The school is closed today; the Jiang family's school is closed one day out of six.
Early in the morning, Jiang's father got up early. He was going to the county town to visit the Fan family. There had to be an explanation for what had happened.
"Father, if you're going to the Fan family, I'll go with you."
Jiang Shuyun heard about Jiang Qi from Yi An last night. He had the original owner's memories, and this younger sister was the closest to the original owner. Moreover, she was a relatively good-natured person.
Jiang's father glanced at his neatly dressed second son and guessed that he probably knew the inside story.
"Let's go, let's go together."
The father and son left the courtyard one after the other. Jiang's mother watched her husband and son leave from the window, her heart filled with mixed feelings, unsure of what the outcome would be.
After everyone in the family got up, Jiang was puzzled when he didn't see his father and second brother at the dinner table.
"Mother, where are Father and Second Brother?"
"Your father and second brother went to the county town to take care of some things."
Jiang's mother didn't want her family to gossip about her eldest daughter's situation before things had even settled, which would only cause her distress.
"Mother, what business did Father go on? Why didn't he take my husband with him? He's the eldest son in the family; if something happens, shouldn't he come along?"
Jiang's wife felt uncomfortable. Her husband was the eldest son, so how could the second son be asked to handle things instead of the eldest son?
"You have a problem with that?"
Jiang's mother now feels that she made a mistake in marrying her eldest daughter-in-law. She used to seem like a good person, but for some reason, she has become more calculating and competitive lately.
"No, what opinion could I possibly have?"
Although Jiang's sister-in-law was unwilling, she didn't dare to argue with her mother-in-law, so she kept quiet and didn't say anything more.
Because two people were missing today, everyone ate at one table. Brother Jiang had been feeling a bit uncomfortable, but since his mother had gotten angry, he didn't dare say anything more. He tugged at his wife's clothes, signaling her to stop talking.
In the county town, the Jiang family father and son got off the bus and bought two packets of tea and two packets of pastries at a shop. Jiang Shuyun carried them and went to the Fan family with his father.
The area where the Fan family's courtyard is located is considered to be one of the better-off areas in the county town, and Aunt Jiang's house is not far from here.
Jiang Shuyun stepped forward and knocked on the door, revealing her identity to the servant who opened it.
"Uncle-in-law, please wait a moment while I go and inform him."
The gatekeeper went inside to deliver the message, while the Jiang father and son waited outside. The matter was sudden, and they hadn't sent a visiting card beforehand. Actually, the Jiang family wasn't yet aware of the importance of sending a visiting card beforehand. In the village, neighbors would simply walk in when visiting each other, at most calling out from the yard.
“Uncle and in-laws, our master invites you in.”
The gatekeeper's voice brought the Jiang father and son back to their senses. They composed themselves and followed the gatekeeper into the Fan family home.
"Brother Jiang, I'm so sorry for not greeting you sooner. The servant didn't explain clearly, I thought it was just Shuyun who came alone."
Mr. Fan came out to greet him from the door. He really didn't expect Brother Jiang to come over; he rarely comes out.
"It was our fault for not explaining clearly, Brother Fan. We came suddenly and did not send our visiting cards in advance, which was impolite of us."
Jiang's father spoke calmly, apologizing.
"Not at all, what's our relationship? There's no need to be so polite."
The two exchanged a few pleasantries, both appearing quite humble.
"Brother Fan, I wonder if Wenshan is here? I came here today to talk about their affairs."
"Yes, I've already sent someone to fetch them."
When Mr. Fan learned that the Jiang family had sent people, he had already sent someone to fetch his second son.
"Uncle Fan, excuse me, may I go to the restroom?"
Jiang Shuyun looked embarrassed and pretended to need to pee.
"There's nothing inconvenient about it. You know the way, just go by yourself."
Jiang Shuyun had been to the Jiang family before and knew the location of the outhouse.
After leaving the study, Jiang Shuyun headed towards the outhouse, following the direction she remembered; Jiang Qi and the others' rooms were also there.
Before she came, Mu Yi'an had instructed him to find an opportunity to observe Fan Wenshan and his distant cousin's interactions. She felt that since Jiang Qi had returned to her parents' home, if the distant cousin had such intentions, she would definitely seize the opportunity.
Jiang Shuyun wondered if she would run into them, after all, the Fan family's rules were quite strict. Although their courtyard was not small, there was no clear distinction between inner and outer courtyards; it was just an ordinary courtyard house.
"Cousin, do you think my sister's family is coming? Will they kick me out? I have no one left at home. If my sister doesn't accept me, I... I'll have no choice but to end it all with a white silk ribbon."
"Don't talk nonsense. Jiang Qi is a very gentle person. She won't be unable to tolerate you."
“I’m just scared. I have no family to rely on anymore, unlike my sister who has many brothers. I’ve given my virginity to my cousin, and I have no way out.”
Listening to their conversation, Jiang Shuyun thought they were a real pair of scoundrels.
"My brother-in-law is truly well-mannered. Taking advantage of his wife's absence, he actually had an affair without a matchmaker!"
"Second brother-in-law, no, no, I, I just drank too much, I drank too much..."
Fan Wenshan was startled by Jiang Shuyun's voice. He didn't expect his second brother-in-law to appear in the courtyard. Shouldn't he be in the study?
"Drunk and out of control, that's a good excuse. But how come you two are flirting in broad daylight? Are you still drunk? Is it that your brother-in-law can't hold his liquor, or did you drink some of the wine connoisseur's finest brew that's too strong?"
Jiang Shuyun's sarcasm was not too obvious, and her voice was not low, which attracted the attention of Fan's mother and Jiang's father in the study.
"Shuyun, what are you shouting about? You're making your in-laws laugh at you. You have no manners!"
When Jiang's father saw the woman beside Fan Wenshan, he understood everything.
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