Early the next morning, the carriage of the Jiang Mansion went to the villa to pick up Concubine Ruan and Jiang Jingshu.
The servant explained the situation, but Concubine Ruan said coldly, "My daughter and I have been living quite well in the villa. Why do you want to take us back?"
The old woman who came to pick them up smiled and said, "Concubine Ruan, it's a good thing to be able to go back. The Second Miss has already become the legitimate daughter of the mansion. There will be no problem for her to get married in the future. But the Fourth Miss is about to come of age. If you don't go back, do you want the Fourth Miss to stay in the villa with you forever?"
These words touched Concubine Ruan. She really had to consider Jiang Jingshu's marriage.
The two simply packed up their things and followed the carriage back to the mansion.
The servants in the mansion knew that Concubine Ruan's eldest daughter had been adopted by the First Lady, so they treated her with respect.
The First Lady also arranged a courtyard for her not far from Chunhua Pavilion.
After the stewardess personally led them there, Concubine Ruan immediately looked displeased.
"I'm not used to living in such a noisy place!"
After Concubine Ruan finished speaking, Jiang Jingshu also said, "My mother and I only like a quiet place. This place is gorgeous but noisy. We're not used to living here..."
The stewardess looked a bit embarrassed. The First Lady had told her to treat them well, so she had specially chosen a place that was both quiet and close to the main courtyard. But these two mother and daughter were really ungrateful...
"Jingshu, let's still live in the old Bamboo Courtyard!"
"Yes, the Bamboo Courtyard is the quietest!"
Hearing this, the stewardess didn't insist anymore and just let them go.
...
"Miss has gained a little weight these days. You look more beautiful than before..."
Xiuyue said admiringly while combing Jiang Sihe's hair.
Jiang Sihe looked at her face in the bronze mirror, which was a bit rounder than before, and her fair skin. She thought of the complicated skin - care process in these days.
Every morning, she first took a bath in a bathtub full of flower petals. After the bath, she smeared flower dew all over her body. Then she put on the clothes that had been scented overnight.
The flower dew and powder on her face were all from Ningluo Fang, the best rouge shop in the capital. They were different from the ones on her body. Just a small bottle cost five taels of silver, which was enough for an ordinary family's expenses for a whole year.
Seeing Xiuyue pour a lot of it into her palm and then apply it on her face and neck every time, Jiang Sihe felt that she was just applying money on her face and body...
But Xiuyue said with a smile, "Miss, don't feel bad. Ningluo Fang is the dowry shop of our First Lady. You can use as much as you like..."
Only then did Jiang Sihe understand that silver and money really didn't mean much to the First Lady.
The First Lady's family background was enviable in the whole capital. Her father was the Minister of Rites, her mother was a royal princess, her elder brother was a great general, and her elder sister was the wife of the Marquis of Anyang...
But even with such a noble background, since she had never given birth after marrying into the Jiang family, she felt a bit guilty and was a bit inferior in front of her husband.
Alas, Jiang Sihe couldn't help but sigh. The world was really harsh on women. A woman not only had to have a good family background but also a good reputation for her talent. Even if she did all these, after getting married, she still had to be able to give birth to children and manage the household. Even if she did all these well, she would only be slightly praised.
As for men, they only needed to achieve something. If they were kind to their wives and children, they would be highly praised.
"Miss, why are you sighing? Did I do it too hard?"
Xiuyue was gently massaging her to let the flower dew slowly penetrate into her skin. Hearing the Second Miss sigh, she asked softly.
"No, it's very good. It's very comfortable..."
"That's good. If Miss feels uncomfortable anywhere, please tell me. I'll be gentler..."
Jiang Sihe's eyelashes fluttered slightly. "Xiuyue, do all the noble ladies in the capital take such good care of their skin?"
Xiuyue didn't stop her hand and frowned slightly, thinking for a while. "I don't know about other mansions. Anyway, when in the Minister's Mansion, the young ladies were all asked to take good care of their skin. In this world, for a woman, whether it's her face or her body, if she doesn't take care of herself, who else will..."
Jiang Sihe highly agreed with these ideas. It was already not easy to be a woman. If she didn't cherish herself, she would be just like herself in the previous life.
...
When the First Lady sent someone to pick up Concubine Ruan and Jiang Jingshu, Xiuyue had already combed a very beautiful hair - style for Jiang Sihe.
Jiang Sihe took a look at herself in the bronze mirror. She was already different from before in just over ten days.
The double - bun hairstyle combed by Xiuyue hung on both sides of her head, like rabbit ears hanging on the sides of her ears. There were eight - treasure pearl butterfly hairpins inserted on both sides respectively, and a ribbon of the same color as her clothes was tied.
Jiang Sihe looked at the cute and lively girl in the mirror and felt a bit unreal.
"Miss looks really good in this light yellow dress. You look so cute and soft!"
Danfeng couldn't help but admire when she entered the room and saw Jiang Sihe's dressing.
"Of course. Our Second Miss is already so beautiful now. In a few years when she grows up, she will surely be the most beautiful woman in the capital..."
Xiuyue had a lively personality. After getting along with Jiang Sihe for these days, she was no longer so restrained and just said whatever she wanted.
Jiang Sihe gently patted her. "What's so good about being the most beautiful woman in the capital..."
She wanted to be the most noble lady in the capital, the noblest one!
"Second Miss, this is what the Lady prepared for you!"
Granny Qiu came in at the door, holding a big box in her hand.
Seeing this, Jiang Sihe walked over. "Granny, you've worked hard. Let me do it!"
After saying that, she was about to take the box, but Danfeng beside her had already taken it first.
"Miss, this box is heavy. Let Danfeng hold it!"
Jiang Sihe was still not quite used to having someone serve her. After hearing Granny Qiu's words, she nodded and let Danfeng take the box.
"According to the Second Miss's instructions, the silver notes have been exchanged for a box of gold..."
When Granny Qiu said this, she sized up Jiang Sihe in front of her and wasn't quite sure what this girl was up to.
"Thank you, Granny Qiu!"
Granny Qiu waved her hand. "It doesn't matter. Second Miss, you don't need to be so polite. Concubine Ruan has already entered the mansion."
Granny Qiu paused for a moment and then said, "Concubine Ruan still moved into her remote small courtyard. Should I ask her to come here, or do you want to go there to see her?"
"I'll go there to see her!"
Granny Qiu nodded and looked at Danfeng and Xiuyue behind. "You two should serve the Miss well. The Miss has just recovered from her injury. Don't be careless!"
"Yes, Granny!"
"Yes, Granny Qiu."
Xiuyue and Danfeng saluted Granny Qiu.
When Jiang Sihe came out of Chunhua Pavilion, she heard the servants in the courtyard whispering to each other.
"I heard that the Second Miss asked for a lot of silver from the First Lady for her mother..."
"Exactly. Look at the box in Danfeng's hand. It's full of gold. I saw Granny Qiu put it in with my own eyes..."
"Alas, Concubine Ruan is really lucky. Her eldest daughter has become the legitimate daughter and still remembers her so much. She even asked for so much money for her..."
"Who says no? This Second Miss is really capable. She has fought for so much money for her own mother. I heard that Concubine Ruan's monthly allowance has also increased..."
Hearing the discussions of the servants in the mansion, Jiang Sihe pursed her lips.
Xiuyue and the others also heard it and wanted to go up to stop them from gossiping, but Jiang Sihe stopped them.
"Their mouths are on themselves. Even if we stop them this time, they'll still talk next time. I'm filial to my mother. I have a clear conscience..."
Since Jiang Sihe could hear such words, she thought that her mother and sister should also hear them soon.
But what she was most looking forward to was how her mother would react when she saw this box of gold.
When she arrived at the most remote small courtyard in the mansion with her maids, Jiang Jingshu was admiring the bamboo beside the bamboo forest.
Seeing Jiang Sihe coming, she gave her a cold look and then turned around and went into the house.
Jiang Sihe was not surprised at her sister's reaction at all. She calmly walked into the courtyard with a smile on her face.
Sure enough, before Jiang Sihe could enter the house, Concubine Ruan blocked the door.
"What are you doing here?"
Jiang Sihe immediately put on a docile and cute look. "Mother, your daughter came here specially to see you. I also brought..."
"I'll act as if I never had a daughter like you. Don't come again in the future..."
Seeing her mother's determination, Jiang Sihe knelt down with a thud.
"I know you resent me, Mother. But I've always been concerned about you. I specially asked the First Lady for some money for you and my sister..."
After saying that, she turned around and motioned for Danfeng to hand the box of gold to her mother.
Jiang Jingshu stepped forward first and opened the box with a wave of her hand. When she saw the box full of gold, her face changed greatly.
Her mother's expression became as cold and stern as ice.