knife my grandfather gave me…”
"Brother, are you out of your mind? Who gives a knife as a greeting gift..."
"Giving away gold is not as good as exchanging it for a set of jewelry."
The three of them whispered among themselves, creating quite a lively atmosphere.
Jiang Chenghuan stared blankly in the corner, feeling sad and lost, but could only let her eyes redden when no one was around.
Fortunately, there was Jiang Liao Shi, who took her cold and frail hand and said softly, "Cheng Huan, let's go back."
Jiang Chenghuan stood up blankly, then turned around blankly, walked to the doorway, and suddenly paused.
It is the Jiang Liao family.
She took her adopted daughter's hand and called out, "Chengyuan, Chengyuan, come here."
The eldest son, completely bewildered, walked over.
“Recently, my dowry shop has run into some problems,” Jiang Liao said calmly. “Your sister is also not in good health, and we can barely afford the nutritional supplements she needs. The household affairs have always been in the hands of your grandmother, and I can’t even afford a gift for her when we first meet.”
Jiang Chenghuan was somewhat surprised.
Jiang Chengyuan readily agreed, "Then I will give my mother one hundred taels of gold and give the land deed to Jiang Sheng."
"Just for her?" Jiang Liao said coldly. "Chenghuan is also your sister. Don't forget, treating everyone equally is your promise."
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