As a prominent family in Fengjing, the Jiang family has a very high threshold, almost reaching the knees of an adult.
The main gate was also magnificent, with a red background and gold rings, exuding an air of nobility and revealing the strictness of an aristocratic family.
Jiang Si was in charge of carrying the pastries, while Jiang San went up and knocked on the door.
She barely peeked out of the door before jumping up at just one glance, hurriedly opening the door and exclaiming, "Miss is back! Please come in, Miss!"
Although she knew that doormen had good memories and sharp eyesight, Jiang Sheng was still a little surprised. "You're quick to recognize people."
"Of course." The gatekeeper closed the door again, his tone proud. "Sister Tan Yue told us all to remember the young lady's face. Whenever the young lady knocks, we can enter without reporting."
"If anyone sees a girl being bullied on the street, they can report it immediately."
It was clear that these were unintentional remarks, but they were enough to stir up a huge storm in Jiang Sheng's heart.
"Does the young lady intend to go in by herself, or would you like us to lead the way?" The gatekeeper asked, turning around after locking the door.
Jiang Sheng waved her hand, suppressing her inner turmoil, and gestured for herself to go inside.
Although she had only stayed there for three to five days, she was already very familiar with the roads around the Jiang family's residence. After crossing the bluestone-paved avenue, turning past two pavilions, and then stepping on the winding cobblestones, she could reach the somewhat secluded Deren Courtyard.
As is customary, Grandma should lie in the rocking chair and sunbathe, while Tan Yue prunes the flower branches and chats with her.
Once there was no sound, Tan Yue would smile, put down the scissors, find a soft blanket, and cover the sleeping old man with it.
I don't remember who said it, but as people get older, they become less active and have limited energy. Even though they don't sleep well at night, they are often sleepy during the day.
That's because their bodies are gradually declining; they grow old in a drowsy state and leave this world in exhaustion.
Jiang Sheng had always thought that she only missed her grandmother a little and liked this kind old woman a little, until this moment, until she realized that she would grow old, die, and like the homeless beggars she had seen, never to wake up again.
The feeling of loss gripped her heart, condemned her conscience, and rebuked her for being heartless.
She didn't visit her grandmother for twenty days; she's such a bad child.
With red eyes, Jiang Sheng refused to dawdle any longer and ran to the entrance of Deren Courtyard as fast as she could, shouting, "Grandmother, Grandmother, I've come to see you!"
The sound passed through the door panel, penetrated the space, and reached the inner room.
The old lady, who was just waking up, rubbed her eyes and said wearily, "People get old and it's no use. I always have hallucinations. I either see Nannan's figure or hear Nannan's voice."
Tan Yue forced a smile and comforted her, "According to the old saying, it must be that you miss the old lady, that's why you have this misconception."
"Really?" Old Madam Jiang was somewhat relieved. "That's good, that's good."
Sunlight streamed in through the window, the June air was warm and moist, and all the flowers stretched their branches in unison, while birds flew and sang freely.
With such beautiful weather, I wonder what my little granddaughter is doing.
As Madam Jiang stared blankly into the air, the illusory sound grew louder and louder, faintly carrying a hint of heart-wrenching pain.
“Grandmother…” Jiang Sheng’s voice was almost hoarse from wailing, “Why is no one here? Open the door!”
There weren't many servants in Derentang, but there were three or five. Where have they all gone?
The maids and servants outside were attracted and stood on tiptoe to watch the spectacle.
“Girl, how about I do it?” Jiang San volunteered. “I have a loud voice.”
“I have a loud voice too,” Jiang Si chimed in.
The two of them were simultaneously preparing, clearing their throats and stretching their chins, just as they were about to unleash their high-pitched male voices, when suddenly the door was opened, revealing Tan Yue's astonished face.
"Miss...?" Tan Yue was dumbfounded. "Is this a dream? How did you end up here?"
Jiang Sheng gestured for Jiang San and Jiang Si to shut up, and asked in a hoarse voice, "Sister Tan Yue, why is no one opening the door for the maids in Deren Courtyard?"
Tan Yue then realized what was happening and said with a mix of amusement and exasperation, "They were sent to clean Yunxi Pavilion, so they probably didn't hear anything because the doors and windows were closed."
The Jiang family's estate was large, with some distance between the courtyards.
Even with the doors and windows open, Old Madam Jiang could only hear faint sounds, let alone the maids in Yunxi Pavilion.
Jiang Sheng nodded with a wry smile, indicating that she understood.
Tan Yue suppressed a laugh, dismissed the maids and servants who were watching the commotion outside, and welcomed them into the courtyard. "Madam, Madam, you have such a sharp tongue! You said you'd come, and you really did! The young lady has come to see you!"
After being separated for twenty days, the grandmother and grandson suddenly met again. Their noses felt a little sore, their eyes were a little swollen, and even their throats felt itchy.
After her initial shock subsided, Old Madam Jiang regained her composure and casually greeted, "My little girl is here."
It didn't feel like a long-awaited reunion, nor like something lost and found again; it felt more like she had woken up in Yunqi Pavilion and come over for lunch.
It exudes warmth and gentleness.
Jiang Sheng sniffled, trying to hold back but couldn't. She let out a loud cry and rushed to Old Madam Jiang, burying her head and sobbing, "Grandmother, have you missed me? I've come to see you. I haven't been here for twenty days. Are you angry?"
Madam Jiang smiled gently, her tone still calm, "Of course I miss you. I miss whether you're eating well and staying warm, whether you're happy or not. I'm too busy missing you to have time to be angry."
Only Tan Yue and Jiang San and Jiang Si, who were standing at a distance, could clearly see her red-rimmed eyes and the glistening tears.
The old lady was always strong-willed and rarely gave in.
Tan Yue, feeling both amused and exasperated, led Jiang San and Jiang Si out, leaving the two of them inside.
"It's good that you're not angry. It's Jiang Sheng who was inconsiderate and didn't come to visit her grandmother in time." The little girl kept her head down. "Even today, it's all for the business of Jiuzhenfang."
She was honest enough to completely forget the instructions given at the long banquet.
Madam Jiang chuckled softly, "It's alright. I'm happy that you need the Jiang family. But Jiuzhenfang is in trouble?"
“No, not at all.” Jiang Sheng sat up and recounted the conflict with the Liao family. She choked up at the end and said, “Although I came here today because of Jiuzhenfang, I’ve thought it through. I will come to see my grandmother often in the future. It has nothing to do with Jiuzhenfang or the Jiang family. I just miss my grandmother.”
Because of family ties, there is longing; because of concern, there is intensity.
After waiting quietly for twenty days, Madam Jiang finally rekindled the bond between grandmother and grandson that had been lost for eleven years. A slight smile appeared on her lips, and her eyes were full of joy. "Good."
It wasn't bound by gratitude or forcibly restrained, but rather Jiang Sheng's voluntary and proactive affection.
The grandfather and grandson snuggled together affectionately, whispered to each other for a while, and finally remembered Zheng Ruqian waiting outside.
"Grandmother, I've asked my second brother to bring over some lychees." Before Jiang Sheng could stand up, a strange noise suddenly came from outside.
Immediately afterward, Tan Yue rushed in to report, "Madam... Madam seems to know about the Liao family's affairs and insists on seeing the Old Madam."
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