Amidst the deafening sounds of gongs and drums and the crackling of firecrackers, Jiang Chuhui left the Marquis's mansion where she had lived for nearly sixteen years.
As soon as Jiang Chuhui's sedan chair left, Marquis Changping led everyone inside.
Jiang Zhihui stood there, watching the firecracker fragments fly in the wind, feeling only desolation.
The phrase she heard most often today was "Your older sister is so lucky," but is she really lucky?
From then on, the eldest sister could only stay in that four-cornered world, never to leave the palace again, and she might not even see her parents and sisters again in her lifetime. She could only live by the favor of an old man. Was such a life a blessing?
Jiang Zhihui was feeling melancholy when she caught a glimpse of a man in a blue robe out of the corner of her eye.
"Cousin Shaojie..."
Jiang Zhihui walked over happily, "Cousin Shaojie, are you here to see my older sister off too?"
Liang Shaojie shook his head, "I came out specifically to look for you because you hadn't entered the manor yet!"
Jiang Zhihui's smile grew even brighter upon hearing this, "What does Cousin Shaojie want with me?"
“Azi…”
Just two words were enough to make Jiang Zhihui's smile vanish: "Third Aunt is ill, and she's taking care of Third Aunt at Lanyue Courtyard. She didn't even come to see Eldest Sister off!"
His tone was filled with anger and dissatisfaction.
"Fifth cousin, listen to me!"
When we call Jiang Segu by his childhood name, it's so formal with her!
Jiang Zhihui pouted, not wanting to talk to Liang Shaojie anymore.
However, Liang Shaojie's next words made Jiang Zhihui turn pale.
"My third uncle and aunt passed away last night..."
"What? Cousin Shaojie, you must be talking nonsense!"
“I’m not making this up. I went to pay my respects this morning. I heard from the kitchen staff that A-Zi hasn’t eaten anything all day. She’s been shunning me lately, so I wanted to ask you to go and help persuade her to eat something!”
Jiang Zhihui was in a state of great confusion and hurriedly ran towards Lanyue Courtyard.
However, they encountered Zixia on the way.
"The old lady said she would like to invite Fifth Miss to Zhaotai Courtyard!"
Jiang Zhihui had no choice but to go to Zhaotaiyuan.
The Zhaotai Courtyard was already packed with people; this was the first time Jiang Zhihui had ever seen the entire Hou family gathered like this.
After Jiang Zhihui took her seat, Jiang Segu, dressed in white with a white flower in her hair, walked in!
"Jianse Valley..."
Jiang Zhihui stood up unconsciously, and was about to step forward to comfort her when she was stopped by Madam Jiang's light cough!
"Now that everyone's here, let's not keep this a secret!"
Marquis Changping announced the passing of Third Master Jiang and Third Madam Jiang in a low voice.
The crowd erupted in uproar.
Marquis Changping coughed heavily. "The funeral will be announced three days later. If anyone spreads this news within these three days, I'll take your lives! As for the rest, you can handle it yourselves!"
After saying that, he walked away impatiently!
Madam Jiang said softly to Jiang Segu, "Azi, come to your grandmother's house!"
Jiang Segu obediently stepped forward.
"Don't blame your grandfather, he's also heartbroken. It's just that your eldest sister has just left home, and if the family were to hold a funeral now, it would inevitably offend the imperial family."
"Azi knows that everything is decided by her grandparents!"
Seeing that she was neither crying nor making a fuss, Old Madam Jiang was surprised, but she didn't say anything more!
Recovering from her shock, Madam Jiang glanced at Second Madam Jiang, who was sitting in meditation, and then at Jiang Segu, whose back looked somewhat desolate in front of Old Madam Jiang. She couldn't help but ask, "Mother, shouldn't we start preparing everything for the funeral? Also, we should have someone come and clean up the remains of my third brother and sister-in-law. We can't let them lose their dignity in life!"
"You're right. All these matters will be handled by you and your second son's family. Don't be stingy with money; he's my only son..."
Madam Jiang's voice choked with emotion, and she couldn't continue.
My condolences to Mother!
"Mother, please stay healthy!"
Madam Jiang and Second Madam Jiang said in unison.
Madam Jiang wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, then waved to everyone, signaling them to leave!
At this moment, Jiang Segu spoke up: "Grandmother, since my eldest sister has left, her courtyard is empty. I want to move into my eldest sister's courtyard!"
Both Old Madam Jiang and Madam Jiang were stunned for a moment.
Jiang Segu continued, "I dismissed many of the people in my courtyard before, and since my eldest sister couldn't take the original servants with her when she entered the palace, my aunt, please give these people to me!"
Madam Jiang glanced at Old Madam Jiang before replying, "If Azi is willing to use them, that's naturally good. If..."
"Azi takes his leave!"
Madam Jiang, who had half a sentence left unsaid, watched as Jiang Segu left without even saying thank you, and her sympathy vanished instantly!
"Alright, you guys go do what you were supposed to do!"
"yes!"
Madam Jiang and Second Madam Jiang walked out of Zhaotai Courtyard together.
Madam Jiang grabbed Second Madam Jiang's arm. "It's you?"
Grandma Jiang pulled her hand back. "What nonsense are you spouting, sister-in-law! I don't have the guts or the ability to do that!"
"How did the third brother and his wife die?"
"My third brother committed suicide. As for his wife..." Jiang Er's grandmother said meaningfully, "I told my eldest sister-in-law about this this morning. Yuan Niang knows about it!"
"You mean Yuan Niang..."
"I didn't say that, I only said that Yuan Niang knew! Otherwise, why do you think A Zi would take over those servants in Huilan Courtyard!"
Grandma Jiang smiled and reminded Madam Jiang, "Sister-in-law, if I were you, I should go to Huilan Courtyard to inquire about the situation right now, lest those opportunists say something they shouldn't!"
Watching Granny Jiang's departing figure, Madam Jiang led Zijin hurriedly to Huilan Courtyard.
But Jiang Segu arrived at Huilan Courtyard before her.
Upon hearing this, everyone in the courtyard was overjoyed and expressed their unwavering loyalty to Jiang Segu.
Jiang Segu entered the house, and Qiaolian and Qiaohe admonished everyone.
"As you all know, there are still some people in the Sixth Miss's Courtyard. But the Sixth Miss is still a young lady in her boudoir, and her expenses must not exceed the bounds of propriety! So, we still need to select some from among you."
Upon hearing this, everyone panicked again.
"You don't need to panic. Just line up one by one and wait for the young lady to summon you. Those who are eloquent, give irrelevant answers, or have dirty hands will not be accepted by our young lady. You should think carefully before you answer her!"
The implication was that the Sixth Miss intended to personally inquire about each of them!
Just as Jiang Segu was calling the second servant into the room, Madam Jiang arrived!
"I just came to see if these people are all capable. If there are any dullards, Auntie, send some more for Azi tomorrow! I didn't expect Azi to be one step ahead of Auntie!"
As he spoke, he sat down on the couch where Jiang Segu was sitting, looking like he wasn't going to leave!
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