Chapter Seventeen: Family

Jiang Bingji’s remark left Jiang Li in an exceedingly awkward situation. Tong’er, who stood beside Jiang Li, wanted to speak up in her defense, but as a maid, she had no place to do so here.

Jiang Bingji’s comment reminded everyone present just how ruthless Jiang Li had been in the past; a girl capable of plotting against her own kin was truly someone to be feared.

Jiang Li, however, acted as though she hadn’t heard Jiang Bingji at all. Her smile remained undiminished as she turned to Jiang Bingji and said with a cheerful air, “Is this my younger brother? I didn’t expect to come back and find him grown so tall. He is truly adorable.”

Her praise sounded genuine enough, but in Ji Shuran’s ears, it was laced with malice. Before she could respond, Jiang Bingji raised his voice and declared, “Who’s your brother? You’re a murderer!”

Once might have been enough, but to repeat it was harsh, especially as Jiang Bingji spoke so loudly. Jiang Yuanbai’s face darkened, and he asked coldly, “Who taught you to speak like that?”

Jiang Bingji shrank back, seemingly cowed by his father, and fell silent.

The matriarch gently patted Jiang Bingji on the back, then glared at Jiang Yuanbai. “There’s no need to lose your temper with a child,” she chided. Turning to Jiang Li, she said coolly, “Second girl, come and greet your uncles and aunts.”

At her grandmother’s bidding, Jiang Li finally lifted her gaze to the others present.

Aside from the eldest branch, headed by Jiang Yuanbai, the estate also housed the second branch, led by Jiang Yuanping and his family, and the third branch, led by Jiang Yuanxing and his.

Jiang Yuanping was Jiang Yuanbai’s full brother and currently held the rank of Assistant Censor-in-Chief in the capital. His wife, Lady Lu, was the legitimate daughter of an official, a suitable match. Jiang Yuanping was plump and jovial, a stark contrast to Jiang Yuanbai’s refined elegance, but he greeted Jiang Li warmly. Lady Lu was the very image of a refined capital lady—her attire and jewelry were exquisite, her hairpins sparkling with gems. Clearly, she wanted for nothing and enjoyed adorning herself. She was slender and delicate in appearance, but her gaze was shrewd, complementing her husband’s temperament. She handed Jiang Li a bracelet of green jade beads as a welcome gift, saying, “It’s good you have returned,” all the while carefully sizing her up.

Jiang Li accepted the gift with poise.

As for the third branch, Jiang Yuanxing was the son of the old master by a concubine. Though illegitimate, this side of the family generally lived in peace with the others, though the matriarch showed them little favor. Jiang Yuanxing was delicate and frail, with a shy demeanor. His wife, Lady Yang, however, was reputed to be bold and forthright, and though she was herself born of a concubine in a lower-ranking official’s household, her family’s status was still above that of her husband, who held a mere scribe’s post. Perhaps for this reason, Lady Yang always felt she had married beneath her station and was ever assertive with her husband.

When Jiang Li greeted the third branch, Lady Yang presented her with a pair of pearl earrings. These, however, were old and lackluster—whether due to the third branch’s straitened circumstances or Lady Yang’s stinginess, they paled in comparison to the jade bracelet from Lady Lu.

These, then, were Jiang Li’s second uncle and aunt, and her third uncle and aunt. Standing beside Lady Lu were two youths: the elder, about sixteen or seventeen, bore a strong resemblance to Jiang Yuanping—round-faced and genial. The younger, about Jiang Li’s age, looked much like Lady Lu, with handsome features. He stared intently at Jiang Li, but when she met his gaze, he quickly looked away.

Jiang Yuanbai introduced them, “These are your eldest cousin Jingyou and your second cousin Jingrui.”

They were the legitimate grandsons of the second branch.

The third branch, Lady Yang, had two daughters close to Jiang Li’s age. The elder, Jiang Yuyan, was plain in both looks and dress, giving off an air of timidity. The younger, Jiang Yuer, was prettier and more lively in her attire, watching Jiang Li with an inscrutable expression.

Such were the members of Second Miss Jiang’s family.

Standing in the hall, gazing at these utterly unfamiliar faces—her so-called kin—Jiang Li found herself thinking instead of the small county town of Tongxiang, of the carefree days she had spent with Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao.

Despite the lavish surroundings, the gold and jade splendor, Jiang Li felt there was nothing here worth longing for. In the eyes of these relatives, she saw only calculation, suspicion, hidden malice—or at best, indifference. This seemingly tranquil and elegant manor was, in truth, fraught with danger.

They stared at Jiang Li, perhaps because the years had estranged them, making any sense of closeness impossible. Only Jiang Yuanping exchanged a few words with her; the others were mostly silent. From the looks on her two half-sisters’ faces—fear and disdain—Jiang Li knew the scandal of her supposed crimes against her stepmother and half-brother was deeply rooted in everyone’s mind. To them, she was a ruthless villain, unfit for their company.

Jiang Yuanbai seemed oblivious to all this. Once Jiang Li had greeted her kin, he turned to Ji Shuran and said, “Take Miss Li to her quarters. She’s had a long journey and must be tired. Let her rest early today.”

Jiang Yuanbai’s gentle tone toward Jiang Li elicited various reactions from those in the hall.

Ji Shuran smiled warmly. “Even without your command, husband, I have already made arrangements. Nanny Sun,” she called, “take Second Miss to her rooms.” Suddenly, as if remembering something, she turned to Jiang Li with a gentle smile. “Li’er, since you have just returned and only have one little maid by your side, I thought it best to assign you two new maids to serve you.” Then, glancing at the matriarch, she added, “The two girls Xiangqiao and Yunxiang from my own quarters are diligent and reliable. I wish to place them with Second Miss—mother, do you approve?”

The old lady replied coolly, “Do as you see fit.”

Ji Shuran smiled and asked Jiang Li, “Do you like them, Li’er?”

Jiang Li looked at Ji Shuran’s gentle, caring expression and could only find it laughable. After all, Ji Shuran now had a legitimate son and enjoyed her husband’s favor—why, then, was she still so uneasy, unwilling to let even a notorious daughter who had been gone for seven years out of her sight? Barely back home, and she was already sending her own attendants to watch over her.

Jiang Li smiled. “Thank you for your thoughtfulness, mother. I shall accept them with gratitude.”

Ji Shuran seemed relieved, and as she watched her wife and daughter’s seemingly harmonious interaction, Jiang Yuanbai’s own expression softened. “Then don’t delay any longer—take Li’er to settle in,” he said.

Nanny Sun quickly led Jiang Li away.

The Jiang estate, housing three branches, was naturally vast. Jiang Li followed Nanny Sun, unfamiliar with the paths, but Tong’er, who knew her way, grew more uneasy the further they went.

This courtyard was quite remote. When they finally arrived, Jiang Li paused before the entrance, her eyes fixed on the three characters above the gate.

A small wooden plaque hung at the door. The handwriting was unremarkable, yet it carried a certain unrestrained charm.

“Court of Blossoms.”

Jiang Li felt a peculiar emotion stir within her. After a moment’s silence, she murmured softly, “Court of Blossoms…”

“That was the lady’s sickroom,” Tong’er whispered beside her.