Chapter 41: First Things First
After the mother and daughter were left alone, Jiang Yao couldn't wait to ask about Jiang Lan. She had clearly looked sick before, but how come she was in such good health after returning from Sangcheng? Her complexion was so white and rosy that you could even squeeze water out of her.
"Didn't mother say before that with her health, she would never come back if she went there?" When Jiang Yao thought of Pei Qian's eyes widening when he saw Jiang Lan, she felt so angry that her teeth itched, and wondered why she didn't just die in Sangcheng!
Zhang hadn't expected Jiang Lan to return unharmed, and her health had improved considerably. She had been busy arranging the reception for her brother's family these past two days, and hadn't bothered to find Qing'er to ask about it. She'd know everything after finding Qing'er and asking her about it. She then comforted Jiang Yao, saying, "It's not a bad thing that she's back. If you marry into your aunt's family, you'll still be controlled by your aunt for the rest of your life. Don't even think about getting ahead."
Jiang Yao felt a little relieved when she thought of the miserable state Jiang Lan would face after getting married.
Zhang then asked about the baby, "It's been over two months since you got married. Is there any movement in your belly?"
Jiang Yao lowered her head with a flushed face, shook her head, and pursed her lips, as if she had something to say but couldn't express it.
"Did you have a fight with your son-in-law?" Seeing that Jiang Yao looked embarrassed to speak, Zhang thought that they had a conflict.
Jiang Yao then told the truth.
Ever since their marriage, Pei Qian had not been as considerate to her as before. It was all because Jiang Lan had embarrassed her in public at the wedding, causing her to lose face and bringing shame to the Duke's Mansion as well, that Pei Qian had ignored her. It was all Jiang Lan's fault. She also wanted to reconcile with Pei Qian and work hard to repair their relationship, but he was still lukewarm towards her, and she didn't know what to do.
Thinking of the time when Pei Qian was drunk and kept saying Jiang Lan's name, she was too embarrassed to say such a thing. She couldn't bear the humiliation.
"Will the son-in-law come to your room at night?" Although it was a bit embarrassing to ask such a question, it was also very important, so Zhang still felt it was better to ask clearly.
Jiang Yao lowered her head shyly and nodded.
Zhang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If the two of them didn't sleep in the same bed as they were newlyweds, there would be big problems.
But in fact, Pei Qian slept in the study for a month after the wedding, until he slept in Jiang Yao's room after getting drunk. He also slept in her room for the next few nights, and then went to sleep in the study again.
Zhang gave Jiang Yao some advice, asking her to cater to Pei Qian's preferences and prepare food and drinks according to his preferences. She also told her not to argue with him over trivial matters. The most important thing was to get pregnant. She also reminded her to be more careful and not let those shameless little rascals take advantage of the opportunity to get promoted.
Jiang Yao was so focused on guarding against her number one rival in love, Jiang Lan, that she hadn't really paid any attention to the maids serving her. Now that she had been reminded, she thought that she would have to be more careful when she returned, so as not to let anyone take advantage of the opportunity to steal her away.
…..
On the other side, Pei Qian escaped from the study under the pretext of changing clothes, thinking that Jiang Lan was still talking to the elders. After rushing over, he asked the servant to inquire first. He learned that Jiang Lan had already gone back. He felt annoyed, but was unwilling to go back like this. Without even talking to her, he decided to go find her.
There was something he had to ask in person.
On the way, he was stopped by Jiang Rui again. Jiang Rui ran over happily and called him brother-in-law. Pei Qian was unhappy and wanted to send him away quickly, but he changed his mind and asked him about something.
"I heard that it was Marquis Jin'an who brought your second sister back two days ago?"
Ever since Qi Wuhan ridiculed him in person at Wanhua Tower last time, Pei Qian hated him and became more and more concerned about the relationship between him and Jiang Lan, as if there was a thorn in his heart.
Especially when Jiang Yao told him yesterday that Jiang Lan was returning to Beijing with Qi Wuhan, the thorn in his heart became even deeper, and he wanted to go to the Shangshu Mansion immediately to find her and ask her clearly.
Yesterday, Zhang asked Tan Xiang to go to the Duke's Mansion to deliver a letter to Jiang Yao, saying that her uncle and his family had arrived, and asked her to bring her brother-in-law Pei Qian to have a simple meal together tomorrow.
Jiang Yao took the opportunity to inquire about Jiang Lan's situation. Tan Xiang revealed that she had returned two days earlier, accompanied by Marquis Jin'an. Later, when Pei Qian returned, she shared this news with him, hinting that Jiang Lan and Marquis Jin'an were involved in an ambiguous relationship, hoping to dissuade him from pursuing her.
Pei Qian's face darkened when he heard this. Before he met Jiang Lan today, he wanted to strangle her neck and settle the score with her, but after seeing her, all the resentment in his heart disappeared.
Jiang Rui relayed to Pei Qian what Jiang Lan had said two days prior, and then fabricated another conversation. "My second sister said she was just passing through. I didn't believe her and said the Marquis must have liked her to send her back. My second sister got angry when she heard that and said if I dared to say that again, she would tell the Marquis and have me arrested."
Having said this, he glanced around and whispered, "Second sister must also like the Marquis. Maybe they have already secretly decided to spend their lives together in Sangcheng."
Hearing the last sentence, Pei Qian's anger suddenly rushed up, "Shameless!" After cursing, he was about to go find Jiang Lan to settle the score. Jiang Rui hurriedly followed him, looking gloating.
After rushing forward a few steps, Pei Qian suddenly stopped, seeming to calm down a bit. He straightened his clothes and said, "Marquis Jin'an is not a good man. His romantic affairs are well known to everyone. He always speaks sweet words and deceives countless girls. You should remind your second sister more often."
Jiang Rui rolled his eyes and said flatteringly, "Don't worry, brother-in-law. I will have someone keep a close eye on my second sister and prevent her from doing anything shameful."
…
Jiang Lan only prepared to take a nap after Gui'er came back and told her that the carriage from the Duke's Mansion had left. She no longer had to worry about Pei Qian coming over to annoy her again.
After Qing'er and Gui'er helped her to rest, they stayed by her side doing needlework. After a while, Gui'er was so sleepy that she dozed off, and Qing'er was also a little sleepy. At this time, a figure quietly appeared at the door, coughed lightly, and waved Qing'er to come out.
After Qing'er followed Tanxiang out, Tanxiang asked about Jiang Lan's situation in Sangcheng.
After returning, Tanxiang reported Qing'er's words to Zhang.
According to Qing'er, Jiang Lan spent the first few days after arriving in Sangcheng taking care of Jiang Shen in the academy, and she looked very haggard. Later, when Jiang Shen's condition began to improve, Jiang Lan relaxed and her appetite improved. She ate more than before in the mansion, and her complexion gradually improved.
Thinking of Jiang Lan's focused eating at the dinner table today, Zhang didn't have any other suspicions and was too lazy to investigate further. The most urgent thing was to make this marriage happen.
She asked Tan Xiang to go to Ting Yu Xuan to see if anything was needed, and gave Tan Xiang some instructions.
After arriving at Tingyuxuan, Tanxiang saw two little maids napping under the corridor, so she quietly walked into the house to take a look.
The room was quiet. Mrs. Du was taking a nap, Mrs. Zhu was standing beside her serving her, and two maids were massaging her shoulders and legs.
Tan Xiang took a look and quietly retreated. She glanced at the room where Zhang Hua lived and happened to see him open the door and look at her. She pointed to the gate of the yard and indicated that they should talk outside.
After the two of them talked quietly for a while outside, Tan Xiang told him the name of the courtyard where Jiang Lan lived and pointed him in the direction. Zhang Hua looked in that direction twice and bowed to Tan Xiang to express his gratitude. Tan Xiang returned the bow and took his leave.
After Tan Xiang left, Zhang Hua glanced in that direction again, wanting to go over and take a look. He just raised his foot and then retracted it, still not daring to do so.
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