That's how it is with people from high-ranking families; they might just fall into a trap.
She has no idea which bastard dared to scheme against her. Once she finds out, she'll make him pay!
While Jiang Shuwan was angrily thinking about these things, Old Madam Pei ordered the servants to pack up the gifts.
In mid-July, she took Jiang Shuwan to the Yun family.
“Wan, this is my maternal family, the Yun family. The Yun family has been a family of scholars since the previous dynasty. My father and my brother both entered officialdom through the imperial examinations. Thanks to His Majesty’s favor, we have produced two generations of chief ministers.”
Looking at the simple two-courtyard house in front of her, Jiang Shuwan never imagined that this was the Yun family, one of the eight famous aristocratic families.
The Yun family has been officials for generations. Even if they are not extremely wealthy, they can certainly afford to live in a four-courtyard house.
As if seeing the question in Jiang Shuwan's eyes, Madam Pei got off the carriage and said with a smile, "The Yun family used to have quite a lot of wealth. Later, the court abolished the old system and established the new one. For the sake of the family, my father married me off to the Marquis's mansion."
"But the emperor's heart is unpredictable, and the future of our family is uncertain, so my father gave me all the family's wealth as my dowry."
"Later, when the family overcame the crisis, I sent my dowry back, but my father refused to accept a single tael of silver. He only took back the books he cherished. After my father passed away, my elder brother treated me even more kindly and always thought of me."
“If a woman does not have a husband’s love, it is very good to have a reliable family to rely on.”
As Madam Pei spoke, she had already arrived at the Yun family's door.
No large family doesn't value offspring. She had no children and wasn't favored by her husband, yet she was still able to maintain her position as the principal wife. This was not only because she was cautious in everything she did, but also because she had the Yun family behind her.
“Wan, come here, I’ll introduce you to the Yun family.”
Madam Pei pulled Jiang Shuwan inside, and the servants of the Yun family, seeing that their esteemed aunt had returned, rushed in like madmen to report it.
Before long, the patriarch of the Yun family, the current first-rank Grand Secretary, came out to greet them with his family.
When the siblings meet, they are naturally very affectionate.
The group entered the house, and Jiang Shuwan looked around curiously. Although the Yun family's house was small, it was clean and tidy. The calligraphy and paintings on the walls and the furnishings inside exuded a scholarly atmosphere.
No wonder they come from a family of scholars and poets.
Even though they lacked the wealth and status of a noble family, Old Madam Pei felt that the Yun family lived too simply.
"These are old teacups, how come you're still using them? I'll have someone send over two new sets later. Oh, by the way, I heard my nephew's wife is pregnant, and with the addition of a new baby, these two courtyards aren't enough to live in anymore. I'll have someone send over the land deed for the new house as well."
"The tea set is fine, but why bother changing houses? His Majesty is so poor he'd be robbing people to make ends meet. You're telling me to move to a big mansion? If word gets to His Majesty, will he be happy?"
"This..." Madam Pei was speechless; in her haste, she had forgotten this.
"And your Marquis's mansion also needs to be careful. Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. Since you are already walking in front of the emperor, you don't know how many people are eyeing you covetously. You were already reprimanded for lending money at exorbitant interest rates by the Wen family. You can't flaunt your wealth and bring trouble upon yourselves. By the way, the soup kitchen and medicine stall you built recently is quite good. Doing good deeds will surely bring good fortune."
"Of course, it's all because my granddaughter-in-law is so capable."
As Madam Pei spoke, she quickly called Jiang Shuwan over, and Jiang Shuwan formally greeted the Yun family.
Seeing that she was well-behaved and not intimidated by him, Old Master Yun nodded. "She's a steady girl. Let her stay for dinner."
"Thank you, sir."
During the meal, the old master's daughter-in-law, Madam Yun, also returned. As a junior, Madam Yun went to greet the old lady Pei as soon as she came in.
The two were talking very softly, and it was hard to hear what they were saying, but Madam Yun kept glancing at Jiang Shuwan's face.
"Greetings, Auntie."
Jiang Shuwan quickly went up to pay her respects.
Madam Yun smiled and took her hand, saying casually, "I was just buying cloth at the silk shop, and guess what? I ran into the wife of the Censor and the wife of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel arguing over a bolt of cloth. Wan'er, what do you think we should do about this?"
"Turn around and leave, pretending you didn't see anything."
"..."
Madam Yun was taken aback for a moment, then covered her mouth and laughed, "You clever girl, no wonder the old lady asked me to take care of you."
"take care of?"
Jiang Shuwan was slightly puzzled, and Madam Pei quickly explained, "You've just taken charge of the household, and you're quite capable. You've managed everything inside and outside the mansion perfectly. However, for us officials' wives, going out and socializing is also of paramount importance."
"There are many rules to follow: who to befriend, who to keep at a distance, and who to respect. Otherwise, you might offend someone or cause trouble without even realizing it."
"Logically, these things should have been taught to you by Madam Wen, but she is currently under house arrest, and I am old and lack energy. From now on, your Aunt Yun will guide you when you go out and socialize."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuwan was overjoyed.
She knew that this meant that Madam Pei had completely approved of her.
Because she handled Pei Jing and Pei Shushu's affairs well, demonstrating her abilities to Old Madam Pei, Old Madam Pei decided to entrust the entire Hou Mansion to her management.
She had never appeared in high society circles and didn't even know the names of the people there. Therefore, Madam Pei specially introduced Madam Yun to her.
Let Mrs. Yun be her guide in future social activities.
Jiang Shuwan was naturally overjoyed.
Now, even if Wen Shi is released from confinement, she won't be able to regain control of the household.
With the power to manage the household and the support of Old Madam Pei, she wanted to see just how powerful her scheming cousin, who was only half a month away from entering the mansion, was, and how she could beat Jiang Yao into submission.
"Thank you, Auntie. I'll be troubling you from now on."
After thanking Madam Yun with delight, Jiang Shuwan and Old Madam Pei had dinner together before returning to the Marquis's residence.
She hadn't rested much these past two days, and now that she had gained the old lady's approval and her position was secure, with nothing else to do, she was ready to relax a bit.
However, no sooner had she lain down than Jiang Yao sent someone to deliver a note to her.
"Young Miss, our Second Miss's ice shop will be opening tomorrow, and she would like to invite you to attend the opening ceremony."
"The second young lady said you absolutely must come!"
Good boy.
She had completely forgotten about Jiang Yao opening a shop.
The next day, Jiang Shuwan took Qingxing to Jiang Yao's ice shop.
Jiang Yao opened ten shops, the largest of which was in Nanshi. When Jiang Shuwan arrived by carriage, she could hear the sounds of gongs, drums, and firecrackers from afar.
There was also the sound of trumpets being played. Even Jiang Yao's wedding didn't have this kind of spectacle, did it?
Jiang Shuwan hesitated as she got out of the car; she had a bad feeling.
The bigger the commotion, the more uneasy Jiang Yao felt.
"Big sister, you've finally arrived! If you hadn't come soon, you would have missed the auspicious time."
As soon as Jiang Yao saw Jiang Shuwan, she ran over to show off.
"Big sister, what do you think of my grand gesture? I've hired the most famous drumming team in the entire capital, and I'll be scattering candy and copper coins later."
"..."
You're rich, but while the whole world pretends to be poor, you insist on making it known to everyone.
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