Chapter Seventeen: She Is the One Who Harmed Me!

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Mrs. Qiao’s gaze lingered on Lianqiao for a moment before she smiled and said, “That girl named Xiaku was being careless and accidentally fell into the pond. I feared you might be frightened if you heard about it, so I came over to check on you.”

Jiang Nian feigned ignorance, eyes wide with surprise. “She fell into the pond?”

Mrs. Qiao’s expression was gentle. “Don’t worry, she just swallowed a bit of water and got a fright. I’ve had her family come to take her away from the mansion to recuperate.”

Jiang Nian patted her chest. “It’s good she’s alright. Thank you, Mother, for your concern.”

“As long as you’re not scared, that’s all that matters. As for the embroidery room, just have someone come in the morning. Why choose window screens so late at night?”

Jiang Nian noticed a flicker of something unusual in Mrs. Qiao’s eyes but smiled calmly. “Mother just doesn’t want me to suffer any injustice, so she’s anxious to replenish what I need here.”

Mrs. Qiao was surprised at how well Jiang Nian could speak, leaving no room for slip-ups.

“Good child, so obedient. Make sure to visit your younger sister often; she’s been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”

Jiang Nian nodded with a bright smile.

Mrs. Qiao patted her hand. “You should sleep early. I’ll be leaving now.”

“Mother, please take care on your way.” After closing the door, Lianqiao’s face went pale. “Miss…”

Jiang Nian’s expression hardened. “Call Qing’er in.”

Qing’er entered promptly, her limbs slightly trembling.

“By Miss’s orders, I followed Xiaku and saw with my own eyes a shadowy figure drag her away…”

Lianqiao’s face turned ashen. “Xiaku looks a lot like me. Could it be that person mistook Xiaku for me…”

Qing’er speculated, “Is someone targeting us? Miss, you even had Xiaku change into Lianqiao’s clothes earlier—did you anticipate this?”

Jiang Nian sneered coldly. “It’s already dark. Mrs. Qiao sending things at this hour is one thing, but coaxing us to choose window screens at the embroidery room? There’s clearly something fishy!”

Lianqiao shuddered, voice trembling. “We’ve only been here one day, and they’re already striking so ruthlessly…”

Qing’er said bitterly, “Because we’ve only just arrived, everyone thinks it’s safe and lets their guard down. That’s when it’s easiest to make a move!”

Jiang Nian looked at the maids. “Mrs. Qiao wants to control me, so she must first sever my limbs. Without you all as my eyes and ears, I will be trapped in this mansion, unable to take a single step.”

She clenched her palm. In the book, Lianqiao died just like this.

That Xiaku had often kicked the original owner when she was down.

This time, using her as a substitute for Lianqiao’s life was a kind of repayment for past debts.

Qing’er was meticulous and asked, “But why did Madam say Xiaku didn’t die just now…”

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“The matriarch is harsh. Mrs. Qiao wouldn’t dare make a mistake at such a time. A death in the mansion is never a good thing. Today’s incident is a warning. Each of you must stay vigilant, do you understand?”

“Yes!”

The maids nodded with lingering fear.

...

In the third branch of the Jiang family, only Jiang Nian’s father, Jiang Ping, held the most promising future.

Second Master Jiang An and Third Master Jiang Huai both looked up to their eldest brother Jiang Ping.

Early one morning, Madam Cheng of the third wife’s household saw Jiang Huai off before paying respects to the matriarch.

On the way, she spoke to her trusted nanny, “I heard the matriarch ordered Big Brother last night to find a suitable new wife for Second Brother.”

Nanny Zheng was surprised. “Second Madam just passed, and they’re already eager to find a replacement?”

Madam Cheng sneered. “You know what kind of person the matriarch is, and Second Brother’s no saint either. Besides, Second Sister-in-law died because of… that.”

Nanny Zheng clicked her tongue. “Second Madam was bold indeed, doing such a disgusting thing just to bear a son and win the matriarch’s favor.”

Mentioning sons, Madam Cheng’s expression turned cold. “I don’t know what curse the Jiang family has brought upon itself, but they can’t seem to produce sons.”

The women of the Jiang family secretly believed it was the men’s fault, but none dared say so openly.

At this moment, Jiang Nian also came to pay respects, meeting Jiang Yu at the door.

Jiang Yu had become the legitimate second daughter; she harbored some resentment towards Jiang Nian but wore a bright smile.

“Eldest sister, you grew up in Luzhou and might not understand certain customs. Among us women, reputation is paramount. I heard you rode a horse to Luzhou by yourself before? That’s quite improper!”

Jiang Yu’s expression was both innocent and sincere.

“Now that Eldest Sister is back in the capital, you should consider the family’s reputation. We cannot tarnish the Jiang household’s scholarly and noble standing.”

Jiang Nian smiled at her and walked past directly into the house.

Jiang Yu frowned. She couldn’t believe Jiang Nian ignored her?

Jiang Nian greeted the matriarch, then poured a cup of tea and handed it to Jiang Yu. “Thank you, Fourth Sister, for the reminder. I will keep it in mind.”

Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow. Ignored just now, but now doing this to impress grandmother?

She sneered inwardly and was about to knock the cup over to embarrass Jiang Nian, but Jiang Nian was quicker. With a flick of her hand, the scalding tea splashed over Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu screamed and stepped back but tripped on a flower stand, falling backward!

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“Yu’er!” A maid reacted swiftly, catching the flowerpot just in time so it didn’t fall on Jiang Yu.

But the pot had just been watered and loosened; soil and flowers tumbled out, landing all over Jiang Yu’s head.

“Ah—”

Jiang Yu screamed, but it was worse when she opened her mouth—she swallowed mouthfuls of muddy soil.

Flailing her hands, she wiped here and there, spitting out dirt.

Everyone stared, stunned at Jiang Yu’s disheveled hair, mud-splattered face and body, and the hairpins and ornaments scattered on the ground.

This early in the morning, the entire mansion had come to pay respects to the matriarch!

Someone couldn’t hold back a snicker, which triggered a chain reaction, and soon everyone was laughing.

The matriarch, just about to assert her authority, slammed the table in anger. “What disgraceful behavior!”

Jiang Yu’s face flushed dark red, feeling as if her shame had reached its peak in this moment.

She was furious and pointed straight at Jiang Nian. “She did this to me!”

But Jiang Nian held her tea cup steadily. The earlier spill was just a feint.

“Fourth Sister, I appreciate your goodwill in pouring the tea. Why are you so frightened?”

Who in this house knew the matriarch best and could best use her temperament to cause trouble?

Of course, it was her!

She intended to let them fully experience their grandmother’s power.

Mrs. Qiao hurried forward to help Jiang Yu up, shielding her from the curious gazes. “Matriarch, your daughter-in-law will take Yu’er back to change.”

The matriarch glanced coldly at the mother and daughter. “This is how children raised in the capital behave—such manners!”

Her words inadvertently implicated Jiang Nian.

Everyone had seen Jiang Nian’s conduct yesterday.

Wasn’t this saying that Jiang Yu, raised here in the capital, was still no match for Jiang Nian, who grew up in Luzhou?