She understood very well that the masters of the house were people who valued appearances. They didn’t care how you achieved something, but you must never give them anything to gossip about. When conflicts of interest arose with others, you had to act with a just cause, occupy the high ground of morality and legality, and leave no fault for others to pick at.
Qiuyun had used this principle to turn danger into safety time and again, not only helping the madam but also advancing her own standing.
Thus, it became necessary to study the current laws diligently.
While Qiuyun burned the midnight oil, burying herself in books, the main manor building blazed with light.
The weekly family gathering was an unbreakable rule set by the old patriarch—unless someone had official business or was so ill they couldn’t get out of bed, every family member had to attend.
This was called keeping proper order.
In the vast fountain square, water spurted exuberantly at the center. Under the pale yellow lights, the fountain looked from afar like a blooming peony.
Nearby, a black Porsche and a silver Mercedes rounded the fountain square simultaneously from left and right onto the main road. The Porsche floored the accelerator, leaving the other car firmly in its dust.
The elder son’s driver looked a bit embarrassed and had to speed up to drop the young master off at the front steps of the main building.
“Second Uncle, Second Aunt.” Jiang Lin’an got out of the car and saw Second Aunt adjusting Second Uncle’s tie on the steps. Even though he’d just eaten exhaust fumes, as a junior, he had to greet them first.
“Lin’an, you’ve come at the right time.” Qian Yuqiong smiled charmingly and pulled Jiang Lin’an over. “You judge for me—doesn’t this tie, even if it’s not one of your Second Uncle’s usual brands, still suit his suit today perfectly?”
Jiang Lin’an could hardly miss his Second Aunt’s implication, so he just smiled. “Yes, it suits him very well.”
“That’s right!” Qian Yuqiong stepped forward and patted the non-existent dust off Jiang Yijie’s chest. “What suits you best is what’s best—can’t just pick the most expensive and finest things.”
Behind them came the sound of a car screeching to a halt. It was the seventh young lady, arriving on a golf cart.
Jiang Lin’an saw his sister and, after she had greeted their Second Uncle and Second Aunt, asked, “Didn’t go out today?”
Because the Jiang manor was so vast, when moving around inside the estate, everyone preferred to use the simpler, quicker, and easier-to-park golf carts—also called single-person sightseeing carts.
Jiang Chuling looked at her older brother. “No, I got my clothes dirty. I went back to change first before coming.”
“Mm.”
The group didn’t say much more and stepped onto the main building’s steps one after another.
Jiang Chuling deliberately pulled her big brother aside to lag a few steps behind and whispered, “Don’t listen to Second Uncle and Second Aunt’s nonsense. They are nothing but profit-seeking weasels!”
Jiang Lin’an rubbed his sister’s head and said helplessly, “You’re too young. Don’t meddle in adults’ affairs.”
Jiang Chuling was unconvinced. “I’m ten! I’m in double digits, just like you!”
“Yes, yes, yes. Do you want to go to Europe with me for a study trip this summer? I have a friend who knows Harry Potter.” Jiang Lin’an didn’t want family matters to trouble his sister, so he changed the subject.
“Really!?” Jiang Chuling cheered happily. “Yes, yes, yes! I want to go to Hogwarts!”
As they spoke, the siblings had already climbed the steps. The maids on either side of the entrance bowed slightly. When they entered, Jiang Lin’an saw that his parents had already arrived.
“Dad, Mom.”
After the siblings greeted them, Jiang Yihua shot his eldest son a warning glare, hinting that he’d better not cause any romantic trouble at the main building tonight, before turning back to continue discussing group business with his younger brother.
Jiang Chuling stuck out her tongue and pulled her elder brother to a corner of the living room. A maid brought over the fruit juice and light tea the young master and young lady usually preferred.
“Where’s Fourth Brother? Why isn’t he here yet?”
Jiang Chuling’s parents had three children, who ranked first, fourth, and seventh in the family. But in her heart, Fourth Brother should have been called Second Brother instead. After all, she and those cousins weren’t born of the same parents, so ranking them all by order of birth seemed laughable.
But her grandfather was a feudal, controlling old patriarch. His grandchildren should be ranked with him as the core.
Jiang Lin’an checked his watch. “It’s still early for dinner. He always likes to arrive right on time.”
Sure enough, before long, the family members trickled in one after another, and Jiang Linzhi was the last to arrive.
Jiang Yihua shot his second son a fierce glare but ultimately said nothing.
Soon, a gentle-looking middle-aged woman emerged from the elevator, following behind the old patriarch, whose temples were graying.
The old patriarch was seventy-nine this year. His graying hair was combed perfectly. Though he had injured his legs chasing after his career in his youth, he refused to admit his age in front of his children and grandchildren. He would rather walk slowly than lean on a cane or let someone support him.
The woman behind him, judging by appearance, looked only about thirty. She wasn’t drop-dead gorgeous, but she had a gentle and virtuous demeanor—the kind of woman fit for a peaceful home.
“Is everyone here?” The old man’s voice was stern.
Jiang Yihua stepped forward to pull out his father’s chair. “Everyone’s here. Everyone’s here.”
The younger generations in the hall gathered, greeting the elders one after another.
“Grandpa, Granny Ge.”
“Dad, Mrs. Ge.”
Only Jiang Yifeng, known as the fourth son of the Jiang family, greeted, “Dad, Mom.”
“Mm.” The old patriarch waved his hand. “Everyone, sit down.”
A long, wide nanmu wood table sat in the center, with an exquisitely arranged seasonal floral display. Placemats and utensils were neatly laid along the edges.
The old patriarch took the main seat at the head of the table. Mrs. Ge sat slightly off-center to his right, still at the main seats.
The rest sat down in order of seniority. The four youngest grandchildren took seats at the far end directly across from the old patriarch.
The head steward stood to the old patriarch’s left, ready to assist with serving. When he judged the time was right, he gestured with a hand behind his back, and the kitchen began serving dishes.
With a table this large, the Jiang family always practiced individual dining. The male and female servants were trained to place each plate on the table in one fluid motion, with no sound at all.
While eating, silence was a rule for the younger generation. But the old patriarch could call out to anyone anytime, and the junior members had to stop eating and answer seriously.
First, the old patriarch asked about group business, then inquired about the studies and lives of a few grandchildren he favored, including Jiang Lin’an. All answered earnestly. Only then did this stiff, quiet, oppressive, and restrained family dinner finally end.
As soon as the family banquet dissolved, Jiang Linzhi hurried out of the main building to get some air. Tsk, he felt like his bones were rusting. He was afraid that if he stayed a second longer, his father would drag him to the study for another scolding.
Before leaving, he had also done a good deed—he rescued his little sister while their father had his attention fixed on their elder brother’s black face.
He had no idea what was going on with his eldest brother. He used to be such a model of filial piety, but lately, he had been even bolder than himself, directly challenging their father. Truly, someone to steer clear of.
“Fourth Brother, what have you been up to lately? I haven’t seen you in forever.” Jiang Chuling said sweetly and softly.
Jiang Linzhi tapped his sister’s head. “Call me ‘Brother.’”
“We’re technically still near the main building,” Jiang Chuling couldn’t help showing off. “Big Brother said he’s taking me to Europe this summer to find Professor Dumbledore. Hehe.”
