A Good Country Wife
Chapter 400 - 394_1

Chapter 400: Chapter 394_1

When Jiang Ziqi came over, he saw his father, Lord Jiang, admiring a snuff bottle with great fondness, and the snuff bottle looked very familiar. Wasn’t it the same one he had seen with Little Yueyue before? It turned out, Little Yueyue had given this snuff bottle to his father, no wonder he was reluctant to part with it.

"Father, this snuff bottle looks quite exquisite. Where did you get it?" Although Jiang Ziqi knew exactly where the snuff bottle had come from, he pretended not to know and asked deliberately.

Lord Jiang glanced at Jiang Ziqi and saw right through his little trick. If it hadn’t been for this lad, how would Zhao Erhu and his wife know of his preferences and bring along something he liked so precisely? "It was given by the guests you brought back. Although they’re from a small place, they still know some etiquette. This little thing is quite nice; I graciously accepted it."

Jiang Ziqi, aware of his old man’s shrewdness, chuckled and scratched his nose, "Well, I knew I couldn’t hide anything from you, you sly old fox. In fact, I saw this snuff bottle at their place yesterday. I was thinking of taking it to give to you, but unfortunately, they didn’t agree. Turns out it was meant as a gift for favor."

"You little brat, calling me an old fox, I’m your father. You unfilial son, don’t think I can’t deal with you just because you’ve become the Family Head," Lord Jiang threatened to hit Jiang Ziqi with a gesture that carried a good bit of force, showing he really meant to discipline him.

Jiang Ziqi certainly wasn’t about to just dodge away and let his father punish him. He reflexively dodged, avoiding the hand Lord Jiang swung at him, "Easy there, old man, don’t hit me so hard. If you knock me silly, where will you find another son to take over the position of Family Head? If only you’d had a few more sons, I wouldn’t have to work so hard."

Although after Lady Jiang passed away, Lord Jiang never remarried, and there were no concubines, just two handmaidens serving in his chamber, the relationship between Lord Jiang and Lady Jiang wasn’t as affectionate as the rumors suggested—it was more a relationship of mutual respect. Lady Jiang was a marital arrangement for the benefit of the family. Being on reasonable terms was already a good outcome; there wasn’t much romantic attachment. Lady Jiang died early, and as Jiang Ziqi didn’t have a deep impression of her, he would tease with such jokes.

"You cheeky boy!" This time Lord Jiang was genuinely angry, and he swung at Jiang Ziqi again but missed, puffing up his cheeks and glowering.

"Dad, please calm down, I’ve got things to do, so I’ll be leaving now." Jiang Ziqi initially had some matters to discuss with his father, but seeing his current state, it seemed impossible to talk calmly, and there was no rush for him, so he thought it best to leave it for another time.

After leaving his father’s courtyard, Jiang Ziqi thought about how Little Yueyue had given a gift to his dad, so she surely wouldn’t have forgotten about Grandfather Jiang. But he wondered what Little Yueyue had given Grandfather Jiang. Out of curiosity, and having time on his hands, he made his way to Grandfather Jiang’s courtyard.

"Grandfather, are you enjoying some tea?" Upon arriving, Jiang Ziqi saw Grandfather Jiang sampling tea. Thirsty himself, he picked up a cup and immediately realized something was amiss upon tasting it—it was clearly tea made by Little Yueyue. Glancing at the table, he saw the box that held the tea leaves, and knowing that he had seen a similar box at Lord Jiang’s, he figured that they were all gifts from Little Yueyue.

"You’ve probably guessed it, these were all given by Zhao Erhu and his wife. This tea is even better than the one you brought back before. This couple is quite generous, they’ve given a whole pound of excellent tea, and a double-sided bamboo fan along with quite a few local specialties. Have a look for yourself," said Grandfather Jiang.

As Grandfather Jiang spoke, the butler had already laid out all the items on the table. Jiang Ziqi took a look at the local specialties and tea leaves that were also at his place. He picked up the fan and flipped it over in his hands for a while, thinking it was quite a nice fan and considering whether to ask Little Yueyue to get him one as well—or perhaps just conveniently take this one with him.

"Grandfather, what do you think of this fan? If you don’t like it, let your grandson take it off your hands. I’ll bring you some good tea leaves later," Jiang Ziqi proposed, making it sound as though he was asking for permission but planning to take it regardless.

Grandfather Jiang, sensing his intentions, gave him a stern look, "Dream on, you good-for-nothing. Stop coveting my things all the time. If you have the gall, go ask your father for them." Grandfather Jiang wasn’t violent like Lord Jiang but unceremoniously kicked Jiang Ziqi out of the courtyard.

Jiang Ziqi, who was chased out of the courtyard by Grandfather Jiang, felt rather dejected. Why was he so unpopular? Both Grandfather and father treated him this way, which really hurt his feelings. To soothe his wounded spirit, he headed to Qiwu Courtyard.

In truth, Jiang Ziqi had been meaning to discuss the workshop with Zhao Erhu. Zhao Erhu had already inspected the workshop, and Jiang Ziqi was curious to know if he had identified any issues. If corrections could be made, they wouldn’t need to bring food supplies all the way from Xin’an City anymore; they could produce everything right there in the Capital City workshop, which would reduce labor and costs significantly.

Jiang Ziqi arrived at Qiwu Courtyard just as Zhao Erhu needed to discuss something with him, so they met on the road and went straight to the workshop. Jiang Ziqi didn’t proceed to Qiwu Courtyard; getting the workshop matters settled a day earlier would ease his mind.

Lin Yue was feeling bored staying in the courtyard and wanted to go for a walk, but the gatekeeper wouldn’t let her leave, saying that there was a curfew in the back of the Jiang Residence, and ladies could only go out with a token or the permission of several Family Heads.

"I’m not a lady of the household, I’m a guest invited by your Family Head. I shouldn’t be bound by these household rules. If you don’t believe me, you can ask your Family Head."

"Please forgive me, Madam Lin, we servants are also in a difficult position. The house rules are strict, and if we violate them, we’d be unable to bear the punishment." The gatekeeper was polite in his demeanor but firm in his refusal to let Lin Yue leave. They had received orders that they dared not disclose, which were actually instructions from the Family Head, sending word not to let Madam Lin wander outside alone.

Jiang Ziqi was also considering Lin Yue’s safety, having grasped her nature fairly well. Since he and Zhao Erhu were out, he feared the young lady might not tolerate being confined and could end up wandering off by herself. The Capital City was an entirely different ballgame than Xin’an City—not only was it larger, but if she got lost, she wouldn’t be easy to find. Besides, there were many nobles around. It wasn’t that he feared trouble, given the Jiang Family was one of the eight Aristocratic Families in the Capital City, but he worried that Lin Yue might offend someone or have an accident and he wouldn’t get there in time. Thus, he simply confined her to the residence until he and Zhao Erhu had the time to take her out. Whatever the case, she needed an accompaniment.

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