Jiang Wanru heard Jiang Wanyans words with a hint of implication, and was surprised to slightly raise her head to look at her. She saw the complacency on her pretty face and the hidden resentment in her eyes. Jiang Wanru secretly sighed and lowered her head, and in that instant, she caught sight of the young woman surnamed Cui, seeing the excitement that couldnt be concealed in her eyes. Jiang Wanru stared at the gradually drying mud stains on her clothes, which seemed more obvious than she had imagined.

  Jiang Wanxis gaze was fixed on Jiyuan, and she didnt notice Jiang Wanyu at all. She only stared at Jiyuan, who looked like a small mouse, and her smile became even brighter. She kindly comforted and persuaded Jiyuan, saying: "Jiyuan, the Jiang family treats their servants well, everyone knows that. Just tell the truth." After she finished speaking, she gazed deeply at Jiang Wanyu, seeing her lowered head, and her expression became slightly calmer.

  Ji Yan raised her head to glance at her, and moved her small body further behind Jiang Wanru. Jiang Wanru saw this movement, and sparks flew in her eyes, but she didnt reveal it on her face. She continued smiling and said: "I really appreciate Ji Yans loyalty, but loyalty should be directed at the right person. Anyone with discerning eyes knows that even someone like Fourth Young Master of the Long Family is far superior to your familys young lady - one is a cloud in the sky, while the other is a lump of mud on the ground. Tell me the truth, and Ill let you go."

  Ji Yan glanced at the back of Jiang Wanruo, who was still standing like a wooden stake, and thought that although Jiang Wanruo usually didnt bother with her, she had never punished her before. Many of the heavy chores in the courtyard were done by herself, while Ji Yan only did some light sweeping. Ji Yans eyes narrowed slightly towards a green-clad maid behind Jiang Wanruo, and saw that she nodded slightly, and her body stopped shaking so much.

  Jiang Wanru listened to Jiang Wanyans words and saw that she was determined to find fault in herself from the muddy water mark on a piece of clothing, and insisted on embarrassing herself in front of Miss Cui. In her heart, she sighed, this is how talented people are cultivated in these grand mansions. Even at just ten years old, Second Miss already has such cunning, knowing exactly who to target to gain more benefits for herself within the mansion.

  Jiang Wanru didnt turn her head to look at Jiyu, although she was just a little maid, but she was a born daughter of the Jiang family and had more self-preservation ability than herself. She also unexpectedly looked behind Jiang Wanyin and saw the tension on the faces of the two maids in green and blue clothes, and saw them nodding encouragingly at Jiyu.

  "Miss, Jiyan is useless and only listens to the masters. Just now, Misss clothes were stained by the snow water splashed by the carriage wheel when Lian Fourth Young Master was leaving. Lian Young Master treats Miss well, he didnt push Miss away with his hand, he smiled and talked to Miss, and even gave a book to Miss. Just now, Lian Young Master told Miss to go back first, its because Miss wanted to see Lian Young Master off that she got splashed by the muddy water."

  After Ji Yan said this, she saw Jiang Wans ferocious expression on her face, and she was afraid to continue trembling with fear, lowering her head and completely hiding her body behind Jiang Wan. Jiang Wans face turned blue and red, she couldnt see Ji Yan, so she glared at Jiang Wan angrily and said: "Dont be too smug, you and Lian familys fourth young master are just engaged in name only. The days ahead are still long." Jiang Wan understood the malice in Jiang Wans tone.

  The Jiang familys marriage affairs have always been in order of seniority. Jiang Wan-yus older sister, Jiang Wan-yi, is now 13 years old and her marriage has not yet been decided. Since childhood, Jiang Wan-yi has been outstanding in both appearance and talent, inheriting the strengths of her parents. It is said that she is well-liked by her classmates at the imperial school. Many people have come to ask for her hand in marriage, but the Jiang family cannot bear to compromise on her behalf and are waiting for the most suitable person. Until her marriage is decided, the marriages of the younger women in the Jiang family cannot be settled.

  The marriage between Lianjias Fourth Master and Jiang Wanru, their two legitimate mothers could only agree verbally. Everything was still uncertain and they had to wait until the marriages of Jiang Wanyi and Jiang Wanyan were settled before discussing the formal engagement date for the other two. Jiang Wanru didnt even raise an eyebrow at Jiang Wanyans words. She had already secretly overheard the conversations of the lower-ranking servants, which were even more direct:

  "Everyone thinks that since Lian Siye has met San Niang twice, and hes all smiles and courtesy towards her, this marriage is a done deal. Alas, these young masters from noble families are all so skilled at putting on a show, theyre perfect at pretending to be courteous. If there was someone better suited, the Lian family would definitely regret this engagement."

  "Alas, Lian Siye is just too handsome..." Jiang Wanyu didnt need to hear the rest of the sentence.

  Jiang Wanxiang stared at Jiang Wanyu, seeing that she didnt move or change her expression, but the hidden fire in her eyes grew even more intense. Jiang Wanxiang had heard from the servants at home that Liang Jias Fourth Young Master had come to visit Jiang Wanyu twice, treating her with such meticulous care and consideration. It was said that each time he came over, he would also bring some small gifts for Jiang Wanyu. And as a result, her stepmother had even prepared new clothes for Jiang Wanyu ahead of time.

  Jiang Wanxiang is also a person who can hold her temper, and when she gets angry, she starts to laugh instead. She slightly turned her head and looked at the two figures walking away in the distance. Her eyes suddenly sparkled with amusement, and she pointed towards them, saying to Jiang Wanyu: "Third sister, look at those two people! On a snowy day like today, theyre still strolling around in the courtyard. Isnt it said that her body is weak? How can she have the energy to go out? Haha, or maybe she was originally going to come over and share some experiences with third sister, but Im here, blocking her plans."

  Jiang Wanru gazed past her hand and saw the two women walking away in the distance, constantly turning their heads back. Noticing the commotion on this side, the woman in the cotton-padded jacket stopped in her tracks. It was still the woman beside her in the coarse linen clothes who whispered a couple of sentences to her before pulling her away with force. Jiang Wanru quietly glanced at Jiang Wanyin, lifted her foot, and pushed aside a maid blocking her way, slowly passing by their side.

  Ji Yan closely followed Jiang Wanrus back as she walked forward. Her eyes were vigilantly watching the ground, for several times before, she had been tripped by Jiang Wanyins big feet from behind. After Ji Yan and Jiang Wanru walked a short distance away, they could still hear Jiang Wanyins cold mocking voice: "Her birth mother was good at snatching people in the past, her daughter is not good-looking, this snatching skill, it seems she also learned five or six parts of it. Hmph, even someone like Fourth Master, matched with such an unvirtuous and ugly woman, can there still be justice in this world?"

  Ji Yans face changed slightly as he heard the words, and he lightened his footsteps even more, following closely behind Jiang Wanru without stopping. In the snowy ground, two rows of footprints were left behind. The front row had evenly spaced steps with consistent depth. The back row had each step taken with careful lightness, and the distance between steps was irregular and unpredictable.