Time has passed and it is now deep winter. The weather is gloomy, and a few snowflakes are falling, covering the earth in a silver coat. The capital city is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. The bright red lanterns symbolize the joy and enthusiasm of the New Year, and everyone's face is adorned with a happy smile.
At the gate of the Jiang residence, large red lanterns swayed gently in the wind and snow, shining brightly in the dim night. Inside the residence, countless servants hurried to and fro, each performing their duties.
The three masters of the Jiang family sat down at a round table with the help of their maids. The table was already laden with delicious-looking dishes, and the dim candlelight flickered, adding a warm glow to everyone's faces.
To anyone who sees it, it's a scene of joyous celebration, but the underlying thoughts are quite different.
Wuyou leisurely picked up his chopsticks and savored the food. He had to admit that the Jiang family's chef was quite skilled, and his cooking suited his taste. As for the burning hatred, disgust, anger, and venomous gaze from the person beside him, Wuyou claimed he was completely unaware of it and hadn't felt it; it wouldn't hurt him anyway.
"Why is Wuyou only eating vegetables? This sweet and sour carp was just caught from the river, come and try it." Jiang Jing smiled and put a piece of fish on Wuyou's plate, fully demonstrating the tenderness and love of a father.
He had already arranged a time with the Fifth Prince; once Wuyou came of age, she could be brought into the Prince's residence to become his concubine. Soon, the Fifth Prince would petition the Emperor, and presumably, the Emperor wouldn't care about a mere concubine. Having two daughters become concubines of princes, and the two most outstanding ones at that, was enough to make him proud.
Jiang Jing wished that Wuyou would come of age quickly, lest things get complicated.
"Thank you, Father." Wuyou smiled slightly, her delicate features appearing even more gentle under the lamplight. Compared to her slender figure when they first met, she was now fuller-figured, adding to her charm.
Jiang Changle, standing to the side, gritted his teeth in hatred, his hand gripping the chopsticks tightly, as if he were holding Wuyou's neck instead of chopsticks.
He had been back at the manor for several days, and his father was still gentle and kind to him, but he treated Wuyou the same way. This made him feel as if he had lost the fatherly love he once had. After all, Jiang Jing's gentleness was only reserved for his only daughter, and now she was no longer his only one.
He is Jiang Chang Le, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, born of the legitimate wife. How could he be overshadowed by a concubine's daughter? He must make her suffer and make Jiang Wu You pay a heavy price for his mother's seduction of another woman's husband.
Smuggling drugs into food results in the drug ending up in one's own mouth; using power to oppress others results in them being completely unafraid; using one's status as an excuse results in someone being quick-witted and eloquent, making you sound completely incoherent; cutting back on food, clothing, and daily necessities still results in people eating and drinking well and having plenty of money; bribing or befriending servants results in them being kicked out the very next day after they've been won over.
He had tried all these tricks, but Wuyou was as tough as nails, impervious to swords and spears, cunning and ruthless, and he never fell for them, instead getting himself into trouble.
On several occasions, she even complained to her father, resulting in her being scolded and her father becoming disappointed in her.
In one confrontation after another, Jiang Changle suffered greatly. With the encouragement of her maid, she finally calmed down and realized how many hurtful and foolish things she had done.
He loathed Jiang Wuyou, hated him, despised him, and even wanted to kill him because the other party had stolen his vested interests and taken away the fatherly love that belonged only to him. His existence was actual evidence that his father had betrayed his mother, and it was his shame.
However, he still couldn't show it on his face. He was destined to become an imperial concubine, and he needed not only the support of the Prince of Nan'an's mansion but also his father's strong assistance. If he lost his father's favor, he would find it difficult to move an inch in the prince's mansion.
As a girl raised in a respectable family, Jiang Changle calmed down after discovering the problem and gradually returned to her former gentle and generous demeanor, at least to outsiders.
"Sister doesn't look well. Is she unwell? I know a little about medicine. How about I take a look at you?" Wuyou put down her chopsticks, tilted her head with a worried expression, and went to check Jiang Changle's pulse.
Jiang Changle reacted as if electrocuted, quickly withdrawing his hand, his right index finger turning slightly red from the force. Although he understood the situation, it was still quite difficult to actually do it.
Seeing the two of them looking at her with questioning eyes, Jiang Changle smiled awkwardly and smoothed the wrinkles in her sleeves. "I'm fine. It's New Year's Day today, everyone should be happy. There's no need to worry about me. In a few days, I'll be carried to the prince's residence. I don't know when I'll be able to see my father and sister again, so let me stay with you a little longer."
As she spoke, her eyes reddened as she looked at Jiang Jing, her affection for her daughter almost overflowing, which softened Jiang Jing's heart. After all, she was the daughter he had loved for so many years. Although she had acted rashly and made a mistake a few days ago, she would soon become a prince's concubine, and the father-daughter relationship could not be damaged.
"Changle, in the blink of an eye you're getting married, your father really can't bear to part with you..." After two cups of rice wine, Jiang Jing's face was flushed. He held Jiang Changle's hand tightly and poured out his heartfelt feelings for his daughter.
Jiang Changle's eyes also reddened, his heart softening. He thought his father had given up on him and wouldn't help him anymore, but he hadn't expected his father still cared for him. Thinking of something, Jiang Changle subtly cast a smug glance at Wuyou. See? Father still cares about me; you can't compare to me even if you flatter him.
Upon receiving the other's gaze, Wuyou was speechless for a moment. He didn't care about this fake fatherly love; she wasn't stupid.
The atmosphere suddenly became a little strange. The father and daughter exchanged tender words, Wuyou calmly ate her meal, but Jiang Changle couldn't stand being noisy. Looking at Wuyou's delicate profile, he had a brilliant idea.
"Father, I am about to marry into the Third Prince's household. Although I will not be able to be by your side, at least I will have a good home. My younger sister is only two years younger than me and will soon be of marriageable age. I wonder if you have any plans for her?"
Jiang Changle almost vomited at this point. Jiang Wuyou was only two years younger than him, which meant that her father had been having an affair for a long time. What a disgrace! If her mother hadn't left, she would have turned this place upside down and skinned Jiang Wuyou alive. Why would she have to suffer like this?
Upon hearing this, Wuyou stopped what he was doing and looked at Jiang Jing. He knew that the Fifth Prince was conspiring with him, but he had no way of knowing the specifics. Today was a good opportunity to get information out of him.
"You should mind your own business. I've already arranged Wuyou's marriage. He's a promising young man who will never disgrace your sister." Jiang Jing, feeling the effects of the alcohol, patted Jiang Changle's hand with a smile.
In his heart, both sisters were daughters of the Jiang family, with no deep-seated hatred between them. If they married into good families, they could support each other—why not? He completely ignored Jiang Changle's ugly expression. Naturally, she didn't want Wuyou to marry into a good family, and even planned to find a seemingly respectable but corrupt playboy to marry Wuyou, so she could watch her suffer from a high and mighty position.
"Imperial decree has arrived—" A loud, hoarse voice suddenly rang out, startling everyone. Jiang Jing's drunkenness subsided considerably in an instant, and he hurriedly pulled his two daughters out to receive the decree.
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