Chapter 32: The Mansion
The courtyard being prepared was still under renovation, so Xia Yan first led Jiang Ruan into the main hall, where the other concubines were waiting for her. Jiang Susu had been cheerful the entire way, chatting with Jiang Ruan about amusing household anecdotes. From a distance, they appeared as harmonious as real sisters.
Upon entering the hall, just as Xia Yan had said, the concubines had already arrived, all standing politely. Near the door, an older woman in a tea-colored straight-cut jacket and skirt smiled softly at Jiang Ruan. "Eldest Miss." Jiang Ruan's gaze swept over her. This woman, named Lian Ye, had been promoted from a bedroom maid for Jiang Quan after Zhao Mei became pregnant. Unfortunately, her plain looks failed to win favor, and she never conceived, rendering her little more than a decorative fixture in the mansion—no different from any other maid.
Jiang Ruan returned the smile with a slight nod. Jiang Li walked over to a woman in a peach-colored short jacket paired with a long skirt embroidered with peony branches and cooed, "Auntie." The woman was quite beautiful, her willow eyebrows arched slightly high, and her voice carried a sharp edge as she laughed, "Oh, isn’t this the Eldest Miss? So this is why Madam summoned us today—it turns out the Eldest Miss has returned from the estate!"
Jiang Ruan ignored her biting tone. Second Madam was the illegitimate daughter of the Minister of Personnel, a political pawn to secure connections. Thanks to her father’s influence, she enjoyed some favor in the household. Her daughter, Jiang Li, had always been close to Xia Yan and had clashed with Jiang Ruan since childhood. Even when Zhao Mei was alive, Second Madam had caused her no small amount of trouble.
Jiang Ruan’s gaze then settled on a girl standing alone to the side—Jiang Dan, born to Third Madam. Third Madam had passed away after giving birth to Jiang Dan. During Zhao Mei’s time, Jiang Dan had been raised under her care, but after Zhao Mei’s death, Jiang Dan had vanished without a trace. Jiang Ruan remembered that in her past life, Jiang Dan had still been unmarried when she entered the palace, and later, news of her had simply ceased. All she recalled was that Jiang Dan had been quiet and withdrawn, rarely speaking.
The last woman was noticeably younger than the other concubines. Jiang Ruan remembered her well—this young woman had been quite formidable, nearly reaching a point of rivalry with Xia Yan in her past life. Named Hong Ying, she had been a courtesan from the pleasure quarters, originally purchased by Jiang Quan as a gift for a superior. Somehow, she had ended up becoming his concubine instead. In her previous life, Jiang Ruan had relied entirely on Xia Yan and had despised Hong Ying. Now, seeing this situation again, she found it rather amusing.
Hong Ying was just as she remembered—delicate and captivating, yet without a trace of the coquetry typical of her former profession. Instead, she exuded an air of purity and clarity, like a crystal-clear flower. No wonder even Jiang Quan, who was not particularly fond of women, had taken a liking to her. Who wouldn’t adore such an immaculate and understanding beauty?
Aside from the long-departed First Madam and Third Madam, and Xia Yan, who had been elevated to the status of official wife, all the concubines and bedroom maids of the Jiang household were now gathered here.Indeed, amidst a house full of beauties—whether for fleeting pleasures or momentary novelty—Jiang Quan's true favor still lay with Xia Yan alone. With her exceptional skills and her husband's affection, it was nearly impossible for her not to firmly establish herself in the Jiang household. Xia Yan had borne a son and a daughter: Jiang Susu and Jiang Chao.
Xia Yan explained, "The master took Chao'er to Lord Wang's residence today. Ruan'er, you might have to wait until evening to see them." No wonder Jiang Chao's figure was absent from the main hall. Jiang Quan was determined to guide Jiang Chao into an official career, frequently taking him to the homes of colleagues and personally instructing him from a young age—a stark contrast to his indifference toward Jiang Xin Zhi.
At the thought of her elder brother, Jiang Ruan's gaze stung slightly. Unconsciously, she clenched her fists within her sleeves. Taking a deep breath, she smiled lightly and said, "There’s no need to go to such lengths for me. I am, after all, a member of the Jiang household. Returning home is just like any ordinary homecoming."
Those around her fell silent at her words. Jiang Susu laughed and said, "Da Jiejie is right. But since you’ve just returned, and the household has changed quite a bit over the years, why not let the maids explain everything to you later? That way, you won’t get lost."
Jiang Li also giggled, "We’re just afraid Da Jiejie might have grown too accustomed to those interesting mountain paths and find our Jiang household’s roads a bit unfamiliar."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "How could that be?"
How could it be? Every plant and tree of the Jiang household had long been seared into her heart with the blood and tears of her past life. Every person and every corner of this place would forever haunt her nightmares. Each time she awoke from the horrors of her past life, every scene in those dreams reminded her—what kind of hell the Jiang household truly was.
Here, she had planted a seed of vengeance. Now that the seed had taken root, she only waited for it to slowly sprout.
...
Mei Qing Courtyard was where Zhao Mei had once lived. Every plant and tree within it had been carefully tended by her. The orientation was favorable, and even a feng shui master had deemed it blessed with abundant fortune. After Zhao Mei’s passing, Ruan Residence was renamed Delicate Splendor Courtyard, where Jiang Susu and her mother now resided.
Wang Pozi, who led Jiang Ruan, was one of Xia Yan’s people. Her shrewd, triangular eyes never stopped scrutinizing Jiang Ruan and her two maids, all while chattering, "Young Miss, you may not know, but the household has welcomed new faces. The Second Young Lady is older now and has been given her own courtyard. With space so tight, your quarters were specially arranged by the madam. I wonder if you’ll find them to your liking."
Luzhu walked alongside them, her eyes darting around curiously. As a newly brought-in maid, the servants around assumed she was a country bumpkin awed by the grandeur of the Jiang household.
When they finally reached a courtyard, Wang Pozi smiled and announced, "This is the place."
Jiang Ruan surveyed the surroundings. The courtyard wasn’t large, but with few servants under her, it was more than sufficient. Inside, it had been swept clean. Pushing the door open, she found the rooms neat and tidy, furnished with all necessities—far better than the conditions at the village estate.
Lianqiao and Zisu finally relaxed at the sight and began unpacking the luggage. Seeing Jiang Ruan standing pensively in the room, Wang Pozi sidled up with a smile. "Though this courtyard is a bit out of the way, it’s peaceful. The Fourth Young Lady’s courtyard isn’t far from here, so when you’re free, Young Miss, you’ll have company nearby. You won’t be bored."Jiang Dan? Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "This courtyard looks quite nice. Please convey my thanks to Mother. However, since this will be my residence, I'd like to change its name. Would you kindly pass this request along to Mother?"
Wang Pozi agreed with a smile. Jiang Ruan then stepped out of the house and walked to the front gate of the courtyard. Above the gate hung a plaque bearing three large characters: "Floating Duckweed Courtyard."
What a name—Floating Duckweed Courtyard! Xia Yan truly knew how to play on emotions. Three simple words that, in her past life, would have plunged her into melancholy for days. But now, this courtyard deserved a new name.
That evening, Wang Pozi returned with two messages from Xia Yan: first, that Jiang Ruan was free to rename the courtyard as she pleased, and second, that Jiang Quan and Jiang Chao would return late that day and would not be joining her for dinner, so she should dine alone.
The legitimate daughter had returned home, yet her own father couldn’t even be bothered to see her—such cold indifference spoke volumes. Hearing Wang Pozi’s words, Zisu and Lianqiao felt their hearts grow cold. In the Jiang household, Jiang Quan was supposed to be Jiang Ruan’s closest kin, yet his blatant disregard made it clear that her days ahead would be even harder than they had imagined.
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel