Spring rain drifted endlessly, casting a thin veil of mist over the bluestone paths of the Marquis's Mansion's back garden. Jiang Wan held a Xiangfei bamboo umbrella, the golden rice-ear embroidery along her skirt hem shimmering faintly through the curtain of rain. She had just returned from a banquet at the Lu Mansion, and the magnolia-scented pastry given to her by Lu Jingyuan was still hidden in her sleeve, a quiet smile blooming at the corners of her lips.
"My lady, you're finally back!" Lüluo, her maid, hurried over, stray locks of hair at her temples dampened by the rain. "A whole group of people has come to the front hall—they claim to be uncles and brothers from the collateral branches, and they've even brought Steward Wang with them!"
Jiang Wan's steps paused, and raindrops slid down the ribs of her bamboo umbrella. She was well acquainted with Steward Wang—a man who had managed the Marquis's Mansion's outer courtyard for years and had always been close to her stepmother, Madame Li. For these collateral relatives to make such a sudden visit, they were surely not coming with good intentions.
Chapter 120