Chapter 324: Jiang Nan
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Zhou Lan returned from Grand Cloud Mountain and brought something for Zhang Ling. Seizing the opportunity of their meeting today, Zhou Lan handed it over to her, now stuffing it into Zhang Ling’s embrace.
Zhang Ling looked at the cloth bundle on her lap and asked, “Aunt Zhou, what’s this?”
Zhou Lan replied, “Your mother and younger brother said winter is coming and they’re worried you’d be cold here. So they prepared some warm clothes for you. There are also two pairs of insoles made by Jiang Qing for you. I saw this little hair clip at Locust Tree Bay and thought it would suit you, so I bought it for you.”
Zhou Lan treated Zhang Ling as family, so when shopping, she not only thought of Jiang Qing but also considered buying something for Zhang Ling.
Moved by the gesture, Zhang Ling was momentarily at a loss for words. She held the cloth bundle tightly, continuously offering Zhou Lan some meat to eat.
“How is Jiang Qing doing over there?”A woman entered from the doorway and walked straight to their table, overhearing their conversation and chimed in with her question.
Zhou Lan glanced at the woman, her face was familiar, but she couldn’t recall who she was. Jiang Gu had already risen to offer her a seat.
Jiang Gu joyfully greeted the woman, “Auntie!”
The woman gently tousled Jiang Gu’s hair, “Such a good kid.”
The woman took Jiang Gu’s spot, lifting her onto her own lap, and looked at Zhou Lan, awaiting her answer.
“Everything’s fine. Her husband treats her well, and they are now planning to have a child,” Zhou Lan responded, trying to recall who the woman was. Jiang Gu’s shout of ‘auntie’ jogged her memory – this woman was Jiang Chuan’s elder sister, and the only daughter who lived in the old Jiang family, named Jiang Nan.
Jiang Nan was a year younger than Jiang Gui. She was the first daughter of the Jiang family. Although the Old Madam Jiang didn’t like her, she begrudgingly took care of her.
Before having Jiang Hua, Old Madam Jiang had given birth to two daughters. Due to the prevailing thought that boys were preferred over girls, and believing that raising a girl was a waste of resources, the second daughter was given away shortly after her birth. The third daughter was taken by Old Master Jiang to the riverside and drowned.
At that time, the law was not strict. Drowning a child in the dead of night, especially a girl, drew no attention. No one cared or inquired about the child’s family. Hence, a life vanished silently from this world.
When Old Master Jiang dealt with his two daughters, Jiang Nan was already old enough to understand. She was aware of the Jiang family’s discrimination against daughters and their favoritism towards sons. Disappointed with them, she never returned to her parental home after getting married. Today, with Jiang Hong’s engagement, she was returning for the first time.
Before Jiang Nan got married, she was always good to Jiang Chuan. Whenever their family had nothing to eat, she would secretly save a bit of her ration for them. She often gave him the money she saved up privately to help out with household expenses.
In Zhou Lan’s memory, Jiang Nan only favored this one younger brother. She was indifferent to the second brother, Jiang Hua. Zhou Lan wondered if it was because Jiang Chuan was more likable since childhood.
Three years after Jiang Chuan got married, Jiang Nan wed a widower with a child. This marriage brought a substantial dowry to the old Jiang family. Observing her attire now, although her clothes were simple, they were new, suggesting her life wasn’t too bad, but neither was it luxurious.
Sitting beside Zhou Lan, Jiang Nan ate a few bites of food before taking something from her pocket. She held it tightly, so Zhou Lan couldn’t see what it was.
Without saying much, she stuffed it into Zhou Lan’s pocket, whispering, “I heard your family is going through tough times. I’ve saved some money over the days. Take it and buy some clothes for the children since winter is coming.”
Feeling the bulging pocket, Zhou Lan realized there must be a substantial amount of money. She hurriedly declined, “Sister, we can’t accept your money.”
Jiang Nan glanced at the main table, “Keep it. Our mother is looking this way. It won’t be good if she sees.”
Zhou Lan turned around and, sure enough, the old madam was suspiciously watching them. Thus, she silently kept the money.
Throughout the meal, Zhou Lan kept pondering. Jiang Nan was seven years older than Jiang Chuan. When Jiang Chuan came to the Jiang family, Jiang Nan was already of understanding age. She must have known that this younger brother was adopted. Why then did she treat him exceptionally well?
Considering the cautious nature of the Jiang family elders, they probably wouldn’t let their daughter in on such a significant secret.. So how did they keep it from Jiang Nan?