After the matter of Miss Ling was resolved, the Jiang family had a small gathering.
Inside the hall, after Jiang's father left, Madam Song deliberately sat down next to Jiang Shuwan.
"Wanwan, your sister is eight months pregnant now, and she'll be giving birth in two months. When she does, this little one will be the first grandchild of our Jiang family, and also our own nephew. Aren't you happy?"
While talking excitedly, Song beckoned Jiang Yao to sit down as well, and even pulled Jiang Shuwan's hand to touch Jiang Yao's belly.
At that moment, Jiang Yao froze completely.
Song was determined to get closer to them.
She realized that one can't get anything done by going it alone; when things get tough, you have to rely on relatives, especially someone as capable and powerful as Jiang Shuwan. If there's someone to rely on, of course you'll rely on them; it would be foolish not to.
"Mother, I feel unwell and am feeling heavy. I would like to return to the Earl's residence first."
Jiang Yao clearly had a different idea from Song Shi. She moved away from Song Shi's heavily pregnant body and spoke in a cold tone.
The smile on Song's face froze on her lips. She smiled ingratiatingly at Jiang Shuwan and said, "She's just stubborn. Don't take it to heart."
After saying that, she glanced at Jiang Yao with a look of disappointment. Jiang Shuwan smiled indifferently. She stared at Jiang Yao's belly. Jiang Yao's belly wasn't showing at all in the first three months, and there were even signs of miscarriage. Now it seems that she is taking good care of herself. However, women should not be careless when giving birth.
"I heard that you've been personally running the wool workshop business these days. Business is important, but you should also take care of your health."
"No need for you to worry, elder sister. I know exactly what I'm doing."
Jiang Yao left quickly after saying that, and glanced at Jiang Shuwan as she left, a glance filled with hatred.
Madam Song stared at her retreating figure, stomping her feet in anger. "What kind of tone is that? I've still spoiled you. Your older sister is only doing this for your own good—"
Jiang Yao paused for a moment, then leaned against the door frame. Just when Song thought she was coming back, Jiang Yao left without looking back.
"This child... I really... I really don't know what to say..."
Song was so angry that she kept wiping away tears. After Jiang Shuwan left, Qingxing couldn't help but feel indignant on Jiang Shuwan's behalf.
"What do you mean, Second Miss? I always thought she was the one provoking you, and you never provoke her. This time is no different. Miss, you clearly care about her, but she acts like she hates you. Anyone who doesn't know better would think we've wronged her..."
Good intentions are often misunderstood.
Lowering her head, Jiang Shuwan lifted the curtain and entered the carriage. The girl's soft voice drifted out, "Say less, or someone might hear you."
"I know—"
Qingxing pouted unhappily. Jiang Shuwan lifted the carriage curtain and looked out the window. After leaving the Jiang residence and turning two corners, you would reach Zhuque Street, where all kinds of high-ranking officials and dignitaries lived.
The streets were bustling with traffic and people coming and going. Among them was a shop where Jiang Yao and the Crown Princess jointly sold wool sweaters. The shop was packed with customers and business was booming.
The Crown Princess also owns a shop on Donglai Street, which has the largest sales volume. She had heard Meixue say that if it weren't for the recent boost from their sugar business, the wool shop's business would probably have surpassed theirs long ago.
Recently, the most popular items in Beijing are all kinds of wool products. They are lightweight and warm, and wealthy people are rushing to buy them. Often, the goods are sold out before they even hit the shelves.
Business will definitely get better as the weather gets colder.
Jiang Yao is different from before...
Although Jiang Yao did not attend the previous Imperial Noble Consort Gao's birthday banquet, she had encountered Jiang Yao several times recently when she entered and left the palace.
Jiang Yao always stayed by the Crown Princess's side.
Just as she herself said, Jiang Yao has indeed become quite arrogant.
In this era, her social status has risen higher and higher, and she has become the most favored person in front of the Crown Princess.
—Given Jiang Yao's past personality, she would definitely have wanted the whole world to know, especially within the Jiang family, where she would have certainly publicized it extensively and shown off in front of her.
She's just that simple.
Jiang Yao, however, did not do that.
Even judging from the way Song Shi and Jiang's father looked, it seemed that they had no idea that Jiang Yao was doing business with the Crown Princess, and there was no word from Bo Furen and Pei Lingyu either.
Especially Mrs. Boss.
If she knew how successful Jiang Yao had become, she would probably have forgotten all about Xiao Taohong's eldest son long ago.
Judging from Jiang Yao's appearance, it seems she really is keeping it a secret from both her families.
"I didn't expect Jiang Yao to have learned to be low-key..."
Jiang Shuwan pondered, her brows furrowing with unease.
Jiang Yao is now working for the Crown Prince, which has offended the First Prince and Guo Yaqin, and also...
The next day, after much deliberation, Jiang Shuwan still gave the order.
"Qingxing, send a letter to the Fourth Prince's residence, saying that the county princess's residence is almost finished, and ask if he has time to come over for a drink."
Li Chengyun's residence.
When the steward received the invitation, not only Li Chengyun himself, but even Song Huaizhang was surprised.
"The county magistrate would actually invite you for drinks?"
"Is it raining blood today?"
As Song Huaizhang spoke, he opened the window and looked outside.
Since his identity was exposed, he has been working under Jiang Shuwan. On the surface, they are still the same as before, but Jiang Shuwan is always wary of him.
Jiang Shuwan's defensiveness proves that he doesn't want to stand with Li Chengyun.
That's why Jiang Shuwan's post surprised him so much.
"Could it be that the county princess has changed her mind?" the old nanny who served Li Chengyun guessed.
"I don't think so." The voice that spoke was that of a woman, who pressed the riding whip at her waist as she spoke. It was Princess Li Yuyan of Nan'an.
As Li Yuyan pulled out her newly made riding whip to test it, she said to Li Chengyun, "You'd better not have too high hopes. I think she's very opinionated. Don't blame me for not warning you, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment."
Li Chengyun had just learned a new play, and his makeup was still on. He sat in front of the dressing table facing the window, held up the invitation in his hand, and said with a smile, "Interesting. This is the first time she has taken the initiative to invite me."
"..."
So you didn't listen to a word I said?
Li Yuyan snorted coldly, too lazy to pay him any attention, and went straight to the courtyard to find a guard to practice with.
She had only been practicing for a short while when she saw Li Chengyun change his clothes and walk out.
The man was dressed in a magnificent black and gold robe that fell to the ground, with a black gauze overlay and four or five layers of clothing underneath.
He wore a matching jeweled belt around his waist, and a five-clawed winged dragon crown on his head, its claws outstretched.
—This outfit is just like a peacock's.
"You're not really planning to use your good looks to seduce me, are you?" Li Yuyan stared at him blankly.
Li Chengyun's appearance was already stunning, and coupled with his bewitchingly beautiful face, even though Li Yuyan was used to seeing him like this, she was still deeply moved when he appeared.
Upon hearing Li Yuyan's words, Li Chengyun only replied with four words.
"Why not?"
"..."
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