Jiang Yang hid behind Jiang Rou, looking at Jiang Wei and Ming Zhao with shifty eyes. He felt like he had seen this little beggar somewhere before, but he couldn't remember where.
Mingzhao clenched his little fists and glared angrily at Jiang Rou and her brother.
His sister used to be alone, but now he won't let her face these annoying people alone anymore.
He had always been bullied, and he had never learned to swear; those foul words were unbearable to hear.
Mingzhao pointed at Jiang Rou and Jiang Yang, "You all get out. You're not welcome here."
That displeased look in his eyes.
Jiang Yang finally remembered that the poor wretch at the Chen family that day, though he didn't say anything, had looked at them with that same gaze.
"Sister, we saw this little beggar at the Chen family's house the other day," Jiang Yang whispered behind Jiang Rou.
Jiang Rou couldn't believe it, but that day she hadn't even glanced at the sallow-faced, thin boy.
"Really? You're not mistaken?" Jiang Rou was somewhat incredulous; how could this be?
“Really, I’m not mistaken, it’s him. I saw him that day, there’s no mistake.” Although Jiang Yang was not good at studying and could not do anything well, he was convinced this time.
"Are you serious?" Jiang Rou asked him.
"Really, sister, let's go! We can't beat her, not even Mother can beat her." Jiang Yang was filled with anxiety, and his fear of Jiang Wei welled up inside him.
If what her brother said is true, then today's events were probably all planned by that bitch Jiang Wei long ago.
Today, my father has lost all face because of that despicable Jiang Wei.
She had to tell her father first, and he would know that she would not let her off the hook and would punish her.
“Let’s go find Father. She’ll be in big trouble if he finds out.” Jiang Rou said, then turned and left.
Jiang Yang couldn't believe it; could his father really cure Jiang Wei?
As long as they could walk, Jiang Yang followed Jiang Rou out of the courtyard as if a ghost was chasing him.
Jiang Wei led Mingzhao into the house and showed him around. Everything was fully furnished. She asked Mingzhao to see if anything was missing and that they could be added later.
Mingzhao said it was good enough and there was no need for more.
When the siblings returned to Breeze Courtyard, Aunt Xu and her daughter were already waiting in the house.
Upon hearing the maid's greeting, Aunt Xu and her daughter couldn't sit still and ran out of the room.
Because it was hot inside, she didn't even have time to put on her coat before coming out, where she was greeted by Jiang Wei and her brother at the door.
Aunt Xu's gaze fell on the boy next to Jiang Wei. Ming Zhao was short and had a sallow complexion. It was clear that he had suffered a lot over the years, and she couldn't help but wipe away her tears.
Jiang Wen was furious. Jiang Yang was a few months younger than him, and over the years he had grown up to be arrogant, domineering, and fat. His body was more than twice as thick as the boy in front of him, and he was also taller.
Jiang Wen wished he could slap Aunt Liu a few times.
How could she abandon a baby? She's so hateful.
Aunt Xu wiped away her tears with a handkerchief. "Welcome home, my lord. You will never suffer again."
Jiang Wei introduced, "This is Aunt Xu, whom your elder sister told you about, and this is your third sister, Jiang Wen."
Ming Zhaochao bowed to Aunt Xu, saying, "Greetings, Aunt. Greetings, Third Sister."
Aunt Xu quickly turned aside, "My lord, you mustn't! You are the master, I..."
Mingzhao always greets sincere and kind people with a pure smile, saying, "Auntie, you can accept all of this. You can accept your loyalty to my mother and the care you have secretly given to my sister all these years."
Her younger brother was truly excellent in every way—neither arrogant nor humble, and able to distinguish right from wrong.
"Let's go inside and talk, it's cold outside," Jiang said with a smile.
"Hey, come inside, it's cold outside." Aunt Xu wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, and suddenly smiled knowingly. The lady can rest in peace now, the young master has returned safely.
The food was already laid out on the table, including several dishes that Aunt Xu had taken over, all of which were authentic Jiangnan cuisine.
When Aunt Xu received the news that Jiang Wei had sent someone to invite her to dinner, she immediately began preparing the meal.
After everyone sat down, Jiang Wei placed a piece of food on Mingzhao's plate, saying, "Little brother, try this. Your aunt made it especially for you."
"Mmm." Mingzhao put the sweet and sour pork into her mouth, her taste buds filled with sweet and sour flavors. "Delicious, Auntie, you've worked hard."
Aunt Xu had been watching Mingzhao anxiously, worried that he wouldn't like the food. Hearing him say that, she felt relieved.
"As long as my lord is happy, I will cook for him every day from now on." Aunt Xu was determined to make up for all the suffering Mingzhao had endured over the years.
He's so thin and small, she has to make him eat all the tonics the eldest daughter gave her, as long as they're edible, to make him strong and healthy so that she can have an explanation to give to the madam when she goes down in the world.
Jiang Wei was originally sitting next to Ming Zhao, but Jiang Wen complained that she didn't serve Ming Zhao enough food, so she subtly suggested that Jiang Wei give up her seat.
Jiang Wei reluctantly sat down to the side, while Jiang Wen happily sat down next to Ming Zhao.
Aunt Xu and Jiang Wen kept serving food to Mingzhao, while Jiang Wei sat to the side, smiling from time to time.
"Brother, try this. This is also one of my aunt's specialties. See if you like it. If you do, ask her to make it for you again tomorrow." Jiang Wen kept putting food on his plate, and Aunt Xu would add a couple more bites every now and then.
Mingzhao's bowls were piled up like a small mountain, and he looked at Jiang Wei for help.
He really couldn't finish it all; there was just too much.
Jiang Wei shrugged, indicating that she was powerless to help. The last time she went to Aunt Xu's place for a meal, although it wasn't quite this bad, it wasn't much better.
Mingzhao could only say, "That's enough, that's enough," while trying her best to eat.
Seeing Mingzhao eating heartily, Aunt Xu and Jiang Wen were even happier than if they were eating alone.
"Is everything you said true?" Jiang Zaishui took the wine glass from his lips and placed it on the table.
“Father, it’s absolutely true. That day, when your daughter and brother went to the Chen family, we did see that little beggar. There’s no mistake.”
"I was wondering why the Chen family's attitude towards us wasn't the same as before that day. It turns out it was all Jiang Wei's doing, letting the Chen family know about the little beggar's existence." Jiang Rou spoke too excitedly, aggravating the wound on her head, which started to hurt.
“Yes, yes, yes, Father, I saw it with my own eyes, there’s no doubt about it. They knew about that little beggar all along, and they’re just trying to embarrass you today.” Jiang Yang echoed Jiang Rou’s words.
Jiang Zai Shui picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. Jiang Wei could no longer stay in this family.
........
Early the next morning.
After handing Mingzhao over to Aunt Xu and Jiang Wen, Jiang Wei asked Chen Hui to take care of him at home.
But she went out despite the cold wind.
Jiang Wei arrived at Anle Street in the east of the city by carriage. It was close to the east gate, making it convenient for poor people to buy charcoal and grain, and also for disaster victims to receive porridge.
Jiang Wei borrowed a shopkeeper from the Chen family and rented all three storefronts together.
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