Just as Jiang Shan carried the box inside, Ma's figure flashed out from behind. When she came over, she saw the box in Jiang Shan's hand and was curious to ask her something.
But Jiang Shan was usually a taciturn and cold-faced man, and after hesitating for a moment, he still didn't have the courage.
"Big sister, I just saw your servants moving things into Zhishan's room. What's inside?" Ma asked, craning her neck and staring intently in the direction Jiang Shan had just walked.
"Oh, it's nothing. It's just some books I originally left at my older sister's house. Do you want to see them, sister-in-law?" Jiang Zhishan answered before Jiang Ling could speak.
Mrs. Ma quickly shook her head. She was a peasant woman who had never been literate since childhood, and those scribbles and circles were incredibly difficult for her to understand.
"You little rascal, slacking off again! I never noticed you were so lazy at home, how come you've become like this now that you're in Shengjing!" When Grandma Jiang noticed that Madam Ma was missing, she grabbed a spatula and rushed over, pulling Madam Ma by the ear and dragging her inside!
Ma was pulled so hard that she grimaced and quickly slapped Grandma Jiang's hand away, then put her hands on her hips, ready to lash out.
Old Mrs. Jiang gave a cold laugh and launched a counterattack, "What? You think I, as your mother-in-law, can't boss you around? Madam Ma, how long have you been married into our Jiang family? Is there even a hint of pregnancy in your belly? Let me tell you, if I weren't so kind-hearted, I would have already had Zhitang divorce you according to the first of the seven grounds for divorce!"
Ma's face, which had been flushed, turned pale upon hearing the "seven grounds for divorce," and her previously furious expression turned terrified.
"Hurry up! You're all lazy and muscular. Tonight, this old woman will give you a good workout!" With that, she reached out and grabbed Ma's ear, pulling her towards the kitchen.
Jiang Zhishan wanted to dissuade her, but shut his mouth after meeting Jiang Ling's gaze.
Now only Jiang Ling and Jiang Zhishan remained in the front yard. Jiang Ling looked at Jiang Zhishan and said, "Zhishan, you must be extremely careful when you embark on your official career. Never get into arguments with others casually, understand?"
Jiang Zhishan nodded and said to Jiang Ling, "Don't worry, elder sister, I know. I will be careful! This career doesn't just belong to me, it belongs to our Jiang family!"
Looking at the suddenly mature Jiang Zhishan in front of her, Jiang Ling's feelings became complicated for a moment.
The dinner prepared by Grandma Jiang and Madam Ma was quite lavish, but mostly vegetarian dishes. According to Grandma Jiang, since land in the capital is so expensive, meat and vegetables must be pricey. As she spoke, Grandma Jiang looked around the house that Jiang Zhishan had rented.
"Zhishan, look, this place is empty. How about I plant some seeds and vegetables tomorrow?"
"Since your backyard is empty, Mom is thinking of buying some ducklings and chicks so you can also have eggs and chicken, what do you think?"
Jiang Zhishan's face immediately showed three black lines. He himself didn't care, but this was a rented house, not to mention that he was about to marry Qin Lingrui. She was the legitimate daughter of a fourth-rank official, how could she accept a place with chickens and ducks?
Thinking of this, Jiang Zhishan quickly shook her head, about to refuse, when Jiang Ling, who was eating nearby, saw the troubled look on Jiang Zhishan's face and quickly said, "Mother, I don't think this is appropriate. It's almost autumn now, and the vegetables you planted will probably have a hard time surviving. This Shengjing is not like our village. Those chicks and ducks are probably very delicate too! Isn't that right, Zhishan?"
As she spoke, Jiang Ling gave Jiang Zhishan a look, and Jiang Zhishan nodded repeatedly in agreement: "Mother, my eldest sister is right, most of the chicks and ducklings here are not for eating!"
"What isn't for eating?" Old Mrs. Jiang didn't speak, but Mrs. Ma stared wide-eyed and asked in surprise.
“Yes, sister-in-law, many wealthy and powerful families here buy them just to keep as pets!” Jiang Zhishan explained casually.
Ma's eyes widened even more, looking as if her eyeballs were about to pop out of their sockets.
"My goodness, these people are really strange, buying them as pets?" Mrs. Ma said, clicking her tongue in disbelief.
Jiang Zhishan glanced at his mother and noticed that her expression wasn't very good either. He pressed on while the iron was hot, "They are a wealthy and powerful family. They have no worries about food and drink, and they have many female relatives. Naturally, they buy these things to amuse themselves and relieve boredom! Unlike us country folk!"
Upon hearing this, Grandma Jiang quickly dismissed the idea. She looked at Jiang Zhishan and asked, "Zhishan, you said this house is rented. You're getting married soon, haven't you considered buying a house yet?"
"Oh, Mother, the family we're marrying into isn't some humble or lowly family. She's a fourth-rank official's daughter, how could she not provide a dowry? We can just use that money to buy a house! Or, if they feel bad about our daughter giving away property deeds or something..."
Before Madam Ma could finish speaking, Old Madam Jiang slammed her chopsticks down heavily.
It made a loud "bang".
“Madam Ma, if you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll sew your mouth shut! In our village, if a man touches a woman’s dowry, he’ll be drowned in spit. And now you’re eyeing Miss Qin’s dowry? Let me tell you, you’d better be smart and keep quiet tomorrow. If you dare say something wrong and ruin this marriage, I’ll skin you alive when I get back!”
Seeing Old Mrs. Jiang's face, which was almost as black as the bottom of a pot, Ma could only lower her head and silently eat her rice, not daring to say anything more.
And so, the family, who hadn't seen each other for a long time, hastily ended their day in this inexplicable atmosphere.
After dinner, everyone tacitly went back to their own rooms without saying anything more.
The next morning, just as the sun was rising, Jiang Ling was woken up by Granny Zhu.
Thinking about going to the Qin residence today, Jiang Ling quickly got out of bed, yawning as she asked Granny Zhu to help her comb and style her hair.
This time, Jiang Ling specially wore that dark purple silk madam's robe. Firstly, it was to let the Qin family know that her younger brother also had someone backing him up. Secondly, since it was their first meeting, she couldn't lose face by showing respect to Zhi Shan.
After washing and dressing, Jiang Ling came out of the house with Granny Zhu. Breakfast was already prepared and placed quietly on the table.
When Ma saw Jiang Ling dressed up so extravagantly, she became somewhat unhappy again.
"Hmph, why should she rest while I do the work! Why should she be dressed so nicely!" Ma thought that Old Madam Jiang hadn't heard her little noise.
No sooner had she finished speaking than she received a slap on the back of the head, followed by Old Mrs. Jiang's slightly angry voice.
"He's an official appointed by the Emperor, while you're just an illiterate country bumpkin. So what if you dress up in fancy clothes? If you're so capable, dress up in fancy clothes too! Can't you even shut your mouth when you're eating? Let me tell you, if you dare to cause any trouble for me today, I'll really skin you alive!"
Jiang Ling didn't want these two people to ruin her good mood so early in the morning. She glanced at Madam Ma and said to Old Madam Jiang, "Mother, alright, it's so early in the morning, no need to get angry with your sister-in-law. This is her first time in Shengjing, so it's understandable that she's a little lost. Let's finish our meal and hurry to the Qin residence. We shouldn't keep them waiting too long and give them something to say!"
Jiang Zhishan is now considered a national treasure in the family, and upon hearing this, Old Madam Jiang ignored Madam Ma standing to the side.
After the meal, everyone drove the carriage towards the Qin residence.
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