Chapter 5

I sent someone to buy copies of the pawn tickets for the jewelry Jiang Shuang had pledged.

Meanwhile, I returned to the estate with a large retinue.

Jiang Shuang nestled against Grandmother, feeding her bird’s-nest porridge. Father sat squarely to one side.

They all looked toward me as though I were appearing before a tribunal.

I calmly paid my respects and asked Father with a smile, “Why did you send for me?”

Father coughed into his fist. “Darling, you know the family is struggling.”

I nodded along.

“There are so many people in this household. However much we cut our spending, our expenses remain considerable. The household accounts have long since fallen into deficit.”

What nonsense. Without Mother’s dowry subsidizing you, those accounts would have no income at all.

“I know this puts you in a difficult position, but we’re family. There’s no need to stand on ceremony.”

“Of course!” I agreed. “Whatever you need me to do, Father, please tell me.”

“Well, look at Jiang Yue—ah, Jiang Shuang.”

I watched coldly as the wrong name slipped out. Understandable. He had been using it for years.

“What’s wrong with Jiang Shuang? Have our spending cuts mistreated our penniless orphan?”

Father’s temper flared at once. He glared at me furiously. “We sought out Jiang Shuang specifically to bear your misfortunes. Instead of thanking her, you make trouble for her at every turn. What exactly do you mean by it? Is this how your mother raised you?

“Look at you, running off to the hills to enjoy your peace and quiet! Jiang Shuang has pawned all her own jewelry to help meet the family’s expenses. Those four tutors were teaching you before, yet when you made her pay their fees, she paid without protest. What more could you possibly want?”

I put on an astonished expression. “An orphan like her has that much money?”

Jiang Shuang lowered her head and answered meekly, “My father left me an inheritance when he died.”

“Oh,” I said. “So your father’s dead!”

Father’s face went black. Jiang Shuang knew she had misspoken, but could no longer take it back. Biting her lip, she looked at him with reddened eyes.

Father took several deep breaths before managing to swallow his anger at hearing himself pronounced dead.

“Enough. There’s no need to say any more.

“We all know how difficult things are. Darling, your grandfather sends you so many toys and ornaments every year. You need only pawn a few to support the whole family.

“Look, even Jiang Shuang, a girl with no connection to this household, can do it. I’m sure my own dear daughter won’t be stingy.”

I frowned in confusion. “But Father, I’ve already pawned them.”

That single sentence left all three of them stunned.

“You have?” Even Grandmother couldn’t help asking.

I nodded vigorously. “Yes. I sent the money home too.” Then I turned a suspicious look on Jiang Shuang. “Nanny said she happened to meet you, and you offered to pass it on for us. Didn’t you give it to Father and Grandmother?”

They immediately turned their suspicious gazes on Jiang Shuang.

Her face flushed scarlet. “Y-you’re lying!”

I looked more puzzled still. “Well, let’s compare our stories, then. You say you pawned jewelry. Bring out your tickets, and we’ll soon know who’s lying!”

“Gladly!”

She waved to her maid, who hurried away and soon returned with a stack of pawn tickets.

Nanny Ruan handed me the tickets that had just been delivered from outside.

I waved them. “Then let’s begin with mine.”

My maid Cui’er started reading. “One hairpin with an everlasting good-fortune design. One pair of peacock silver hair ornaments with dangling chains. One enameled silver hairpin. One large jeweled hair ornament inlaid with kingfisher feathers…”

With every item, Jiang Shuang grew a little paler.

By the end, all color had drained from her face.

“No! That’s impossible! Those are my things! I’m the one who pawned them!”

I feigned even greater bewilderment. “Oh? Could Miss Jiang Shuang have pawned exactly the same things as me?”

I raised a mocking eyebrow. “What a remarkable coincidence!”