The merchant's rebirth led to the complete downfall of the Marquis's mansion.

Before news of the princess arrived, Qin Yao was greeted by the Marquis's residence... oh, now it should be the Jiang family.

Looking at the people standing in front of her, Qin Yao thought for a long time but still couldn't guess what connection she had with them.

Since everyone was of equal status, Qin Yao stopped pretending and sat down in the main seat without any hesitation.

Jiang Su is no longer the heir apparent, and Xia Qiutang is no longer the heir apparent's wife. Only the old lady's maidservant still has some influence, but she can't take the main seat when she comes to someone else's house.

Jiang Su was used to being aloof in front of Qin Yao, and he couldn't bring himself to lower his head. Seeing that Qin Yao didn't pay much attention to him, he found a place to sit down by himself.

Jiang Xiaoxiao went even further, sitting down directly below Qin Yao. When Qin Yao looked over, she gave her a provocative smile.

Qin Yao didn't pay attention to her little actions.

According to the information Qin Yao had, Jiang Xiaoxiao had been having a very difficult time lately, with one misfortune after another happening in her family. She wanted to cause trouble for Qin Yao, so the old lady sent her to stay at the estate for a few days.

Upon returning home, he was confronted with the death of his father, the stripping of his title, his mother lying in bed, and his grandmother falling ill.

Now she can only rely on her brother and sister-in-law, so it's normal for them to come over together.

Xia Qiutang followed closely behind, while the old nanny stood to one side.

Qin Yao didn't want to waste any more words and went straight to the point.

"Young Master Jiang, what brings you here with your wife?"

Jiang Su was momentarily dazed; this was the first time someone had called him Young Master Jiang instead of Prince.

Xia Qiutang felt uneasy seeing Jiang Su's lack of reaction, but remembering her purpose for today, she didn't show it. Instead, she smiled and said to Qin Yao:

"Sister Qin, our two families have such a good relationship, there's no need to be so formal."

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow. "Are the two families on good terms?"

How could Xia Qiutang have the audacity to say such a thing?

Let's not even talk about their past lives; they're enemies in this life too!

Qiu Liu and Qing Zhi brought the tea over, and when they returned, they didn't look too good.

They were all well-mannered for not splashing water on them.

Qin Yao leaned back lazily in her chair.

"Whether this is good or not depends on people's attitudes. Politeness is still necessary. Madam Jiang, why don't you speak frankly?"

"Qin Yao, what kind of behavior is this?" Jiang Su frowned in displeasure as he watched her leaning back in her chair.

This doesn't seem like the behavior of a lady from a respectable family at all.

Qin Yao: "..."

This is shocking!

What's their relationship? Why are they coming to her house to interfere?

Just as Qin Yao was about to retort that he was a toad dreaming and meddling in other people's business, Granny Zhao stepped forward:

“Young Master Jiang, my sister is used to being carefree. She’s always like this at home. It’s good that Madam Jiang is like this. It’s just that my young lady doesn’t go to the Jiang family. The Qin family doesn’t have so many rules.”

Granny Zhao spoke frankly, and everyone present understood.

But some people pretend not to understand.

"You can just change it later, you can just change it," the old lady's nanny said, trying to smooth things over.

Qin Yao and the other three were all surprised.

Jiang Su and Xia Qiutang remained unmoved.

It's so obvious, how could anyone not understand?

Qin Yao looked at the old nanny and her face darkened:

“Granny, you are an old servant of the Old Madam, and Qin Yao respects you as an elder, but you can’t just speak nonsense with your eyes wide open.”

"I have no connection with the Jiang family anymore. Why should I change my personality for their sake? What kind of logic is that?"

The old woman was embarrassed and stammered, unable to speak.

That makes sense, but what was their purpose in coming here...?

Upon seeing this, Xia Qiutang immediately offered an explanation.

“Sister Qin, let’s not beat around the bush. We’ve come here today to discuss your marriage.”

Qin Yao sneered.

"Marriage? Whose? Yours or Young Master Jiang's? It can't be the nanny's, can it? But anyway, it has nothing to do with me. You can discuss it yourselves."

"Qin Yao!" Jiang Xiaoxiao stood up after listening for a while. "Don't be ungrateful!"

Qin Yao gave her a cold look. "Miss Jiang, you should mind your own business first! You don't need to interfere in the Qin family's affairs."

Without waiting for their expressions, he stood up and said:

"I won't see you off. Let's try to avoid each other in the future."

"Qin Yao!" Jiang Su said loudly, his face ashen. "Don't push your luck! I've already given you face by coming here in person today. If you continue to act arrogantly, you can forget about the title of concubine!"

Indeed, in Jiang Su's eyes, it was impossible for Qin Yao not to want to marry him. All the things she did in the past, whether it was breaking off the engagement or severing ties with him, were just acts of spite.

He had just gotten married and couldn't spare the time before, but now things are different. The family is in dire need of money, and there's been no news from Jiang Liu. It's urgent for her to marry into the family!

"Heh!" Qin Yao curled her lips, looking at Jiang Su as if he were an idiot.

I must have been blind in my past life to have opened my heart to someone like that.

"I'm sorry, I'm not interested in the Jiang family's concubines!"

"You..." Jiang Su pointed at her, panting with anger.

"Are you just greedy for wealth and fame? You want to get away because you see the Jiang family's downfall!"

Qin Yao just wanted to roll her eyes.

Since the Jiang family wasn't stripped of their title, she should have broken off the engagement with him!

Besides, as for escaping, where else could she possibly be staying with the Jiang family?

"Nonsense! Granny, show the guest out!" Qin Yao left without looking back.

"Qin Yao!"

"Sister Qin!"

"Miss Qin!"

Of course, none of them could stop Qin Yao.

The three women, including Granny Zhao, quickly stopped them.

Jiang Xiaoxiao watched Qin Yao leave with a flourish, her face flushed with anger. How dare Qin Yao speak to her like that?!

Only the old lady's maid was still calling out.

“Miss Qin, for the sake of the Old Madam! Miss Qin!…”

Qingzhi rolled her eyes. What face did the old lady have?

Even if there were any, they would have been used up long ago, okay?

The old nanny looked at Zhao nanny and cried out with tears in her eyes:

"Young lady Zhao, you must help me pass on a message to Miss Qin. The Old Madam is seriously ill! She's been worried about the Marquis's mansion..."

"So you mean you want to treat the old lady?" Granny Zhao asked knowingly. "That's no problem, I can make that decision."

The old nanny was speechless for a moment. Of course she had that idea, but more importantly, if Miss Qin went to the Jiang family, wouldn't all the problems be solved?

Just as the lady promised, everyone will have plenty of money to spend from now on, and the old lady's illness will also improve.

Judging from her expression, there was nothing that Granny Zhao didn't understand.

"Never mind, it seems the old lady isn't seriously ill. Come, Erjiu, see the guests out."

Several burly men walked in, and Jiang Su's arrogance immediately subsided upon seeing them.

He no longer had the status of a prince, so even if he was beaten, he had nowhere to complain. At the invitation of the others, he pulled Xia Qiutang away.

The old nanny glanced at Zhao nanny, then reluctantly followed her away.

"Pah! I've seen shameless people, but I've never seen anyone this shameless!" Qingzhi spat, her anger undiminished.

……

This incident ruined Qin Yao's lunch; she had absolutely no appetite.

Looking at the delicious food on the table, Qin Yao was filled with regret and frustration.

"From now on, if any member of the Jiang family comes to our door, we'll kick them out! They're disgusting!"

Qingzhi nodded immediately.

"Yes, Miss! Would you like something else to eat, Miss?"

Qin Yao shook her head; she had no appetite.

After the food was cleared away, Qiu Liu hurriedly came in again.

"What's wrong?" Qin Yao, who was about to go to rest, stopped in her tracks.

"There's news about the Jiang family."

……

Liu Da and the others were in the living room when they soon heard footsteps.

"Miss!"

Qin Yao waved her hand, telling him to speak directly.

Liu Da immediately recounted all the information he had found.

Upon receiving Qin Yao's instructions, he set off for the Jiang family and stayed there for a few days, thoroughly investigating the Jiang family's affairs.

No one in the Jiang family held official positions; they were just an average wealthy household in the area, incomparable to the Chen family.

But they have big ambitions! They want to restore their former glory and return to Kyoto to continue the prosperity of their ancestors.

However, only one of their descendants passed the imperial examination at the lowest level (xiucai).

Therefore, they set their sights on Jiang, who had married into the Chen family in Kyoto.

Speaking of this Chiang, this Chiang is not the same as that Chiang.

Lord Chen's first wife was the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, and she passed away not long after giving birth to Chen Yiru.

The current Mrs. Chen is the half-sister of the first wife.

Liu Da also learned from the servants of the Jiang family that the current head of the Jiang family was the younger brother of this Madam Chen.

The servants of the Jiang family were very proud, saying that their young lady would become an official's daughter after going to the capital, and would marry a high-ranking official, and they would all enjoy the good fortune along with her.

Just like Qin Yao had thought, the Jiang family had the same idea.

This also explains Chiang Kai-shek's actions.

Chen Yiru is not her daughter, so why would she really care about her?

Jiang Qianqian is different; she has a special bond with her younger brother.

This is also why Jiang Qianqian was able to replace Chen Yiru in her previous life.

"Did you find the person I asked you to look into?" Qin Yao asked.

Liu Da's mission is not only to find out about the Jiang family, but also to find the scholar who harmed Chen Yiru in her previous life.

"We found it. It was delivered to the Jiang family the day before yesterday, and we met with the Jiang family members," Liu Dayi said in detail.

"Send it to the Jiang family?"

"Yes, miss, they plan to make their move soon!"