Jiang Sheng slept until dark. When she opened her eyes, she was in an unfamiliar canopied bed with pink gauze curtains—pretty but unfamiliar.
She gave a start and sat bolt upright, startling the little maid beside her.
"Miss, you're awake!" the little maid said nervously as she stood up. "Miss, would you like some water? Are you hungry? Is there anything you'd like to eat tonight? Would you like to change into new clothes?"
Jiang Sheng was stunned to encounter someone chattier than herself for the first time.
"Miss, why don't you say something?" The little maid grew more nervous. "Miss, are you uncomfortable anywhere? Should I call the family doctor?"
The family doctor was, as the name suggests, a doctor employed by the household.
Only then did Jiang Sheng remember that she was at the Jiang Family's residence. Although there was lamb and beef to eat, and a kindly, loving grandmother, she still felt a nagging hollowness in her heart.
Especially when she caught a glimpse of the outdoors, she couldn't help thinking about her brothers—had they eaten, was Eldest Brother burning the midnight oil again, was Fourth Brother drying herbs again, was Fifth Brother loafing about again?
But there was no way for her to find out.
The little maid came over holding a new set of clothes and held them against Jiang Sheng. "Miss, aren't these clothes so pretty? Why don't you try them on?"
Jiang Sheng nodded listlessly and allowed the maid to dress her up and even put her hair in a new style.
Finally, when she was properly dressed, she walked out of the bedroom. Unsurprisingly, she saw a garden swing swaying in the breeze in the courtyard.
Sure enough, she was at Yunqi Pavilion.
Jiang Sheng wanted to sit on the swing for a while, but suddenly she heard clamoring in the distance. Her eyes fell on the nearby De Ren Courtyard, and she strode purposefully towards it.
The Jiang Family residence was massive and the night was dark.
The little maid hurried to keep up until they finally stopped at the entrance to the courtyard. Just as the maid was about to speak, Jiang Sheng clapped a hand over her mouth.
Both of their eyes landed on the brightly lit De Ren Courtyard, where all the Jiang Family members were gathered.
Old General Jiang had one legitimate and one illegitimate son. The legitimate son was General Jiang, currently guarding the frontiers in the northwest. His wife and children were living in the East Residence with Old Madam Jiang.
The illegitimate son was the tall and imposing civil official Jiang Jizong, currently serving in the Imperial Academy. He lived in the west residence with his children, wife and concubines.
There wasn't much interaction between the two branches of the family, but with a civil branch and a military branch supporting each other, the Jiang Family had established an unassailable position in the imperial capital.
Usually when out in public, whether it was Jiang Jizong, the two madams, or the young masters and misses, they all acted with utmost nobility and pride.
But now, standing before Old Madam Jiang, they all had their heads bowed as they listened respectfully to her lecture.
"On ordinary days I don't see you all being busy, yet today every single person has disappeared. Was that intentional?"
"What do ties of blood and family count for in your eyes? Are even strangers you pass on the street valued more highly than that?"
"With so many eyes and ears in this entire residence, how did things manage to go awry today? Or could it be you all look down on the person I brought back?!"
Her words were too harsh, and the Jiang family members were badly frightened.
Jiang Chengfeng and Jiang Chengyuan exchanged confused glances with each other.
Jiang Jizong had already taken a step forward and bowed as he said, "Mother, please calm your anger. Today it really was the Imperial Academy delaying my return. It was my fault. However...what Mother just said...does it mean younger sister has come back?"
As expected of a civil official who regularly attends court audiences, he was able to accurately pick up on the key point.
Both Jiang Chengfeng and Jiang Chengyuan were shocked and overjoyed, while Jiang Chengyu couldn't help but open his mouth. He was harshly stopped by Madam Jiang, forcibly swallowing his words.
Old Madam Jiang wasn't the sort of person to fly off the handle groundlessly.
It was reasonable that Jiang Jizong had been busy with work, the two grandsons were at the Imperial Academy, and the two daughters-in-law were out on an excursion, so they were unaware of the circumstances at home.
The only person who could have known about it right away yet chose not to show herself was none other than her excellent sister-in-law, Madam Liao from the East Residence.
When Old Madam Jiang acted, she was always fierce yet shrewd.
Faced with her illegitimate son's inquiry, her tone was indifferent. "She returned today."
A trace of a smile appeared on Jiang Jizong's face while Jiang Chengfeng and Jiang Chengyu were overcome with excitement. Jiang Chengyu blurted out, "Where, where is she?"
Yet the person who shared actual blood ties with Jiang Sheng, Madam Jiang, simply stood silently in place without saying a word.
Old Madam Jiang endured again and again until she finally couldn't stand it any longer. "Madam Liao, don't you want to ask where your daughter is?"
This was already quite an impolite form of address.
There was a brief look on Madam Liao's face before she glanced at Jiang Chenghua standing steadily nearby. Only after confirming her adopted daughter was fine did she softly reply, "Of course I want to ask. Today Chenghua scalded her hand, and my daughter-in-law truly had no time to spare..."
Her words stretched credulity too far, even Madam Jiang couldn't stand to keep listening and rolled her eyes where no one could see.
Old Madam Jiang suppressed her anger with great forbearance as she expressionlessly looked on at the Jiang clan members.
"Then how did you find time tonight? Could Chenghua's burns have already healed?"
"Of course they haven't yet." Madam Liao gently replied. "Chenghua has a frail constitution. Please, Mother, permit my daughter-in-law to bring her back to rest, lest she falls ill again."
Every other sentence was about Chenghua.
She didn't even mention Jiang Sheng once.
Even Jiang Chengyuan found it somewhat dubious, and he turned back around. "Mother, Chenghua's health may be delicate so the maids can first help bring her back to rest. But today Jiang Sheng has returned, so we should still give her an official reception, right?"
"Yes, yes!" Jiang Chengfeng and Jiang Chengyu readily agreed.
This was probably the most harmonious moment the three brothers ever shared.
Seated on the matriarch's seat, Old Madam Jiang lowered her eyes expressionlessly as she gazed upon the Jiang clan members.
"I..." At a loss for words from the questioning, after a long while Madam Liao finally responded, "Naturally she should get an official reception. It's just that everything should happen in proper order. I'll bring Chenghua back first, and it won't be too late to officially receive Jiang Sheng after."
"Yes, the Madam still has to go back and prepare welcome gifts for the young miss too!" the head maid helpfully supplemented.
Without any doubts, Jiang Chengyuan happily turned back around to discuss what he should prepare for his sister.
Since Old Madam Jiang had tied his hands before, even giving away a deed had to be done cautiously. But now that his sister had returned home, he wanted to give openly and generously.
Flanking him on both sides, Jiang Chengfeng and Jiang Chengyu chimed in with suggestions.
"Aside from that deed, I also have 100 taels of gold and the knife Grandfather gave me..."
"Eldest Brother, what's wrong with your brain? Who gives a knife as a welcome gift..."
"It'd be better to prepare an appropriate headdress and clothing."
The three chattered animatedly, livening up the mood.
In the corner, Jiang Chenghua stared blankly at them, heart filled with grief and loss, but only able to redden her eyes where no one could see.
Fortunately Madam Liao was there to take her cold, frail hand gently. "Chenghua, let's go back."
Jiang Chenghua woodenly got to her feet and just as woodenly began to turn around when she halted at the doorway.
It was because of Madam Liao.
She had grabbed her adopted daughter's hand and called out, "Chengyuan, come over here, Chengyuan!"
The utterly confused Eldest Young Master walked over.
"Lately there have been some problems with my dowry shop," said Madam Liao evenly. "And Chenghua's health is also not well. We can scarcely afford to buy the nourishing items she needs. Mid-year bonuses have always been in your grandmother's hands. I actually can't even provide a proper reception gift."
Jiang Chenghua was rather astonished.
But Jiang Chengyuan readily agreed. "Then I'll give Mother 100 taels of gold, and give the deed to Jiang Sheng."
"You'd only give to her?" Madam Liao's frosty tone. "Chenghua is also your sister. Don't forget, you once promised impartiality."
