Chapter 33: The Third Young Master is Turned Away at the Door

The curtain was lifted, and the first to enter were the Heir Apparent, Song Shiye, and his wife, Jiang Shijin.

As newlyweds, they were dressed in elaborate, ceremonial attire; both wore robes and gowns of shimmering yellow silk, which lent an air of intimacy to their appearance. Following closely behind them was the guest of honor for the day, the Prince’s third son, Song Shizhui.

He bore a four- or five-part resemblance to the Heir, making him quite handsome in his own right, though his brow carried a forced, scholarly air. Jiang Huaishan, a man who had seen countless people in his lifetime, felt his expression darken the moment he laid eyes on him.

"I greet the Heir Apparent, the Heir’s consort, and the Third Young Master."

In terms of official rank, the Jiang family were mere subjects, while the Prince of Chun’s household were imperial relatives, so this formality was expected. However, the Heir Apparent, Song Shiye, waved a hand dismissively and spoke first with a smile.

"I have come today in the capacity of a junior to pay my respects to Uncle Jiang. There is no need for such formalities among family."

At these words, the corners of Old Madam Jiang’s and the second aunt Madam Zhang’s mouths twitched with suppressed delight. Unfortunately, beneath that hypocritical mask lay a cold and callous heart—a fact Jiang Shiyuan had learned all too well in her previous life.

Jiang Huaishan remained composed, but the rest of the Jiang family were harborers of their own hidden agendas. Old Madam Jiang was immensely satisfied with the alliance with the Prince of Chun’s household and was genuinely overjoyed to see the couple standing together. Madam Zhang, the second aunt, could barely contain her excitement; her chest rose and fell with agitation, and she stepped forward eagerly.

"The Son-in-law is too kind. Your visit is an infinite honor for our Jiang family; we should be the ones showing respect."

"Every time I accompany my wife back home, my mother-in-law says the same thing. If you continue to be so formal with me, I shall be afraid to visit again."

This remark gave the second branch of the family immense face, and the triumph on Madam Zhang’s face was palpable. Jiang Shijin, standing beside her husband, cast a glance around the room, her expression one of shyness and gentle grace. When she looked back at the Heir, her eyes flickered with a touch of surprise that quickly melted into warmth.

"The Heir is right. Today, we are merely juniors coming home for a reunion dinner, so let us dispense with the hollow formalities. By the way, why is only the second brother at home? Where are my other sisters?"

She was direct, cutting straight to the point.

Unfortunately, Madam Zhang’s expression froze, and she quickly offered an excuse.

"Your eldest sister has just returned from the Marquis of Wen-yuan’s manor. She was meant to dine with us, but as you know, her health is poor. She could barely catch her breath after saying a few words. Fearing for her health, I had your two younger sisters accompany her back to see a physician before we discuss anything further."

Jiang Shijin felt a twinge of surprise. Why had she returned?

She had intentionally chosen a day when her eldest sister was away from the manor to bring the Heir for a visit, never expecting to nearly cross paths with her. It was fortunate that the woman had fallen ill, or it might have caused unnecessary trouble.

Her expression flickered, though she quickly regained her composure and smiled at the Heir and the third son, Song Shizhui.

"It seems we are unlucky. I had hoped to introduce my family to you."

Seeing the apologetic look in his wife’s eyes, the Heir Apparent felt quite pleased. He congratulated himself for not having listened to his mother’s suggestion to marry that sickly weed from the eldest branch; if a woman were so fragile that she couldn't even sit and speak without gasping for air, wouldn't marrying her ruin the luck of the Prince’s household?

Thinking this, he waved his hand nonchalantly.

"No matter, there will be plenty of opportunities. I brought my third brother along today to join in the festivities."

Hearing himself introduced, the Third Young Master, Song Shizhui, stepped forward from behind them. Assuming an air of respectful courtesy, he cupped his hands toward Old Madam Jiang.

"I greet the Old Madam."

"Third Young Master, please, do not be so formal. You are an honored guest; we are only too happy to welcome you."

Song Shizhui smiled without a word, though his gaze lingered on the two concubines present, unable to look away. Concubine Hai was beautiful, and Concubine Yang was gentle. Though both were mothers, in Song Shizhui’s eyes, they possessed a certain lingering, seductive charm. His roving, restless gaze made the two women extremely uncomfortable, and their cheeks burned with embarrassment.

Oblivious, he found their discomfort all the more alluring, and his eyes continued to wander.

Seeing this behavior, Jiang Huaishan did not need further proof to know what kind of trash this Third Young Master was. The respect in his eyes vanished, and he spoke in a cold, sharp tone.

"Yang, Hai, go and prepare the meal."

"Yes, Master."

They seized the opportunity to escape, moving with such haste it was as if they were fleeing for their lives. Watching their hurried departure, Song Shizhui wore a playful, inscrutable smirk, his eyes filled with a suggestive malice.

Perhaps his gaze had been too brazen, for Old Madam Jiang caught it as well.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately believed seven or eight parts of what her eldest granddaughter, Jiang Shiyuan, had told her. It seemed this marriage prospect was truly ill-advised; if nothing else, she could not allow her grandson’s future to be ruined. Collecting herself, she took a step back, maintaining a distance from the brothers, and spoke with a forced, ingratiating tone.

"I invite the Heir to move to the water pavilion. An old woman like me shall host you today."

The smile remained on Song Shiye’s face, but the warmth had vanished.

The entire Jiang family knew full well why they had come. They had expected the sickly eldest daughter to be sent away, and for the other daughters to be brought out to meet them. What was the meaning of this?

Had they come all this way only to be pushed aside?

His expression turned cold, showing his displeasure. Old Madam Jiang braced herself; though she was afraid, her grandson’s future was at stake. Beside her, Madam Zhang was dying to cover her mother-in-law’s mouth. By saying this, was she not slapping her own daughter’s face?

She glared at the Old Madam with deep resentment, a sentiment shared by Jiang Shijin. Her grandmother had always doted on her; since things had been agreed upon, why this sudden reversal?

As for Jiang Shilin, he stood there feeling uneasy. As a son of a concubine, his position in the house was already precarious. If this caused gossip, what would become of his fourth sister’s future?

In his trepidation, he heard the second aunt, Madam Zhang, intervene, her tone laced with incitement.

"Hehe, Mother is joking. Since the Heir and the Third Young Master are here, how can we keep the rest of the family hidden away? The eldest daughter is ill, yes, but the third and fourth daughters are both in good health. Once the eldest has seen the physician, we can call them over. It’s just a family meal, no one will think anything of it."

Jiang Huaishan already felt the arrangement was improper. Hearing his sister-in-law’s unrelenting tone, he stepped forward and addressed the Heir directly.

"I invite the Heir to move ahead; my mother, my son, and I will accompany you."

His words pointedly excluded Madam Zhang and the other female relatives. Song Shiye glanced at the resolute Jiang Huaishan. Though he did not know what had occurred in the manor, he suppressed his anger for the time being. Flashing that same sunny, artificial smile as before, he turned and walked away.

Song Shizhui and Jiang Shilin followed, but as they were not of the same ilk, there was nothing to be said between them.