Chapter 10 - Change (2/2)

Chen Fang wanted to embarrass Jiang Ruan at first, but she never thought that she would be so agreeable. Facing such a tactful retort, Chen Fang gritted her teeth, “Then, you should work hard. You should be mindful of the time. When it arrives and you are unable to complete your embroidery, there will be problems.”

Jiang Ruan raised her eyebrows, “Auntie Lan, the important matter that you came here for today was about the embroidered handkerchiefs?”

Startled, Zhang Lan laughed, “Look at this old servant’s memory. Since the residence is sending food supply to the manor, I wanted to ask if you wanted to deliver any letters to Master and Mistress?”

Letters? Jiang Ruan’s fingertips trembled slightly. Too much time had passed that she had almost forgotten that over the several years that she had lived in the residence, at the end of every year, she would write letters to Jiang Quan and her elder brother. The content of the letter was nothing more than to hope that they could bring her home. Year after year, the letters were akin to a rock sinking to the bottom of a large ocean. There was no reply. The only reply that ever came was the grievous news of her elder brother, Jiang Xin Zhi’s death in the battlefield. Actually, after his death, her life no longer contained any hope.

As someone who had passed away once, she could look at things more clearly in comparison to the past. She would no longer entrust her hope to the cold and ruthless Jiang Quan. Rather than being resigned to her fate, why not initiate an attack? As for the letter, there was no need for it. Jiang Quan would not read it. In the end, it would fall into the hands of Jiang Su Su and her mother and would be no more than a laughing stock for their tea sessions.

“Father is busy with official matters. There is no need to write this year,” Jiang Ruan looked at her nails, “Auntie Lan, I don’t have any letters for delivery.”

Zhang Lan was stunned. Every year, Jiang Ruan would write some letters to be sent home. The servants were well aware that the letters were of no use. No one would give up hope on their own accord, but Jiang Ruan did not wish to send any letters now. Was she really disheartened and no longer bore any hope?

Zhang Lan looked at Jiang Ruan doubtfully. Yet, she did not sense anything amiss. Reluctantly, she assured herself. Regardless, the more demoralized Jiang Ruan was, the easier it was to report to her superior. To her, it was quite a good matter. She chuckled, “Since it is so, then I shall go and arrange the food supply that would be delivered to the manor. I shall take my leave now.”

After Zhang Lan and Chen Fang left, Bai Zhi spoke with uncertainty, “Miss, why don’t you want to send letters anymore? Don’t tell me that you are acting in a fit of pique?”

“The days are very valuable. I don’t have any spare energy to be peeved about my father,” Jiang Ruan sat in front of the table and looked at the face of a pale girl in the rust-stained copper mirror, “We are heading back soon. Why do we need to send letters? If there is anything I want to say, it’s better to say it directly to them face to face.”

“We are returning?” Lian Qiao’s eyes brightened, “Miss, did you think of a way to return?”

Jiang Ruan reached out and stroked the cracked edges of her copper mirror, smiling faintly. Of course, she would have a way. But before her departure, there was still a debt she wanted to claim.