Chapter 2
Although Madam Shen was raised in Jizhou, she was granted an imperial title by the late emperor. Jiang Mian walked up to her and bowed respectfully.
"Grandmother".
Madam Shen said with concern, "Get up quickly. You must be tired from your long journey. Come on, bring me the hot tea I prepared this morning."
Granny Xin calmly took the hot tea from the servant and handed it to Jiang Mian. After drinking it, her throat felt soothed. Jiang Mian always remembered her duty and stood up to give a gentle bow: "Thank you, Grandmother."
“You child, you must have suffered a lot. Your mother passed away early. If she hadn’t insisted on distancing herself from me back then, things wouldn’t be like this now…” As she spoke, the old lady picked up a handkerchief and wiped away tears from the corners of her eyes.
Jiang Mian lowered her head, looking somewhat at a loss.
She dared not comment on her mother's affairs, but seeing her maternal grandmother so sad and sorrowful, she suddenly felt a pang of sadness herself. Just as she was hesitating whether to say a few words to comfort her maternal grandmother, Granny Xin suddenly spoke up.
"Madam, this is a joyous occasion, let's not think about these things. Today, Miss Cousin is entering the manor, you should be happy!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Shen indeed stopped her grief, took Jiang Mian's hand, and looked at her with loving eyes.
Just then, a commotion came from outside Shou'an Hall, and then a maid waiting outside the door respectfully said, "Greetings, Second Madam."
Jiang Mian looked up and saw a woman dressed in a brightly colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) lift the curtain and walk in: "I heard earlier that the Jiang family's child had arrived. Why didn't anyone come to inform me? If word got out, people would think that I was deliberately neglecting him."
The sound was somewhat flamboyant. Before she even got close, Jiang Mian heard a series of tinkling sounds, probably from the hairpins and ornaments on her head accidentally bumping into each other. It was pleasant to the ear and conveyed a sense of extravagance and wealth.
"This is Mian'er. She looks even more outstanding than my other maids. Come, this is the first time we've met. This is a gift from your second aunt. From now on, if there's anything you don't like while you're staying at the Shen residence, just tell your second aunt."
As Jiang Mian looked at the jade bracelet handed to her, she suddenly remembered how her aunt had been so enthusiastic after her grandmother's death. However, that enthusiasm was meant to lower her guard so that she could be pushed further into the abyss.
Now, she couldn't quite figure out her second aunt's good intentions.
This was indeed the first time she had met her second aunt.
Six years ago, when she visited the mansion, her second aunt had taken her eldest sister to the capital to visit relatives. She had absolutely no impression of this second aunt.
Now, looking at this valuable jade bracelet, Jiang Mian's first reaction was to feel somewhat uneasy. This unease had been lingering in her heart ever since she arrived in Jeju.
She seemed out of place in this place.
Madam Shen coughed lightly, glanced at Madam Jiang with indifferent eyes, and then looked at Jiang Mian, saying gently, "Please accept the elders' kindness. If there is anything inappropriate in the future, just tell your second aunt."
When her grandmother spoke, Jiang Mian quickly took the bracelet in her hand. The cool jade felt surprisingly warm in her palm.
Jiang Mian smiled, a shallow dimple appearing on her cheek: "Thank you, Second Aunt."
She didn't notice the fleeting glance in Jiang's eyes, nor did she notice the atmosphere that had just lingered between Old Madam Shen and Jiang. In this unfamiliar environment, she was afraid of doing something wrong and offending others, so she was careful in everything she did today. She wondered if she was overthinking things. Perhaps there weren't many people like her aunt in the world. The Shen family was wealthy, while she was insignificant.
Jiang Mian lowered her head, her sleeve covering her wrist, where the jade bracelet was worn.
Before long, many people flocked to Shou'an Hall. Second Uncle Chen Yuan seemed to have just returned from outside, leading several cousins. In a short while, the space that was just spacious suddenly became much more cramped.
"Mother, I heard Mian'er has arrived!" Chen Yuan lifted the curtain and strode in: "Mr. Cui wrote that he would arrive in three days, how come he has arrived ahead of schedule?"
Madam Shen did not reply to him. Her gaze towards him was no different from that of Madam Jiang, and it was not considered affectionate.
Jiang Mian knew that this uncle was not born to her maternal grandmother, but was conceived by her maternal grandfather with a commoner woman when he was down on his luck. However, in terms of seniority, he was indeed her uncle.
Jiang Mian stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Hello, Second Uncle, Hello, Cousins."
Shen Yuan glanced at her and then looked away, simply nodding. Jiang Shi, on the other hand, was more enthusiastic: "From now on, we're all family. You're the older ones, and Mian'er is like a younger sister. In the future, brothers and sisters should be courteous and tolerant of each other, and never have any other thoughts."
"Yes," the younger generation replied in unison.
Jiang Mian carefully looked up. She remembered that there were four older cousins and three older cousins in the Shen family. Three years ago, her eldest cousin, Shen Li, had already married and moved to the capital to settle down. Although her second cousin, Shen Rong, was not yet married, she was engaged to the Lu family of Jizhou. They were just waiting for the other party's mourning period to end before they could get married.
Among the people standing in front of us, the most composed one should be the second cousin, the most haughty one is the third cousin Shen Tang, and the youngest is the fourth cousin Shen Yan, who seems to be only a few months older than her. She has a charming and innocent appearance and seems easy to get along with.
Jiang Mian struggled to identify the two elder brothers; they should be her second cousin, Shen Xi, and her third cousin, Shen Ting.
As for her eldest cousin, he was born to her maternal uncle, Shen Mo. She had met him once six years ago. Based on what Granny Xin had said, her eldest cousin disliked crowded places, so he certainly wouldn't be there today.
"Cousin Mian'er, from now on we are family." It was Shen Tang who spoke. She was wearing a light pink dress, and her appearance had matured a bit compared to six years ago.
Memories flashed through Jiang Mian's mind. If she remembered correctly, six years ago, it was Shen Tang who mocked her for coming from a poor place, which bothered her for a long time after she returned. But now she acted as if nothing had happened. Thinking of this, Jiang Mian looked up and smiled, "I will have to trouble my cousin a lot in the future."
"Fifth... Sister? Is it okay if I call you that from now on?" Shen Yan hesitated for a moment before suddenly speaking.
Jiang Mian nodded, still smiling.
“That’s great! I have a little sister now. I’m usually the youngest in the family, but now that you’re here, I finally have someone to call me older sister.”
"Hello, Fourth Sister!"
Chen Yan is innocent and romantic, making her easy to get along with.
Because Shen Rong was about to get married, she could no longer play with her sisters. This time, she simply greeted Jiang Mian and stood quietly to the side without saying a word.
Shen Xi and Shen Ting, one gentle and the other eccentric, showed no discernible difference at the moment, but both politely greeted Jiang Mian.
After exchanging greetings, Madam Shen excused herself by saying she was tired and left Jiang Shi and Shen Yuan behind while the younger generation left from Shou'an Hall.
Granny Xin then led Jiang Mian to her residence alone.
"Fifth Miss met many people today, did you remember them all?"
"More or less. The elders seem to be easy to get along with, and the older brother and sister are also polite to each other."
Granny Xin carried a lantern and walked in front of Jiang Mian.
"What the Fifth Miss said is correct. The Fifth Miss performed exceptionally well today."
Jiang Mian was listening intently when she was suddenly praised, and her cheeks couldn't help but feel a little hot.
"After you settle in the manor, there are some things that the old lady cannot say outright. If you need anything, you can ask the second lady. But if you suffer any grievances, don't hide them. You live your life for yourself. The old lady brought you here because she doesn't want you to suffer any grievances."
The candlelight cast a shadow on the ground, which perfectly illuminated Jiang Mian's shadow.
Granny Xin's words were like a wake-up call for Jiang Mian, dispelling all her previous thoughts. After a few words rolled around in her throat, she finally replied, "I understand, thank you for your guidance, Grandmother."
Granny Xin looked at her with pity. Outsiders all said that the Shen family was prominent and noble, but in her eyes, it was just a cage that trapped people. Coming in was not necessarily good, nor was it necessarily bad.
Just as they were about to reach Birou Courtyard, a faint meow suddenly came from the side. The night was dark, and Jiang Mian stopped in her tracks. She saw a pair of green eyes shining brightly under the banana leaf not far away.
"Songyuan?" Granny Xin was somewhat surprised. She put the lamp aside, walked over, and picked up the snow-white cat.
"This is the eldest young master's cat. It usually likes to run around. Fifth Miss, don't be surprised if you see it in the future."
"Fifth Miss, feel it?" Granny Xin asked with a smile, and suddenly took a step toward Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian instinctively backed away; she was afraid of cats.
Granny Xin was clearly a little surprised. Most ordinary women love such fluffy animals, but she didn't expect Jiang Mian to be afraid of them. Thinking of this, Granny Xin carried the cat a little further away.
"Please forgive me, Fifth Miss, this old servant did not mean it."
"There's no need for you to blame yourself, Granny. This cat is very cute; it's just that I don't know how to appreciate it," Jiang Mian said softly.
Granny Xin grew increasingly fond of Jiang Mian.
"Matsumoto."
Just then, a clear, cold voice rang out.
Song Yuan immediately jumped out of Granny Xin's arms. Jiang Mian was startled and almost fell to the ground, but fortunately Yun Ji caught her.
"This old servant greets the eldest young master."
Jiang Mian looked up.
Under the moonlight, Shen Ji, dressed in a white robe, appeared aloof and dignified, seemingly exactly the same as he had been six years ago, unapproachable. She lowered her head; she had seen everyone she could in the hall today, but this cousin of hers had not appeared at all.
After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Mian stepped forward and said, "Cousin, are you well?"
Shen Ji gently shifted his gaze away from her, then hugged the white cat to his chest before giving a soft "hmm".
His gaze didn't linger on her for long, but for some reason, it gave her a sense of pressure.
Jiang Mian lowered her eyes, unsure whether the voice was in response to her or to Granny Xin.
"Matsumoto won't hurt you, you can touch it."
Unexpectedly, Shen Ji spoke again. Jiang Mian looked up in surprise. If she remembered correctly, during the day, Granny Xin had told her that the eldest young master, Shen Ji, was not easy to get along with and that she should avoid going to his side unless necessary. Why did he take the initiative to speak tonight? Jiang Mian couldn't help but look at Granny Xin, who also looked surprised.
Jiang Mian had no choice but to bite the bullet and take two steps forward. The cat in her arms was indeed docile and obedient. She tentatively reached out her hand, but instead of the expected sharp claws, it was fluffy and really cute.
Jiang Mian couldn't help but touch it a few more times, until she inadvertently caught a glimpse of those dark eyes. Her heart tightened, and she took two steps back: "Indeed, it's very obedient."
Shen Ji nodded and said nothing more.
The figure swept past Jiang Mian and disappeared into the darkness.
Granny Xin took the lamp back into her hand and said gently, "It seems that the young master has a very good impression of you."
Jiang Mian felt a little embarrassed, as she didn't understand the meaning of those words.
Granny Xin didn't explain much, gave her a few more instructions, handed the lamp to her, and turned to leave.
Birou Courtyard was indeed quiet and elegant. In addition to Yunji, Madam Jiang had also arranged for two maids, who had already prepared everything and were waiting respectfully outside.
Jiang Mian was extremely exhausted. Although she had eaten at her maternal grandmother's courtyard, she hadn't eaten much and was now starving. Fortunately, Yunji had brought some biscuits along the way, and Jiang Mian hurriedly ate a few bites before finally lying down on the couch.
She fell into a deep sleep.
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