On August 26th, the weather was sunny and the autumn air was crisp.
A grand banquet was held in the Jiang Mansion, where relatives and friends were received inside the house, and flowing banquets were set up outside the house to entertain passers-by from the neighborhood.
Many people came after hearing the news, and the Jiang Mansion was full of guests and friends, making it very lively.
Jiang Shu wore a plum-green gold-woven smoke brocade dress, decorated with countless crystals, which sparkled with her every move.
"This dress is so beautiful." The sisters and sister-in-law at home cast envious glances.
Jiang Shu was a little embarrassed and said: "I think it's too fancy, Jiang Ning insists on me wearing it."
"Aning has good taste. This dress matches you very well, Sister Shu, like a fairy from the Nine Heavens descending to the mortal world." Jiang Shu's cousin Jiang Yun looked envious.
Although they are cousins, they are very different.
Jiang Ji was founded by Jiang's father, who was in charge of most of the Jiang family's business. Although the Jiang family's uncles had several shops to run, they were far less wealthy than the Jiang Shu family.
Just like the dress Jiang Shu was wearing, to Jiang Shu it was just an ordinary piece of clothing, but to Jiang Yun it was out of reach.
All the Jiang family's wealth flowed into Jiang Shu's family.
"Since Sister Yun likes it, I'll give you one as a gift." Jiang Shu said casually.
Jiang Yun's face lit up when she heard this, and she said smartly: "Then I have to change my style. If I'm like you, Sister Shu, I won't look as good-looking as you."
It's true that a person depends on his clothes, but his appearance and temperament can also reflect his clothes.
Jiang Shu's appearance and quality were both excellent. Jiang Yun knew she couldn't compare, so she didn't want to be unhappy.
"Sister Yun is really good at talking. Just a few words and she got a good dress." The other people were half envious and half jealous, and their words were sour.
Jiang Shu smiled and said very generously: "If we have free time another day, let's go to Jiang's Silk Shop together and make one for each of us."
"Seriously?" Several people looked happy.
Jiang Shu nodded, and the few of them began to discuss the day and the fashionable clothing styles in Beijing.
Jiang Shu listened to their conversation, the smile on his lips gradually disappeared, feeling very boring.
Girls from ordinary merchant families do not need to read hundreds of books or learn so many rules and etiquette. What they love to do most on weekdays is to discuss women's clothing and fashion.
Jiang Shu didn't get along well with them before, and after six years of being a mistress, she had a broad perspective and couldn't fit in even more.
"Girl, the eldest princess and Miss Sun are here." Chu Yu whispered into Jiang Shu's ear.
Jiang Shu stood up after hearing this and said to the Jiang sisters: "You guys chat first, I'll be back soon."
Yu Lan and Sun Yijun were both ladies from official families and it was not convenient for them to appear in front of others, so Chu Yu led them to Jiang Shu's Shutong Courtyard.
"Princess, Miss Sun, why are you here?" Jiang Shu was surprised to see them.
Jiang Shu knew that there was a huge difference in status between him and them, and also knew that it would be inconvenient for them to come to the banquet, so he did not send them invitations.
So they came uninvited, which surprised and delighted Jiang Shu.
"Why, you don't welcome us?" Yu Lan deliberately joked.
Sun Yijun also said: "We are here even if you are not welcome. We have to eat before leaving anyway."
Jiang Shu was amused by their singing, and he said in unison: "How dare you, how dare you. The two of you are here, and my house is in full bloom. I'm so lucky."
"Pfft!" The three of them laughed together.
Chu Yu hurriedly went to the kitchen to send a banquet to Shutong Courtyard.
After dinner, the three of them chatted in Jiang Shu's boudoir and asked about the day Jiang Shu left the Hou Mansion.
Jiang Shu knew they were curious, so he told them in detail.
After hearing this, Sun Yijun slammed the table angrily: "This is too much bullying. If Shen Qingrong dares to come back again, I will kill her."
Yu Lan was startled, stroking her heart and said angrily: "Why are you so upset? Didn't she retaliate in kind?"
"Besides, according to Mr. Lu, Shen Qingrong's life will not be easy after he returns to Pingyang."
"You deserve it." Sun Yijun gloated.
Yu Lan and Jiang Shu looked at each other and laughed.
Sun Yijun's temperament of clearly distinguishing good from evil and hating evil as much as hatred is really rare.
Before leaving, Yu Lan said to Jiang Shu, "Now that you are free, you will have more time to come to the General's Mansion to accompany me, or you can go to Zhaojue Temple to offer incense."
"And me, you must bring me with you when you meet in the future, otherwise I will be angry." Sun Yijun leaned his head over.
"Yes, yes, I will be the first to send you a post from now on." Yu Lan and Jiang Shu said in unison.
"Humph!" Sun Yijun raised his chin proudly.
Jiang Shu pulled down the curtain and hat for her and said: "Today there is a mixture of fish and dragons in Jiang Mansion, so you have to cover it up so that no one can see it."
After sorting things out, Jiang Shu personally sent Yu Lan and Sun Yijun out of the house.
The carriage stopped at the gate of Jiang Mansion. As soon as Yu Lan and Sun Yijun left the house, they were hidden by the servants and got into the carriage without revealing anything.
After seeing them off, Jiang Shu went back to entertain the Jiang sisters and sister-in-law.
"Sister Shu, you are back." Jiang Yun came up and took Jiang Shu's arm enthusiastically, pulling her to sit with them and chat.
"I heard that the eldest princess has come to Jiang Mansion, is it true?" Someone asked.
Yu Lan came blatantly and couldn't hide it, so Jiang Shu could only admit it.
"Well, I just left.
"What does the eldest princess look like? I haven't seen a princess yet?" a younger sister asked curiously.
Jiang Yun patted her head and mocked: "What are our identities? Where can the eldest princess meet us?"
Having said this, several people looked at Jiang Shu with envious eyes again.
They are obviously sisters, with the same family background, but their destinies are completely different.
"By the way, Sister Shu, my cousin was admitted as a scholar the year before last. He is handsome and well-educated. I think he is a good match for you, Sister Shu. I will ask him to come and meet you someday."
Jiang Yun thought of the important task her mother had given her.
Jiang Shu was stunned, not expecting Jiang Yun to say this to her.
After being stunned for a moment, Jiang Shuwan refused: "No, I'm going home and have no plans to discuss the marriage for the time being."
"It's okay to say goodbye slowly." Jiang Yun refused to give up.
Jiang Shu's pretty face was a little annoyed, and she said, neither salty nor cool: "Sister Yun is not young anymore. If you like him, you might as well think about yourself."
Jiang Yun choked and her face turned red.
Although her cousin was a scholar and handsome, he came from an ordinary family and had no future, so she didn't want to marry him and suffer the consequences.
Seeing Jiang Yun frustrated, the others laughed secretly and gave up their thoughts.
When they came to Jiang's house today, they were all given a task by their parents. Listen to Jiang Shu's story and wait for an opportunity to pull strings.
But right now, it seems that today is not a good time.
At night, after seeing off all the guests, Jiang Shu took off his hairpin, loosened his bun and prepared to take a bath.
"Girl, someone sent me something." Chu Yu entered the room holding a brocade box.
Jiang Shu put down the wooden comb, took it and opened it suspiciously.
Inside the box is a crystal clear jade cicada, exquisitely carved and lifelike.
There is a piece of paper underneath the jade cicada.
Jiang Shu took it out and unfolded it. There were only a few words on the paper.
I wish you a new life, Yu Zheng.
Jiang Shu's eyes widened in surprise, and she picked up the jade cicada and looked at it carefully.
The cicada emerged from pupa and was reborn, and she loved Yu Zheng's gift very much.
But she didn't expect that Yu Zheng would give her a gift.
