"I also think that Jiang Shangyun is not a good person, he is dark-hearted... Look at how brutally he treats the young maids in our chambers...
Even if he was standing up for Xu Yuqing and wanted to teach these young maids a lesson, he didn't need to be so ruthless. It's clear he's black-hearted."
Zhu Jiayi's wet nurse nodded in agreement, a look of indignation on her wrinkled old face.
Others also showed expressions of displeasure, including Huangfu Xuan and Huangfu Jing.
In fact, everyone in their household, old or young, master or servant, was dissatisfied with Jiang Shangyun's previous actions, but because Zheng Taifei had spoken, they couldn't openly express it.
"Eldest Young Madam, I actually think this matter with Jiang Shangyun cannot be let go just like that. Otherwise, he, and the second branch of the family, will think we are easy to bully," the wet nurse said.
Zhu Jiayi glanced at the wet nurse, frowned, a hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes, and after a long sigh, she said, "I've said this before. Grandmother has given her word, so we shouldn't dwell on it, and shouldn't think about retaliating against Jiang Shangyun or teaching him a lesson...
We also cannot make an enemy of the second branch of the family because of past events. Let bygones be bygones. We need to be united with the second branch and all the branches in the manor... We, the eldest branch, must have some magnanimity and breadth of spirit."
Previously, the wet nurse had privately told her that she must teach Jiang Shangyun a lesson and find an opportunity to punish him. But she felt it was unnecessary, and now the wet nurse brought it up again.
"Eldest Young Madam, you are kind and benevolent, and your heart is broad, but not everyone is like you... You wish to let bygones be bygones and be united with the second branch, but the second branch might not think that way," the wet nurse said.
"I'm afraid that if you don't let Xu Yuqing know your strength, she will continue to look down on you, bully you, and step all over our eldest branch."
Zhu Jiayi raised the outer edge of her right eyebrow and sighed again, "Wet nurse, you're overthinking... She won't. She wouldn't dare to cause trouble anymore!"
After being reprimanded by Grandmother like that before, and even being forced to take her sister-in-law's poison, having to rely on her sister-in-law's antidote to survive, how could she dare to cause trouble?
"Why are you so sure, Eldest Young Madam?" the wet nurse asked.
"There are some things you don't know," Zhu Jiayi replied.
The wet nurse asked curiously, "What things?"
"It's not convenient for me to say, so please don't ask," Zhu Jiayi waved her hand gently. "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore... Anyway, when we get to Jiang Shangyun's house, everyone be careful."
The people in the carriage nodded. One maid asked confusedly, "Eldest Young Madam, since you're worried and don't want to go to Jiang Shangyun's house, why didn't you object when Old Madam and Eldest Young Lady agreed earlier?"
"Old Madam and Yue'er agreed because they have their own considerations. It wouldn't be right for me to object," Zhu Jiayi replied.
The wet nurse nodded beside her, echoing, "Old Madam and Eldest Young Lady are both extremely shrewd people. They think more thoroughly than we do. Since they agreed, they must have their own considerations."
"I have two things to say, and I don't know if I should say them," Zhi Shuang, who had been injured by Jiang Shangyun earlier but had recovered thanks to Huangfu Yue's treatment, suddenly interjected.
Everyone in the carriage immediately looked at Zhi Shuang. Zhu Jiayi said, "What is it? Speak."
"I feel that Jiang Shangyun has ill intentions... He seems to have ulterior motives towards the Second Young Madam, and has been deliberately showering her with excessive attention," Zhi Shuang said.
"I say this not because I was beaten by Jiang Shangyun before and harbor resentment, deliberately slandering and wrongly accusing him," Zhi Shuang quickly clarified, fearing her mistress would suspect her of having ulterior motives.
"Eldest Young Madam, I also feel that Jiang Shangyun has wicked intentions towards the Second Young Madam. His excessive attentiveness towards her is purely a show of excessive devotion...
As the saying goes, unsolicited favors often hide malicious intent... What's even worse is that the Second Young Madam has no defenses and seems to be very pleased with Jiang Shangyun's excessive attentiveness towards her," the wet nurse spoke again.
"Actually, I've also noticed that," Zhu Jiayi unexpectedly nodded. "We can all see it. How could Old Madam and Yue'er, such shrewd people, not see it? I believe they have their own plans, so we should just wait and see."
After the others nodded, Zhu Jiayi looked at her children sitting beside her and gently instructed, "When we arrive at the Jiang residence, you must not wander around. Tell us wherever you go, and have someone accompany you."
The two children immediately nodded obediently and said in unison, "We understand."
After a little more than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Jiang Shangyun's voice came from the front...
"You've all arrived. Please stop the carriages."
Huangfu Yue and the others driving the carriages immediately stopped them. Huangfu Yue's gaze followed Jiang Shangyun. She saw him get out of the carriage and walk towards a mansion with a plaque that read "Jiang Residence."
From the outside, it was evident that the mansion was luxurious. Two young servants stood in front of the vermilion main gate of the residence.
The gatekeepers looked surprised and delighted to see Jiang Shangyun and quickly ran towards him.
"Young Master, you're back!"
"Young Master, why didn't you send a letter in advance to let us know you were returning so we could come out of the city to pick you up," one of the young servants said after greeting Jiang Shangyun.
Jiang Shangyun smiled and asked, "Are my father and mother at home?"
The two young servants shook their heads. One replied, "Master went to see his goods early this morning and hasn't returned yet. We don't know when he'll be back...
Madam also went out early this morning, saying she was going to burn incense at a temple with some of her lady friends and wouldn't return until evening, planning to stay at the temple for the whole day."
"Quickly go and summon all the servants in the manor to welcome our distinguished guests," Jiang Shangyun instructed the two young servants.
The two young servants immediately looked at the carriage procession behind Jiang Shangyun, and then at Huangfu Yue and the others, asking, "Young Master, who are they?"
"Don't ask too many questions. Hurry and summon all the servants in the manor to welcome our distinguished guests," Jiang Shangyun waved his hand.
The two young servants dared not ask further questions and quickly nodded together, "Yes."
After watching the two young servants run into the gate, Jiang Shangyun turned back to the carriage procession. People from the carriages were steadily alighting.
"Your residence looks quite nice from the outside. It must be very large inside, right?" Xu Yuqing was observing the Jiang residence when she saw Jiang Shangyun walking over and spoke.
"It is quite large, but compared to the house you previously lived in, Second Young Madam, it's probably a little smaller. Please don't mind it," Jiang Shangyun said with a smile.
Before Xu Yuqing could reply, Jiang Shangyun walked towards the back. He saw Huangfu Yue go to Zheng Taifei's carriage and help Zheng Taifei alight.
Xu Yuqing's gaze followed Jiang Shangyun, looking towards Zheng Taifei and the grandmother and granddaughter pair, Huangfu Yue.
"Old Madam, Eldest Young Lady, I have already instructed the gatekeepers to summon all the household servants to welcome you. Please wait," Jiang Shangyun said after approaching Zheng Taifei and Huangfu Yue and bowing respectfully.