The distance from You Ran House to the Jiang Family was not far. It would only take the time needed to finish a cup of tea to get there by carriage.
He Rui tied the carriage to a wooden stake and knocked on the door ring three times.
Soon, a Jiang Family gateman poked his head out and asked in a lowered voice, "Who are you and who are you looking for?"
"I'm from You Ran House. I'm looking for Old Lady Jiang... I mean, there's an urgent matter at the restaurant," He Rui stopped himself from saying "Mistress Jiang".
If it was really to find his own family's young lady, her mother should be more anxious than her grandmother. But every time, it was the old lady who kept watch over things, and He Rui had never seen Mistress Jiang make an appearance. He found that a bit strange as well.
To be safe, he chose to look for Old Lady Jiang instead.
The gateman opened the door halfway and invited him in to wait.
Another gateman hurried to inform Old Lady Jiang.
Soon, the gateman brought over a head maid called Tan Yue, who was always by Old Lady Jiang's side and whom He Rui had seen several times before.
He Rui responded and respectfully bowed, "Greetings to Maid Tan Yue. I am He Rui from You Ran House."
"I remember you," Tan Yue nodded. "The old madam is already waiting. Please follow me."
Even the maidservants of wealthy households walked gracefully and beautifully.
He Rui felt his eyes burning. He quickly lowered his head and stared at the smooth bluish brick road, following Tan Yue through seven turns and eight twists until they entered a simple yet majestic courtyard, and finally the main hall.
Old Lady Jiang sat in the main seat. Seeing him, she remembered his neat movements in seeing off the guests and closing the door. Her brows were kind, "So it's you. There's probably no urgent matter at You Ran House. Just take your time."
If it was urgent news, a lowly waiter wouldn't have come to report it.
If there was nothing major, the waiter wouldn't have rashly trespassed on the Jiang residence either.
He Rui admired Old Lady Jiang's composure. He knelt on the ground, his knees weak. "This lowly one saw a young lady at You Ran House... But I didn't dare confirm anything. I only wanted to report to you, Old Madam. That young lady's big eyes faintly resemble Eldest Young Master's."
A cup of tea with sprouting leaves fell to the ground and shattered to pieces.
Old Lady Jiang, who was previously unruffled, abruptly stood up. Beneath the silver threads in her hair, her expression shifted from shock to delight, before swiftly regaining her calm. As expected of a wealthy household.
"He Rui, is it? Take your time, there's no rush. How old is that lass? What's her status and past? I want to know everything," Old Lady Jiang said slowly.
He Rui sank into his memories. "She's eleven this year. Round face, round eyes, a bit too round and chubby... Cough cough. I asked the Head Shopkeeper. I only know she's from Anshui Prefecture and has five adoptive elder brothers. They're all orphans without kin, and have been doing business with You Ran House for many years already."
"Oh right, Eldest Young Master has seen her before in Xieyang County. He would often murmur about her. It angered Third Young Lady Jiang twice. Right now, the two young ladies seem to be having some dispute at You Ran House."
Having said this, He Rui bowed lower.
For the bloodline to be confused like this, if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have been beaten to death before believing such a thing could happen in a wealthy clan.
The key was, with so many people, how would one find and identify the child? Even if she was found, what method could determine if she was real or fake?
Use blood to identify kinship?
Even a lowly waiter like him knew that it was unreliable.
Or perhaps the young lady had some distinguishing mark on her body - a mole, wart or the like.
He Rui was lost in thought when he heard Old Lady Jiang's trembling voice, "Fetch the carriage and go to You Ran House!"
The Jiang Family acted swiftly. Soon they brought over a three-horse carriage with high heads.
Old Lady Jiang frowned and glanced at Tan Yue.
Tan Yue immediately stepped forward, "Change it to a more ordinary and inconspicuous carriage, but make the interior comfortable and soft."
Soon, the carriage departed, carrying Old Lady Jiang, Tan Yue and He Rui who came to report the news, rushing towards You Ran House.
The carriage was very spacious.
The old madam sat in the main seat, Tan Yue sat in the secondary seat, and He Rui curled up in the corner, unable to believe that even the Jiang Family's ordinary carriages were so wide and soft. Even more unbelievable was that he got to ride in the same carriage as Maid Tan Yue!
By the time they were nearing You Ran House, he suddenly remembered his own carriage that he rode here. "My, my carriage..."
Tan Yue pointed at the resting Old Lady Jiang and whispered, "Someone will drive it over. Don't worry."
He Rui hurriedly shut his mouth, hiding his hands in his sleeves as they gradually grew sweaty.
Soon, the carriage stopped.
The coachman softly announced from behind the curtains, "We've arrived at You Ran House."
Old Lady Jiang, who had rested with eyes closed all this time, finally opened her eyes and drew apart the curtains on both sides to take in their surroundings.
After being tossed around for two cups of tea, Jiang Sheng and Jiang Chenghua were already long gone.
He Rui deftly jumped down and casually asked a waiter, "Where did that chubby little girl and our Third Young Lady go?"
"Can't say," the waiter pointed to a private room on the third floor.
He Rui darted up and stopped outside the private room that the Jiang siblings often used. He then wet his finger with spit and poked a hole through the window paper to peek inside.
Inside were two girls of similar age.
And standing between them was the miserable, distressed Fat Shopkeeper, who kept nodding and bowing deferentially.
He Rui never imagined the day would come when he'd see the Head Shopkeeper in such a state.
Stifling his laughter, he arranged for the old madam to settle next door where they could hear every conversation.
...
Jiang Sheng also didn't expect that she would step foot on the third floor of You Ran House again.
She clearly remembered how proudly the Head Shopkeeper introduced it. "Our first floor is for ordinary common folk to dine. The second floor is reserved for influential wealthy households. Every room on the third floor has an owner, and they can't be booked no matter how much money you offer."
The room she was in now should be the elegant suite frequented by the Jiang siblings.
She looked left and right. The decor was simple and refined, with a few books left around. It resembled her elder brother's study, but was far more luxurious.
"What are you looking at?" An impatient and irate voice cut in. It was Jiang Chenghua. "I didn't argue with you at the door because I don't want to ruin You Ran House's reputation and draw unnecessary attention from others. I didn't bring you here to admire the room."
Jiang Sheng withdrew her gaze and looked innocently at Third Young Lady Jiang. "You asked me to come. Now you won't even let me look. Why don't you just blindfold me then?"
"..." Jiang Chenghua took a deep breath and pointed at the Head Shopkeeper. "You Ran House is a Jiang Family asset. Your brother has disgraced me publicly. We definitely can't cooperate anymore. I wanted to make it clear last time, but since you still don't seem to understand, I'll have the shopkeeper say it himself. Will you finally give up?"
The fat shopkeeper wiped his sweat. Reluctant to part with his salty cured meats business, but with the young miss' order, he could only stammer, "Y-Yes, we can no longer do business together."
"Not just Fengjing. Also cease dealings with Anshui and Xieyang!"
