Chapter 37: Confrontation
"So that's how it is," Jiang Ruan mused thoughtfully. "Where is the person who gouged out Granny Zhou's eyes now?"
"They've already been flogged and expelled from the estate," Xia Yan replied. "As for the matter of eating night soil, that was Lin Lang's own idea. I've already punished her severely."
This series of actions made her appear virtuous and considerate, handling everything flawlessly, while Jiang Ruan seemed petty and unreasonable. Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "Mother is truly kind-hearted. Even I couldn't have done better. But since Granny Zhou's punishment was undeserved, and I've now returned, she should still be considered part of my Meiqing Courtyard—no, the Ruan Residence. Could Mother grant my request and allow her to return?"
Before Xia Yan could respond, Jiang Susu interjected, "Da Jiejie, you want Granny Zhou back in your courtyard? Aren't you afraid she'll steal again?"
"Ruan'er, I know you're a kind-hearted child," Xia Yan said, "but Granny Zhou's character truly isn't suitable to stay by your side. Besides, she's blind now. Keeping her in the Ruan Residence would just mean feeding an idle mouth. Do you really intend to have a servant who needs to be waited on? Wouldn't that make the Jiang family a laughingstock? Don't you agree, Old Madam?"
"Indeed," Old Madam Jiang nodded.
Jiang Ruan countered, "I'm doing this precisely for the sake of the Jiang family. Our household has always upheld justice and order. Now, a perfectly innocent person had her eyes gouged out right under everyone's noses. Who's to say it won't happen to someone else next time—or worse than just losing eyes? If word spreads, what will people think of the Jiang family? They'll say our household is in chaos, that Mother mismanages the estate. If Granny Zhou truly steals in the Ruan Residence, I'll be the first to send her to the authorities. But if she can reform, it would honor the bond between master and servant. Besides, being blind doesn't mean she's useless. Many people are born without sight yet still live fulfilling lives, don't they?"
Seeing Old Madam Jiang's expression soften slightly, and hearing the veiled criticism of her poor management, Xia Yan frowned. "But this goes against propriety."
"Mother," Jiang Ruan interrupted calmly, "every action has its consequence. Even for the sake of good karma in the next life, it's best not to accumulate evil deeds in this one."
Old Madam Jiang, a devout Buddhist, nodded after hearing Jiang Ruan's words. "The eldest girl is right. The Jiang family isn't heartless. That someone had their eyes gouged out under your watch reflects poorly on you as the lady of the house. Since it's just a servant, let her stay in the eldest girl's courtyard. After all, she belongs to her now—let her handle it as she sees fit."
Jiang Ruan smiled. "Thank you, Grandmother."
Xia Yan was momentarily stunned but quickly forced a smile. "Since Mother insists, I won't interfere further. But Ruan'er, if you take her into your courtyard, what will you have her do? Empty night soil buckets again?"
Jiang Ruan chuckled. "Mother worries too much. Granny Zhou is now part of the Ruan Residence. She'll simply resume her original duties as a serving maid."
Xia Yan's eyes flickered. "Ruan'er, an unmarried young lady like you having a blind serving maid won't look proper to outsiders."
"Why not?" Jiang Ruan replied. "In this world, not everything is judged by appearances.""Enough." Old Madam Jiang seemed impatient. "Da Jiejie is still young. She doesn't need to worry about appearances yet—what matters is that the servants serve her comfortably. It's too early to be concerned about such things." She glanced at Jiang Ruan's appearance and frowned. "In a few days, Vice Minister Shen's wife will be celebrating her birthday and has invited the young ladies of our Jiang household. As her mother, you shouldn't spend all your time preoccupied with household affairs. The proper thing would be to prepare some new clothes for Da Jiejie sooner. Look at what she's wearing now—if others see her like this, they might say our Jiang family mistreats our legitimate daughter."
Since returning to the household, Jiang Ruan had not changed her clothes, still wearing an old dark green padded jacket with diamond patterns. Though her striking beauty lent some charm to the worn garment, the contrast with Jiang Susu was stark. Jiang Susu preferred white clothing with minimal adornments, presenting a simple and elegant appearance at first glance. Yet upon closer inspection, the fabrics were all expensive silks, the embroidery exquisite, and though her jewelry was sparse, each piece was priceless. At a glance, she was clearly a young lady meticulously raised in a wealthy household, exuding refined grace.
"Ruan girl dresses worse than Li girl. As her legitimate mother, you should pay more attention," Old Madam Jiang admonished.
Xia Yan replied remorsefully, "This is entirely my fault. With Ruan-niang returning these past few days, I was so busy managing the Jiang household affairs that I forgot about this. I'll immediately have the tailor from Ruyi Pavilion come to take Ruan-niang's measurements for new clothes. How can the legitimate daughter of our Jiang family not be dressed splendidly?"
Her words deftly conveyed how much she had been laboring for the household while also promising swift action. Such propriety and willingness to admit fault softened Old Madam Jiang's expression. After a few more reprimands, the old madam claimed fatigue, and Jiang Ruan and the others withdrew.
At the doorway, Jiang Susu called out to Jiang Ruan, "Da Jiejie, won't you come to Su Su's courtyard for a visit?"
"Another day," Jiang Ruan replied. "There are still some things I haven't finished unpacking."
"Does Da Jiejie dislike me?" Jiang Susu looked uneasy. "Has Su Su done something wrong?"
"Of course not." Jiang Ruan feigned surprise, her tone gentler. "I am your legitimate elder sister, and you are my younger sister. How could I dislike you? Don't overthink it."
Jiang Susu's expression stiffened briefly before she lifted her face and said, "I'm relieved to hear Da Jiejie say that. In a few days, when we visit Miss Shen's residence, I'll take good care of you too."
After Jiang Susu left, Luzhu watched her retreating figure and remarked, "Young Miss, there's something strange about Second Young Miss."
"What do you mean?" Jiang Ruan asked.
Luzhu pondered. "I'm not sure, but she and Madam seem too good-natured. If it were anyone else, they would have been angry at how you acted earlier, yet Second Young Miss and Madam remained smiling and pleasant the whole time. How can such people exist? Even clay figurines have some temper."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. Xia Yan was known for her refinement, and Jiang Susu for her ethereal grace. Their reputations were their shackles, ensuring they would never act beneath their dignified facades, always maintaining perfect decorum in public. Earlier, Jiang Ruan had repeatedly emphasized her status as the legitimate eldest daughter—she wondered how much it had chafed Jiang Susu. But this was only the beginning.Xia Yan acted swiftly, and by the afternoon, the tailor from Ruyi Pavilion had arrived at Ruan Residence. The tailor from Ruyi Pavilion was a young woman named Liu Ruyi. Ruyi Pavilion was one of the top clothing shops in the capital, specializing in making garments for the noble young ladies of the city. The recent scandal involving the Jiang family's young lady had been the talk of the town, and Liu Ruyi was naturally very curious about her. Upon arriving at Ruan Residence, she saw the two bold and elegant characters inscribed on the plaque at the gate: "Ruan Residence." The calligraphy was truly magnificent—both refined and unrestrained, like a sword yet to be unsheathed, exuding a subtle sharpness. Liu Ruyi, who often catered to wealthy families and had a keen eye for fine stationery, couldn't help but inwardly praise the craftsmanship. While the capital often lauded Eighth Prince's calligraphy for its grace and charm, she felt the characters on this plaque were no less impressive.
(End of Chapter)
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