Chapter 2: Morning Meal Conflict (Revised) The Hypocritical Patriarch of the Jiang Family…
Jiang Qingshi knew Lin Guilan always cherished him deeply. Hearing her words, he merely smiled faintly without ceasing his movements, taking the large pot from her hands: “My dear, there’s no need for such formalities between us. Your daily labors are arduous enough – I’m merely offering what modest help I can.”
After Jiang Qingshi helped Lin Guilan pour the soup into bowls, she finally freed her hands and went inside to carry Jiang Zhimiao.
At over one and a half years old, Jiang Zhimiao should have been walking independently by this age. However, perhaps due to this body’s previous prolonged illness, his little stubby legs couldn’t quite manage proper steps. When Lin Guilan entered, she saw Jiang Zhimiao struggling on the floor like a fish out of water, his short limbs flailing helplessly.
“My little ancestor!”
Lin Guilan hurried over to pick up Jiang Zhimiao, scolding affectionately: “When did you sneak out of bed without making a sound? Your health has only just improved, son – this is no time to be stubborn!”
Jiang Zhimiao had originally wanted to surprise his parents with his progress, never expecting to be caught red-handed. Feeling somewhat ashamed, he buried his little face in Lin Guilan’s bosom.
Lin Guilan found this amusing and lightly patted Jiang Zhimiao’s bottom: “You’re just like your father – both so determined! Come, mother will take you out to eat. You need full nourishment before learning to walk properly.”
Though he knew his mother was just playing and had only tapped his bottom lightly, oh mother… do you know your hands are really quite strong!
Jiang Zhimiao’s small face twisted in pain.
That his delicate, beautiful father could actually handle his formidable mother was nothing short of a miracle!
When they reached the main room, Jiang Qingshi had already set the table and served the soup. Jiang Wu, the eldest master of the Jiang Family, emerged from the inner room and burst into laughter upon seeing Jiang Qingshi arranging bowls and chopsticks like a housewife.
“Third Brother, since when do you do women’s work? It’s bad enough you look like a delicate maiden, but now you’re acting more womanly by the day.”
Lin Guilan had just stepped out carrying Jiang Zhimiao when she heard these words. While she could endure personal slights, she wouldn’t tolerate anyone insulting Jiang Qingshi. Her expression immediately darkened as she strode forward boldly, her willow-leaf eyebrows shooting up.
“Eldest Brother, what are you saying?”
Despite his martial-sounding name, Jiang Wu wasn’t particularly tall. Years of rich living had caused him to grow only sideways. Lin Guilan, being naturally tall, stood eye-to-eye with him, immediately diminishing his imposing presence.
But relying on his status as the Jiang Family’s eldest son, Jiang Wu always maintained an air of superiority. Seeing his sister-in-law dare to question him like this made his temper flare.
“What business do women have interfering when men are speaking? Just mind the child and stop meddling in men’s affairs!”
“Hah, women? Eldest Brother shows his masculinity now! You all slept until this late hour – I cooked for the entire household. Miao Ge’er hasn’t fully recovered from his illness, yet none of you lifted a finger to help. Without women, you’d all starve!”
“Isn’t cooking and childrearing women’s duty?”
Jiang Wenjiang, the second son of the Jiang Family, also stepped out. A few years younger than Jiang Wu, he had a sharp, foxy face that exuded shrewdness. Though he and Jiang Wu were brothers born of the same mother, and undercurrents of rivalry simmered beneath the surface, they always presented a united front to outsiders.
“Third sister-in-law, Second Brother knows you were raised delicately,” he said with a grin, “but this is how things are in our Jiang Family. Since you’ve married into it, shouldn’t you take on the duties expected of a Jiang daughter-in-law?”
Lin Guilan felt irritated just looking at Jiang Wenjiang’s smirking face. Of all the Jiangs, he was the one she despised most since marrying into the family. Her disgust deepened remembering how his wife Yuan Shi had scolded Jiang Qingshi just last night. She was about to retort when an aged, impatient voice cut her off.
“Enough! Must you disturb the peace first thing in the morning?”
An old man in an azure-blue straight robe approached. At the sound of his voice, both Jiang Wu and Jiang Wenjiang fell silent, adopting meek expressions. Old Madam Feng, who had been sitting idly until then, rose with a beaming smile and hurried over to support Old Master Jiang Changshun.
“Don’t be angry, my lord. It’s just these youngsters being unruly, making noise so early. Come, sit and eat!”
Old Master Jiang, clearly pleased, paid no mind to the younger generation potentially laughing at him. He affectionately clasped Feng Shi’s hand and gazed at her tenderly. “You’ve risen early—you’ve worked hard.”
Worked hard at what? She hadn’t lifted a finger!
Lin Guilan seethed inwardly, but seeing that Old Master Jiang had spoken, she feared further argument would displease him. Swallowing her anger, she sat down with Jiang Qingshi.
Cao Cuiying, the wife of the eldest Jiang son, and Yuan Yuexian, the wife of the second son, also sat with their children. Finally, the youngest Jiang son, Jiang Jinyao, arrived late. Old Master Jiang coughed disapprovingly at his tardiness.
Feng Shi quickly shot Jiang Jinyao a meaningful look. He immediately broke into a smile and wheedled, “Father, I was reviewing the account books late last night—that’s why I overslept.”
At the mention of “account books,” Jiang Wenjiang and Yuan Yuexian exchanged a swift glance, while Jiang Wu’s face also showed displeasure.
“Sit down and eat already!” Feng Shi scolded lightly. “We know you’re diligent, but our Jiang Family is a prominent household in Fanjiazhuang. We must uphold propriety!”
Jiang Jinyao promptly took his seat properly. Though Old Master Jiang kept a stern face, he was accustomed to Feng Shi’s pillow talk and always doted on his youngest son. He scanned the family seated around the large, peeling square wooden table and nodded in satisfaction. “Let’s eat.”
Through days of observation, Jiang Zhimiao had largely figured out the temperaments of this family—with Old Master Jiang receiving the most scrutiny.
The Jiang Family had indeed been wealthy townsfolk originally. Most residents of Fanjiazhuang bore the Fan surname, making the Jiangs outsiders who had come generations ago to trade in liquor. They once owned several liquor shops in Xichun Town and, seeing their business thrive, purchased land and settled here. Now, having lived in Fanjiazhuang for over a century, they had become long-standing residents.
When the liquor shop was passed down to Old Master Jiang’s generation, he only knew how to stick to the old ways, continuing the family’s traditional methods. Meanwhile, other liquor shops opened in the town, offering better flavors and prices than the Jiang Family. Gradually, the Jiang Family lost business, and most of their liquor shops closed, leaving only one remaining. Nowadays, the Jiang Family barely sustains themselves by farming.
But even this single liquor shop is seen as a juicy piece of meat in the eyes of the Jiang Family members. Old Master Jiang favors his youngest son, and with Feng Shi whispering in his ear every night, it seems he intends to leave this shop to Jiang Jinyao.
Naturally, Jiang Da and Jiang Er are unwilling to let Jiang Jinyao take this advantage for nothing. The two brothers have surprisingly united and are scheming to snatch this piece of meat right from Jiang Jinyao’s lips.
Although the Jiang Family isn’t particularly wealthy or influential, Old Master Jiang loves to put on airs, clearly seeing himself as the patriarch of a great clan. With little to do all day, he spends his time setting rules for the family. He must receive ample respect from the Jiang Family to satisfy his feudal patriarchal mindset. Feng Shi, seizing on this trait, constantly flatters Old Master Jiang to secure benefits for herself and her son.
But in Jiang Zhimiao’s eyes, Old Master Jiang is utterly hypocritical. While he preaches fairness and justice, everyone clearly heard the commotion caused by Jiang Er’s wife last night, yet Old Master Jiang pretended not to notice.
Old Master Jiang leisurely finished his meal, took a sip of soup, and deliberately nodded with an air of importance. “This meal is quite well-prepared.”
“This was all prepared by the third daughter-in-law,” Feng Shi immediately chimed in with a smile. “She was already renowned for her capability in her maiden family. That’s why I said only the third daughter-in-law should handle such an important task as cooking. I truly wouldn’t trust anyone else. Everyone knows how particular our master’s palate is—he simply can’t stomach plain and simple fare!”
Old Master Jiang nodded. “The third son is fortunate to have married such a good wife.”
Instead of getting angry, Lin Guilan laughed coldly and set down her chopsticks.
“Father, since you’ve praised your daughter-in-law, may I ask if I, who have contributed to the Jiang Family, deserve some respect as well? That commotion last night… you heard it, didn’t you?”
Author’s Note:
Upcoming novel “The Sh? Daughter’s Spring,” check my column for details~
Zheng Xiuning transmigrated into the role of a sh? daughter in the Minister of Revenue’s household. By a stroke of luck, she married the fourth son of the Duke of Anguo’s family.
The mansion was full of strict rules and endless drama, but what did that have to do with her? With a steadfast heart, Zheng Xiuning remained unburdened by worldly affairs, simply wanting to continue her leisurely, idle days as before…
But the young man she married had other ideas.
“Xiuning, we are a young couple, and your affection for me is sincere. I vow to make something of myself and secure an Imperial Mandate Title for you!”
Zheng Xiuning: What kind of mess is this!
Thus, the originally idle Zheng Xiuning found herself waking up early every day, urging her young husband to study and strive…
#My favorite genre: farming and household strife, older woman-younger man romance, full of drama#