Chapter 409

The pearls on her ring clinked softly.

Who would have thought that the girl with a simple upbringing and awkward manners from before could now hold herself with such elegance.

Though perhaps this was always her destined fate.

Second Madam sighed gently, catching a glimpse of the equally resplendent Jiang Chengyu. Breaking the silence with a smile, she said, "My dear, don't be afraid later. The madams will gather to chat so just stick with little Yu. Call her if you need anything."

That's not true at all. Grandmother said Jiang Chengyu was unreliable.

But with her mother right there, Jiang Sheng didn't bat an eye as she lied, "I'll remember, thank you Auntie."

"No need to stand on ceremony with me, we're all family." Second Madam smiled again and pinched her daughter's thigh.

The distracted Jiang Chengyu finally focused her gaze. "Oh, oh right, that makes sense."

How strange. The girl usually so lively and blunt, unafraid to spar words, was actually quiet for once.

Even her perfunctory manner seemed oddly nervous.

Jiang Sheng blinked, acting the part of older sister. "Little Yu, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well somewhere?"

"I'm fine," Jiang Chengyu forced out a dry laugh. "But Sister, if you feel discomfort anywhere, do tell me."

As girls from prominent families themselves, no matter how energetic Fourth Young Miss Jiang was, she was still raised with noble teachings and had an official father, a battle-hardened uncle, and a merchant grandfather.

Compared to Jiang Sheng, she was the one truly raised in comfort.

Capable of throwing childish tantrums one moment then perfectly composed in formal wear the next.

When the carriage stopped, she still remembered to explain to her newfound cousin, "As relatives of ministers, our carriages can't enter the Imperial City. Servant girls aren't allowed in either. With such a long walk ahead, we'll have to go on foot." It did sound rather tiring.

Jiang Sheng stepped off the carriage after her, gazing into the distance. Everything shone so brightly it nearly blinded her.

Looking closer, it was the ostentatious madams adorned in gold from head to toe, accompanying equally glittering young ladies. Enough wealth to not see in a commoner's lifetime.

"Gaudy bunch," Jiang Chengyu scoffed. "And here I thought my family was rich. They're on a whole other level, just short of carrying gold mines on their heads."

The fashionable hairpieces were certainly encrusted in all manners of gemstones.

Jiang Sheng used to like them but now with the pain in her neck, she suddenly found cold hard cash to be far more beautiful.

"Let's go," Second Madam urged from the front.

The young ladies drew themselves up and followed gracefully.

This was Jiang Sheng's first visit to the palace. On top of the pressing mission to deliver money to Fifth Brother, she also privately wondered if the ground was really paved in gold bricks.

Yet upon entering, she realized there was no golden yellow, only smooth stone bricks that didn't catch the feet.

Disappointed for sure but the anticipation of seeing Fifth Brother lifted her spirits again as she maintained perfect poise beneath the weight of her pearls and jewels.

From the Imperial City gates to Baohe Hall was roughly the time needed to finish a cup of tea.

"This is where the imperial family often holds banquets," Jiang Chengyu's barely concealed distress surfaced again. "We're quite early. The madams and young ladies of prominent houses will arrive later. Greet those you recognize and ignore the rest."

Jiang Sheng nodded. Following Second Madam, they took their seats near the front.

One could tell the standing of each house simply from the seating arrangements. The closer to the dragon throne meant greater status. The Jiang House was only second to the various princes and nobles, on equal footing with the Three Dukes and Three Orphans, and ahead of even the Six Ministries.

As the Jiang family's representative woman these past years, it was only natural for Second Madam to exchange pleasantries, bringing the young ones along as well.

"This is Chengyu right? More stunning by the day, blossoming beautifully into a woman." A certain madam gave the customary compliments to the Second Branch's daughter before noticing there were in fact two young ladies at the table.

One tall, one short; one plump, one normal: completely different in appearance but with some resemblance in build.

The madam's astonishment was palpable. Unsure which one was Jiang Chengyu and confused by the extra girl.

Could it be... Lord Jiang secretly raised an illegitimate daughter outside? Before imaginings could run further, Second Madam explained with wry amusement, "My niece, the same age as Chengyu. She's joining me at court today."

With only two Jiang brothers, a niece could only be the Eldest Branch's heir.

The one at the center of all the rumors in Fengjing, the trueborn daughter.

"So it's Young Lady Jiang." Quick to react as a court veteran, the madam offered, "I'm of the He Family. I also have daughters around your age. Feel free to gather and go sightseeing sometime."

Jiang Sheng remembered the He Family, one of the rare houses in Fengjing to continually extend helping hands, even indirectly aiding her Uncle Xu once.

Eyes brightening, she rose and greeted earnestly, "Madam He, please call me Jiang Sheng."

"What a nice child," Madam He beamed and nodded. Fiddling at her wrist a moment, she slipped off a heavy gold bangle. "First time seeing you, not sure what you'd like. Wear this bangle first. I'll look for something better later."

Studded with gems, the thick bracelet had to be at least a full tael even at a glance.

Yet she said to just "wear this for now" and she'd find "something better"? That was no measly sum.

Unaccustomed to such, Jiang Sheng frantically tried to refuse but was at a loss.

Second Madam stepped in. "Since an elder has gifted, simply accept. Remember to return the favour with sweets from Jiuzhen Store, best of the best."

Taking the opening, Madam He took hold of Jiang Sheng's hand and yanked the bangle off her own wrist.

She didn't linger, exchanging brief goodbyes with Second Madam before returning some ways away.

Jiang Sheng grasped the intention then - the He Family's standing clearly fell short of the Jiang House so they were currying favour instead.

Wide as the bracelet was, it was considerably lighter than her initial guess of a full tael and most likely only half a tael. More bark than bite.

"My dear, no need to fret. The He's just opened a wine lodge and wish to emulate the success of You Ran House." Second Madam murmurred. "The bangle was deliberately worn at the wrist, ready to be gifted anytime. Nothing special."

Not just Madam He, all court ladies prepared in this way with cheap pieces on the body and wrist to curry favour.

Jiang Sheng was reminded of the gold melon seeds Tan Yue had specifically told her to take. It was likely for the exact same purpose.

The intricacies of court could hardly be grasped through etiquette lessons alone.

Second Madam pointed out a thing or two before turning her attention back to the other Madams for idle chatter.

Left in her wake, Jiang Sheng wondered if she too would have had a mother to teach her the twists and turns of court in just a couple sentences.