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

Chapter 051 Day

Thinking of this, she heard someone outside announcing: "Miss, Sister Dujuan from Guilan Courtyard is here."

Dujuan walked in with a smile: "The old lady asked me to invite the young lady over. There are some things to tell you."

Jiang Ruan stood up and asked softly: "Thank you for asking Sister Dujuan to come over. We will go now. Does Sister Dujuan know what it is about?"

Dujuan smiled: "Miss, please don't call me like that. I don't deserve it. I don't know what it is, but looking at this day, the Lantern Festival should be coming."

Lantern Festival, Jiang Ruan's pupils suddenly shrank, and her expression suddenly stiffened. It seemed that her hands could not be straightened, and they stuck in place like stones.

Zi Su worriedly said: "What's wrong with the young lady?"

Jiang Ruan came back to her senses and smiled: "Nothing." The nails gathered in her sleeves were secretly embedded in her palms.

Lantern Festival? The day that made her infamous in her previous life should have been the Spring Festival when she just returned to the mansion a few years later. The sneers and ridicules in everyone's eyes, the worries of Xia Yan and her daughter, and Jiang Quan's indifference were all vivid in her mind. 

In her new life, she returned to the Jiang Mansion several years earlier. Not sure if that dirty and desperate day will also come earlier. Regardless of whether it is or not, one thing is different, that is, she will not be slaughtered like a stupid pig. Whoever hurts her will be paid back a thousand times! 

Du Juan was looking at Jiang Ruan with a smile, but at this moment, she couldn't help but be startled. She felt that Jiang Ruan's eyes seemed to want to eat people. It was exactly the same as the evil ghosts in the eighteen levels of hell painted on the walls of the temple, revealing a sinister ghost. The next second, Jiang Ruan looked at her with a smile, her eyes as clear as mountain water, and said softly: "Let's go to grandma's yard."

In Guilan Courtyard, Jiang Susu and Xia Yan had already arrived. Seeing Jiang Ruan and Du Juan coming in, Jiang Susu jumped down from the couch of Old Lady Jiang first, and her tone was full of excitement: "Big sister, the Lantern Festival will be in three days. Grandmother asked the sisters in our mansion to go to Linglong Fang to play together. Big sister hasn't been there yet, it's fun."

Xia Yan said gently: "Ruan Niang just returned to the capital, the Lantern Festival is very lively, why don't we go and take a look together, it's good to get some joy."

Jiang Ruan raised her eyebrows and sneered in her heart. Sure enough, whether in the last life or this life, Xia Yan and her daughter's desire to trick her has not changed at all.

The Lantern Festival is a very special festival in the Dajin Dynasty, especially for people in love. Men and women of marriageable age will come out to play on this day, and many good stories are achieved during the Lantern Festival. On this day, the children of the nobles in the capital had their own ways of playing. 

There were two large flower boats decorated with dragons and phoenixes. Young ladies from noble families, daughters of nobles, princesses and the like sat on the exquisite boat, while young noble sons, princes and princes sat on the green song boat. The two flower boats sailed side by side on the lake, which was close to each other but not without strict separation of men and women.

The boats of the Lantern Festival were actually a blind date between the upper class nobles. Young women could show their talents in front of these young men. If they were really talented, they would attract many young men and become famous in the capital the next day. So, this day was another competition to prove themselves. 

The ladies from noble families competed secretly, hoping to win a good future and a good husband for themselves.

Jiang Susu's title of the most beautiful girl in the capital was due to her popularity during the Lantern Festival every year. Poor Jiang Ruan, in her last life, had no idea of ​​the ins and outs. She was deceived by Jiang Susu and made a fool of herself on Linglong Fang. 

Later, such a thing happened. The next day, Jiang Susu was no longer the most talked-about person after the Lantern Festival, because that person was replaced by Jiang Ruan. After the Lantern Festival that day, rumours spread in the capital, and Jiang Ruan's reputation plummeted, becoming the biggest joke in the capital.

If these are nothing, there is a scene in the memory that is deeply engraved in her mind. That day, everyone was ridiculing and mocking, and only the Eighth Prince spoke gently for Jiang Ruan. It was just that she was blind at the beginning, so she would take the ridicule in those eyes as care.

When she met the old friend again in this life, things have changed. She already knew his wolfish ambitions under the gentleman's face. What kind of gift should she give to make his life worthwhile at the Lantern Festival three days later?

The matter was settled. Three days later, all the young ladies in the Jiang Mansion would go to Linglong Fang. 

Everyone knew what Old Madam Jiang was planning. Jiang Susu looked normal, but she couldn't hide the excitement in her eyes. This was another chance for her to make a splash. Jiang Li was given a break by Jiang Quan and was exempted from house arrest. When they met in Guilan Courtyard, she seemed to have restrained herself a lot. 

The second aunt was very happy to learn about this opportunity. Jiang Dan stood there awkwardly, with a timid look on her face, and she didn't even know where to put her hands. Jiang Ruan couldn't help but look at her a few more times. In her last life, she was extremely inferior, and she didn't take the initiative to pay attention to Jiang Dan. 

Now, it seems that this youngest sister of the Jiang Mansion is too timid. Old Madam Jiang said some things that needed attention, and then waved her hand to let everyone go. Before leaving, Xia Yan specifically called Jiang Ruan: "Miss Ruan, the maids I picked for you will be sent to your yard later. Take a look at these maids first to see if they are convenient to use. If not, we can change some more."

Jiang Ruan smiled and thanked, not showing any annoyance at all. Xia Yan's smile became deeper, and the two of them were polite to each other before leaving on their own.

When Xia Yan and Jiang Susu had walked for a long time, Lu Zhu said: "Madam is too anxious, and she has humiliated herself."

"Others will see that it is for the good of me as a daughter, so how can it be considered humiliation." Jiang Ruan didn't take it to heart.

Lu Zhu has been with Lian Qiao for a long time, so she speaks frankly, "Who are you trying to fool? Even a servant like me can see through this. Everyone here knows it. The old lady doesn't say anything. It's destined that this mansion is always in trouble."

Jiang Ruan laughed. Lu Zhu is a servant on the farm, not a family child, so she is not as loyal to the Jiang Mansion as Lian Qiao and Zi Su. She talks about it like other families. 

Jiang Ruan smiled, and Lu Zhu finally reacted and blushed: "I have overstepped my bounds, please punish me, young lady."

"You are right." Jiang Ruan said. 

Lu Zhu is not biased towards the Jiang Mansion, which is a good thing for her. After all, what she wants to do is to stand on the opposite side of the Jiang Mansion. Lian Qiao and Zi Su may find it difficult to accept. Some of these things can be left to Lu Zhu.

As she was walking, she came towards her. She had a slender waist and a graceful figure. She smelled a faint fragrance before she even reached her nose. She was wearing a pink and green short jacket and a long autumn-scented skirt, just like an orchid swaying in the wind. It was the Fifth Aunt Hongying.

When she saw Jiang Ruan, Hongying's eyes curved and she bowed to her: "Young lady."

Jiang Ruan smiled: "The Fifth Aunt has become more beautiful."

(End of this chapter)

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