Granny Lü immediately turned the carriage around and took another road back to the Marquis of Chang'an's residence.
"That old hag is too much, she said such awful things," Dewdrop said indignantly.
"There's no need to get angry with irrelevant people. It's not worth it to hurt yourself." Jiang Wei said as she lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the broken carriage in front of her.
Beside the carriage stood a noblewoman with her hair styled in a purple, fitted long dress and a matching cloak. She looked to be in her early twenties, well-maintained and in good spirits.
Why did I leave so early in my past life?
Jiang Wei saw the person's face clearly and her eyes welled up with tears. She quickly picked up a hot water bottle and got off the carriage.
Approaching the person, she curtsied and said, "Greetings, Princess Consort Shen. Has your carriage broken down? Why don't you ride in my carriage to avoid the cold wind? It wouldn't be good if you caught a chill."
Seeing that Princess Shen looked bewildered, Jiang Wei realized that she had been too enthusiastic and quickly suppressed her excited invitation.
Few people in her past life were truly kind to her, and Princess Shen was one of them. It was inevitable that she would be excited to see her close friend again.
"I am the daughter of Jiang, a secretary in the Ministry of Rites. I had the honor of meeting the Princess once, and thus I know her. I apologize for my rudeness," Jiang Wei explained.
Princess Consort Shen hesitated, "Wouldn't this be too much trouble?"
Seeing that Princess Shen's fingers were a little red, Jiang Wei handed her the hot water bottle, saying, "Princess, warm your hands."
Her smile was sincere and warm, as bright as a spring breeze.
Princess Consort Shen took the hot water bottle and nodded, "Then I'll trouble you."
"It is my honor! Please, Your Highness, board the carriage." Jiang Wei stood to the side.
Princess Consort Shen slowly stepped onto the carriage and unexpectedly peeked into the alley so easily.
The bright yellow hem of the garment in the alley disappeared.
This woman doesn't seem to be as scheming and vulgar as the rumors suggest.
On the contrary, she was graceful and kind, and also extremely beautiful, making her a pleasure to behold.
Jiang Wei sat opposite Princess Shenjun. "Where is Your Highness going? I'll take you there."
"Then I'll trouble you. I'll go to the Marquis of Chang'an's residence," Princess Consort Shen said casually.
Jiang Wei picked up the teapot and poured a cup of hot tea. "Please have some tea, Your Highness."
Princess Consort Shen took the tea and sipped it.
The two gradually became acquainted in the carriage, chatting casually.
Jiang Wei always had a sincere smile on her face, which warmed people's hearts.
Princess Shen's goodwill towards her increased, and she returned her smile.
Jiang Wei was even happier. She said that Princess Shen was so kind, and they would definitely become close friends in this life. However, they should take it slowly and not rush things, lest they scare her.
After the carriage came to a stop, an announcement was made: "Your Highness, Miss, we have arrived at the Marquis's residence."
Jiang Rou sat on the edge of the bed looking at Song Tingxuan, tears streaming down her face, her heartache evident. "How did he get hurt so badly?"
Song Fangfang glanced at her eldest brother, who was unconscious on the bed, and then at Jiang Rou, who was crying very sadly. Song Fangfang sighed inwardly, thinking that Liang was probably a love where both parties had given their hearts to each other.
Ever since Jiang Wei made a scene about announcing the engagement, nothing good has happened in their Hou family. Before she even entered the house, the family was already in turmoil.
The group waited in Song Tingxuan's room for a while before coming out and heading to the flower hall.
"Mother, Jiang Wei really doesn't respect you. We've invited her three or four times, but she still won't come. Look, Sister Rou'er has been here for almost half an hour. How can there be such a big difference between people who live in the same mansion?" Song Tingxuan's younger sister, Song Fangfang, said sarcastically from the side.
Jiang Rou felt a hint of smugness, but her face remained expressionless. "Sister Song, don't be angry. Didn't my sister just send someone to say that she caught a cold and probably really can't go out?"
"Isn't Sister Rou'er living in the same household as her? Have you ever seen her seek medical treatment or take medicine?" Song Fangfang questioned.
Rou'er shook her head with a perfectly timed, embarrassed expression, "I haven't seen her before." Then, feigning sisterly affection, she explained, "Perhaps she just happened to catch a cold last night!"
A hint of disdain flashed in Song Fangfang's eyes. "There's no such thing as a coincidence in the world."
Then she turned to Lady Chang'an and said, "Mother, why do you insist on making my elder brother marry that Jiang Wei? I hate her just looking at her. If she wants to break off the engagement, then let her break it off. My elder brother and Sister Rou'er are in love. Wouldn't it be better for my elder brother to marry Sister Rou'er? Besides, Sister Rou'er and my elder brother have already consummated their marriage. Who else would want her besides my elder brother?"
Jiang Rou, who had just finished crying, suddenly had tears welling up in her eyes again, one of them rolling down her cheek from her chin, making her look pitiful.
Lady Chang'an held Jiang Rou's hand and patted the back of her hand. "Good child, I'm sorry you've been wronged. It's just that your sister was betrothed to us a long time ago, and now that the wedding is imminent, the Marquis's Mansion can't just back out like that."
It was because Xuan'er kindly saved her when she fell into the water that this engagement came about. If we break off the engagement now, who knows what people will say about our Marquis's mansion!
I know about your relationship with Xuan'er. I originally planned to wait until your sister married into the family, and then a few months later, I would welcome you into the family as a concubine so that you and Xuan'er could stay together forever. Now, I can only ask you to marry into the family as a concubine first. I deliberately arranged for you and Jiang Wei to marry into the family on the same day so that outsiders would know that although you are marrying into our Marquis's family as a concubine, we value you even more." The Lady of Chang'an Marquis spoke sincerely and looked at Jiang Rou with great enthusiasm.
Although Jiang Rou was unwilling, she still answered obediently, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam. As long as I can be with Brother Xuan, I'm fine. I'm not wronged."
Song Fangfang was indignant. Why should that woman be her sister-in-law? She hated her.
The sister Rou'er in front of me is more suitable to be my sister-in-law.
Jiang Wei had met Song Fangfang a few times. Although she treated Song Fangfang very well and gave her many gifts, she didn't fawn over her, flatter her, or fawn over her like Jiang Rou did.
Song Fangfang was very dissatisfied with this, feeling that Jiang Wei did not respect her as her sister-in-law.
“Mother, since that’s the case, let my elder brother marry Rou’er on the same day as his wife, with the same honors. It would be a wonderful story if the two sisters married the same husband, and the three of them lived in harmony.” Song Fangfang thought this idea was excellent.
Jiang Wei stood beside Princess Shenjun for a while outside the door, listening to everything that was said inside.
She gave Jiang Wei a reassuring look, patted her hand on the hand, and turned to leave.
It's truly indescribable that a noble family would do such a thing.
Jiang Wei calmly stepped into the room. "My sister arrived earlier than me. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were the betrothed of the Marquis's family."
Song Fangfang immediately became unhappy, "Didn't you clamor to annul the engagement? How come you're the daughter-in-law of my Marquis's mansion? How come when your scheme failed, my elder brother didn't try to coax you, but instead took the initiative to back down?"
"How can a woman like you be worthy of the position of wife of the heir of my Marquis's mansion? You bring shame upon our family."
Lady Chang'an, with an air of superiority, said, "Kneel down!" She picked up her teacup and took a sip of tea.
Song Fangfang looked smug, waiting to see how her mother would deal with her. Jiang Rou secretly chuckled.
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