...
"What's going on?" Du Juan, who had been busy inside, also lifted the curtain and walked in. At first glance, she was stunned. Cai Que, fearing that the world would not be in chaos, shouted, "Eldest Miss has killed Old Madame! Someone come! Save me! "
The Old Jiang Madame's body was already very weak, and because of Jiang Li's death, she had fallen seriously ill. The doctor had come to see her and secretly revealed that the Old Jiang Madame would not live past this year. Her body was already old, and no amount of miraculous pills would be of any help. In some ways, the Old Jiang Madame was an understanding person. She understood that this huge Jiang fu would soon embark on the path of decline. The excessive worry in her heart made things worse. She watched as she aged day by day. She was like a completely different person from the astute and dignified old madame that Jiang Ruan had seen when she first returned to the fu.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Get out, I don't want to see you! Get out! " The Old Jiang Madame seemed to suddenly become agitated, and she threw the jade pillow away with all her might. The jade pillow smashed to pieces on the ground, and the ground was covered in sparkling powder.
Such a straightforward approach shocked the Old Jiang Madame. She knew that this granddaughter was different. At that time, the people of the Jiang fu had misjudged her, and she did not expect that she would have such a fortuitous encounter. However, the Old Jiang Madame herself knew that she had reached the end of her life and did not have much time left. Seeing the Jiang fu decline day by day, her heart was anxious. Now, all her hopes were placed on Jiang Ruan and Jiang Xin Zhi, but these two had been neglected by Jiang Quan at that time. It was inevitable that they would have resentment in their hearts. Therefore, she had called Jiang Ruan over today to give Jiang Ruan a few words of advice, but she had not expected Jiang Ruan to have such an attitude.
Indeed, she was no longer the mistress of the Jiang fu who could summon wind and rain. She was merely an old and frail old woman.
Jiang Ruan had previously met Second Yiniang in the garden. Second Yiniang had appeared very respectful, but her expression was somewhat strange. Returning to Ruan Ju, Lian Qiao said, "Miss, Second Yiniang looks very strange. Her gaze seems to be somewhat annoyed with Miss."
Was it envy? Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, "Fourth Younger Sister does not need to be envious. In the future, Fourth Younger Sister will definitely be more valued than me."
The Old Jiang Madame smiled with even greater satisfaction and instructed Cai Que, "Cai Que, pack some things for Ruan girl and send them over." She turned her head to look at Jiang Ruan, her gaze truly resembling that of a doting grandmother looking at her obedient granddaughter, "In the blink of an eye, Ruan girl has grown up so much. To think that when you were first born, you were still a tiny little dumpling."
Jiang Ruan obeyed and walked over to sit in front of the Old Jiang Madame. Cai Que poured a cup of tea for Jiang Ruan. The Old Jiang Madame patted Jiang Ruan's hand and said, "Ruan girl, this is the newly delivered Hundred Fragrant Hawthorn Tea. The Imperial Concubines in the Palace often drink it. You young ladies like to drink sweet things, please have a taste."
"Perhaps Zumu also knows, isn't that so?" Jiang Ruan said lightly.
Jiang Ruan nodded. Jiang Dan beamed and said, "Zumu now thinks very highly of Da Jiejie. Da Jiejie is really enviable."
"Forgive Ruan niang for being powerless." Jiang Ruan sighed, "I am afraid that I will have to disappoint zumu."
Jiang Ruan nodded and took her leave. Jiang Dan stood where she was and looked at Jiang Ruan's back, slowly revealing a trace of a happy smile.
Jiang Dan's expression slightly froze and she looked at Jiang Ruan in distress, "Da Jiejie, why do you want to harm zumu? Zumu loves you so dearly and even specially invited you to the courtyard today. How can you harm her like this?"
She actually wanted to give Jiang Chao some advice. As for Jiang Su Su, she had now reached the age to look at other people. After all, she had grown up in front of her and the Old Jiang Madame still had some feelings for Jiang Su Su as a granddaughter. It was just that … Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, "The harem cannot interfere in politics. The Empress Dowager's kindness to Ruan niang is a heavenly grace. How could Ruan niang dare to control her niang niang's thoughts? As for Second Younger Sister, Second Younger Sister grew up in the capital and is more familiar with the circle of noble ladies than Ruan niang. In comparison, Second Younger Sister has seen more of the world than Ruan niang. "
Perhaps the people of the Jiang family had a kind of innate selfishness and coldness in their bones, innately believing that everyone in the world should be used by them. The Old Jiang Madame was the same. She smiled faintly and said in a tone that was chilling to the bone, "Perhaps I should ask, if not for the Jiang family, how could my mother have died?"
The Old Jiang Madame was startled and a trace of panic appeared in her eyes, "What did you say?"
Cai Que looked at Jiang Ruan with some uneasiness. Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao, on the other hand, looked indignant. Jiang Ruan stood up and looked down at the Old Jiang Madame. This master, who had previously been all-powerful in the Jiang fu, was now old and frail. Such a twisted expression, coupled with the loose skin on her face, made her look somewhat comical.
Jiang Dan stared blankly and her eyes flashed. When she looked at Jiang Ruan again, she said meaningfully, "Eldest Sister is used to joking. It's getting late, Eldest Sister should go quickly. If you are late, Zumu will punish Dan niang again. "
Seeing Jiang Ruan, Jiang Dan stopped and said with a smile, "Eldest Sister."
"Ruan girl is here, come to Zumu's side." The Old Jiang Madame beckoned to her affectionately.
However, Jiang Dan did not show her usual aggrieved expression when she saw the Old Jiang Madame's cold attitude. Instead, she appeared to be in a good mood and asked, "Is Eldest Sister going to Zumu's courtyard?"
"Heavens," Second Yiniang exclaimed exaggeratedly, "Even if you had a dispute with the Old Madame, you can't just kill the Old Madame. Such a treasonous thing, heavens!"
Cai Que went to fill the tea leaves for Jiang Ruan, leaving only Du Juan standing silently at the side. Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao's expressions changed slightly. Only Jiang Ruan was unmoved like a mountain, her expression unchanged as she quietly listened to the Old Jiang Madame's words, which seemed to be filled with remorse. Seeing her like this, the Old Jiang Madame's expression paused for a moment, but she only pretended not to know. Pulling on her hand, she said, "Fortunately, you two siblings are blessed with good fortune. Ever since you returned to the fu, your fortunes have been pretty good. Presumably, the ancestors of the Jiang fu have long ago blessed you two."
Jiang Ruan paused in her steps and looked towards the Old Jiang Madame, who was slowly collapsing. The Old Jiang Madame's face was a pale, deathly grey, and the corners of her mouth were bruised. The blood that flowed out was clearly black. In a panic, Cai Que placed her finger under the Old Jiang Madame's nose. Her face suddenly turned deathly white and she shouted, "Murder, murder!"
"Fourth Younger Sister, be careful of the words that cause trouble." Jiang Ruan reminded her, "This Junzhu, as a Junzhu, can't be compared to an inferior servant girl? From beginning to end, it seems that only Cai Que has claimed that this Junzhu harmed Zumu. Fourth Younger Sister, as this Junzhu's younger concubine sister, does not believe your own elder sister, but instead believe a servant girl? Isn't sisterly affection too cold? "
Tian Zhu was also strange. She was used to killing people, but was not used to the twists and turns of the mansion. However, Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi were somewhat suspicious. Lian Qiao said, "Miss, you must be more careful these few days. Second Yiniang's temperament has always been brash. Now that she has suddenly become so submissive, it is very strange."
On this day, Du Juan was ordered by the Old Jiang Madame to invite Jiang Ruan to Gui Lan Yuan. These few days, the Old Jiang Madame always called her granddaughters to the house. Since the Old Jiang Madame had come to invite them, there was no reason to refuse. Jiang Ruan brought Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi over. On the way, she happened to meet Jiang Dan, who was walking back.
Jiang Ruan had only stayed in the Jiang fu for a few days, but this morning, she saw Second Yiniang for the first time.
Jiang Ruan looked down. The gaze that Second Yiniang looked at her with was not one of annoyance. Jiang Ruan could not be more familiar with that kind of gaze. It was a bone-deep hatred, like a poisonous snake waiting for an opportunity to strike, a sharp arrow hiding in the dark, full of the smell of conspiracy.
In Gui Lan Yuan, Cai Que and Du Juan stood on either side of the Old Jiang Madame, gently fanning her. The fanning was just right. A cool breeze blew over, and the Old Jiang Madame showed a rare expression of comfort. She was too old to use ice to avoid catching a cold.
Lu Zhu received the order and left.
The Old Jiang Madame said, "You are all children of the Jiang fu, so you must support each other. Zumu does not have many days left to live. I hope that you, sister and brother, will love each other. In the past, it was your father who let you down. Now that Zumu has locked up that bad woman, let's not mention the past. If the Jiang family is good, in the future, you will also have to save face, right? " She nagged, "Your eldest brother is an official in the court, and he also needs his brother's help. In the future, when you marry, won't you also need to look after your own fu's circumstances? Zumu knows that you are a good person, so help them out on a daily basis, so that in the future, you will also be able to look after them. "
When Jiang Ruan entered, she saw this scene. The Old Jiang Madame looked tired, her clothes were somewhat wrinkled, and her hair was completely white. Hearing the noise, she opened her eyes slightly, and her gaze was somewhat turbid.
Without any reason, the Old Jiang Madame naturally would not mention these things. Jiang Ruan only smiled and listened. The Old Madame continued, "Your mother is unlucky, and left you and your sister early on. At that time, Xia Yan, that bad-hearted person, caused you to suffer. These years, your father has also been soft-hearted, causing you to suffer a lot for no reason. Speaking of which, it is the Jiang fu that let you down."
Being stared at by those eyes, Cai Que could not help but feel a little guilty. However, she quickly replied, "There is only Eldest Young Miss and Old Madame in the room. Eldest Young Miss and Old Madame are very close, and just now, Old Madame even quarreled with Eldest Young Miss …"
In both her past and present life, the Old Jiang Madame had never treated her so amiably and intimately. Although the Old Jiang Madame had not made things difficult for her in her past life, some of Xia Yan's and Jiang Quan's actions had also been tacitly approved by her. To the Old Jiang Madame, the Jiang fu's glory was more important than anything else. As long as the Jiang fu could prosper day by day, what was the sacrifice of Jiang Ruan?
Jiang Ruan muttered to herself for a moment, then called Lu Zhu over, "Go and find out if Second Yiniang had seen anyone before her house arrest was lifted, and if there was anything special about her recently."
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, picked up the tea on the table, and moistened her mouth, saying, "It's very sweet."
"They are all your brothers and sisters, yet you are actually not willing to help them?" The Old Jiang Madame was somewhat angry.
Melancholy rose in the Old Jiang Madame's heart, but Jiang Ruan was now a junzhu that the Empress Dowager had requested, and the General fu's attitude was also thought-provoking. Looking at Jiang Ruan's indifferent expression, she felt somewhat powerless and angry in her heart. Finally, she smiled and said, "Your Second Older Brother is also doing a good job at the moment. Since you are close to the Empress Dowager, you can mention a word or two on a daily basis. Moreover, Su 'er is still your younger sister. When there are gatherings of the young ladies, bring her along and let her see the world. "
"Zumu, what are you afraid of?" Jiang Ruan said, "I will not treat the Jiang family the way the Jiang family treated Mother." It would not be so easy. The Jiang family would one day return the pain that had been inflicted on them a thousand times over.
"I understand." Jiang Ruan stood up and said, "Since Fourth Younger Sister is so enthusiastic, there is no harm in finding something to do with her." She narrowed her eyes, and her tone abruptly became cold, "Jin Er Jin San."
Jiang Ruan narrowed her eyes and smiled coldly. She looked at Cai Que, who was hugging the Old Jiang Madame, "Cai Que, did you really see me kill someone?"
The Old Jiang Madame was at a loss for words. Not to mention Jiang Chao, just Jiang Su Su alone was enough to give her an endless headache. Ever since the incident with Xia Yan, not only had the people of the capital ridiculed Jiang Quan for being cuckolded by the capital's most talented woman, Jiang Su Su had also been implicated quite a bit. The young ladies who were usually on good terms with her distanced themselves from her, and it had been a long time since a noble lady had sent an invitation to invite her out. In the future, there would be even less need for her to propose marriage. The Old Jiang Madame was anxious and had thought of asking Jiang Ruan to bring Jiang Su Su out, but she had not expected to be rejected by Jiang Ruan.
Jiang Ruan smiled indifferently. It was not resentment, but hatred. At present, she did not know whether she should feel that the Old Jiang Madame was sufficiently naive. In this lifetime, she only wanted to lead the Jiang family to collapse step by step. How could she help Jiang Su Su and her younger sister? Moreover, she did not need to boost the Jiang family's fortunes. Since Jiang Quan cared so much about this mansion, wouldn't it be better for him to watch the things that he treasured be destroyed bit by bit in front of him?
It was actually a group of officers and soldiers. Jiang Ruan looked at the leading official with a smile that was not a smile, and said softly, "This Junzhu never knew that the patrol office would act so quickly. It was as if … as if they had long known that something would happen to zumu. "
The sudden appearance of two secret guards in the room gave the servant girls a fright. Jiang Ruan knew that ever since Xiao Shao had sent these two people, these two people had been hiding in the shadows to protect her. She said, "Tian Zhu is a member of the fu, and it is not convenient for her to go out. Go to the Doctor's fu, there is a matter that I would like to ask for your help with. "
She wanted to see what Second Yiniang wanted to do.
"Does Fourth Younger Sister not understand?" Jiang Ruan said indifferently, "Zumu has been plotted against. I think that even in death, she will not be able to rest in peace."
Jiang Ruan hung her head, and after a moment, she raised it up and smiled, "What does zumu want me to do?"
The Old Jiang Madame fixed her gaze on Jiang Ruan and said, "Ruan girl, even now, do you still blame the Jiang family?"
"Fourth Younger Sister," Jiang Ruan said indifferently.
The corners of Jiang Ruan's lips curled up slightly. The meaning behind these words was that the good fortune that they and their sister had now was originally bestowed by the Jiang family?
"Yiniang, please conduct yourself with dignity," Lian Qiao said angrily, "Do you know what is the crime of slandering the current Junzhu?"
Jiang Dan was at a loss for words, and could not find a reply. She only heard a cold male voice cut in, "This official is carrying out an errand. Guards, arrest the eldest daughter of the Jiang family who plotted against the di ancestor!"
...
Lu Zhu was now Jiang Ruan's personal servant girl, and the servants in the fu all knew that Jiang Ruan valued her. Moreover, Jiang Ruan's status was also that of Hong 'an Junzhu, so the servants in the fu treated Lu Zhu much more politely than in the past. Lu Zhu quickly inquired about the news and came back. It turned out that Jiang Dan had met Second Yiniang once. These past few days, Second Yiniang had been extremely careful and polite in the fu. She was even more respectful towards Jiang Quan, and was also generous towards the servants. Although Second Yiniang's paternal family was wealthy, Second Yiniang was after all a concubine's daughter. Normally, she was as short-sighted as Jiang Li, and would not bear to reward the servants like this. However, these past few days, she had been generous in her rewards. When Lu Zhu finished speaking, she anxiously asked, "Miss, what exactly does Second Yiniang mean by this?"
Perhaps she felt that Jiang Ruan's smile was too sarcastic, and in the eyes of the Old Jiang Madame, it was exceptionally glaring. She suddenly slammed the table, "Get lost!" Cai Que jumped in fright and hurriedly came over to comfort her, "Old Madame, don't be angry. Take care of yourself."
Jiang Ruan laughed softly, and her gaze was somewhat strange, "As expected." When the Old Jiang Madame met her pair of lustrous and smiling eyes, she only felt as if she was in a cold and gloomy cellar, and her whole body could not help but tremble.
Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao's expressions changed, and they spoke in unison, "What nonsense are you talking about? Miss is standing here well, what does it have to do with Miss? Aren't you slandering us? "
Second Yiniang paused slightly, and continued to speak in a loud voice, "What? Can the current Junzhu kill people as she pleases? Why don't you kill this concubine as well? Is there still any law in this world? "
Because of Jiang Li's death, the Jiang fu was shrouded in a layer of shadow. The formerly bustling and flourishing Lang Zhong fu was now clearly on the verge of collapse. Jiang Quan's official career had been smooth sailing for the past few years, but now he had become increasingly unlucky, and even his relationship with the Xiahou fu had become estranged. His children were even more of a headache. The only two outstanding ones were originally the least favoured members of the fu.
Ever since Jiang Li's death had caused a ruckus at the Lang Zhong fu, Second Yiniang had been confined by Jiang Quan. Now that she had been suddenly released, everyone was somewhat surprised. What was even more surprising was that when Second Yiniang came out again, it was as if she had changed into a different person. She was submissive and cautious, and there was no trace of her former domineering and domineering appearance. It would be more accurate to say that she was the Eldest Yiniang. The servants in the fu began to discuss that Second Yiniang must have known that Jiang Li was now dead, and that she could only live cautiously in the Jiang fu. Today was different from the past. The originally well-known, gentle and virtuous Xia Yan, domineering, beautiful and unkind Second Yiniang, had all lost their power. At present, the person in charge of the fu was the Fifth Yiniang, Hong Ying, who had come from a brothel. Now that Hong Ying was pregnant, it was feared that the Jiang fu was about to undergo a great change.
Her voice was extremely loud, and almost all the servants in the fu were alarmed and rushed over. Jiang Su Su and Jiang Dan hurriedly rushed over, while Hong Ying was a little further away. With a big belly, she was supported by someone. Along the way, a servant girl must have informed Hong Ying of this matter. As soon as she saw Jiang Ruan, she looked at her with a complicated gaze.
Old Jiang Madame looked at Jiang Ruan, her eyes wide open. Suddenly, her body stiffened, and a trace of blood slowly flowed out from the corner of her mouth. Cai Que jumped in fright and hurriedly patted Old Jiang Madame lightly. "Old Madame, what's wrong?"
In her previous life, Old Jiang Madame had not been able to survive this year's winter. Calculating it, it was probably after she had entered the palace, when autumn had just entered, that she had been bedridden and had become increasingly thin. Around the end of the year, she had flown a crane to the west. Now, only a few months had passed.
"Oh my god! Eldest Young Miss, you actually plotted to murder Old Madame? " A familiar voice sounded from the doorway, carrying with it some of its usual sharpness. If one listened carefully, one could even hear some comfort. It was Second Yiniang.
Jin Er and Jin San looked at each other and said in unison, "We will listen to Young Miss's instructions."
Jiang Su Su somewhat rejoiced in other people's misfortune, but Jiang Dan, on the other hand, flopped and said in alarm, "Zumu, zumu, what's wrong?"
"Don't forget that you were born from the Jiang family!" Perhaps the Old Jiang Madame was exasperated, but the words that came out of her mouth were also very ear-piercing. "Everything you eat and use belongs to the Jiang family. What right do you have to blame the Jiang family? Your mother died early. If not for the Jiang family, would you still be alive now? "
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