Jiang Shuwan was dressed up for the day, wearing fashionable southern fabrics and adorned with gemstones in her bracelets and earrings.
Her attire clearly indicates that she is well-off.
However, the Duchess would not think more highly of Jiang Shuwan because of this. She had a discerning eye for wealth and had seen all kinds of good things. How could her attitude towards Jiang Shuwan be swayed by some jewelry?
After all, Jiang Shuwan's background had been known throughout the capital ever since she married Pei Yanzhi.
The Ministry of Rites was a poor and insignificant government office, and the Jiang family were only minor officials of the fifth rank within the Ministry of Rites. To the Duke's mansion, the Jiang family's social standing was so low that it was unbearable to look at. It could be said that unless they were extremely wealthy and powerful, there was no way they could have any interaction.
The fact that we can share a room now is simply because Jiang Shuwan is lucky.
If it weren't for marrying into a higher social class, given the Jiang family's social standing, they wouldn't even have been qualified to enter the Marquis's mansion.
Not to mention the Duke's Mansion, which holds a higher rank than the Marquis's Mansion.
The Duchess, supported by the nanny, looked at Jiang Shuwan indifferently, but was startled when she saw the shimmering pearl headdress on Jiang Shuwan's head.
Such pearls were highly sought-after items even in the palace.
Immediately, she remembered the rumors circulating outside.
How could a daughter from a fifth-rank family actually catch the eye of Old Madam Pei?
Did you give her all the dowry?
She thought it was a rumor.
The Duchess's heart was filled with turbulent waves.
She considered herself superior to the Duke's family in rank, but she also knew that Old Madam Pei had a good relationship with the Dowager Consort in the palace.
With Madam Pei's status, not only would she not dare to be disrespectful, but even the Princess Consort would not dare to treat her lightly.
Immediately, her expression changed, and she affectionately took Jiang Shuwan's hand.
"You must be the young master's new wife? You are truly a remarkable woman, beautiful, and your pearl headdress is extraordinary."
Jiang Shuwan adjusted the hair ornament on her head and smiled shyly, "Greetings, Madam. I dare not accept your praise; it is all thanks to the old lady's affection."
It really was a gift from Old Madam Pei!
We have to give her some face.
The Duchess became more wary. She entered the room while exchanging pleasantries, and carefully examined Jiang Shuwan.
Jiang Shuwan was beautiful, with eyes as clear and bright as a cat's. She remembered the recent rumors circulating in the capital about Prince Wenyuan wanting to take the imperial examination for his wife.
Thinking about it, she lowered her head and smiled.
funny.
Becoming the top scholar isn't that easy.
I used to think that the heir of the Marquis's mansion had some talent for studying, but now it seems that he probably doesn't have much ability.
Otherwise, how come he passed the imperial examination at the age of ten and hasn't taken the exam yet?
And the Crown Prince's new bride is the same; she's young and has a very delicate face, but she gets shy if you just compliment her.
A naive young wife who has never seen the world should be easy to manipulate.
Thinking of this, the Duchess breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, the fifteenth is a tradition of the Duke's mansion. Last time they broke the tradition, and to be honest, it was their fault. If Jiang Shuwan had a strong personality, she would have had a hard time dealing with her.
A group of people went into the inner room, chatting and laughing, as warm and friendly as a family.
"Please come in, young master's wife. Try the tea from the Duke's mansion and see how it differs from the tea from the Marquis's mansion."
"The tea from the Duke's mansion is of course excellent; I can tell just by the aroma without even tasting it."
"Oh my, you really know how to say nice things."
“What sweet talk? It’s the truth. The head maidservant by the Madam’s side just said at the door that if the Madam weren’t unwell, she would have come to greet us at the door. Since that’s the case, the Madam must like us and of course she would have served us good tea. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. I didn’t even have a cup of tea in my eldest sister’s courtyard. I was just waiting to have the Madam’s tea.”
"..."
The Duchess paused for a moment. She certainly had good tea, but it was unnecessary for a group of juniors.
But after Jiang Shuwan said that, it became difficult to just brush her off.
"Someone, go and fetch the Longjing tea that was given as a New Year's gift in the palace."
"lady……"
The servants stared in astonishment. This Longjing tea was a gift from the palace, and it was never used by ladies of equal rank. How could they bear to give it to a few juniors?
"Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and go!"
"Does my dignified Duke's mansion lack even a little tea?"
The servant obeyed and left, leaving Pei Jing both surprised and sour.
She doesn't usually get to eat Longjing tea, so why did Jiang Shuwan bring it out to brew as soon as she arrived?
"Thank you, Madam. I'll have to see something new."
Jiang Shuwan said with a smile that after the tea was served, she took a couple of sips and found the taste to be just so-so.
She had drunk the imperial gift of Da Hong Pao, which was only two catties in total, and only a very few people in the entire court could get two ounces.
The Marquis's Mansion was one of them. The Duke's Mansion treasured Longjing tea so much, it's conceivable that they didn't have Da Hong Pao anymore.
This shows that the Duke's mansion did not receive as much favor from the emperor as the Marquis's mansion.
They're just still basking in their past glory.
Since that's the case, we must avenge Pei Jing, otherwise we won't be able to explain this task to him.
After all, if she can't even handle this simple matter, wouldn't she appear as incompetent as Madam Wen? How could Old Madam Pei possibly entrust the Marquis's mansion to her under such circumstances?
With a smile playing on her lips, Jiang Shuwan began, "I heard that Madam is ill, and the Old Madam is very worried. She originally wanted to find an imperial physician..."
"Imperial physician? No, no, no need."
The Duchess's hasty refusal caught Jiang Shuwan's attention, and she quickly pushed Pei Shushu forward.
“I also said there was no need, as the Duke’s mansion can’t find any imperial physicians. However, the old lady was still worried, so I called my fourth sister. She recently became a disciple of a renowned physician, whose medical skills are exceptional. Why don’t we have her take the lady’s pulse?”
The Duchess paused in her tea-drinking motion, staring at Pei Shushu with a nervous heart. "You know medicine?"
Pei Shushu: "..."
Of course she wouldn't!
It's cracked, isn't it?
And when did she become a disciple of a renowned physician and spiritual master? How come she didn't know?
Pei Shushu was about to cry.
But the Crown Prince's sister-in-law said she would...
She has to know how, even if she doesn't...
Swallowing hard, Pei Shushu said in a dry voice, "I know a little."
If I knew even a little bit, why would I have asked you to come!
The Duchess screamed inwardly, certain that Pei Shushu was a highly skilled physician, and immediately became restless.
"No need, I just had the imperial physician examine me the other day..."
"The other day? That means I wasn't invited today, so I'll take a look."
As Jiang Shuwan spoke, she pushed Pei Shushu toward the Duchess.
The Duchess felt as uncomfortable as if she had swallowed a fly.
"What's wrong, Madam? Is there some difficulty? Or do you look down on Fourth Sister's medical skills? Madam, you can rest assured, it's just a pulse check, nothing to worry about..."
It's only when you check someone's pulse that something's wrong!
The Duchess felt drenched in sweat.
If Jiang Shuwan had brought in the imperial physician or another doctor, she could have refused them. After all, most of these doctors are men, and there are many inconveniences between men and women. She had already consulted the imperial physician, so naturally she didn't need them to examine her.
But Pei Shushu was a woman, and a junior, so she only felt her pulse...
If she still refuses, her faking illness will be exposed instantly.
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