Chapter 438: Mask of Hypocrisy
"A little higher..."
"Grandfather, a little higher..."
Miaomiao is flying a kite with her grandfather.
Because my grandfather had difficulty walking, he could no longer enjoy his favorite sports, such as horse riding, archery, hunting, and boxing every morning.
Just imagine.
A general who has been on the battlefield for a long time, is brave and invincible, and even though he is old, he still walks with the wind.
Now I can only sit every day.
Eat and sleep, drink wine and tea, or go to a high platform and stare at the distant sky in a daze.
This looks so worrying.
I'm worried that my grandfather is depressed.
So the second brother asked her to accompany her grandfather and make him happy.
Then Miaomiao became her grandfather's follower.
Sometimes he would ask him to fly kites, sometimes he would ask him to play chess. In short, he used all his nagging skills on his grandfather.
"Grandpa, would you like some snacks?"
"Would you like some tea?"
"Do you want to go out for a walk..." When it came to walking, Miaomiao suddenly shut up.
How can you tell someone with mobility issues to walk?
She stumbled over the topic.
Seeing his grandfather resting his chin in a daze, Miaomiao changed the subject: "Grandfather, do you want to hear me recite poetry to you?"
"No, please don't. I, your grandfather, hate listening to those flowery poems and essays the most. I just want to see you write now." General Lu waved his hands repeatedly.
Jiang Miaomiao: ...
Well, she wrote it to make her grandfather happier.
General Lu looked at the little girl in front of him, jumping up and down like a monkey. Now she finally calmed down and sat obediently at the desk to write.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
The little girl is so energetic that she is never idle for a moment.
I accompanied her to fly kites, helped her to take care of flowers and plants, watched her practice martial arts, and even urged her to read and practice calligraphy.
Taking care of a child is actually more tiring than fighting a war.
After spending a few days with the little guy, the old man was exhausted.
When I have free time, I just want to stare blankly and doze off.
But he heard the emperor's granddaughter sweetly calling him grandpa, serving him tea and massaging his shoulders.
He suddenly felt relieved.
Even if that person is an emperor and can control the life and death of others, he is still alone.
I'm afraid I'll never be able to experience such family happiness.
Miaomiao wrote two poems and handed them to him: "Grandfather, how is my handwriting?"
"Good...it's even better than what your mother wrote." General Lu took it in his hand and studied it carefully.
It is true that the disciple is better than the master.
Jiang Miaomiao rested her chin on her hands and looked at her grandfather with a smile: "Then can I stop writing?"
"Can't."
General Lu pretended to be serious and spread a piece of white paper in front of his granddaughter.
The main reason was that the eldest grandson, Yan Ge'er, asked him to keep an eye on the little girl while she read and wrote.
Otherwise, she would have been abducted by that kid Yan Cheng'an.
That child was also lawless, always skipping school, uneducated, and liked to hang around his house for no reason.
So General Lu now has a task, which is to keep an eye on the little girl.
He couldn't let the boy from the Yan family lead his precious granddaughter astray.
Jiang Miaomiao: ...
My grandfather was a great general after all.
What I say is what I mean, and there is absolutely no room for maneuver.
Miaomiao decided to light a burner of agarwood for her grandfather, as agarwood can calm the mind and help with sleep.
Then she continued to copy the Analects, reciting as she wrote...
A Niang was not at home, and the princess didn't know what she was busy with, so she took Xiao Yuer back to the palace.
Dad is even busier, and I never see him every time I go to Cui's house.
The Spring Examination will be held in a month, and Miaomiao doesn't want to disturb her second brother.
Two cousins, one is about to get married, and the other is learning etiquette, making up for the knowledge of poetry, literature and etiquette that she missed during exile.
Everyone is busy with their own things, and she is the one with the most free time.
All of a sudden I felt freer.
Miaomiao raised her eyes quietly and glanced at her grandfather.
He was taking a nap in the recliner.
Hehe! Finally fell asleep.
She found a blanket to cover him, tiptoed out, and gently closed the door.
He turned around and asked Xier, "Isn't the princess mother back yet?"
"No, I'm still in the palace."
When Xier saw that the young master had coaxed the old general to sleep, she had a bad feeling.
When Sanniang was not at home, the girl became bolder and went around visiting neighbors.
The Cui family, the Mu family, the Prince Jing's Mansion, and even the Sun family went.
I also often hang out in teahouses and taverns, listening to people chatting for an entire afternoon.
"Where do you want to go today, young lady?" Xier asked, then she remembered that she should change her words.
Now it's time to call the princess.
In case she needs to give a gift or something, she can prepare it in advance.
Miaomiao stopped and tilted her head to think for a while: "Let's go to the Sun Mansion. Sister Qiao just arrived in the capital. I'm worried that she won't be able to adapt to the climate here, and I'm also afraid that Sister-in-law Sun will bully her. I have to go and support her."
Sun Ersao is ill, seriously ill.
I had a deep understanding of this on my way back to the capital.
Now Sister Qiao has come to the capital, and she is pregnant. Since her mother is not around, she, as a relative of her mother, has to visit her often.
This wealthy family is full of slaves who rely on their power to gain power.
It is impossible for Sun's brother-in-law to stay by her side all the time. Although he is the housekeeper of Sun's eldest sister-in-law, there are things he cannot take care of.
She had to go and see.
So that the Sun family would know that Sister Qiao'er was not some country girl, but the elder sister of Princess Mingzhu.
Think about it now.
The title of princess is quite useful.
The tiger can pretend to be powerful.
As soon as I walked out of the corner gate, I met Liuyun who was walking hurriedly.
"Princess, a servant just reported that Miss Jiang went to the mansion to look for you and the Second Young Master, and happened to run into Jiang Yunze. Then, Miss Jiang was taken away by Minister Jiang."
"What do you mean by take away..."
Miaomiao was shocked: "Was he kidnapped?"
Liuyun: "That's not the case. Minister Jiang went to the mansion looking for you. He said that Old Madam Jiang was ill and wanted you to go back to see her. He just happened to run into Miss Jiang. After all, Miss Jiang is his niece, so he went to see her."
"Sick? What does being sick have to do with me? My second brother and I are not doctors." Miaomiao felt confused.
It makes them look like a family.
"Did Sister Qiao go there alone? Was your brother-in-law with you?"
Thinking that her brother-in-law might have locked herself in the room to prepare for the exam, Sister Qiao came out by herself.
She couldn't help but feel a little worried.
Liuyun: "There were only two maids, two old women, and a groom following them. I didn't see any other men."
"There is no time to lose, let's go to Jiang's house to save Sister Qiao, she is pregnant." Miaomiao called Jiujiu and asked it to go and check first.
"Why don't we tell Master Yan first?" Xier felt a little uneasy.
Even though the young master speaks like an adult, he is still a child after all.
Afraid she can't handle it.
Minister Jiang is a thousand-year-old fox, very cunning.
We haven't seen each other for a long time, and now we suddenly have to invite the young princess and Master Yan over.
I'm afraid he has no good intentions.
In terms of fighting power, no one in the Jiang family can touch the young master.
I’m afraid they’ll use underhanded tactics.
Miaomiao shook her head: "No, we can't tell my second brother. He's going to take the exam soon. We can't disturb him or distract him. Let's go by ourselves."
Old Mrs. Jiang doesn't care about her children and grandchildren at all. Even if she gets sick and dies, she may not have a change of heart.
It is even more impossible that he came to pick them up personally because he missed his second brother.
There must be some conspiracy.
My second brother is about to take the imperial examination and I don’t want anything to disturb him.
Especially the Jiang family's affairs.
She is now a princess, and she has Liuyun and Xier by her side, as well as a group of secret guards with superb martial arts skills.
Even if the Jiang family is a dangerous place, no one can touch her.
Miaomiao raised her head, put her hands behind her back, and strode forward with her head held high.
Looks very arrogant.
Xier and Liuyun looked at each other, one hurriedly chased after him while the other went to arrange a carriage.
…
Jiang Mansion.
Jiang Qiaoer met Old Queen Mother Jiang.
A little restless.
It was obvious that her aunt didn't like her at all.
Second uncle Jiang Yunze is another smiling tiger.
I originally wanted to hide as far away as possible, but I didn't expect to meet him at the gate of Lu Garden.
It was not surprising that she recognized her second uncle, because he looked quite similar to her father.
The strange thing is that my second uncle actually recognized her.
When her second uncle left Jiangzhou and went to Beijing to take the imperial examination, she was at most two or three years old. There was a huge difference between a two or three-year-old and her now.
But Second Uncle actually called out her name at first sight.
It was as if it was waiting for her specially.
The reason why she accepted the invitation to meet the mother and son was also because of her husband who was about to take the imperial examination.
I heard that my second uncle is the Minister of Rites.
Apart from the Minister of Rites, the highest-ranking official in the Ministry of Rites is my second uncle.
And this spring examination was presided over by the Ministry of Rites.
So she was a little worried that her second uncle would make things difficult for her husband.
I don't want to make enemies with them at this time.
I don’t want my husband to be accused of being disrespectful to elders and having no regard for seniors.
She has learned a lot in the past few years living with her in-laws.
I learned to judge the situation and to be patient temporarily.
But as it was her first time in the capital, she felt a little uneasy.
Even though Miaomiao had described the prosperity of the capital to her in the letter.
Seeing it with my own eyes, I was still deeply shocked.
Then I came to the Jiang Mansion and looked at the pavilions, buildings, small bridges, flowing water, and carved railings and jade bricks in the mansion.
What a beautiful and elegant house.
Then I thought about the small, dilapidated house in my hometown, the difficult days their family lived in, and my father's broken leg.
She could hardly hide the bitterness and grief in her heart.
Why do my second uncle and aunt have the right?
Why do you bully my father like that? Why do you owe me a debt and refuse to pay it back?
It is obvious that they, mother and son, live so well, with fine clothes and delicious food, and live in such a nice big house.
But he refused to pay back even a hundred taels, and even had his father beaten.
hateful!
This is too much.
Jiang Qiaoer clenched her hands tightly in her sleeves, digging her palms so hard that they were almost bleeding.
Then she thought about how weak she was now, so she endured it and didn't explode on the spot.
He lowered his eyes to hide the emotions in them, and it took him a long while to calm down.
But he couldn't help but ask, "Master Jiang, this house is really nice. You've lived here for more than ten years, right?"
"Yes! Many years."
Jiang Yunze still felt a little guilty about his cousin's family.
After all, it is a friendship that has grown up.
His mother and his aunt had always been at odds, but he never expected that his mother would withhold the money that was supposed to be returned to his brother without any clear reason.
But even if his mother was wrong, she was still his biological mother.
He couldn't blame anyone.
I can only feel that I have let down my brother's family.
Even if the money is paid back, the rift and estrangement that have arisen over the years cannot be erased.
Now I see my niece.
Feeling ashamed and surprised...
Of course, I also wanted to use her to bring back Yan Ge'er and Miaomiao.
It would be best if this could ease the relationship between the whole family.
He looked at his niece.
I specially asked someone to paint a portrait of the couple.
Some were surprised at her demeanor.
She doesn't look like a country girl at all, but is no different from the ladies from the capital.
Calm and graceful.
It was probably the two elders of the Sun family who trained him.
Old Mrs. Jiang’s focus was different from her son’s. She was more interested in Jiang Qiaoer’s clothes.
The clothes are all the most fashionable styles in Beijing at the moment, and the materials and fabrics are all of the highest quality.
The jewelry also looks quite valuable.
Is the Sun family really so wealthy?
It can be seen that the Sun family treats her as a daughter-in-law very generously.
It's really like a phoenix from a sparrow!
But the girl sat in front of her for a long time without even thinking of showing her any respect.
You really don't know the rules.
Then she thought that she was the granddaughter of her sister-in-law Tian.
Still very angry.
She remembered clearly how Tian had mocked her back then.
The one hundred taels of silver were what Tian owed her.
Old Madam Jiang looked at Jiang Qiao'er with some disgust: "How is your grandmother's health? Is she still unable to walk?"
Jiang Qiao'er answered irrelevantly: "Since Aunt Lu returned to Jiangzhou, my family has been much better. Dad's leg has been cured, and grandmother's illness has also improved a lot. Our whole family remembers Aunt Lu's kindness, but at the same time, we will not forget the revenge of Dad's broken leg. My grandmother is doing very well, so you don't have to worry about her."
It was different from the uneasy feeling when he first stepped into the Jiang family.
At this moment, she only felt heartache for her parents and resentment towards the mother and son.
If she had that ability, she would also like to let her second uncle taste the feeling of being lame.
Old Mrs. Jiang's face turned green.
She also didn't expect that those servants would be so ruthless in their attacks.
He glanced at his son with some guilt.
Then he looked at Jiang Qiao'er and said, "How can you talk like that? I'm your aunt after all. Didn't your parents teach you manners? From the moment you came in until now, you've been calling me Lord Jiang and Old Madam. You can't even call me that."
Old Mrs. Jiang had always looked down on Jiang Qiaoer, and now she saw her peeling off her fig leaf.
I was even more unhappy.
Jiang Qiao'er spoke calmly and snorted softly, "Of course I was taught. They taught me not to be ungrateful, to have a conscience, to keep my promises, and to repay my debts..."
Every word mercilessly tore off Jiang Yunze's hypocritical mask.
Jiang Yunze's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.
He interrupted Jiang Qiao'er and yelled, "That's enough. These are all things of the past. I've already paid back the money I owed your father. Why are you, a girl, speaking so harshly and unforgivingly?"
Jiang Qiaoer was startled by him and immediately calmed down.
The people do not fight with the officials.
It's not advisable to stay here for long.
She stood up and bowed, about to leave: "Second uncle is right, I just said something wrong. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave. My husband is still waiting for me at home."
Jiang Yunze glanced at the old woman at the door.
Several servants and maids immediately blocked their way.
"What is Second Uncle doing?" Jiang Qiaoer's heart tightened and she held the maid's hand tightly.
What does Second Uncle want to do?
Is it not enough that he broke her father's leg, but he also wants to bully her?
The maids and servants behind him were confused, but they immediately stood in front of their master to protect him.
It's broad daylight, how can you encounter danger while visiting relatives?
Jiang Yunze took a sip of tea and said with a gentle smile, "Qiao'er, don't panic. The Jiang Mansion is your mother's home after all. It's a rare visit for you, so stay for a while before leaving. Miaomiao and Yan'er will be back soon, so you can catch up on the past. You must miss them very much, right?"
"I'll send someone to inform your husband, so don't worry."
…
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