Jiang Wanru's face showed a look of astonishment after hearing her mother's words, and then she suddenly woke up as if she had realized something. The Jiang family was a renowned family, but from what her mother said, it seemed that their own marriage arrangement was somewhat like the Jiang family reaching out to others. She turned to think calmly, fearing that this marriage arrangement might be hiding some secrets, and wouldn't be as beautiful as it appeared on the surface.

  Jiang Wanru's heart sank, her face turned pale. If it was the Jiang family who had high hopes for their daughter and had already arranged a marriage with such an infamous stupid girl, one could imagine how bleak her future would be. From what she heard, both families had already discussed everything thoroughly, even the wedding date seemed to have been set. Now, only she, the person involved, was still in a daze.

  Ji Yan's small face revealed an incredulous expression for the first time, and she felt the majesty of a high-ranking family for the first time. Jiang Wanmu looked up at Ji Yan with a bitter melon-like expression and listened to her somewhat disbelieving inquiry: "Mother, I heard that Miss is marrying into a high-ranking family like the Jiang family, but this news, coming from Mother's mouth, sounds like Miss is marrying an exceptionally high-ranking family. Mother, have you carefully inquired about which family Miss has promised to marry?"

  Miss Ji heard the words, and a look of surprise also appeared on her face. She looked at Jiang Wanru, who was pale and calm, then looked at Ji Yan's bitter melon face and asked: "Madam, didn't she send someone to discuss this marriage with Miss?" Jiang Wanru nodded slightly, and Ji Yan nodded vigorously, saying: "When Little Madam Jiang came, Miss wasn't in the courtyard. She told me that Miss had promised a good family, a high-ranking household. At that time, I only remembered to be happy for Miss and didn't ask more questions."

  After hearing these words, her expression changed slightly and she fell into deep thought. She glanced at the still open courtyard door and said to Jiyuan: "You go close the courtyard door first and see if there's anyone coming from outside?" Jiyuan heard this and hastily ran out, soon after closing the courtyard door, she came back and nodded to her mother.

  Miss Jiang, please have your meal first. Let me think carefully about how to talk to you." Jiang Wanru looked up at her and said, "Ji Yan, come over and sit down, let's have a meal together." Jiang Wanru and Ji Yan started eating, while Ji Yan's mother sat in a place far away from the table, with her back facing them, her eyes fixed on the door outside.

  Jiang Wanru and Jiyu hastily finished their meal, then started cleaning up the table. Jiyu's mother woke up to the commotion and came over to help with the cleaning. After wiping down the table, Jiyu went into another room, brought out three clean bowls, and carried in a large water jug, pouring well water into each of the three bowls.

  Jiang Wanru and Ji Yan's mother sat down at the table, with Ji Yan standing beside them. At Jiang Wanru's gesture, she sat down next to her mother. Ji Yan's mother looked at Jiang Wanru and said in a low voice: "I and Ji Yan's father had originally hoped that our children would be able to live a stable life relying on the Jiang family. When Ji Yan was born, her father was extremely happy and told me 'The Jiang family generally treats their servants well, we are the Jiang family's own children. When Ji Yan grows up, all we hope for is that she will be content and at that time we will ask our master for a favor, to arrange a good marriage for her.'"

  Ji Yan's mother's face showed the same disbelieving expression she had when she first heard the news. The side of Third Miss Jiang was a place that the Jiang family servants absolutely could not go to.

  Ji Yan's mother said, thinking of the sourness in her heart at that time, and couldn't help but wipe away tears with her sleeve. After calming down, she looked up at Jiang Wanru, who was listening quietly, and saw her calm expression. She thought for a moment before continuing: "Her father and brother are rough men, so they think about coming to help Miss fetch water every morning and doing the heavy chores in the yard. Miss can read this goodness, and will treat Ji Yan better in the future. When Ji Yan returns from the madam's courtyard to Miss's side, we still don't put our minds at ease because of her young age."

  I take the opportunity to come and check on her every day when I deliver food. Miss, all these years, our family has been grateful to you. You used your method to protect Jiyuan's safety. You were willing to bear the evil name yourself, so that Jiyuan could be safe outside without many people noticing her. Actually, from the day Jiyuan came to your side, our whole family was in the same boat as you, Miss. Jiyuan's father and brother asked me to tell you 'if there is anything, just give an order. They will do their best to do it.'

  Jiang Wan looked at her mother, Ji Yan, who had a confident expression. She reached out and pressed her temples on both sides, speaking in a soft voice: "The Jiang family won't help me arrange a good marriage. If this marriage is a high match for the Jiang family, then my life after marrying into their household will be very difficult. Ji Yan has been by my side for several years, I'll have to bring her with me when I get married. You all can still take another path. Besides, I don't know how the madam will arrange people around me in the future."

  Miss Jiang, our family is willing to follow you out of the Jiang family. No matter what happens in the future, as long as we are together as a family, that's all that matters." Jiang Wanru heard this and only let out a soft sigh, saying: "Let me think about this some more. What I want to know now is, what happened today? Something that made everyone misunderstand that I have a good marriage prospect?"

  Ji Yan's maid smiled and whispered, "Today, two families sent matchmakers to propose to the young ladies. Since both were official matchmakers, we servants couldn't immediately get accurate information. However, when someone from the mistress' quarters came over to deliver the menu, she casually mentioned that the marriages of Third Miss and Fourth Miss have been arranged. Third Miss is engaged to a prominent family. She also said that Third Miss's marriage will take place within these two days, or at the latest, by the end of next year."

  Jiang Wanru nodded slightly and said, "Thank you for reminding me about this matter. You don't need to go ask around for now, I'll think about it later when the engagement is decided." Ji Yan saw the fatigue in Jiang Wanru's eyes and pushed her gently, saying, "Mother, I have some needlework to ask you about, come with me to my room." Ji Yan's mother stood up and picked up the food box from the table.

  Jiang Wan sat by the window, sipping water. After Ji Yan and her mother left, she gently closed the door to her room. As soon as the door was closed, Jiang Wan put down the bowl in her hand and immediately fell onto the table, weakly closing her eyes. The engagement that seemed so natural must be hiding something.

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