C33 (1/2)

After Jiang Wan greeted Fang Yuan and Xiao Qian Shu separately, she followed them and sat on the kang next to the window.

Three or four maidservants dressed in blue entered in a line. They served tea to everyone, set up some fruits and pastries, and then left.

Jiang Yan picked up a shiny yellow kumquat from the crystal plate on the kang, wrapped it in a handkerchief, and placed it on a small clay plate. ”The kumquats that just went on sale a few days ago, let's have a taste.

Then, she looked at Jiang Wan, smiled, and said, ”Don't be so reserved, just treat it as if you're at home. You'll know after living with us for a long time that we're all easy to get along with.”

Jiang Wan slightly lowered her head, covering her mouth as she smiled and said, ”I'm afraid that even I wasn't able to live freely at your place.”

The Qin family was extremely charming. Pet. Jiang Yan had also heard her mother mention the matter of the direct daughter being harsh on her children before. When she thought about the last time Jiang Zhuli had come to her house and beat the servant girl beside her without a word, she felt extremely uncomfortable.

Hitting dogs depended on the master, not to mention Zi Yan was the most capable maid by her side. Jiang Shu was just a person who came to visit her, what ability did she have to be her person?

”Then come to our house often and play.” Jiang Yan smiled and said to Jiang Wan, ”If Third Aunt doesn't want you to come out, I'll send you a message.”

Jiang Wan thanked Jiang Yan with a smile, but Jiang Yan shook her head with a smile. She looked at the other two and asked, ”Who's turn is it for this year's Spring Festival Feast on March 3rd?”

”It seems to be Sister Li's home?” ”Last year, it was held between Minister of Rites, Huang Tong, and Eldest Young Master Huang. Everything was a mess, and let alone receiving guests for the ceremony, there weren't even people who served tea. I sat in the parlour for over an hour, and I didn't even manage to take a sip of water.”

Just be content with it, I was a lot worse than you last year, ”Fang Yuan sighed with a face full of bitterness and hatred as he said,” A new gold brocade pimple was only worn for the first time, but it was already splashed with oil soup by the little servant girl from her family. I didn't even say anything before that little girl fell on the ground and kowtowed to me, as if she was really going to be hurt … ”

”We can't blame her family. Lord Huang's wife is currently a stepdaughter, not much older than Huang Yi. She doesn't have much status in the family …” Jiang Yan answered.

”But this year, there won't be any incidents happening at sister Qinglan's house, right?” Xiao Qian Shu's face was filled with excitement as she said, ”I heard that their family bought the Liang Pavilion's old courtyard last year! and built a very large garden. ”

”Eh? Didn't they say that the purpose of their purchase was to help Qinglan's elder brother get married? ” ”Why did you suddenly start repairing the garden again?”

”That I don't know, why not ask Sister Qinglan then?” Xiao Qian Shu shook her head and said, ”But why isn't she here today?”

”Alright, before I even enter the house, I can already hear you guys speaking ill of me behind my back.” Just as Xiao Qian Shu finished speaking, a sharp voice sounded from outside the room. Following a burst of sound, a tall figure walked in.

Jiang Wan looked over and saw that the girl was no more than fifteen to sixteen years old. She was tall and slender, had snow-white skin, curved eyebrows, and black hair tied into a high bun.

”Qinglan, you're finally here.” Fang Yuan smiled as he spoke to the woman, and then he and Jiang Yan simultaneously moved towards the brick bed, pulling the edge of the bed out.

”I didn't see any of you today, so I knew you'd be hiding here.” Li Qinglan walked over with a hearty smile, and as she raised her head, she saw Jiang Wan, who looked a little unfamiliar. Curious, she asked, ”Eh, this is …”

”This is Sister Wan.” Xiao Qian Shu, who was sitting beside Jiang Wan, took the initiative to introduce Jiang Wan to her, ”She's my cousin's cousin.”