Chapter 431 - 142: Spread Out
Lady Ji’s death was supposed to be a significant event, yet in the Jiang Residence, it seemed to receive less attention than the arrival of a Maternal Aunt Hu. Nevertheless, in just a few short days, two people had died in the Jiang Residence, exposing the blood-soaked truth of the past for all to see, so naturally, the atmosphere inside could not be described as light-hearted. This winter was also colder than those of years past.
As if to compensate for Jiang Li’s past regrets, Madam Jiang the Elder and Jiang Yuanbai catered to her every whim, attending to the smallest details. Just the visits from the elder madam’s servants Zhenzhu and Feicui, bringing clothes and silver, happened several times. Jiang Li accepted their gestures with consistent gentleness, giving the appearance that there were no barriers, but upon witnessing Jiang Li’s reactions, Madam Jiang the Elder let out a deep sigh.
Lady Ji was to be buried, but had officially died of a sudden illness which claimed her life overnight. No matter how much outsiders pointed fingers, whether puzzled or perplexed, the Ji family members, being Lady Ji Shuran’s maternal family, did not speak a word, implicitly acknowledging this as fact.
Thus, the people of Yanjing City, despite speculating over meals about whether there was any hidden story behind Ji Shuran’s death, did not linger on the topic without evidence, quickly moving on to other conversations.
Ji Shuran’s coffin was buried after seven days. During that period, only Jiang Youyao kept vigil for Ji Shuran. Jiang Bingji was too young, and while Jiang Li was Ji Shuran’s daughter in name, how could she hold vigil for the woman who had murdered her birth mother? As for the other Jiang family members, Ji Shuran had too many lives on her conscience and was responsible for the death of the former madam; anyone keeping vigil for such a murderous culprit would be directly opposing Madam Jiang the Elder.
Jiang Youyao, despite the humiliation, stood vigil alone for Ji Shuran. Initially, when she learned of Ji Shuran’s demise, she was tempted to confront Madam Jiang the Elder and Jiang Yuanbai, but the pair were completely absent, not even willing to see her. It was Jin Hua, who stayed by Youyao’s side, who reminded her that this was all by Madam Jiang the Elder’s design. Only then did Youyao accept the harsh reality, and at the same time, a deep fear arose within her.
The Jiang family members were capable of killing her mother without hesitation and would undoubtedly do the same to her! Fear overpowered her grief, and Youyao didn’t have the heart to seek justice for Ji Shuran. Initially, she had pinned all her hopes on the Ji family members. She was waiting for them to come to the Jiang Residence, expecting the Ji family to take her away. But ever since Ji Shuran’s death, they had not shown themselves at all.
There wasn’t even a gesture of condolence.
At that moment, Youyao truly understood that she and her mother were abandoned by the Ji family; from that point on, at the Jiang Residence, she could only rely on herself.