Chapter Eighteen: Inquiries

Jiang Er Miss’s birth mother, Ye Zhenzhen, was married into the Jiang family for three years without bearing a child. It was only after Jiang Yuanbai’s chambermaid had given birth to the first illegitimate daughter that Ye Zhenzhen finally conceived Jiang Li. Unfortunately, fate was unkind to Ye Zhenzhen; after giving birth to Jiang Li, her health deteriorated day by day, and she passed away within half a year. It was precisely because Jiang Yuanbai thought his youngest daughter needed care that he soon married Ji Shuran into the household.

The courtyard where Ye Zhenzhen had recuperated was this Fangfei Court.

Jiang Yuanbai was a scholar, and though he was an ambitious man, eager to climb the ranks and pursue power, he still inherited some of a scholar’s pedantic temperament. For example, Jiang Yuanbai liked to parade his aloofness and disdained all things gaudy and vulgar. Ye Zhenzhen, born into a merchant family, loved all things bustling and lively; even her flower beds were filled with brilliant, flamboyant blooms. Jiang Yuanbai, however, preferred elegant lotuses and verdant bamboo.

Ji Shuran knew how to cater to his tastes, presenting herself as refined and gentle, and thus she disdained to enter Fangfei Court. Now, with Jiang Li’s return to the manor, intentionally or not, the courtyard where her mother had once nursed her illness was assigned to her.

Considered from a more sinister perspective, this was the most remote courtyard in the main branch, far from her other brothers and sisters, let alone Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai. Naturally, it was not a sign of closeness. Moreover, residing in her late mother’s sickroom, would Jiang Er Miss be haunted by memories and sorrow, perhaps even agitated or angered?

Tong’er’s worries dissipated entirely when she saw Jiang Li’s demeanor.

Jiang Li showed neither sadness nor anger. Apart from a moment’s daze when she first saw the words “Fangfei Court,” she remained calm throughout. Even Nanny Sun was quite surprised, and after a few hurried instructions, she left.

The room was left with only Jiang Li and Tong’er. Now that Jiang Li had returned to the Jiang family, Yuxiang had also gone back to Lady Liu at the Chengde Gentleman’s residence. Upon leaving, Jiang Li had even asked Yuxiang to convey her thanks to Lady Liu, promising to visit in person another day.

The room was reasonably tidy, though the various flowers that Ye Zhenzhen once instructed the servants to plant had long since withered away after years of neglect. Now the yard was barren, save for some cleared weeds, and its size only made it seem more desolate.

Tong’er glanced at Jiang Li, hesitated, and finally asked, “Miss, do you feel uncomfortable at heart?”

“This courtyard is quite nice,” Jiang Li replied, looking around. “It’s large and quiet.” She seemed not to take Tong’er’s concerns to heart. Instead, she gazed thoughtfully at the neglected flowerbeds before saying, “There are no flowers left, but that’s easily remedied. You and I have lived on Mount Qingcheng for years, and we’re quite skilled at tending to plants. Another day, go procure some flower seeds. We’ll plant them here, and soon enough, the place will be lively again.”

Tong’er’s spirits were lifted as she listened. “You’re right, Miss. We grew crops on Mount Qingcheng, so growing flowers is no trouble. With such a large courtyard, it will surely look beautiful when the flowers bloom.” She felt that ever since Jiang Li’s near-drowning, she had improved day by day. Perhaps the events regarding Marquis Ningyuan had truly been a turning point for Jiang Li. Now, her actions were measured and her will steadfast. Perhaps this was what the elders meant by ‘from destruction comes new life.’

“Our days will be like the blooming flowers in this courtyard—each day more lively and better than the last,” Tong’er said sincerely.

Jiang Li smiled. Her intention in planting flowers in the courtyard was not merely to follow tradition, nor to demonstrate hopefulness. Rather, she needed to do something to draw attention, to let people know that the second Miss of the Jiang family could not be tossed aside and forgotten, left to gather dust in a corner.

So it would be with planting flowers, and so it would be with everything she did in the future.

She had no intention of being a quiet, unnoticed young lady.

By evening, Fangfei Court had grown lively. First, Ji Shuran sent over tailors to make new clothes for Jiang Li. After what Jiang Li had said at the manor gates in front of everyone, Ji Shuran could not afford to feign ignorance. To salvage her shattered image and demonstrate her magnanimity as a stepmother, she spared no expense to have truly fine garments made for Jiang Li.

Not only that, Ji Shuran sent a box of jewelry, and Old Madam Jiang also sent silver. Compared to the jewelry, the silver was much more useful. Jiang Li now had nothing in hand, and without money, she would have no authority in the Jiang household.

Jiang Yuanbai also paid a visit. Seeing that Fangfei Court was at least decently arranged, he nodded in approval. After exchanging a few words, both father and daughter felt the years had made them strangers, and Jiang Yuanbai soon left.

Later, as evening lamps were lit, the two maids sent by Ji Shuran—Xiangqiao and Yunshuang—arrived.

These two maids, whom Ji Shuran praised as ‘sensible and obedient,’ now stood before Jiang Li to offer their greetings.

Maids sent by Ji Shuran could only serve as Jiang Li’s close attendants. Their clothing was much more lavish than Tong’er’s—especially Xiangqiao, whose wrist bore a pure gold bracelet, shining brightly.

Yunshuang, though standing to pay respects, had a faintly arrogant look, and her curtseys were perfunctory. She likely thought Jiang Li was a fallen young lady, who, even upon returning home, would come to no good end under Ji Shuran’s reign. She did not even bother to feign politeness.

Xiangqiao, on the other hand, was clever and had a honeyed tongue, her lively eyes darting to the jewelry box Ji Shuran had sent. She greeted Jiang Li with exaggerated respect.

No matter their demeanor, they were, in essence, Ji Shuran’s spies. From a single glance, Jiang Li had a good grasp of their characters.

Yunshuang fawned on the powerful and scorned the weak, her eyes full of contempt; Xiangqiao was greedy and sycophantic, always ready to shift with the wind. Both were petty, but though not her own people, perhaps still usable.

Tong’er disliked both of them, making no effort to hide her displeasure.

Jiang Li waved her hand. “There’s nothing more here. Xiangqiao, stay and tell me about the situation in the manor. Yunshuang, you may go.”

Yunshuang was only too glad to leave and quickly excused herself. Xiangqiao remained. Jiang Li invited her to sit, but Xiangqiao demurred repeatedly.

After some coaxing, Xiangqiao finally sat. Then Jiang Li opened the jewelry box from Ji Shuran, selected a ruby dragonfly hairpin, and pressed it into Xiangqiao’s hand. “I’ve just returned. I must rely on your guidance, Sister Xiangqiao. Please tell me about the current state of the manor.”

Xiangqiao swallowed hard. She should have refused, but the heavy hairpin in her hand made refusal impossible.

The second Miss of the Jiang family never acted lightly, but when she did, her generosity was irresistible. Who could say no?

After a moment’s consideration, Xiangqiao thought the second Miss must be a fool. Since she now served at her side, if she could please the second Miss, wouldn’t she profit daily? As for the affairs of the manor, Jiang Li had no clever people around her; everything depended on Xiangqiao’s own tongue. This way, she need not betray her mistress, and she would have two sources of silver.

Delighted, Xiangqiao began, “Miss, you mustn’t say such things. It’s my duty to enlighten you. As for the manor…” All the while, she clutched the hairpin tightly.

Tong’er grew anxious. Xiangqiao was clearly up to no good, and yet Jiang Li rewarded her so generously. People’s greed knows no bounds. Yet, Jiang Li seemed to listen intently.

Xiangqiao prattled on, talking herself hoarse. Seeing Jiang Li listen so earnestly, she grew smug. Most of her words were about the second and third branches, never mentioning the main branch’s affairs. The second Miss was really foolish—listening so trustingly and rewarding her with a gemstone hairpin for such trivial matters; what a rare and easy job.

After half an hour, with nothing more to say, Xiangqiao concluded, “That is the current state of the manor, Miss.”

Jiang Li seemed engrossed, and when Xiangqiao stopped, she appeared to want more. After a moment’s thought, she said, “If there’s nothing more about the manor, then tell me about interesting happenings in the city.”

“The city?” Xiangqiao was taken aback.

“Yes, in the capital—what unusual events have happened in recent years? I heard that the Old Madam of Rongxinling passed away three years ago. I remember when I was little, she gave me a double-sided Guanyin embroidery. And I heard from Sister Yuxiang about the most beautiful woman in the city, whose husband, the new top scholar, recently passed away. Is it true?”

—Author’s Note—

In previous novels, the heroines—whether gentle girls or empresses—often suffered from a lack of proper upbringing, resulting in small flaws of character. This time, Li’s difference lies in her happy, complete family; the scoundrels she met only appeared after her marriage, so her character is not dark. On the contrary, she is wise, warm, and just—a truly good girl.

The one with flaws in this novel is the male lead—a ruthless, cold, and merciless dark overlord.

But isn’t it much more fun to tame such a wild pepper? Isn’t there real satisfaction in turning a big bad wolf into a loyal dog?

Yes!

With mischievous delight from Chacha. [smile]