After all, she had been through, she didn’t care what kind of woman this man fancied, but that didn’t mean she could tolerate Cao Xingyu acting foolishly in front of everyone.
She had invited her sisters over, and if something happened, her grandmother would eat her alive.
“I forgot to send someone to tell you that my sisters have come,” Jiang Qian quickly walked to Cao Xingyu’s side, secretly pinching him under the cover of her sleeve.
Cao Xingyu finally came to his senses, looking refreshed. “I didn’t know the sisters were coming at this time. It was rude of me. Qian’er, entertain your sisters well. I’ll eat in the study.”
Jiang Qian breathed a sigh of relief. “Take care, Young Master.”
With Cao Xingyu’s coming and going, the atmosphere livened up.
“Second Sister, does Brother-in-law eat with you every day?”
“Yes,” Jiang Qian smiled.
“Brother-in-law and Second Sister are so loving,” Jiang Pei smiled.
Jiang Qian’s hand tightened on her chopsticks, her knuckles turning slightly white, but her face maintained a smile. “Don’t tease Second Sister.”
The meal was finished in a relatively harmonious atmosphere. Jiang Qian held her teacup and took a few sips before suggesting, “The garden of the Marquis’s manor is quite beautiful. Don’t be constrained, sisters. Go and enjoy yourselves.”
“Isn’t Second Sister going?” Jiang Li asked.
Jiang Qian smiled slightly. “Of course, I’ll accompany you sisters for a stroll.”
Hearing that Jiang Qian was also going, Jiang Li breathed a sigh of relief.
Perhaps out of habitual caution, she always felt a bit uneasy in unfamiliar places.
“These rocks in the artificial mountain were brought from South Lake. The pavilion on the mountain is called the Eight Sounds Pavilion. This season is perfect for sitting up there…” Jiang Qian said gently, playing the role of a good older sister.
Jiang Qiao pointed and said, “Second Sister, those peonies are blooming beautifully. Let’s go appreciate the flowers first.”
Jiang Qian paused, then smiled. “I’m not very fond of the scent of peonies. How about this: I’ll rest in the pavilion, and you all can do as you please.”
“Second Sister, I’d like to sit in the pavilion too,” Jiang Pei immediately said.
Jiang Li, adhering to the principle of avoiding trouble, nodded in agreement.
Jiang Qiao was very eager to see the peonies. Seeing that no one else was going, she pulled Jiang Si and asked, “Shall we go appreciate the flowers?”
“Let’s go,” Jiang Si nodded readily.
Jiang Qian calmly watched Jiang Si and Jiang Qiao walk towards the peony patch, her eyes growing colder.
“It’s quite rare for the Marquis’s peonies to bloom so well at this time,” Jiang Qiao said, standing among the flowers and taking a deep breath. She then sighed, “Such a large patch of peonies, but the fragrance is a bit too strong.”
Amidst the deep red and light green, Jiang Si’s face suddenly turned as white as snow.
In the thick, sweet fragrance, she smelled the scent of death.