Chapter 487: Chapter 456, Kidnapping_1
The banquet was halfway through when a maid rushed to Madam Chen’s side and whispered a few words, and then Madam Chen hurried outside, followed by Granny Chen standing up.
“Who has arrived now?”
Everyone looked on, puzzled.
It wasn’t long before Madam Chen returned with Madam Jiang and Jiang Wanying.
Upon seeing them, Granny Chen and Chen Jiarou hurriedly went over to greet them.
Daohua looked surprised and pulled at Dong Yuanyao’s sleeve, whispering, “Didn’t they say they were injured in an assassination attempt?”
Dong Yuanyao, “It’s been so many days, aren’t you going to allow people to recover? However, it’s indeed quite rare for Madam Jiang to condescend to visit personally.”
“I know about that.”
Zhou Jingwan suddenly joined the conversation.
Daohua and Dong Yuanyao both looked over at her.
Zhou Jingwan kept her voice very low, “I heard my grandfather tell my father that the Jiang Family wants to get involved in the gold mine business.”
Daohua and Dong Yuanyao exchanged glances, both tacitly deciding not to continue the topic, and signaled Zhou Jingwan to also say no more.
The gold mine was too big an issue, and it was better for them to know less about it.
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The group continued to nibble at their food, and before they had eaten much, Chen Jiarou came over with Jiang Wanying.
“County Princess Jiang graces us with her presence, shouldn’t everyone come over and welcome her?”
Dong Yuanyao glanced at Chen Jiarou and smiled, “We aren’t the hosts who need to receive guests, isn’t it enough with just Miss Chen?”
Chen Jiarou’s face stiffened instantly.
She realized that the local officials’ families here didn’t seem to know anything about subtlety; they didn’t leave any face when speaking.
Although Dong Yuanyao said that, she still stood up with Daohua and others to greet Jiang Wanying.
Jiang Wanying smiled and asked everyone to sit down, “Everyone, please sit, it’s my family who is late and has disrupted your meal.”
Everyone smiled politely, said it was no trouble, and continued eating their own meal.
Chen Jiarou saw that none of Daohua and the others were warm to Jiang Wanying and somewhat regretted bringing her to this table, thinking that the girls at this table were the best in family background and status among today’s guests. But, to her surprise, they were all so difficult to get along with.
Helpless, she could only entertain Jiang Wanying herself.
The two had known each other in Beijing, and for a while, their laughter and chatter dominated the dining table.
At the main table, Madam Chen was also warmly chatting with Madam Jiang, but, she was a bit too enthusiastic, accidentally neglecting the other guests because of her attention to Madam Jiang.
Fortunately, Granny Chen was there, somewhat awkwardly urging the others to eat.
Watching Granny Chen’s embarrassed and uncomfortable expression, a few of the Madams exchanged meaningful glances.
After lunch, everyone left the table and gathered in small groups in the rear garden to chat and laugh.
“They say a good wife is worth marrying, and that saying is indeed true,” said Madam Dong to Madams Li, Su, and Zhou with a sigh.
Madam Zhou agreed, “Isn’t it? Just look at what Madam Chen did; it’s so embarrassing I don’t even want to mention it.”
Madam Dong snorted with laughter, “The Chen Family only rose up because Granny Chen used to be the emperor’s wet nurse. They have a weak foundation and should have sought a marriage that could help them while they have the emperor’s favor.”
“But the Chen Family, they just had to pick someone from a small family with little insight to be the head of the household. With the way they are, unless their children and grandchildren are exceptionally outstanding, it’s uncertain if they can even maintain their current wealth and status.”
Madam Li glanced at Chen Jiarou, who was busy with the other young ladies, and said with a smile, “Miss Chen of the Chen Family sure is a beauty.”
Madam Zhou laughed, “What’s the use of just being good-looking? Madam Chen is pretty enough, right? But just look at her actions; you can tell she lacks discernment.”
Her own old man had said in private that the emperor wasn’t as close to the Jiang Family as it seemed on the surface.
Despite being the favored confidants of His Majesty, the Chen Family was actually going out of their way to ingratiate themselves with the Jiang Family. Their fortune must be strange if that works out well.
Madam Dong smiled, “I think that Miss Chen is just so-so.” Saying this, she nodded towards Dong Yuanyao and the others feeding the fish with her chin, “Any of those, aren’t they better than her when taken out?”
Madam Zhou laughed heartily, “You’re right about that.”
In front of the fishpond, Daohua was feeding the koi with fish food when suddenly, her sleeve was tugged. She turned her head to see it was Dong Yuanyao, “What’s wrong?”
Dong Yuanyao whispered in Daohua’s ear, “I need to use the restroom, accompany me.”
Daohua nodded, handed her fish food to Zhou Jingwan, and then left the crowd with Dong Yuanyao.
The Chen Family had specifically prepared a side room for the ladies to change and relieve themselves. As soon as Daohua and Dong Yuanyao entered, they saw Jiang Wanying and Chen Jiarou washing their hands.
Chen Jiarou: “Miss Dong, Miss Yan, are you also here to freshen up?”
Daohua nodded and said to Dong Yuanyao, “Go ahead, I will wait for you here.”
Dong Yuanyao, feeling uncomfortable in her stomach, acknowledged Jiang Wanying and Chen Jiarou with a nod and then went to the inner room.
Jiang Wanying glanced at Daohua and smiled, “Then let’s wait as well.”
Daohua shook her head, “County Princess, go ahead if you have other matters, I can wait here alone.”
Jiang Wanying: “There’s nothing pressing to do.” Saying this, she sat down on a chair nearby.
Seeing her do this, Daohua didn’t say much. If she wanted to wait, then wait.
Chen Jiarou looked at the two of them, her eyes flickering slightly, and also settled herself into an adjacent seat.
After a moment of silence, Jiang Wanying couldn’t help asking, “Miss Yan, I heard that Brother Yang often dines at your home?”
At these words, Chen Jiarou was all ears.
Daohua glanced at Jiang Wanying and didn’t deny it, nodding, “Yes!”
Seeing Daohua’s brief response, Jiang Wanying and Chen Jiarou were both taken aback. Was that it?
Jiang Wanying took a deep breath and smiled, “It must be that the meals at Miss Yan’s house are delicious. Otherwise, Brother Yang wouldn’t be running to your house every three days.”
Daohua smiled faintly, “The meals at my house are just average, but as to why the Little Prince loves going to my house, how about I ask my two brothers to inquire with the Little Prince?”
Jiang Wanying’s face stiffened. Brother Yang had never liked being restrained since he was young. If he knew she was investigating him behind his back, he would definitely be displeased.
“That’s unnecessary. I was just thinking, since Brother Yang often visits your house, you must know what he likes to eat?” After finishing, she gave an embarrassed smile, “I haven’t seen Brother Yang for a few years now, and I don’t know if his tastes have changed.”
Daohua shook her head with a smile, “I really don’t know that. Every time the Little Prince comes to my house, he eats in the front courtyard.”
At this, Jiang Wanying barely perceptibly breathed a sigh of relief.
Indeed, no matter what, the Yan Family was an official’s family. They understood the necessary rules and etiquette, and they would not have allowed their daughter to meet with an outsider man so casually.
At that moment, a maid came in to add incense to the censer.
As soon as the incense started burning, Daohua frowned, fanning her nose with her hand, “What kind of incense is this? Why is it so suffocating?”
Chen Jiarou glanced at it and laughed, “It’s just ordinary agarwood, that’s all.”
“Agarwood…” Daohua furrowed her brow. Agarwood shouldn’t have such a strong scent. Just as she was about to say something, Dong Yuanyao emerged from the inner room.
Seeing both Jiang Wanying and Chen Jiarou there, Dong Yuanyao was slightly taken aback. After greeting them, she laughed and went to wash her hands.
The basin for washing was right next to the incense burner. As Dong Yuanyao approached, before she had even finished washing her hands, she felt dizzy, “Yiyi, why do I feel a bit light-headed…”
Before she could finish speaking, she staggered a couple of times and then collapsed softly onto the floor.
Seeing this, Daohua was greatly alarmed. She quickly stood up and took a couple of steps forward, only to feel her limbs go weak. She too swayed and toppled over, “Come…” Her mouth barely opened when strength failed her.
Before losing consciousness, Daohua saw Jiang Wanying and Chen Jiarou also fall to the ground.
Who was it, who wanted to harm them?