105: Chapter 76 Regretful Wedding_4 105: Chapter 76 Regretful Wedding_4 And Ji Shuran was the stepmother; given this delicate relationship, speculations abounded.
When these words reached Ji Shuran’s ears, she was quite upset, yet she treated Jiang Li even more kindly and affectionately, making Jiang Li feel exceedingly uncomfortable.
In Shuxiu Garden, the maids both inside and outside the courtyard were earnestly performing their duties, as everyone knew that Ji Shuran had been in a foul mood these past few days.
Fearful of being made scapegoats, they worked with even more diligence than usual.
Two maids stood guard at the entrance, while inside, not even the ice in the bronze cow seemed capable of dispelling the heat of late summer, which only made the oppressive sultriness stir restlessness in everyone’s hearts.
Ji Shuran was speaking with her sister, Lady Ji Chen.
Lady Ji Chen had come over early in the morning to find Ji Shuran.
With Jiang Yuanbai not at the mansion, she said, “What have you been up to these days?
Do you know what people are saying about you outside?
I’ve even heard the gossip—they say that whole affair of Jiang Li murdering her mother and brother might very well have been a play directed by you.”
Not bringing up the issue would have been fine, but once mentioned, Ji Shuran also filled with rage, retorting, “Sister, why do you blame me?
These are rumors spread by outsiders; I dare not mention such things in my household.”
“It doesn’t matter who started it; the more these rumors spread, the worse it is for you,” Lady Ji Chen replied.
“It’s all because of that girl stirring up trouble.
How can you not handle a mere maid?”
Lady Ji Chen and Ji Shuran had always been very close before either of them married, and compared to Ji Shuran’s usual demure demeanor, Lady Ji Chen was much more forceful.
Irritated, Ji Shuran spat out, “That girl is slippery and sly, too crafty by half.
Not just me, even you would struggle against her.
Did you see clearly what happened with the Meng family?
Meng Hongjin obviously lost both her reputation and her forces, and while I planned to benefit as the fisherman watching two fish fight, who knew Meng Hongjin would be so incompetent that she not only failed to succeed but also got herself entangled.”
“What happened?” Lady Ji Chen exclaimed in surprise.
“Meng Hongjin’s troubles are also related to her?”
Ji Shuran then recounted in detail to Lady Ji Chen the matter between Meng Hongjin and Jiang Li, and finally said, “Since returning to Yanjing City, Jiang Li has not suffered a single loss.
She’s about the same age as Youyao, but look how much more cunning she is.
If we keep her in the mansion, how could Youyao be a match for her?”
“From what you’re saying,” Lady Ji Chen mused, “Jiang Li cannot stay.
I’m afraid she’ll become even more formidable in a few days; it would be best to send her away sooner rather than later.”
“You mean…
to propose a marriage for her?” Ji Shuran suggested.
“It’s not a bad idea, but surely the master will have questions.”
“That’s simple,” Lady Ji Chen scoffed.
“There are countless young masters who are all show and no substance; just find someone who sounds good on paper but is actually nothing special.
You marry her off, and in two or three years she’ll be gone.
No one will notice anything, isn’t that a simple solution?”
“Sister, help me keep an eye out.
If there’s such a person, I’ll think of a way to inform the master and let him decide on the marriage,” Ji Shuran responded.
Lady Ji Chen nodded.
As they were talking, Jiang Youyao suddenly ran in from outside.
She was so hasty that Lady Ji Chen didn’t even see her before she choked out a cry for “Mother.”
Ji Shuran was startled and quickly walked over to take Jiang Youyao’s hand, only to see Jiang Youyao’s face streaked with tears.
In a worried tone, she asked, “Youyao, what happened to you?” She then turned to berate Jiang Youyao’s maids, Jin Hua and Yinhua, “How do you take care of your mistress—”
“Mother,” Jiang Youyao interrupted Ji Shuran, burying herself in her arms and sobbing, “Prince Zhou, Prince Zhou wants to break off our engagement…”
“What?” Lady Ji Chen slammed the table and stood up, “Youyao, what are you saying?”
Only then did Jiang Youyao realize that Lady Ji Chen was also present, and after addressing her as “Aunt,” she couldn’t stop crying.
Ji Shuran instructed the maids to close the door, then inquired of Jiang Youyao, “Youyao, what nonsense is this?
Why would Zhou Yanbang break off the engagement with you?
Don’t tell me you’re repeating rumors you’ve heard somewhere…”
“It’s true, Jin Hua’s sister is in the service at Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion.
Last night, the Madam Ningyuan and the Princely Heir had a dispute.
That maid convinced a young servant from the Crown Prince’s Courtyard to talk, and he confirmed that the Princely Heir said…
he said he wants to break the engagement with me and marry Jiang Li!”
“Jin Hua!” Ji Shuran demanded, “Is what Youyao said true?”
Kneeling down immediately, Jin Hua confirmed, “What I’ve said is absolutely true; there is indeed such matter.” Jin Hua was also terrified inside, knowing that everyone in Yanjing City recognized that the marriage between Jiang Youyao and Zhou Yanbang was as good as settled, an engagement that not even Jiang Li’s return could change.
And yet, at this critical moment, Prince Zhou actually proposed to marry Jiang Li.
It was like a temple being flooded—chaos within their own ranks.