Chapter 1
During the plum rain season, we were fortunate to have a sunny day.
Light and shadow broke through the smog and shone into the alley, and the vendors, who had been resting for several days, finally got busy again.
"Look, take a look, this is the finest rouge!"
Amidst the bustling crowds, several restaurants opened one after another.
Just then, a carriage slowly passed by the vendor. The vendor was momentarily distracted, and a handkerchief embroidered with acacia flowers fell in front of him. Before he could react, a slender hand immediately picked it up.
Immediately afterwards, he jogged up and handed the handkerchief to the person in the carriage.
The vendor blinked, and saw a section of delicate, snow-white skin protruding from the carriage, like the finest silk. Her fingertips were translucent and beautiful. The curtain covered her face, and only her fair wrist could be seen, yet it stirred the imagination. When did such a beauty emerge in Jeju?
However, once the carriage rolled forward and finally stopped at the far end of the street, the vendor stopped being surprised.
So they were from the Shen family.
"Miss, we've arrived!"
Having traveled for many days, Yunji was already quite tired. But when she saw the address mentioned in the letter right in front of her, her eyes lit up and she exclaimed excitedly.
She lifted the curtain, intending to help the man out of the carriage. If the vendor from earlier were here, he would surely be amazed. The Shen family's daughters were all exceptionally beautiful, but it was rare to see one like this. As if touched by frost, her whole being radiant. Light and shadow swept across her eyebrows, her delicate nose, and then fell upon her soft, black hair.
Yunji grew up with Jiang Mian. From a young age, she felt that with a girl's looks, she should have been born into a wealthy and beautiful family, not into the Jiang family of Yangzhou.
Inside the carriage, the woman who had been resting with her eyes closed opened them. Beneath her curled eyelashes, her dark eyes held curiosity as she looked at the house before her.
Yangzhou is bustling, yet there isn't a single residence that can compare to the one before her. Jiang Mian was somewhat dazed, a feeling that had lingered since she first arrived in Jizhou. Even after seeing this residence, she still couldn't believe that she had escaped from there.
She closed her eyes. These past few months felt like half a lifetime, giving her her first taste of the wickedness of human nature.
Three months ago, her beloved grandmother passed away from a cold. Jiang Mian had just settled her grandmother's funeral arrangements and was still grieving when her aunt called her into her room, saying she had a keepsake from her grandmother. However, upon arriving, she discovered that her aunt had drugged her and sent her unsuspectingly to the magistrate's office.
The county magistrate was nearly fifty years old; by seniority, he could be her grandfather.
Jiang Mian escaped with her life on the line, almost losing her life there.
When her aunt saw that she had returned alive, her usual warm facade was torn off, and she simply stopped pretending and sent people to tie her up. Fortunately, her maternal grandfather's family sent people to rescue Jiang Mian.
Having survived the ordeal, Jiang Mian dared not delay and packed her bags that very night to go to Jeju with that person.
Unexpectedly, the man suddenly had an urgent matter to attend to halfway through the journey, wrote her a letter, and hurriedly headed south.
Clutching the letter, Jiang Mian traveled by boat and carriage, spending almost all the money she had on her journey, until finally, she arrived in Jeju Island.
Finally, I breathed a sigh of relief.
"This servant will go knock on the door." Although Yunji was excited, she did not forget her duty. Although Jiang Mian was a cousin of the Shen family, her mother had eloped with someone and had not had any contact with the Shen family for many years. If it weren't for the fact that six years ago, the old lady of the Shen family fell seriously ill and thought she was going to die, and then remembered her ignorant daughter from back then, she would send someone to bring her back to the mansion to see her once.
That was Jiang Mian's first time visiting the Shen family mansion, but the memory was not pleasant. Her older cousins were all older than her and usually associated with dignitaries, so they looked down on Jiang Mian, who came from a poor, remote area. If it weren't for the need to save face, they probably wouldn't have had much interaction with her.
It was that incident that instilled in Jiang Mian a sense of fear towards the Shen Mansion.
My maternal grandfather died early. My maternal grandmother was raised by Empress Dowager Funing in her early years. Although she was not a member of the imperial family, she was treated like a princess. When my maternal grandfather was ranked third in the imperial examination, my maternal grandmother fell in love with him at first sight when she caught a glimpse of him on the street. Later, she married him despite everyone's objections.
From the capital to Jeju, my maternal grandfather was demoted for offending the emperor over the matter of the Crown Prince of Yong'an. For decades, my maternal grandmother never abandoned him. However, people's hearts are fickle. After being demoted, my maternal grandfather's lofty ambitions were thwarted, and he became despondent. He took a concubine, had a son, and thirteen years ago, he passed away unexpectedly. Thus, the entire burden of the Shen family fell on my maternal grandmother's shoulders.
Jiang Mian learned all of this unintentionally during her visit to the Shen residence six years ago.
Now, revisiting this place, the thought of becoming one of them in the future fills her with a mix of emotions and a subtle sense of apprehension.
The Jiang family turned their backs on her without mercy. She had finally escaped that dangerous place and traveled a long way to the Shen family, but to the Shen family, she was still an outsider.
In particular, her mother had almost severed ties with the Shen family. Although her maternal grandmother did not mind, there were so many people in the Shen family, what would others think? Her cousin had looked down on her six years ago, and now that she was going to live there, she wondered what the future held for her.
Jiang Mian was filled with worry, and the joy she had felt upon entering Jeju Island had been somewhat dampened. Now, she was genuinely quite nervous.
Fortunately, no one made things difficult for her when she entered. As soon as Yunji knocked on the door, several old women came out. Jiang Mian observed them discreetly. She noticed that these women were wearing light brown jackets with a skirt embroidered with gold thread underneath, and each had a small jade ornament at their waist. Jiang Mian was surprised. The Shen family was so wealthy that even a servant was dressed more elegantly than her.
Yes, even more noble than her.
The Jiang family was not wealthy. Her father was obsessed with taking the imperial examinations, but he failed repeatedly. On weekdays, they even relied on her mother to do needlework to supplement the family income. When her parents were still alive, they were able to get by. However, four years ago, a plague killed both her parents. Her grandmother took her back to her side to take care of her, and Jiang Mian's life became difficult.
Over the years, she has grown up and her beauty has become apparent. Countless suitors have come to propose marriage. If it weren't for her grandmother's love and care, she probably wouldn't be where she is today. She lives frugally and usually wears only simple hairpins and copper rings when she goes out. This time, in order to come to Jeju, she even sold all her valuables. So at this moment, the feeling from six years ago surged up again, and for a moment, she suddenly had the idea of backing away.
However, this thought only lasted for a moment before being broken by an unexpected greeting.
"Is this Miss Biao?"
The old woman at the head of the group smiled broadly, her eyes revealing no disrespect whatsoever. Seeing Jiang Mian nod, she continued, "This old servant's surname is Xin. Six years ago, when Miss Jiang entered the manor, this old servant met you."
“Granny Xin.” Jiang Mian smiled, her lips twitching. She remembered that Granny Xin was her maternal grandmother’s personal maid. She had heard that Granny Xin had taught princes and princesses etiquette in the past. Jiang Mian tightened her fingers, trying to appear less timid.
“Miss, there’s no need to be nervous. The old lady had your courtyard cleaned up a few days ago. She heard you were arriving today and wanted to come out to greet you herself, but she couldn’t because of her leg problems.”
"I wouldn't dare trouble my maternal grandmother," Jiang Mian said softly.
Granny Xin nodded in satisfaction and immediately led her inside. Jiang Mian followed closely behind. Once inside the house, she discovered that it was even more magnificent.
Back in Yangzhou, she had once gone to a woman's garden to watch a play. She thought that woman's garden was big enough, but today she discovered that the Shen Mansion was more than three times larger. It was the height of summer, and the backyard was even more lush and green, with pavilions, water corridors, rockeries, and towers. Jiang Mian had never seen such a magnificent scene before, and for a moment she was overwhelmed with admiration.
"That's your courtyard over there, right next to the Osmanthus Hall. The Osmanthus Hall is where the young masters and ladies study; it's quiet and elegant."
"This is the peony garden where the second madam lives. The second madam loves flowers, and the garden is full of fragrance."
"Further east, there are the courtyards of the young ladies. The young masters live in the outer courtyard, which is separated from the inner courtyard by a long covered walkway. Normally, they rarely go between the inner and outer courtyards unless there is something to do."
"To the west is the old lady's courtyard, Shou'an Hall. The old lady is a Buddhist, and monks are invited to preach in the mansion all year round."
Granny Xin continued her detailed introduction, turning three corridors before still not finishing. Jiang Mian listened intently until they passed a rockery and saw what could be considered the largest courtyard in the Shen residence. Granny Xin didn't introduce it, and Jiang Mian, out of curiosity, blurted out, "What's that?"
Granny Xin paused, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "That is Qinghui Garden, where the eldest young master resides."
"The eldest young master prefers quiet and dislikes outsiders getting close. Once Miss Cousin has settled in, you must remember that Qinghui Garden is not a place to be entered lightly."
Jiang Mian was startled, and a blurry figure suddenly appeared in her mind.
She immediately lowered her head and said softly, "Granny, I understand."
Granny Xin felt sorry for the child's miserable life, which is why she said so much. Wealthy families always have many rules. If she didn't say it today, there would be no one to teach her if the young lady made a mistake in the mansion in the future.
As the two talked, they arrived at Shou'an Hall, where the old lady lived. Jiang Mian stood in front of the courtyard, looked up at the plaque, and thought that the characters were vigorous and beautiful.
"This was written by the eldest son when the old lady celebrated her birthday. The eldest son is a man of exceptional literary talent and is one of the most outstanding figures in Jizhou City." When Granny Xin mentioned the eldest son, her expression was always full of praise. Jiang Mian lowered her head and silently made a note of it.
The eldest son, Shen Ji.
Unless something serious happens, she should stay far away from him.
"Has Mian'er arrived?"
Inside the room, a kind voice suddenly rang out, and Jiang Mian felt a lump in her throat.
It has been a long time since anyone called her that since her grandmother passed away.
Hearing the commotion, Granny Xin immediately led her into the inner room. Only then did Jiang Mian notice that her grandmother, who was still quite healthy six years ago, now had the marks of time on her temples. Even though it was the hot summer, her grandmother had a thick, fluffy blanket covering her legs.
It's easy to imagine that my grandmother, who has toiled for half her life, is now unable to even get out of bed.
Thinking of this, Jiang Mian felt even more emotional. The exhaustion from her escape and the long journey all vanished, and all she could think about was that she finally had family again.
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