Chapter Twenty: Sisters

The bed in the Prime Minister’s residence was far softer than the wooden planks on Mount Qingcheng. Though Jiang Yuanbai was a refined scholar, he was also the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. Some pursue office for the sake of the people, others for ambition. Jiang Yuanbai had fulfilled his ambition and took pleasure in the comforts it afforded him.

When Tong’er came early in the morning to attend to Jiang Li, her smile was brighter than usual, chattering excitedly about how soft and comfortable the bed had been the previous night, and how spacious and bright the room was.

Yunshuang and Xiangqiao stood nearby. Yunshuang had no wish to serve Jiang Li, and Xiangqiao pretended to wipe the table and chat with her, but never touched any heavy or dirty chores.

Within the entire Fragrant Garden, aside from Tong’er, there were only Yunshuang and Xiangqiao as maids. Neither Yunshuang nor Xiangqiao would do hard labor, leaving all the work, inside and out, to Tong’er alone. Ji Shuran, whether by intention or oversight, had never assigned any rough maids to Jiang Li, taking advantage of her ignorance of household protocols. Even if Jiang Li learned the rules, giving her a bit of discomfort and then reporting back to Jiang Yuanbai about her supposed temper would be only too natural.

Yet Jiang Li cared nothing for such matters. When Yunshuang went outside, Jiang Li tugged at Xiangqiao’s sleeve and said, “I have a favor to ask of you, Sister Xiangqiao.”

Xiangqiao was startled, then smiled, “Second Miss, whatever you need, just ask.”

“My courtyard is short-handed. Mother hasn’t assigned any rough maids here, and you and Sister Yunshuang serve my daily needs, but Tong’er can’t manage alone. You’ve been in the residence for many years and must be familiar with the old woman who deals in maidservants. Could you help me arrange matters so I might choose a few for sweeping and cleaning?”

Xiangqiao frowned, “Second Miss, any change in the maids must be approved by Madam.”

“Mother loves me but has simply forgotten to arrange help for me, likely busy with household affairs. I would not trouble her further. It’s only a few maids, and I wish to select them myself. Please arrange it, Sister Xiangqiao.” She picked up a golden bracelet from a nearby box and slipped it onto Xiangqiao’s wrist, smiling, “Will that be possible?”

Will that be possible?

The gleaming gold bracelet sat on Xiangqiao’s wrist. Unlike her own heavy golden band, this one was slender and intricately made. It looked less substantial, but Xiangqiao knew that such craftsmanship and pattern were worth more than her own.

“Of course!” Xiangqiao nodded eagerly, her gaze glued to the bracelet. She had served Ji Shuran for years, but Ji Shuran was never so generous as this young lady from the wilds. Xiangqiao couldn’t help but wonder if the Second Miss simply didn’t know the value of such jewelry, to give it away so lightly.

Before she could think further, Jiang Li smiled, “Then I’ll trouble you now, Sister Xiangqiao.”

Having received the bracelet, Xiangqiao felt both nervous and excited. She immediately said, “I’ll see to it, Second Miss. Just wait for me,” and left the room.

After Xiangqiao left, Tong’er stood by, looking as if she wanted to speak. Jiang Li said, “Speak your mind.”

“Miss, I don’t understand,” Tong’er said, “Why are you so generous to Xiangqiao, knowing she was sent by Madam Ji? Are you perhaps trying to buy her loyalty with money?”

“Buy her?” Jiang Li shook her head. “She is cunning and opportunistic, greedy for gain. Even if bought, she would turncoat when it suited her. I wouldn’t dare.”

“Then why give her such jewelry? Even if she helps you select maids, she might inform Madam Ji, who will ensure those chosen are handpicked.”

“I’m giving her a task, and the task is simply a way to give her something.”

“I don’t understand,” Tong’er said, confused. “Miss, we don’t have so much money that we can afford to give things away.”

Jiang Li nearly laughed at her maid. “You see, I give her jewelry, not silver. Do you know why?”

“Why?” Tong’er’s eyes widened.

“For display, of course,” Jiang Li smiled. “The best tactics divide and transform. Tong’er, when someone gives you beautiful jewels or precious ornaments without asking for equal return, you must be wary—they may demand much more later.”

Tong’er stared at Jiang Li, still puzzled but sensing a deeper meaning. After thinking for a moment, she shook her head. Jiang Li was far cleverer than she; what Jiang Li could see, she surely could not. If Jiang Li treated Xiangqiao this way, she must have her reasons. Tong’er decided to simply follow along.

“Let’s go outside for a walk,” Jiang Li said. “Now that we’re home, we ought to get familiar with our own residence.”

“Yes!” Tong’er was delighted. “I’ll accompany you.”

Jiang Li changed her clothes. Her newly tailored garments had not yet arrived, but Ji Shuran, not wanting to make things too obvious, had sent some ready-made dresses roughly in Jiang Li’s size. Though these looked expensive, their workmanship was coarse compared to Jiang Youyao’s, and the style was utterly mismatched with Jiang Li’s own temperament.

Tong’er, who liked fine fabrics, thought these gaudy red and green dresses did not suit Jiang Li at all, and after much deliberation, chose a pale green skirt for her.

At first glance, the dress looked like something a maid would wear; pale green could easily appear vulgar. But Jiang Li’s fair, slender figure suited it, making her look fresh and delicate, with a unique charm.

Tong’er and Jiang Li had spent much time in the temple, and their usual hairstyles were simple and practical. Only upon returning to the Jiang residence did they realize how limited their skills were. Here, even the simplest maid’s hairstyles were considered unrefined.

Before Tong’er could figure out how to style Jiang Li’s hair, she watched as Jiang Li, facing the bronze mirror, deftly twisted her long black hair and fashioned it into a sleek chignon.

Tong’er stared, astonished. “Miss, how did you—”

“I learned it before,” Jiang Li answered simply. As Xue Fangfei, after marrying Shen Yuyong, she learned to style hair to please her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, thinking daughters were fond of beauty and that personally styling their hair would bring them closer. Though she later severed ties with the Shen family, the skill remained.

“Miss, you’re so talented.” Tong’er mused, then wondered, “But why would you ever learn such a thing? Isn’t hairstyling for maids?”

She received no answer, for Jiang Li had already left, and Tong’er let the question drop.

The Jiang residence was vast. Tong’er had started as a maid sweeping the main courtyard; after Jiang Li caused Ji Shuran’s miscarriage, all her servants were either killed or sold. Before Jiang Li was sent away to Mount Qingcheng, the old matriarch casually picked a young maid to accompany her—this was Tong’er.

Having left so young, Tong’er was unfamiliar with the current state of the Jiang residence.

They had barely stepped out of Fragrant Garden when voices drifted from ahead. Jiang Li stopped and looked up, seeing several people chatting in a nearby pavilion.

The group saw Jiang Li approach and fell silent. The central figure wore a peach-pink gold-threaded soft gauze dress, her beauty radiant and exquisite.

It was none other than Jiang Youyao, the third young lady of the Jiang residence.