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In Jiang Xingzhi's heart, his wife was merely a merchant woman who brought him shame, and his daughter was an insignificant presence; anyone who obstructed his career could be discarded without hesitation.
In this life, Jiang Xi returned to reclaim everything that belonged to her and her mother.
Anyone who dared to overreach and covet what was not theirs would pay the price.
At this moment, Jiang Xingzhi brought the Feng to the Listening to the Rain Pavilion. Han Yue stood at the entrance, and Jiang Xingzhi asked, "Is Madam and Miss inside?"
Han Yue merely nodded indifferently.
Jiang Xingzhi felt displeased with Han Yue's cold demeanor but held back his frustration, knowing she was from the Regent's Palace.
However, the Feng was ignorant of her place; she shouted angrily, hands on her hips, her face contorted with rage. "How dare you, a mere maid, show no manners? Not only do you fail to greet the Prime Minister upon his arrival, but you also don't hurry to open the door?"
Han Yue looked at her expressionlessly. "Miss did not instruct me to open the door. Who do you think you are? How dare I challenge my master?"
The Feng shouted back, her eyes wide with fury. "Do you want to die? Do you even know who you're talking to?"
Jiang Xi stepped out, frowning slightly as she scolded, "What’s all this shouting about? Is there no decorum left in this household?"
The Feng, emboldened by Jiang Xingzhi's presence, believed Jiang Xi wouldn't dare confront her. She taunted, "Oh, is Miss talking about me?"
Jiang Xi saw through her intentions but remained indifferent. "Feng Concubine seems to have some self-awareness."
The Concubine encouraged Jiang Xingzhi to demand money from the legitimate wife, relying on his status and favor to provoke Jiang Xi, the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's Residence. Yet Jiang Xi would not indulge her; with just a few words, she sent the Feng into a rage. "Don't you think it's disrespectful for Miss to speak to an elder like that?"
Jiang Xi smirked slightly, laced with sarcasm. "Feng Concubine still remembers I am the legitimate daughter of this household; should you also remember who the head wife is? Don’t forget the distinction between a legitimate wife and a concubine. Do you need me to remind you how a concubine should maintain her decorum and etiquette?"
The Feng was left speechless; though she came from a noble family, she was indeed just a concubine. Feeling wronged yet trying to play the victim, she turned to Jiang Xingzhi and tugged at his sleeve in a feigned pout. "Master, look at her..."
Jiang Xingzhi pointed directly at Jiang Xi. "Enough! How can Xi'er speak to her elder like that?"
Jiang Xi was not angry at all; instead, she grew even more indifferent. "What did I say that was wrong? I am the legitimate eldest daughter and the rightful master of the Prime Minister's Residence. Feng Concubine is merely a concubine; when I'm pleased, I might call her 'Auntie,' but when I'm not happy, she must refer to herself as a maid in front of me and my mother. She has been disrespectful first; now my father blames me instead. I have done nothing wrong; I will not give him face."
Jiang Xingzhi's anger flared as his face turned red. "You are being outrageous! How dare you speak to your father like that? Bring your mother out!"
Jiang Xingzhi felt even more disdain in his heart; indeed, the daughter raised by a merchant woman lacked any semblance of an Eldest Daughter's demeanor.
Jiang Xi smiled faintly and spoke, "Speaking of my mother, it reminds me of something. The legitimate wife of Feng Yang is only my mother. According to the rules, all the illegitimate sons and daughters should respectfully refer to my mother as 'Mother,' not 'Aunt.' Feng Concubine is merely a concubine, and even her own children can only call her 'Auntie.' This is the difference between a legitimate wife and a concubine."
As she spoke, Jiang Xi lazily raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery in her eyes. "As the Prime Minister of a nation, my father surely wouldn't want to be ridiculed for failing to uphold the rules of the inner residence, would he?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xingzhi was furious, raising his voice several decibels. "Impudent! Jiang Xi, do you still see me as your father? You show no respect for your elders and are arrogant and willful. Go kneel in the ancestral hall this instant!"
"That won't do," Han Yue stepped forward to protect Jiang Xi, speaking coldly. "My lord has instructed me to protect the young lady well and ensure no one bullies her. If anyone dares to anger her, my lord's wrath will be something Han Shuang and I cannot bear; we will report everything truthfully."
As Han Yue finished speaking, both Jiang Xingzhi and the Feng fell silent, unable to utter another word. The reputation of Regent Fong Yang was indeed quite effective.
At that moment, Madam Jiang walked out from the inner chamber, having completely regarded the man she once loved as a stranger. There was no trace of affection in her eyes as she coldly asked, "What do you want so aggressively? Here to ask for money again?"
Madam Jiang's words were blunt, showing no regard for Jiang Xingzhi's lofty nature.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Jiang Xingzhi's face darkened, his brows furrowing tightly. "What do you mean by asking for money again? The things in this residence are not for you to use at will. Go fetch five thousand taels of silver from the storeroom immediately."
Madam Jiang sneered with sarcasm. "Does the Prime Minister even know how much silver he puts into the storeroom each year? I would like to take some out, but is there any silver in there?"
Jiang Xingzhi was infuriated and shouted angrily, "All you care about is money! Don't forget that you are the Prime Minister's Wife. Go outside and see those first and second-rank ladies; which one is not elegant and dignified, enjoying poetry and tea? Who spends their days talking about such mundane things? Truly a merchant's daughter who cannot hold her own."
Madam Jiang remained unperturbed, smiling gently. "Since the Prime Minister cannot tolerate such mundane matters and looks down on merchant women, then don't let anyone come here to ask for silver anymore. If there is silver in the storeroom, just go take it directly so that outsiders won't think that even the concubines and illegitimate daughters of the esteemed Prime Minister's Residence have to rely on a merchant woman for their livelihood, tarnishing their refined elegance."
With that, she stepped over the threshold and looked tenderly at Jiang Xi. "Xi'er, I'm feeling quite bored staying in the residence. Let's go out for a stroll and see if we can find some jewelry or something for you."
Jiang Xi linked arms with her mother and smiled brightly. "Alright."
The mother-daughter duo walked out hand in hand.
Jiang Xi turned back to instruct Han Yue to follow them while leaving Han Shuang behind in the residence. "Don't let anyone rummage through my mother's room. If anything valuable goes missing, I'll hold you responsible."
Han Shuang responded expressionlessly, completely ignoring Jiang Xingzhi and the Feng's darkened expressions.
Jiang Xingzhi prided himself on his high moral standing, relying solely on his meager salary, which was insufficient for the household expenses. It was entirely thanks to Madam Jiang that they could live comfortably.
The Feng grew anxious and stomped her foot, saying, "What about Jiao Jiao's bracelet?"
For the first time, Madam Jiang refused to give any money. Jiang Xingzhi was furious and had no desire to engage with the Feng any further. "What do you want me to do? It's utterly unreasonable! I am a supporter of the emperor; how can I let these trivial matters tarnish my reputation!"
Jiang Xi found her father quite amusing.
In this world, who could truly remain untouched by worldly matters? Unless one chose to abstain from food and drink altogether and ascend to immortality, treating wealth as mere dirt, if he were so noble, why not retreat to the mountains? Instead, he struggled in this web of intrigue among officials and merchants.
As the carriage rolled down the long street, Jiang Xi couldn't help but sigh. In her past life, trapped in the Regent's Palace, it would have been no difficult task to escape and witness this bustling scene if she hadn't been so stubbornly trying to leave.
Her gaze fell upon a familiar Ink Treasure Studio, and she snapped back to reality with a faint smile. "Mother, let's go take a look."
Madam Jiang lifted the curtain to peek outside, frowning slightly. "Xi'er, are you planning to buy something for Huo Xingwen again?"
Jiang Xi shook her head. "It's not for him."
Madam Jiang's brow furrowed. "Could it be for the Regent?"
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