Chapter Fifty-Three: A Visit

Jiang Youyao did not expect Jiang Li’s last remark to be directed at her. She could clearly hear the implication behind the words, and nearly lost her composure in anger, forcing herself to remain calm with great effort.

Jiang Yuer was far less composed than Jiang Youyao. She had always felt dissatisfied with Jiang Li, and noticing that the old madam did not show any sign of approval at Jiang Li’s recent words, she immediately interjected, “We are young ladies and should be cautious in both speech and behavior. Second Sister may have acted with chivalry, but for a woman to intervene in matters between men in public is hardly becoming, and damages her virtue.”

Ji Shuran’s heart sank—sure enough, as soon as Jiang Yuer uttered these words, the old madam’s face darkened with displeasure. She fixed her gaze on Jiang Yuer and said, “Oh? So turning a blind eye to someone in need and being cold-hearted is considered virtuous? It seems you’ve been studying your family precepts in all the wrong places!”

Jiang Yuer stood frozen, not expecting the old madam to suddenly rebuke her. A flush of shame and grievance swept through her heart, but she dared not argue back, only lowering her head in silence and secretly cursing Jiang Li over and over.

Ji Shuran was also upset. Though the old madam addressed her words to Jiang Yuer, her censure of indifference and lack of compassion clearly included Jiang Youyao as well. Though she was displeased, she still had to offer soothing words on the surface: “Mother, don’t be angry. The children are young, and it’s normal for them to be at a loss in such situations. Yuer and Youyao have never experienced anything like this before—unlike Li’er, who is both courageous and clever.” She smiled at Jiang Li. “She dared to step forward.”

Jiang Li replied with a smile, “I simply followed my conscience.”

What a clever phrase—‘simply followed my conscience’—delivering a subtle blow to the others, making herself appear all the more noble. Ji Shuran’s smile faltered a little.

The old madam continued, “Since he is a relative, I had no idea when the Ye family’s child arrived in the capital. Do you know where he is staying? Perhaps we could invite him to visit the residence one day.”

Ji Shuran was rather surprised, and inwardly even more vexed. No matter what, Ye Zhenzhen had been dead for years, and the Jiang and Ye families had long since ceased contact. Now, by this twist of fate, Jiang Li had brought the matter up again, and the old madam suddenly seemed intent on rekindling the relationship with the Ye family. What could this mean? And if the Ye and Jiang families did reconcile, what would become of the Ji family’s standing?

“At the time, everything was in a rush. Once the matter was resolved, I left immediately and exchanged no more than a few words with Cousin Ye, so I do not know,” Jiang Li answered.

The old madam looked a bit regretful upon hearing this, while Ji Shuran breathed a sigh of relief. But her brow furrowed again—if the Jiang family truly wanted to find someone in the capital, how hard could it be? If the old madam was determined to see Ye Shijie, it would only be a matter of time before he was found, regardless of Jiang Li’s ignorance.

At that moment, Jiang Bingji, who had been playing on the couch, suddenly called out, dragging his words, “Mother, I’m hungry.”

The old madam snapped out of her reverie and glanced at Jiang Bingji before saying to Ji Shuran, “Take Ji Ge’er to dinner.” Then to Jiang Li and the others, she said, “You’ve all come straight from school and haven’t eaten yet—go on, you may leave now. Let’s not speak of this again.” With that, she closed her eyes, as if tired and needing rest.

Feicui and Zhenzhu hurried to see the guests out.

Once outside the Evening Phoenix Hall, Ji Shuran took Jiang Bingji and the still resentful Jiang Youyao and left. Jiang Li was preparing to return to Fragrant Garden, but Jiang Yuer shot her a cold smile and said, “Second Sister, you certainly have a way with words—just a few sentences and Grandmother is completely won over, forgetting everything else.”

Jiang Li’s smile did not fade. “Thank you for the compliment, Fourth Sister.” Her tone was sincere and her smile utterly friendly, as if she hadn’t heard the sarcasm at all, which made Jiang Yuer even angrier.

Seeing Jiang Yuer struck dumb by Jiang Li’s response, Jiang Li calmly walked away with Baixue. Behind her, Jiang Yuyan timidly tugged at Jiang Yuer’s sleeve and whispered, “Don’t keep picking on Second Sister.”

“Go away!” Jiang Yuer shook off Jiang Yuyan’s hand with a flick of her sleeve, a flash of contempt in her eyes. “How could I have such a cowardly elder sister? Pathetic!” With that, she stormed off in a huff.

Jiang Yuyan lowered her head and stood in silence, lost in thought.

...

When Jiang Li and her maid returned to Fragrant Garden, Tong’er finally relaxed upon seeing that neither of them bore so much as a fingerprint on their skin. She then went on a tirade in the courtyard, cursing Jiang Youyao and the others for their vicious tongues, before collapsing into a chair. “Miss, why did the old madam suddenly mention Young Master Ye? Is she thinking of reconciling with the Ye family?”

Tong’er had not been with Jiang Li since birth. In fact, before Jiang Li was sent to the family temple, Tong’er was not even a second-rank maid. Thus, she knew little about the Ye family, or why the relationship between the Jiang and Ye families had grown cold, or even why Jiang Li never had contact with them.

“I don’t know either,” Jiang Li shook her head. “But I think the old madam only mentioned it in passing. If she truly cared, she would have sent someone to make inquiries. But in the end, it seems she had no such intention.”

Tong’er pondered this for a while before sighing, “If only the old madam really wanted to reconcile with the Ye family. At least then, you’d have your maternal family’s support. That Ji woman would have to restrain herself a bit.”

In the main branch, Ji Shuran held an unshakable position. Not only had she given birth to both son and daughter, but she also had the Ji family backing her. Her father, Ji Yanlin, wielded considerable influence, and even her full-blooded sister was now a favored imperial concubine of Emperor Hongxiao.

Jiang Li, on the other hand, had only a deceased mother and a maternal family with whom all ties had long since been severed. In the Jiang household, she had nothing to rely on but her own wits and strength. This meant her path would be a difficult one.

That is the difference between having someone to back you and standing alone.

“If only we had asked where Young Master Ye is staying,” Tong’er grumbled, still unwilling to let it go. “Maybe we could have used him to forge a good relationship with Xiangyang.”

“It’s nothing,” Jiang Li replied. “There will be another opportunity.”

Baixue’s voice was low and muffled. “But, Miss, didn’t you say you didn’t ask Cousin Ye about his situation?”

“There’s no need for me to ask,” Jiang Li said with a smile, shaking her head. “He will come to find me himself.”

Tong’er and Baixue exchanged glances, not quite convinced by Jiang Li’s words. But no one could have guessed that the very next day, her prediction would come true.

The cousin from the Ye family of Xiangyang, Jiang Li’s nominal elder cousin, Ye Shijie, came to visit of his own accord.