Chapter 144: Why Didn’t You Pay Respects To The Old Madam When You Saw Her?
“Eldest Daughter, this is Old Madam Zhong’s order. Do you dare disobey?”
Jiang Ruanxi put down the teacup in her hand. Though she was not angry, she gave off a sense of pressure. “Mama Li, have you gotten old with deaf ears? Do you not understand what I said?”
Mama Li was someone close to Old Madam Zhong. Even Master Zhong had to give her some respect when he saw her in the Zhong Family. When had she ever suffered such treatment?
“Since Eldest Daughter refuses the toast and prefers the forfeit, then I’ll go tell Old Madam Zhong.”
After Mama Li left in disgrace, Hong Ye grew deeply worried. “Madam, is this not a good idea?”
“I saw you were quite unconvinced just now. Why are you regretting it now?” Jiang Ruanxi put down her cup with a teasing expression.
Hong Ye recalled her earlier recklessness and scratched her head embarrassedly. “Madam, please don’t tease me…”
“Don’t worry. Back in the Lin Family, we never lived looking at others’ faces. Now that we’ve come to the Zhong Family, it’s even less necessary.”
Second Master was engaged to the Zhong Family. Sir Zhong knew the truth, but Old Madam Zhong did not.
When the Zhong Family heard that Second Master was ugly in appearance, they naturally were unwilling to part with the second young lady of the manor, so they thought of Zhong Ling, who had grown up in the countryside since childhood.
Jiang Ruanxi knew clearly in her heart that Second Master was originally supposed to marry her. The Zhong Family was just a shell.
It was just a pity that this girl had bad luck and had already died two years ago.
Though she was unfortunate, she gave Jiang Ruanxi a new identity to see the world anew.
Jiang Ruanxi did not know whether she should feel sad or happy.
“If you ask me, Madam should just return directly to the family in Lingnan. Why go to the Zhong Family to suffer?”
No matter how good the Zhong Family was, could it compare to the Jiang Family?
Jiang Ruanxi did not think so. “If I return to the Jiang Family at this time, wouldn’t that tell the world I’m still alive? Then everything we’ve done before would be in vain. Though I return to Lingnan, I absolutely cannot live using Jiang Ruanxi’s identity again. If discovered, not to mention implicating Father and Mother, it would also implicate Second Master. Remember, your family madam has already died. From now on, you can only call me Eldest Daughter.”
Hong Ye also knew the seriousness of the matter, and her face became serious. “Yes, Eldest Daughter.”
Jiang Ruanxi looked toward the sky blocked by the trees and said wistfully, “He Kui should still be in Lingnan, right?”
“Madam—Eldest Daughter, he should still be there.”
Hong Ye called Jiang Ruanxi Madam out of habit but changed her words upon recalling her earlier instruction.
Jiang Ruanxi did not mind. “These days when you have time, find an opportunity to go seek him and bring him to see me.”
“This servant understands.”
After lunch, seeing that no one from the Zhong Family had come, Hong Ye began to worry in her heart.
Could it be that this Old Madam Zhong had no intention of coming to pick up the person?
“Don’t worry, she will definitely come.” Jiang Ruanxi saw through her thoughts and said.
“Old Madam, Eldest Daughter’s room is just ahead. This wilderness has a lot of weeds, so please be careful.”
Just as Jiang Ruanxi’s words fell, Mama Li’s voice came from outside the woods.
Hong Ye breathed a sigh of relief, but Jiang Ruanxi remained very calm.
In a moment, an elderly woman appeared in the woods, with full silver hair. She looked quite old, but her complexion was rosy and she was full of vigor.
Upon seeing Jiang Ruanxi, a flash of amazement passed through her eyes, then it turned to anger.
This child had grown up so beautiful, even more glamorous than her mother back then, but she lacked that air of worldliness her mother had.
Fine bamboo shoots come from bad bamboo. If not for her mother, it would be fine to take her back and raise her well, but what a pity…
While Old Madam Zhong sized up Jiang Ruanxi from top to bottom, Jiang Ruanxi was not afraid and met her gaze, carefully observing this old madam as well.
Sir Zhong was just a minor official in Lingnan. According to the information Jiang Ruanxi knew, the Zhong Family had all been peasants before, and only in Sir Zhong’s generation had they barely managed to pass the provincial exam.
He had relied on some connections to get a minor job in the yamen.
The Zhong Family’s status was not good, and their family wealth was not abundant, but look at Old Madam Zhong’s attire.
The fabric of her clothes was priceless brocade, and the green gem on her head was as big as a chicken egg. Even high officials and nobles in the capital rarely had such fine hair ornaments.
But what kind of life had the original Eldest Daughter of the Zhong Family lived?
In the wilderness, with no one to look after her.
No wonder she had died of depression.
“Eldest Daughter, why don’t you pay respects upon seeing Old Madam?” Mama Li had been harboring anger in her heart. Now with Old Madam Zhong present, she naturally bullied others with her status, her tail cocked to heaven.
“As expected of someone raised in the countryside, truly lacking manners. You must learn the rules well after returning, lest you shame the Zhong Family after marriage.”
Hong Ye was so angry she wanted to spit a thick glob of phlegm in this old woman’s face, but Jiang Ruanxi remained neither arrogant nor impatient.
“Mama Li is right. Indeed, those from the countryside don’t understand rules. The master hasn’t even spoken, and you this old nursemaid are chattering away here.”
Jiang Ruanxi had previously managed the inner residence and seen all sorts of people. Someone like Mama Li who bullied with her status was nothing in her eyes.
“Those who know think Mama Li is speaking on Old Madam’s behalf; those who don’t would think Mama Li is a servant lording over her master, not even putting Old Madam in her eyes.”
Mama Li’s face tightened, but Jiang Ruanxi continued with veiled barbs. “But if we’re saying country folk don’t understand rules, I would be the first to disagree. Didn’t Old Madam and Master also come to Lingnan from the countryside? Does that mean in Mama Li’s eyes, Old Madam also doesn’t understand rules?”
Mama Li’s face stiffened, and she quickly looked to Old Madam Zhong. “Old Madam, that’s not what I meant…”
“Mama Li has been by my side for a long time. She’s just straightforward, not as roundabout as you say.”
After a long while, Old Madam Zhong finally spoke, and Mama Li breathed a sigh of relief.
She had underestimated Eldest Daughter before, thinking her character weak, but unexpectedly she was sharp-tongued and almost made Old Madam unhappy.
“Old Madam is right.”
Jiang Ruanxi had no blood relation with her, and she was only temporarily staying in the Zhong Family, so she did not plan to have any excessive involvement with Old Madam Zhong.
Calling her Old Madam was just right.
“Your father has been worried about you being away all year, so he asked me to bring you back. A marriage has already been arranged for you at home. The other party’s character and appearance are both impeccable.”
“Mm.” Jiang Ruanxi said indifferently.
She felt sorry for the original Zhong Ling. If not for the Zhong Family having no one else to marry off, would they have thought of Zhong Ling?
Seeing her neither cold nor warm demeanor, Old Madam Zhong was very angry, but thinking of something, she held back her anger.
She did not want to throw a hot face at a cold butt. “Since that’s the case, get in the carriage and go back.”
She glanced at her and turned directly.
