The Double-Chapter 23 - 21 Eldest Male Cousin

23: Chapter 21 Eldest Male Cousin

23 -21 Eldest Male Cousin

In the pavilion sat three people whom Jiang Li had just seen yesterday.

By Jiang Youyao’s side were two daughters of a concubine from the third branch.

By Jiang Youyao’s side, two maids were fanning her.

The Jiang Residence was cooler than outside, and in the morning, it was not too hot even when walking outside.

On the table were some candied frosted fruit curd.

Jiang Yuyan and Jiang Yue sat on either side of Jiang Youyao, like stars surrounding the moon.

Upon seeing Jiang Li, Jiang Youyao didn’t initiate a greeting.

Instead, Jiang Yuyan beside her hesitated for a moment before timidly calling out, “Second Sister.”

In the Jiang Family, Jiang Li’s place was second.

Jiang Yuanbai had been married to Ye Zhenzhen for three years without children, but a chambermaid by his side had become pregnant before any heirs.

According to the rules, this child should not have been born.

However, Ye Zhenzhen, with a soft heart, couldn’t bear to cause the death of two beings, so the child was born.

The year after the child was born, Jiang Li arrived, and the chambermaid consequently rose in status as a concubine.

Jiang Li heard from Tonger that this concubine was a decent and honest person, formerly a maid under Madam Jiang the Elder. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

She was unassuming and uncompetitive, but her fate was still unfortunate.

When Jiang Li was three years old, two years after Ji Shuran entered the family, the Jiang family’s eldest daughter fell from a rockery in the garden and died.

The concubine, having lost her daughter, grieved day and night, and afterwards kept to herself, rarely appearing in front of others.

Jiang Li responded with a nod to Jiang Yuyan and returned the greeting, “Fourth Sister.”

Jiang Yuyan looked average and seemed quite timid, so when Jiang Li actually nodded at her, she was extremely surprised, and quickly lowered her head, as if fearful of something.

Jiang Yue, on the other hand, stared at Jiang Li, and suddenly burst into laughter, saying, “Having not seen you for years, Second Sister seems much more amicable.

No wonder they say the Family Temple refines one’s character.”

With her smile, she exuded a delicate and vulnerable charm, yet her words were piercing.

A trace of contempt flashed in Jiang Youyao’s eyes upon hearing this.

Jiang Li understood.

The two daughters of a concubine from the third branch probably fawned over Jiang Youyao due to their status.

Jiang Youyao used them as pawns to inconvenience her.

Jiang Li smiled faintly and replied, “The Family Temple indeed refines one’s character.

Fifth Sister need not feel sorry.

Who knows, you might have the opportunity to experience it someday.

There’s plenty of time ahead.”

“Who wants to experience…” Jiang Yue, flustered, was about to retort when Jiang Youyao, who had been silent, pulled on her sleeve.

Jiang Li looked towards Jiang Youyao.

The biological daughter of Ji Shuran indeed resembled her mother closely, beautiful and delicate, with an oval face, a dainty nose, cherry lips, almond eyes, and rosy cheeks.

Probably pampered with luxurious care in the Chief Minister’s Residence, she looked tender and delicate, dressed in a peach pink gauze skirt, like the most precious gem in the Auspicious Building, evidently not ordinary.

She was born to be cherished in the palm of one’s hand, her jade-like feet never having to touch the dirt.

When she raised her eyebrows, she was full of enchanting charm.

Unlike Xue Fangfei’s stunning beauty, Jiang Youyao’s beauty was that of a blossoming young girl, fresh and innocent.

Honestly, with such beauty, it’s no wonder she’s adored.

Jiang Yuanbai, being the Grand Secretary, naturally cherished this daughter even more.

Jiang Youyao was also observing Jiang Li.

When Jiang Li had left, she was only seven years old.

Eight years had passed, and Jiang Youyao could barely remember what Jiang Li looked like.

In her mind, having spent eight years in the temple, Jiang Li should be cautious and trampled upon, devoid of pride and dignity, merely a despicable woman overlooked by everyone.

However, eight years later, on the first day that Jiang Li returned to the Jiang Residence, she fiercely put both herself and her mother in their place at the gate.

Jiang Li’s pride had not been worn away; instead, it hid in a deeper, more restrained manner.

This did not bode well; it made Jiang Li more cunning and deceitful.

Jiang Youyao scrutinized Jiang Li from head to toe once more and hated to find that, even though Jiang Li’s attire was less exquisite than her own, she was not outdone.

That pure, ethereal quality she had was more like the type of person her father, Jiang Yuanbai, favored most.

Clutching the handkerchief in her hand more tightly, Jiang Youyao took a deep breath and was the first to show a smile, saying, “Second Sister.” Ji Shuran had warned her that at this junction in the Jiang Residence, in front of outsiders, she must never show animosity towards Jiang Li.

“Third Sister,” Jiang Li also said with a smile.

Unlike Jiang Youyao’s forced smile, Jiang Li’s was natural and genuine, leaving no one doubting her friendliness at the moment.

Jiang Youyao felt incredibly disgusted as she suddenly asked, “Second Sister has reached the age of maturity, right?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Youyao flashed a smile, “In a few days, I too will have my coming of age ceremony.

Second Sister, you must not forget to give your sister a present.”

Jiang Li was taken aback and replied, “Is that so?

Since Third Sister is about to have her ceremony, I will certainly present a congratulatory gift.”

“That’s good to hear.

I’ve been told by Grandmother that many people have been invited to attend that day.

It will be a good opportunity for Second Sister, who has just returned to the capital, to meet new people, and you might even encounter acquaintances,” she said with a profound meaning.

Jiang Li paid no heed to the implication behind Jiang Youyao’s words, nor did she care about Jiang Yue’s mocking smile, she was just thinking about how Miss Jiang the Second had her coming of age ceremony all alone on Green City Mountain, forgotten by everyone.

Meanwhile, a grand affair was being prepared for Miss Jiang the Third’s ceremony.

Both were legitimate daughters of the Jiang Family, yet the difference was far too great.

With this thought, she felt some sympathy for the late Miss Jiang the Second.

At least Xue Fangfei had never experienced the taste of being neglected by her relatives.

Finding it somewhat dull, she turned around and walked in a different direction with Tonger, not expecting that just two steps later, she would nearly run into someone.

“Do you not have eyes when you walk?” the person said gruffly.

“It was you who ran into my lady first!” Tonger couldn’t help arguing.

“Since when do servants have the right to speak up like this?” The voice grew angrier, but upon turning around, it paused and said, “Jiang Li?”

The youth she faced was about the same age as Jiang Li, with slightly dark skin, also handsome in appearance.

It was Jiang Jingrui, born to Lady Lu from the second branch of the family.

The two young masters from the second branch both resembled their parents.

The older, Jiang Jingyou, looked like Jiang Yuanping with his chubby, smiling face.

The younger, Jiang Jingrui, took after Lady Lu, more handsome and with a worse temper.

Right now, Jiang Jingrui was carrying a palm-sized bamboo cage with the chirping of crickets coming from within, indicating that he had been amusing himself with crickets outside.

His clothes were disheveled, his forehead sweaty, and his demeanor brash and arrogant—the very picture of a spoiled young master.

Upon seeing Jiang Li, he did not show strong hostility like Jiang Youyao, nor did he avoid her like Jiang Yuyan.

His attitude seemed rather familiar.

Jiang Li considered carefully before replying softly, “Cousin.”

At this, Jiang Jingrui seemed startled and took a large step back, with a look of disgust on his face, he retorted, “What are you babbling about?”

Jiang Li maintained a smiling face but was inwardly anxious.

Jiang Jingyou was a year older than Jiang Li, but Jiang Jingrui was only about ten days her senior.

She had no idea how the former Second Miss had addressed Jiang Jingrui.

Before Jiang Li could think of what else to say, Jiang Jingrui looked at her again and suddenly spat out, “What’s with your appearance now?”

Now?

This appearance?

Jiang Li was puzzled.

Then what was she like before?