Benefits and risks always coexist. When the risks far outweigh the potential benefits, giving up becomes inevitable.
“I’ll return the money I received and won’t interfere with your household’s affairs,” Liu Xianggu tempered her attitude and made a promise to the young lady before her.
If this little miss wasn’t from a noble family, she could have easily stolen her livelihood. Liu Xianggu knew she couldn’t afford to offend her.
Jiang Si shook her head.
If it was just this, why would she have wasted so much breath on this person?
“What do you mean, Miss—”
The exquisitely featured young lady smiled brightly at Liu Xianggu: “Has Xianggu forgotten? You accepted my tea money.”
Liu Xianggu was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly took out the neatly folded banknote from her bosom and offered it back.
Jiang Si shook her head again: “Xianggu might not understand me. I never take back what I’ve given away.”
Liu Xianggu’s hand holding the banknote tightened.
“Of course, this money is what I’ve saved bit by bit from my monthly allowance. If I give it away and don’t hear anything in return, I’d feel quite upset,” the young lady sighed.
Jiang Si wasn’t lying. Her mother’s dowry was still in her grandmother’s possession, and her father’s annual salary went into the public account. Her savings indeed came mainly from her monthly allowance.
She had given away these fifty taels decisively, much to the distress of her two maids.
“What does Miss want to do?” Liu Xianggu suddenly had an ominous premonition.
“It’s simple. Xianggu doesn’t need to return the money my second aunt gave you. Just come to the Earl’s mansion to perform the ritual as planned,” Jiang Si said, then her expression turned serious, “However, the blame that was meant for my second brother, I want someone else to bear it!”
“That’s impossible!” Liu Xianggu flatly refused, “That would ruin my reputation!”
Jiang Si didn’t even raise her eyelids, calmly reminding her: “Grave robbing, spreading gossip!”
Liu Xianggu’s lips trembled.
This was a threat, an outright threat!
Jiang Si gave Liu Xianggu a cool glance, then refilled her teacup with hot tea and took a small sip.
The tea’s fragrance was refreshing.
She enjoyed threatening others and seeing them helpless.
“Why is Xianggu so conflicted? Does Xianggu think that in my second aunt’s eyes, you’re just a charlatan?”
Whether it was reverse psychology or not, Jiang Si’s words still riled Liu Xianggu: “Of course not! I’ve been in this business for years, relying on real skills!”
Jiang Si smiled slightly.
She believed these words.
Someone who could fool many noble ladies must have some real ability.
“That’s it then. Since Xianggu is seen as a highly-skilled spiritual person in my second aunt’s eyes, if the results of your ritual are a bit off, she can’t eat you alive, can she?”
Faced with the young lady’s meaningful smile, Liu Xianggu felt a headache coming on.
How did she end up tangled with this troublemaker?
“In any case, I believe Xianggu can come out of this unscathed. Xianggu should believe in herself too,” Jiang Si said earnestly.
Liu Xianggu opened and closed her mouth.
What else could she say? She could only believe in herself!
Jiang Si pushed a teacup towards her and raised her own: “Then let’s use tea instead of wine to celebrate our cooperation.”
Liu Xianggu remained silent for a moment, then picked up the teacup in front of her and gently clinked it with the young lady’s cup.
The news of Old Madam Dongping’s eye ailment quickly spread among acquainted families, thanks to the efforts of Second Madam Xiao of Earl Dongping’s household.
In just a few days, Madam Xiao had invited renowned physicians far and wide for Old Madam Feng, even summoning two or three imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau.
Such a commotion naturally caught the attention of families acquainted with the Earl’s household.
Now, when people mentioned Earl Dongping’s household, they would praise the filial piety of Old Madam Dongping’s second daughter-in-law.
Early that morning, Jiang Si dressed neatly to pay her respects to Old Madam Feng at the Hall of Kindness. Just as she stepped out of Begonia Residence, she encountered Jiang Ancheng.
“Father hasn’t gone out today?” Jiang Si curtsied gracefully.
“I just came from your grandmother’s. I was about to leave,” Jiang Ancheng said while observing his daughter.
Today, Jiang Si wore a short white jacket with scattered red flowers and a scarlet silk skirt underneath, looking like a blooming begonia, bright and captivating.
Jiang Ancheng breathed a slight sigh of relief and praised, “Seems very spirited today.”
Jiang Si’s mouth twitched slightly.
Did her father know how to speak? What was wrong with complimenting his daughter for looking beautiful?
Feeling his words were abrupt, Jiang Ancheng paused and said, “Your grandmother is in a bad mood today. Wearing something bright looks more festive.”
He had worn a plain-colored belt today and had already been severely scolded by his mother. He couldn’t let his daughter be scolded for no reason.
“Thank you for the advice, Father,” Jiang Si smiled charmingly.
Jiang Ancheng awkwardly rubbed his nose, pretending to be nonchalant: “Well then, hurry to the Hall of Kindness to pay your respects. I’m heading out.”