"Not at all, I'm merely speaking the truth and kindly reminding Third Miss not to be overly arrogant." The sub-steward's words were anything but deferential, despite his claim of "not daring."
Jiang Youli understood.
As expected of a steward from Jiang Yangxu and Qin Yulian's side, the attitude was identically haughty and self-important.
Jiang Youli put back on the gloves she wore specifically for farm work and walked towards the middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses standing before her.
The sub-steward thought she had come to her senses, a hint of smugness flashing behind his lenses. "It seems Third Miss still has some self-awareness..."
Before the man could finish, Jiang Youli raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face, sending the glasses hooked on his ear flying several meters away.
"So what if I am arrogant? How dare a mere steward spout such nonsense in front of me, a daughter of the Jiang family? Do you think I came back to be the Jiang family's young mistress just to endure the insolence of hired servants like you?" Jiang Youli slowly took off her gloves. "Make sure you report everything truthfully to my so-called third aunt later. I do indeed have time for farming but no time to see her. If she wants to see me, she can come find me at the Eastern District villa herself. If she wants to put on airs in front of me, she'll need the capability to do so."
With that, she disdainfully tossed the removed gloves at the sub-steward's feet, adding, "Also, cherish your remaining days working for the Jiang family, because you'll soon be kicked out."
Left behind with a stinging cheek, the sub-steward covered his face, glaring hatefully at Jiang Youli's retreating back and muttering under his breath, "Pah! Truly an uncultured wild girl! Sooner or later, Old Master Jiang will grow disgusted and kick her out of the Jiang family!"
He was the steward for the Second Master and his wife. Did she really think she could just have him dismissed?
What an arrogant, presumptuous brat!
...
Returning to the Eastern District villa, Jiang Youli went straight to her beautiful new mother, who was wearing a face mask and watching TV with her handsome new father on the sofa. "Mom, what's the relationship like between my third aunt and our family?"
She already had a rough idea. If Third Aunt was on good terms with her beautiful new mom and handsome new dad, she would have attended the welcome banquet.
Her absence likely meant not only looking down on Jiang Youli, but also having a poor relationship with her parents.
Zhang Susu was taken aback, blinking her eyes beneath the mask. "Why are you suddenly asking about your third aunt?"
Jiang Youli told her about the incident in the herb garden.
Jiang Yehan's face darkened upon hearing it. "It seems my second brother doesn't know how to manage his subordinates, if even a sub-steward from the Western District villa dares to disrespect you like that!"
Zhang Susu glanced at her husband before saying, "To be honest, the relationship isn't good. She doesn't think much of your father, believes he lacks ambition, is hopeless, and beyond help. Add to that my inability to have children and your father's refusal to divorce me, she's even more exasperated with him. She's quite close with your second uncle and his wife, and especially dotes on Jiang Yonghe. You could say she's contributed significantly to Jiang Yonghe's upbringing."
Jiang Yehan gave an awkward cough.
Jiang Youli understood. Her third aunt married into the Long family, another top-tier wealthy family, so she indeed had the means to cultivate Jiang Yonghe, successfully turning her into a talented lady of the capital who caught Grandpa Qi's eye among the many young heiresses, securing her engagement to Qi Huan.
Unfortunately, an accident occurred.
It seemed congratulations were just a pretext; coming to support Jiang Yonghe was the real reason.
"Youli, you did the right thing. Your third aunt bypassing your grandfather, your father, and me to approach you alone definitely means she's up to no good! If she really wants to congratulate you, she can come find you here at the Eastern District villa herself!" Zhang Susu approved of Jiang Youli's actions. "But after this, your third aunt will probably hold an even bigger grudge against you. If she gives you trouble, don't confront her head-on. Tell your grandfather, or me and your dad."
Jiang Youli nodded. "I understand."
Back in her room, after washing her hands, Jiang Youli called Jiang Xing.
"What is it?" His tone carried a hint of impatience.
Jiang Youli raised an eyebrow. "Jiang Xing, quite bold, aren't you? Speaking to me in that tone? Did drinking tonight give you courage?"
"State your business if you have any, otherwise I'm hanging up." Reminded, Jiang Xing showed no intention of softening his tone.
Jiang Youli's eyebrows arched even higher. Setting aside his attitude for now, she said, "Fire that sub-steward from your household."
"Why?" Jiang Xing demanded.
Well, now he dares to question her.
Jiang Xing tonight was indeed acting rather rebellious.
Jiang Youli stated directly, "That petty man offended me. I'm displeased. He can't stay in the Jiang family."
"Jiang Youli, you're overreaching!" Jiang Xing's voice turned colder.
"So, you're refusing to obediently fire him, is that it?" Jiang Youli didn't want to waste words either. "I just need an answer. Will you fire him or not?"
He refused outright: "He's worked for our family for nearly ten years. It's not as simple as me just firing him!"
"Can't you even think of a reason? Or do you simply not intend to? Or perhaps, you've already decided to defy me over a mere steward?" Jiang Youli fired off three questions in a row.
"Anyway, I can't do this. If you really want to fire the steward from my side, figure it out yourself." Jiang Xing's words grew even more defiant.
"What, you don't want next week's antidote anymore?" Mentioning this, Jiang Youli quickly realized the reason for Jiang Xing's changed attitude tonight.
Jiang Xing's boldness tonight was likely because he learned from Auction House Manager Lin that he could meet the Poison Doctor this weekend and soon be cured of the poison she had administered, making him feel emboldened.
Jiang Youli couldn't quite understand why these people were all so impatient.
Whether it was Qi Huan's adopted sister Qi Yu, or now Jiang Xing.
Before things were one hundred percent certain, they started showing their true colors.
Wasn't that just asking for trouble?
Jiang Xing said, "Jiang Youli, I don't believe you'd actually dare to poison me to death. Even if your poison is undetectable, if I really die, not only my parents, but Grandpa would also suspect you first. Even if you escape legal punishment, you won't escape my parents' private retaliation!"
With that, he hung up.
Listening to the dial tone, Jiang Youli took the phone away from her ear. Fine, let Jiang Xing be deluded for a few more days.
The more defiant he is now, the more he'll grovel later!
Just as she was thinking this, a message came from Duan Jinghan.
[Tomorrow is the last day! Jiang Youli, a lifetime commitment, I hope you think carefully!]
Jiang Youli continued to ignore it.
...
Starlight Entertainment, CEO's Office.
After hanging up on Jiang Youli, Jiang Xing felt a rare sense of satisfaction.
He had been feeling utterly stifled all this time!
Once the poison was cured, he could always act like he just did, no longer having to put up with Jiang Youli's attitude!
The thought made him unusually excited.
Just then—
A knock on the office door brought him back to reality.
"President Jiang." His assistant's voice came from outside.
Jiang Xing immediately said, "Come in."
The door was pushed open, and the assistant strode in, gently closing the door behind him.
Walking up to the desk, he took a luxury handbag from the shopping bag he was carrying and presented it to Jiang Xing. In a respectful tone, he said, "Mr. Jiang, regarding the matter you previously instructed, that master thief has completed the task. This is the bag you wanted stolen."
