"Why do you insult me so, sister? Insulting me is one thing, but my father is the lord of a city. How can you humiliate him like this?"
"Sorry, sorry. My husband is a first-rank official, and I hold a noblewoman's title myself. When someone suddenly rushed out to accuse us of insolence, my first thought was that she must be the descendant of some titled noble, an imperial relative, or someone of great standing. I never imagined..."
With a remarkably novel look in her eyes, Jiang Shuyue demonstrated exactly what it meant to have sympathy, but not much, and provocation, but so subtle it was hard to detect.
Bai Yulan, however, felt her contempt firsthand.
A ball of fury rose in her chest, yet she still had to keep her expression composed and pretend to be magnanimous.
"As far as I know, the Jiang Family isn't particularly distinguished. Without the Liu Family's support, I'm afraid it would be in even greater decline by now."
"Oh dear!"
Feigning alarm, Bai Yulan said anxiously, "I'm sorry. I forgot that we're standing outside the Jiang Family's gates. It was my fault for making such presumptuous remarks at someone else's doorstep. Please accept my apology, sister."
Watching from the doorway, Jiang Mother's lips curved with delight.
Jiang An had been demoted as punishment, but he was still part of the imperial court, after all. The capital's official circles were far less peaceful than those elsewhere.
After so many years of careful cultivation, Jiang An had long since put down roots in the capital. With his own family, he might let things slide; he wouldn't dare act recklessly against them.
Outsiders were another matter. Jiang An was an exceedingly petty man.
Jiang Shuyue sighed. "Who would have thought you'd be so forgetful at such