Chapter 342 – The Ten-Mile Red Makeup (Fifteen)
Although Xu Ke had disturbed her once, Jiang Pengji’s quality of sleep was always top-notch. As dawn broke and the rooster’s crow rang out, she woke up promptly to the call of her biological clock. Outside her chamber, the footsteps of maidservants gradually increased.
With the maidservants’ assistance, Jiang Pengji washed her face with warm water, wiping away the sleepiness and transforming into a revitalized version of herself.
Once she had finished washing up, the maidservants presented her with the breakfast spread.
Let’s not even discuss the taste of the meal; at the very least, it looked exquisite and arranged beautifully like a piece of artwork, enough to whet the appetite.
However, that morning was far from calm, as a bothersome event was about to unfold.
Just as Jiang Pengji started her livestream, having consumed only half her breakfast, Ta Xue came to report that her bastard younger sister wanted to see her again.
“Tsk, does a dowry list not suffice to shut her mouth?”
Jiang Pengji clicked her tongue in annoyance, her tone laced with sarcasm, unabashedly revealing her hostility towards that younger sister.
“Let her in. If she’s coming to find me before I’ve even finished breakfast, she must be starving. A delicate noble girl like her couldn’t possibly bear the torment of an empty stomach. If others see her, who knows how they will spin tales about how this legitimate brother treats her poorly?”
Ta Xue broke into a smile, agreeing, “The Young Master is so gentle with the servants; surely he wouldn’t mistreat his younger sister? I’ll go call the Second Miss right away.”
Jiang Pengji remained indifferent, her expression still calm.
Before long, Jiang Pengji and the audience in the livestream clearly heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching, filled with anger.
With a swift motion, the door to the hall was flung open, and a gust of cold wind rushed in.
“Xi Ge’er, what do you mean by this?”
The younger sister sat directly in front of Jiang Pengji, her eyes wide with anger, her youthful face twisted into a snarl due to her rage.
The livestream camera cheekily zoomed in on her face, capturing her flaring nostrils as she breathed heavily.
Many viewers were startled by the sudden close-up, feeling that the Young Master’s younger sister was suddenly less cute.
Jiang Pengji glanced at the barrage of comments on the virtual screen, filled with messages like “Scared the life out of me,” “Such big nostrils,” and “That sudden close-up scared my sleepiness away.” She merely raised her eyelids lazily, not displaying any further reaction.
“What does the younger sister mean?” Jiang Pengji coldly stared into her eyes, enunciating her words, “So early in the morning, without even tidying up your makeup, you come to disturb your legitimate brother. Is this what a Liu Clan lady should exhibit?”
The younger sister was momentarily at a loss for words, her heated mind cooling slightly, yet her expression was still one of simmering anger.
“This should be my question for Xi Ge’er…” She twisted her napkin angrily, her eyes glistening with a few traces of bloodshot anger, expressing her grievances, “I finally married into the royal family with much difficulty, and while Xi Ge’er can’t help me to plan things through, why must you deliberately make it difficult for me?”
Those words struck a nerve!
What audience member isn’t seasoned in reading countless romantic palace intrigue and household struggle manuals?
A mere bastard daughter talking back to her legitimate brother like this? Clearly, she was asking for it!
【Three Years Without a Bath】: Seriously, I thought this loli was cute, but now she seems to have the initial potential of a venomous femme fatale. What did the streamer ever do to her that she’s pointing fingers like this? Who does she think she is!
【Mother’s Mouth Three Three】: To be fair, she isn’t wrong in criticizing; the streamer definitely has ulterior motives. But right now, everything the streamer has arranged is for her benefit, and no one can fault her. I remember that in ancient times, a bastard daughter had a very low status; let alone sending her off with a lavish dowry, it was a good deal just to not have her sent away for profit… sigh, letting her marry a prince and giving her such a dowry, and she still complains.
【Picking Feet While Eating Noodles】: Hold on, let’s hear her reasoning.
Jiang Pengji very much agreed with this audience member’s opinion and coldly asked her younger sister.
“Deliberately making it difficult? Are you saying the dowry isn’t sufficient, or is the family not distinguished enough, or perhaps the bridal gown isn’t exquisite enough?” Jiang Pengji’s words sent the younger sister back against the wall, and then she smirked coldly, “Remember your status; a Liu Clan bastard daughter is not that precious.”
The younger sister’s face instantly turned pale, the napkin she twisted tearing with a loud rip into two pieces.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself down.
Knowing she had yet to marry out, she indeed shouldn’t fall out with her legitimate brother, but upon remembering the news she just received, she felt a wave of grievance.
Biting her lip, she mournfully exclaimed, “Xi Ge’er should know that once entering the palace, it’s as deep as the sea. Most women in this world are pitiful. Why do you need to poke at my heart? I know that Father and Xi Ge’er are my only support within the royal family, but if I want to hold my ground, the affection of offspring and the prince is also indispensable… If I can give birth to a royal grandchild first, wouldn’t that bring honor to you, too?”
“And then?”
After patiently listening for so long, she was still rambling on without getting to the point, much to Jiang Pengji’s displeasure.
However, the audience in the livestream had finally caught on and reminded Jiang Pengji.
【Picking Feet While Eating Noodles】: Oh my gosh, I get it, is she complaining about the accompanying maid arranged by the streamer?
Once this comment popped up, several more viewers regained their focus.
They couldn’t help but recall the ethereal beauty, Hui Jun, whose looks could make fish sink and birds fall.
If that’s the case, they could understand why.
Which legitimate wife wouldn’t feel uneasy having such an absolute beauty among the accompanying maids?
Who knows if on the wedding night, the groom’s soul would be stolen away by the accompanying maid, leaving the proper bride alone to guard an empty room?
For women in ancient times, “returning the jade” was no honor at all.
Sure enough, the younger sister brought up Hui Jun.
“If Xi Ge’er truly cares for me, why arrange for that vixen named Hui Jun?”
Jiang Pengji retorted, “Should we not prepare such an extraordinary beauty? Are you suggesting we should send an ugly maid to accompany you, younger sister? You’re only twelve. I know about Wu Ma Jun; this sort of man would rather go three days without meat than a single day without a woman. How would you compete for favor in the backyard? Hui Jun is specially selected by our father, carefully prepared, and before you come of age, she can easily win over Wu Ma Jun. By then, once you’ve truly grown, wouldn’t Hui Jun still monopolize your husband’s affection?”
The younger sister’s expression resembled a shattered palette, displaying a riot of colors, a true spectacle.
Seeing this, Jiang Pengji struck again, “Father has previously sent a letter, asking me to inform you — women are frail, and childbirth is too taxing. You are still young, and there’s no rush for heirs. It’s better to consider this after you’ve turned seventeen or eighteen.”
Upon hearing this, the younger sister’s face turned dark.
She understood that there was no room for negotiation regarding Hui Jun.
What’s even more disgusting was that she couldn’t drive Hui Jun away nor could she treat her poorly.
Taking a deep breath, she forcefully swallowed her indignation.
