No matter how powerful Jiang Dinglian is in the court, he still has to raise his daughter for him and become a stepping stone for him to reach the top.
Jiang Yuyao gently tugged at Jiang Dinglian's collar, her voice tinged with a hint of anger, "Father, we are blood relatives after all. How could you be so harsh on your uncle in public? Your uncle treats Yuyao like the apple of his eye. Father, please, for your daughter's sake, let your uncle stand up first."
While she spoke softly and coquettishly, she secretly glanced at Jiang Songyi who was standing on the side of the porch.
In the past, Jiang Dinglian was busy with military affairs and rarely returned.
And today, under Jiang Songyi's gaze, she will show Jiang Dinglian's special favor to her.
Among his many children, Jiang Dinglian doted on her the most, raising her from childhood and obeying her every word. Small requests like these were easy for her to fulfill. Even when she was young, if she wanted a tiger, her father would go to great lengths to hunt it for her.
Jiang Songyi stood under the eaves and watched from afar Jiang Yuyao acting coquettishly with her father, but she no longer felt the envy she had in her previous life.
Jiang Songyi sneered, lost interest in watching the excitement, turned around and was about to leave.
At this moment, Jiang Dinglian's voice was as cold as ice as he scolded, "If Hao Ren is willing to kneel, then let him kneel! Yuyao, you kneel down too! Your behavior makes me deeply saddened!"
Jiang Yuyao rarely saw Jiang Dinglian's stern expression. Her legs softened and she immediately fell to her knees. Her eyes were filled with astonishment and confusion, and tears filled her eyes like mist. "Father, what did Yuyao do wrong to make you so angry?"
Even Hao Ren had not expected Jiang Dinglian to be so harsh on Jiang Yuyao.
At this moment, Jiang Dinglian's gaze passed through the crowd and fell on Jiang Songyi who turned around and was about to leave.
Seeing Jiang Songyi stop and turn around to glance at him after hearing his words, Jiang Dinglian secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then pretended to retract his gaze unintentionally, lowered his head and stared coldly at Jiang Yuyao who was kneeling in front of him.
Jiang Dinglian said in a stern voice, "Yuyao, you keep saying Hao Ren treats you the best, but where does that leave your aunt? When he proposed, he vowed to love only your aunt and never take a concubine. That's why I agreed to the marriage. But now, the news of his concubine has spread throughout the capital, and people are mocking your aunt for being childless."
Jiang Yuyao thought to herself that this irony was indeed not without reason, as Jiang Shu indeed lacked the ability to give birth to a son.
However, in front of Jiang Dinglian, she did not dare to speak frankly and could only try her best to defend herself: "Father, my uncle did not intend to take a concubine. It was my aunt who took the initiative to arrange a concubine for him."
Hao Ren also agreed helplessly: "Yes, brother, I know nothing about this matter."
Jiang Dinglian sternly asked, "You've already handed over the management of the Duke's Mansion's household affairs to your cousin, and you're still unaware of this!"
Hao Ren was speechless, only Jiang Yuyao felt sorry for him.
Jiang Songyi stood in the mansion with his arms folded, watching with a cold eye, thinking to himself: [Jiang Dinglian does have some vision.]
Jiang Dinglian let out a long sigh, coldly ignored the two people kneeling on the ground, and walked into the mansion with heavy steps.
Jiang Songyi also pretended to turn around casually and prepared to leave.
[I really don't want to say hello to that bastard father.]
Jiang Dinglian coughed lightly and noticed that she didn't look back. He seemed to unintentionally quicken his pace and walked around in front of Jiang Songyi.
Jiang Songyi was forced to stop and called out reluctantly, "Father."
Jiang Dinglian smiled faintly, and suddenly took out a pair of snow-white rabbits from his wide sleeves and handed them to her. "I heard that you like to taste the delicacy of wild rabbit. The kitchen in the mansion rarely has rabbit meat. I hunted these on my way back to the capital."
He knew very well that Yue Qingyang had bad intentions towards his daughter, and he must not let his daughter fall into the trap easily.
Jiang Songyi was a little surprised.
Jiang Dinglian said gently, "I often train my troops in the mountains. As long as you need something, Daddy can capture it for you."
【Really? 】
Jiang Songyi suddenly had a playful thought in his mind, "I want to eat bear paws!"
Jiang Dinglian laughed heartily, very happy about his daughter's request, "How difficult is that!"
Jiang Baichuan happened to return to the mansion at this time and heard the conversation between father and daughter. After Jiang Songyi left, he excitedly ran to Jiang Dinglian and said, "Father, I want a bear paw too!"
Jiang Dinglian's eyes showed kindness as he nodded in agreement, thinking to himself that this doting love for his children was his greatest pride as a father.
Recently, his financial situation has been quite tight. If he had some precious treasure in his hand and exchanged it for silver, he would surely be able to win back the lost silver with luck and skills in the gambling house.
However, Jiang Dinglian kicked him without hesitation, his face instantly darkening as he shouted angrily, "Get out of here! You want bear paws, but I want to taste dragon liver and phoenix gall!"
Jiang Baichuan muttered to himself: It turns out that my father has two faces like this.
After Jiang Songyi returned to Jinghong Courtyard, Xiang Zhu excitedly took the pair of adorable rabbits from her hands and asked curiously, "Miss, do you want spicy rabbit or braised rabbit? I'll tell the kitchen to prepare it right away."
Jiang Songyi glanced at the rabbit and said casually, "Don't you have a special liking for rabbits? Keep it for now."
"ah?"
Xiang Zhu was slightly disappointed. In fact, she preferred the fragrant taste of rabbit meat.
…
Hao Ren had been kneeling in front of the Yongding Marquis's Mansion for two hours but still hadn't been allowed in. In a rage, he simply pretended to faint and had the servants carry him back to the Duke's Mansion.
The next morning, the retiring Minister of Personnel Wade passionately impeached Hao Ren in the court, denouncing him for favoring concubines and neglecting his wife. He was even more excited than those officials impeached by the censor.
After all, all the ministers in the court have many wives and concubines at home, and taking concubines is a very common thing for men.
Some people even defended Hao Ren, citing the incident of him kneeling in front of the Marquis's Mansion to welcome Jiang Shu.
However, the emperor, considering the reputation of Yongding Hou and Wade, did not punish Hao Ren with a cane, but he did fine him a year's salary. This made Hao Ren even more resentful of Jiang Dinglian and Jiang Shu.
In recent days, in order to demonstrate his devotion and loyalty to Jiang Shu, he had not returned to the Duke's Mansion, but had stayed in an inn in the city. However, now that he had been punished by the Emperor, Jiang Shu still ignored him. Hao Ren became increasingly angry and returned to the Duke's Mansion that night.
As soon as he stepped into the mansion, Xia Zhiyu got the news and came to greet him in gorgeous clothes.
"cousin."
As soon as Hao Ren stepped over the threshold, Xia Zhiyu came up to him enthusiastically and hugged him tightly.
"Cousin, you're finally here. Zhiyu has been waiting here for a long time. Now, Madam has finally fulfilled our wish. Why are you still avoiding us? Is there something you can't tell us?"
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