Chapter 30: The Matriarch Proposes a Union

Ignoring her second aunt’s indignant expression, Jiang Shiyuan took a piece of Huizhou ink from Liuhua, presented it respectfully to Jiang Huaishan, and spoke.

"Father’s promotion to the position of Zongzheng is a great joy for the Jiang family. Knowing that you write with such a fine hand, I specifically had people search for this ink. Now that it has been found, I present it to you, hoping it meets with your approval."

Jiang Huaishan took the ink, clearly delighted, his eyes filled with gratification. "This is an excellent gift; I am very pleased."

Seeing this, Old Madame Jiang’s expression darkened. This gift could have been presented in private; was she trying to show off in front of everyone? Just as she intended to reprimand her, Jiang Shiyuan produced another box containing a string of eighteen Buddhist beads carved from agarwood. She walked over to her grandmother, smiled sweetly, and said, "This is a congratulatory gift for Grandmother. That Father has attained this position today is entirely due to the care and support you provided all those years ago. Father often reminds me and my brother that we must serve you with utmost filial piety. I prepared this long ago, but held it back because I knew you followed the path of Buddha, Grandmother. I sent it to Guanghua Temple for the abbot to consecrate it, and it only arrived a few days ago. Please, accept this token of my heart."

Old Madame Jiang, a widow who had raised two sons through washing and sewing, had little background and had seen few treasures. Upon hearing that the beads had been consecrated, the deep lines on her face softened into a smile. More cordial than before, she said with satisfaction, "Nian’er is very thoughtful."

The smoldering resentment that had been brewing in her heart dissipated significantly. Across from her, Second Aunt Zhang, observing the two lavish gifts, kept glancing behind Jiang Shiyuan, seemingly waiting for her own, but Jiang Shiyuan did not indulge her. She merely spoke a few light words and took her seat beside her father.

"As long as you like it, Grandmother. By the way, I have also prepared gifts for Second Aunt and my younger siblings. They were too heavy to carry, so I shall have them delivered to your respective courtyards shortly. It is but a small gesture of my affection."

"Thank you, eldest sister."

Three or four young men and women stood and bowed in gratitude. One young woman, dressed in a bean-green pomegranate skirt embroidered with gourd patterns, caught her eye. She had almond eyes, a pointed face, and a delicate, graceful appearance.

She was Jiang Shiyue, the second daughter of the second branch, born to Concubine Hai. She was three years younger than Jiang Shiyuan, about thirteen now. Though not yet fully grown, she was clearly a rare beauty. Unfortunately, with Jiang Shiyuan’s reputation as the greatest beauty in the Great Sui, no one paid much attention to the other young ladies in the residence.

"Eldest sister has finally arrived. I was worried that the summer heat might have made the journey difficult, and I was just about to go out and welcome you."

"Oh? Is that so? I appreciate your concern, Fourth Sister. You are dressed so beautifully today—is there a guest expected at the house?"

Jiang Shiyuan’s effortless question startled Jiang Shiyue. Young and inexperienced, she could not handle such a casual probe. Fearing she would be scolded by her stepmother, Zhang, for mishandling things, she forced a calm front. "Eldest sister jokes. I only thought that since today is a day for the whole family to gather, I would tidy myself up a bit. Naturally, I cannot compare to you, eldest sister."

Jiang Shiyuan smiled serenely. As her gaze swept over the room, she noticed the unease on the faces of Second Aunt Zhang and the Old Madame, and she reached a conclusion.

Covering her mouth with a silk handkerchief, she pretended to cough twice. This display of "frailty" made Second Aunt Zhang look triumphant. Beside her, though Jiang Shiyue remained demure, her eyes were not as innocent as her words suggested; they held a glimmer of anticipation and suppressed excitement.

It seemed that a guest was indeed coming to the manor.

Given the importance they placed on this, the guest could not be of low status. But the Jiang family had only moved to Western Capital a few days ago—what high-ranking families could they possibly know?

As Jiang Shiyuan pondered this, she heard Old Madame Jiang speak.

"Your father’s promotion is a family joy. Having formed a marital alliance with the Prince Chun’s Manor, we have finally secured our footing in the Western Capital. Your second sister has not forgotten her family since her marriage. Today, she has specifically invited the Prince’s third younger brother to visit. I have inquired about him; although his mother was a mere concubine in the manor, the son is quite decent and has long served in the Weiwei Temple. She remembers there are still unmarried sisters at home, so she thought that if two sisters could marry two brothers, it would be a rare stroke of fate."

With the Old Madame’s explanation, Jiang Shiyuan understood immediately.

They likely felt that Jiang Shijin was isolated and helpless in the Prince’s manor, so they conceived this plan of "sisters marrying brothers" to let Jiang Shiyue catch the eye of the Prince’s third brother. If this succeeded, their second branch would truly be able to hold their heads high. After all, sending two daughters into the Prince Chun’s Manor was no small feat.

In the future, the second branch would naturally gain status among the noble ladies.

Thinking of this, Jiang Shiyuan glanced at Concubine Yang and her third sister, Jiang Shishu. Sure enough, both mother and daughter looked sorrowful and dejected. As fellow concubines and daughters of lower status, if the Fourth Sister, Jiang Shiyue, really climbed this high branch, would it not be a deliberate slight to their first branch?

Disappointment and bitterness rose within her. She looked at her father and saw his shock as he looked concernedly at Concubine Yang and her daughter. She realized then that this was the work of the Old Madame and the Second Aunt, kept hidden even from her father.

Despicable!

She and her father had tried to preserve family harmony by enduring the past incident of the substitute bride. Rumors were already rife that Jiang Huaishan lacked discipline in his household, which had already damaged his reputation. Now, they were going even further by forcing another daughter down the same path!

The Princess of Chun was already dissatisfied with Jiang Shijin; if she redirected that anger toward the Jiang family, or specifically toward her father and brother, the cost would be far too great.

The Princess’s maternal family held influence in the Imperial College. If they interfered with her brother’s prospects, the Jiang family would be left in a position where they could not even voice their grievances.

Moreover, that Song Shizhui was a hypocrite. Though Jiang Shiyuan had had little interaction with him in her previous life after marrying into the Prince’s manor, she knew his character was poor—submissive at home and arrogant abroad. If the fourth sister married him, she would likely suffer.

She held no deep affection for her fourth sister, but Concubine Hai was a decent person. As a child, her brother would bring his younger brother, Jiang Shilin, to her mother’s courtyard to play. Through these visits, she knew Concubine Hai to be a humble and gentle person. With this realization, she steadied her resolve and spoke.

"Grandmother, I fear this is not appropriate."

As she spoke, several hostile glares shot toward her. If eyes could kill, Jiang Shiyuan would already be drenched in blood.