Chapter 73: Being Slapped in the Face
The next day, as Jiang Lan expected, Jiang Yao came over, and Pei Qian followed.
Jiang Shen went to court, and Jiang Rui also went to school. Zhang was not there, so Jiang Lan had to come out to receive them. Then she asked the housekeeper to invite Jiang Shen and Xie Yun over.
The two of them didn't know that there was a guest in the mansion. When she saw Xie Yun, Jiang Yao was more surprised than confused, and even had a little bit of good impression of him.
After all, Xie Yun's appearance is not bad. Although he looks a little smiling, he does not make people feel perverse or mean. Instead, he has a kind of cheerful and open-minded temperament like the bright and clear moon.
Pei Qian was more curious than surprised, wondering about the other party's identity, why he was in the Shangshu Mansion, and what his relationship with Jiang Lan was.
The couple each has their own little thoughts.
After learning about Xie Yun's identity, the few bits of goodwill in Jiang Yao's heart were replaced by alienation and even a little contempt.
Since she was a child, she had heard Zhang say that the Xie family was a merchant family, full of the smell of money, vulgar and not presentable. How could they be compared with an official family like her uncle's family? Her status as a legitimate daughter was much more precious than Jiang Lan's.
She took it for granted that she should be superior to Jiang Lan. Even though she didn't even dare to raise her head in front of Jiang Lan not long ago and spoke very cautiously, this sense of superiority still remained in her bones and would emerge from the cracks in her bones to cause trouble whenever she saw Jiang Lan.
In front of Xie Yun, her sense of superiority was even more obvious.
He is just the son of a merchant, even less respectable than the illegitimate son of a minor official in the capital.
Pei Qian didn't like Xie Yun very much after he learned of his identity. He greeted Jiang Shen attentively, hoping to win his favor. After all, he was engaged to Jiang Lan before marrying Jiang Yao, which was not very glorious.
Jiang Yao also asked about his well-being. Both of them surrounded Jiang Shen and showed concern for him, leaving Xie Yun aside.
Xie Yun didn't feel uncomfortable at all. After all, it was the first time he met the two people and they were not familiar with each other. There was no need to find things to talk about. That would make him uncomfortable.
Jiang Lan looked at him with concern, afraid that he would feel uncomfortable. Seeing him holding his chin, not knowing what he was thinking, with a look of contentment and tranquility, she felt that her worry was unnecessary and became a little curious about what he was thinking.
Pei Qian secretly paid attention to Jiang Lan's every move. When he saw Jiang Lan "stealing glances" at Xie Yun, his prejudice against the latter became even stronger.
Jiang Yao acted very close to Jiang Shen and was very concerned about his health. She said that when she learned that he was sick, she was so worried that she couldn't sleep every day and prayed to the Buddha to bless him to return safely...
It was as if she was the good sister who truly cared about him.
It was Jiang Lan who went to Sangcheng regardless of the danger.
Jiang Yao spoke as if she was the one who had made the greatest contribution. Pei Qian felt ashamed for her and felt that she was extremely stupid and vulgar, just like a gossip.
Jiang Shen also felt a little uncomfortable listening to this.
"Third sister, come with me." Jiang Lan took Jiang Yao away first.
After the two left, Pei Qian began to question Xie Yun. He first asked about his purpose of coming to the capital. When he learned that he was here to take part in the Spring Examination, Pei Qian asked him about his ranking in the Autumn Examination this year. He himself was in the first place.
In addition to Pei Qian, the son of the Duke's Mansion, many young men from aristocratic families also participated in this autumn examination. Cui Yan was one of them and was also on the first-class list.
It’s just that one ranks higher and the other ranks lower. If it falls a little further behind, it will fall out of the top list.
Pei Qian thought that someone like Xie Yun who came from outside the city could only get second place at best. As a son of a prominent family in the capital, his sense of superiority in front of Xie Yun was too obvious.
When Xie Yun casually said that he was only the top scorer in the provincial examination.
Pei Qian got slapped in the face, and it really hurt.
Here, Jiang Lan brought Jiang Yao to the warm room. Jiang Yao walked very slowly on the way, holding her waist with her hands, and her belly looked a little more pregnant than before.
Jiang Lan gave her the gift that Jiang Shen brought back from Sangcheng. Jiang Yao opened the brocade box and saw a pen inside. She curled her lips downwards and looked displeased. The next moment she pretended to like it and asked Huaer to accept the gift. She then asked about Xie Yun, wanting to match Jiang Lan and Xie Yun.
"Second sister, you are not young anymore. I think the cousin from the Xie family is pretty good. Don't be so picky."
Jiang Lan didn't respond. Jiang Yao felt a little embarrassed, as if her kindness had been taken for granted. She curled her lips in displeasure and continued, "If you don't get married now, you'll be an old maid in two years, and then you really won't be able to get married."
Jiang Lan took a sip of tea and said calmly, "I'm only half a year older than you, Third Sister. If I become an old maid in two years, then you, Third Sister, will also be old and ugly."
Jiang Yao gritted her teeth in anger, but couldn't think of any words to refute. She brought up the old topic again, "When will Daddy bring Mom back?" Jiang Lan didn't answer. Jiang Yao sneered, "When Big Brother gets married in the future, can you really go and propose on Mom's behalf?"
Jiang Lan had thought of this before and said, "If mother really can't go, the elders will do it for her, and it will definitely not be impolite."
Jiang Yao's expression darkened as she questioned, "Did you instigate Daddy to not allow Mother to come back?!"
Jiang Lan took another sip of tea and said calmly, "Third sister, you should ask father about this. When mother will be back, isn't it father who has the final say? What's the point of you getting angry with me here?"
Jiang Yao's face darkened with anger. Hua'er tried to comfort her, but then she said, "Young Lady is pregnant now. Can't Second Young Lady be more lenient with you? If she really makes Young Lady angry and hurts herself, can Second Young Lady bear the consequences?"
Gui'er immediately retorted and almost got into a quarrel with Hua'er, but was persuaded by Qing'er.
"Do you have the right to speak here?" Jiang Yao wanted to give Gui'er a warning, so she called for someone to come and slap Gui'er in the face.
Gui'er was about to argue but was stopped by Qing'er.
As soon as the two maids came in, Jiang Lan waved her hand to let them leave, and Jiang Yao let them in. The two were in a dilemma.
At this time, the housekeeper came to report that the master had returned from court, and Marquis Jin'an had also come with him.
Hearing that Qi Wuhan was coming, Jiang Lan's heart jumped for joy and a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. Suddenly she remembered something, her expression tightened, and she became nervous.
He said before that he would come and propose marriage after her eldest brother came back, so it couldn’t be today!…
Jiang Lan quickly calmed down and asked, "Did the Marquis come alone?"
The butler nodded.
Jiang Yao felt a little strange and wondered what was the point of Jiang Lan asking this?
If you come to propose marriage, you should at least bring a matchmaker...
Here, Jiang Cheng introduced Jiang Shen and Xie Yun to Qi Wuhan, and specifically introduced Xie Yun's status as the top scorer.
Pei Qian, who had been slapped in the face before, felt slapped in the face again, especially in front of Qi Wuhan. This feeling of being slapped in the face was even more unlucky.
"I remember that Second Young Master Pei also passed the imperial examination," Pei Qian knew Qi Wuhan's intentions were not good when he looked over, so he changed the subject and said, "My Lord, today—" Before he could finish his words, Qi Wuhan started talking to Jiang Shen, which made him quite embarrassed and made him hate him even more.
"I've always heard that the eldest young master is extremely talented. Seeing him today, I can see that he is indeed a rare talent. He will definitely become a great man in the future."
In response to the compliment, Jiang Shen politely replied, "Your Majesty, you are too kind." There was a subtle sense of alienation in his attitude.
At this moment, Qi Wuhan also keenly felt that the biggest obstacle to his marriage proposal might be this elder brother...
Xie Yun also keenly sensed that this Marquis seemed to be paying some attention to him.
Although she didn't speak to him, her peach blossom eyes were secretly sizing him up as if she were looking at prey.
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