Chapter 400 - 394_1
When Jiang Ziqi came over, he saw his father, Lord Jiang, admiring a snuff bottle with great fondness, and the snuff bottle looked very familiar. Wasn’t it the same one he had seen with Little Yueyue before? It turned out, Little Yueyue had given this snuff bottle to his father, no wonder he was reluctant to part with it.
"Father, this snuff bottle looks quite exquisite. Where did you get it?" Although Jiang Ziqi knew exactly where the snuff bottle had come from, he pretended not to know and asked deliberately.
Lord Jiang glanced at Jiang Ziqi and saw right through his little trick. If it hadn’t been for this lad, how would Zhao Erhu and his wife know of his preferences and bring along something he liked so precisely? "It was given by the guests you brought back. Although they’re from a small place, they still know some etiquette. This little thing is quite nice; I graciously accepted it."
Jiang Ziqi, aware of his old man’s shrewdness, chuckled and scratched his nose, "Well, I knew I couldn’t hide anything from you, you sly old fox. In fact, I saw this snuff bottle at their place yesterday. I was thinking of taking it to give to you, but unfortunately, they didn’t agree. Turns out it was meant as a gift for favor."
"You little brat, calling me an old fox, I’m your father. You unfilial son, don’t think I can’t deal with you just because you’ve become the Family Head," Lord Jiang threatened to hit Jiang Ziqi with a gesture that carried a good bit of force, showing he really meant to discipline him.
Jiang Ziqi certainly wasn’t about to just dodge away and let his father punish him. He reflexively dodged, avoiding the hand Lord Jiang swung at him, "Easy there, old man, don’t hit me so hard. If you knock me silly, where will you find another son to take over the position of Family Head? If only you’d had a few more sons, I wouldn’t have to work so hard."
Although after Lady Jiang passed away, Lord Jiang never remarried, and there were no concubines, just two handmaidens serving in his chamber, the relationship between Lord Jiang and Lady Jiang wasn’t as affectionate as the rumors suggested—it was more a relationship of mutual respect. Lady Jiang was a marital arrangement for the benefit of the family. Being on reasonable terms was already a good outcome; there wasn’t much romantic attachment. Lady Jiang died early, and as Jiang Ziqi didn’t have a deep impression of her, he would tease with such jokes.
"You cheeky boy!" This time Lord Jiang was genuinely angry, and he swung at Jiang Ziqi again but missed, puffing up his cheeks and glowering.
"Dad, please calm down, I’ve got things to do, so I’ll be leaving now." Jiang Ziqi initially had some matters to discuss with his father, but seeing his current state, it seemed impossible to talk calmly, and there was no rush for him, so he thought it best to leave it for another time.
After leaving his father’s courtyard, Jiang Ziqi thought about how Little Yueyue had given a gift to his dad, so she surely wouldn’t have forgotten about Grandfather Jiang. But he wondered what Little Yueyue had given Grandfather Jiang. Out of curiosity, and having time on his hands, he made his way to Grandfather Jiang’s courtyard.