Before the maids came in to serve her, Jiang Qian put on her clothes despite the pain in her body, walked to the window and opened it.
The wind blew in, bringing with it a suffocating warmth that mixed with the foul smell in the house, creating a greasy, sickening feeling.
Jiang Qian, however, was already used to all this. She stood by the window, staring at the clump of green banana trees outside.
Having lost such a big person in the Earl's Mansion, she had seen a lot of mockery in the eyes of those in the Marquis' Mansion these days. She originally wanted to wait before asking Jiang Si to come over, but Cao Xingyu couldn't wait.
She didn't dare to delay any longer, because she knew better than anyone what kind of person Cao Xingyu was. Once that man went crazy, he would lose his rationality.
It is better to guide than to block. Instead of letting him make a huge mistake and bring trouble upon her, it is better to follow his wishes and invite Jiang Si over to let him take a good look.
Jiang Si is her cousin, a proper noble lady from the Bo family. Cao Xingyu will not do anything inappropriate for the time being. At most, he will just enjoy her for the fun of his eyes.
A maid's request came from outside the door. Jiang Qian responded, ignored the maids who rushed in, and went to the study.
Given her current situation, it is not easy to invite Jiang Si to her home.
In grandmother's mind, she was a person who brought bad luck. Even if Jiang Si was willing to come, grandmother would most likely not agree.
Jiang Qian carefully wrote two letters and ordered someone to deliver them to the Dongping Marquis's mansion.
When Second Madam Xiao received Jiang Qian's letter, tears immediately fell from her eyes and she went to Cixintang with slightly red eyes.
There was a humming sound coming from the Ci Xin Hall.
After Madam Feng's eyesight improved, she developed a hobby of watching operas. With the financial resources of the Bo's Mansion, it was not cost-effective to support a troupe in the mansion all year round. Fortunately, Master Jiang was a filial son. He bought two girls in their early teens from the troupe to make the old lady happy.
"Madam, the second wife is here."
Now was not the time to pay respects, and Madam Feng did not even raise her brows when she heard this. She continued to close her eyes and clap her hands, listening to the two little girls in costumes singing.
Madam Feng's indifference towards Xiao was undoubtedly clear.
In fact, everyone in Ci Xin Tang understood that the old lady was still angry about the matter of the second aunt.
It was no wonder that Madam Feng was angry. Fairy Liu's ritual had inexplicably become a sensation in the capital, but Fairy Liu was murdered. The officials in Shuntian Prefecture were in a state of panic for several days, but they couldn't even catch the murderer.
What is the most talked about thing in this world? Not what has happened, but what is still unresolved.
As long as the murderer of Liu Xiangu is not found, the capital's people will be very interested in this matter in the short term, and the connection between Liu Xiangu and the Dongping Marquis' Mansion will be talked about over and over again.
Now there is even a saying that Liu Xiangu pointed out that the wife of the Changxing Marquis's son was possessed by an evil spirit, which caused the Changxing Marquis's mansion to lose face, and thus brought about the disaster of murder.
Of course, this statement was ridiculous, and the wealthy people just laughed it off when they heard it. However, the common people who believed everything they heard were happy to spread the rumor, and the more they spoke, the more it made sense.
Mrs. Feng felt so angry when she thought about this that it was strange that she could have a good attitude towards Xiao.
Xiao stood outside for a full quarter of an hour before being invited in.
"What's up?"
Mrs. Xiao held up a small box and said with a smile, "This is a string of sandalwood Buddhist beads that Cang Geer found by chance. I knew you liked it, so I quickly sent someone to send it back."
When Mrs. Xiao mentioned her eldest grandson, Mrs. Feng's expression eased a little. She motioned for Ah Fu to take the box and said calmly, "Why is he wasting all this time on studying?"
Xiao immediately said, "It is natural to be filial to the old lady. How can you waste your time on it?"
Old Madam Feng closed her eyes slightly and stroked the palm-sized mahogany box.
It was true that she was unhappy, but no matter how much she disliked the second daughter-in-law, she would never hand over the household to the third daughter-in-law.
In the end, face must be saved for the second daughter-in-law.
Madam Feng opened her eyes and said calmly, "I know you have such filial piety."
Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her smile growing even wider, and she said thoughtfully, "Qian'er sent a letter to the old lady today..."
She took out the letter.
Madam Feng's face darkened instantly: "She is either running to her parents' home every other day or sending letters to them every other day. Is she unable to survive in the Marquis' Mansion?"
Xiao's eyes twitched when she heard this: "Madam, Qian'er really can't live in the Marquis' Mansion any longer. She married into a wealthy family, and she hasn't been pregnant in the past two years. She was able to gain a foothold in the Marquis' Mansion thanks to your love, but now-"
Old Madam Feng remained unmoved.
Xiao secretly gritted her teeth and pleaded with all her dignity: "Madam, you know, Qian'er has been a sensible girl since she was young. She would never dare to disturb your peace. She just wants to invite her sisters to stay at the Marquis' Mansion for a few days, so that those people in the Marquis' Mansion who are bullying others will not see her and our Earl's Mansion making fun of us..."
The meaning of Xiao's words was very clear. Because of the matter of Fairy Liu, the Marquis' Mansion thought that the Earl's Mansion did not take this married girl seriously at all. If the girls of the Earl's Mansion were willing to go to the Marquis' Mansion to play for two days at this time, this guess would naturally be refuted, and it would also solve Jiang Qian's dilemma.
Old Madam Feng listened to Xiao's words expressionlessly, her eyes falling on the letter.
There was a row of beautiful small characters written on the letter: Granddaughter Qian'er begs for your permission personally from grandmother.
Looking at the familiar handwriting, Madam Feng's heart softened a little.
She disliked her eldest daughter-in-law from the beginning. Her eldest granddaughter was dull and stupid, so she naturally didn't like her either. However, her second granddaughter, who was of similar age to her eldest granddaughter, was smart and likable since she was a child, and she loved her very much. The second granddaughter started learning to read and write in the green gauze cabinet of Ci Xin Hall.
Mrs. Feng thought about it, then opened the letter and read it.
Jiang Qian's eloquence was fully revealed in the letter. After reading the letter, Mrs. Feng's expression eased a little.
Xiao took the opportunity to plead, "Madam, please have mercy on Qian'er. I heard from the maid who delivered the letter that Qian'er has become as thin as a skeleton..."
"Forget it. Now is a good time. It would be nice to let those girls go out for some fresh air." Old Lady Feng finally relented.
Xiao's expression lit up with joy.
Madam Feng changed her tone and said, "But let me be clear, if they cause trouble and make the Marquis's house a laughing stock, Qian'er, as their elder sister, cannot escape responsibility!"
"Don't worry, old lady. Qian'er is the most friendly sister and will definitely accompany her sisters well."
Haitang was in the middle. Jiang Si took Jiang Qian's invitation and looked at it, then threw it on the desk and told Aqiao, "Go and ask if the other girls have received the invitations."
Soon Ah Qiao came to report: "The third, fifth, and sixth girls have all received it."
This result was not unexpected to Jiang Si, but it made her sigh.
Two days later, the four young ladies from the Bo Mansion rode in a carriage and went to the Changxing Marquis Mansion.