Jiang Shuwan didn't react in time, but Liu Yunyan was already filled with regret.
She had been trained by Madam Chang to the point that it had become an unconscious reaction; her body knew what to do and how to address Jiang Shuwan when she saw her, even before her brain did.
However.
She was resentful.
"Why should I!"
"Why should I be subservient to a wife who only has the title?"
"You expect me to bring her food? Doesn't she have hands?"
Outside the house, Liu Yunyan complained as she took the tray from the maid. The tray contained Jiang Shuwan's favorite sweet tofu pudding.
“My dear aunt, please keep your voice down. She is now a county princess, and even the young master would be inferior to her,” Granny Xia advised in a low voice.
As she spoke, she glanced at the maids and servants around her, afraid they might overhear her words.
"I'm going to say it! I'm going to say it!"
"She only had one title to begin with, don't think I don't know that..."
Seeing that she was getting more and more excited, Granny Xia couldn't help but say, "My lady, let's stop talking about the second brother when it comes to the eldest brother. You only have one title!"
Liu Yunyan: "..."
Liu Yunyan's face flushed red, filled with anger and resentment, yet she still retorted stubbornly, "Am I the same as her? She's of no use to my cousin at all. When my cousin was in prison, I begged her to take me to see him in jail, but she refused. What kind of county princess is she? She has no power whatsoever..."
As they were talking, Mama Chang lifted the curtain and came out. Liu Yunyan immediately shut up and obediently took the tofu pudding inside.
"Please sit down."
Jiang Shuwan scooped up a spoonful of tofu pudding and said casually to Liu Yunyan.
Although Pei Yanzhi was good, she still didn't understand Liu Yunyan's thought process of becoming a concubine for love, just like she didn't understand Jiang Yao. Why did Jiang Yao obediently go back with Pei Lingyu after he just pretended a little?
She didn't understand, but since Liu Yunyan hadn't bothered her lately, she gave her some face.
"You asked me to sit down?" Liu Yunyan was clearly surprised that Jiang Shuwan would ask her to sit down. Only after Jiang Shuwan nodded in confirmation did she carefully sit down.
Liu Yunyan didn't enjoy her breakfast at all. As soon as Jiang Shuwan and the old lady put down their chopsticks, she quickly said that she was also full and then ran away as if a ghost was chasing her.
Watching her retreating figure, Chang's mother went back into the house to report to the old lady.
"Madam, judging from Aunt Liu's demeanor, she doesn't seem like someone who can get along well with the county princess."
The old lady's eyes sharpened as she looked at the jeweled fan on the table. Besides the jeweled fan, there was also a glass vase on the table filled with many glass roses and wild roses.
These new arrivals at Jiang Shuwan's shop are of even better quality than last year. The glass flower designs are dazzling and eye-catching, and the prices are quite attractive.
When Pei Shushu got married, Jiang Shuwan gave her a lot of flowers, and she also picked out a few to put in her room.
Jiang Shuwan is a kind and generous person.
She wasn't worried that Jiang Shuwan would make things difficult for Liu Yunyan.
Liu Yunyan...
Indeed, as Chang's mother said, she also felt that it was unlikely that she could get along well with Jiang Shuwan.
A harmonious family brings prosperity, and she really didn't want to see this.
besides……
Looking at Madam Chang, the old lady asked, "I heard that the Earl's family has a new illegitimate eldest son?"
"Yes, he was born to Aunt Xiaotaohong. The aunt is eager for a grandson and values this eldest son of a concubine very much."
"Grandma replied, then quickly added, "Grandma is afraid that Aunt Liu might also..."
The old lady remained silent, staring at the gemstone fan and glass flower on the table. After a moment of silence, she raised her hand and pounded her arm.
"My health is deteriorating, and the summer heat is unbearable. This year, let's go to Lotus Manor in the suburbs of Beijing to escape the heat. Lotus Manor is quiet, and we can stay for a few months. We'll bring Aunt Liu along too."
"..."
*************
After returning from the old lady's courtyard, Jiang Shuwan felt a little sleepy.
I tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.
With dark circles under her eyes, she rolled around in pain on the bed several times.
"For so many years, Miss, you've never had trouble sleeping. What kind of nightmare could possibly bother you like this?"
As she spoke, Qingxing brought in a plate of fresh fruit.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuwan sighed.
She had a nightmare last night, but everything in the dream was based on her own experience.
She was only twelve years old at the time, and it just so happened that her father was on his way to take up his post in Kyoto. Because they had plenty of time, they stopped and traveled along the way, enjoying the scenery.
Later, when passing through Pingzhou, Jiang's father, a man of letters, decided to write a travelogue and stayed in Pingzhou for a few days.
At the time, she was in a playful mood, and it was springtime when peach blossoms were in full bloom, so she went to Peach Blossom Mountain in Pingzhou to get some peach gum to make desserts. Unexpectedly, she saw a group of bandits killing people.
The other side was riding a warhorse, the bandits were in disguise, and the two sides clearly knew each other, and both looked extremely wealthy and powerful.
When gods fight, mortals suffer. She hid in the bushes, barely daring to breathe, but was eventually dragged out by the fake bandit leader.
The fake bandit leader was dressed entirely in black, his entire body, including his head, shrouded in darkness.
He was cold and ruthless, showing no sympathy whatsoever for a twelve-year-old girl. Upon discovering her, he ordered his men to dispose of her.
With a sword at her neck, she racked her brains and made a boast.
"I will become the most dazzling person in Dajing. If you spare my life, I will definitely help you whenever and wherever you need me."
This was a huge boast, and the fake bandit leader's men burst into laughter. The bandit leader who was specifically tasked with dealing with her even swung his knife at her.
She rolled over onto the feet of the fake bandit leader, grabbed his thigh, and pointed at his warhorse.
"Your warhorse is not wearing shoes, so make it a pair of horseshoes."
"The hooves of warhorses are in direct contact with the ground, and they are prone to wear, cracking, or even injury during running and marching. If they are on rugged mountain roads or gravel ground, the injuries will be even more severe."
"How often do you change your warhorse? Every few months? Or every year or two?"
"Listen to me, make it a pair of shoes, and its lifespan can be extended tenfold, or even longer."
As she spoke, she drew a horseshoe pattern for her on the ground in the peach grove, using the blood of the dead man next door.
The bandits' men still didn't believe it, but the fake bandit leader was skeptical and detained her.
The other person's cold and ruthless gaze swept over her from head to toe several times.
"Putting shoes on horses is a novel idea."
"It's not surprising at all. Horses are just like people. If people wear comfortable shoes, they can walk much more easily and won't hurt their feet. Horses and people are the same."
The fake bandit leader tilted his head, looking as if he was pondering the significance of her words. Jiang Shuwan also heard the sounds coming from down the mountain.
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