Chapter Eleven: Jiang You'an's Painting

Lu Yun Zhu crossed her arms arrogantly and said, "Of course, it’s about catching a thief."

A steward’s maid standing beside her raised her voice, "Miss Biao, when you came to the steward’s room to collect your supplies before, I didn’t give them to you. It wasn’t because I wanted to, but the household was tight on resources. I had to prioritize the other main young ladies, that’s why you didn’t get your share. But that doesn’t mean you can steal!"

The charcoal, tea, and fabric that belonged to Jiang You An’s room had all been taken out. These were supposed to be the daily provisions from the estate, but the steward’s servants looked down on her and always shortchanged her. In the cold winter, they didn’t even want to give her a few pounds of charcoal. Now, all the items before them were bought by Jiang You An herself, yet they accused her of stealing from the estate!

Qiu Lan was furious and glared resentfully at the maid, "Stop slandering! Our young lady has never stolen anything from the estate! It’s you who always withhold her rightful supplies!"

Lu Yun Zhu curled her lips mockingly and said insincerely to the maid, "Oh dear, you really don’t know how to handle this. It’s been clearly said that Miss Biao’s monthly provisions are the same as the other young ladies’. How could you treat her unfairly?"

The maid sneered, "Second Miss, your words are appreciated. But there is a hierarchy. No matter what, I must prioritize you. Miss Biao can be a little inconvenienced first. Yet, I never expected Miss Biao to actually steal! Well, it’s understandable—being a dependent means you have to keep your hands short. If it were me, I wouldn’t dare always shamelessly ask for things."

Their voices rose in sarcastic agreement. Jiang You An clenched her fists and calmly said, "Look closely. These are not daily provisions from the estate. I bought all of them myself. I have never stolen a single coin from this household!"

Lu Yun Zhu was unshaken and instead brightened up, "You bought them yourself? That’s strange. Where did you get the money?"

"Why should I tell you? It’s not like I’m spending your money."

"That’s not certain," Lu Yun Zhu snorted coldly, pressing aggressively, "You live in the Lu estate every day, a girl with no family or support. Could you possibly earn money on your own? I bet you stole from the estate, pawned the items, or worse, you’re involved in some shameful business!"

Jiang You An’s face darkened with anger, "Lu Yun Zhu, watch your mouth! Without evidence, you can’t just slander me like this. Haven’t you had enough of your last disgrace?"

Lu Yun Zhu recalled being slapped by Lu Xuan Heng and her palm tingled. She grew even angrier and shouted, "I refuse to believe your money comes from a proper source. You must have stolen from the Lu family!"

Qiu Lan was about to explain that Jiang You An’s money came from selling paintings, but Jiang You An gave her a look, signaling her to stay silent.

Meeting Lu Yun Zhu’s furious glare, Jiang You An thought quickly and raised her voice, "I’ve never stolen any money. If you have doubts, call the matriarch to investigate me!"

Lu Yun Zhu was provoked, "You think I don’t dare? Do you expect the matriarch to side with you?"

She immediately went to summon Lu Old Madam.

Lu Old Madam had just woken from her noon rest and was about to take a walk in the courtyard when she heard that a thief had appeared in the estate. Surprised and suspicious, she could not resist Lu Yun Zhu’s persistence and so went to Jiang You An’s room.

"Grandmother, look. Jiang You An bought all these things. When I asked her where the money came from, she couldn’t say. She must have stolen from our family!"

Lu Old Madam looked over the items, frowned, and thought that the small pile wasn’t worth much. She was displeased at Lu Yun Zhu’s fuss over such trivial matters.

Turning to Jiang You An, she asked, "What’s going on here?"

Jiang You An looked wronged, lowered her head, and said, "Grandmother, I truly haven’t stolen any money. I pay for my expenses with the money I earn from painting."

Lu Yun Zhu was momentarily stunned, then sneered, "Who are you trying to fool? Who would buy your lousy paintings?"

"My paintings are consigned at the calligraphy and painting shop. If Grandmother doesn’t believe me, you can ask the shopkeeper from Ink Rhythm Pavilion."

Although Lu Old Madam thought this wasn’t a big deal to cause such a commotion, she was intrigued to hear that Jiang You An earned money by painting. She nodded and sent someone to fetch the shopkeeper.

Taking advantage of the pause, Jiang You An stepped forward.

"Grandmother, I live as a dependent in the Lu estate and feel ashamed to always ask for things. Luckily, I know a little about painting, so I decided to paint myself and save some money. By the way, I made a painting for you—a picture of pine, cypress, and orchids—as a birthday gift. I hope you won’t mind."

She presented the painting.

Lu Old Madam was somewhat surprised. Upon opening it, her expression brightened with pleasure.

Lu Yun Zhu scoffed, "What a lousy painting, how dare you give it to Grandmother?"

She said this because she completely lacked any understanding of art. The matriarch’s family came from a scholarly background and appreciated literature and art deeply. She liked the painting very much and could tell Jiang You An had real skill and could genuinely earn money from it.

Her gaze toward Jiang You An grew more appreciative. This child was actually quite good. Since arriving at the estate, she had been quiet and never caused trouble. It was her own legitimate granddaughter who was always unruly.

Lu Old Madam gave Lu Yun Zhu a helpless look.

At that moment, Liu, the shopkeeper from Ink Rhythm Pavilion, arrived.

He brought the ledger, and as soon as he took it out, Lu Yun Zhu snatched it eagerly.

She stared at the ledger for a long time, her face growing darker. Jiang You An had really earned quite a bit from selling paintings.

"Impossible! With her pathetic skill, the buyers must be blind," she sneered.

Liu, feeling sorry for Jiang You An, said, "Miss Jiang’s paintings have always sold well. Usually, as soon as they are put up, someone buys them. Those with taste know how to appreciate them; those without just see scrap paper."

Lu Yun Zhu realized he was mocking her and fumed, "Mind your own business! I even suspect this ledger is fake. You and Jiang You An must be in cahoots!"

"Enough!" Lu Old Madam sharply rebuked, shooting Lu Yun Zhu an unhappy glance.

Lu Yun Zhu shrank back, biting her lip and falling silent.

Jiang You An stood to the side, her back straight.

"This matter today is a misunderstanding. Let it be," Lu Old Madam said sternly to Lu Yun Zhu. "You are about to be married; be more composed. Stop causing trouble every day."

She then turned to the steward’s maid. "I have already instructed that Miss Biao’s treatment is equal to that of the other ladies. You must serve her well. If there’s any further insincerity, there will be severe consequences."

The servants all responded respectfully.

Finally, Lu Old Madam looked at the quietly standing Jiang You An. "Good child, if you suffer any more grievances, come to me directly."

Jiang You An smiled faintly and bent her knees in thanks.

Lu Yun Zhu’s heart sank. Lu Xuan Heng protected Jiang You An, and now even the matriarch was shielding her?

She glared at Jiang You An in anger and followed Lu Old Madam away.

Jiang You An personally escorted Shopkeeper Liu out, embarrassed, "Sorry to trouble you today."

Liu looked at her with sympathy but said nothing more. "Miss, have you painted any new works recently? I’d like to take a few more."

Jiang You An smiled and chatted with him. The two walked to the estate gate. Just as Liu was about to leave, he suddenly stared at someone in a daze.

"What’s wrong?"

Liu pointed at a footman. "This person looks a lot like the young master who often buys your paintings."

Jiang You An followed his finger and saw it was Xiu Zhu.

"Shopkeeper, you must be mistaken. He’s a servant of the Lu estate."

Liu scratched his head, "Maybe I was wrong. That young master always buys your paintings and is quite generous."

After saying that, he left. Jiang You An pondered his words and a guess began to form in her mind.