Chapter 27: Keeping the Peace

However, Furong moved faster than Lady Shen’s words, almost jogging back to the main hall.

After catching her breath slightly, she entered with the item in hand.

“Miss, I’ve brought that ‘valuable headpiece set’!”

Jiang Jin’s smile deepened as she turned to Second Lady. “Second Lady, my maid is quite efficient. I hope you don’t mind.”

Second Lady:…

With the item already brought, what else could she say!

Seeing Second Lady’s guilty and helpless expression, Jiang Jin’s eyes grew even more mocking.

Still, out of consideration for Lady Shen, she only had Furong place the item before her.

“Madam, this is the headpiece set.”

As Furong spoke, she was about to open the box containing the set.

Seeing this, Lady Shen hesitated for a moment before stopping Furong just before she could open it: “No need to open it. Since it was given by the marquis’s lady, it must have been chosen with care.”

Her expression was somewhat helpless as she added,

“Take it back and return it to the betrothal gift chest.”

Hearing this, Furong looked toward Jiang Jin.

Jiang Jin nodded without objection.

As Furong left again with the box, both Lady Shen and Second Lady sighed in relief.

Yet the smile on Jiang Jin’s face vanished instantly, leaving only a faint trace of bitterness.

She had thought that Mother would seek justice for her…

After all, in Mother’s eyes, this marriage was already settled.

If so, what harm was there in pointing out flaws in the betrothal gifts?

It was the Yong’an Marquis Mansion’s fault to begin with. If she could point it out, it would show the marquis estate the Jiang family’s stance!

That way, when her daughter married into her husband’s family, she would have more confidence!

But Mother did not. She chose to keep the peace…

This time, Jiang Jin could no longer deceive herself that, in her past life, Mother simply hadn’t noticed.

The truth was, Mother had always seen the carelessness in the Yong’an Marquis Mansion’s betrothal gifts and recognized Lady Yong’an’s attitude.

Just as in her past life, Mother was unwilling to seek even a small measure of justice for her!

She only wanted to avoid trouble and finalize the marriage as soon as possible.

But Jiang Jin… was determined not to let them have their way!

Jiang Jin spoke slowly, her gaze fixed directly on Second Lady of the Yong’an Marquis Household: “Second Lady, how is Lady Yong’an’s health? When I saw her on the street yesterday, I recall she was full of energy, showing no signs of illness.”

“It was her niece who seemed rather unwell.”

Second Lady looked at Jiang Jin, her eyes probing, wondering just how much Jiang Jin knew about the matter of that cousin…

If Jiang Jin knew everything, she was sure to make trouble.

With County Princess Rongjia also present, who despised anything unsavory, if she were to interfere, this marriage might…

“Third Miss is quite filial, caring for her future mother-in-law even before the wedding,” Second Lady said with a smile. “But don’t worry. Early this morning, my nephew invited a royal physician for a consultation. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

Jiang Jin: “The Heir is indeed filial. I suppose he wouldn’t go against Lady Yong’an’s wishes. I wonder if that cousin will be elevated to a concubine in the future?”

Hearing this, Second Lady’s pupils contracted sharply.

How could Jiang Jin openly discuss such private household matters? Wasn’t she afraid?

Lady Shen also felt Jiang Jin’s approach was inappropriate. She sighed helplessly: “Jin’er, that is the marquis estate’s family affair.”

Jiang Jin let out an “Oh,” then turned her gaze to County Princess Rongjia beside Lady Shen. “Does the County Princess also think I shouldn’t ask?”

County Princess Rongjia raised her eyebrows slightly and said calmly, “Now that we’ve reached the stage of presenting betrothal gifts, there’s nothing that can’t be asked.”

“The County Princess speaks wisely. Then, Second Aunt, do you know the subsequent arrangements?” Jiang Jin inquired.

Second Aunt hesitated, “This… this is Linyuan’s matter. As his aunt, I truly don’t know.”

Jiang Jin spoke gently, “Then it seems there is such a plan. It appears that what I accidentally overheard while visiting my eldest sister before her passing is not false.”

“I know it’s impossible for the Heir to have only one principal wife, but Second Aunt, everything must follow reason, mustn’t it? When my eldest sister was critically ill, the Marchioness handed over the management authority of the Heir’s courtyard to the cousin’s daughter, completely disregarding my eldest sister!”

“Now, if I truly marry into the marquis estate, will I receive the same treatment?”

“After all, the Heir once said that whatever treatment my eldest sister received, I would receive the same!”

Second Aunt listened, momentarily at a loss for words.

Others always hope for the best treatment, but Jiang Jin insists on anticipating the worst.

She isn’t the Marchioness, so how could she promise Jiang Jin anything?

Second Aunt forced an awkward smile. “Third Miss, I’m afraid you’ve misunderstood. Many things have exceptions.”

Jiang Jin nodded seriously. “Indeed, to have management authority even before gaining any formal status is truly an exception.”

“It seems the marquis estate is indeed extraordinary and unparalleled!”

County Princess Rongjia sneered, “What an extraordinary sight! I’ve seen many cases of favoring concubines over wives, but this is the first time I’ve seen someone without any status suppressing the principal wife!”

“Madam Shangshu, when seeking a husband for your daughter, you must keep your eyes wide open! Otherwise, people might think your Shangshu Mansion is selling its daughter for glory!”

Lady Shen’s expression stiffened. She looked at Jiang Jin with a complicated expression. “Jin’er, where did you hear all this?”

Jiang Jin met her gaze directly, unwavering. “I saw it with my own eyes. It cannot be false!”

Lady Shen said, “At that time, your eldest sister was critically ill. The Marchioness’s arrangement was not inappropriate.”

“Eldest sister had so many senior maids and matrons by her side, each carefully selected by Mother. Any one of them could manage affairs independently. Why did an outsider have to interfere with eldest sister’s courtyard matters?”

Jiang Jin stood up. “I know I shouldn’t confront Mother, but I only want an explanation.”

“If Yong’an Marquis Mansion cannot provide the explanation I seek, then today’s betrothal ceremony should be considered invalid!”

Lady Shen was furious. Before anyone could react, she walked straight up to Jiang Jin and slapped her across the face.

“Marriage is a serious matter! How can it be treated as child’s play?”

Jiang Jin’s eyes widened in shock, perhaps never expecting Lady Shen to raise a hand against her for the sake of outsiders.

Tears welled up in her eyes. Just as she was about to say something, County Princess Rongjia suddenly stepped in front of her.

“Madam Shangshu, why resort to violence against your own child?” County Princess Rongjia’s tone turned cold. “The person before you is your own daughter, yet you strike her for the sake of an unrelated party. What kind of reasoning is that?”

“Could it be that I’ve hit the mark?”

Lady Shen moved her lips, but after a long pause, she could only utter, “I—”

“Jin’er, everything Mother does is for your own good.”

“I am your birth mother, I would never harm you!”

County Princess Rongjia sneered, “Then who was it that struck her just now?”

She turned around, placed her hands on Jiang Jin’s shoulders, and looking at the slap mark on her face, said gently, “Good child, you may go now. You will not have suffered this slap in vain!”