Chapter 35: The Three Sisters Harbor Different Intentions

Jiang Shiyuan sometimes wondered how her second aunt’s mind worked. Even though they were all of the Jiang family, the woman was always obsessed with hierarchies, as if she could derive some perverse pleasure from crushing the people of the first branch. A flash of anger clouded Jiang Shiyuan’s eyes as she asked, "How did she make things difficult for Aunt Yang?"

"After we left the residence, Grandmother summoned her. She accused her of lacking discipline and being prone to laziness, so she was punished by being forced to kneel on shattered porcelain. Aunt didn't say a word when I went to see her; if I hadn't spotted the medicine bottle, I would have remained completely in the dark."

"Is it serious?" Jiang Shiyuan asked with concern. Jiang Shishu nodded, her eyes brimming with heartache. "Her knees are bruised black and blue, and she can barely walk. There were also smaller, jagged wounds that have only just scabbed over after applying the medicine."

Hearing this, Jiang Shiyuan felt that Aunt Yang was truly innocent. For all these years, she had never caused a stir in the inner courtyard. Yet, for this one moment of daring, she had been subjected to such torment by the second aunt. And Grandmother, being just as unreasonable, allowed herself to be manipulated by the second aunt into resorting to private, brutal punishments.

"Does Father know?"

Jiang Shishu shook her head, feeling aggrieved. Her eyes were rimmed with red, though she fought to keep her emotions from overflowing. "Aunt said Father is busy with many affairs lately and shouldn't be bothered by such trifles. She insisted that if Eldest Sister invites me to any banquets, I should still go. But I truly cannot bear to see Aunt suffer for my sake. Eldest Sister, I think I had better stay home."

She spoke with pure sincerity, devoid of any ulterior motives—only genuine worry for her mother’s suffering. It was far more authentic than the Fourth Sister’s performance earlier.

Jiang Shiyuan was not a fool; she saw this clearly. Just as she was about to speak, Jiang Shiyue, who had just returned and overheard the tail end of their conversation, hurried into the room. She gathered her skirts, looking both eager and vulnerable. "Eldest Sister, are you taking Third Sister out? Could you take me along as well? It has been so many years, and I have barely been to the front hall, let alone outside. Mother keeps me locked in my room every single day. I really don't know what to do anymore."

At these words, everyone in the room turned to look at her.

There was no shock in Jiang Shiyuan’s eyes; she already knew the girl’s character well. However, perhaps due to her youth, the girl was always too eager to gain an advantage. Jiang Shiyuan’s tone remained calm and indifferent. "Fourth Sister, you heard wrong. Third Sister was saying that she would rather not be invited to any future banquets. So, tell me, should I agree to that or not?"

Jiang Shiyue looked at her older sisters, feeling a twinge of awkwardness and deep regret. Not only had she misunderstood the situation, but she had also spoken with such unseemly haste. If the Eldest Sister sensed something untoward, wouldn't she be losing more than she gained?

She had already completely offended her legal mother. If she couldn't secure some benefit from the Eldest Sister, she might as well go back and obey her mother by considering that third young master of the Prince’s residence. She gave a strained laugh and said, "Third Sister has a quiet nature, so it is only natural that she doesn't care for going out. Eldest Sister and Third Sister should decide as you please; as the younger sister, I dare not say more."

Watching her Fourth Sister’s affected, coy demeanor, Jiang Shiyuan’s impression of her dropped further. However, she understood that living in the complicated environment of the second branch required a certain level of cunning to survive. As long as the girl did not do anything too outrageous, Jiang Shiyuan would not treat her too harshly.

She handed a handkerchief to Jiang Shishu and comforted her in a soft voice. "One must walk their own path. If you constantly yield, outsiders will only view you as weak and easy to bully. This is a matter of a lifetime; I agree with Aunt Yang—if you should go, then go."

Her words may not have had a great impact on Jiang Shishu, but they struck a chord with Jiang Shiyue. Indeed, they were living in a pit of mud; if they did not struggle to climb out, who would be willing to pull them up? One only lived once, and naturally, one had to live it well. As she thought this, her downcast eyes sparkled with calculating schemes.

As the three sisters spoke, someone arrived from outside. "Eldest Miss, the banquet has concluded. The Old Madam says the Third and Fourth Misses may return to their quarters, though if you wish to keep them here for a while longer to chat, that is also fine."

The maid appeared to be a stranger, but no one questioned it.

Having learned her lesson, Jiang Shishu did not dare linger. She rose, bowed respectfully, and departed. Jiang Shiyue, however, wished to stay a little longer. Unfortunately, she noticed the Eldest Sister’s fatigue and her subtle dismissal, so she could not keep imposing herself. She followed the Third Miss out of the Ting-Shi Pavilion.

Once the two had left, Green Luo finally approached Jiang Shiyuan, unable to suppress her complaints. "Eldest Miss, you didn't see it—the Fourth Miss kept praising every corner of this courtyard. She even claimed the ordinary copper basin and water here were more precious than what she uses in her own room. Honestly, I didn't even know how to respond."

"That is enough. The Fourth Miss is a mistress, and we are but servants. You must not speak ill of her, do you understand?"

Liu Hua cut off Green Luo’s impulse to continue, and Jiang Shiyuan chuckled at the sight.

"It is a small matter, don't take it to heart. However, the second aunt did remind me of something today. The Fourth Sister is only thirteen, and they have already begun arranging her marriage. The Third Sister is already fourteen; we truly cannot delay. Tomorrow, when we return to the Marquis’s residence, I will ask my cousin-in-law. She may have some leads."

"Why not ask the Marchioness, Eldest Miss? She likely interacts with more noble ladies than anyone else."

Jiang Shiyuan looked at Green Luo’s innocent face, truly thinking the girl was quite naive. She hadn't noticed during their few days at the Marquis’s estate that her aunt did not care much for the Third Sister, whereas the cousin-in-law was much more attentive.

She smiled gently and explained, "The people my aunt associates with are mostly Dukes and Earls. Such families are too high-ranking; it is unlikely the Third Sister would be able to marry into them. On the contrary, my cousin-in-law’s connections are more practical. Her grandfather is the Minister of the Secretariat; they must be acquainted with many promising young talents within the Six Ministries. Finding someone with a clean family background and a simple household might be a better path for her."

"I see! The Eldest Miss is truly brilliant. To be able to resolve these matters so perfectly while still at home—you will surely make a wonderful mistress of the Pei household when you marry into the Pei family in Hanzhou!"

Green Luo’s compliment was heartfelt and entirely genuine. Liu Hua could not help but smile at her words, while Jiang Shiyuan remained composed. Resting her chin in her hand, she put on a look of mock helplessness.

"Indeed. Not only am I clever, but I am also born with such natural beauty. What is one to do? The heavens simply favor me a bit too much."

"Oh! Eldest Miss, you shouldn't praise yourself; it is up to us servants to say such things! If outsiders were to hear you, who knows what they might say about you being shameless."

Green Luo quickly interrupted her. Her nervous expression made both Jiang Shiyuan and Liu Hua burst into laughter. The events that had transpired that afternoon at the Tai'an Courtyard were soon forgotten amidst their laughter.