A hint of mockery flashed across Jiang Fuying's autumn - water eyes.
Under the guise of being elders, did they come here just to put her in her place?
But since she hadn't yet figured out their background, she still had to maintain the proper courtesy on the surface.
So, suppressing her discomfort, Jiang Fuying pulled back her hand with a smiling face, then bowed respectfully to them.
"Fuying pays respects to Second Aunt and Third Aunt. Please take the seats of honor."
The Second Lady and the Third Lady exchanged a smug look.
Madam Lu, as the proper mother - in - law of the Jiang family, was sitting on the side, yet the Jiang girl was asking them to take the seats of honor. Just like Madam Lu, the Jiang girl was indeed weak - willed!
The Second Lady and the Third Lady walked towards the seats of honor complacently. At the same time, they pretended to be kind - hearted: "For the sake of you being Huaizhou's new wife, we'll give you this face."
In their words, they seemed to be extremely superior.
Even the gentle - tempered Madam Lu frowned and wanted to say something.
But Jiang Fuying winked at her.
Madam Lu immediately understood: Fuying must have other plans!
After reassuring Madam Lu, Jiang Fuying secretly gave a look to Caipu beside her.
The latter held a tray with two cups of tea on it.
Jiang Fuying picked up the tea cups respectively and said respectfully, "Second Aunt, please have some tea."
"Third Aunt, please have some tea."
The Second Lady and the Third Lady raised their tea cups and smiled at each other. They added another impression of Jiang Fuying:
Just like Madam Lu, she was easy to manipulate!
It was a courtesy for a new wife to offer tea. After that, as elders, they were supposed to give some greeting gifts.
In order to test the temper of this replacement - married Lady of the Heir Apparent, the Second and Third Branches had actually prepared two sets of greeting gifts respectively.
One set was more valuable, and the other was cheaper.
They had already calculated: if the Jiang girl was strong - willed, they would give the valuable set so that the Jiang girl couldn't find any fault in terms of courtesy.
But for now...
They instructed their maids in perfect unison: "Quickly present the greeting gifts we've prepared for Fuying!"
A moment later, the so - called "greeting gifts" they mentioned appeared in front of Jiang Fuying.
With a quick glance, a hint of coldness quietly welled up in Jiang Fuying's eyes.
Although there were quite a number of "greeting gifts", their quality was really hard to compliment!
Silk fabrics with mold on the edges, a jade carving with a broken corner, and a headdress with a missing gem?
The Second and Third Branches must have rummaged out all their shabby and long - stored items!
Yet they even had the audacity to introduce them.
"Fuying, these bolts of silk were bestowed by the noble in the palace a few years ago. We cherished them so much that we've never used them."
Jiang Fuying maintained her smile and listened patiently.
"That jade carving depicts the Goddess of Mercy sending a child. We wish you and Huaizhou to have children soon and enjoy many descendants."
"This headdress was once the treasure of Zhenbao Pavilion. It suits you extremely well, so we bought it."
After the introduction, the Second Lady didn't forget to ask her, "Fuying, do the greeting gifts your Third Aunt and I prepared meet your satisfaction?"
Jiang Fuying raised her eyebrows imperceptibly.
Were they so eager to see her reaction?
Fine!
She would fulfill their wish!
"The greeting gifts from the two aunts are truly precious." She pretended to be flattered and lowered her head. "Fuying is extremely grateful!"
Hearing her words, the Second Lady and the Third Lady became even more proud.
The Jiang girl was soft - tempered and easy to manipulate. It would be extremely beneficial for them to continue holding the power of managing the inner affairs of the Zhennan Duke's Mansion!
"Just accept the greeting gifts we've given you with peace of mind." The Third Lady added.
Jiang Fuying readily agreed, "Then Fuying will not decline your kindness."
Seeing the two of them smiling so widely that wrinkles piled up on their faces, Jiang Fuying's autumn - water eyes suddenly darkened.
Their show was over. It was time for her to take the stage!
"Second Aunt, Third Aunt, Fuying would like to ask you two for another gift."
Seeing her flattering expression, the Second Lady and the Third Lady both curled their lips involuntarily.
Just as the rumor said, the Jiang girl was indeed the eldest legitimate daughter of the Minister's Mansion whose mother had passed away early and who was not favored. She was shallow - minded and only cared about money!
But since she had asked, they didn't mind earning the reputation of "good" elders.
"We're all family. Just tell us what gift you want." The Second Lady smiled amiably. "As long as it's not the stars in the sky, we elders will try our best to find it for you."
Were they so willing to act like superior elders?
Jiang Fuying raised the corners of her lips, and words of gratitude poured out like a torrential river.
"To have elders like Second Aunt and Third Aunt is a blessing Fuying has cultivated for several lifetimes."
"Yesterday, my husband was still telling me that among all the people in the mansion, only the two aunts are the kindest and most considerate to the younger generation."
Being flattered by the younger generation like this, the Second Lady and the Third Lady's mouths were almost grinning from ear to ear.
Anyway, the Jiang girl was quite perceptive! They liked what she said!
Just as they were feeling elated, Jiang Fuying suddenly changed the topic and bowed to them.
"Two aunts, the gift Fuying wants is not something hard to find. It's the power to manage the mansion."
Their smiles froze on their faces instantly, and the thick powder on their faces fell off rustlingly.
The Second Lady looked at her in disbelief, "You want the power to manage the mansion?!"
Jiang Fuying nodded innocently, "Previously, Mother was not in good health and was not convenient to manage the mansion, so she had to ask the two aunts to manage it on her behalf. Now that I've married Huaizhou, I should share Mother's worries. How can I trouble the two aunts any longer?"
She spread out her jade - like hands in front of the Second Lady and the Third Lady's eyes and said with a beaming smile, "The two aunts might as well hand over the power to manage the mansion to me today."
The Second Lady and the Third Lady exchanged a panicked look.
So the Jiang girl had gone around such a big circle. She had been respectful to them, happily accepted the greeting gifts they gave, and deliberately flattered them. In the end, she was actually trying to set them up!
Just as they were trying to figure out what excuse to use to refuse, Jiang Fuying gave them another heavy blow.
"Two aunts, I've already discussed this matter with Mother, and Mother has already agreed."
As soon as these words were said, how could the Second Lady and the Third Lady not understand her implication?
Anyway, Madam Lu was the mistress of the Zhennan Duke's Mansion. Whoever Madam Lu favored to manage the mansion would be in a superior position nominally...
Thinking of this, the Third Lady's face turned a mix of green and red, "The power to manage the mansion concerns the entire Zhennan Duke's Mansion and involves many things. It's not that we're reluctant to give it to you. It's just that... you still need to learn more about how to manage a mansion."
The Third Lady cast a hopeful look at Madam Lu, "Elder Sister - in - law, am I right?"
Madam Lu had a soft ear and was easily persuaded. As long as Madam Lu stood on their side, the Jiang girl would surely not get her wish.
Receiving their looks, Madam Lu secretly glanced at Jiang Fuying.
On the way to the Western Garden, Fuying had specifically discussed with her, "Mother, no matter what conditions I put forward later, you should first side with them."
Although she didn't understand Fuying's intention, since Fuying had asked like this, there must be a reason.
She might not be good at making decisions as a mother - in - law, but when it came to cooperating with her daughter - in - law, she must take the lead!
So Madam Lu blinked her eyes and pretended to be hesitant, "What Third Sister - in - law said seems to make some sense..."