Chapter 8: You Will Get Your Wish
“At the latest?”
“Ah,” Jiang Jin was momentarily confused but quickly understood. “In three days at the latest, people from the Yong’an Marquis Mansion will come to propose…”
In her past life, it was also three days later that the Yong’an Marquis Mansion sent someone to propose.
Although it was for a successor wife, the Yong’an Marquis Mansion made a sufficient show of propriety on the surface.
All the proper etiquette was observed. While it wasn’t as grand as for her eldest sister, it wasn’t far off.
Back then, she foolishly believed this meant the Yong’an Marquis Mansion valued her.
That after she married into the marquis estate, they would cherish her.
It took her ten years to realize that this show of propriety was for others to see, not the genuine regard she had imagined.
Recalling these unpleasant memories, Jiang Jin’s expression turned sorrowful, but she quickly concealed it.
Xie Chengzhi frowned as he looked at her. For some reason, she always seemed to carry a hint of melancholy that didn’t belong to someone her age.
“In three days, you will get your wish!”
After saying this, Xie Chengzhi lightly tapped his fingers on the table.
Not long after, the Zhangshi entered.
He glanced at Xie Chengzhi, then looked at Jiang Jin.
He quickly understood the situation.
“Third Miss, I will see you out.”
Jiang Jin was somewhat surprised. She looked toward Xie Chengzhi and saw his gaze fixed intently on the chessboard.
Jiang Jin understood. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
She turned and nodded to the Zhangshi.
“I’ve troubled you, Zhangshi.”
“You are too polite, Third Miss.”
The Zhangshi raised his hand, intending to escort Jiang Jin out.
Jiang Jin walked ahead. Just as she reached the doorway, lifted her skirt, and prepared to step over the threshold, she suddenly heard Xie Chengzhi’s voice from behind.
“Bring a chest of jewelry and send it along with her.”
Hearing this, the Zhangshi’s smile widened.
“Yes, this old servant understands.”
He hurried to Jiang Jin’s side and said politely,
“Third Miss, please wait a moment.”
Jiang Jin nodded and waited patiently.
Furong approached and carefully observed Jiang Jin.
Seeing she was safe and sound, Furong gradually relaxed.
Jiang Jin looked at her, her lips curving slightly, a hint of a smile in her eyes.
Before long, the Zhangshi smiled at her and escorted her downstairs.
As they passed the third floor, she heard the sound of a door opening.
“Mother, Yun’er still wants to buy a set of head ornaments. Will you accompany me?”
After a brief silence, Lady Shen agreed. “Alright.”
“When the time comes, pick a set for your Third Sister as well.”
Hearing this, Jiang Jin’s footsteps paused.
Furong, supporting her, sensed her emotional fluctuation.
She looked at Jiang Jin, her lips moving as if she wanted to ask something.
But Jiang Jin only shook her head slightly, stopping her.
Furong closed her mouth. Since her mistress wished to conceal it, she wouldn’t pry further.
Downstairs, the Zhangshi looked at the tall carriage at the entrance and instinctively asked, “Third Miss, is this your carriage?”
Jiang Jin looked up and shook her head. “Not this one.”
Furong stepped forward and pointed toward another spot under a tree. “It’s that one.”
The Zhangshi looked over. The carriage Furong pointed to was rather small, incomparable to the one before them—the difference was not just slight.
He sighed silently but maintained his smile. “His Highness’s carriage is also nearby. Please take that one!”
Jiang Jin knew the Zhangshi was trying to give her face. Since they didn’t mind, she had no reason to decline.
“Alright.” Jiang Jin agreed, and the Zhangshi led her to Prince Ning’s carriage.
Prince Ning’s carriage was spacious, luxurious on the outside, and comfortable inside.
The carriage was lined with plush carpet, with a small table in the center, complete with tea and pastries.
As soon as she stepped inside, Jiang Jin caught a familiar scent.
It was as sharp as plum blossom, yet carried the coolness of cedar.
Yesterday, she had been enveloped and surrounded by this fragrance.
Even after bathing, traces of it lingered.
By the time she lay down on the bed at night, she still felt somewhat dazed.
As if she had never left…
Jiang Jin lowered her eyelashes, refusing to dwell on it further.
The carriage wheels rolled on, and before long, they arrived at the gates of the Jiang family.
The gatekeeper recognized the carriage from Prince Ning’s Mansion. Before the Zhangshi could step forward, the Jiang family’s steward obsequiously walked out.
He recognized the Zhangshi and immediately bowed.
“Sir, what brings you here?” the steward asked, while sneaking glances at the carriage. “Could the person inside be…”
The Zhangshi glanced at him. “By His Highness’s order, I am escorting your family’s Third Miss home.”
Upon hearing this, the steward’s eyes widened, seemingly surprised that the person inside was Jiang Jin!
He stood stunned for a while before finally reacting.
Just as he was about to say something, the Zhangshi spoke first: “His Highness has also sent me to deliver a chest of gifts to Third Miss as a token of gratitude. Are you blocking the way because you wish to display His Highness’s rewards at the gate for all to see?”
“No, no, of course not. I will have the gates opened at once,” the steward replied, turning to glare at the gatekeeper.
Once the gates were opened, Jiang Jin slowly stepped down from the carriage.
With the Zhangshi accompanying her, the steward followed behind, not daring to breathe too loudly, afraid of offending anyone from Prince Ning’s Mansion.
After entering the gates, it was no longer appropriate for the Zhangshi to follow further.
“Third Miss, you have done His Highness a great favor. If you encounter any trouble, you may send someone to the mansion.”
The Zhangshi spoke respectfully, then glanced at the Jiang family’s steward.
“If anyone dares to mistreat you, they will be making an enemy of Prince Ning’s Mansion!”
The steward knew this was a warning directed at him.
No, it was a warning to the entire Jiang family!
He unconsciously took a sharp breath, and when he looked up at Jiang Jin, his expression was noticeably more respectful than before.
No sooner had Jiang Jin returned to Qinghe Courtyard than Mama Lin arrived with her attendants.
“Third Miss, this old servant has been negligent. I was busy all morning and failed to notice that the kitchen staff were all slackers. The porridge they sent you didn’t suit your taste, and you barely ate a few bites.”
After saying this, she signaled to the person beside her: “I have already docked their monthly wages. This is what I had them make as compensation—pastries you often enjoyed in Jingzhou.”
The attendant hurriedly opened the food box, revealing several plates of pastries, far more exquisite than what was usually sent.
Jiang Jin raised her eyes, looking calmly at Mama Lin.
“Leave it here.”
“Yes.”
Mama Lin took the food box from the attendant and personally handed it to Furong.
Furong took it but did not set it out.
Mama Lin frowned slightly, then heard Jiang Jin ask, “Is there anything else?”
Mama Lin instinctively wanted to shake her head but quickly caught herself. “Third Miss, according to the household rules, you are allowed two senior maids. That troublemaker Fu Ju was dismissed by Madam. I see that Furong alone cannot take good care of you. Would you like to promote one of the junior maids?”
Jiang Jin remained silent.
Mama Lin grew anxious again and added, “After Madam dismissed Fu Ju yesterday, she considered sending you another maid. But Madam has been busy and hasn’t had time to choose someone suitable yet.”
Jiang Jin understood. Seeing that the Zhangshi of Prince Ning’s Mansion had personally escorted her back, they thought she had climbed up to Ning Wang and now wanted to bring their own biological daughter before her to enjoy the benefits.
For this, they did not hesitate to go behind Mother’s back to flatter her.
They were willing to take risks just to secure a good future for their own daughter.
Thinking this, Jiang Jin suddenly let out a laugh.
Mother would do such a thing too, only… not for her!