The first thing that drew his gaze was the younger girl's big almond-shaped eyes, with a hint of nonchalance in her gaze.
This was the first time Jiang Yi had seen such an expression on a young girl's face.
But this was not what surprised him the most.
He was shocked by how much she resembled his mother's appearance.
Although his mother had changed a lot over the years, he could still clearly remember her beauty as he gazed up at his mother's face when he was just a young boy.
He did not expect to see the same image again as he grew older.
Jiang Ning's wheelchair had already arrived in front of them, and Jiang Yuan continued to smile as she stood beside her brother.
Jiang Yan, who was more well-behaved, came over and asked with a smile, "I heard that Seventh Sister wasn't feeling well these past two days. I must apologize for not visiting Seventh Sister during that time. I also caught a cold a couple of days ago. I hope you accept my rudeness."
Jiang Ning shrugged. "It doesn't matter if you visit or not,"
Jiang Ruobai came over with a manservant, "Yi'er, you've met your sister?" He asked as a way to greet them.
Jiang Yi collected his thoughts and gently held his sister's hand to greet her. "When I heard Father finally found you, Seventh Sister, I was overjoyed. Now that I have seen you, your appearance really does remind me of Mother, which made me feel even relieved."
Jiang Ning couldn't get up to reciprocate his greeting, so she just sat there and smiled. "Greetings, Third Brother."
"Your mother is still in a little daze, and even though she has been more lucid in the past two days, her mind is still fragile. She has met your youngest sister but doesn't recognize her as her lost child. So be patient and take it slow. Don't provoke your Mother, is that clear?" Jiang Ruobai warned his other three children.
Although Lin Zizi, Jiang Yuan, and Jiang Yan were not related by blood, none dared to disturb the sick woman other than the occasional time to pay their respect. The Madam had not been in good health and was in low spirits all these years, and she mostly kept to herself in her quarters.
She was a stepmother in Jiang Yuan and Jiang Yan's eyes, but her status as the Jiang family's second branch's Madam was evident. Even Concubine Hua, who has a favorable standing in the residence, did not dare to go against her husband's words.
The three siblings all nodded in agreement.
Then Jiang Ruobai turned to talk to his eldest son, "Yi'er, your Seventh Sister has just returned. She's not used to the environment, and her body is having a hard time adjusting to the manor. She's been feeling sick too. I've already asked someone to invite a Momo from the palace to teach her the rules and proper etiquette since she will enter the palace the day after tomorrow. It would help if you took her out for a walk today. Bring some more silver coins. Buy whatever you like."
These words shocked the three siblings.
The day after tomorrow was the day His Majesty would choose a consort for Prince Yu.
Prince Yu was the emperor's fifth and youngest son in the Imperial family. He was already 18 years old and it was time for him to get married. The prince's palace was already prepared, and they were only waiting for his consort to be chosen before he could move out from the main palace.
Jiang Ruobai told them that he would send the Seventh Sister to the palace the day after tomorrow, but there's no way she's only there to watch the selection.
'Does that mean Jiang Ning will participate in the selection too?' Jiang Yi furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
Even though Jiang Yi had just met his biological younger sister, she was still the child his mother had loved and thought about for the past twelve years. He naturally cared for his sister's well-being.
He glanced at Jiang Ning's leg, not quite understanding his Father's intention.
'Did Father really think this through?'
Prince Yu was the only prince in the royal family who had not yet married. He was also an outstanding man, making him the most sought-after bachelor in the land. He could understand why both of his step-sisters were participating in the election.
Although the status of a concubine's child was low in the hierarchy, it was not completely hopeless.
But his Seventh Sister had just returned, Mother had not even acknowledged her as her daughter, and the young girl still wasn't adjusting to her life in the manor, yet Father was already planning on sending her for the consort selection?
Not to mention the matter about her legs.
'Wouldn't this make the imperial family feel disgusted?' Jiang Yi thought in worry.
From what he knew and saw of his Seventh Sister, the only thing worthy of praise was her beauty.
If she does get chosen, how would his Seventh Sister face the royalty if the prince married her?
Family background, character, and health were all the main criteria of the test.
Beauty wasn't even part of the main requirements for the selection.
If the prince just wanted to find a beautiful wife, he wouldn't have to trouble himself with the whole selection and would have looked for a concubine.
Like finding a toy to play with.
Jiang Yi didn't understand and couldn't help frowning slightly, but he couldn't refute his Father in front of his three sisters without looking disrespectful.
Jiang Yan didn't say anything, but Jiang Yuan, who had always been her Father's favorite, couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable at the idea.