Chapter 16: Younger Brother
The murmurs from the common folk were indistinct, yet Ji Shuran needed no clarity to know what they were discussing. She turned her gaze to Jiang Li, who was smiling gently at her with an expression of meekness and sincerity.
Yet something was fundamentally different from before.
Without waiting for Ji Shuran to continue speaking, Jiang Li looked toward the still-stunned Jiang Yuanbai and said, "Father, let us go inside."
Jiang Yuanbai finally snapped out of his daze. He glanced at Ji Shuran before nodding to Jiang Li. "Very well," he said, taking the lead and stepping inside.
Ji Shuran's fingertips dug into her palms within her sleeves. That look from Jiang Yuanbai had unmistakably conveyed his dissatisfaction with her. But before she could utter a word, Jiang Yuanbai and Jiang Li were already heading into the house. Suppressing her emotions, she forced a cheerful smile and followed them.
Jiang Youyao anxiously whispered, "Mother, look at her—"
"Silence," Ji Shuran hissed under her breath. After a pause, she added, "Your father is already displeased. When we enter the hall, do not speak a word."
Seeing the genuine sternness in Ji Shuran's expression, Jiang Youyao felt a twinge of fear. Despite her grievances and resentment, she dared not show them on her face.
Outside the gate, Sun Momo fretfully twisted the handkerchief in her hands. In contrast, Yuxiang felt a weight lift from her heart. Originally, Madam Liu had left her by Jiang Li's side not only to provide care at Qingcheng Mountain but also to ensure that Jiang Li wouldn't be bullied by the household's cunning servants upon her return. It was expected that a young girl of fourteen or fifteen, who hadn't been home for years and shared little bond with her father, would struggle under her stepmother's rule.
Yet, even before stepping through the Jiang family's gates upon returning to Yanjing, Jiang Li had deftly dealt Ji Shuran and her daughter a hidden blow. Jiang Li's temperament had taken everyone by surprise—she was not one to endure passively, and her counterattacks were precisely measured, revealing her as an intelligent young woman.
Yuxiang believed that causing Jiang Li discomfort would not be so simple for Ji Shuran.
Meanwhile, Jiang Li followed Jiang Yuanbai into the Jiang residence.
Perhaps because Jiang Yuanbai served as the Grand Secretary of the court, the Jiang estate aimed to reflect the refined elegance of scholarly gentry rather than outright extravagance. The layout was tasteful and elegant, with corridors, courtyards, pavilions, and bridges adorned in predominantly black and white tones—simple yet exquisitely crafted. Unique, and undoubtedly costly, though it appeared far nobler than blatant displays of gold and silver.
Jiang Li even spotted a cluster of emerald bamboo in a corner of the garden, lending an air of reclusive refinement.
After all, she was not the true Second Miss Jiang. Everything before her eyes was entirely unfamiliar as she entered the Jiang estate. Jiang Li made no attempt to conceal her unfamiliarity, openly observing her surroundings as she walked. To the servants and maids in the courtyard, her scrutinizing gaze confirmed that the Second Miss had indeed spent too long in the wilderness, unaccustomed to such wealth.
But to Jiang Yuanbai, it left a bitter taste. No matter how flawed his legitimate daughter might be, such provincial behavior in public was an embarrassment to the Jiang family.
While Jiang Li made no effort to hide her curiosity, Tong'er walked with rigid correctness, determined not to shame her mistress and deliberately feigning familiarity. Jiang Li found it somewhat amusing to watch.Upon arriving at the Evening Phoenix Hall, two slender maids stood guard at the entrance, one on each side. Dressed in delicate yellow Narcissus Skirts, they were quite lovely. As Jiang Li and her party approached, the one on the left smiled warmly before they even drew near, saying, "Master, Madam, Old Madam Jiang has been waiting for Second Young Lady to return home. She's finally back."
Jiang Li glanced at the two maids. Their attire was luxurious, and their speech was amiable, suggesting they were quite favored by Old Madam Jiang. Without hesitation, Jiang Li returned their smiles with a gracious one of her own.
The two maids were momentarily taken aback. There had been all sorts of rumors in the manor about the long-absent Second Young Lady's return. But upon seeing her in person, she struck them as remarkably gentle and amiable, even more pleasant than Third Young Lady.
She was no coarse, uncouth wild child.
Having formed their impressions, the maids set aside further speculation and cheerfully ushered the group inside.
Despite the sweltering summer heat, the Jiang residence remained cool—partly due to the abundance of trees and flowers in the courtyard, but also thanks to the ice stored in the cellar. The Evening Phoenix Hall was even cooler than the rest of the manor. Stepping inside felt like entering the mild climate of early spring, perfectly comfortable.
The hall was filled with people seated around. As Jiang Li's party entered, everyone except the person in the foremost soft seat rose to their feet.
"Mother, Li'er has returned," Jiang Yuanbai said, cupping his hands in salute toward the seated figure.
The person in the seat spoke, her voice steady and betraying no emotion, "It's good that she's back. Second Child, come forward and let me have a look."
Jiang Li complied, stepping forward and slowly lifting her head.
The elderly woman in the seat appeared to be in her seventies, her silver hair meticulously combed back and impeccably maintained. She wore a loose, light green silk robe, its jade-colored clasps adding a touch of elegance. Her face was lined with wrinkles and showed signs of age, but her eyes were sharp and full of authority.
This was a brisk and efficient old woman. Even in her advanced years, her attire was refined, likely reflecting her exacting standards for herself and others. She did not exude warmth, but she clearly possessed the capability to manage a household. She was intelligent and formidable.
This was no surprise. Old Master Jiang had passed away early, and Old Madam Jiang had been widowed before forty. As a woman, she had raised the current Grand Secretary—no small feat.
Jiang Li had already learned from Tong'er that Old Madam Jiang was strict but fair. After Ye Zhenzhen's death, when Ji Shuran entered the household, Old Madam Jiang had not neglected Jiang Li. However, after Jiang Li caused Ji Shuran to miscarry, resulting in the loss of the Jiang family's legitimate grandson, Old Madam Jiang had been deeply disappointed. When Jiang Li was sent to Qingcheng Mountain, Old Madam Jiang had not uttered a word of objection.
In short, the bond between Jiang Li and Old Madam Jiang was now tenuous at best.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, Jiang Li suddenly heard hurried footsteps from outside, accompanied by a child's clear cry: "Mother! Grandmother!"
Turning, she saw a servant woman entering from outside, leading a child dressed in a Gilt Thread Shirt. The child, about five or six years old, had a porcelain-like fairness and was quite adorable.The moment the child entered the room, he broke free from the servant woman's grasp and ran straight toward Old Madam Jiang. The old madam hurriedly instructed the matron beside her to steady him, but the child deftly climbed onto her lap as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Wrapping his arms around Old Madam Jiang's neck, he suddenly turned to look at Jiang Li and piped up in a clear, childish voice, "Are you the bad person who killed my brother?"
Brother? Bad person?
His words cast an immediate silence over the room. Ji Shuran scolded sharply, "Ji Ge'er, don't talk nonsense!"
The boy named Ji Ge'er pouted, his eyes welling up with grievance as he looked pleadingly at Old Madam Jiang.
Old Madam Jiang remained silent. Jiang Yuanbai cleared his throat lightly before addressing Jiang Li, "Li'er, this is your younger brother, Bingji."
Jiang Bingji? Younger brother?
Jiang Li's gaze shifted from the child nestled in Old Madam Jiang's embrace to Jiang Youyao, who was now smirking faintly. Suddenly, everything clicked into place.
This child, so doted upon by Old Madam Jiang and addressing Ji Shuran as "Mother," proved that the rumors about Second Miss Jiang harming the fetus in her stepmother's womb—at least the part claiming the stepmother could no longer conceive—were false.
And here before her was the legitimate grandson of the Jiang family's main branch: the son Ji Shuran later gave birth to, Jiang Youyao's biological younger brother, Jiang Yuanbai's only son—Jiang Bingji.
In an instant, countless puzzle pieces fell into place for Jiang Li.
No wonder Jiang Youyao dared to brazenly steal Second Miss Jiang's marriage arrangement. With Ji Shuran having borne a son, her position was firmly secured. Ye Zhenzhen had become part of the distant past, and the main branch had completely moved on.
This was nothing short of audacious confidence!
(End of Chapter)
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