Chapter 20 Part 1: Sisters

 

Please read this at BloomingTranslation blog.

 

The bed in the chief assistant’s house was much softer compared to the board in Mount Qingcheng. 

Although Jiang Yuan Bai was a scholar, he was also a chief assistant. Some people became an official for the common people while some people became an official for their ambition. Jiang Yuan Bai had fulfilled his ambition, which was equivalent to having an enjoyable life.  

When Tong’er came in the morning to wait upon Jiang Li, her smile was much more brilliant compared to previous days. She chattered while giggling about how much softer and more comfortable her bed was last night. The room she resided in was also brighter and more spacious.

Yun Shuang and Xiang Qiao stood at one side. Yun Shuang was totally unwilling to do her task of serving Jiang Li while Xiang Qiao pretended to wipe the table while accompanying Jiang Li to chat. Yet she didn’t raise her hand to do heavy manual labor at all.

In the entire Fang Fei Garden, apart from Tong’er, there were only Yun Shuang and Xiang Qiao, these servants. Yun Shuang and Xiang Qiao were unlikely to do the heavy work. As a result, Tong’er had to handle all the matters inside and outside the courtyard. Perhaps Ji Shuran had intentionally not given Jiang Li some servants to do the rough work. In a way, that was bullying Jiang Li not knowing the current standard. If Jiang Li understood, Ji Shuran was giving her a reason to be unhappy. Then she would turn her head to Jiang Yuan Bai and shed a few tears, saying that Jiang Li had a big temper and what not. From there, things would naturally take its course and she got her way.    

Yet Jiang Li didn’t care in the slightest. When Yun Shuang went outside, Jiang Li pulled the corner of Xiang Qiao shirt and spoke: “There’s something I need to trouble Xiang Qiao jiejie.” 

Xiang Qiao was stunned and replied with a smile: “This servant is here to listen to second miss’s instructions.”

“I’m afraid there’s not enough manpower in this courtyard. Mother didn’t arrange some rough servants here for me. You and Yun Shuang jiejie are my personal servants, Tong’er also has her hands full already. Xiang Qiao jiejie has stayed in the house for many years, so you should be very familiar with the person who buys and sells servant girls. Could Xiang Qiao jiejie please help me to arrange for a few people for sweeping and watering.”  

After Xiang Qiao heard, she knitted her brows: “Second miss, to get more servants in the courtyards need Madam’s permission.”

“Mother is affectionate to me, but unfortunately forgot to arrange manpower for me. She could be busy with daily affairs so she forgot this side here. How can I disturb here? It’s just buying a few servant girls, I wish to personally bear it. Xiang Qiao jiejie please arrange it.” Then Jiang Li conveniently picked up a gold bracelet from the small box and slipped it into Xiang Qiao’s hand, speaking and smiling: “Is it possible?”

Is it possible?

The gold bracelet gleamed brightly on Xiang Qiao’s hand. The weight felt different from her gold bracelet. This one was slim and elaborate, giving her hand an extravagant impression. Xiang Qiao knew that this kind of workmanship and pattern was more valuable compared to the one worn on her hand.   

“Of course it’s possible!” Xiang Qiao nodded firmly. Her sight stuck to the bracelet and couldn’t move away from it. She had followed Ji Shuran for a few years, but Ji Shuran was not as generous in rewards as this second miss who came from the mountain. Xiang Qiao felt puzzled in her heart. Perhaps this second miss didn’t know the worth of these jewelry, that’s why she gave them to her so easily? 

Before she could think more, Jiang Li smilingly spoke from the side: “Then I will now trouble Xiang Qiao jiejie.”

Xiang Qiao had received the gold bracelet, her heart felt both nervous and excited. She at once said: “This servantt will definitely settle this matter for second miss. Second miss just needs to wait.” While talking, she withdrew outside. 

After Xiang Qiao left, Tong’er stood at the side and seemed to want to say something but hesitated.

Jiang Li spoke: “Just say it out if you have anything to say.”

“Young lady, this servant doesn’t understand,” Tong’er spoke: “Why are you so good towards Xiang Qiao? You obviously know she was assigned by Ji shi…….  Perhaps, you want to use this silver money to bribe her?”

“Bribe?” Jiang Li shook her head: “this person’s intention is not correct. She’s two-faced, used to act flexible and take advantage of the situation. Moreover, she is very greedy. This kind of person, even if bought out, will inevitably change sides. I don’t dare to buy this kind of person out.”

“Since that’s the case, why did you give her these jewelry? Even if at this time she said she was going to help you choose some servant girls, there’s no guarantee that she wouldn’t tell Ji shi in private. Then, the people sent here would also pass through Ji shi’s selection.”

Chapter 20 Part 2: Sisters

 

Please read this at BloomingTranslation blog.

 

“So what if I give her things to do. Giving her a task, it’s also in order to give her things.”

“This servant doesn’t understand,” Tong’er was puzzled, “young lady, the silver in our hands now is not that much to give out.”

 Jiang Li was somewhat amused by her own servant girl. She said: “You see, I only gave her jewelry, not silver. Do you know why?” 

“Why?” Tong’er opened her eyes wide.

“Naturally it’s for others to see.” Jiang Li laughingly said: “To overcome the scheme, we need to divide the soldiers. Tong’er, if there’s a time someone gives you beautiful jewelry with precious gems, and doesn’t ask for the same price in return, you should guard against it.  It’s possible that that person wants you to pay even more.”

Tong’er looked at Jiang Li with a baffled expression on her face. She still didn’t comprehend Jiang Li’s words, yet she felt something faintly. After thinking for a while, she still shook her head. Jiang Li was much more intelligent compared to her. What she couldn’t understand, Jiang Li would definitely be able to understand. There must be a reason behind how Jiang Li treated Xiang Qiao, she just needed to follow along. 

“Let’s go out and take a walk.” Jiang Li spoke, “Since we have returned home, we should get familiar with our garden.”

“Ok ah!” Tong’er was extremely happy, “this servant will accompany you.”

Jiang Li changed her clothes. The tailored clothes weren’t ready yet and Ji Shuran, this stepmother, couldn’t be too obvious in her mistreatment. So she let some people send ready-made clothes that more or less fit for Jiang Li. These clothes appeared precious, but compared to Jiang Youyao’s clothes, the workmanship was a lot rougher. Worn on Jiang Li’s body, it didn’t reflect her temperament.

Although Tong’er liked good materials, she felt these red ah, green clothes didn’t look as good on Jiang Li as when she wore white ones. After pondering for a long time, she picked a green skirt for Jiang Li to wear. 

At a glance, the style of these clothes seemed to resemble the style worn by servant girls. If it wasn’t careful, the green color could easily make the wearer look tacky.  However, Jiang Li’s skin was thin and pale so when it was on her body, it didn’t look so bad. The color contrasting against her skin even made the whole person give out a tender and delicate appearance with a different kind of courageous look.

Tong’er and Jiang Li had stayed in the temple for a long time. They combed their hair into the simplest and most convenient hairstyle for work. They returned to Jiang residence and discovered there were different ways people combed their hair. Moreover, in the Jiang residence, they would be ridiculed if they combed their hair to the style of the servant girls. 

Not waiting for Tong’er to think on how to style her hair, Jiang Li had already sat in front of the bronze mirror. Her hands deftly pulled and coiled her long, black hair, turning a few times before a top knot was done. 

Tong’er opened her eyes wide in shock and spoke: “Young lady, how did you…….”

“I learned it before.” Jiang Li replied simply. When she was Xue Fang Fei and had just married Shen Yurong, in order to win the favor of her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, she learned how to comb hair, thinking that females love to look good. So if she combed their hair personally, perhaps they could get somewhat closer. Later on, her relationship with the Shen family completely broke, yet her skill of combing hair was still there.

“Young lady can do anything, really awesome.” Tong’er thought for a bit, there was a bit of doubt in her mind, “but how was it possible for young lady to specially learn how to comb hair? Isn’t this something that servant girls should do…….” 

Sadly, before she got her answer, Jiang Li had already gotten up and gone out the door. Tong’er immediately pushed the question to the back of her head. 

The Jiang residence was very big. Tong’er  was originally just a sweeping servant girl. Afterward,  when Jiang Li caused Ji Shuran’s miscarriage, all the people serving in Jiang Li’s courtyard were either killed or sold.  When Jiang Li was about to be sent to Mount Qingcheng, Old Madam Jiang conveniently pointed her finger at a small servant girl to follow her. Tong’er was precisely that servant girl.

Due to leaving when she was still very young, Tong’er was also very unfamiliar with the circumstances of the current Jiang residence. 

They had just taken a few steps out of Fang Fei Garden when they heard people’s voices. Jiang Li stopped her footsteps and raised her eyes to see a few people chatting in a small pavilion not far away from them. 

Those few people had also seen Jiang Li and stopped talking. A person in the middle was looking especially beautiful and tender, wearing pink silk and soft cotton from head to toe.

It was Jiang third miss, Jiang Youyao.

 

I hope everyone is healthy, please stay safe ^^

Even if you live in an unaffected area, please wash your hands often and don’t be too close with others, avoid crowded places… That cases haven’t been reported in your area doesn’t mean there aren’t any infected people, just that they might remain undetected, being cautious will not harm you (but do not panic either!). If you live in an affected area, follow strictly the safety measures told by your government, not just for your own safety but also for the others’ sake. If you’re confined at home… congratulations, your hikikomori life has started! Don’t lie, at some point, we all have wished we could just stay home for days binge-reading novels or playing games all daylong ^^

We are in front of a global crisis so please be mindful and act with common sense, meaning, if they announce confinement to your city, don’t be an ass who grabs their luggage and goes on ‘vacations’ to their second residence! That will only help spread the virus to unaffected areas! I really wonder what some people have in their brain… >.<

And last but not least, we have a new novel fresh out of the oven to help you cope with the hard times! It’s super sweet, cute, funny and adorable, be sure to check it out^^ It’s about a certain ML Thinking of deer Fei Fei (≧◡≦)

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