The Double-Chapter 22 - 20 Sisters

22: Chapter 20 Sisters

22 -20 Sisters

The bed in the Chief Minister’s Residence was much softer and more comfortable than the wooden plank bed on Green City Mountain.

Though Jiang Yuanbai was a refined scholar, he was also the current Grand Secretary.

Some people enter government to serve the common people, while others do so out of ambition.

Jiang Yuanbai had achieved his ambitions and likewise enjoyed his life.

When Tonger came to serve Jiang Li early in the morning, her smile was much brighter than usual.

She chattered on about how soft and comfortable the bed was the previous night, and how spacious and bright the rooms were.

Yunshuang and Xiangqiao stood aside, serving Jiang Li wasn’t something Yunshuang was willing to do.

Xiangqiao pretended to wipe the table and chatted with Jiang Li, but avoided getting her hands dirty with any heavy or rough work.

Apart from Tonger, there were only two maids in Fangfei Garden—Yunshuang and Xiangqiao.

Neither would do heavy chores, so Tonger handled all the indoor and outdoor tasks.

Ji Shuran had intentionally not assigned any rough-servant maids to Jiang Li, bullying her for not knowing the current rules.

Even if Jiang Li found out, it was natural for Ji Shuran to give Jiang Li some displeasure, and then to administer a warning to Jiang Yuanbai by complaining about Jiang Li’s bad temper.

However, Jiang Li didn’t mind at all.

When Yunshuang stepped outside, she tugged at Xiangqiao’s sleeve and said, “There’s something I’d like to trouble Sister Xiangqiao with.”

Xiangqiao was startled, then smiled and said, “If Second Miss has any orders, your servant is here to obey.”

“Right now, I fear this courtyard is understaffed.

My mother has not arranged for any rough-servant girls for me here.

You and Sister Yunshuang are here to attend to my personal needs, and Tonger alone can’t handle everything.

Sister Xiangqiao, you’ve been in the residence for many years and must be very familiar with the old women who trade in maidservants.

Please help me arrange for some to come over so I can pick a few to do the sweeping and cleaning.”

After hearing this, Xiangqiao furrowed her brows and said, “Second Miss, the handmaidens for the courtyard all need to be approved by the madam.”

“Mother loves me dearly but seems to have forgotten to arrange staffing for me, probably due to being busy with everyday household matters.

I’d rather not trouble her further.

They’re just a few maids; I would like to pick them personally.

I’m asking you to make the arrangements,” Jiang Li said, casually picking up a gold bracelet from a nearby box and sliding it onto the other’s wrist, smiling, “Can you do that?”

Can you do that?

The gleaming gold bracelet was now on Xiangqiao’s wrist, unlike the heavy red gold bracelet she was wearing.

This one, although finer and more delicate, seemed less substantial than the one she already had.

But Xiangqiao knew that this bracelet’s craftsmanship and pattern were actually worth more.

“Of course I can!” Xiangqiao nodded eagerly, her gaze sticking to the bracelet, unable to look away.

She had been with Lady Ji for many years, but Lady Ji was never as generous as this Second Miss from the countryside.

Xiangqiao couldn’t help but wonder if the Second Miss was unaware of the value of these ornaments to give them away so freely.

Before she could ponder further, Jiang Li smiled and said, “Then I’ll have to trouble Sister Xiangqiao with this now.”

With the gold bracelet in hand, Xiangqiao felt both nervous and excited, and immediately replied, “Your servant will surely take care of this matter for Second Miss.

Please just wait.” She then exited the room.

After Xiangqiao left, Tonger stood to the side.

Seeing her hesitating to speak, Jiang Li said, “Go ahead and say whatever is on your mind.”

“Miss, I do not understand,” Tonger said.

“Why are you so good to Xiangqiao, knowing full well she was sent by Lady Ji…

Maybe, are you trying to bribe her with this money?”

“Bribe?” Jiang Li shook her head.

“She’s a crafty and duplicitous person, who knows how to sail with the wind and is also greedy for money.

Such a person, even if bribed, could easily turn traitor.

I dare not attempt to bribe her.”

“Then why give her these jewels?

You must realize that even if she says she will help you choose maids now, there’s no guarantee she won’t tell Lady Ji in secret.

When the time comes, those sent over will have been chosen by Lady Ji.”

“I’m giving her a hard job to do, which also serves to give her a gift.”

“I do not understand,” Tonger said puzzled.

“Miss, our funds are not yet so plentiful that we can afford to be wasteful.”

Jiang Li almost burst into laughter at her maid’s jest, and said, “You see, I gave her jewelry, not silver.

Do you know why?”

“Why?” Tonger’s eyes widened.

“Of course, it’s for show,” Jiang Li laughed.

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting, to divide and conquer.

Tonger, sometimes, when someone gives you beautiful gems, precious jewelry, without requiring an equal price in return, you must be wary.

It might cost you far more in the end.”

Tonger stared at Jiang Li, bewildered.

She still didn’t understand the meaning of Jiang Li’s words but felt vaguely apprehensive.

After pondering for a while, she shook her head; Jiang Li was much wiser than she was.

Whatever Jiang Li deemed clear to see, she could certainly see as well.

If Jiang Li treated Xiangqiao this way, there must be a reason.

All she needed to do was follow suit.

“Let’s go out for a walk,” proposed Jiang Li.

“Now that we’re back home, we should familiarize ourselves with our own residence.”

“Great!” Tonger was overjoyed.

“I will accompany you.”

Jiang Li changed into another dress.

The new clothes had not yet arrived, and her stepmother, Ji Shuran, also had to be cautious in her actions, so she sent over some ready-made clothes that roughly fit Jiang Li’s size.

These garments looked luxurious, but compared to Jiang Youyao’s, their workmanship was much rougher, and they did not suit Jiang Li’s temperament at all.

Although Tonger liked fine fabrics, she also felt that these bright red and green clothes didn’t suit Jiang Li as much as plain colors did.

After much deliberation, she picked out a light green skirt for Jiang Li to wear.

At first glance, the skirt seemed like it was meant for a maid, as light green could easily look gaudy if not careful, but Jiang Li’s fair complexion and delicate frame surprisingly complemented it.

It brought out a dewy freshness about her that was uniquely appealing.

Tonger and Jiang Li had spent a long time in the temple, where they only bothered with simple hairstyles practical for work.

Back at the Jiang Residence, Tonger realized she only knew a few such styles, which would now be likely mocked at the Jiang Residence.

Before Tonger could decide how to style her hair, she saw Jiang Li, in front of the bronze mirror, gather her long black hair and skillfully twist it into a net bun with a few flicks of her hands.

Tonger’s eyes widened with surprise as she exclaimed, “Miss, how come you can…”

“I learned it before,” Jiang Li replied briefly.

During the time she pretended to be Xue Fangfei, newly wed to Shen Yurong, she had learned to style hair in order to ingratiate herself with her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Thinking of how young women loved to look pretty, she believed that doing their hair by hand would endear her to them.

Eventually, her ties with the Shen family were severed completely, yet the skill remained.

“Miss, you can do everything.

That’s really impressive.” Tonger mused, but then a question resurfaced, “However, why would you deliberately learn to do hair?

That’s something only servants do…”

Unfortunately, before she could receive an answer, Jiang Li stood up and left the room, and Tonger pushed the question out of her mind.

The Jiang Residence was vast.

Initially, Tonger was a sweeping maid in the large courtyard.

After Jiang Li caused Ji Shuran to miscarry, all the servants in Jiang Li’s quarters were either beaten or sold.

Before sending Jiang Li to Green City Mountain, Madam Jiang the Elder casually picked a young maid from the courtyard to accompany her, and this maid was Tonger.

Because she was too young when she left, Tonger was now quite unfamiliar with the current state of the Jiang Residence.

They had just left Fangfei Garden when they heard voices ahead.

Jiang Li stopped and looked up, only to see several people standing in a nearby pavilion, idly chatting.

Those people also noticed Jiang Li.

Their conversation ceased, and in the center stood a girl in a peach-red gold-threaded chiffon dress, her beauty resplendent and striking.

It was the third Miss of the Jiang Residence, Jiang Youyao.