Chapter 9

Old Madam Feng was taken aback and stared at Jiang as if she did not know her.

Jiang Si remained calm, letting her grandmother size her up.

Although she had not lived past 20 years in her previous life, she had more unfortunate experiences than an average woman had in her lifetime. So, of course, she is not afraid of being judged.

Jiang Ancheng’s demeanor is quite relaxed: “Alright, then as your father, I decided to withdraw the engagement!”

Jiang Si felt relieved to have heard that word.

“No!” Old Madam Feng exclaimed.

She was expecting her granddaughter to pinch her eldest son, but who would expect Jiang Si’s display of unusual behavior that would make Old Madam Feng’s plans to fall short? So, she did not hesitate to tear off her warm veil and shouted in a cold sharp voice; “I would never allow it!”

“Mother!”

“Shut up! Do you know how many people envied us for securing this engagement with An Guo Mansion? Not to mention, the First Miss and the Second Miss are being looked up at their husband’s residence. And this year, A lot of marriage proposals came for the Third Miss, which did not happen before. Bluntly speaking, isn’t it because of our connection to An Guo Family? Son, even if you’re unwilling to grant this marriage because of Si Er, still, you must reconsider your decision for our sake!

“Mother, do you intend to sacrifice Si Er’s lifelong happiness for the sake of Dong Ping Mansion?” Jiang Ancheng asked back.

“Bastard, how dare you say such words!” Old Madam Feng held her forehead as her body trembled and was about to collapse. Fortunately, her head maidservant, Ah Fu, quickly flung her hand out in time to stop the Old Lady from falling.

“Mother, are you all right?” Although Jiang Ancheng was unhappy with Old Madam Feng’s behavior, he still got worried.

Old Madam Feng stared at Jiang Ancheng coldly: “You unfilial son. You think I am disregarding Si Er’s future for the sake of the family!? Is she not my granddaughter? Letting her marry into the An Guo Mansion is what’s good for her and our Dong Ping Mansion. And now, you wanted to back off for the sake of your rage!”

“It wasn’t because of anger-“

“Shut up! Marriage is decided by parents and Si Er doesn’t have a mother. Therefore as her grandmother, I have the right to decide in her place! I will make it clear today. Yes, An Guo Mansion is the first to fail, and whether you raise demands for Si Er, it’s up to you. But I would never agree to withdraw!”

Old Madam Feng’s words made Jiang Ancheng’s heart turn cold. He was about to persuade her again when the servant named Ah-Xi rushed in and pantingly said: “Old Madam, it’s not good. Second Young Master, Second Young Master—”

“What did that troublemaker do this time?” As soon as someone mentioned Jiang Zhan, a gush of blood rushed into Jiang Ancheng’s head. If this good-for-nothing son is standing right in front of him, he would have beaten him to death.

Ah-Xi’s face turned pale; “Second Young Master smashed the carriage of An Guo Mansion that was parked outside!”

“What?” Old Madam Feng stopped feeling dizzy all of a sudden and stood up.

Even Jiang Ancheng’s anger suddenly disappeared.

Well, good job. This good-for-nothing son of his does do a little bit of work sometimes.

“Is the steward busy eating idle meals? Stop him quickly!”

[T/N: 吃闲饭 eating idle meals – refer to those who only know how to eat but not work]

“Old Madam, we can’t stop him. Second Young Master is rushing this way, and we can’t manage to bring someone to chase after him-“

“Rushing this way?” Confusion flashed through the Old Lady’s eyes.

Could it be that the bastard is coming here to take the blame?

Old Madam Feng apprehended that she was just overthinking when another servant rushed in to report: “Old Madam, Second Young Master is rushing towards the Flower Hall. We, servants, couldn’t stop him!”

The Old Lady momentarily blacked out. Now, she truly was feeling dizzy.

“Come with me!” Old Madam Feng commanded Jiang Ancheng and hurried to the Flower Hall.

“Second Young Master, you must not get in. A distinguished guest is staying inside.”

Jiang Zhan jumped three feet high: “Bah! A distinguished guest? How distinguished was this guest to insult my younger sister? Step aside!”

Jiang Zhan kicked the servant girl in front of him, without the slightest sense of pity.

Madam Guo-shi, the wife of the eldest son of Lord An Guo, was stunned.

“Are you the guest from An Guo Mansion?”

Madam Guo-shi couldn’t help standing up. She would have dashed away long ago if she hadn’t seen this handsome young man who had rushed over. Otherwise, she would think of him as a bandit who runs amok.

“I’m the eldest daughter-in-law of An Guo Mansion. Who are you? How can you be so rude?” Madam Guo-shi tried to reason with the handsome lad.

Jiang Zhan heard that she was someone of significant status and was caught red-handed in his own home. Still, It’d be a waste to let the good opportunity go, so Jiang Zhan instantly raised his feet, attempted to kick her.

Madam Guo-shi screamed, and with rolling eyes, she fainted.

The servant at the door called out: “Madam, you mustn’t faint. We couldn’t stop the second son—”

Madam Guo-shi quivered when she heard it. She didn’t faint this time, and when her legs stopped trembling, she lifted her foot to escape.

A small table was hit by the corner which made a loud bang and was destroyed instantly.

Jiang Zhan took the table and chased her up: “Stop right there! You bullied my sister and now you want to run?

“Little beast, what are you doing?” Old Madam Feng hurried over and was dizzy with anger when she saw Jiang Zhan chasing after Madam Guo-shi.

Madam Guo-shi breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally, the Old Lady of Dong Ping arrived.

A gentle voice of a girl came: “Madam must head back now. The Second Young Master has gone mad, and the Old Lady could no longer control him. Even if he gets punished afterward, the damage can’t be undone.”

As Madam Guo-shi heard it, and with the help of a servant girl, she lifted her skirt and ran away without even looking at the girl who spoke.

Jiang Si looked at Guo-shi’s flying back and curled her lips.

Jiang Zhan turned a deaf ear to Old Madam Feng’s scolding and persevered to catch up.

“Son, why didn’t you stop that destructive son of yours!”

“Mother, don’t get angry. Your son will stop that bastard now.” Jiang Ancheng comforted her blandly.

“Then go!” Old Madam Feng stamped her foot.

Jiang Ancheng then walked out.

Jiang Zhan chased them outside and flung the table to the front gate, causing it to shatter into pieces.

“If anyone from the An Guo Family dares to visit our residence again, this will be your outcome!”

Long before Jiang Zhan smashed the carriage, the outside was already crowded with people watching the commotion.

These people are gossiping, and they’ve long figured out the cause of the uproar. At this time, there are a lot of discussions.

“It seems that the two families have fallen out.”

“Tsk tsk. How could they not? They’re about to get married yet Lord An Guo’s son went to have an affair with another woman, abandoning his fiancée!”

“I know right, as long as the other side is holding the grudge, this engagement surely is not going to happen. I mean, Auntie, it is not going to work anymore, there is no need for you to keep saying that they’re not going to withdraw.”

……

Jiang Ancheng rushed over and heard these comments. He was forced to put on a cold face and shouted at Jiang Zhan: “Don’t make a fool of yourself. Hurry back and get your punishment!”

Watching the gate of Dong Ping Bo’s Mansion slowly closing, Madam Guo-shi only felt humiliated and couldn’t wait to escape back to the Lord An Guo Mansion. However, her carriage was wrecked, and she had to wait for the coachman to hire another carriage.

Under the public’s eyes, Madam Gui-shi realized for the first time what it means to live a day like years.

[T/N: 度日如年 live like years – literally means that when things aren’t in your favor, the times pass really slow and excruciating]

As soon as Jiang Zhan returned to the courtyard, he thumped and knelt down. But there was a nonchalant look on his face: “Father, if you wish to punish me, then I am willing to accept such punishment.”

“Punish him using the Jiāfǎ. Beat him using that rod!” Old Madam Feng was shaking with anger.

[T/N: 家法 Jiāfǎ Tool used by parents to beat family members or children: a rod for punishing children or servants in a feudal household]

This tension has already shaken everyone in the yard.

Jiang Si appeared from the crowd: “Grandmother, this granddaughter felt that second brother should not only be punished but also be rewarded.”