In the Mansion of the Duke of Zhennan.
After chatting and laughing with Lady Lu and Lu Qingyu for quite a while until nightfall, Jiang Fuying and Lu Huaizhou finally returned to their room.
As soon as they entered the room, Jiang Fuying voiced the question that had been weighing on her mind for a long time.
"Your Highness, what kind of people are the second and third branches?"
As the saying goes, "Know your enemy and yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles with no danger of defeat." Previously, she had been busy finalizing the marriage substitution, exchanging the betrothal cards in a hurry, and preparing for all the matters related to the bride's return to her maiden family. Therefore, Jiang Fuying had never seen the true faces of the second and third branches of the Mansion of the Duke of Zhennan.
Hearing her question, Lu Huaizhou frowned tightly. "A bunch of insignificant clowns. You don't need to take them to heart."
Jiang Fuying wanted to ask further, but noticed that his expression was not as amiable as usual. Instead, he directly picked up his change of clothes, looking rather evasive.
"I'll go to the side room to change first."
"Okay."
Coincidentally, just as he left for the side room, Caizhi entered the room with two visiting cards.
"Miss, these are the visiting cards from the second and third branches of the mansion for you."
A strange look flashed across her autumn - water - like eyes.
The second and third branches also lived in the Mansion of the Duke of Zhennan. Why did they need to send visiting cards so formally if they wanted to see her?
Despite her doubts, she still reached out to take the visiting cards. "Let me have a look."
Although they were two different visiting cards, the contents were quite similar.
To sum it up, the second and third branches wanted to see her, intended to give her some meeting gifts, and asked when she would be available.
That was just the literal meaning.
On a deeper level...
Jiang Fuying gently rubbed the edge of the visiting card with her fingertips.
The second and third branches of the Mansion of the Duke of Zhennan were born to concubines of the late Duke of Zhennan, so they rarely showed themselves in public.
Even in her previous life, when she often accompanied the Lady of the Marquis of Pingning to the Mansion of the Duke of Zhennan, she had never interacted with these two branches.
However, she accidentally heard Jiang Fuyue complaining about them.
"They are just the children of concubines. The first branch is kind - hearted enough not to separate the family from them and indulges them in every way. But they really think highly of themselves! They even dare to try to boss me around! It's simply ridiculous!"
Combined with Jiang Fuyue's complaints and looking at these two visiting cards, the intentions of the second and third branches were obvious.
She had been married into the Mansion of the Duke of Zhennan for several days. If they really wanted to give her meeting gifts, they would have done so long ago. Why did they wait until now?
So, they just wanted to gain the upper hand in terms of courtesy and take this opportunity to make things difficult for her!
Her autumn - water - like eyes suddenly darkened. Jiang Fuying picked up the writing brush and paper on the table and solemnly wrote two visiting cards.
The second and third branches were elders after all. Since they were so meticulous in terms of courtesy, it meant that there were many dirty tricks waiting for her.
The more they did so, the more she couldn't miss a single step in terms of courtesy!
"You go and deliver these two visiting cards respectively. Tell them that I will be available at the third hour of the day tomorrow and will visit the two elder branches in person."
As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Huaizhou's voice suddenly came from afar and approached.
"Are you going to visit them tomorrow?"
Jiang Fuying nodded blankly.
Since he had heard it all, why did he ask her again?
But this look of confusion on her face meant something else in Lu Huaizhou's eyes.
"They are not easy to deal with. You'll surely be wronged if you go."
He casually glanced at the visiting cards beside her and added, "You don't need to pay attention to them. Just use the excuse that I won't allow you to see them and decline."
Hearing this, her autumn - water - like eyes rippled like a stone had been thrown into them.
This young master, who was well - known in the capital as a dissolute playboy, once again took the blame for her on his own initiative. It was impossible for Jiang Fuying not to be touched.
She nodded slightly to express her gratitude. "Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness."
"However, I must see them tomorrow."
"Why? Are you afraid you can't decline? If so, I can directly talk to them..."
Jiang Fuying shook her head. "You can't avoid them forever. Even if I decline this time, there will be another time."
The second and third branches had ill intentions. As long as they were determined to see her, they would surely find an opportunity sooner or later.
She had been reborn, and her greatest wish was to avenge herself.
But to avenge herself peacefully, there was a prerequisite: she needed to establish a firm foothold in the Mansion of the Duke of Zhennan first, especially when everyone in the first branch was honest.
If the second and third branches clung to her like ghosts, she wouldn't have the extra energy to take revenge. Instead, she would be laughed at by those two scoundrels!
So, not only would she see these two branches, but she would also strike first!
Seeing that she was so determined, Lu Huaizhou didn't ask further. "I'll tell Mother and ask her to go with you."
"With Mother there, if they still make things difficult for you, you can send someone to tell me at any time."
Jiang Fuying curved her lips and said sincerely, "I appreciate your kindness, Your Highness."
As a nominal couple, why did she always thank him so formally?
Lu Huaizhou shifted his gaze uncomfortably and quickly made his own bedding on the floor.
"Miss Jiang, go to bed quickly."
"Okay."
As usual, Jiang Fuying slept on the bed, while he slept on the floor.
She had a good night's sleep.
The next day at the third hour of the day, Jiang Fuying arrived at the Western Garden where the second and third branches lived on time according to the time on the visiting cards.
Thanks to Lu Huaizhou's request, Lady Lu accompanied her.
When the maids in the Western Garden saw them coming, they didn't show much respect. "Madam of the first branch, Madam of the young master, please wait in the front hall for a while. Madam of the second branch and Madam of the third branch will arrive soon."
Lady Lu couldn't help muttering, "Where are the second and third younger brothers? Aren't they in the mansion?"
It was just an ordinary question, but the maid was bold and sarcastic.
"Madam of the first branch, your question is really strange! Everyone in the mansion knows that Lord Second and Lord Third are busy with official business all day long. They are so busy that they don't even have time to touch the ground. How can they have time to deal with the trifles in the inner courtyard!"
As she spoke, the maid curled her lips meaningfully. "It's just that this servant is ignorant and forgot that Madam of the first branch and the young master are noble people with short memories. You are used to forgetting these trivial matters in the mansion."
Lady Lu was gentle - natured and was left speechless by her retort.
Jiang Fuying watched from the side and calculated in her heart.
A mere maid was so sharp - tongued and didn't even put Lady Lu in her eyes. How arrogant she was!
If there was no instigation from the second and third branches behind this, she would never believe it!
However, this was not the right time to make a fuss.
A gentleman takes his revenge; he is never in a hurry. She secretly memorized the appearance of this maid. It would be late enough to settle accounts with her later!
After a long time, the Madam of the second branch and the Madam of the third branch, whom the maid said would "arrive soon", finally showed up.
Seven or eight maids簇拥 them in the middle. They were dressed luxuriously and were covered in pearls and jewels.
From afar, they looked like two walking gorgeous peonies.
The kind that was about to wither!
When they got closer, a sickly sweet smell of powder assailed the nostrils.
Yet, they were so self - unaware that they insisted on stepping forward and grabbing Jiang Fuying's hand.
"Fuying, your second aunt and third aunt were held up by trifles, so we're late. I'm sure you won't blame us elders, right?"