Chapter 93
Chapter 93: Aunt Mei
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Upon hearing this, Jiang Peihuan’s eyes briefly flickered before she turned to address Yue Er.
...An hour later, Jiang Peihuan accompanied Yue Er to Fang Garden.
As they approached the entrance, they were greeted by the sight of a jubilantly decorated interior. Once they stepped inside, Jiang Peihuan noticed that almost the entire Jiang family was present, with the exception of Jiang Hong and Jiang Ren.
“Elder sister?”
Jiang Sijin and Jiang Songbai had already arrived. Seeing Jiang Peihuan appear, they promptly approached her.
Jiang Peihuan scanned the room but didn’t see Jiang Ruyun. Turning to Jiang Sijin, she asked, “Where’s your second sister?”
“I’m not sure where she’s gone. The eldest brother went to find her.”
“I’ll check on it. You two stay here.”
Seeing many people who were acquainted with Jiang Yuan, Jiang Peihuan quietly instructed Jiang Sijin and Jiang Songbai.
After both of them nodded in agreement, Jiang Peihuan headed towards the backyard.
Jiang Peihuan searched high and low but found no sign of Jiang Ruyun. Just as she was about to head back, she noticed Jian Mei, who was all dolled up.
Jian Mei had shed her previous innocent look. Now, she was wearing an exquisite orange dress, and her hair was adorned with a multitude of intricate accessories, complicated.
“Young Miss?”
“Aunt Mei.”
Hearing Jiang Peihuan’s form of address, a flash of disgust crossed Jian Mei’s eyes. Even though she quickly hid it, Jiang Peihuan captured that fleeting emotion.
“I didn’t expect you to come, Miss. I was under the impression that you harbored a strong dislike for me.”
“Why would I hate you, Aunt Mei? What have you done to warrant that?”
Despite Jian Mei’s provocative tone, Jiang Peihuan remained calm and collected.
Recalling Meng Yi’s advice, Jian Mei’s face changed slightly. She advanced until she was just two steps away from Jiang Peihuan, then spoke in a frosty tone, “Miss, are you curious as to why Jiang Yuan and the old madam agreed to welcome me into the family?”
“Aunt Mei, are you willing to tell me?”
Jiang Peihuan was genuinely curious about this.
Especially since the Old Madam Jiang had given her consent, it made her even more intrigued.
“Do you know my family background, Miss?”
“I do.”
“You, too, are a daughter of a noble house, and your father was a general under my father.”
“You’re aware of that?”
At Jiang Peihuan’s response, surprise flickered in Jian Mei’s eyes. But soon, a smug expression took its place. “Eldest Miss, you only know that my father served under the Grand General, but did you know that my father also saved Jiang Yuan’s life?”
Jian Mei’s father was actually Jiang Yuan’s savior. This was indeed something that Jiang Peihuan did not know.
But now, Jiang Peihuan understood why Old Madam Jiang agreed to let Jiang Yuan and Jiang Mei enter the family.
Seeing Jiang Peihuan silent, a triumphant look took hold in Jian Mei’s eyes. “Miss, given this history, Jiang Yuan will go to great lengths to treat me well. If he doesn’t…”
“Although your father is the lifesaver of Second Uncle, if Second Uncle finds out that your intentions aren’t so pure, I fear he won’t be as lenient,” Jiang Peihuan gently cut her off before she could finish.
Shocked, Jian Mei looked at Jiang Peihuan, masking her surprise with a sarcastic chuckle. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re implying.”
“Do you really not know, Aunt Mei? The deal between you and Meng Yi, or should I say, with the Prince of Qing?” With every word that Jian Peihuan said, Jian Mei’s expression became uglier.
However, once Jiang Peihuan finished, Jian Mei appeared unfazed. She looked at Jiang Peihuan, and said, “Eldest Miss, all this conjecture, but it’s merely hearsay without any proof. You don’t have any evidence.”
“You’re right, 1 don’t have any evidence yet, but remember there are no walls without ears. From this point on, I’ll be watching you, Aunt Mei. Any action against the Jiang family won’t go unnoticed or unpunished.”
As her words hung in the air, a sudden smile lit up Jiang Peihuan’s face. Jian Mei seethed, about to retort when Jiang Peihuan called out, “Second Uncle.” “Huan Er, what brings you here?” came the voice of Jiang Yuan.
“Today is a joyous occasion for you and Aunt Mei, so I’ve brought a small token of congratulations,” Jiang Peihuan replied warmly.
At her cue, Yue Er stepped forward and opened a box, revealing a beautiful white jade bracelet within.
The box opened, revealing the white jade bracelet inside.
Upon seeing the gift, Jiang Yuan’s face softened, “Your thoughtfulness warms my heart.”
“Yun Er is already having fun in the front. Go join her.”
Nodding to Jiang Yuan, Jiang Peihuan, accompanied by Yue Er, took her leave.
As they left, Jian Mei glared at their retreating figures, her hands clenched in tight fists. But when she turned to Jiang Yuan, she wore a soft, loving smile. “My dear,” she murmured.
“Come, today is our day. We have many guests waiting,” he replied.
“Yes.”
In the courtyard.
Jian Peihuan had just walked into the courtyard when she saw Jiang Ruyun, whose eyes were red.” There are quite a number of people here today. No matter what, don’t let outsiders laugh at you.”
Hearing Jian Peihuan’s words, Jiang Ruyun’s eyes turned red again. She looked at her and said in a low voice,” Elder Sister, my mother has already gone to my maternal grandfather’s house.”
“After such an incident, it’s good to let Second Aunt rest for two days. Don’t worry, your marriage with the Cao family has already been decided. No matter how angry Second Aunt is, she will come back to handle your marriage.”
Under Jiang Peihuan’s comfort, Jiang Ruyun managed to calm down somewhat. But, seeing Jiang Mei shadowing Jiang Yuan, tending to his every need, a spark of fury still ignited in Jiang Ruyun’s eyes.
In the past, Jiang Ruyun would have charged straight towards them. However, remembering Jiang Peihuan’s caution about avoiding public ridicule, she clenched her fists tightly and retreated to the solace of her room instead.
“Eldest Sister, Second Sister?”
Looking at Jiang Ruyun’s back as she left, there was a hint of worry in Jiang Sijin’s eyes.
After contemplating for a moment, Jiang Peihuan responded softly, “Go check on her. Comfort your Second Sister a bit.”
“Understood.”
Jiang Sijin followed in the direction that Jiang Ruyun had taken. As for Jiang Peihuan, she chose not to linger in the aftermath of the ceremony. She headed straight back to her haven, the plum garden.
From then on, an additional member graced the second branch of the Jiang family, Concubine Mei.
When Jiang Peihuan returned to her plum garden, it was still early. However, a faint aroma, cold yet comforting, permeated the air.
This unique scent belonged solely to Xiao Nanye.
Sure enough, Jiang Peihuan pushed open the door and saw Xiao Nanye sitting on the chair.
As expected, upon opening the door, she found Xiao Nanye perched on a chair, engrossed in a medical book that she frequently read.
“You’re back. I’ve been waiting for you for quite some time.”
Hearing his voice, the man set the book aside. A strange sensation filled Jiang Peihuan’s heart as she took in the familiar rhythm of his speech.
“Today my Second Uncle accepted a concubine. Hence, I attended dinner at Fang Garden.”
“Accepted a concubine? If my memory serves right, isn’t there a rule in your family that a man can only take a concubine if he’s childless by the age of forty? But your Second Uncle, hasn’t he already fathered a daughter?”