Golden Branch

"Mrs. Jiang, you are so kind!"

Jiang Si affectionately called Wang Mian "Sister", but Wang Mian politely called her "Madam Jiang" and was unwilling to even call her "Fourth Sister".

Wang Mian didn't look down on Jiang Si, but, but——

She couldn't explain why, it was just an instinctive rejection.

It is obvious that Jiang Si's appearance is somewhat similar to that of her eldest daughter.

Whenever I see her, I always feel an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

People have an instinctive affinity for familiar people or things.

But Wang Mian just couldn't get close to him, she even felt a little disgusted.

Because of Concubine Jiang, the Jiang family was awarded the title of Earl of Cheng'en and was given a house in Chongrenfang.

The Jiang family moved out of Wang Heng's house and moved into the Earl's Mansion granted by the emperor.

Jiang Yuan got a job, and several of his sons and nephews were enrolled in the Imperial College.

The Jiang family entered the circle of power and wealth in the capital. After the initial surprise and fear, they began to adapt.

The people sent by Concubine Jiang and Wang Heng first taught them laws and rules, and then followed them, continuously admonishing them.

Everyone in the Jiang family had indeed lost their nature because of this sudden wealth.

However, Concubine Jiang forcefully gave Jiang Si Niang the name "Si" and left the Jiang family alone for more than a month on the pretext of confinement and recuperation. The Jiang family then completely understood that to Concubine Jiang, they were just strangers with blood ties.

Concubine Jiang would not indulge them unconditionally, nor would she let them have whatever they wanted just because of the word "Jiang".

Only with confidence can one be fearless. Without it, one can only be more responsible, or even cautious.

The Jiang family has already enjoyed a rich and luxurious life, and there is no way they can return to their past humble and poor status.

The family's wealth, honor and disgrace all depended on Concubine Jiang alone, and all came from their obedience and not causing trouble. The entire Jiang family, including the most arrogant Jiang Si, knew what to do.

Therefore, the Jiang family was very dutiful and obediently followed all the orders of Concubine Jiang.

Study the rules carefully, do your job and study well, and be cautious when going out to socialize, and never be unrestrained or ostentatious.

Looking across the entire capital, there are dozens of "relatives by marriage", both legitimate and illegitimate.

The Jiang family may not be the most powerful or glorious, but they are the most law-abiding.

He did not take advantage of Concubine Jiang's favor to act recklessly in the capital.

Of course, the Jiang family is honest, and no blind people would rush up to bully them.

Imperial Concubine Jiang could be so cruel as to discipline even her own relatives, let alone the enemies who bullied her Jiang family?

Concubine Jiang was not domineering in front of the saint and the queen, but she was very flamboyant and overbearing towards other concubines and some families that she was not invited to.

Concubine Jiang didn't care about her reputation. As a woman who had married for the second time, she had long been criticized.

No matter how many times she is labeled as a spoiled concubine or a villain who brings disaster to the country, it doesn't matter to her.

She is favored by the emperor, has too many connections with the empress, and has a prince. As long as she does not participate in the fight for the throne or rebel, and is just a little domineering and arrogant, there will be no trouble at all.

It is rare that her relatives do not bully others by taking advantage of their power.

If she is bullied, Concubine Jiang can show the world what it means to be the most favored concubine in the harem!

There are no real fools among those who can gain a foothold in the powerful circle in Beijing.

They are best at praising the powerful and bullying the weak and changing with the wind.

Therefore, the Jiang family is well-behaved, and other families are happy to see it, but they will not bully them.

Although the Jiang family's title is not high, and the qualifications of everyone from the uncle Jiang Yuan to his nephews and nieces are mediocre, the Jiang family is still one of the most prominent families in Beijing.

As the most beloved niece of Concubine Jiang, Jiang Si also became a new upstart in the circle of powerful people in Beijing.

Jiang Si's name was given by Concubine Jiang, and her appearance is very much like Concubine Jiang. She is naturally the most favored by Concubine Jiang.

Concubine Jiang: ...Alright! I'll be your favorite!

If Jiang Si could be clear-headed, she would be willing to give Jiang Si some respect and eventually let her marry into a good family.

Jiang Si didn't know what Concubine Jiang was thinking, but she knew very well that her title of "most favored" was definitely not true.

If her mother really doted on her, she would be Jiang Si, not Jiang Si.

Moreover, after entering the palace several times, Concubine Jiang did not treat her particularly well.

The rewards given are the same as those given to other sisters, nieces, etc.

Jiang Si did not feel much attention and favor from Concubine Jiang.

On the contrary, Concubine De, Concubine Zhaoyi and other concubines couldn't help but show goodwill towards Jiang Si after seeing her.

There were also royal ladies such as Princess Ping'an and Princess Hengyang, who were all very close to her.

Jiang Si knew that this was because of her appearance—

She looks a bit like Wang Heng, and even more like Concubine Jiang when she was young.

No matter what their purpose was, those nobles all wanted to find someone's shadow on her face.

Being treated as a substitute would be a huge humiliation for a truly pampered lady.

But Jiang Si is different. She grew up in the lower class.

My in-laws are Hu merchants. Although they have some money, they have no status.

They could not even wear fine fabrics, nor could they wear jewelry made of pure gold.

She was fed up with being despised and bullied. Now, she became the niece of the imperial concubine and the cousin of the princess.

Even if she had to become their substitute, she was happy to do so.

Because from another perspective, isn't this appearance similar to that of a noble person her asset?

The Jiang family has several daughters, but she is the most popular. When she goes out, she is the one who is most valued and close to others.

This is a good thing for her.

Why bother with the reasons?

For example, at the plum blossom viewing banquet at the Marquis of Changle's Mansion, Princess Wang invited the Jiang family, and she, Jiang Si, was the leader of all the female members of the Jiang family.

The princess also had another study partner, the Crown Princess of Rui, who was also very close to her.

The way Princess Zheng looked at her was filled with an indescribable kindness.

It was as if through her, I saw the person I respected and trusted the most.

This kind of closeness is not only reflected in eyes and attitude, but also in actual actions.

"Are you the fourth lady of the Jiang family? You are indeed a smart and clever person."

As soon as Princess Zheng met Jiang Si, she grabbed Jiang Si's hand, took off a red gold silk bracelet from her wrist, and handed it to Jiang Si.

She, like her!

Prince Wang also gave Jiang Si a gift, but——

Jiang Si didn’t know if it was an illusion, but she felt that Princess Wang didn’t seem to like her.

Are the rumors wrong?

Isn't it said that Princess Wang is Princess Langya's closest friend?

Princess Wang and Wang Jiu are closer than sisters. She is closest to and values ​​Wang Jiu the most.

But now, seeing Jiang Si who looked similar to Wang Jiu, she did not "love the whole person as well as the whole person"!

Wang Mian: ...Haha! My eldest daughter-in-law just passed away, not "gone", why should I look for a replacement?

Besides, even if something happens to Ajiu, bah bah bah! Ajiu will never get into trouble.

No matter what the situation, Wang Heng is Wang Mian's only close friend.

Ajiu is irreplaceable.

Wang Mian would never do such a stupid thing as "finding a substitute when the real one is not here".

She can make friends other than Wang Heng, but she will not find a substitute for Wang Heng.

"A Mian, you don't seem to like the fourth lady of the Jiang family very much?"

Wang Mian's rejection of Jiang Si was not obvious, and people who were not familiar with her would not notice it at all.

However, Zheng Shisan has been with Wang Mian for many years and naturally understands this good friend.

She found a gap, approached Wang Mian, and asked in a low voice: "Why? She is the princess's cousin, and now she has become her own daughter. If you get closer to her, the princess will be happy."

Zheng Shisan had served Wang Heng for several years and naturally knew that she was a typical noble lady from a prominent family.

They value family and connections.

In the eyes of others, they may be so-called top relatives or poor people, but the princess can find value in them and make full use of them.

The Jiang family is the princess's in-laws, and as long as they are not too useless, they can be used by the princess.

Getting closer to Jiang Si and further winning over the Jiang family is also a good thing for the princess.

Not to mention, "Jiang Si really looks like a princess. Every time I see her, I feel an inexplicable sense of intimacy."

"It's like we've known each other for a long time, and I can't help but want to get close to her."

Speaking of this, Zheng Shisan's tone was filled with nostalgia.

The princess is the noble person in her life and the most important person to her.

Because of the princess, Jiang Si, who looked somewhat like the princess, also caught her eye.

Wang Mian looked at Zheng Shisan steadily, and she saw sincerity and frankness in his eyes.

It seems that Zheng Shisan really just "loves the house and loves the dog".

Wang Mian could understand, but could not comprehend.

Ajiu is unique and no one can replace him.

However, this seems a bit too paranoid. She seems to have fallen into an extreme in friendship.

"...People always say Lou Yu is a little pervert. Could it be that I also have pervert genes in my bones?"

Wang Mian couldn't help but doubt himself.

It's not that she hates Jiang Si, but she can't be as close to Jiang Si as Zheng Shisan.

She, she——

"A Mian, this is normal! This is how you truly value Princess Langya!"

Xiao Wuji is indeed the ideal husband who shares Wang Mian's feelings.

To use the words of the novel, Xiao Wuji is the official match of the heroine. His values ​​are most in line with the heroine's, and he is also the biggest supporter of the "female protagonist only theory".

Even if Wang Mian's ideas were extreme and perverted, Xiao Wuji could understand, agree and support them.

He would even stand in Wang Mian's shoes, sympathize with her, and comfort her: "Only true love and respect can not tolerate the so-called 'substitute'."

Just like him, he loves Amian and only has Amian in his heart.

If something happens to Amian, he will just remember her wholeheartedly instead of looking for a replacement with a similar appearance.

His Amian is irreplaceable!

Amian probably has the same feeling towards Princess Langya.

Although Xiao Wuji would be jealous, he could understand the sincere sisterhood between women.

"If he really is a pervert, he should look like Lou Hanzhang."

Xiao Wuzhi racked his brains to make his wife happy.

Not hesitating to use his best friend as a negative example, he pointed at a couple in the garden and said, "A Mian, look, Lou Hanzhang is looking at the Jiang family's fourth lady with murderous intent!"

For a true pervert, a woman who looks like the woman he loves and tries to scam him should not be alive!