Chapter 39 Part 1: Teaching
It was unknown whetherit was due to old madam Jiang’s interference, but Ji Shuran didn’t say a word when Jiang Li selected the new servant girls. Throughout the whole selection, old madam Jiang’s servant girls, Zhen Zhu and Fei Cui, were the ones to accompany Jiang Li. Naturally, Jiang Li understood that probably Ji Shuran would soon hear which new servant girls she had picked.
But for the time being, Ji Shuran was unable to get involved in Fang Fei Garden’s reorganization.
These days, the Jiang residence was temporarily harmonious.
In the Warm and Graceful Courtyard, Ji Shuran took off Jiang Yuan Bai’s robe under his slightly knitted brows.
Although Jiang Yuan Bai was the chief a.s.sistant of the court, his backyard could be considered much more peaceful compared to his colleagues. Before, when Ye Zhen Zhen was still around, there were only two tongfangs that old madam Jiang sent to him. Later Ye Zhen Zhen died from illness and one of the concubines also pa.s.sed away early from excessive worries due to the death of her daughter. When Ji Shuran entered the door, there was only one tongfang left in the main room of Jiang residence.
This tongfang used to be old madam Jiang’s personal servant girl. Her temperament was steady and she didn’t rush to fight, she was almost like a decoration in the Jiang residence. After Ji Shuran entered the door, she took the initiative to lift the tongfang to become a concubine. Concubine Zhou never had children, after Ji Shuran entered the door, she steadied her thoughts and actively attended to Ji Shuran, resembling more like a person under her.
As a result, in the entire backyard, Ji Shuran’s position couldn’t be shaken.
Old madam Jiang said a few words before about the lack of heir in Jiang Yuan Bai’s branch. But when the 8-years-old Jiang Li pushed Ji Shuran and caused her to miscarry, Ji Shuran didn’t just not argue about it, instead, she pleaded for Jiang Li. This made old madam Jiang feel apologetic towards Ji Shuran. Later on when Ji Shuran birthed Jiang Bing Ji, old madam Jiang no longer said anything.
After all, as the chief a.s.sistant in court, there were many eyes watching Jiang Yuan Bai’s every word and action. Many heirs in the backyard also implied complicated relationships among the people. Having numerous concubines didn’t necessarily mean a good thing. As long as there was a male in the main branch, other things could be overlooked.
Ji Shuran had the tacit approval of old madam Jiang. Jiang Yuan Bai doted her excessively, it was like a fish in water. His own pair of daughter and son were also extremely doted on. For so many years, among the sisters-in-law, no need to mention Yang shi, even Lu shi had to lower her head to him.
But all of these were broken by Jiang Li’s return. It had not been a month since Jiang Li’s return to the residence yet Ji Shuran had eaten several losses in a row. This time, even old madam Jiang who had always been lenient to her was angry. Ji Shuran’s mind was also aggravated.
Ji Shuran replaced Jiang Yuan Bai’s outer robe and put it away properly and handed a cup of herbal tea to Jiang Yuan Bai. Then she asked in a soft voice: “Why is master frowning? Is there something in your mind?”
Jiang Yuan Bai raised his head and looked at her.
Ji Shuran was born with an exquisite appearance, different from Ye Zhen Zhen’s simple and wholesome look. Ji Shuran was more like the bright and elegant court lady of a literary family. Her every word and action was picturesque, making others feel she was proper and appropriate. Jiang Yuan Bai swept his eyes on Ji Shuran’s fingers, delicate like green onions with pointed fingers which were somewhat bruised. In the basket on the side table, there was an unfinished needlework.
Ji Shuran was making clothes for him.
Jiang Yuan Bai’s heart softened. The annoyance towards Ji Shuran in these several days disappeared like smoke. He pulled Ji Shuran’s hand and reproached her: “Why are you hurt? You can ask the servants to do these things.”
Ji Shuran smiled: “Master has forgotten, this concubine never handed master’s personal clothing to others.”
Jiang Yuan Bai looked at her shy and gentle smile, thinking how these days he treated Ji Shuran coldly due to the accident during the birthday ceremony. Jiang Yuan Bai felt a twinge of guilt in his heart and spoke: “It’s been hard on you.”
“This concubine doesn’t feel it’s hard. Master is the one who is truly working hard.” Ji Shuran said.