Chapter 153: The Gift

When the carriage of the Duke of Wei's estate arrived, Xue Mingrui received the news and came out to the entrance.

"Brother Lan!"

Jiang Lan stepped down from the carriage, but instead of replying to Xue Mingrui immediately, he turned around and helped Jiang Si down.

"Cousin Jiang Si."

Watching Xue Mingrui greet Jiang Si with an oily, flattering expression, Jiang Lan rolled his eyes at him.

Xue Mingrui walked over, bumped his arm against Jiang Lan's, and said through gritted teeth, "Why are you rolling your eyes? Come over and give your brother a hand."

"Why don't you head to the inner courtyard, little sister? Fifth Sister and the others should be with Grandmother right now. Can I borrow your brother for a moment first?" Xue Mingrui said.

Jiang Si was about to agree, but Jiang Lan refused to cooperate.

"Since we've arrived, it's only proper to pay our respects to our maternal grandmother first. Lead the way, quickly," Jiang Lan said, looking at Xue Mingrui with amusement.

Xue Mingrui sighed. "Fine. Considering that I'll need your help shortly, I'll walk with you over there."

"Thank you for the trouble, Second Cousin," Jiang Si curtsied.

"You're too kind, Cousin Jiang Si, though your brother certainly doesn't feel that way." Xue Mingrui glanced at the puffed-up, chest-out Jiang Lan beside him and sighed again. "Consider it a favor I owe you, kid."

Xue Mingrui took the lead, guiding Jiang Lan and Jiang Si toward the inner courtyard.

A large retinue of maids and pages followed close behind.

They walked through the covered corridors, passed through the ceremonial gate with hanging flowers, and navigated several turns before finally reaching the Old Dowager's main hall.

From afar, the sound of laughter drifted over, as delicate and spirited as the chirping of orioles.

"That must be Fifth Sister telling some witty jokes again, keeping everyone in the hall in stitches." Hearing the fondness in Xue Mingrui's tone, Jiang Lan knew precisely who this fifth cousin was.

"It seems we've missed the fun," Jiang Si replied with a smile as she walked.

Seeing Jiang Lan's party approach, a matron immediately lifted the door curtain and reported inside.

"The Second Young Master has arrived with the Cousin Young Master and Cousin Young Lady."

The laughter inside abruptly ceased. Startled by the sudden shift in atmosphere, Jiang Lan frantically searched his memory for the names he had memorized the night before.

Upon entering, the most arresting figure was the Old Dowager seated on the *kand.*

She wore a deep ink-green robe embroidered with patterns symbolizing blessings, prosperity, and longevity, and a decorative headband across her forehead. True to his imagination, though the old matriarch was already in her seventies, her complexion remained fair and rosy. Her eyes lit up with warmth the moment she caught sight of Jiang Lan.

"Come, come, come. Lan-geer and Nuannuan, come sit by your maternal grandmother."

Seated beside the old lady was an adorable young girl in a red dress. Her oval face bore a striking resemblance to Lady Zheng of the fourth branch—possessing that bright, captivating beauty that particularly won the affection of senior ladies. Looking to be around thirteen or fourteen, she appeared slightly younger than his sister Jiang Si. Judging by the seat she occupied, she was clearly Xue Jun, the most favored fifth young lady of the Duke of Wei's estate.

The madams of the various branches sat in chairs along both sides, while the young ladies of each branch occupied the seats further down.

"Why is Grandmother always favoring you? So it turns out the apple of her eye has finally arrived. Oh my, Cousin Lan, do you have a welcoming gift for me?" Xue Jun spread her hands, pouting and smiling as she looked at Jiang Lan with complete familiarity.

Xue Mingrui chuckled softly nearby, secretly whispering to Jiang Lan, "Prepare to bleed a little; this girl never lets anyone off easy."

Xue Mingrui didn't bother lowering his voice, and everyone present heard him clearly.

"Second Brother, you're ruining my reputation like this. Where is your conscience?" Xue Jun flashed her pretty eyes in a glare. "Say that again next time, Second Brother, and I'll tell Auntie!"

Xue Mingrui hurriedly offered mock apologies and begged for mercy.

"Sister, let's not associate with these crude fellows."

"Alright." Jiang Si glanced at her brother and walked away with Xue Jun.

Xue Jun pulled Jiang Si down to sit beside the Old Dowager, then turned her attention back to Jiang Lan. "Cousin Lan, it's been so long—where's my gift?"

Nearby, Old Dowager Wang gave Xue Jun's palm a light slap.

"You only ever know how to tease your cousin." Though it was a reprimand, her tone was brimming with indulgence.

Jiang Lan motioned for Xichi behind him to step forward, took the brocade box handed to her, and said to Xue Jun, "I knew Fifth Sister would ask for this. I prepared it specially. These are the newest patterns fresh from the imperial palace—they looked rather charming, so I managed to procure a few from my aunt to give away as rewards. Take a look, Sister, and if there's anything you fancy, just take it."

Hearing that the items bore the palace's newest designs, the other young girls present, who were at an age where they loved adorning themselves, could no longer sit still.

"Cousin Lan, you mustn't show favoritism! Whatever Fifth Sister gets, we want too." Several pairs of eyes fixed on the brocade box in Jiang Lan's hands. The hair ornaments inside were crafted with such exquisite detail that they looked remarkably lifelike and utterly gorgeous.

Xue Jun chimed in, "Exactly! Cousin Lan, you haven't visited in ages. Today, you're going to be thoroughly milked for everything you owe us over this past month."

"Fifth Sister is right, Cousin Lan, time to bleed a little!"

Six-or-seven-year-old Xue Shao ran up to Jiang Lan, tugging at his robe. "Cousin Lan, Cousin Lan! I'm the youngest, you mustn't forget about me!"

Jiang Lan smiled, patted the cute little cousin from the third branch on her hair bun, and motioned for Xichi to bring in another chest.

"These were bestowed upon me by my aunt a few days ago. They are novelties sent as tribute from foreign lands. I originally planned to have them sent directly to your courtyards, sisters, but since you've decided to shake me down today, I suppose I have no choice but to reveal them early."

When Jiang Lan opened the chest, even the madams sitting along the sides lost their composure. Pigeon-egg-sized gemstones lay scattered as casually as pebbles inside, alongside various intricate mechanical trinkets whose value far surpassed that of the jewels.

Madam Gu glanced at the Old Dowager and shook her head slightly.

Feeling that it might be somewhat inappropriate, the Old Dowager looked at Jiang Lan. "Lan-geer, isn't this a bit too lavish? Perhaps we should swap them for something else?"

Though the young ladies had caught their breath, they were sensible enough to realize how valuable the items were and refrained from making a fuss.

Jiang Lan patted the little sister still hugging his leg, smiled at his maternal grandmother Lady Wang, and said, "They are merely worldly possessions. As long as the sisters like them, that's all that matters. My aunt already told me that I could dispose of my rewards however I pleased, without needing to worry about such details."

Hearing Jiang Lan say this, the Old Dowager let out a sigh of relief.

She tapped Xue Jun's arm, and Xue Jun immediately understood, stepping forward.

"Since Cousin Lan has said so himself, Sister, I won't stand on ceremony with you!"

Jiang Lan smiled and motioned for Xichi to hold the box steady. Xue Jun stepped up, and the other young ladies, no longer holding back, eagerly stepped forward to select the items that caught their fancy.

Jiang Lan picked out the most precious coral bracelet from the collection, pulled little Xue Shao—who was still too short to reach the box—to his side, and wound the coral bracelet several times around her wrist.

"Ninth Sister is still young, so other things might not suit her. Do you like this one?"

Xue Shao, wearing her hair in double buns, shook her right wrist, watching the coral gleam like gemstones before looking up at Jiang Lan. "I like it! I like Cousin Lan the most!"

She then scampered back to her mother's side, holding up her wrist to show off like a child presenting a treasure. "Look, Mother, my cousin gave this to me."

Madam Wu was not born to a prominent family. Although she had married the third legitimate son of the Duke's estate, her husband served as the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief—a notoriously impoverished government office. While Madam Wu's dowry was reasonably substantial, it still fell significantly short when compared to those of her sisters-in-law.