Chapter 10

Old Madam Feng simply thought Jiang Si’s words were ridiculous and stared at her with a heavy gaze.

Jiang Zhan winked at Jiang Si anxiously and whispered: “Fourth Sister, don’t interfere. Move to father’s side!”

Jiang Si was unmoved, and calmly met Old Madam Feng’s clouded gaze: “Grandmother, what is your reason for punishing Second Brother?

“This bastard wanted to kill Lord An Guo’s eldest daughter-in-law and chased her outside of the mansion only to be seen by many people. When the time comes, how would An Guo Mansion and Bo Mansion drop this matter?” The old lady shivered with anger.

She originally wanted to seek more benefits from the An Guo Mansion. Now, she is afraid they won’t get anything as both sides might counteract due to the disturbance caused by Jiang Zhan.

Old Madam Feng is not just angry but even more distressed.

Jiang Si chuckled: “Grandmother must have forgotten that this matter was originally due to An Guo family’s failure.”

“Our family is now also at fault after this bastard made a fuss.” Old Madam Feng angrily said.

“This granddaughter reasons that rationality means rationality, and ignorance means ignorance. It was precisely due to the misconduct of the An Guo family that Second Brother vented his anger. How can Second Brother’s behavior of defending relatives be nonsense? Could it be that when someone slaps our face, we must present the other side to show them our generosity?”

Old Madam Feng was embarrassed by Jiang Si’s bluntness.

“If we do, people would not think that we are generous. They would instead think that our family had bent over to climb high branches just to curry favor!” Jiang Si’s remarks made everyone pale.

“Nonsense!” Old Madam Feng shouted, feeling hot on her face.

Jiang Si’s expression became more serious: “Grandmother, we are innocent. Do you want people to make fun of our family for being cowards?

If that’s so, then we will never be able to lift our heads out.”

At this point, Jiang Si glanced at Jiang Zhan: “Fortunately, Second Brother was quick to respond and made his position clear before outsiders had speculated on the rumors. If Grandmother doesn’t believe it, you can send someone out to inquire. The neighbors undoubtedly must think we did the right thing. It is why this granddaughter stated that Second Brother should not only be punished but also rewarded.”

Jiang Si’s remarks were justified and well-founded. Old Madam Feng had the intention to refute but could not find a reason for the moment. In front of the mansion’s people, she can’t afford to suffer a loss of respect. She turned pale in anxiety.

“Good point!” Jiang Ancheng slapped his thigh and noticed Old Madam Feng’s expression wasn’t right, so he comforted her, “Mother, don’t worry. This son will take the Marriage Resignation Letter and return the betrothal gift to An Guo Mansion to cancel the engagement!”

Old Madam Feng stuck a breath in her throat, leaving her speechless.

Jiang Ancheng kicked Jiang Zhan along the way: “Little beast, why are you still kneeling? Hurry up and help your father!”

“Ah!” Jiang Zhan responded loudly, winking at Jiang Si, and chased after Jiang Ancheng.

“This—” Old Madam Feng’s tone finally went down only to discover that her eldest son and second grandson had both escaped. So she planned to get angry with Jiang Si instead.

Jiang Si blinked, and the water mist glowed in her eyes: “Grandmother, although this granddaughter believes it’s just right to withdraw the marriage from such an unruly family. Still, it is not a glorious thing for a lady after all. And your granddaughter finds it hard to take, so I will take my leave first.”

In the blink of an eye, Jiang Si disappeared, leaving the confused Old Madam Feng.

“Old Madam, are we really going to cancel the engagement?” Said Jiang Si’s second aunt, Xiao-shi.

Jiang Si’s mother had long passed away, and Jiang Ancheng had never taken a second wife. Therefore, the management of the household belongs to the Second Madam of the second branch, Xiao-shi.

Although her maiden family is ordinary, Madam Xiao-shi has a strong-willed attitude. Also, Headmaster Jiang Er was very competitive and ambitious. It was rare for nobles to walk the road of imperial examination in honor and to earn the eight classics Jìnshì chūshēn. Now the official worships Taipusi Shaoqing. Her eldest son, Jiang Cang, inherited his father’s talent for studying and is already a young talent among his peers in the capital.

[T/N: Jinshi chūshēn (进士出身) Jinshi background is a kind of qualification title given according to Chinese rank in the imperial examination era.]

In comparison, the first branch is weak, and they can only give a shot to Jiang Si’s wedding.

Of course, this advantage is gone now.

Madam Xiao-shi was happy to see the result. Otherwise, Jiang Si’s in-laws would be compared to her daughter’s in-laws. But she also understood that Headmaster Jiang Er attaches great importance to this marriage, so she asked.

Old Madam Feng recovered and ordered the steward: “Go to the Yamen and call the Second Headmaster back!”

[T/N: Yamen – the office or residence of a public official in the Chinese Empire.]

In the Haitang Residence Jiang Si had a moment of peace when Ah-Qiao came in to report: “Miss, the Old Madam sent someone to invite the Second Headmaster back.”

Jiang Si was not surprised and told Ah-Mann: “Go and ask for Second Brother.”

Not long after, Jiang Zhan sneaked in.

Jiang Si couldn’t help frowning: “Why does Second Brother behave like a thief?”

Meeting his sister’s autumn waters-limped eyes, Jiang Zhan suddenly didn’t know where to put his hands and feet. The tips of his ears were slightly red. “I was hated by Grandmother. Once they knew I came here to see you, who knows, it might implicate Younger Sister.”

“That will not happen. Grandmother is broad-minded, her rewards and punishments are distinct.”

“Are you being serious?” Jiang Zhan has a strange look.

Jiang Si smiled and said, “Second brother, just believe in what I’ve said.”

“Let me just say one thing. Grandmother is not that kind of person!” Looking at Jiang Si’s gleaming eyes, Jiang Zhan sighed for a long time.

He used to be close to his younger sister. Nevertheless, he always felt that she was like a Flower of kaolin across the clouds and that he had to weigh his desire to speak out. But now, he finds his younger sister more adorable than ever.

[T/N: (高岭之花) The “Flower of Kaolin” is used as a metaphor for things that can only be seen from a distance and cannot be touched. That is, things that can only be longed for but are out of reach for oneself.]

“Second Brother should stop talking about Grandmother. Spread it out and others will talk about it.”

Jiang Zhan has a smirk on his handsome face: “I will only say this in front of my sister. By the way, why was Younger Sister looking for me?

“Second Brother, sit first.” Jiang Si pointed to the chair beside him and sat down on the opposite side.

Ah-Qiao brought tea and put it in front of Jiang Zhan.

Jiang Zhan took a sip of tea.

Although he was impatient when it comes to sipping tea and reciting poems, his sister’s face is more important.

“Second Brother often goes to Bichun Tower, right?” Jiang Si jumped into the water to save people last night. At this moment, her fingertips were still cold. Holding the warm teacup, she asked with a smile.

“Puff–” Jiang Zhan’s tea was all sprayed out.

Jiang Si seemed not to be in a hurry. Instead, she held her cheeks and slowly waited for his brother to recover.

Jiang Zhan suppressed the impulse to fall and flee, tightening his handsome face, he said:

“Of course not. I don’t even know where the gate of Bichun Tower is! Who was spouting nonsense to my sister’s ear? Let me know so they will be skinned!”

Ah-Mann and Ah-Qiao, who were standing on one side, suddenly felt their scalp had gone numb.

They both felt that Second Young Master would jump up anytime and murder someone.

Jiang Si put the teacup on the table and sighed: “I thought that Second Brother could do this sister a favor. If that is the case, then this younger sister can only think of another way.”

Jiang Zhan’s eyes widened suddenly.

What does Fourth Younger Sister mean? Heavens! Could it be that she wants to dress, disguised as a man, and have fun in the brothel?

It seemed like she got what he just thought as Jiang Si said, “If it’s really impossible, your young sister can only go there in person–“

“No, I’ll go!”

“Second Brother didn’t even know where the gate of Bichun Tower was, right?”

“No, no, I know the place very well and could find it with ease. Ahem. No, I mean, I’m not familiar with it. But I happen to pass by that place sometimes–” Jiang Zhan suddenly realized he only made his situation worse and became more embarrassed.

[T/N: Bichun Tower is a brothel, so It may also mean that he’s not visiting the place routinely but visits the place once in a while]

“Then, I would like to ask Second Brother to visit Bichun Tower.” Jiang Si took out something from her sleeve and handed it over.