Chapter 21: Everything Has Changed Since Her Returned

Concubine Hua and her daughter were in their room, choosing from a large table of silk, satin, and jewelry in preparation for the consort selection two days from now.

Although the event wasn't as big as selecting a General, this was still an important event to find the right concubine for the handsome young man, His Highness Prince Yu. What's more, this year's selection was the most anticipated event. People, especially young girls, were more excited than the selection for the Emperor's concubine.

Jiang Yuan was confident in her beauty. She knew that she could accentuate her beauty even more with the proper attire and accessories. She put in a lot of effort to dress herself up to be the most beautiful woman in the world and win over His Highness Prince Yu's heart with one glance.

She was certain the prince wouldn't even take her eyes off her. 

Naturally, Concubine Hua hoped that her daughter would be able to stand out, so she took most of the high-quality things from the Jiang family's storeroom, and even went out to buy new dresses, robes, silks, and accessories for her daughter to choose from.

This was the scene that Jiang Ruobai saw when he entered their room.

It was normal for women to like silk and jewelry, and the Jiang family was willing to pamper and indulge the women in their house.

Jiang Ruobai had walked into this scene many times before in the past. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary, and the man had never felt anything special or even bothered by it. 

But now, with knowledge and information in his arsenal, he could only think about his youngest daughter and how she was treated since her return.

'And she had been suffering all this time too.'

Jiang Ruobai's heart trembled slightly at the thought of his youngest daughter living in a dilapidated house, wearing thin old clothes, and looking pale and frail, sitting on a rickety wheelchair.

He walked in with a sullen face. Concubine Hua and her daughter quickly stood up to welcome him.

Although Concubine Hua was over thirty years old, she was still as beautiful as when he first met her. "Have you had dinner, my Lord? If not, I'll get someone to prepare, and we can eat together."

"No need," Jiang Ruobai said coldly, "I heard that the Seventh Lady sent someone to withdraw her monthly allowance today, but not only did you refuse to pay, you even taunted her and sent her maid away with a slap?"

Concubine Hua didn't expect that he would come to demand an explanation for Jiang Ning so soon. But she maintained her calm and smiled at her husband, "My Lord, you've wronged me. I really didn't know that my Lord had already agreed. In order to manage such a large residence, the rules can not be broken up. I thought that since the Seventh Young Lady had just arrived, she should not be incited by a few wicked servants, so this servant taught that servant girl a lesson on behalf of the Seventh Young Lady."

In the past, Jiang Ruobai used to think that Concubine Hua was pretty, adorable, and witty. Her intelligence was what drew him in, after all. However, after what he had heard from his head servant and his precious youngest daughter, he could not shake the disgust and annoyance at her smart mouth, "I specifically asked the head steward to inform you. Are you trying to say that my steward lied to me?"

"No, no, I was so busy that I forgot."

"Since you're too busy with the matters of the harem, then don't bother."

"My Lord, what do you mean?"

"From today onwards, the matters of the inner residence will be handed over to the purple bamboo garden." Jiang Ruobai's tone was stern. "As for you, teach Xiao Wu the rules well and proper etiquette before we send her off to the selection in two days. Don't disappoint me."

At first, Concubine Hua was shocked and furious.

She had been in charge of the Jiang family affairs for many years, but she was stripped of her position because of a disabled girl who had just waltzed into the manor.

How could she not be angry?

But on second thought, the master had specially instructed her to teach and prepared her Yuan Yuan well for the selection. Could it be that her husband had bribed the palace to ensure Yuan Yuan had a higher chance of being selected by the prince?

As long as Yuan Yuan became Prince Yu's consort, what should she be afraid of in the manor? 

Though it still didn't stop the simmering anger in her heart to boil. 

Focusing on Yuan Yuan's benefit, Concubine Hua restrained her anger and plastered on a smile, "You are right, my Lord. Now that the Seventh Lady is back home, the Madam should take over the inner matters of the family. I'm sure the Madam will have a quick recovery with the Seventh Lady by her side. I'll have someone give the key to the storeroom to Madam tomorrow. "

"Do it now. And another thing," Jiang Ruobai said, "Bring Xiao Wu with you to apologize to Xiao Qi!"

"What? Why do I have to apologize to her?" Jiang Yuan burst out in surprise.

"What, do my words don't work anymore?" Jiang Ruobai said in a low voice, sounding almost threatening.

Concubine Hua quickly held her daughter's shoulder to stop her from throwing herself further into the fire, "How can that be? Don't worry, my Lord, we'll leave for the purple bamboo garden immediately. Seventh Lady has been wronged today. An apology is a must."

Jiang Ruobai snorted and left with a flick of his sleeves.

As soon as the door closes, Jiang Yuan throws a jade teacup to the ground in anger. The cup was smashed and scattered into little pieces. "Everything has changed ever since Seventh Sister returned to the manor! Not only did father take back mother's right to be the head housekeeper of the Jiang family, but she also made father hate me too!"