Part 1: A Dream Within A Dream / Rebirth of Ill Fated Concubine

Chapter 040 Favor

"Maybe she is the same as you," Cai Que heard on the side and continued with a smile: "After all, she is your granddaughter. The old lady was one of the most famous ladies in the capital. Everyone who heard it said that you are first-class in manners, talent and appearance. The eldest girl looks clear-headed. Maybe she is born like this. Even if she lives in a farm, she can still have the style of a palace."

"You are so sweet-mouthed," Old Madam Jiang scolded with a smile: "I don't know what benefits that girl promised you, but you speak for her like this."

"I am not flattering the eldest girl, I am trying to please the old lady." Cai Que retorted.

Mother Zhang also laughed: "Old lady, don't worry so much. It's a good thing that the eldest daughter knows the rules. I think she is one of the best young ladies in Capital. The Jiang family is proud of having such a person."

Old Madam Jiang nodded: "I just hope she can do better tomorrow."

The next morning, Lian Qiao woke Jiang Ruan up early. Jiang Ruan asked Zi Su to take care of Nanny Zhou, so Lu Zhu and Lian Qiao followed her on the trip today. Lu Zhu served Jiang Ruan breakfast, and Lian Qiao couldn't wait to help Jiang Ruan change clothes. 

Lu Zhu smiled and said, "Sister Lian Qiao is so anxious that people who don't know would think that it is Sister Lian Qiao who is visiting today."

"You are talking nonsense, I will tear your mouth apart." Lian Qiao said, "Our girl hasn't dressed up properly for many days. I have said that our girl is a beauty. As long as I think of the eyes of those people falling when our girl goes out, I have to be very happy."

Jiang Ruan smiled, "The beauty in the Jiang Mansion is not me."

"Miss, are you talking about the second girl?" Lian Qiao is a straightforward person, and said regardless, "The second girl looks good, but too plain. Now that she is younger, it's okay. If she is older, she will look a little tasteless if she is so plain. How can she be as beautiful as our girl?"

Jiang Ruan laughed, "Do you know that such beautiful and refined beauties are popular in Capital now? It's too ostentatious for me to be like this."

Lu Zhu was tidying up the things on the table. Hearing this, she couldn't help but say, "Miss, you are wrong. Literati and poets all say that they love lotus flowers that grow out of mud but remain unstained. But people in the world often spend thousands of gold to ask for a pot of Luoyang peony. Who would spend thousands of gold to ask for a pot of lotus in the pond?"

Lian Qiao also nodded: "That's the truth."

Jiang Ruan shook her head and said nothing more. After Lu Zhu washed her hands, she asked Jiang Ruan to sit in front of the dressing table: "What kind of hairstyle do you want, Miss?"

"It's up to you." Jiang Ruan said, "As long as it doesn't lose etiquette."

After going around in circles, the time of an incense stick passed. The carriages outside the Jiang Mansion were already prepared. There were two carriages in total, one for Jiang Susu and Jiang Ruan, one for Xia Yan, and one for Jiang Dan and Jiang Li. 

The two carriages must set off together to the Shen Mansion. Shen Shilang and Jiang Quan have a place in the officialdom that needs support, and their relationship has always been good.

When Lian Qiao Lu Zhu followed Jiang Ruan out of the door, she saw from a distance that Jiang Li and Jiang Dan had already arrived. The two stood beside Xia Yan and talked to Jiang Susu. Jiang Li saw Jiang Ruan first and said with a smile: "Big sister is so generous that she made mother and sisters wait for a long time."

"It's Jiang Ruan's fault," Jiang Ruan said with a smile: "After all, it's the first time I've entered the Shen Mansion since I came back. I asked the maid in the yard about some things, so as to avoid being impolite at that time. Others will only say that people in our Jiang Mansion don't know the rules."

Xia Yan smiled kindly: "Why say these things? Ruan Niang is so dressed up today that it's really unrecognizable. She's so beautiful."

Jiang Li and Jiang Susu's eyes flashed with a strange colour at the same time. The red dress from Ruyi Tower was dazzlingly bright. Jiang Ruan was thought to be unable to suppress such a dress, and the dress would only make her look more outdated. However, Jiang Ruan was very compatible with the dress, as if it was born for her. 

She was not at all restrained, but wore the warm red colour with a kind of indifference and calmness, and then a faint charm, which made people stare at her. Everyone present felt that the beauty was aggressive, and the young lady in front of them who was bullied by others was completely unfamiliar.

Jiang Ruan smiled and said, "My sisters are also very beautiful. Mother, you are so sad to say so."

After such a warm conversation, several people got on their own carriages. After Jiang Susu got on the carriage, she nestled in Xia Yan's arms, watching Jiang Ruan from the corner of her eyes. She thought that Jiang Ruan would feel uncomfortable with the three of them squeezed in the same carriage, but Jiang Ruan picked up a travel journal and read it with a calm look, which made Jiang Susu, who wanted to speak, unable to speak.

The journey was peaceful, and after an unknown period of time, the carriage stopped in front of the Shen Mansion. After several people got off the carriage, the servant leading the way at the gate of the Shen Mansion came out to greet them. 

Xia Yan handed over the invitation, and soon a plump old nanny came out of the door and said with a smile: "Old Madam Jiang is here, our lady has been waiting for you for a long time." Xia Yan smiled and agreed. 

After walking for a while, she was led into the hall. As expected, Madam Shen was already waiting for tea. When she saw Xia Yan, her face was very friendly and said: "Sister, you don't come here often these days. If it weren't for my birthday, I'm afraid she would be looking forward to your coming." 

Xia Yan also smiled: "Ruan Niang just came back these days and is busy taking care of everything. Don't blame me." 

Madam Shen turned her head, and her shrewd eyes fixed on Jiang Ruan, flashing a trace of surprise: "This is Miss Jiang, she is really a beauty." 

Jiang Ruan stepped forward to greet her, and after hearing Madam Shen's slightly rude words, she was still calm and said generously: "Madam Shen is too kind." 

Madam Shen's eyes seemed to be looking at an object. Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu, who were following her, were dissatisfied. They quietly turned their bodies to block Madam Shen's inquiring eyes.

A trace of resentment flashed in Jiang Li's eyes. She stepped forward unwillingly and smiled sweetly at Madam Shen: "Hello, Madam."

Madam Shen's attitude towards Jiang Li was very cold. She only responded and looked at Jiang Susu, smiling: "Susu has become more and more lovely these days. She looks like a little fairy, which makes me jealous."

"Mother, what are you talking about jealousy?" Before the voice fell, a delicate voice came from outside. A girl in pink came out from inside. Seeing Jiang Susu, she rushed over excitedly: "Sister Susu!"

Jiang Susu smiled and took her hand: "Sister Mingzhen."

Shen Mingzhen is the jewel in the crown of Shen Shilang's family. Shen Shilang has three sons but only one daughter. In her previous life, Jiang Ruan's impression of Shen Mingzhen was that she was Jiang Susu's best friend, but for some reason she was always hostile to her. 

Every time she had a conflict with Shen Mingzhen, it was Jiang Susu who came to her rescue. When she said that she was a straw beauty, she only knew the piano and dance skills that only vulgar dancers could do, and Shen Mingzhen also had a great contribution.

In her previous life, Jiang Ruan didn't understand why Shen Mingzhen had to go against her when she didn't provoke her. Now she understands it all. 

In the road full of enemies in the previous life, separated by the distance between life and death, seeing this old friend again, time has flowed and returned to the time when nothing happened, but I don't know what Shen Mingzhen's ending will be in this life.

(End of this chapter)

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