Xie Qing’ao looked up, meeting Jiang Si’s eyes. Her blank expression suddenly changed as she pushed past the people in front of her and quickly walked over.
“Asi, you’ve finally come.”
Jiang Si grasped those cold hands in return, forcing a small smile, “I’ve already spoken with my family, don’t worry.”
Xie Qing’ao pulled Jiang Si towards the bed, glancing at the people gathered there. Her voice was wooden as she said, “I want to talk with Asi alone. Please leave for now.”
The woman who had just been pushed aside by Xie Qing’ao looked displeased, “Qing’ao, your aunt came specially to keep you company. The mansion is in chaos right now, and you’re young and don’t understand things. You shouldn’t just let anyone into the house. Auntie knows you’re hurting, but you still have your cousins here. If you need anything, just tell Auntie, and I’ll take care of it for you.”
The others nodded in agreement, their eyes looking at Jiang Si with hidden criticism.
Jiang Si guessed these people must be Xie Qing’ao’s clan members.
The Xie clan lived on an estate on the outskirts of the capital. If they had moved quickly after receiving news of the deaths, they should have arrived by now. Xie Qing’ao’s maternal grandparents’ family was from out of town and wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow at the earliest.
The Jiang and Xie families had been neighbors for many years, and Jiang Si knew that the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion didn’t interact much with their clan members, only dealing with them during festivals and holidays. Yet this woman’s words seemed to suggest she wanted to take charge of the household.
Jiang Si inwardly sneered.
Did they think that with the Marquis and his wife dead and Xie Qing’ao being young, they could take over managing the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion?
This wasn’t uncommon. Often when the pillar of a great family fell, the first to try and benefit were these clan members.
Hearing the woman’s words, Xie Qing’ao became angry, “Whether I understand things or not, do I need you to lecture me? Who are you to me?”
As she said this, Xie Qing’ao thought of her deceased parents and began to cry uncontrollably.
Her father had no blood brothers. If her parents were still alive, when would it be the turn of a clan aunt to criticize her?
“Oh my, Qing’ao, your words hurt Auntie’s heart. Auntie is doing this all for your good.” The woman slapped her thigh.
“Yes, cousin, my mother is just worried about you,” a young woman in plain clothes chimed in.
The woman sighed, “Your cousin is grieving and bound to say some confused things. How could I take offense at a child?”
Xie Qing’ao was heartbroken over her parents’ death, her thoughts already sluggish. The woman’s words left her so angry she could only cry, forgetting to retort.
Jiang Si steadied Xie Qing’ao’s hand and coldly smiled, “Madam, you came to keep Qing’ao company?”
“Yes,” the woman replied casually.
“When I came in just now, Qing’ao was fine. After a few words from you, Madam, you’ve made Qing’ao cry. It seems you’re not doing a good job of keeping her company. Since you can’t even do this small task well, Madam, don’t think about managing anything for Qing’ao. Madam, you’re from the countryside and probably don’t understand, but even though the Marquis and his wife have passed away, the rules of the mansion still stand. The stewards will handle matters according to established practices. There’s no need for outsiders to interfere.”
Jiang Si’s words were reasonable and well-founded, while also thoroughly criticizing the woman. The woman’s face suddenly turned red with anger, “You, who are you?”
She had originally thought this girl was here to keep Xie Qing’ao company, perhaps a daughter from some minor family serving as a companion to the young lady of a great house. But how could this girl call the Yongchang Marquis “Uncle”?
Xie Qing’ao, hearing Jiang Si’s words, came to her senses and angrily ordered, “Take them away!”