The next day.
Before dawn, the lanterns in all the courtyards of the Marquis of Changping's residence were already brightly lit.
Especially Madam Jiang's courtyard.
The eldest wife had many daughters; not counting concubines, the first wife herself gave birth to four.
It's a rare treat for the Marquis's family to be invited to the Peach Blossom Banquet. If it were up to Master Jiang's wishes, he would bring all of his dozen or so daughters. But if that won't do, then there's that one!
With over a dozen daughters, he refused to believe that not one of them would meet the approval of a nobleman!
Fortunately, it seemed that Old Madam Jiang knew what Master Jiang was thinking, and directly ordered that the concubine's daughters were not allowed to attend the banquet, so Master Jiang gave up his plans.
Originally, the Peach Blossom Banquet was only for noble and powerful families. It was already an exception for families like theirs to attend. Yet, the young master still thought of bringing his concubine's daughter to the banquet. He was becoming more and more unpredictable!
While secretly grumbling to herself, Madam Jiang was fixing her four daughters' makeup!
One minute it's this daughter's jewelry that's gone missing, the next it's that the clothes that the other daughter had altered yesterday don't fit anymore!
While Madam Jiang was extremely busy, she was secretly grumbling about Third Madam Jiang!
If it weren't for Madam Yin's delay in giving her the money, she wouldn't be in such a flustered state right now!
I'm also angry at Yin for being selfish and lacking tact!
Knowing full well that she had four daughters, they still made the people from Jinxiufang prioritize making clothes for the third daughter's family. By the time the eldest daughter's family received their clothes, it was already afternoon!
Was the Yin family doing this on purpose?
She was afraid that her daughters would outshine Azi... Could it be that Lady Yin also had the same thoughts as the young master?
With this in mind, Madam Jiang put even more effort into dressing up her daughters!
Grandma Jiang was unaware of Madam Jiang's ulterior motives, nor did she know that Jinxiufang was eager to curry favor with her because she was a regular customer and because the Yin family was wealthy. Her act of sending Jiang Segu's clothes over so early would make Madam Jiang resent her!
At this moment, Grandma Jiang, feeling listless, washed and dressed under Juan Niang's care.
She didn't personally do her daughter's hair and makeup, after all, her daughter wasn't really looking forward to the Peach Blossom Banquet, and with what happened yesterday, Azi definitely wouldn't be in the mood!
Furthermore, if she were to do her daughter's hair and makeup, people would say she was showing favoritism!
Just then, Jiang Minghui, who was already dressed and ready, arrived!
Jiang Minghui was the daughter of Song, the first wife of Jiang Sanye.
On the day of Jiang San's wedding, Old Madam Jiang warned her that Jiang Minghui had Song family blood in her veins and that she should take good care of her!
Grandma Jiang simply exempted Jiang Minghui from her daily morning and evening greetings, and wouldn't invite her to Lanyue Courtyard unless there was something to do, so as not to make her feel uncomfortable.
However, Grandma Jiang never withheld the treatment that the third wife's daughter was entitled to!
Even when she used her personal savings to buy things for Ah Zi, she would often buy something for Jiang Minghui as well.
Perhaps due to losing her mother at a young age, or perhaps because she was born prematurely, Jiang Minghui's health was not very good. Therefore, whenever Grandma Jiang saw her, she would unconsciously show genuine concern.
"Why did you come so early, Third Sister? It's cold this morning, why didn't you wear a cloak? Juanniang, go and get my cloak embroidered with plum blossoms for Third Sister to wear to keep warm!"
"No need, Mother, I'm not cold!"
Grandma Jiang stepped forward and touched her hand. "You said you weren't cold, but your little hands are freezing! Didn't I tell you you didn't need to get up early to come here? When it's time to leave, I'll have someone call you!"
"My daughter couldn't sleep and woke up early. Seeing the roses blooming beautifully in the yard, she strolled along admiring the flowers and unknowingly ended up in her mother's yard!"
Grandma Jiang San understood that this was Jiang Minghui's excuse. Every time she was going to the Song family, Jiang Minghui would come to her place early!
She was, after all, a child who had lost her mother, and her mother was someone of such status. Even though the Song family was her maternal grandparents' family, she must have felt uneasy every time she came into contact with them!
Thinking of this, Grandma Jiang's gaze became even more loving. "You've come at the right time. Mother is just struggling to choose a hairpin. Why don't you take a look and give me your opinion, Third Sister?"
"Yes, Mother."
When Jiang Segu arrived at Lanyue Courtyard, she saw that her mother and the others looked like biological mother and daughter, and she felt a little uncomfortable.
However, thinking of how her mother passed away in her previous life, and how her third sister, despite her illness, kept vigil for her mother day and night, Jiang Segu suppressed the jealousy in her heart.
"Mother, Third Sister!"
Jiang Minghui was somewhat surprised that Jiang Segu actually called her Third Sister, and almost forgot to respond for a moment.
Grandma Jiang was pleased with Jiang Segu's current manners and patted Jiang Minghui's hand, saying, "Your sister has grown up and is not as petty as before. You two sisters should visit each other more often in the future!"
Jiang Minghui then came to her senses, called out "Sixth Sister" and praised, "Jiang Segu looks so beautiful today!"
They dared not say anything more, for fear of offending Jiang Segu with any of their words.
Jiang Segu assumed she was just naturally reserved and replied, "Third Sister is truly beautiful," before asking Jiang San's grandmother, "Mother, when can we come back?"
Because Jiang Minghui was present, even though Grandma Jiang knew Jiang Segu's thoughts, she couldn't say anything openly. She could only smile and say, "Aren't you the one who likes to go out the most? Why are you already thinking about the time to come back before you've even left?"
Jiang Segu pouted, "If it weren't for this troublemaker at home, I wouldn't have bothered going to the banquet!"
"If you can't stand staying there, just make an excuse to leave first!" Grandma Jiang said casually, but she was actually implying that Jiang Segu could come back early to deal with the matters in the courtyard.
Then she looked at Jiang Minghui and said, "If you also find it boring, then you can leave early with Azi."
Jiang Minghui naturally complied.
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