Chapter 64: Jiang Chengyan, Your Whole Family Is Out of Their Minds!

“Girl, there are dried persimmons for sale at the market today. Do you want some?” Madam Zhao asked cheerfully, her usually stern face glowing with maternal tenderness, so much so that Jiang Yuan, who was quietly following behind, was stunned.

Was it possible that such a formidable aunt could also be gentle?

“I do, I do!” Bai Yan nodded enthusiastically. Jiang Chengyan sighed, resigned to carrying her on his back as he followed Madam Zhao.

As the three walked far ahead, Jiang Yuan tasted a hint of blood in her mouth. Why was it that both she and her cousin were girls, yet her aunt cherished her own daughter so much, while her own family treated her with such indifference, blaming her for not bearing a son?

How had she ended up being a curse to Madam Qian?

The more Jiang Yuan thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt, and soon she fell behind, clutching a cheap fish in her hand, wandering aimlessly with the crowd.

At last, she slipped away from the throng, taking the winding path back to Xitang Village.

“Oh, Second Miss Jiang, what did you buy? Rouge and powder? Are you really trying to be a lady?”

“Jiang Cheng’an, it’s been over a month and you’re still acting like a girl. If Dongliang sees you, he’ll surely give you a thrashing.”

“Exactly! What’s a man doing with makeup? I bet all that rouge and powder is for your mother, that tigress!”

Jiang Yuan quickly hid herself in the bushes, listening in astonishment to the conversation outside, watching as the others kicked Jiang Cheng’an.

Jiang Cheng’an shielded the cosmetics in his arms; though he took a few kicks, he didn’t suffer quietly this time. Brandishing a dead branch, he struck back a few times, then hurriedly slipped away through the woods.

Jiang Yuan stayed hidden among the trees until all was quiet outside, then emerged with a complicated expression.

...

In Xitang Village,

Jiang Chengyan set down his bundles and went to Madam Zhao’s home to find Bai Yan.

That little traitor—she’d been lured away by a bag of persimmons.

In the Jiang family courtyard,

Bai Yan was puffing her cheeks, nibbling on dried persimmons, while Madam Zhao tended the fire, preparing to cook some canned fruit. Last winter, she’d preserved yellow peaches, but now with the weather warming, the peaches wouldn’t keep much longer, so she planned to make preserves for Bai Yan.

“Second daughter-in-law, are you planning to stay in the village permanently?” Suddenly, a lively commotion came from the street, prompting Bai Yan to sneak over and peek outside.

On the main road, Madam Qian was surrounded by villagers, everyone curious and asking questions.

Madam Qian looked a bit uneasy, but quickly smiled, “Yes, we’ll be living here for a while. Being away, I always miss home. As for the business in Linxian, Jiang You found someone trustworthy to manage it, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

When she said this, a chorus of envy rose among the women nearby.

Just look at her—a genuine lady of wealth.

...

Zhao Ninth was walking down the street with a rabbit in hand when he overheard Madam Qian. He snorted inwardly. Others didn’t know, but he was well aware that Jiang You’s family had returned only because of bankruptcy. As for that master, he was the one who’d hired someone to manage the business, preferring to stay in this mountain village and farm mushrooms with his wife.

Speak of the devil, and the devil arrives.

Jiang Chengyan strode over, but just as he reached the Jiang family’s gate, a figure in green darted toward Zhao Ninth.

Zhao Ninth stared, bewildered, as his young sister-in-law, full of anger, reached out and demanded in a fierce, childlike voice, “Give me the rabbit!”

The rabbit was still alive, though its leg was injured. Bai Yan glared at Zhao Ninth with ferocity.

“Give it to her,” Jiang Chengyan said, standing behind Bai Yan, making her feel bolder.

Zhao Ninth tossed the rabbit to Jiang Chengyan with undisguised distaste.

“Oh my, the rabbit’s leg is hurt? Bring it in quickly, let’s wrap it up,” Madam Zhao called out when she saw what was happening.

Zhao Ninth looked at the family... and muttered under his breath, “None of them are normal!”