The next morning, Jiang Ling came out of her room with dark circles under her eyes. Her appearance startled Grandma Zhu, who was preparing breakfast.
She looked at Jiang Ling with concern and asked, "Gongren, what's wrong? Why do you look so pale? I'll ask Amei to come and take your pulse! Have you been worrying too much lately?"
Jiang Ling shook her head, indicating to Granny Zhu that there was no need to rush.
"It's nothing, I didn't sleep well last night! I'll catch up on some sleep in a bit!"
Seeing what Jiang Ling said, Granny Zhu didn't know what else to say. She could only nod and tell Jiang Ling to rest well, while she herself was thinking about a bunch of sleep-inducing and nourishing medicinal diets.
After breakfast, Jiang Ling looked at the quiet and well-behaved Jiang Suihe, and Zhao Qianyu's face inexplicably appeared in her mind.
Although Zhao Qianyu is a good-natured and decent-looking child, and although his father's status is now below hers, in the past, Zhao Qianyu did not look down on her status as a peasant woman, but instead got along well with her children.
Thinking of this, Jiang Ling sighed helplessly and looked at Jiang Suihe beside her, saying, "Suihe, come here, your mother has something to say to you."
Jiang Suihe was stunned for a moment, then looked at Jiang Ling. After not seeing any information on Jiang Ling's face, she said "Oh" and followed behind Jiang Ling. The mother and daughter went to Jiang Ling's bedroom.
“Sit there!” Jiang Ling said, pointing to the chair next to her.
Jiang Suihe looked at Jiang Ling with some curiosity, but still sat down next to her.
In the past two years, Jiang Suihe has made great strides in her studies. According to Wu Xiucai, the final spring examination next year is almost a sure thing. She may not be able to win first place, but she is definitely in the top three.
Jiang Ling didn't want to distract Jiang Suihe here, because for Jiang Ling, a girl's education was much more important than marriage.
"Suihe, during the time your mother was away, I heard from Scholar Wu that you studied very hard and are very confident about the spring exam next year?" Jiang Ling considered for a moment, but did not say it directly. Instead, she chose a roundabout approach.
When Jiang Suihe heard that Jiang Ling was asking about her studies, she breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, replying, "Yes, Mother, it's all thanks to you and my older brother for providing me with a good learning environment! It allows me to focus on my studies without having to think about anything else!"
Jiang Ling looked at the graceful young woman standing beside her, a world apart from the "bean sprout" she had met for the first time. Jiang Ling was very satisfied; it was truly gratifying that her own child could be so obedient.
"Yes, you'll reach the age of coming of age during the New Year!" Jiang Ling said slowly, while secretly observing Jiang Suihe's expression.
As Jiang Ling expected, Jiang Suihe, who had been calm just moments before, suddenly became flustered. Her face flushed slightly, and her eyes darted around, clearly indicating that Jiang Ling had struck a nerve.
Jiang Ling continued calmly, "Mother, I don't think it matters whether you come of age or not. As long as you want to study, even if you study until you're twenty, I'll support you. Our family isn't short of money. But what about you? Do you have someone you like right now?"
Jiang Ling's opportunistic move immediately threw Jiang Suihe into a state of panic.
She nervously rubbed her hands together, avoiding eye contact with Jiang Ling, her face flushed. In fact, Jiang Suihe didn't need to explain at this moment; her body language had already betrayed her.
Fortunately, Jiang Yaojie told Jiang Ling beforehand, so Jiang Ling's mentality didn't break down too much when she was chatting with Jiang Suihe.
"Mother...I...I..." Jiang Suihe bit her lip, not knowing how to explain, and became completely flustered.
Jiang Ling, intending to use a "slap and then sweet" approach, quickly said to Jiang Suihe, "Actually, Suihe, it's normal for someone your age to be experiencing puppy love. Look at your sister-in-law, she was only two years older than you when she married into the family. If you really meet a boy you like, don't be shy about asking. If the boy is of decent social standing, your mother won't object!"
"Really...really?" Jiang Suihe looked at Jiang Ling in disbelief.
Jiang Ling pretended to be calm. She had already guessed the result and was just waiting for Jiang Suihe to say it herself.
Jiang Ling nodded and forced a smile, saying, "Of course, how could your mother lie to you? Our family's situation is much better now. We can support not only you, but even ten of you. If you have someone you like, just talk to your mother, and I'll help you choose! If you don't have anyone you like, then study hard and try to be the best next year!"
"Mother, I...actually...I...you know that person too..." Jiang Suihe stammered, clutching the hem of her clothes, feeling embarrassed.
"It's...it's Zhao Qianyu..." After saying the last three words, Jiang Suihe was no longer as nervous as before, as if a huge rock had been lifted off her feet.
On Jiang Ling's side, it was utter chaos, like a house collapsing and crashing. Rubbing her aching temples, she forced herself to remain calm and said to Jiang Suihe, "Zhao Qianyu? Hmm! He's a nice kid, but when did you get together with Zhao Qianyu? I didn't know."
Jiang Suihe immediately shook her head in denial: "No, no, I'm not with Zhao Qianyu, it's just... it's just..."
Jiang Suihe didn't say what she was going to say, and there was no need for her to say it. Jiang Ling understood, but she still looked at Jiang Suihe with great patience.
As luck would have it, Zhao Qianyu ran over at that moment. Jiang Yaojie, who was sitting outside doing accounts, saw him and immediately ran to Jiang Ling's door and said, "Mother, Zhao Qianyu is here!"
"Zhao Qianyu?" Jiang Suihe's heart tightened upon hearing this, and she quickly looked out the window.
Seeing her daughter's expression, Jiang Ling smiled helplessly, "Never mind, daughters grow up and leave home!"
"Okay, let him sit outside for a while!" Jiang Ling called out to the door.
"Suihe, what exactly is going on with you guys?" Jiang Ling's face suddenly turned serious as she looked at Jiang Suihe.
Jiang Suihe bit her lip: "No...we're just...really just friends!"
Jiang Ling knew that Jiang Suihe wouldn't lie to him, so he simply nodded and said, "Alright, you can go now!"
Jiang Suihe breathed a sigh of relief and quickly got up to leave. Jiang Ling walked with heavy steps to the door and looked at Zhao Qianyu sitting in the courtyard, feeling a mix of emotions.
"Godmother!" Zhao Qianyu immediately stood up and waved after spotting Jiang Ling.
Looking at Zhao Qianyu's bright white teeth, Jiang Ling suddenly felt an inexplicable urge to strangle him.
"Come in! Your godmother has something to ask you!" Jiang Lingqiang said to Zhao Qianyu, suppressing her complicated emotions.
Zhao Qianyu jogged in after Jiang Ling.
"Godmother, you..."
"I'm asking you, how far have things progressed between you and Suihe?"
Before Zhao Qianyu could finish speaking, Jiang Ling asked with a serious expression.
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