Chapter 1001 - 1003 The Repulsive Jiang Family Members_1
"Isn’t Elder Jiang Ge’s eldest grandson Jiang Yihong?" Yang Hongwen asked in surprise, his eyes soon widened, "The name does sound alike; I had not thought about it in that context."
Having spent many years among Capital City’s noblewomen, Lady Yang quickly connected the dots and said, "Jiang Yichun? Is he the offspring of Elder Jiang’s second son involved in the scandal? That incident was quite a stir back then; weren’t the father and son banished from the Capital?"
"What scandal?" Yang Hongwen’s eyes lit up.
Lady Yang briefly recounted the events of the past, then added, "I also heard that Jiang Yichun’s wife from the Bai Family was quite in favor with the Empress Dowager, but she offended Imperial Concubine Liu at the last Birthday Banquet of the Empress Dowager."
"Oh?" Yang Tianhua’s voice perked up, and Lady Yang wore a proud smile, "My lord, it seems we don’t have to apologize. I will enter the Palace tomorrow and have a chat with Imperial Concubine Liu."
Yang Hongwen’s thoughts lingered on the past deeds of Jiang Yichun’s father, and his eyes could not hide his disdain. He thought to himself that although he favored charming women, he would never stoop to touch his father’s concubine or maid; he had knowledge of propriety after all.
...
The Jiang Family members mentioned by the Yang Family were now standing at the Bai Residence Gate, knocking on the door. The visitor was none other than Chen Family, Jiang Yichun’s aunt by marriage, who had once met Bai Ruozhu, accompanied by the middle-aged man Jiang Xuexiang, Jiang Yichun’s paternal uncle.
Behind them followed a young man and a young woman. The girl looked older, gentle and delicate in appearance, yet her features were quite ordinary. The boy seemed to be around sixteen or seventeen but appeared somewhat distracted.
They were Jiang Xuexiang’s second daughter, Jiang Zhihe, and eldest son, Jiang Yihong.
Meanwhile, the Bai Family was joyfully gathering together to feast on the dishes brought by guests. Diao Yao and Chu Hai had also joined, while Liu Family, scolded by Bai Ruozhu, was very nervous and much more subdued.
"Master, Madam, there are people outside seeking audience, claiming to be the Jiang Family’s Patriarch and Lady," a guard suddenly entered to report.
Jiang Yichun holding his chopsticks and reaching for dishes froze suddenly, then the air around him grew distinctly colder.
"The Jiang Family? Are they relatives Yichun knows?" Bai Yihong, not noticing Jiang Yichun’s abnormal behavior, asked with concern.
Bai Ruozhu reached under the table and patted his thigh to comfort him. She had also met the Jiang Family’s Lady before and didn’t have a good impression of them. However, her parents were not aware of Jiang Yichun’s true background, and since bringing up such past matters would only cause distress, she had never spoken to them about it.
"My father passed away years ago, and I have no other relatives. They must be mistaken; please ask them to leave," Jiang Yichun said coldly.
The guard nodded, thinking to himself how the son-in-law had become the Emperor’s favorite, and now people had started claiming kinship with no shame at all.
Thus, the guard spoke rudely at the Main Gate, "My master has said that he does not recognize any Jiang Family; please leave!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Chenshi immediately became anxious, "Our Patriarch has personally come; how can Jiang Yichun not come to greet us? Is this how you treat your own uncle? The past incidents were matters among the elders; why should a member of the younger generation hold a grudge?"
Impatient with their words which he did not fully grasp, the guard said, "You seem to be somewhat respectable; please don’t cause a scene at the Bai Residence Gate. Please leave!"
Jiang Xuexiang’s expression was very unpleasant, yet he restrained Jiang Chenshi, "Enough, these issues have not been resolved for days; it is natural for Yichun to feel upset. You need to temper your disposition, or you wouldn’t have fallen out with Yichun’s wife."
Jiang Chenshi curled her lips, wearing an expression of great dissatisfaction.
"Young man, please announce once more that Jiang Xuexiang, Elder Jiang Ge’s eldest son and Jiang Yichun’s own uncle, has arrived" said Jiang Xuexiang, courteously to the guard, slipping him a red envelope as well.
Jiang Xuexiang was in his forties, and though his face bore wrinkles, his scholarly appearance lent him an air of refined elegance that belied his age. His gentle nature, in stark contrast to the boisterous Madam Jiang, made him seem all the more amiable.
The guard grew doubtful, wondering if the visitor really was a relative of the master’s.
"Wait here, I’ll go announce again," said the guard before turning and running back into the yard.
When the guard repeated Jiang Xuexiang’s words, the chopsticks in Jiang Yichun’s hand suddenly snapped. Bai Ruozhu glared fiercely at the guard, thinking how blind he was. Instead of sending the guest away as instructed, he had actually helped him. Was this how the household’s rules were set?
The guard shivered under Bai Ruozhu’s glare, worrying that he might have misspoken. He quickly withdrew to one side, planning to ask Guard Captain Cui Fan for advice later on.
Bai Ruozhu, facing the puzzled looks of the family, smiled and said, "You all continue eating, I’ll go out with Achun to see what’s happening."
After speaking, she took Jiang Yichun’s hand and they hurried outside.
Bai Yihong was somewhat worried and whispered to Lin Ping’er, "Should we go have a look?"
Lin Ping’er gave him a look and said, "Didn’t you notice that Achun doesn’t want to acknowledge any of the Jiang Family Members? Don’t you meddle in this!"
Bai Yihong quickly nodded, recalling Jiang Yichun’s recent fury, daring not to speak further.
Once Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun were at a distance, she whispered, "Now that we have returned to the Capital, we’ll have to face it sooner or later. I’ll explain it to mom and dad later. If you don’t want to recognize the Jiang Family Members, you should make it clear to them. No matter what you decide, I will definitely support you."
Jiang Yichun’s expression slowly softened, "Without you by my side, I’m afraid I would have acted impulsively and lost my temper again. You’re right, I’ll go and make things clear to them."
Bai Ruozhu linked her arm with his, "Alright, I’ll be with you."
During their last visit to the Capital, Elder Jiang Ge must have known about their presence but allowed the Jiang Family’s matriarch to trouble them, clearly unwelcoming their return. Now that Jiang Yichun had gained fame and the emperor’s favor, they came to claim kinship as if they thought so highly of themselves.
As for Jiang Yichun’s so-called uncle, he wasn’t any good either. Where had he been until now? His behavior was all an act.
After all, every single one in the Jiang Family, from the eldest to the youngest, was repulsive.
The couple walked hand in hand to the Main Gate, where Jiang Xuexiang’s eyes immediately lit up upon seeing them, while Jiang Chenshi’s eyes flared with fire at the sight of Bai Ruozhu, wishing she could stab her to death with her glare.
Bai Ruozhu glanced at her indifferently, not taking her seriously at all, which only infuriated Jiang Chenshi more, making her eyes bulge with anger.
Jiang Xuexiang took two excited steps forward, reaching out to take Jiang Yichun’s hand, "Achun, you’ve grown so much. Your uncle hasn’t seen you in so many years!"