Compared to Sixth Miss Jiang Pei’s unrestrained speech, Jiang Li was cautious by nature. She rarely commented on her elders, especially her stepmother. So her words were worth pondering.
Second Madam was unwell and lost her temper badly today…
The uncertain tone about her health meant the focus was on her losing her temper badly today.
What could have caused Second Madam to lose her temper so severely?
Jiang Si couldn’t help but think of the guest who had arrived that day.
At the time, she and her sisters had gone to greet the guest, The Third Madam was there too, but the Second Madam was notably absent.
Ever since Old Madam Feng had instructed Third Madam to help Second Madam manage the household affairs some days ago, there had been considerable gossip in the mansion. Jiang Si had heard some of it.
Madam Xiao was certainly unhappy these days. After managing the household for over a decade, to suddenly have a concubine-born sister-in-law interfere – regardless of how much authority was divided, the key issue was losing face.
Jiang Li specifically emphasized that the Second Madam had lost her temper badly today. Could it be related to Cousin Dou?
This left Jiang Si puzzled.
Why would Second Madam lose her temper over a guest from Grandmother’s maiden family?
No, there must be a connection here.
Jiang Si raised her hand to rub her brow.
“Miss, have some hot tea,” Aiqiao said.
Jiang Si took the teacup Aiqiao offered and took a small sip.
As the slightly hot tea entered her stomach, she felt refreshed all over, and her mind became clearer.
Second Madam had no past grievances or recent grudges with Cousin Dou. For her to lose her temper so badly, it must be about benefits. For a lady of the inner courtyard, benefits were either related to men or power…
Jiang Si’s heart skipped a beat.
Could it be that Grandmother wanted Cousin Dou to become Second Uncle’s concubine? After all, Grandmother had already let Third Aunt manage the household, showing her extreme dissatisfaction with Second Aunt.
But that shouldn’t be the case either. Even if Cousin Dou’s family had fallen on hard times, she was still Grandmother’s sister’s daughter. No matter how much Grandmother valued benefits, she wouldn’t let her niece become her son’s concubine. That would be a disgrace if word got out.
So what was Second Madam angry about?
A possibility suddenly flashed through Jiang Si’s mind, shocking her so much that she stood up abruptly, knocking over her teacup.
Hot tea flowed down the table’s edge, a few drops splashing onto the back of her hand, immediately reddening the fair skin.
Aiqiao hurriedly applied a cold, damp cloth to Jiang Si’s hand, while Aman lowered her head to clean up the mess on the floor.
“Miss, are you alright?” Aiqiao asked carefully, unsettled by Jiang Si’s grim expression.
Jiang Si waved her hand without a word, but her mind was in turmoil.
She had been relieved for her Second Brother, but it turned out Grandmother was planning to find her a stepmother!
This was the real reason for Second Madam’s outburst. With the main branch having a mistress, Grandmother, dissatisfied with Second Madam, could hand over household management to her eldest daughter-in-law.
Finding a stepmother wasn’t impossible, as long as Father was willing. But with Grandmother choosing the candidate, Jiang Si didn’t have high hopes.
This wouldn’t do. She needed to warn Father.
No longer an ignorant young girl, Jiang Si understood men to some extent.
No matter how upright Father was, or how devoted to her deceased mother, he could easily be entrapped if caught off guard. If Father happened to have an indiscretion with Cousin Dou, could he avoid taking responsibility?
Jiang Si pressed the cold cloth to her hand and instructed Aiqiao, “Bring me my cloak.”
Aiqiao quickly fetched the cloak and asked, “Miss, are you going out?”
In such cold weather, if there wasn’t urgent business, sipping hot tea by the brazier while reading a book would be most comfortable.
“I’m going to see Father.”
Aiqiao said no more and accompanied Jiang Si as they walked out.
Jiang Si paused, “Aman, come with me. Aiqiao, tidy up the room.”
In the cold, the sturdy Aman was naturally more convenient to bring along than the delicate Aiqiao.
Unaware of her mistress’s thoughts, Aman made a face at Aiqiao and proudly walked out carrying an umbrella.
As soon as they stepped outside, the cold air hit them.
Aman opened the umbrella and stamped her feet, “Miss, be careful. The path is slippery.”
This fine, misty snow was most troublesome. If it had accumulated thickly on the ground, it would have been better. Now, it was as if a layer of wax had been applied to the bluestone path, making it extremely slippery. One misstep and you’d likely fall.
Jiang Si pulled her cloak tighter and walked out.
After leaving Haitang Residence, without the shelter of courtyard walls, the cold intensified. The wind felt like knives cutting her cheeks.
In such weather, the paths were indeed deserted, a vast emptiness as far as the eye could see.
Aman held the umbrella with one hand and supported Jiang Si with the other as they walked forward. In the distance, she spotted a figure.
With her keen eyesight, Aman quickly realized it was an unfamiliar face and quietly called out to her mistress.
Jiang Si also saw the person. Though the face wasn’t clear, the figure and clothes suggested it wasn’t an ordinary servant.
It was strange to see such a person in the garden.