Chapter 32 - In The Residence

The chest fell to the ground while the superior yellow pearwood continued to emit a faintly sweet scent. The items that had toppled out of the box were several volumes of books. Seeing that the books in the chest were preserved so well, it was evident that they were cherished by the owner.

It was not unexpected for a Miss of a big aristocratic family to bring a chest of books out with them. However, what was unexpected was the fact that there was no other luggage other than that chest of books inside the carriage. Each person in the audience before the Jiang fu had a different and unique expression on their faces. Only Jiang Ruan was unaffected and spoke, “Lian Qiao, what are you doing standing there with a startled look.”

With this, Jiang Su Su then understood and smiled, “Da Jiejie really does adore reading. With a chest full of books, it really makes one feel envious. Just the day before, I begged Father to get Zhuang Qin’s book anthology of poetry for me. But, Father could not find any copies. However, it seems that Da Jiejie has one in here.”

Saying this in such an innocent and artless tone, it was as if she was a little girl who was simply brooding over a book.

Jiang Ruan smiled lightly, “It is just a book. Since you and I are sisters, I will have Lu Zhu wrap the book up later and gift it to you. This chest of books are things that Mother left for me. Therefore, I am doing my utmost to preserve and keep them in a good condition.”

It was not hard for the audience to deduce the truth from her words. Since she had used the words ‘doing her utmost’ for those belongings, with one more glance at the di daughter of the Jiang fu, it was clear that she had no other luggage except the worn clothes on her body. In all likelihood, she had passed these few years in destitution. Everyone understood the idea of fishing in troubled waters; it was rare for someone as young as her to have this level of filiality. Unfortunately, while she could protect the remnants of her deceased mother’s possessions, all other wealth of hers must have been stolen away.

Smiling as she looked at her, Xia Yan withdrew her fingers that were gathered at her sleeves. The expression on her face grew even more sympathetic, “I know that you are a child who loves to read books, and since we are going back inside together with Su’er, it is wonderful that you two sisters actually have similar interests.”

Brushing aside the forelocks by her forehead, Jiang Ruan lightly spoke, “Meimei and I have close family ties. After all, blood is thicker than water, so naturally, our interests are similar.” If they did not have similar interests, how could they have fallen for the same man? If they did not have clashing interests, with this position of hers as the di daughter of the Jiang fu, how could they always be butting heads?

Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao both quickly gathered the books that had fallen all over the ground and took the initiative to carry them into the Jiang fu. Xia Yan then welcomed them into the fu. As the gates of the Jiang fu closed, the audience surrounding the residence gradually dispersed.

At that moment, when she stepped over the big vermillion gates of the Jiang fu, Lu Zhu supported Jiang Ruan’s hand, “Miss, please slow down a bit, be careful not to fall.”

Jiang Ruan took each step steadily with a distant smile on her face. Meanwhile, in her heart, it was as if there was a whistling gale, Mother, Elder brother, Pei’er, look, I am back!

As the courtyard was still being tidied up, Xia Yan led Jiang Ruan to the big hall where several yiniangs[1] were waiting for her. Jiang Su Su walked alongside her, a picture of brimming joy as she narrated interesting stories about the family to Jiang Ruan. From a distance, they looked as close as two sisters whose duet on the zither gave rise to a beautiful harmony.

[1] Yíniáng ( 姨娘 ) – maternal aunt; old term for father’s concubines.

Just as Xia Yan had said, several yiniangs had arrived earlier in the big hall to meet her, and they were all standing as a form of courtesy. The yiniang wearing a tea-coloured, straight-cut coat and skirt, who appeared to be their leader by virtue of being a little older than the others, smiled warmly at Jiang Ruan and said, “Da Xiaojie.”[2]

[2] Dà xiǎojiě ( 大小姐 ) – salutation for the eldest daughter of an affluent family.

Jiang Ruan swept a glance over her. This was the Jiang family’s most senior yiniang. When Zhao Mei had conceived, she was the servant girl whom Zhao Mei had brought forward to share Jiang Quan’s bed. Unfortunately, she had never become one of his favourites, and had also never conceived. Thus, she had become one of the ‘adornments’ of the Jiang fu.

Jiang Ruan returned her greeting with a small smile. Jiang Li walked over to an yiniang wearing a peach-coloured short coat to match a long skirt embroidered with sprays of tree peonies, and said coquettishly, “Yiniang.”

This woman could be said to be beautiful, with a pair of long, shapely eyebrows raised in a high arch. In a similarly high voice, she said, laughingly, “Oh, isn’t this Da Xiaojie? I was wondering why Madam wanted us to come here today. So, it was because Da Xiaojie was returning from the countryside residence.”

Jiang Ruan ignored her cutting words. This Second Yiniang was the shu daughter of a concubine of a minister in the Ministry of Civil Appointments, and thus was a means of courting official favour. In order to show respect to her father, Second Yiniang was considered a favourite in the Jiang fu, and her daughter, Jiang Li, was extremely close to Xia Yan. Jiang Ruan had not gotten along with her ever since they were small. When Zhao Mei was alive, she had suffered from Second Yiniang’s schemes countless times.

Jiang Ruan’s gaze rested on a girl who was standing by herself – Jiang Dan, the daughter of Third Yiniang, who had died after giving birth. Later, it was Zhao Mei who had raised Jiang Dan. When Zhao Mei died, Jiang Dan had no place to go. Jiang Ruan remembered that in her previous life, at the time she had entered the palace, Jiang Dan had not been married off yet. After that, there had been no news about her. The only thing Jiang Ruan could recall from their life in Jiang fu was that Jiang Dan did not seem to like talking, and was habitually silent.

Jiang Ruan remembered this last woman too as she was a lot younger than the other yiniangs. This young woman was very capable; in her past life, she had gradually ascended to a status almost on par with Xia Yan, enough to become her equal. Her name was Hong Ying. She was a courtesan from a brothel and was initially brought back by Jiang Quan as a gift for a superior. However, for some unknown reason, he kept her as an yiniang in the end. In her past life, she had wholeheartedly relied on Xia Yan. Therefore, her attitude towards Hong Ying had also been extremely nasty. On the contrary, seeing this scene before her right now, she was elated.

The impression that Hong Ying gave was a common one, her appearance was lovely and moving. Contrary to her origins, there was no aspect of her that seemed like she had gone through the hardships of being a courtesan. Rather, she seemed dainty and exquisite as if she were a doll finely made from crystal. It was no wonder that Jiang Quan, who was indifferent to female wiles, would give her a second look. With such a considerate and exceptionally beautiful flower, who wouldn’t fancy her?

Truthfully, in a residence filled with a lovable wife and beautiful concubines, he sometimes went along with his wife’s wishes or at times had a pick of something new. The only one that Jiang Quan truly doted upon was Xia Yan. With her excellent means and methods in addition to the adoration of her husband, it was hard for her to not have a steady position in the Jiang household. Moreover, Xia Yan also had a son and a daughter, Jiang Chao and Jiang Su Su.

Xia Yan explained, “Today, Master brought Chao’er to Wang Daren’s fu. I’m afraid that Ruan’er will have to wait until the evening to see them.”

Unsurprisingly, that was the reason why she did not see Jiang Chao around the hall. Jiang Quan earnestly wanted to bring Jiang Chao into officialdom, therefore, he would often bring him along to his fellow colleagues’ residences. Also, since a young age, he had lended a hand in guiding his favored son. This was poles apart when compared with his cold treatment towards his other son, Jiang Xin Zhi.

As she thought about her elder brother, Jiang Ruan’s gaze became slightly pained. Unconsciously, she tightened her fists in her sleeves and took a deep breath. Then, she smiled lightly, “There is no need to do this for me. I was and am someone from the Jiang fu. As for my return, it should naturally be treated as a normal trip home.”

When the people around her heard this, the surroundings became silent.

Jiang Su Su laughed, “What Da Jiejie said is right, only, Da Jiejie has returned to the fu just today. Over these past few years, the fu has changed quite a bit. How about letting the momos[3] guide and explain to Da Jiejie later, otherwise, Da Jiejie may not recognise her way around the fu.”

[3] Momo ( 嬷嬷 ) – general term for elderly lady, specifically used for wet nurses.

Jiang Li too, laughed merrily, “I am worried that Da Jiejie might be used to those interesting mountain roads in the countryside. Therefore later, when we walk on the paths of the Jiang fu, you may not be too familiar with the surroundings.”

Jiang Ruan smiled lightly, “How could I?”

How could she? Every strand of grass and every block of wood in the Jiang fu had long been etched deeply into her heart with the blood and tears of her past lifetime. Every person and every spot in this fu would constantly appear in her nightmares. Each time she was frightened awake by the nightmares of her past life, those scenes in her dreams would remind her about what kind of a living hell the Jiang fu was.

She had planted a seed of revenge here. And now the seed was buried in the soil, waiting for the time to gradually sprout.