Chapter 365

It was neither a festival, the first day of the lunar month, nor the fifteenth. When the Jiang Family suddenly proposed to worship their ancestors, everyone was shocked, thinking something big was about to happen.

What big thing could possibly happen? After careful calculation, it boiled down to the status issues surrounding Jiang Sheng and Jiang Chenghua.

In the past when General Jiang was not around, he had only recognized Jiang Sheng back into the family but had not held an ancestral hall ceremony to introduce her to the clan, added her name to the family tree, or...removed the names that did not belong to the Jiang bloodline.

Thinking these through, Jiang Chenghua in Handan Courtyard began to tremble, from her hair to limbs, from her soul to her heart.

Although Grandmother and Father had said they would not drive her away, with her name gone from the family tree, was she still a child of the Jiang Family? Should she still stay in the Jiang Family?

Or perhaps, would she still be herself?

The most dreaded matter was about to become reality. Jiang Chenghua could barely stand, collapsing onto the bed several times.

Fortunately Mrs. Liao rushed over hurriedly and took her into her arms, comforting her, “This time it’s not opening the ancestral hall or going to the family tree. It’s just to burn incense for Old General Jiang.”

“Really?” Jiang Chenghua remembered her grandfather, a tall and sturdy old man, somewhat stern and not fond of joking around, only occasionally revealing a kind look when he saw his grandchildren.

Later he died in battle at the frontier, and by the time his corpse was sent back to the capital, it had already decomposed and gave off a stench.

Not one of his grandchildren, Jiang Chenghua included, was disgusted. They all knelt at the memorial hall, weeping silently.

They knew of their grandfather's valor, and understood he died for the country. They sincerely respected their grandfather and never forgot to pay tribute to him on Qingming Festival.

It was reasonable for Father to rarely come back and burn incense for Grandfather at the temple.

The tension in Jiang Chenghua’s mind eased as a smile lit up her small, palm-sized face, with traces of tears shimmering in her eyes. “Don’t worry Mother, Chenghua is fine. Let’s start preparing.”

The notice came that same day. The Jiang Family was some distance away from Famen Temple, they had to set off before noon to burn incense.

Including the two Madams, the entire Jiang Family hastily prepared and readied themselves before summoning the carriages. Outside the main gate of the Jiang Family:

Old Lady Jiang slowly got into the tall, grand carriage with Tanyue’s support.

The family of four from the second west wing also gigglingly boarded their carriage, sitting neatly in a row.

Next was Mrs. Liao with Jiang Chenghua. They chose a moderately luxurious carriage and as the servant girl stooped to make the stepping stool, the Jiang Family Steward walked over, embarrassment all over his face, “Mistress, the General left word that Young Lady Chenghua need not go.”

Like thunder striking them, that one line.

The calm Jiang Chenghua had just regained in her heart was wrenched apart once more. Right then, Jiang Chengyu in the second branch’s carriage flipped the curtain open, poking her head out grinning, “Oh my, people unrelated to the Jiang Family are so desperate to horn in on its joyous occasions. If you knew you would be humiliated like this now, you might as well have hid in your own courtyard!”

“Chengyu!” Jiang Chengfeng scolded sharply.

Only then did Jiang Chengyu stick out her tongue and withdraw her head, leaving just a slit to eavesdrop.

“Father...did Father really say I cannot go?” Jiang Chenghua forcibly held back her tears. “Is this true?”

The steward nodded with difficulty.

Jiang Chenghua finally could not hold back her tears anymore as they rolled down her cheeks. The excruciating pain of loss clutched tightly at her heart, not allowing her to breathe or stand steadily.

“Since Father has spoken, Chenghua will not go then.” She barely composed herself, choking back sobs as she withdrew.

Within the carriage, Jiang Chengyu found it strange. Jiang Chenghua, that crybaby fake young miss of the Jiang Family, actually did not faint or throw a tantrum. Things were a little boring, she smacked her lips, preparing to drop the carriage curtain.

Silent all this while, Mrs. Liao suddenly grabbed Jiang Chenghua’s arm. “Why can’t she go? What right does anyone have to stop her from going?

Intrigued, Jiang Chengyu leaned eagerly against her mother’s legs to keep listening.

“Chenghua still bears the Jiang Family name. She was there to send off the Old General as well. Why can’t she go?” Mrs. Liao berated sharply. "Who said she can't go? Jiang Jizu? Get him to tell me personally!"

But the General had gone to fetch the main wife and daughters already. Where would they find him now?

Sweat beaded on the Jiang Family Steward’s forehead. He felt caught in an impasse, that life was difficult.

“Today I’m laying down this rule. If Chenghua goes I’ll go, if Chenghua doesn’t go I won’t go too!” Still fuming, Mrs. Liao pulled Jiang Chenghua along to leave.

In the carriage ahead, Old Lady Jiang finally opened her eyes and signaled to Tanyue with her eyes. Tanyue understood implicitly and lifted the curtain, instructing “Let the Third Young Lady go. As long as Madam does not regret it, it’s fine.”

The Jiang Family Steward heaved in relief, as if pardoned, and turned to look at Mrs. Liao.

“Why would I regret it?” Mrs Liao humphed coldly. “Chenghua was pampered in the Jiang Family for twelve years. She is the Jiang Family’s child.”

If something like going to burn incense for the Old General excluded her, she would no longer have any status in the Jiang Family or Fengjing thereafter.

“But Mother—” Jiang Chenghua still had some hesitance, “this goes against Father’s wishes...”

Mrs. Liao did not reply but reached out and hauled her onto the carriage.

The carriage driver snapped his whip. As the main gates of the Jiang Family closed slowly behind them, the gatekeeper watched the fading silhouettes, filled with a vague sense of disquiet.

Like dandelion seeds scattering in the wind, no matter how hard one tried, they could never be gathered back into their original form.

Drifting, drifting.

Inside the carriage, Jiang Sheng stretched out a hand and grasped some drifting willow fluff. She gently rubbed it in her palm, trying to roll it into a little ball of cotton.

“Father look, this cotton is so nice, rub more and we can make cotton-padded jackets to wear. But it only blooms when the jacket is taken off, utterly useless.” She sighed and shook her head, sounding like a precocious child.

Jiang Jizu smiled, “Cotton cannot be warm. Only new cotton batting can keep warm.”

“Who has new cotton batting?” Jiang Sheng blew the cotton ball away. “It’d be good enough to use old cotton. Some families stuff with reed floss, looks plump but touch it and it's icy cold all over.”

The little girl even made a rhyme.

Jiang Jizu laughed, but the more he laughed the more his eyes reddened and his throat tightened. Jiang Sheng turned around and realized she had said the wrong thing again.

Although life in the past was harsh, they managed to pull through after all. She was very content now, with her elder brother, grandmother, and father who loved her so. She should not bring up the past again, should not make her loved ones sad again.

"Aiyaya Father—" Like in her dreams countless times, the little girl threw herself into her father's arms. "Isn't today the Jiang Family ancestral worship? Why are my brothers called over as well?"

Two carriages were prepared for the second courtyard. Father and daughter rode in one, while her four brothers rode in the other.

But they were not Jiang Family sons, they did not even know Old General Jiang. Could it be to thank their grandfather for giving them such a clever and outstanding little sister?

"No, no." Jiang Jizu shattered her self-conceit. "Famen Temple is specially for commemorating departed relatives. They probably wanted to burn incense for their own late parents."

But the actual situation was that the tall and straight figure of the General had come calling, informing them that a distressing scene might occur today, and asking if they would be willing to accompany and protect Jiang Sheng.

Without any hesitation, he heard four echoes of “okay.”