As Jiang Yi was about to struggle to speak, Jiang Si naturally stepped forward and took her arm, lightly pricking her with a needle coated with a paralyzing poison.
Jiang Yi immediately felt numb all over, unable to even make a sound.
Jiang Si steadily supported Jiang Yi, saying gently, “Elder Sister, let’s go.”
Since her elder sister’s greatest concern was Yan’yan, it was even more important not to let her display heart-wrenching emotions when leaving her daughter. Otherwise, if the Zhu family used this against them, it would be harder to take Yan’yan away from the Zhu residence in the future.
Jiang Yi’s silence made Jiang Ancheng breathe a sigh of relief.
He had feared his eldest daughter would stubbornly refuse to leave, making it impossible for him to maintain a tough stance.
Fortunately, his eldest daughter was still sensible.
Jiang Ancheng gave Jiang Si a look, signaling her to move quickly.
However, Jiang Si was in no hurry. She handed Jiang Yi over to Jiang Zhan to support, then smiled at Madam Zhu, “Madam Zhu, didn’t my elder sister bring back a maid named Qing’er when she went to offer incense at Baiyun Temple recently?”
Zhu Ziyu suddenly looked at Jiang Si.
Jiang Si met his gaze unflinchingly, giving Zhu Ziyu a bright smile.
She wanted Zhu Ziyu to be on edge, unable to sleep at night, lest he think everyone was a fool after committing such harmful acts.
Madam Zhu was already in an extremely bad mood, and hearing Jiang Si’s words made her expression even darker as she stared at her silently.
Jiang Si’s lips still held a faint smile, creating an inexplicable chill in the tense atmosphere.
“I don’t know if my elder sister mentioned to Madam Zhu, but Qing’er was bought by me, so she’s considered my person. Since my elder sister is returning home today, I’ll take Qing’er with me as well.”
Zhu Ziyu’s eyes suddenly narrowed, staring intently at Jiang Si.
But Jiang Si ignored him, smiling at Madam Zhu, “Does Madam Zhu agree?”
At a time like this, Madam Zhu hardly cared about a small maid’s comings and goings, and immediately ordered someone to call for Qing’er.
Soon after, a maid with delicate features entered.
Seeing it was indeed Qing’er, Jiang Si said coldly, “Let’s go.”
Qing’er was stunned and instinctively looked towards Zhu Ziyu.
Zhu Ziyu kept his head down, looking like a frost-bitten eggplant, no longer the spirited man he once was.
Jiang Si coldly stared at Qing’er, “Reluctant to leave?”
Qing’er’s expression changed slightly, and she quickly averted her gaze, not daring to look again.
“Brother-in-law, Brother-in-law—” Zhu Shaoqing came to his senses and chased after Jiang Ancheng.
Madam Zhu hadn’t expected her usually docile daughter-in-law to leave without a word, following her natal family. Only then did she realize the gravity of the situation.
If Jiang Yi left like this today, Earl Dongping would surely not let the matter rest, and her son’s future would truly be ruined.
Madam Zhu immediately signaled to her headmaid.
The head maid understood and left, returning shortly after with Yan’yan in her arms.
“Yan’yan, your mother is leaving and won’t be coming back. Quickly, go after her.”
Just as Jiang Ancheng was leading his children to the main gate, a child’s cries rang out, “Mother, Mother, where are you going? Are you abandoning Yan’yan?”
Everyone’s steps faltered.
Her daughter’s cries shattered Jiang Yi’s heart, but she couldn’t move, not even able to turn her head to look at her daughter.
Jiang Ancheng, watching his young granddaughter running from afar, rarely showed such a cold expression. He said firmly, “Zhan’er, Si’er, help your elder sister into the carriage!”
Jiang Zhan hesitated slightly, “Father—”
“Are you deaf?” Jiang Ancheng shouted.
Jiang Zhan sighed heavily.
Seeing her mother boarding the carriage, Yan’yan cried even more heart-wrenchingly, stumbling as she ran.
Jiang Zhan could no longer hold back. He jumped down from the carriage, ran over to pick up Yan’yan, and comforted her lovingly, “Don’t cry, Yan’yan. Uncle will take you to your maternal grandfather’s house to play.”
The Zhu family’s people immediately blocked Jiang Zhan’s path.
Jiang Zhan was furious, “What? Yan’yan can’t go to her maternal grandfather’s house?”
Madam Zhu was in turmoil but maintained her composure on the surface, “Of course, Yan’yan can go to her maternal grandfather’s house, but not at this time.”
She looked towards Jiang Ancheng in the distance, “Brother-in-law, Yan’yan bears the Zhu surname after all. The issues between adults haven’t been resolved yet, so it’s not appropriate for you to take the child away.”
Jiang Ancheng was momentarily silent.
He admitted that Madam Zhu was right.
Yan’yan was his only granddaughter, and of course, he cared for her, but taking Yan’yan away now indeed wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny.
As Madam Zhu said, Yan’yan bore the Zhu surname. Taking her away at this time would make the Jiang family lose the moral high ground, even if they were in the right.
Jiang Si jumped down from the carriage and instructed Old Qin, “Take my elder sister back to the Earl’s mansion first.”
Old Qin nodded and cracked the whip, driving the carriage away.
Jiang Si walked back, standing shoulder to shoulder with her father and brother.