It Was A Fake Marriage, But Jiu Qian Sui Took It Seriously - Chapter 36

Jiang Yingwan was afraid her daughter wouldn’t accept it, so she spoke earnestly, “Mother knows you don’t want to marry right now, so we won’t. Instead, I’ve chosen a good man—we’ll bring in a husband for our family.”

“A husband?”

“Yes, your grandmother and I have already decided. The Jiang family has many relatives, and we’ll select a man with good character to marry into our household. Your grandmother has picked a few candidates for me, and I will personally evaluate them.”

“Li’er, in this world, it’s hard for a woman to live alone, especially when you have so much wealth…”

Jiang Yingwan patiently persuaded her, and Shen Qing Li felt the image of that person in her heart fading further.

She had never considered this before, but bringing in a husband was indeed a good idea. However, the thought of marriage still made her uncomfortable.

Just as she was wavering under her mother’s persistent efforts, a servant girl came to report.

“Madam Qian Shi and her daughter have arrived.”

As soon as Qian Shi entered with Jiang Yuying, she saw Shen Qing Li looking at them coldly.

Qian Shi shrank back slightly. Jiang Yuying tugged at her sleeve gently, and Qian Shi forced herself to step forward. “Sister…”

Jiang Yingwan had agreed to give Qian Shi and her daughter a set of hair accessories each time they brought Li’er to a social gathering.

Still unaware of their true intentions, she warmly invited them in. “Second Sister-in-law, Ying’er, come in. Tian Xing, bring the gifts and make a pot of Maojian tea—Second Sister-in-law likes it.”

Jiang Yuying bowed slightly and spoke softly, “Aunt, Qing Li.”

Tian Xing brought out two sets of gold and silver filigree hair accessories. Though not extremely expensive, they were exquisitely crafted. To Qian Shi and Jiang Yuying, who came from humble backgrounds, these were already luxurious items.

Both of them stepped forward and their eyes lighting up.

Shen Qing Li remained silent and did not return the greeting. At that moment, Chun Hua, her maid, stepped forward and bowed. “Madam, I have something to report.”

Jiang Yingwan smiled, “What is it? Just say it.”

Seeing that her mistress did not stop her, Chun Hua continued loudly, “Yesterday, Miss wore a pair of bloodstone earrings to a banquet. Unexpectedly, they were the same as those worn by the Princess. Fortunately, a kind lady from the Duke’s family warned her in time. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.”

After speaking, Chun Hua glanced at Qian Shi and Jiang Yuying. The greed in their eyes faded slightly. She continued, “Those bloodstone earrings were given to Miss Qing Li a few days ago by Second Young Lady, Yuying.”

Jiang Yingwan was startled and turned to look at Qing Li, who remained silent, sipping her tea. She then shifted her gaze, now cold, to Qian Shi.

Qian Shi no longer looked at the hair accessories. A thin layer of sweat formed on her forehead, and she was at a loss for words.

Jiang Yuying, however, looked directly at Jiang Yingwan with a grievance. “Aunt, my mother specifically bought those earrings for Qing Li. We are of low status—how could we possibly know what the Princess would wear? We meant well, but Chun Hua is falsely accusing us.”

Qian Shi was timid by nature and had kept her head down, gripping her handkerchief tightly.

Jiang Yingwan ignored Jiang Yuying and turned to Qian Shi. “Second Sister-in-law, what’s going on?”

Qian Shi’s eyes darted around nervously. “Sister, this… this must be a misunderstanding.”

Jiang Yingwan waved her hand, and Tian Xing took the hair accessories back. “A misunderstanding? Bloodstone is expensive. Where did you get the money to buy it? Don’t tell me you spent your household’s entire savings just to buy a pair of earrings for my daughter. That’s not something you would do.”

Qian Shi, already guilty, hesitated and couldn’t respond.

Seeing the accessories being taken away, Jiang Yuying grew anxious. “Aunt, you’re being unfair! You’re convicting us based on a few words from a mere servant. You’re so biased! Have we ever wronged you in all these years?”

Jiang Yingwan laughed in anger. “My daughter was wronged. If I don’t stand up for her, should I stand up for outsiders instead? Fair or not, I only have one daughter. Whoever bullies her, I won’t let it go.”

It was the first time Jiang Yuying had been reprimanded by Jiang Yingwan, and she couldn’t hide her embarrassment. Her face turned red, and she choked back tears. “Six years ago, when Aunt first arrived at the estate, both you and Qing Li were ill. If not for my mother and me finding a doctor and taking care of you…”

Seeing Jiang Yingwan’s expression soften slightly, she continued, “Over the years, your health has been poor, and my mother often came to comfort you. Even Qing Li has been taken care of by my mother… Now that you’ve recovered, you’ve forgotten everything.”

Hearing this, Qian Shi looked up and met Jiang Yingwan’s gaze. Both of their expressions were complicated.

Jiang Yingwan sighed inwardly. She knew Qian Shi well—she wasn’t a bad person but was greedy. However, she was also timid and would only take small advantages when she saw the chance.

This whole situation likely had more to do with Jiang Yuying than Qian Shi. It was a pity because, until now, she had gotten along with Qian Shi fairly well.

“When I came to the Marquis’s residence, I brought my own servants. Even without you, Qing Li and I would have been fine. And over the years, I have never mistreated you and your daughter.  So I owe you nothing.

Second Sister-in-law, you should leave. There’s no need for you to come here anymore.”

Qian Shi had long anticipated this outcome, but now that it had truly come to this, she couldn’t help but feel a little sad. After all, she and Jiang Yingwan had shared some genuine feelings over the years.

With tears in her eyes, Qian Shi turned and hurried away. Jiang Yuying glanced at the spot where Tian Xing had just left, stomped her foot in frustration, and ran after her mother.

Jiang Yingwan turned to see Shen Qing Li smiling at her with bright, crescent-shaped eyes. She reached out and gently pinched her daughter’s cheek, playfully scolding, “You little rascal! How could you not tell your Mother about something this important?”

Shen Qing Li took the opportunity to dive into her mother’s soft embrace. The familiar scent of soaproot filled her nose, warming her heart.

In the following days, Yunsheng finished sorting out her land and shops and sent over a detailed list.

After arranging for the right people to manage them, Shen Qing Li focused entirely on staying in her room, embroidering a scented sachet. But no matter how she stitched, she always felt dissatisfied with the result.

That morning, as soon as she arrived at her mother’s courtyard, she saw her waving at her cheerfully.

Before Shen Qing Li could ask, Jiang Yingwan eagerly announced, “The Yong’an Marquis Household, the Ministry of Revenue Minister’s Residence, and General Zhao’s Estate all sent invitations to have tea with me—they want to inquire about you.”

“Li’er, don’t worry. Your Mother will definitely find you a good match.”

Shen Qing Li’s heart resisted the idea, and she quickly said, “Mother, didn’t you say we’d bring in a husband instead? I really don’t want to marry into someone else’s family.”

Jiang Yingwan patted her hand reassuringly. “Even if we’re bringing in a husband, it makes me happy that people are asking about you. It means they recognize your worth.”

Lately, there had been at least seven or eight households inquiring about Jiang Zhi Li’s marriage. Meanwhile, Madam Lu had been flaunting her son’s suitors in front of her—intentionally or not—several times. Though Jiang Yingwan remained silent, she was secretly anxious.

Until Shen Qing Li’s marriage was settled, she wouldn’t feel at ease.

The atmosphere in the room was warm and lively when Qiu Yue suddenly dashed in, grinning from ear to ear. The little maid had always enjoyed gossip and was friendly with servants from all the different courtyards.

Shen Qing Li indulged her usual antics. Seeing her excitement, she handed her a pear and teased, “What juicy gossip did you hear this time?”

Qiu Yue curtsied in thanks before eagerly taking the pear. With a mischievous smile, she said, “Oh, this one’s hilarious! Just now, the maids in the front courtyard were saying that the First Madam Lu has been put under house arrest by the Old Madam Lu.”

Shen Qing Li exchanged a glance with her mother.

Madam Lu had always followed the every Old Madam’s command. How could she have ended up confined?