“Yes.” Gu Qingtong thought Han Yue’an’s reputation was quite significant since he knew about her. She was secretly delighted.
Jiang Shangheng’s face darkened as he turned away: “The young lady who just fell into the water is here too.”
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Hearing his words, he immediately ordered people to approach the shore: “Tong Tong!”
“Father, I’m here!” Gu Qingtong wanted to stand up, but her ankle was weak, so she could only look at Jiang Shangheng helplessly. However, Jiang Xiuluan’s pleasure boat had already arrived. He looked back at her but didn’t board the boat, nor did he come to help her.
“Tong’er!” Han Yue’an’s large ship was now close, with Ji Chen and Lüguo disembarking first.
“Lüguo, my foot is weak. Come help me quickly.”
“Yes.” Lüguo hurried over.
“You should carry her back,” Jiang Shangheng said, seeing her ankle was red and looking concerned.
Lüguo glanced at him in surprise, wrapped a handkerchief around her small foot, and obediently carried Gu Qingtong.
Gu Qingtong boarded Han Yue’an’s large ship and was pushed into the cabin. She only heard Han Yue’an loudly thanking Jiang Shangheng, and Jiang Shangheng seemed to leave with Jiang Xiuluan without responding.
“Okay.” Gu Qingtong called out to Lüguo, who quickly came out and followed behind her.
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Maids followed their mistresses, while older women and servants were assigned to live near Qing Niang and Li Niang for convenience.
The older woman led Gu Qingtong towards the central area, confirming that Ruan Niang was indeed a managing aunt.
“We’ve arrived at Ruan Yun Ju, Qing Niang can enter by herself,” the woman said, bringing her there and then retreating.
Gu Qingtong glanced around the courtyard. The layout was similar to hers, but with an additional small lotus pond. Because it was spring, the pond only had clear water rippling, with occasional koi fish coming up to blow bubbles.
While Gu Qingtong was lost in thought, Ruan Niang had already come out from inside the house. Hearing her voice, Gu Qingtong knew she was the woman who had spoken with Hong Jie when she had a high fever. She quickly turned and paid her respects: “Qingtong greets Manager Ruan.”
“Now you’re being sensible.” Ruan Niang smiled slightly. “Come in, I have some things to tell you.”
“Yes.”
“You’ve been to the Yang family before, but this time the situation is different,” Ruan Niang said seriously.
“What’s wrong?”
“Everyone knows about the incident at Qianming Lake the other day. Your performance wasn’t great, but everyone knows it was the young master from the Hua family harassing you, not your fault.”
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However, you did disrupt the marriage between the Yang and Hua families, and the Yang family harbors considerable resentment.
“So this time, wouldn’t I be walking into a tiger’s den?”
“Don’t speculate about their intentions. You just need to mind your duties. This time, you must handle the marriage negotiation with the Jiang family.”
“The Jiang family?”
“Naturally not the Jiang family from the Zhen Yuan Marquis’s residence, but their main family. The old master is called Jiang Laiji, and he maintains close contact with the Zhen Yuan Marquis’s residence. Therefore, although Old Master Jiang’s official position is low, he is still quite respected.”
“I understand.”
“You’ll go to the Jiang family in three days. You’re going to the Yang family tomorrow, so I must explain things carefully, and you must remember everything.”
“Yes, Manager Ruan, please speak.”
“You’ve already met Yang family’s second young miss. She has a well-behaved temperament, so don’t worry. But I heard that the Yang family’s eldest young miss, Mingshan, has returned home. She married into a high-status family and has a fiery temper. She will definitely give you a hard time. Do you know what to do?”
“Endure.”
“Yes, you must endure. If she hits you, let her hit you. Do not talk back or fight back.”
“What?” Gu Qingtong looked shocked, not expecting to be beaten.
“Remember clearly. The Yang family’s eldest young miss is not someone you can provoke.”
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“I know your temperament might find it hard to endure, but you must endure. Otherwise, it won’t just damage your personal reputation, but the reputation of the entire Huahao Yueyuan Pavilion.”
Gu Qingtong was warned and could only lower her head: “I understand.”
“Understanding is not enough. You must remember it in your heart.”
“Yes.”
“This is the rouge I bought recently. Take two boxes.”
“Thank you, Manager Ruan.”
“I heard your embroidered skirts are mostly old. In a few days, I’ll have someone make two new sets for you.”
“Yes.” Gu Qingtong thought to herself that her tone was harsh, and now she was using conciliatory policies. She was indeed a formidable manager.
“When you arrive at the Yang family, they will arrange your accommodation and meals. Your clothes are also prepared. Just focus on behaving properly and don’t worry about anything else.”
“Yes.” Gu Qingtong wasn’t worried. Imitation was her specialty. But now she was mentally preparing for the challenges ahead.
Ruan Yun saw her distracted look and walked her through the imitation procedures, emphasizing each point before letting her go.
Gu Qingtong was fortunate to have gone through the imitation procedures; otherwise, she might have been embarrassed if she went unprepared the next day.
Early the next morning, Gu Qingtong was urged to get up. Looking outside, the sun hadn’t even risen yet.
She rubbed her eyes: “Lüguo, I’m sleepy.”
“Miss, we’re going to the Yang family today. We need to leave early.”
“Yang family?” Gu Qingtong remembered yesterday’s events and immediately woke up. She got up to wash and dress, then let a makeup maid apply her makeup.
Before dawn, Gu Qingtong’s carriage had arrived at the Yang family.
Entering the Yang residence, two older women immediately came to greet her. One looked sympathetic, while the other seemed happy, as if about to vent some frustration.
“Qing Niang has arrived.” The woman first led her to the Yang family’s matriarch. The matriarch’s face was stern as she issued a few warnings before ordering someone to show her to her accommodation for the next three days.
Gu Qingtong secretly speculated about the matriarch’s expression, which seemed unwilling to see her. She began to wonder if her invitation was actually at the request of the fiery Yang eldest young miss.
Gu Qingtong first rested in her room for a while, and then someone brought a set of clothing identical to the Yang second young miss’s.
Gu Qingtong quietly changed and was then led to a specially designated garden. Today’s location was in a peach blossom forest, surrounded by high walls. As soon as she arrived, she saw the two young ladies of the Yang family, with the eldest young lady shooting fire from her eyes.
“Oh, you’re here.”
“Qingtong pays respects to the eldest and second young ladies.”
“Hmph.”
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Some people liked to wipe their mouth after each bite, while others wiped after finishing. Yang Mingyi clearly belonged to the former group, making her difficult to imitate due to her extreme attention to detail. Such a personality might be loved by a mother-in-law but could potentially irritate some more easygoing men.
Although a marriage trial woman’s role was to showcase the young lady’s best side, important subtle movements had to be accurately imitated. If the husband discovered unbearable characteristics later, the blame would fall on the trial woman.
