You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 45 What if she became your second sister-in-law?

Yu Ma was immediately taken aback: "It's him! Wasn't the Dowager Consort not in the capital?"

Liang Jiang thought for a moment: "I vaguely remember that when we were in the capital, the old lady of the Marquis of Huaiyuan's mansion had a heart ailment and was taking my mother's herbal medicine to treat it. If I remember correctly, this old lady was the maternal mother of the Dowager Consort, right?"

"Now that you mention it, I remember now. It must be him. This Prince Pingxi is quite polite; he even sent you a special invitation."

Liang Jiang couldn't help but recall the man she had seen on the day she divorced Fang Chengxu, a man exuding a chilling aura that seemed to disregard human life.

This kind of person is too dangerous; it's best to avoid provoking them.

He closed the invitation and handed it back to Aunt Yu: "My mother repeatedly told us not to have any dealings with Beijing in the future, so please return this invitation for me."

Yu Ma was in a bit of a dilemma. The other party was a prince, after all. Her young lady was being far too disrespectful.

Liang Jiang seemed to see through her thoughts: "Just say that I appreciate your kindness, but I am currently embroiled in trouble and am staying at home."

Yu Ma could only turn around and leave the mansion, politely declining the invitation to watch the chess game.

Guan Qi was even more surprised. He never expected that his master would be rejected on his first invitation to a girl.

He repeated uncertainly, "My master once met Miss Liang. Does Miss Liang not remember?"

Aunt Yu said apologetically, "My daughter is flattered by your presence. If there is an opportunity another day, my daughter will host the dinner."

This shows that they know their master's identity and are disgusted by it.

Guan Qi returned to the capital in a dejected manner and reported to Gu Xizhi.

Gu Xizhi smiled slightly upon hearing this, as if she had expected it.

"If the mountain won't come to me, I'll go to the mountain. Tomorrow, I will personally pay you a visit."

Guan Qi was very puzzled as to why his master had suddenly developed such a strong interest in this beautiful young lady.

Is it because she is that remarkable city lord?

Or was it that his own prince's rejection ignited his desire to conquer?

Fangzhai, Fucheng.

Fang Chenghao was temporarily unable to return to school because his mother was ill. He was in the courtyard, fanning himself with a palm leaf fan while preparing medicine for his mother, and studying diligently with his books in hand.

Fang Yuan brought in two bowls of sweet fermented rice balls and went straight into Old Madam Fang's room, lifting the curtain.

"Didn't you always dislike eating glutinous rice balls? You said they made your heart feel heavy, so why did you ask the kitchen to make these specially, and even add osmanthus sauce that I hate?"

"It's not me who eats it, but Galangal loves this flavor the most."

Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow: "What? You're even cooking for Liang Jiang?"

Grandma Fang nodded: "Yes, call your second brother in to eat a bowl, and have him take the other bowl to Liang Jiang."

"Why should I?" Fang Yuan immediately became angry: "She thinks she deserves to serve me! Don't tell me you're trying to curry favor with her and get her to go easy on us in a few days so we can stay at the Fang residence?"

Instead of answering directly, Grandma Fang asked Fang Yuan, "Tell me, how does this galangal treat you?"

Fang Yuan reluctantly said, "To be fair, she's far superior to Tong Zhao'er, but what can she do when she doesn't have a powerful father?"

“But she’s rich,” Grandma Fang said with emotion. “With her, our Fang family will never have to worry about food or clothing.”

"Don't even dream about it. Tong Zhao'er will never tolerate her. If she stays, won't the manor be in constant chaos?"

Grandma Fang leaned back on the bed, seemingly talking to herself, "She and your eldest brother are not destined to be together, but what if she were your second sister-in-law?"

Fang Yuan was so shocked that she jumped up from the embroidered stool and pointed at Old Madam Fang, stammering, "You, you don't mean to..." Old Madam Fang nodded meaningfully, "If your second brother can marry her, then our Fang family's house and money, after going around in circles, won't they all come back to us?"

"But if your brother-in-law marries your sister-in-law, aren't you afraid of being gossiped about behind your back? It's absolutely absurd!"

Grandma Fang sighed softly: "Do you think I'm willing to bow down to Liang Jiang? But you've seen Tong Zhao'er yourself, she's stingy, do you really expect her to treat us kindly? Before, she was just using sweet words to coax us into dealing with Liang Jiang on her behalf."

In a few days, our house will be confiscated, and she'll pack up and go back to the capital. My daughter and I might really end up sleeping on the streets.

And your second brother, you saw him too. That day, when he came back from the academy, he was carrying a book box. He didn't even go into my house, but went straight to Liang Jiang's courtyard. I heard that he respectfully kowtowed three times to Liang Jiang, saying that he was apologizing on behalf of your eldest brother.

I can see it too; your second brother genuinely likes and respects your sister-in-law, and she treats him as well as ever. So, this is our last chance.”

"But Liang Jiang would never agree to that."

"So, we need to use some tricks. I'm all set. Call your second brother in. Success or failure hinges on this."

Fang Yuan immediately understood: "I'll go and call my second brother right away."

Listening to Bamboo Garden.

Fang Chenghao, carrying a bowl of sweet fermented rice balls, entered after receiving a response from Liang Jiang.

"Sister-in-law, I'm going back to the academy tomorrow morning, so I've come to say goodbye."

Liang Jiang put down the account book in her hand: "So urgent? You've finally come back, why not stay a few more days?"

Fang Chenghao shook his head: "The autumn examination will be in a few months. I am weaker than my classmates, so I have to work harder. Besides, my mother and older brother make the decisions at home, so there's no point in me staying."

Liang Jiang pointed to the chair next to him, indicating that he should sit down: "That's good. Taking the imperial examination and entering officialdom is your best way out. No pain, no gain."

Fang Chenghao sat down and pushed the soup bowl in his hand towards Liang Jiang: "Sweet rice balls in fermented rice wine, I remember you love this the most, sister-in-law."

Liang Jiang was delighted by the sweet aroma of the rice wine that wafted towards him: "It's so kind of you to remember."

“I am able to study at Lishan Academy thanks to you, sister-in-law. I am very grateful to you.” Then he lowered his head: “So I don’t want to stay here and make things difficult for you.”

Liang Jiang understood the meaning behind his words. In a few days, the Fang family would be moving out of the Fang residence, and the two sides would completely break off relations. At that time, Fang Chenghao would be caught in the middle and would inevitably be in a dilemma.

"I'm just pointing you in the right direction, it's a small favor. How you proceed from here on out is up to you."

"I must prove you wrong!" Fang Chenghao said resolutely. "My elder sister-in-law is like a mother to me. Once I have achieved success, if she does not abandon me, I am willing to take care of you for the rest of my life and atone for my elder brother's sins."

Liang Jiang almost burst out laughing; what an honest kid.

“Your older brother is your older brother, and you are you. If we meet again in the future, don’t call me sister-in-law anymore. Just call me sister.”

“But our Fang family has wronged you,” Fang Chenghao said in a muffled voice.

Liang Jiang didn't say anything, but took a spoon and slowly stirred the sweet soup in the bowl.

Rice wine, egg drop soup, glutinous rice balls, osmanthus sauce, and some diced fresh melon—all my favorite flavors.

She didn't rush to eat, and as if talking to herself, she said, "I remember your mother didn't like to eat glutinous rice balls, and Fang Yuan also disliked the sweetness of osmanthus sauce, so the cooks in the manor rarely made this sweet soup."

Fang Chenghao nodded: "Neither my mother nor my third sister ate any, so we had two extra bowls."

Liang Jiang lowered her eyelids: "Have you eaten?"

"I ate some when I came, it was a bit too sweet. Sister-in-law, would you like to try it and see if it suits your taste?"

(End of this chapter)