Chapter 17 Part 2: Family

Yang Shi from the third branch had two daughters who looked around the same age as Jiang Li. The elder one was called Jiang Yu Yan, her appearance was average, her clothing was also very ordinary. She looked somewhat weak and cowardly. The younger one was called Jiang Yu’e. Contrary to expectation, she had quite the style of a pretty daughter in a humble family and wore brighter colored clothes compared to Jiang Yu Yan. She stared at Jiang Li but no one could tell what she was thinking about.

This, was Jiang second miss’ family.

Standing in the middle of the hall, she looked at these completely unfamiliar faces, her current so-called relatives. Yet in her brain appeared the scene at the small county of Tongxiang where Xue Huaiyuan, Xue Zhao and her frolicked around and played noisily.

Although the life here was full of luxury and had a dazzling sight, Jiang Li did not at all feel that the Jiang residence was a place that was hard to part with. These family members, their sights were probing when they looked at her, sizing her up, either harboring sinister thoughts or evil intentions. Making her feel that in this residence that seemed cultured and peaceful, there were layers upon layers of great danger.

They stared at Jiang Li, perhaps because the period they were separated was too long and not a bit of intimacy came out. Only Jiang Yuan Ping said a few sentences to Jiang Li. The others simply didn’t say any words. To such an extent that when Jiang Li moved towards the two cousins, Jiang Yu’e and Jiang Yu Tang, she saw fear and loathing in their eyes. It seemed that at that time, the matter of her causing harm to her stepmother and brother had impacted the people so much that nowadays people assumed that she was a vicious and evil female and refused to be associated with her.

Surprisingly, Jiang Yuan Bai didn’t discover this in the slightest. Seeing that Jiang Li had already greeted all the relatives, he spoke to Ji Shuran: “Madam, ask someone to take Li’er to go to her courtyard. Rushing the whole journey, Li’er must be tired already. Let her rest earlier today.”

Jiang Yuan Bai’s manner towards Jiang Li could be regarded as mild. While the people in Ling Wan Feng, all had different expressions on their faces.

Ji Shuran smilingly spoke: “Although master didn’t instruct, this female has already arranged since earlier. Sun momo,” she instructed: “Bring second miss to the courtyard.” Then she seemed to recall something and turned towards Jiang Li before opening her mouth: “When Li’er returned home, I noticed that there is only one servant girl at your side. It doesn’t seem appropriate, let me arrange two servant girls to wait on you.” Then she once again turned towards Old Madam Jiang sitting on the tallest seat and spoke: “In this female’s courtyard, Xiang Qiao and Yun Xiang are not too bad, both hardworking and clever. I think they can be given to second miss. What does mother think?”

Old madam Jiang indifferently spoke: “Do as you please.”

Ji Shuran smiled and asked Jiang Li: “Li’er, do you like it?”

Jiang Li looked at Ji Shuran’s gentle and considerate appearance and felt it was ridiculous. She really couldn’t understand, Ji Shuran already had a son, Jiang Yuan Bai’s heart was also with Ji Shuran. Why would Ji Shuran still feel so uneasy. So much so that she wouldn’t even let go of her who hadn’t returned home for seven years and had a reputation of being the evil di daughter? She had just barely returned home, and soon after she already sent a pair of people to be at her side.

Jiang Li laughed harmoniously: “Mother’s kind intentions, Li’er naturally likes. It would be impolite for Li’er to refuse.”

Ji Shuran seemed relieved and loosened her breath. Seeing that his wife and child got along amiably, Jiang Yuan Bai’s expression relaxed a lot and he spoke: “Then don’t delay, first bring Li’er to her courtyard.”

Sun momo immediately brought Jiang Li there without any delay.

As the Jiang residence had the people from three branches living in it, the space was naturally not too small. Jiang Li followed Sun momo as she was not at all familiar with the road. However, Tong’er was actually still familiar with it. The further they walked inside, Tong’er’s expression became weirder.

The location of this courtyard was actually very remote. When she arrived, she saw the three words at the door of the courtyard and was right stunned right away.

At the courtyard’s gate, there was a small wooden tablet. The handwriting on it couldn’t be said as nice-looking, yet it was indescribably courageous while still being cute, free and easy.

Fang Fei Garden.1

Jiang Li was unable to say what was the feeling in her heart, she paused for half a day and finally muttered in a low voice: “Fang Fei ah…..”

“This was the courtyard where madam recuperated.” Tong’er reminded her from the side.

Footnotes:

1: 芳菲苑 (fāngfēiyuàn) Fragrant Garden, it uses the same kanjis as in Xue Fang Fei’s name (薛芳菲) for ‘fragrant’.:leftwards_arrow_with_hook: