Chapter Fifteen: The Eldest Sister...

The fifth young lady of the Cheng family, Jiang Yan, smiled and said, “I also find this new eldest sister easier on the eyes than the fourth sister!” She deliberately emphasized the word “fourth,” clearly mocking Jiang Yu.

The third madam’s eyes flickered. “If you find her easier on the eyes, then spend more time with her.”

Jiang Yan smiled sweetly. “Alright, mother.”

The other young ladies in the residence exchanged meaningful glances. Jiang Yu, relying on her parents’ favor and the power of her maternal family, the Qiao clan, was quite spoiled. Except for the third madam and her daughter, no one in the household dared to defy her.

Now, the new eldest sister was born of Chen, who had been divorced, clearly standing on a different side from the Qiao mother and daughter. Were the third madam and her daughter trying to win over this new favorite of the Jiang family?

Meanwhile, Jiang Yu saw that her father had made a decision and mustered all her strength to mutter two words: “Eldest sister…”

Jiang Nian smiled warmly at Jiang Yu. “No need for formalities, fourth sister.”

At that moment, the matriarch was helped down from the carriage by the second master. The sight of her gaunt and stern face made everyone’s hearts tighten.

All the younger generation in the residence had heard of this grandmother—she was notoriously patriarchal and controlling. Even Madam Qiao, a noblewoman from a prestigious family, had been harshly tormented by her in the past.

The third madam Cheng was also intimidated; upon seeing the matriarch, her complexion paled several shades.

Yet as daughters-in-law, they had to be respectful. Filial piety was paramount!

“Daughters-in-law, greetings to your mother,” the matriarch said, frowning in displeasure at them—two worthless creatures!

Seeing her disdainful expression, not only did the third madam Cheng nearly lose her composure, even the cunning Qiao Qingrong almost flew into a rage.

Having been sent away to Luzhou for so many years, now they had to face this old hag’s torment again!

Qiao Qingrong suppressed her anger. “Mother, you must be tired from the journey. Please rest in the courtyard for a while. Later, the daughters-in-law and younger members will come to pay their respects.”

The matriarch, thinking herself the most distinguished woman in the household, gave a lofty “hmm” in reply.

Jiang Nian quietly noted everyone’s expressions, a subtle smile playing on her lips.

After enjoying a peaceful life hidden away in the capital for so many years, it was time for the Qiao family to face some hardship. The days when she would be driven to fury were still ahead!

The matriarch was a walking minefield in every respect.

Under countless gazes, Jiang Nian went to the Bi Yu Pavilion in the residence where she had prepared to wash and change.

***

The maids, including Qing’er, were all trembling and whispered, “Though everyone here is smiling, I can’t help but feel eerie about this place!”

Jiang Nian smiled and said, “When everyone wears a mask, how could it not feel eerie?”

However, compared to the noble families of the capital, the Jiang family’s foundations were shallow. Since Jiang Ping’s marriage to Qiao Qingrong, only about a decade had passed.

Thus, the household’s affairs were not deeply entangled for Jiang Nian.

After a brief freshening up, someone came to summon her to the matriarch’s chamber to acknowledge kinship.

“The grandmother is really eager to show her authority!”

The Pine Crane Hall was a spacious courtyard with two main courtyards, each with a hall, surrounded by covered walkways. The rear courtyard featured a lotus pond and rockery.

It was the chamber Qiao Qingrong had prepared for the Jiang matriarch, each piece of furniture with its own history.

The matriarch’s expression softened considerably, clearly pleased with the courtyard.

Qiao Qingrong was skilled in managing affairs. Though she loathed the matriarch, she still praised her for single-handedly raising three sons, and explicitly showed deference to her.

The Jiang matriarch loved to manipulate noble ladies, as if doing so enhanced her own status.

Seeing Qiao Qingrong so humble, she felt triumphant and finally smiled.

Jiang Nian entered with a gentle demeanor, passed through a six-panel glazed brocade screen into the inner hall, paused beside a vase holding long branches of pale pink jade peonies, glanced around slightly, then moved to the center and bowed respectfully to her elders seated at the head.

Her manners were impeccable.

The third madam could not hide her surprise and looked at Qiao mother and daughter with even more schadenfreude.

This was a formidable rival.

Jiang Ping’s greatest worry was about his eldest daughter Jiang Nian, fearing she would be broken by her mother in Luzhou.

But after observing these days, it seemed all right, especially the smooth and proper performance just now.

He smiled and pointed to Qiao Qingrong beside him. “Come, pay respects to your mother.”

With Chen divorced and out of the household, Qiao Qingrong had regained her position. As the legitimate eldest daughter, Jiang Nian naturally addressed her as mother.

Lowering her eyes, Jiang Nian suppressed the storm raging in her heart and slowly lifted her gaze to look at Qiao Qingrong.

Qiao Qingrong possessed a striking and aggressive beauty.

Her phoenix eyes lifted slightly, her bearing like that of a peony or a paeony, magnificently noble.

Compared to her mother Chen’s soft and graceful beauty, she was an entirely different kind of beauty.

Though over thirty, she remained radiant.

Yet, appearances reflected the heart: Qiao Qingrong was deep-minded and calculating, far more shrewd and experienced than her mother, which took away the youthful softness and brightness.

***

Jiang Nian controlled her expression and approached her, bowing respectfully. “Nian’er greets mother.”

From the moment Jiang Nian entered, Qiao Qingrong’s gaze fixed on her.

Her features strongly resembled Chen’s, perhaps because she had not fully matured, appearing more innocent and radiant than Chen.

But her graceful movements and the intelligence shining in her eyes left a deeper impression.

After observing Jiang Nian with a smile for a moment, she took from a box in a maid’s hands a gold ruyi lock adorned with eight treasures and pearls, and handed it to her with both hands.

“I heard that Nian’er wears a necklace blessed by a high monk from Pudusi Temple, so I prepared this ruyi gold lock. Use it if you need it; if not, you can just play with it.”

This ruyi lock was specially prepared, a token of respect for their first meeting, showing her magnanimity and indifference toward the children of the legitimate wife.

Moreover, in front of Jiang Ping, she would never reveal any impropriety.

Jiang Nian thanked her and took it politely, examining it carefully.

After a moment’s thought, she smiled and gently removed the gold lock from her own neck, replacing it with the ruyi lock. She looked up and said, “Thank you, mother. Nian’er likes it very much.”

Qiao Qingrong was momentarily surprised.

Even Jiang Ping hadn’t expected this gesture.

It was undoubtedly appropriate and pleasing.

Seeing the ruyi gold lock now hanging on the necklace, she concealed her curiosity and smiled more warmly.

“Good that you like it.” Then she turned to Jiang Ping with a smile. “Husband, you are truly blessed to have such a precious daughter. Only someone as composed and generous as Nian’er deserves this rare and exquisite lock!”

Jiang Nian lowered her head, feigning shyness.

The third madam also smiled warmly as she studied her, praising, “Truly a beauty in the making. With such striking features and character, anyone who sees her can’t help but be captivated.”

Coming from a scholarly family and well-off herself, she generously removed a seven-treasure glazed gold hairpin from her coiffure and gave it to Jiang Nian. “Good child, if you’re willing, come visit the second branch often and play with your sisters.”

“Thank you for your kindness, second aunt. I only fear I might trouble you, but if I can grow close to my elders, I would be most grateful.”

Hearing this, the third madam was surprised and carefully scrutinized the sincere look on Jiang Nian’s face. She thought, this is indeed a clever girl who understands the situation. Her smile grew even more genuine. “That’s good! That’s good!”

Amidst the struggles and rivalries in the rear residence, the relationship between third madam Cheng and the Qiao family was far from cordial.

Thus, the second branch was the target Jiang Nian sought to win over.