Chapter 21 Part 2: Cousin

For a while, Jiang Youyao quietly and closely examined Jiang Li from head to toe. Her heart was utterly annoyed to discover that although Jiang Li’s dress wasn’t as delicate as hers, it didn’t lose out to her. That quiet and exquisite, clean and honest appearance truly resembled the type of people that father Jiang Yuan Bai admired.

Jiang Youyao gripped the handkerchief in her hands tightly and took a deep breath. She took the initiative to show a smile and spoke: “Second sister.” Ji Shuran had repeatedly warned her to absolutely not show hostility in front of outsiders at this juncture in the Jiang residence.

“Third sister.” Jiang Li also replied with a smile that was different from Jiang Youyao’s forced smile. Jiang Li’s smile was natural and sincere. Whoever saw it wouldn’t doubt her friendliness at this time.

Jiang Youyao felt extremely disgusted and suddenly spoke: “Second sister should have passed your birthday1, right?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Youyao raised her head and smiled: “In a few days, I will also have my birthday. Second sister must not forget to send a gift to younger sister.”

Jiang Li was startled and replied: “What? Since third sister is going to reach a marriageable age, I will definitely send a congratulatory gift.”

“That’s good, I heard grandmother said a lot of people were invited to attend my birthday. Second sister just returned to the capital, maybe you can make friends by meeting a bit more people.” She spoke meaningfully.

Jiang Li did not mind the meaning hidden behind Jiang Youyao’s words. She didn’t even care about Jiang Yu’e smile which seemed to be making fun of her. She only thought that Jiang second miss was all alone in Mount Qingchen when she reached her marriageable age, yet not even one person remembered. While Jiang third miss’s birthday was arranged grandly. Both were obviously daughters from the first wife, yet this disparity was just too big.

Thinking about this, she was somewhat sympathetic to the untimely demise of Jiang second miss.

At least, Xue Fang Fei had never felt being treated coldly by her own relatives.

She felt a bit disinterested and turned around with Tong’er to go in another direction. Unexpectedly, she had just taken two steps before almost directly bumping into a person.

“Use your eyes when you walk ah!” That person spoke unhappily.

“It’s you who first bumped into our young lady!” Tong’er couldn’t help speaking out.

“When is it time for a servant to interrupt.” That voice turned angrier but in a second, it spoke distractedly: “Jiang Li?”

The youngster in front had a similar age to Jiang Li, and had with slightly dark skin. He could be regarded as attractive. It was precisely the second branch’s Lu shi’s Jiang Jing Rui.

The second branch had two young masters. The eldest, Jiang Jing You’s appearance resembled Jiang Yuan Ping, chubby and always beaming. The second young master, Jiang Jing Rui’s appearance resembled Lu shi, quite handsome. His temperament was also more spoiled.

At this moment, Jiang Jing Rui was carrying a large bamboo cage in his hands. From inside, the buzzing sound of a grasshopper could be heard, probably it was taken from outside. His clothes were messy and there was sweat on his forehead. He was very energetic and unbridled, looking completely like an indulgent son of a rich family.

When he caught sight of Jiang Li, he didn’t show the same strong hostility as Jiang Youyao. It also didn’t look like Jiang Yuyan’s appearance of wanting to run away from her. This attitude, he seemed to be very familiar with her.

Jiang Li deliberated before deciding to test him. After some thoughts, she warmly called out: “Cousin.”

When this word came out, Jiang Jing Rui seemed to jump in fright. He took a huge step back, his face showed a repulsed expression and shouted: “What nonsense are you calling me?”

Jiang Li carried a smile on her face, however, her heart was beating like a drum. Jiang Jing You was older than Jiang Li by a year, but Jiang Jing Rui was only older than Jiang Li by 10 days. She had no idea how Jiang second miss used to address Jiang Jing Rui.

Jiang Li had not yet figured out how to explain, Jiang Jing Rui had already once again looked at her. Suddenly he spat out: “Why do you look like this now?”

Now? This appearance?

Jiang Li was puzzled.

Then how did she look before?

I noticed we mistranslated Jing Rui’s name as Jing Yui in the past, I already changed it in that chapter and list of charas. JL and this cousin maybe were pretty close in the past? Maybe she can make good use of him now hehe And Jiang Youyao’s hairpin ceremony (15th birthday) looks like the perfect time for JL to score a few goals against the fake ones in Jiang family and also show herself with a better light fufufu tho some annoying flies might also appear bc of that 🤔

Footnotes:

1: The birthday mentioned here is the 15th birthday, a day where a young girl reached a marriageable age in ancient times. It was usually celebrated with a ritual (hairpin ceremony), showing that the girl has reached adulthood. From this age onwards, they would be waiting to be married off. (that sounds so wrong, like a farm animal waiting to be slaughtered XD