Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 139 For the sake of the lady's reputation

Jiang's gaze lingered on Granny Du for a moment, then she took a step forward: "How did you know?"

"The person I sent out earlier followed Master when he went to the Cheng family. He personally witnessed Master recognizing the eldest daughter at the Cheng family!"

The sound of Du Mama's panting still echoed when Jiang Shi suddenly took two steps back: "He admitted it? He saw it with his own eyes?"

"This servant would not dare to speak nonsense. The people we sent out followed the master and the others all the way back!"

It felt as if a large brick had suddenly been stuffed into Chiang's throat, making it extremely difficult for him to swallow.

During the time she had been waiting—or even further back in time—Ms. Jiang had considered the possibility that Lu Jia would suddenly come knocking on her door, and she had thought about what to do in such a situation.
But what he didn't expect was that Lu Jia's appearance was not only sudden, but also so swift. In fact, the father and daughter met first in his absence, and they met at the Cheng family home, where they had not been in contact for many years!
She didn't care that brat was still alive; what she cared about was what the father and daughter said to each other during their meeting!

"You mean, the master is back?"

"He's back, he's been back for a while! And as soon as he got back, he had Mr. Yang send Su Zhixiao to the study in a hurry!"

"Mrs!"

Just as Granny Du finished speaking, Longxiang came in again, her expression even more alarmed than Granny Du's: "Master has sent Su Zhixiao and his wife with people to the Cheng residence, saying that the missing eldest daughter has returned and the Cheng family has found her!"

With a snap, Jiang's tightly clenched hands broke off two of her long, slender fingernails.

It turns out that the father and daughter's quick reunion at the Cheng family home was not the most unexpected part; in just half a day, she was about to return to the mansion!

Lu Jie didn't even consult me ​​before he took it upon himself to bring the person back!
“What else!” she asked.

Longxiang opened her mouth, pinched her palms a few times, and then said, "Su Zhixiao's trip to the Cheng residence to pick up the person went very smoothly. Two quarters of an hour ago, Imperial Censor Cheng and the eldest son of the Cheng family accompanied the young lady back to the residence in the sedan chair sent by the Lu family!"

"..."

Jiang was at a loss for words.

One thing after another came in quick succession, leaving her no room to intervene.
Where was she left to refuse?!
Just two hours ago, she was full of confidence that Lu Jia would definitely not survive. No matter what, Guo Lu's people would make her die in Shawan, and they would also kill the Xie family members, thus eliminating any future troubles for her!

"Madam, the master has arrived."

As Jiang's blood and qi surged, another maidservant came to report.

Just as Madam Jiang gritted her teeth and focused her gaze, Lu Jie, still wearing his vermilion official robes, walked in.

"lady."

Jiang involuntarily took two steps back, only stopping when Lu Jie stood in front of her.

"Why is Master back at this hour?" She pinched her palms to keep her composure and met Lu Jie's gaze.

“There’s something important going on in the household today, so I’ve come here specifically to discuss it with you, Madam. Are you very busy right now?” Lu Jie glanced at the old women and maids in the room.

“No rush. Master, what is it that you need to say?” she said, raising her eyes.

What a fine "discussion"! Everything was done, and they only informed us at the very end. Is this what they call discussion?!
“It’s a joyous occasion,” Lu Jie said. “Jia’er didn’t die, she’s back! Her uncle found her in Tanzhou Prefecture. It turns out she didn’t die back then, but was adopted. Now her adoptive mother has brought her back to the capital to find her family. Don’t you think this is a wonderful thing?” “Is that so?” Madam Jiang twitched her lips. “It’s been more than ten years, and it’s really rare for her to come back unharmed.”

"I just don't know how you can be so sure that the woman the Cheng family found is Jia Jie'er? The Cheng family and you have been enemies for many years. Suddenly they claim to have found the eldest daughter of the Lu family. Could there be a trap involved?"

"Madam thought the same thing as me. I was also afraid there might be some kind of trap, so I rushed over as soon as I heard the news. But as soon as I saw that girl, I knew there was no mistake."

Lu Jie paused here, "Of course, after all, he has been living away from home for eleven years, so he can't be compared to when he was pampered."

"She was raised by a merchant family, and they've probably forgotten most of the manners they learned back then. If outsiders found out, wouldn't it be a laughing stock?"

“If I do not bring her back to the manor immediately after I hear the news, will outsiders criticize my virtue?”

"So, for the sake of Madam's reputation, I immediately sent Su Zhixiao to bring her back to the manor. Madam shouldn't have any objections, right?"

Jiang's fingernails had already dug into her flesh.

For her reputation?!
Didn't he want to take it back himself?

She said in a cold voice, "That is the master's own flesh and blood, how could I object? Besides, the master is so understanding, so I have even less reason to stop him."

"In order not to disappoint your kindness, sir, why don't I go to the Cheng residence myself and bring her back?"

“No need for that,” Lu Jie seemed completely oblivious to her implication. “His uncle and cousin will personally escort him back.”

"However, as a stepmother, Madam cannot show your love if you do nothing. Why not trouble Madam to have someone thoroughly clean up the Yixia Garden where she used to live, so that she will have a place to settle down and be grateful to you as her virtuous mother?"

Jiang swallowed hard, then swallowed again.

Otherwise, she would be completely unable to suppress the anger in her heart!

So he not only acted first and informed her later, but also treated her like a maid, ordering her to personally tidy up the place for that brat?

She was his lawfully wedded wife, Mrs. Lu!

"Master, the eldest young lady has arrived at the gate! Mr. Yang sent me in to deliver this message."

Before Jiang could speak, the announcement had already reached the room.

Lu Jie said, "I'll leave everything to you, Madam."

"By the way, after Madam has finished giving her instructions, please also take Ying'er to the front courtyard. People outside already know that our missing eldest daughter has returned to the manor. There are too many people around. I'm fine, but blood is thicker than water. Even if there are some mistakes, he is still my biological father, so he won't say anything about me."

"But little do people know how many eyes are watching Madam's actions. If Madam and Ying'er are absent at such an important moment, it will likely give people something to talk about."

Jiang was so angry that her face turned pale. Was his emphasis on her status as a stepmother out of consideration for her difficulties, or was he trying to put shackles on her?
"Mrs……"

Seeing that Lu Jie had already stepped out the door, Long Xiang stepped forward with a troubled expression and reminded him, "The person has already arrived, what should we do now?"

Jiang took a deep breath: "To Yixia Courtyard!"