The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort

Chapter 32: In The Residence

The chest fell to the ground while the superior yellow pearwood continued to emit a faintly sweet scent. The items that had toppled out of the box were several volumes of books. Seeing that the books in the chest were preserved so well, it was evident that they were cherished by the owner.

It was not unexpected for a Miss of a big aristocratic family to bring a chest of books out with them. However, what was unexpected was the fact that there was no other luggage other than that chest of books inside the carriage. Each person in the audience before the Jiang fu had a different and unique expression on their faces. Only Jiang Lisa was unaffected and spoke, "Lian Qiao, what are you doing standing there with a startled look."

With this, Jiang Nancy then understood and smiled, "Da Jiejie really does adore reading. With a chest full of books, it really makes one feel envious. Just the day before, I begged Father to get Zhuang Qin's book anthology of poetry for me. But, Father could not find any copies. However, it seems that Da Jiejie has one in here." Saying this in such an innocent and artless tone, it was as if she was a little girl who was simply brooding over a book.

Jiang Lisa smiled lightly, "It is just a book. Since you and I are sisters, I will have Lu Zhu wrap the book up later and gift it to you. This chest of books are things that Mother left for me. Therefore, I am doing my utmost to preserve and keep them in a good condition."

It was not hard for the audience to deduce the truth from her words. Since she had used the words 'doing her utmost' for those belongings, with one more glance at the di daughter of the Jiang fu, it was clear that she had no other luggage except the worn clothes on her body. In all likelihood, she had passed these few years in destitution. Everyone understood the idea of fishing in troubled waters; it was rare for someone as young as her to have this level of filiality. Unfortunately, while she could protect the remnants of her deceased mother's possessions, all other wealth of hers must have been stolen away.

Smiling as she looked at her, Xia Yan withdrew her fingers that were gathered at her sleeves. The expression on her face grew even more sympathetic, "I know that you are a child who loves to read books, and since we are going back inside together with Nancy'er, it is wonderful that you two sisters actually have similar interests."

Brushing aside the forelocks by her forehead, Jiang Lisa lightly spoke, "Meimei and I have close family ties. After all, blood is thicker than water, so naturally, our interests are similar." If they did not have similar interests, how could they have fallen for the same man? If they did not have clashing interests, with this position of hers as the di daughter of the Jiang fu, how could they always be butting heads?

Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao both quickly gathered the books that had fallen all over the ground and took the initiative to carry them into the Jiang fu. Xia Yan then welcomed them into the fu. As the gates of the Jiang fu closed, the audience surrounding the residence gradually dispersed.

At that moment, when she stepped over the big vermillion gates of the Jiang fu, Lu Zhu supported Jiang Lisa's hand, "Miss, please slow down a bit, be careful not to fall."

Jiang Lisa took each step steadily with a distant smile on her face. Meanwhile, in her heart, it was as if there was a whistling gale, Mother, Elder brother, Pei'er, look, I am back!

As the courtyard was still being tidied up, Xia Yan led Jiang Lisa to the big hall where several yi niangs[1] were waiting for her. Jiang Nancy walked alongside her, a picture of brimming joy as she narrated interesting stories about the family to Jiang Lisa. From a distance, they looked as close as two sisters whose duet on the zither gave rise to a beautiful harmony.

[1] Yí niáng ( 姨娘 ) - maternal aunt, or old term for father's concubines.

Just as Xia Yan had said, several yi niangs had arrived earlier in the big hall to meet her, and they were all standing as a form of courtesy. The yi niang wearing a tea-coloured, straight-cut coat and skirt, who appeared to be the de facto leader by virtue of being a little older than the others, smiled warmly at Jiang Lisa and said, "Da Xiaojie."[2] Jiang Lisa swept a glance over her. This was the Jiang family's most senior yi niang. When Zhao Mei had conceived, she was the servant girl whom Zhao Mei had brought forward to share Jiang Quan's bed. Unfortunately, she had never become one of his favourites, and had also never conceived. Thus, she had become one of the 'adornments' of the Jiang fu.