Chapter 333 - Fated Relationship Between Siblings (1/2)
From her mother’s words, Jiang Zixian knew that they were hoping to betroth her to her older cousin, Brother Yang. The budding affections of the young maiden were soon all focused onto Zhu Junyang. One had to give the girl credit and nerve. She wasn’t scared off by the notoriously temperamental and icy Zhu Junyang. In fact, she became bolder over time.
“Let go!” Zhu Junyang didn’t even look at her. From the corners of his phoenix eyes, he faintly scanned over Jiang Zixian’s hand holding the reins. The veiled threat within his voice was plain to all.
“I refuse!” Jiang Zixian, on the other hand, was not frightened off by his frosty tone. She puffed up her cheeks and her round eyes glittered with emotion, making her look miserable and pathetic. Yu Xiaocao, who was on the side watching all of this, felt pity rise up in her heart. The young royal prince was too cold hearted. How could he treat such a beautiful maiden in such a coarse way?
Zhu Junyang had nothing to say to Jiang Zixian. Young girls like her, who wanted to climb up the social ladder to get the lifestyle they wanted, were a dime a dozen in the capital. He had encountered way too many of them. What did it matter that she was his younger cousin? He could tell that she silently longed for the tasteful luxuries of Imperial Prince Jing’s estate, envied the devotion that his lady mother received, and lusted for the rare flora in the garden...it was already merciful of him to not personally do something to a girl like her, who shamelessly threw herself at him, for the sake of their familial relations. On the outside, she pretended to be pure and kind yet her heart hid an ambitious salivating wolf. This was the evaluation Zhu Junyang had of almost all of the well-born maidens in the capital.
Zhu Junyang had run out of patience. He pulled the reins away with a gentle yet swift snap. Jiang Zixian only felt that her hand went numb and that she had lost control of herself. After stumbling back a few steps and finally getting steady, it was already too late. Royal Prince Yang had already spurred his horse forward and was speeding away.
Jiang Zixian pursed her lips and her eyes flashed. Didn’t her aunt say that Older Brother Yang liked girls who were pure, pretty and cute? Was she not adorable enough?
She scanned Lady Fang and Yu Xiaocao from head to toe and then looked at the sign inscribed at the gate of the residence which said ‘Zhaoyong General’s Estate’. A flicker of contempt went through her eyes, ‘Just a third-ranked official. Why would Old Brother Yang become friends with these people?’
She looked at Xiaocao’s lively large eyes which were as clear and limpid as a pure spring. A bolt of jealousy went through her. If she had such large eyes that could speak volumes, wouldn’t her older cousin treat her better?
She then looked at the clothes that Xiaocao was wearing. Jiang Zixian’s almond-shaped eyes roamed quickly and then a smile blossomed onto her face, “Lady Fang, your family’s servant girl is so cute and lively. I lack a maidservant just like her. Can you sell her to me?”
Jiang Zixian’s father didn’t have a high-ranked office as he was only a fourth-ranked official in the Ministry of Ceremonies. However, her grandfather, who was also the father of Princess Consort Jing, was the Imperial Tutor and was one of the most respected teachers of the current emperor.
Although her husband was a military official and didn’t need to fawn upon the imperial tutor or other imperial teachers, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble. Lady Fang’s tone toward Jiang Zixian was quite courteous, “Forgive me, Miss Jiang. The servant girl you’re referring to is the adopted daughter of my lord husband.”
The scorn within Jiang Zixian’s eyes deepened. Everyone in the capital knew that General Fang had adopted a little farm girl as his daughter. This little girl was able to fawn upon Zhaoyong General and make him willing to adopt her. To have such schemes at such a young age, this little girl was truly something. Thus, Jiang Zixian let go of the idea of buying the little girl to get into Royal Prince Yang’s good graces.
Yu Xiaocao raised an eyebrow when she saw Jiang Zixian leaving like an arrogant peacock. No wonder the young royal prince didn’t like her. She acted one way towards him yet behind his back she was like an entirely different person. Were all of the noble-born maidens in the capital like her? Two-faced?
“Cao’er, don’t be angry! There are some people who love to brandish the authority of their own relatives around. Their eyes are at the top of their heads. You’ll get used to it after encountering a few more. However, when you encounter people like her, you don’t need to back off one bit. After all, you are the daughter of this general’s estate!” Lady Fang also disdained Jiang Zixian’s actions and attitude. She was only the daughter of a fourth-rank official yet she acted as if she was an imperial princess. Did she truly believe that everyone would give away to her?
After giving orders to the head steward of the general’s estate to take good care of Yu Hai, Lady Fang led Yu Xiaocao through the drooping flower gate to the inner courtyard. There were winding corridors paved with small pebbles. On both sides, the pear and peach trees were blooming beautifully. The whole courtyard was filled with gorgeous flora and luminous colors. In between the flowers were decorative rocks, small pavilions, and other unique statuary.
After passing by the second section of the residence, they arrived at a hall with three rooms. In the front was a large carved screen made of red sandalwood. They circled around the screen and arrived at the back hall that led to the entrance of the main wing’s courtyard. The main wing had five rooms that were richly ornamented. On either side of the courtyard were the side wings. When they saw their mistress leading a little girl inside, all of the maidservants who were clothed in red and green quickly came up to greet them.
“You must be the Young Miss. So happy that you’re finally here. No wonder our mistress always misses you. When you two stand together, you truly look like mother and daughter.” The maid who spoke was clothed in pink and was about eighteen to nineteen years old. This girl was most likely one of the other two head maids of Yu Xiaocao’s godmother.
As expected, Lady Fang pointed at the maid and laughingly scolded her, “You truly have a silver tongue! Everything you say makes people feel happy ah! But it is true! I, your mistress, and Cao’er have a relationship that is even better than most blood-related mothers and daughters! Cao’er, she is one of my head maids, her name is Linlang. There is also another head maid who is currently wearing green called Hupo. She has a quiet personality. Now you know all four of my personal maidservants, you can take the two that suit you the most and have them run tasks for you.”
Yu Xiaocao hurriedly waved her hands, “No need, Godmother. These older sisters are all your personal maidservants. If I took them away, who would take care of you? Godmother, listen to my idea first. If it was only you around, then being short a maidservant wouldn’t be an issue. However, you also have Little Linlin. If there were only two maids taking care of you and my little brother, where would they have the time? You also know what I’m like. Any two junior maidservants will do for me!”