Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 81: A Lingering Heartache

Jiang Mian walked a few steps to the door and opened it.

Jiang Li, accompanied by her servants, was distributing a considerable amount of porcelain in the courtyard. A young maid had broken a vase, and Jiang Li was punishing her.

She saw Jiang Wan open the door, quickly went to greet her, and put on a smiling face: "Second sister, it's been a long time. How have you been these days?"

Jiang Wan was slightly taken aback, her gaze sweeping from Jiang Li's face down to her body. A precious jade pendant dangled from her waist, and her headdress shimmered with pearls; she was dressed in extremely luxurious attire.

Judging by her appearance alone, she certainly has the demeanor befitting a young mistress of a marquis's household.

But upon closer inspection of her hands, not only were her nails worn down, but there were also several faint scars on the back of her hands.

It seems he's not living a very leisurely life.

Jiang Wan smiled, her tone slightly teasing: "Why did you come today, elder sister? Why didn't you come with your husband?"

Jiang Li remained calm despite her deliberate teasing.

She hadn't learned much else in the Marquis's household, but she had certainly learned to be patient. With a faint smile, she quickly changed the subject: "Your brother-in-law went fishing with the Marquis. I heard that Young Master Xiao had reunited with the Empress Dowager, so I came to offer my congratulations."

Xiao Hengzhi, who was standing to the side, nodded slightly: "Thank you."

Jiang Wan heard her call out, "Young Master Xiao?"

Jiang Li used to treat Xiao Hengzhi with a cold shoulder, always calling him "Hey, you there" and treating him like a servant.

He probably came back this time because he knows his status is different from before, and came specifically to apologize.

She glanced at Jiang Li's smiling eyes again, where was the slightest trace of the tense atmosphere from before?

It's true that the Marquis's mansion has smoothed out their rough edges.

She casually remarked, "Now that you've offered your congratulations, shouldn't you head back? The Marquis's residence has many rules; what if your mother-in-law is unhappy? Wouldn't that be troublesome?"

Jiang Li's smile froze for a moment, but she quickly covered it up and smiled gently: "It's alright. I've had some free time at the Marquis's residence. It's not too late to go back tomorrow."

Seeing her forced composure, Jiang Wan scoffed and said nothing more.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps sounded outside the corridor.

Before long, Aunt Wan arrived, panting. Upon seeing Jiang Li, her eyes reddened and her face lit up with joy: "Li'er, why did you come so suddenly? You didn't even send word."

She stepped forward and grasped Jiang Li's hand, her eyes full of concern: "Are you doing well at the Marquis's residence? How are they treating you?"

Jiang Li was slightly taken aback, then smiled faintly, lowered her head and pulled her hand away from Aunt Wan's hand, saying in a nonchalant tone: "Everyone in the Marquis's mansion treats me very well... there's no need for Aunt Wan to worry."

Jiang Mian stood aside, watching this scene. Her gaze lingered on Jiang Li's face for a moment, and the small gesture of lowering her head clearly showed that she was feeling guilty.

Doesn't she understand Jiang Li, and doesn't she understand the Marquis's mansion?

How could Lady Hou possibly treat her well? She would probably order her around and make her copy the family rules all day long.

Aunt Wan, oblivious to the situation, continued to speak to Jiang Li with great enthusiasm: "I knew you could handle things."

As she spoke, she suddenly remembered something else: "Oh, right, your belly isn't cooperating either. I've prepared some herbal remedies, said to help you conceive. Which ones should you take back with you...?"

“Auntie…” Jiang Li interrupted her, gently declining, “The Marquis’s mansion also has these.”

Jiang Li was still smiling, but the curve of her lips had become stiff, and her fingers, hidden in her sleeve, unconsciously clenched a little tighter.

No one knows yet, it's not that she can't have children, it's that Xie Cen simply doesn't have the ability.

She was subjected to this repeated torment almost every day, leaving her dry and sore, yet she dared not resist, because the Lady of the Marquis had sent a maid to listen outside the door.

She initially suspected it was a problem with herself, but after seeing a doctor, she learned it wasn't her problem at all...

Seeing her trying to remain calm, Jiang Wan didn't expose her, but raised an eyebrow slightly: "Auntie, there's no need to worry. Eldest sister and brother-in-law are still young, they'll have it sooner or later."

Aunt Wan sensed the harshness in her words and wanted to argue, but seeing Xiao Hengzhi's transformation from a sparrow to a phoenix, standing behind her with a supportive expression, she fell silent.

......

The next morning, Xiao Hengzhi remained in the mansion.

Jiang Mian didn't want to meet him, so she went to the market early in the morning to clear her head.

The winter morning market is bustling with people and vendors, and the streets and alleys are filled with a lively atmosphere.

The tea shop she loved in her past life has started putting up its signboard, and it looks like it will open soon.

As I walked and strolled, I suddenly caught a glimpse of several familiar figures ahead.

Upon closer inspection, Wen Qian was walking in the middle, with Duan Zhi'an and Li Zhijing on her left and right respectively.

She saw Duan Zhi'an leave the palace yesterday, so why is he here again today?

Duan Zhi'an has left the palace several times in less than a month. What exactly is he up to?

Jiang Mian quickened her pace, taking advantage of the moment when the three of them went into the teahouse for a short rest. A thought crossed her mind, and she went in to greet them: "Greetings, Grand Tutor, Heir Apparent, and Heir Apparent's Consort."

Wen Qian turned around, saw her, and showed a hint of surprise: "Second Miss Jiang!"

She pulled Jiang Mian to a seat and said excitedly, "It's been so long! Today is truly a rare occasion. I heard that Young Master Xiao and the Empress Dowager have reunited as relatives. I was originally planning to visit them at their residence! But I haven't had the time..."

After she finished speaking, her gaze swept slightly towards Duan Zhi'an, her eyes filled with a hint of helplessness.

Duan Zhian smiled and nodded, his smile gentle and calm: "I want to buy a house in the capital. I asked Qianqian to help me choose one. I've been bothering her these past two days. Miss Jiang, you've come at the right time. Qianqian was feeling down, but she was happy as soon as you arrived."

Li Zhijing sat quietly to the side, not saying a word, but her eyes held a complex emotion.

He hadn't seen Jiang Mian for a long time, and he thought he had finally let go, but seeing her today felt like a spring of sweet water had been poured into his heart again.

A sudden thought stirred within me, and I couldn't resist placing her favorite snacks into her bowl and plate. I also poured her a cup of tea as usual and gently pushed it towards her.

Jiang Mian was talking to Duan Zhi'an and didn't notice Li Zhijing's actions, but Wen Qian saw it all clearly.

Her smile faded slightly, a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes, and she silently lowered her gaze.

Today, when her uncle asked her to help him choose a house, the Crown Prince offered to come along. She thought that the Crown Prince finally cared about her a little.

But this concern was so little that it vanished the moment he saw Jiang Wan.

Even though she knew the prince's feelings for Jiang Mian, seeing it with her own eyes still made her heart ache.

She kept her head down, refusing to look at them.

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a piece of pastry had fallen from the bowl in front of me.

Then a sentence came to my ear—

"Does Qianqian like the snacks here?"

She looked up and met Duan Zhi'an's gentle gaze.