Chapter 80 - Chapter 80: Jian Mei Entering the Mansion
Chapter 80: Jian Mei Entering the Mansion
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Second Master?”
Arriving at the entrance of the Orchid Garden, Jiang Pcihuan turned to Lan Er, querying her. However, the answer she got left her momentarily stunned.
From Lan Er’s narration, Jiang Peihuan finally grasped the whole situation.
After a fierce argument with Zhou Rongfang, Jiang Yuan had left home and didn’t return all night. When he did come back in the morning, he was accompanied by a woman.
Upon seeing this woman, Zhou Rongfang had lunged forward to strike her, but Jiang Yuan intervened. In the ensuing altercation, Jiang Ruyun was accidentally hit by Jiang Yuan.
After piecing together all the events, Jiang Peihuan couldn’t help but furrow her brows. Although Jiang Yuan was a man of old-fashioned views, he was not the type to be easily swayed by feminine charms.
“Lan Er, what’s the identity of this woman?”
“I heard, she’s a lady from a respectable family.”
“How could a decent lady have any issues with the Second Master?”
Hearing this, Yue Er, who was following beside Jiang Peihuan, couldn’t help but interject. Lan Er, however, stayed silent as they had already arrived at the Orchid Garden.
“Miss, the Eldest Miss is here.”
Jiang Ruyun was laying in bed. On hearing the voices, she struggled to sit up. Upon seeing the wound on her forehead, Jiang Peihuan frowned. The white gauze was stained with traces of fresh blood. “Did Second Uncle cause this injury?”
“Father didn’t mean to. When I stepped in to intervene, he pushed me away and I accidentally knocked into a chair.”
The severity of the injuries clearly indicated the force Jiang Yuan had applied.
“Eldest Sister, you must have heard from Lan Er about the dispute between my father and mother.”
Hearing Jiang Ruyun’s words, Jiang Peihuan nodded in agreement.
Looking at the person on the bed, she softly asked, “So, you called me here to dissuade Second Uncle from marrying that woman?”
Jiang Ruyun nodded, then said in a low voice, “Eldest Sister, my mother might have a temper, but her love for me is genuine. She deeply cares for Father as well. If Father brings that woman into our home, it will undoubtedly devastate Mother.”
“But you must understand, this is Second Uncle’s personal matter. Even I, or even Grandmother, can’t stop him if he’s resolute.”
“If that woman’s background was dubious, we could use that to our advantage. But from what I understand, she’s a lady from a good family.”
“Elder Sister, is there really no other way? I know you’re wise. Please, help me this time.”
Jiang Ruyun’s eyes were filled with desperation, pleadingly looking at Jiang Peihuan.
At this moment, Jiang Ruyun no longer had the arrogance from before.
After a brief silence, Jiang Peihuan took a seat beside the bed. Then, she asked Jiang Ruyun, “How did Second Uncle come across this woman?”
“After Father and Mother had their argument, Uncle Meng suddenly sought out Father. By the time Father returned, that woman was by his side.”
“Uncle Meng came looking for Second Uncle?”
Upon seeing Jiang Ruyun’s confirmation, Jiang Peihuan’s eyes clouded, a look of unease taking over her face. She hadn’t expected Meng Yi to be involved in this mess.
Even though she had informed Jiang Hong about Meng Yi poisoning Jiang Changbai, there wasn’t any concrete evidence. As a result, Jiang Hong maintained caution towards Meng Yi but hadn’t distanced himself yet.
Considering the person pulling strings behind Meng Yi, a wave of cold hostility flickered in Jiang Peihuan’s eyes.
She felt that this matter was not that simple.
“Second Miss, Miss Jian has arrived.”
“What’s her purpose here? Tell her to leave.”
Lan Er entered the room abruptly, but upon hearing these words, Jiang Ruyun’s eyes seethed with rage. Seeing her reaction, Jiang Peihuan gently asked, “Is this Miss Jian the person Second Uncle brought back?”
“Yes.”
“Lan Er, please invite her in.”
“This?”
Lan Er subconsciously looked at Jiang Ruyun. Jiang Ruyun’s eyes were filled with confusion.” Elder Sister, I don’t want to see her.””
“No matter what, we should treat our guest with courtesy. Given that Miss Jian was brought here by Second Uncle, she could be considered your elder. If you dismiss her without a meeting, word might reach Second Uncle and cause unnecessary trouble.”
“Therefore, let’s hear what she has to say.”
“Alright then, invite her in.”
“Understood.”
Moments later, Lan Er reentered the room, accompanied by a woman in white.
The woman seemed to be in her early twenties. Though not exceptionally beautiful, she exuded a gentle and scholarly aura.
Upon seeing Jian Mei, Jiang Peihuan immediately understood why her Second Uncle had brought her back. This woman’s demeanor held a powerful allure for men like Jiang Yuan.
“Greetings, Eldest Miss and Second Miss.”
Upon entering, Jian Mei immediately bowed to Jiang Peihuan and Jiang Ruyun. Hearing her address, Jiang Peihuan’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “How did you figure out my identity, Miss Jian?”
“I’ve heard that there are three young misses in this mansion. However, since the third miss is still quite young, I assumed you must be the eldest miss.”
Jian Mei’s voice matched her personality, incredibly gentle and soft. Hearing this, Jiang Peihuan chuckled, “Miss Jian, you’re quite sharp. It’s no surprise that my Second Uncle brought you here.”
“You flatter me, Eldest Miss. Lord Jiang merely saw my lonely situation and took pity on me, offering me a place to reside.”
“If it’s just a shelter you need, the Jiang Mansion has several properties available. Perhaps I can arrange one for you, Miss Jian? My Second Uncle, being a man of simplicity, overlooked the fact that a lady’s reputation must remain untainted. This way, we can avoid any misunderstandings within the residence.”
“What do you think, Miss Jian?”
“Eldest Miss, are you trying to chase me out of the mansion?”
Jian Mei, who appeared calm and gentle just moments ago, abruptly shifted her demeanor upon hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words. Jiang Ruyun, who was sitting on the bed, was stunned when he saw this scene.
Since Jiann Mei’s arrival at the mansion, she had always maintained a serene disposition. Jiang Ruyun had assumed she was incapable of getting angry.
“Miss Jian, you must be kidding,” retorted Jiang Peihuan.
Ignoring the blatant fury in Jian Mei’s eyes, Jiang Peihuan offered a light-hearted smile. However, her eyes were devoid of any amusement, instead, they were brimming with a cool indifference. “Even if you were a common visitor, not to mention a guest my Second Uncle brought, I wouldn’t utter words of sending you away.”
“You mentioned wanting a secure place to stay, prompting me to suggest this solution. Since you are looking for safety, I presumed it doesn’t necessarily have to be within the General’s Mansion. Unless, of course, your idea of safety means being at my Second Uncle’s side?”
“I am not a dishonorable person, nor do I need to cling to Lord Jiang. It was Lord Jiang himself who vowed to take responsibility for me. If the two young misses are displeased with my presence, then I will take my leave.”
The moment she finished speaking, Jian Mei dashed out, her eyes welling up with tears. Watching her receding figure, surprise flickered in Jiang Peihuan’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced with understanding—she knew who this melodrama was intended for.
“Mei Er, what’s wrong with you?”
Staring at the teary-eyed Jian Mei, Jiang Yuan looked puzzled. Seeing him, Jiang Mei’s tears flowed more freely, yet she managed to smile, “Lord Jiang, I am alright. It’s all my fault, I upset the two young misses. Please, don’t have any disputes with the second young miss because of me..”