The next morning, very early, so early that even the maids and servants of the Marquis's mansion had not yet gotten up, the gate of the second branch of the family was opened.
Grandma Jiang, already dressed and carrying a bundle, walked out of the courtyard.
Doukou was with her, carrying a large food box.
The two of them kept their distance, as if afraid of being seen, until they reached the northwest corner gate.
Doukou skillfully took out some silver and handed it to the old woman guarding the gate. The old woman seemed to have done this before, quickly taking the silver and opening the side gate. After Jiang Er's grandmother and Doukou went out, she quickly closed the gate and then sat down by the side gate to doze off.
The whole process was very quick, taking only a few breaths.
The master and servant walked out of the alley and rented a carriage to go to the east of the city.
The carriage stopped in front of a Fan family general store.
Because it was still early, the grocery store had not yet opened.
Doukou stepped forward and knocked on the door.
The tapping was very rhythmic, two taps followed by one tap, then a two-breath pause, then two taps followed by one tap.
Soon the shop door was opened from the inside. Without saying a word, Granny Jiang followed Doukou into the shop, and the door was quickly closed again.
As soon as she entered, the young woman who opened the door said worriedly, "Why is Second Madam here again today? This might not be a good thing!"
"I'm just worried about Ange'er's health!"
"Angel's fever broke a couple of days ago, and he's fine now. Yesterday he even went out and ran around with the neighbor's dog!"
Grandma Jiang frowned upon hearing this, "He's only just recovered a bit, how could you let him go out to play?"
The young woman knew she was in the wrong, "It's my fault!"
Doukou quickly stepped in to smooth things over, "It must be that An's son has been lying at home for two days and is getting restless. Besides, the fact that he can go out to play means that he is much better, so Second Grandmother doesn't need to worry about him every day!"
The young woman nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Second Madam, An'er's appetite improved yesterday, and he slept soundly last night. He hasn't woken up yet this morning!"
"I'll go check on him!"
Grandma Jiang handed the bundle to Doukou, then took the food box from Doukou's hand, lifted the curtain, and went to the backyard.
The young woman was about to follow, but Doukou stopped her, saying, "Sister Fan, this is a dress that Second Grandmother made for you by hand. Try it on and see if it fits!"
Madam Fan was flattered and waved her hands, saying, "How dare I, a mere servant, wear clothes made by my master!"
"Sister Fan has worked so hard, of course she deserves to wear this! Come on, I'll help you try it on!"
"I won't try it. I'm afraid An'er will be scared when he sees Second Grandma when he wakes up. I'd better go to the backyard to check!"
"Sister Fan, have you gone mad? An'er is Second Madam's son. How can a son be afraid of his mother!"
Madam Fan was stunned on the spot, and hesitated for a moment, not knowing what to say.
"Sister Fan, it's not easy for Second Madam to see An'er, so please let them spend some time together!"
As he spoke, he pulled Madam Fan to try on the clothes...
Half an hour later, Grandma Jiang reluctantly returned the way she came.
When she returned to the Marquis's residence, the servants were cleaning the courtyard. However, as soon as she arrived, she was summoned to Zhaotai Courtyard.
While she went to Zhaotai Courtyard, Qingying, who had been following her all the way, went to Lanyue Courtyard.
"You mean Second Madam left home so early just to see the son of the grocery store owner? And that child is Second Madam's?"
"That's how it is!"
Qingying answered truthfully.
Jiang Segu felt that this matter had a significant impact on him.
My second aunt actually has a son living outside?
Does your second uncle know?
"You should go and rest now!"
After Qingying left, Jiang Segu instructed Qiaolian, "After breakfast, go to Fan's General Store on East Street and check on that boy!"
Qiaolian then served Jiang Segu as he washed up.
Since Jiang Wenlin and Liao Luzhen had already gotten engaged yesterday, and today marks three days since Jiang Chuhui entered the palace, the Marquis's residence was decorated with white mourning clothes, and the servants were all dressed in plain clothes, with white cloth mourning garments on top.
The mourning hall for Third Master Jiang and Third Madam Jiang was set up in Jing'an Hall.
Madam Jiang and Second Madam Jiang also sent messages back to their respective families.
As for the cause of their deaths, the official statement was that Grandma Jiang died of illness, while Master Jiang died from vomiting blood due to the unbearable blow.
Jiang Segu listened, a hint of sarcasm in his eyes.
Aunt Lan wanted to offer some advice, but then she thought that since the old lady of the Yin family was here, it was not her place to do such things, so she went to Huilan Courtyard instead.
The servants still need to be questioned carefully; sometimes, the things they themselves have forgotten are the key!
As soon as Aunt Lan arrived at Huilan Courtyard, she saw a servant standing at the gate, talking to a maid.
Aunt Lan discreetly hid to the side, watching the two through the gaps in the branches.
Because they were far apart, they couldn't hear their conversation.
A short while later, the servant left dejectedly.
The maid also turned around to return to the courtyard.
Aunt Lan came out and called out to her, "Hongrui!"
When Hongrui saw Aunt Lan, she didn't panic. After curtsying, she asked, "What can I do for you, Aunt?"
Who was that servant boy just now?
"Oh, it's Shouhua, the servant boy by Second Master's side."
"Why is the servant boy from the Second Master's side here?"
“Aunt, you may not know this, but Shouhua is involved with the eldest young lady… Sister Muyuan, who serves Consort Hui. Now that Muyuan has gone to the palace with Consort Hui, Shouhua came to ask me if Sister Muyuan has left anything behind.”
As she spoke, she sighed with emotion, "Shouhua is truly a devoted lover; even so, he still can't let go of Sister Muyuan!"
Shouhua and Muyuan?
When did these two get together?
"Hongrui said that the two were from the same village and entered the Marquis's mansion at the same time, so they naturally had some affection for each other. Later, as they spent more time together, they developed feelings for each other. It's just that they didn't expect Consort Hui to enter the palace, which broke up the couple!"
Back and forth?
What kind of interactions took place during this process?
And what a coincidence!
Just as Qingying discovered that her second aunt had a son outside, Aunt Lan was able to run into Shouxing and Hongrui!
Jiang Segu wondered if he was being overly suspicious and sensitive, which was why he felt that everything was wrong.
Aunt Lan then asked, "Did Consort Hui never have any conflicts with Third Madam when she was in the manor?"
Jiang Segu shook his head firmly.
Her mother was the kindest person, and she was friendly to all the girls in the courtyard. She never argued with anyone or caused any rifts!
Jiang Segu was unwilling to believe that Jiang Chuhui was responsible for the deaths of her mother and brother, but now it seemed that both her brother's fall from his horse in Youzhou and her mother's death were related to her older sister.
She needs to see her older sister!
But her elder sister has already entered the palace, so how can she see her?
Aunt Lan then suggested, "Why don't we start with Second Master and Second Mistress?"
Jiang Segu's brows furrowed slightly. So, it was time to deal with that child!
But before that, she needed to confirm the child's relationship with her second uncle...
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