Chapter 36: Seeking Favor
"You didn't come today just to see your grandmother, did you? What else is the matter?" Old Madam Jiang said. Earlier, before Jiang Ruan arrived, a maid had already informed her about the incident outside Delicate Splendor Courtyard. When Jiang Ruan proposed seeking her help to resolve the matter, Old Madam Jiang was quite surprised, though she soon understood. Since this eldest granddaughter had never been favored by Jiang Quan and her stepmother was far from kind, turning to her grandmother was likely her only option. However, if she intended to curry favor to help Granny Zhou, Old Madam Jiang was unwilling.
Before Jiang Ruan could speak, a maid outside announced, "Madam has arrived." Immediately after, a clear voice rang out: "Grandmother!"
Without turning around, Jiang Ruan saw a figure in white dart past her, nimbly climbing onto Old Madam Jiang's couch and nestling against her like a kitten, exclaiming cheerfully, "Grandmother, look! I brought your favorite almond cake!" With that, she placed a small woven basket on the table as if presenting a treasure.
"Su Su, what kind of behavior is this? What if you disturb Grandmother?" Xia Yan's voice came from behind.
Jiang Susu pouted. "What does it matter? Grandmother won't scold me."
"Impudent monkey," Old Madam Jiang chided, though a smile crept onto her face. "So unruly—what will people think when you marry someday?"
"Grandmother, what are you saying?" Jiang Susu blushed, then turned as if noticing Jiang Ruan for the first time, feigning surprise. "Da Jiejie is here too."
Jiang Ruan smiled and nodded.
Jiang Susu glanced between Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Ruan before suddenly saying, "Grandmother, were you and Da Jiejie talking about secrets behind my back? I want to hear too! Da Jiejie, what were you two doing just now?" She blinked, her misty eyes lively and affectionate, the crimson teardrop mole on her face like a tiny flower. Her innocent demeanor resembled a fairy who had descended to the mortal world, evoking tender pity in anyone who saw her.
Old Madam Jiang remained silent, only casting a faint glance at Jiang Ruan.
Cai Que looked at Jiang Ruan with concern. The room was lively, yet the eldest young lady seemed utterly alone—cold and isolated, without even a single person to speak up for her.
Xia Yan chuckled. "Su Su, don't talk nonsense. Your Da Jiejie—"
Before she could finish, Jiang Ruan sighed softly, her voice gentle and unhurried as she said, "Su Su, you're mistaken. I came today only to see Grandmother. You know I spent six whole years at the estate, six years without seeing Grandmother. Buddhist scriptures speak of completeness, and I believe the most complete thing in this world is family reunion. Unlike you, Su Su, who can enjoy such completeness at any moment, for me, today's meeting is the most complete moment in six years. Grandmother and I weren't whispering secrets—I... just wanted to see my family, that's all."
The room fell eerily silent. Jiang Ruan stood quietly in place, a faint smile on her lips, yet her gaze seemed tinged with sorrow. Compared to Jiang Susu's pitiable charm, her quiet demeanor made people all the more curious to uncover her thoughts.Xia Yan's smile had frozen on her face, her hands clenched into fists within her sleeves. Jiang Ruan's words seemed harmless on the surface, but they subtly accused Jiang Susu of impropriety. Who could possibly fault a girl who had just returned home yearning for familial affection? Sure enough, Old Madam Jiang's gaze softened slightly as she looked at Jiang Ruan. Before Jiang Susu could react, the old lady's displeased voice rang out: "Su Su, your Da Jiejie has just returned home. It's only natural she comes to see her grandmother. Don't make trouble."
Jiang Susu was momentarily stunned. While her earlier remarks had indeed been deliberately aimed at Jiang Ruan, she had been confident Old Madam Jiang wouldn't reprimand her. Over the years, her obedient and sensible nature had earned her the old lady's doting affection—this was the first time she'd ever been scolded. Still too young to fully conceal her emotions, Jiang Susu forced a smile: "Forgive me, Da Jiejie. Su Su didn't mean it. Please don't be angry."
"How could I be angry with my own sister?" Jiang Ruan replied gently.
Old Madam Jiang grew even more pleased. "You sisters must support each other. The eldest has set a good example today."
Xia Yan stepped forward with a smile: "Ruan Niang is indeed wonderful. But Ruan Niang, I heard Lin Lang angered you today—something about a servant requiring the old madam's judgment. What happened?"
Jiang Susu remained nestled beside Old Madam Jiang, though her posture wasn't as natural as when she first entered. The old lady also turned to Jiang Ruan, clearly awaiting an explanation.
Jiang Ruan then calmly recounted the incident outside Delicate Splendor Courtyard from beginning to end. Her steady tone and verbatim repetition of her conversation with Lin Lang, without embellishment, made her account all the more credible. After finishing, she looked at Old Madam Jiang: "When my mother passed and I lay ill, I only heard Granny Zhou had left the manor. I never expected to see her today. Some bold maid must have misspoken back then. But I don't understand—as my wet nurse, how did Granny Zhou come to such circumstances?"
Xia Yan sighed softly: "Ruan Niang, you were young then. There were things I didn't wish to tell you. The truth is, after your mother's passing, Granny Zhou didn't leave—she was caught stealing your mother's jewelry. The Jiang household cannot tolerate thieving servants, especially your own wet nurse. Fearing the shock might worsen your illness, I discussed with your father to punish her without telling you." Xia Yan gazed at her earnestly: "Now that you know, I apologize as your mother. But the servant deserved punishment. Even if you misunderstand me, I don't regret that decision."
Cai Que and Du Juan listened with bowed heads, knowing they had no place to speak, though inwardly they marveled at how flawlessly their mistress had crafted this explanation—leaving the eldest miss with no room for rebuttal.
Jiang Ruan shook her head: "Though Mother handled Mei Qing Courtyard's servants without informing me these six years, it was all for my sake. How could I possibly blame you?"Xia Yan's expression darkened, but seeing Jiang Ruan's face even more sincere than hers, as if completely unaware of the veiled sarcasm in her words, made her even more frustrated. Jiang Ruan continued, "There's just one thing I don't understand. A servant who steals their master's money and jewelry doesn't seem to deserve punishments like having their eyes gouged out or being forced to eat night soil. The Jiang family is supposed to be a scholarly household—how could such brutal things happen?"
"Gouging out eyes and eating night soil?" Old Madam Jiang frowned. "What is this about?" As a devout Buddhist, she held certain principles, and while she usually turned a blind eye to Xia Yan's methods—knowing she was no pushover—she never imagined this usually soft-spoken woman could be so cruel to a defenseless wet nurse. This crossed a line for her.
Xia Yan's voice remained gentle. "That's not what happened. Precisely because Granny Zhou was Ruan-niang's wet nurse, I couldn't bear to punish her too harshly. I merely sent her to the laundering house. But who knew she would continue stealing there, getting into fights with the other servants? They gouged out her eyes, and the laundering house couldn't keep her anymore, so she had to take on night soil duty."
(End of Chapter)
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