Chapter 4: Two Confrontations

After resting for a while, Mrs. Cui reminded Jiang Yuan that it was time. Regretfully, Jiang Yuan got up and took another look at the scenery halfway up the mountain, reluctant to leave.

"I don't want to leave."

"If you like it, you can come with the lady every month."

"Never mind. It's easier to read books in the courtyard."

"Miss, you just said that the scenery here is rare. It seems that you are just following the trend."

On the mountain path, a few graceful figures gradually walked away. The man who had been standing in the bamboo forest for a long time finally stepped out and entered the deserted stone pavilion.

"The poem is good." The man leaned on the railing with his arms crossed, gazing into the distance, and the magnificent scenery came into view as expected.

"It is indeed a good poem." The follower behind him, the middle-aged scholar Guan Xu, responded.

Zhou Jun stood with his arms folded, obviously unmoved by the poem. At this moment, he was full of worries. Returning empty-handed this time, the crown prince could not sleep peacefully at night.

"That girl is still young, and her virtue lies in her humility, not in vanity. Judging from her attire, she is undoubtedly a girl from a prominent family in this area. I wonder which family she comes from."

Tapping the folding fan in his hand, Guan Xu was unexpectedly intrigued by her, if not for the wrong timing. As for her candid admission that she couldn't produce such a poem, all three of them found it reasonable.

"She is from the Jiang family, the second branch of the Jiang family, with seven daughters."

Guan Xu casually asked, but unexpectedly, he got an answer. Not only was he surprised, even Zhou Jun was astonished.

"Your Highness, do you know that girl?"

But the man just looked into the distance without responding.

He had already agreed to visit the magistrate of Tai Long County, Jiang He. A few days ago, the man proposed to host a banquet for him. Now it seemed unnecessary.

"Make the arrangements, we will return to the capital tomorrow morning."

Guan Xu felt that today's events were full of surprises. The crown prince always made decisions and stuck to them. Suddenly changing his mind at this moment, what could be the reason?

Is it because he saw the seventh daughter of the Jiang family and... didn't like her?

"But, Madam instructed..." The Duchess and the stepmother of the Jiang family's main house were both from the Xu family. The former was from the main branch of the Xu family, and her father was a champion marquis in the current court. The latter's status was much lower, just a daughter of the fifth branch, with little influence in the family.

Upon hearing that the crown prince was going to Tai Long County, the Duchess paid attention to etiquette and reminded the former nanny, so she prepared a gift to avoid any criticism.

"Send the gift. There's no need to say anything more."

"In that case, I will take my leave."

In the courtyard where the female relatives were entertained, the seventh daughter of the Jiang family returned and met a young monk who came to inform her that the vegetarian dishes were ready. If convenient, it would be best to taste them while they were still hot.

"Then I will trouble the young master." Mrs. Xu took charge, and after everyone had washed up, they all took their seats.

"You really came for the vegetarian dishes. It seems that the vegetarian dishes at Ci'an Temple are truly unforgettable." Jiang Rou, seeing her sister's focused expression on the vegetarian dishes, couldn't help but find it amusing.

"Shouldn't I? Such good food, it would be a pity to miss it." The seventh daughter admitted openly without hiding her love for food.

Mrs. Xu watched with satisfaction. This child inherited her grandmother's looks and was very graceful. She also had a good temperament, very likable. If she could marry into a good family in the future, it would be a matter of pride for her.

As for Jiang Rou... she was ultimately raised under her name. As long as the fifth daughter didn't go too far, she wouldn't make things difficult for her. Now that Jiang Rou was already eleven, in a few years, when her daughter was married off, and not by her, there was no need to be too strict with her.

"Truly the Madam's daughter, your Madam also had someone fetch a recipe just now. She said she would have the kitchen at home make some temple snacks, which the children would surely enjoy."

The first wife, Lady Tang, seemed to say it casually. Those who understood it kept it in mind. Mrs. Xu glanced at Lady Tang, not saying a word, and only instructed the maids to serve the dishes.

The first wife had been here for quite a few days, and the second wife had not given a definite answer. This made Lady Tang harbor some resentment, and she was causing trouble openly and secretly.

Although the seventh daughter didn't know why Lady Tang suddenly made things difficult, she understood the principle of family matters. Looking at the fifth daughter, Jiang Rou, who was quietly putting food into her mouth, her face was obedient, but her eyes were evasive.

Lady Tang's words were probably meant for her. "Truly the Madam's daughter," when Jiang Rou heard these words, she probably didn't feel good. Holding the status of the legitimate daughter, she still had to depend on others. In the future, when she married, she would still have to consider the Madam's feelings. How could she be willing?

"No, I don't mind. Whatever Madam gives is all good," Seventh Miss said lightly, but it made Tong Shi feel awkward.

Why did it sound like Seventh Miss saw through her thoughts? Tong Shi picked up Eleventh Miss's porcelain bowl and added some hot soup for her.

She must be overthinking. Seventh Miss used to be a quiet person at the ancestral home in Nanyang County, keeping a low profile and being a bit of a loner. Apart from her good looks, she was just a bookworm. She shouldn't have this kind of scheming.

"Madam still loves me the most," Jiang Shan blew the steam off her face, scooped up a spoonful, and gulped it down. Wiping her mouth, she smiled with her eyes and eyebrows curved.

Apart from her spoiled temperament, this six-year-old girl's appearance was even more outstanding than Jiang Rou. Seventh Miss secretly lamented.

Madam of the main house loves you so much that you have no ability to live your own life.

Xu Shi glanced at her own daughters, whether it was Fifth Miss Jiang Rou or Seventh Miss Jiang Yuan. Leaving aside other things, they were smart. Especially the younger one, with a gentle and unhurried temperament on her face. To be honest, she had never suffered any losses.

She then smiled and said to Eleventh Miss, "Madam of the main house has a heart of a bodhisattva, very charitable. Eleventh Miss, remember Madam's kindness to you, and remember to be filial when you grow up."

Being able to enter the county magistrate's mansion as a concubine and still manage to make the county magistrate obedient, it was clear that Xu Shi was quite capable and not someone to be trifled with.

Tong Shi's fortunate face softened her smile. She understood that Xu Shi was giving her a taste of her own medicine.

Jiang Yuan watched on the side, secretly amazed. Even during a simple vegetarian meal, there were hidden jabs and counterattacks. Life in the rear court was truly exciting.

After about half an hour, everyone said they were done and wanted to go back to rest in their rooms. Xu Shi nodded and said that they would leave the mountain when the time came.

Jiang Yuan woke up from her nap and saw that it was still early. She pushed the door open and went to greet Tao Mama, who was by Xu Shi's side, saying that she wanted to take a walk nearby to clear her mind.

Tao Mama smiled and reminded her not to be late for the appointed time to meet everyone else, and then followed her. Seventh Miss had been sensible since she was young and knew her limits.

"Miss, these inscriptions have been weathered by wind and sun, and most of them are eroded and unclear. You've been standing here for a long time, and it seems like you've found something interesting."

"If you're impatient, go play somewhere else. Don't keep interrupting me," she glared at her and shooed Lü Fu away to the lotus pond, picking up the copper coins left by the incense-worshippers. She was alone in the forest of inscriptions, admiring the calligraphy of famous artists from past dynasties.

"Nice handwriting," she praised, about to move on, but then she saw the cat that Eleventh Miss Jiang Shan often held in her arms, with its tail raised and the fur on its back standing on end. Its eyes were fixed on her, as if it was provoking her.

What a creature! No wonder Lü Fu said this cat had the same temperament as its master.

She had intended to walk around it, but unexpectedly, the cat followed her closely. It made strange sounds in its throat, as if it found her easy to bully and was determined not to give up.

"Hmm, this is strange. Your master just raises her chin when she sees me, but you're even more arrogant than your master?" she said, sizing it up for a while before slowly crouching down.