The Double-Chapter 385 - 132 The Truth_3

Ming Yue and Qingfeng, bundled up in thick cotton-padded jackets, were busy gathering the broken branches from the courtyard. Jiang Li looked out the window and Tonger said, "Miss, the snowstorm is so severe today, perhaps we should not go to the Ye Family."

With the snowstorm raging, apart from the common folk who had no choice but to toil, most of the wealthy could stay comfortably inside without venturing out, as it was terribly cold. Although the charcoal fire blazed vigorously indoors and Jiang Li kept a hand warmer, standing by the courtyard entrance, she still felt the piercing cold.

"We cannot but go," Jiang Li said as she looked at the sky, "However, it is indeed inconvenient to leave now. Let’s wait until the snow lessens in the afternoon before we go."

Resigned, Tonger bowed her head. Jiang Li’s response was completely within her expectations. No matter the weather, Jiang Li always insisted on visiting Huaiyuan. Sometimes she truly didn’t understand; even if their young mistress had a kind heart, there were others to look after County Magistrate Xue. Why couldn’t she let go?

As she pondered, Bai Xue came in from outside and said, "Miss, Maternal Aunt Hu has arrived."

"Maternal Aunt Hu?" Tonger was taken aback.

Yet Jiang Li did not seem surprised at all, and with a slight smile, she said, "Quicker than I expected. Tonger, go pour some tea. Bai Xue, please invite Maternal Aunt Hu inside."

When Maternal Aunt Hu arrived, she was still accompanied by the same maid as on the previous day. It seemed she had only this one maid, after all she might hold the title of an aunt in name, but hardly anyone in the household remembered her.

Maternal Aunt Hu and her maid entered Jiang Li’s room.

The indoors seemed like a different world from the outdoors, and both Maternal Aunt Hu and her maid likely hadn’t felt such warmth for a long time. Jiang Li clearly saw the maid instinctively draw closer to the edge of the charcoal fire, greedily soaking in the warmth of the room.

Jiang Li sighed inwardly; in the cold winter, these two only wore thin cotton clothes. It was hard to imagine in a large family like the Jiang Residence, where even the servants had winter clothing, that these two lived in such destitution. Although Madam Jiang the Elder intended to help Maternal Aunt Hu, the household affairs were ultimately in the hands of Lady Ji, and Madam Jiang the Elder could not manage every detail. The plight of Maternal Aunt Hu and her maid, if not with Lady Ji’s tacit approval, was something Jiang Li could not believe.

"It’s cold outside, Maternal Aunt Hu, have some hot tea," Jiang Li pushed the teacup a bit closer to Maternal Aunt Hu.

Maternal Aunt Hu took the cup and took a sip, seemingly regaining some warmth as a hint of color returned to her pale face. She said, "Second Miss, I am here today to answer the question you asked me yesterday."

Jiang Li smiled; Maternal Aunt Hu was a clever person. Not answering immediately yesterday was simply weighing pros and cons. But by today, she quickly made a decision, clearly a smart person indeed.

"No rush," Jiang Li smiled, "I have already said, whenever Maternal Aunt Hu wishes to speak, she may. There’s no need to hurry, I will not pressure you."

"Second Miss has a Bodhisattva’s heart and naturally wouldn’t force me, but in my opinion, the fierce battle between you and Lady Ji is about to start soon. I have irreconcilable enmity with Lady Ji and will naturally side with you. So, today I am here precisely to declare my allegiance to you," she said, "I am willing to lend you a helping hand."

"Lend me a helping hand?" Jiang Li smiled, "Maternal Aunt Hu need not speak of it so nobly, lending me a helping hand or using others to eliminate enemies is but the same thing expressed differently. Moreover, helping me, is that not the same as helping yourself?"

Maternal Aunt Hu looked at Jiang Li for a long while, then suddenly laughed. Her laughter revealed a certain grace and gentleness. She said, "Second Miss and your mother, you are truly different."

The "lady" she mentioned was naturally referring to Ye Zhenzhen.

Jiang Li smiled indifferently, "I didn’t spend much time with my mother, and I only know what kind of person she was from others. I heard you were close to my mother, you probably know."

"Your mother was a good person," said Maternal Aunt Hu softly. freewebnσvel.cøm

"Because my mother could tolerate the presence of your elder sister, while Lady Ji could not," Jiang Li remarked.

With that, silence fell in the room, and Tonger and Bai Xue dared not even breathe too loudly, quietly standing behind Jiang Li.

"Second Miss, you’re too bold," Maternal Aunt Hu said, "Aren’t you afraid your father will hear of these words?"

"Maternal Aunt Hu thinks too highly of my father’s keenness," Jiang Li replied calmly, "If he truly saw everything and heard everything, there wouldn’t be so many foolish affairs in this residence."