“Of course I didn’t want to before, because Madam Bo dislikes the Second Miss very much.” Qingxing lowered her voice and spoke to Jiang Shuwan.
"Last time, didn't you help the Second Miss demote the two maids, Lianxiang and Lianyu, to concubines? The Second Miss immediately became smug again, thinking that no one in the Earl's Mansion could surpass her as the legitimate wife. She quarreled with the young master and mistress every day and refused to drink Lianxiang and Lianyu's tea. Then guess what happened? Lianxiang and Lianyu got pregnant!"
"When she saw that they were pregnant, the aunt was overjoyed. Not only did she send her personal maids to serve them, but she also gave them a lot of clothes and jewelry. She said that as long as they gave birth to children, whether they were boys or girls, she would immediately give them the status of concubines. The second young lady was so frightened that she stayed in her room in a daze for three days. She even took people to beat Lianxiang and Lianyu, saying that she would beat the bastards in their bodies to death."
"When the young master heard about this, he immediately took leave from the Imperial Academy and returned home. He severely reprimanded the second young lady on the spot. Everyone in the mansion was there, but the young master did not give the second young lady any face at all. He said that he had never seen such a vicious woman. He even turned around and promoted his two former concubines to the position of lowly concubines, saying that he had wronged them in the past and should have given them a title long ago."
"Lianxiang and Lianyu were too sick to serve the young master, so the two concubines coaxed him into their own rooms that very day. The young master's wife also rewarded them with many bright clothes. The two concubines were not very attractive before, but after dressing up, they became quite beautiful. Moreover, they had a childhood friendship with the young master, and for a time, they were just as popular as Lianxiang and Lianyu."
"In the past, the Marquis's mansion only had the Second Miss as his principal wife. No matter what she did, the young master never had anyone else by his side. Now, there are four concubines. Not to mention the servants in the Marquis's mansion, even the Second Miss's dowry maids are trembling with fear, feeling that the Second Miss's future is uncertain."
As Qingxing spoke, she shook her head and sighed, "After that, the second young lady became despondent, refusing to eat or drink and even contemplating suicide, but no one paid any attention to her."
"I don't know what's wrong with her lately, but she seems to have come to her senses. She's stopped being so unreasonable and is now gentle and kind to the young master and even more respectful to the young master's wife. She even makes milk tea and roasted meat for the young master's wife."
"The Lady of the House was pleased by her flattery, so she brought her along when she came to the Marquis's residence this time."
"I see." Jiang Shuwan nodded in understanding, thinking that Jiang Yao was still salvageable, not stubborn to the end.
A wise person knows when to yield. Pei Lingyu isn't that sentimental, so she has to fawn over Madam Bo.
Now that things have calmed down around Jiang Yao and no one is causing her trouble, she'll probably have a lot more free time in the future.
However, as soon as he reached the window, he heard Jiang Yao mocking him.
"Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants are considered lowly. Eldest sister is really out of her mind. It's not like the Marquis's mansion is starving. It's shameful to make her show her face in public all day to earn a few coins!"
Jiang Shuwan: "..."
She's really made something of herself! Jiang Yao has really made something of herself!
After the clan banquet, on his first visit to the mansion to pay his respects to Madam Pei, he dared to publicly humiliate her.
Mother Chang frowned slightly upon hearing this.
She had met this young lady at the clan banquet; she was extremely rude and had turned the Earl's mansion into a complete mess.
I heard that he even scratched the little uncle's face all over a while ago.
Later, even when Lady Bo promoted two concubines to high positions, it didn't dampen her arrogance. It's said that Jiang Shuwan sent two palace flowers, prompting Lady Bo to demote the concubines to lowly positions.
They were not allowed to come out to meet guests, which preserved the dignity of Jiang Yao's wife.
My sisters helped me so much, and instead of being grateful, you're kicking me when I'm down?
Qingxing was also so angry that her fists itched. "Miss, we shouldn't have helped the Second Miss. The Second Miss is truly heartless. She suffered so many times and you were the one who helped her. She is completely ungrateful."
"Qingxing!" Jiang Shuwan's tone was authoritative. Qingxing realized she had misspoke and quickly lowered her head.
"Young mistress, please go inside. I'll go prepare some tea and snacks for you." Knowing that what was about to be said was not something she should hear, Chang Mama quickly withdrew.
"Don't talk about Jiang Yao like that in front of outsiders next time."
"Yes, Miss."
Qingxing said aggrievedly, "But the Second Miss is really too much. She has no sisterly affection for you at all."
"What's your hurry? Someone else will slap her in the face for me!"
As Jiang Shuwan spoke, she twirled the jade bracelet that Wen had given her on her wrist. The bracelet was cool and gentle, making it more suitable for early summer. Qingxing mumbled that she understood, and as she lifted the curtain, Jiang Shuwan lowered her head and walked in. Just then, she heard Wen slam her hand on the table.
"Merchants are lowly, and what are you anyway! Your father is just a minor official in the Ministry of Rites, how dare you, the daughter of such a nobody, shout like that here! Shut your mouth! Don't you know where you are? You have no right to speak here!"
Jiang Yao: "..."
She looked completely bewildered, not knowing how she had offended the Wen family.
"Madam, I meant that merchants are lowly, I..."
"Shut up!" Madam Wen even smashed her teacup this time, her brows furrowed in anger, her voice shrill. "You unruly little slut! Madam! Aren't you going to do anything about her?!"
"Who does she think she is, daring to act so presumptuously here!"
Madam Wen was so angry that her chest felt like it was about to explode. The old lady, who had previously enjoyed watching the drama unfold, no longer dared to stand idly by. She reached out and grabbed Jiang Yao's tender flesh at the waist, giving it a hard pinch.
"You little slut, are you stupid? The First Madam comes from a royal merchant family. By calling merchants lowly, you're insulting the First Madam as well!"
"Madam, it hurts! Please stop pinching me! I was wrong, sob sob sob, I didn't know the First Madam was from a royal merchant family..."
Jiang Yao dodged and cried, but Madam Wen ignored her completely, staring at her with venomous eyes. Fearing that she would anger the Marquis's mansion, Madam Bo quickly pinched Jiang Yao several times, making her scream and cry incessantly.
"Alright! What kind of behavior is this? The elders have no manners, and the younger generation doesn't understand etiquette either!"
In the end, it was Old Madam Pei's words that brought this farce to an end.
"Grandma, the young mistress is here." Mama Chang also came in from outside.
"Granddaughter-in-law greets the old lady, greets the madam, greets the aunt." Jiang Shuwan walked in the middle of the room, the young girl standing gracefully, as beautiful as a lotus flower.
She first greeted the ladies, then her gaze fell on Jiang Yao's tear-streaked face.
"Hello, big sister." Jiang Yao trembled under her sharp gaze.
"Second sister is fine too." Jiang Shuwan withdrew her gaze, her face indifferent.
"Good child, come to your grandmother's side." Madam Pei was delighted to see her and quickly beckoned her over. Mama Chang also quickly brought over an embroidered stool and placed it next to the old lady.
"Thank you, Madam." Jiang Shuwan sat down with a smile, which made Madam Bo sigh with admiration.
Sitting so close to the old lady, Miss Jiang is truly favored. In the future, she will probably need to give her even more respect and courtesy.
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