In the end, Jiang Mingrui and Jin Huifang were punished. After Old Master Jiang's grand birthday celebration, they were to leave the Jiang household and spend three months at the Tranquil Reflection Manor at the foot of White Cloud Temple.
Lu Xueying had returned this time to congratulate Old Master Jiang on his sixtieth birthday.
Jiang Mingde, unable to make it back in time, had his wife Lu Xueyang bring their children to fulfill his filial duties in his stead.
Jin Huifang was stripped of all her housekeeping authority.
Zhuang Meixue, citing her poor health, handed over part of her managerial responsibilities to Bai Xiuxiu.
Bai Xiuxiu eagerly took charge of the main kitchen—a position known for its lucrative perks.
As for Ye Yunniang’s wet nurse meals, what was once five dishes and a soup had now been reduced to three dishes and a watered-down soup.
And this was only because Chef Jin, Chunyao’s husband, had intervened.
After the meal, Ye Yunniang went to the small study to attend her lessons and informed Kong Ci that she would be leaving the Jiang residence for three months.
Upon hearing this, Kong Ci stopped teaching her The Hundred Family Surnames and switched to The Three Character Classic. He no longer checked her handwriting, focusing only on helping her recognize characters.
The lesson lasted from afternoon until evening.
Ye Yunniang expressed her gratitude, shouldered her book bag, and left, returning to Zhiyu Pavilion. After dinner, she retreated to her room to practice calligraphy.
She ground the ink, dipped the brush, scraped off the excess, and began writing.
"Your wrist posture is wrong," a voice spoke from behind her. A large hand enveloped hers, correcting her grip and even guiding her strokes.
At first, Ye Yunniang was tense.
But she soon relaxed, immersing herself in Jiang Mingzhe’s instruction.
Once she finished a page of characters, Jiang Mingzhe released her hand, letting her practice on her own.
Yet his gaze remained fixed on her, making it impossible for her to relax. She finally set down her brush.
Approaching the table, she poured a cup of plain water and handed it to Jiang Mingzhe. "Second Master, have some water."
Jiang Mingzhe glanced at the cup. "Just plain water for me?"
"I’m nursing, so I can only drink plain water," Ye Yunniang explained.
Jiang Mingzhe took the cup, sipped, and found it bland yet essential.
"Second Master, why have you come?" He had promised to visit less often—yet here he was again after just a few days.
Remembering Zhuang Meixue’s venomous words in the garden, Ye Yunniang couldn’t suppress a shudder.
Jiang Mingzhe pulled her into his arms. "Scared again?"
If she weren’t powerless against him, Ye Yunniang would have rolled her eyes. What a pointless question.
"Tell me exactly what happened in the garden."
Ye Yunniang recounted the incident, including Zhuang Meixue’s whispered remark: "What a shame we couldn’t sell Jiang Tingjun."
At the time, Ye Yunniang had been holding Jiang Tingjun and standing closest to Jin Huifang, so she heard it clearly.
Her fear of Zhuang Meixue deepened.
"It’s no wonder the mistress was angry. A mother’s greatest fear is her child coming to harm. If someone ever did that to Pan’er—pah, pah, pah!" Ye Yunniang spat out a series of pahs and clasped her hands, murmuring, "Bad words don’t come true. What I just said was bad—none of it will happen. May the Bodhisattva protect Pan’er, keeping him safe and healthy as he grows."
She kept murmuring prayers, terrified that any misfortune might befall her son.
Jiang Mingzhe’s mood soured as he listened to her incessant fretting over another man’s child. His lips descended on hers.
The aggressive kiss left Ye Yunniang breathless, her limbs weak.
Before she could be stripped bare, she gasped and pushed against him. "Second Master, I have to tend to the young master tomorrow." Can we stop here?
But if Jiang Mingzhe ever listened, he wouldn’t be himself.
"Don’t worry, you’ll definitely wake up in time tomorrow." His reassurance made Ye Yunniang relax.
Soon, however, she regretted her naivety—she only woke up on time because she hadn’t slept at all.
Dawn had barely broken when Jiang Mingzhe finally released her, reluctant to let go of the sweet, docile wet nurse who left him craving more.
After slipping out through the window, Jiang Mingzhe left Ye Yunniang exhausted but afraid to oversleep. She forced herself up, opening doors and windows to air out the room.
She changed the soiled bedding, noticing a pair of smooth, lustrous white jade bracelets tucked beneath the pillow.
Ye Yunniang stored them deep in her cabinet before continuing her chores.
Nanny Shi stood at the door. "Let me handle that."
"Thank you, Nanny." Ye Yunniang handed her the dirty linens.
Li’er arrived with breakfast while Ye Yunniang recited texts in the corridor.
"Sister, you’re up early today."
"Yes. What did the main kitchen prepare?" Ye Yunniang deflected, uneasy.
Li’er, oblivious, listed the dishes: "Multigrain porridge, steamed buns, spring rolls, egg pancakes, and crisp pickles."
"Just hearing that makes me hungry." Ye Yunniang followed Li’er inside to eat.
After the meal, she went to Fanghua Courtyard to relieve Chunyao and tend to the young master.
Soon, the day of the grand celebration arrived.
As the wealthiest family in Jiangcheng, the Jiangs hosted an extravagant all-day banquet, open to all without gifts required. The entire city buzzed with excitement.
Old Master Jiang, delighted, basked in the guests’ well-wishes and festive chatter.
The highlight of the celebration was the presentation of birthday gifts.
Lu Xueying, representing Jiang Mingde, presented a scroll of a thousand shou (longevity) characters painstakingly handwritten by her husband.
She praised his devotion, claiming he had labored tirelessly despite his busy schedule to honor his father’s enduring health.
Ye Yunniang, holding Jiang Tingjun, stood behind Jin Huifang, flanked by Chunyao and Dongqing.
Chunyao leaned in and whispered, "Last time, for Old Master’s fiftieth, the eldest master also gave a calligraphy piece. A decade, another scroll—pretending filial piety while being stingy."
Ye Yunniang bit her lip hard to stifle a laugh at Chunyao’s sharp remark.
After the eldest branch’s tribute came the second branch.
Jiang Mingzhe and Zhuang Meixue presented a radiant half-human-height Buddha statue.
Old Master Jiang, a devout Buddhist, adored it.
While the eldest son expressed filial piety through words, the second son did so through wealth.
All eyes turned to the third branch, curious about their offering.
Jiang Mingyu and Bai Xiuxiu stepped forward, presenting a painting of cranes and pines—a safe, conventional choice.
Next was the fourth branch. Jin Huifang and Jiang Mingrui gifted a rare and precious orchid, catering to Old Master Jiang’s growing fondness for refined elegance.
Then came Jiang Mingyue, who presented a robe she had embroidered herself with golden longevity motifs that shimmered in the sunlight.
Old Master Jiang was so pleased he donned it immediately to show off.
Chunyao muttered to Ye Yunniang, "The fifth miss only stitched the last two threads. Xinqiao, the best seamstress in the Jiang household, did the rest."
Finally, Jiang Mingshu approached with a birdcage.
"Father, I wish you boundless happiness and eternal health. This is a specially trained myna—may it bring you joy."
At his command, the myna let out a clear cry before reciting:
"Boundless happiness, eternal health!"
"Boundless happiness, eternal health!"
"Boundless happiness, eternal health!"
"Little brother, your big sister loves you the most~ Mmm~"
