Jiang Songyi picked up the white porcelain medicine bowl and gave Yue Qingyang a gentle smile.
Yue Qingyang was well aware of his physical condition. He was wary of the prescription given by the Western Wei imperial physician and was naturally unwilling to take it easily.
He had originally planned to pour out the medicine after Jiang Songyi left, but when he saw Jiang Songyi's concerned and gentle eyes, he couldn't bear to let her down, so he picked up the medicine bowl without hesitation and drank it all.
Jiang Songyi was afraid that he would spit it out secretly, so he picked up another piece of brightly colored braised rabbit meat and put it to his mouth.
Yue Qingyang was slightly stunned, only to find that the meat was tender and juicy, instantly dissolving the bitterness of the medicinal soup in his mouth.
His ears turned slightly red, and he thought to himself that Jiang Songyi's concern was a bit too attentive.
…
As Xu's headache healed, Mrs. Jiang returned the power of household chores to her.
Xu immediately set about adjusting the diet and daily life of the masters in the mansion. The most obvious change was that the fabrics and jewelry sent to Jinghongyuan were richer than before, and Jiang Songyi was specially asked to choose the items she liked first, and then the rest would be distributed to others.
In that prominent family, Jiang Yuyao's standard of living was abruptly lowered by Xu. Her once exalted status and monthly allowance were reduced to the same as that of a concubine's daughter. Furthermore, the number of maids in Weiyang Garden was reduced by more than half.
As the saying goes, "It is easy to go from simplicity to luxury, but it is difficult to go from luxury to simplicity."
Jiang Yuyao had once been accustomed to spending money lavishly, often rewarding her servants with hundreds of taels of silver and socializing lavishly with the noble ladies of the capital. However, at this moment, she felt that her income was not enough to cover her expenses, and she was stretched to the limit in every aspect.
Knowing that Xu disliked her, Jiang Yuyao reported the matter to the old lady.
At today's family gathering, everyone gathered in Rongxi Garden, enjoying breakfast with the old lady. Jiang Yuyao deliberately reached out to pick up the dish in front of Jiang Songyi, who was sitting across from her. At this moment, the fabric under her arm suddenly made a "crackling" sound.
The sound wasn't loud, but Jiang Yuyao let out an exaggerated "Ah!" and unfolded the torn satin. After carefully examining it, she said regretfully, "This is the new dress my mother sent me a few days ago. I didn't expect the fabric to be so fragile. It was damaged by the slightest tug. Could it be that my mother, who hasn't managed household affairs for many years, was deceived by those servants who sold her inferior clothes as good ones?"
Everyone's eyes turned to Xu.
Madam Jiang also frowned, doubting Xu's ability to manage household affairs. Such a low-level mistake should not have happened to her.
Xu put down her chopsticks in displeasure and said coldly, "Jiang Yuyao, it's your own weight gain that caused the clothes to tear, so why are you blaming the clothes?"
Jiang Yuyao lowered her head, pursed her lips, and looked pitiful. She said softly, "Mother, please don't be angry. I don't mean to blame you. I just envy Sister Songyi for being able to wear fresh spring clothes every day. I'm just worried that at the spring banquet, you'll be ridiculed for your shabby clothes, which would damage the dignity of the Marquisate."
Qingwen, the maid behind Jiang Yuyao, protested passionately, "Madam, you are truly too partial. When the old lady was in charge of household affairs, she would add ten new sets of clothes to the second young lady at the end of each season. Yet, you generously donated twenty sets to Jinghong Courtyard, while our young lady only received five sets, and the quality was so ordinary..."
Jiang Yuyao interrupted coldly, "Qingwen, stop making irresponsible remarks."
[Hmph, Jiang Yuyao let the maid speak her mind before speaking out to stop her. She truly mastered the art of fanning the flames and using a borrowed knife to kill. She clearly intended to use Grandmother's ears to slander Mother, accusing her of withholding her material supplies.]
Mrs. Jiang, who originally had some complaints about the Xu family, felt a ripple in her heart after hearing Jiang Songyi's criticism.
In the past, she did dote on Jiang Yuyao, her only granddaughter.
But now, knowing Jiang Yuyao's cold heart, she naturally no longer favored her. Xu Shi only needed to appear to be okay and not damage the reputation of the Marquis's Mansion, and then she could treat her as if she didn't exist.
In fact, no matter what the old lady felt in her heart, Xu had just recovered from a serious illness and was full of energy, and she really treated her as air.
“Bold!”
Xu's phoenix eyes widened angrily, her gaze sharp as a knife as she glared at Qingwen. "How can I manage my household without the intervention of a mere maid like you? Has your mistress ever taught you the proper order of rank?"
Qingwen, as Jiang Yuyao's personal maid, rose in status due to her master's favor. After all, a dog's master is the one to beat, and she represented Jiang Yuyao's dignity. Therefore, even in front of the old lady, she was favored.
She had never expected that the mistress, who had not been in charge for a long time, would reprimand her so harshly, which really surprised her.
Qingwen glanced at Jiang Yuyao, thinking that with her and the old lady present, the old lady would not dare to do anything to her. "The Second Young Lady is always teaching me, and the old lady just witnessed it. But I really can't stand your partiality and injustice..."
"Humph, this is treason. How dare you defy your master's discipline!"
Xu suddenly raised her voice and said angrily, "Hongying! Drag this ignorant and arrogant maid out and sell her off! Otherwise, she won't stay with Yuyao and become a potential disaster."
Qingwen's face turned pale in an instant. She never expected that things would develop to such a serious point. She hurriedly knelt on the ground and looked at Jiang Yuyao anxiously.
Jiang Yuyao also frowned slightly, her tone filled with helplessness, "Mother has already dismissed all the maids in Weiyang Garden. Qingwen has been with me since she was a child. Could it be that even she won't forgive me?"
Tears glistened in her eyes. She turned to the old lady with a hint of grievance, her voice trembling, "I know that mother favors my sister and neglects me, but grandma, don't you think mother's behavior is a bit excessive?"
Old Madam Jiang could indeed sense Xu's intention to target Jiang Yuyao.
However, immediately afterwards, she heard Jiang Songyi's inner voice:
"Qingwen, this is truly intriguing. All of my cousins' names contain the character 'Qing', and Jiang Yuyao's choice of a maidservant is surprisingly similar to theirs. Is she secretly plotting to trample upon these legitimate daughters of the Duke's Mansion? Don't forget, she's currently just a concubine who hasn't yet been recognized by the Duke's Mansion."
Jiang Shu had originally been gloating over the dispute between Xu and Jiang Yuyao, but when her own daughter became a concern, she immediately flew into a rage, and her opinion of Qingwen became extremely disapproving. "Yuyao, isn't she just a maid? How dare she disobey her mistress like this? Even if she's beaten to death, it wouldn't be too much. Sell her off."
Jiang Yuyao was shocked.
Not only did her aunt not stand on her side, but she also stood on the side of Xu, who had always been incompatible with her?
Since Xu laid off the maids in Weiyang Garden, the only person she could trust besides Qingwen was Liao Qianqian. However, Liao Qianqian was too honest and simple-minded, how could she compare to Qingwen's wit and reliability?
Xu obviously wanted to clip her wings, leaving her isolated and helpless, with no one to rely on!
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