Chapter 21 Scouting for a New Maidservant

Chapter 21: Finding a New Maid

Jiang Shuning turned and went to Madam Jiang's courtyard, speaking calmly, "Mother, I would like to ask you to have Dong Mei married off to the coachman, Da Niu."

Madam Jiang was taken aback and looked at her with confusion. "Dong Mei grew up with you and has served you for many years. You've grown accustomed to her presence. How can you bear to let her go and get married?"

Jiang Shuning lowered her gaze, a flash of coldness in her eyes. "If someone by your side is disloyal at heart, no matter how reluctant you are to part with them, you're only asking for trouble."

Though the words were subtle, Madam Jiang understood the underlying meaning.

She asked no further questions and immediately nodded in agreement. She ordered Dong Mei to be married to Da Niu and even gave Da Niu an extra pouch of loose silver, instructing him to find a residence outside the Jiang estate and live a good life with Dong Mei.

The implication was clear: they were no longer to remain in the Jiang residence.

Da Niu, thrilled to get both money and a wife, was so delighted he was practically dancing on the spot.

But Dong Mei seethed with resentment.

She had deliberately gotten close to Da Niu recently, merely to use him to damage the carriage wheel and pave the way for Jiang Yaozhen's plan.

Da Niu was a habitual gambler, crude and vulgar, and he earned even less per month than she did. How was he worthy of her?

In her view, as a personal maid to a young lady of a noble house, she should rightfully enter a prince's household as part of her mistress's dowry and secure a splendid future for herself.

She knelt at Jiang Shuning's feet, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded, "My lady, Dong Mei doesn't want to get married! Dong Mei only wishes to serve you for a lifetime!"

Jiang Shuning lowered her eyes to look at her, her expression icy and unmoved. "Dong Mei, you know very well what happened that day. I almost died at the hands of those men in black. Staying by my side now is too dangerous. It's better for you to get married and leave."

Dong Mei detected the probe in her words but still played dumb, stubbornly continuing her pleas. "Your servant is not afraid of danger, I only beg to stay by your side, My lady! I beg for your mercy..."

"Enough!" Jiang Shuning slammed the table abruptly, her voice turning cold. "Must I spell it out and expose the one pulling your strings before you give up? By then, it won't be as simple as getting married. I'm afraid you'll spend the rest of your life in prison!"

Dong Mei was stunned by this sudden display of authority. Her face turned deathly pale, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

The Jiang Shuning before her was completely different from the simple, sheltered young mistress she remembered.

She seemed to have already figured everything out, yet deliberately refrained from exposing it, merely watching coldly from the sidelines, waiting for others to panic and reveal themselves.

Dong Mei was filled with regret. Had she known this would happen, she wouldn't have been tempted by the benefits offered by Second Miss Jiang and pushed herself into such a predicament.

With matters having come to this, she dared not say more. Choking back sobs, she accepted the Jiang residence's arrangements and tearfully married Da Niu.

When the news of Dong Mei's marriage spread, Jiang Yaozhen was instantly on edge.

She lived in constant fear, worrying that this foolish girl might slip up and reveal her plot to harm Jiang Shuning.

If Chancellor Jiang found out about this, she was sure to face punishment under family law, and might even be immediately sent to Xuzhou, never to return.

However, Jiang Shuning did not inform Chancellor Jiang of the matter.

Firstly, sisters harming each other was nothing to be proud of and should not be publicized. Secondly, the identity of that supposedly deceased concubine was truly suspicious. Before she understood the other party's full capabilities, she couldn't act rashly to avoid tipping someone off.

Jiang Yaozhen spent several days in anxious fear. Seeing that the Jiang residence remained calm and peaceful, she finally secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and her anxiety finally subsided.

After Dong Mei left, Jiang Shuning no longer had a personal maid attending to her. Madam Jiang busied herself with selecting a new maid for her.

When she asked her daughter for her opinion, Jiang Shuning merely stated lightly, "I want one who is skilled in martial arts."

Madam Jiang was startled upon hearing this and quickly asked, "Why would Ning'er suddenly have such a request? Has something happened?" (Note: Ning'er is an affectionate name for Jiang Shuning.)

But Jiang Shuning smiled innocently. "Mother is overthinking. Your daughter merely wishes to learn some martial arts for self-defense. Nowadays, among the noble young ladies in the capital, it's not only those excelling in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; there are also those proficient in horsemanship and swordsmanship. My talents are average, so knowing some martial arts is always good."

Hearing this, Madam Jiang felt reassured. She ordered people to search everywhere for human brokers to find women skilled in martial arts, offering a handsome reward.

The brokers, eager to earn the Jiang family's commission, brought several women one after another. Unfortunately, they only knew some flashy but useless moves, and Jiang Shuning wasn't impressed by any of them.

Having lived two lives, both times with people wanting to take her life, how could a personal maid without genuine skills withstand the vicious attacks of that concubine?

Having been fortunate enough to be reborn, she had no wish to die early and let those who wished for her death rejoice in vain.

With such careful selection, over two months passed without finding a suitable candidate. Yet Jiang Shuning was not anxious. She did whatever she could herself and never uttered a single complaint.

This matter soon reached Xiao Lingchuan's ears.

One day, he was drinking tea with the Seventh Prince in the flower hall. Amidst the curling tea fragrance, the Seventh Prince suddenly said, "Fourth Brother, why not select a woman from the shadow guards to send to sister-in-law? It would both protect her and allow us to know her every move. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"

Xiao Lingchuan already had a suitable candidate in mind to arrange by Jiang Shuning's side, only...

He took a light sip of tea and said calmly, "If she knew it was my arrangement, she would likely refuse even if it meant death."

The Seventh Prince didn't think much of it and laughed. "How could that be? Sister-in-law would be grateful!"

Xiao Lingchuan recalled the wary, somewhat resentful look in her eyes every time she saw him, and a dark glint flashed in his own gaze.

He set down his teacup and said softly, "Find a suitable opportunity to send the person to her side."

A light snow began to fall in the capital, the first snowflakes drifting down like willow catkins.

Many noble young ladies eagerly took up umbrellas and headed to the plum blossom grove to admire the snow and blossoms.

Madam Jiang had a new fox fur cloak made for Jiang Shuning. The snow-white fur was soft as clouds, both warm and beautiful.

Jiang Shuning draped it over herself, looking left and right in the bronze mirror, so delighted she couldn't bear to put it down.

Seeing this, Madam Jiang smiled and said, "You've been cooped up at home for months; it's time to go out for some fresh air."

Coincidentally, her close friend Xia Yan invited her to visit the plum blossom grove together. Thinking that Xia Yan was quite skilled in martial arts and might be able to recommend a capable personal maid, she gladly accepted the invitation.

Jiang Yaozhen also went along.

She wore a bright red robe with a fox tail adorning the collar. Against the vibrant color, her face appeared even more radiant and captivating.

Upon learning that she had just been elevated to a legitimate daughter, the noble young ladies offered congratulations on the surface, but in reality, they sneered and made cutting remarks.

"Oh, isn't this Second Miss Jiang? I heard you were just elevated to a legitimate daughter. I wonder which prince will be fortunate enough to marry you?"

"You all don't know yet, do you? Chancellor Jiang has arranged a marriage for her in his hometown in Xuzhou. She'll be sent back soon!"

"It seems elevating her to a legitimate daughter was merely to pave the way for a marriage beneath her station!"

The noble young ladies tittered behind their fans, but Jiang Yaozhen remained composed, merely giving a cold smile. "His Majesty's imperial edict bestowing marriage will arrive soon. I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you all then!"

Hearing this, Xia Yan pulled Jiang Shuning aside and whispered sarcastically, "Has your younger sister gone mad? Which prince would marry her? And an imperial edict?"

Jiang Shuning quickly tugged her sleeve, her expression grave. "Shh, don't discuss her behind her back."

Her younger sister had that ruthlessly skilled concubine protecting her. If she incurred her hatred, the consequences would be unthinkable.

In the past, Xia Yan would have been unable to restrain herself and would have stepped forward to mock Jiang Yaozhen with veiled sarcasm. But today, with Jiang Shuning tightly holding her arm, she had no choice but to let it go and admire the plum blossoms side by side with her.

A cold breeze gently brushed by, carrying the subtle fragrance of plum blossoms. Just as the two were immersed in the scene, a man in tattered clothes suddenly rushed to Jiang Shuning's side, snatched the lustrous jade pendant from her waist, turned, and fled.

Caught off guard, Jiang Shuning anxiously shouted at the man's retreating figure, "Stop!"