For the usually well-guarded Jiang Manor, experiencing two fires in one day was indeed a significant event, enough to make the Old Master furious and have the steward hanged for questioning. However, upon hearing the servants’ shouts from behind, the Old Master loosened his grip on the steward’s collar and looked at the others with delight. “You’ve hidden someone in the house?” His tone was filled with joy.
Jiang Xuanjin’s face turned a deep shade of red, and he gripped the sandalwood Buddhist beads tightly, nearly crushing them. “I…” He wanted to say he hadn’t hidden anyone, but saying that now would hold no credibility. Thus, he chose to remain silent.
The silence was taken as an admission! The Old Master was ecstatic, standing up with his dragon-headed cane and looking at him. “If you have a girl you like, bring her to me! Am I not allowed to let people into the manor? Why hide her? It only invites gossip from those outside!”
Jiang Xuanjin, having achieved fame at a young age and holding a high position, should have had many beautiful women around him. Yet, he was unusually ascetic; not only did he not have three wives or four concubines, but he didn’t even have a maid, leading people to speculate whether he had a hidden ailment or was perhaps a homosexual.
Not only outsiders, but even the Old Master had worried about this, to the point of losing his appetite for a long time. Now, however, there was no need for concern; if he could hide a girl in the house, he must be fine!
With joy in his eyes, the Old Master turned to the servants and commanded, “Bring that girl to me so I can see her.” He then turned to Bai Dezhong and clasped his hands. “Don’t take offense, my third son is bringing a girl home for the first time; as an old man, I naturally want to see her. The marriage between our families can be discussed later.”
Bai Dezhong nodded in understanding. “Congratulations, Old Master.”
What was there to congratulate? How could it be that he brought a girl home? Jiang Xuanjin felt a headache coming on as he glanced at Bai Dezhong’s expression, which seemed to be enjoying the show, making his headache even worse.
“Father,” he said, “let me explain this matter in detail later. For now, you should sit with Inspector Bai, and I will return to Mo Residence to check on things.”
The Old Master paused, looking displeased. “You can’t even let me take a look?”
“Your health has not been good lately; it’s better not to see her,” Jiang Xuanjin stood up, bowed to Bai Dezhong, and turned to leave.
The Old Master was confused; what did seeing a person have to do with his health?
**Mo Residence.**
When Jiang Xuanjin stepped through the door, the fire in the guesthouse had already been extinguished. Cheng Xu and Yufeng stood in the courtyard, and upon seeing him, they knelt with a thud. “We accept our punishment!”
“Where is she?” he asked coldly.
Yufeng, with a stiff expression, replied, “Unconscious. I placed her in the guest room over there.”
Without hesitation, Jiang Xuanjin turned and walked in the direction Yufeng pointed, kicking the door open as he ascended the stairs.
Cheng Xu, following behind, turned pale with fright, nearly dropping the sword sheath in his hand. His master, who was usually composed and self-restrained, had kicked the door…
Li Huaiyu lay on the bed, eyes tightly shut, lips pale, with a blister on the back of her hand from the burns, looking quite pitiful. However, this time, he felt no sympathy. He stepped forward and squeezed her shoulder. “You can either wake up from your act of sleeping and have your arm broken, or you can wake up now. Choose!”
His roar was like thunder, instantly waking Huaiyu from her slumber. She opened her eyes, looking dazed as she glanced at him. Pouting, with her eyes drooping, she sat up and hugged his waist tightly. “You’re finally back…”
Her voice was hoarse, and she clung to him tightly, rubbing her cheek against him, choking back tears. “I almost got burned to death!”
Jiang Xuanjin froze at the edge of the bed. He had intended to question her, but her embrace left him at a loss, his hands awkwardly hanging at his sides, and his anger dissipated.
Looking down at her, he maintained a stern expression. “Don’t hug me so casually.”
“I was scared! I was still shaken and restless. What’s wrong with hugging you? You’re so stingy!” Huaiyu mumbled, “Fortunately, Yufeng saved me quickly; otherwise, I would have died in the fire. If you want to hug me now, you can’t.”
Jiang Xuanjin narrowed his eyes. “If you died, I wouldn’t want to hug you.”
She looked up at him, playfully poking his chin. “You’re just being stubborn!”
“…”
In a fit of anger, he almost forgot to be angry. He glanced at her half-burned dress and thought for a moment before pursing his lips and saying to Cheng Xu, “Go get a cloak.”
Cheng Xu’s jaw dropped in shock.
Stunned, he went downstairs to fetch the cloak, moving as if he were a ghost. Yufeng, still standing below, saw him come out and quickly said, “What are you doing? You should be stopping him; your master is likely to tear that Fourth Miss apart!”
Rubbing his chin, Cheng Xu looked into the distance with a sigh. “Don’t worry; even if your master tears you apart, he won’t tear Fourth Miss apart.”
“What do you mean?” Yufeng asked, confused.
Cheng Xu patted his shoulder, sighed deeply, and covered his chin as he went to fetch the cloak.
Li Huaiyu lay in Jiang Xuanjin’s arms, refusing to get up. “This is how it happened! I just wanted to light some incense and sleep, but who knew the house would suddenly catch fire halfway through? Am I supposed to burn myself for fun?”
She reached out and twirled his dark hair around her finger, her eyes glistening.
Jiang Xuanjin said irritably, “It would have been better if you had burned to death. Do you know how chaotic it is outside right now?”
“Huh?” Huaiyu looked innocent. “What’s so chaotic?”
“…You’re in my courtyard, and so many people saw you. What do you think is chaotic?”
Her eyes rolled around, and she exclaimed, “Oh no! Does this mean I can’t marry Young Master Jiang anymore?”
Jiang Xuanjin stood up abruptly, nearly toppling her over. “Hey! Hey! Hey! Help me! I’m going to fall!” She clutched his waistband tightly, wailing.
Irritated, he grabbed her by the back of her collar and placed her back on the bed. Jiang Xuanjin rubbed his temples and muttered, “What a calamity.”
How did he end up with such a rogue?
“Can you still walk on that foot?” he asked.
Huaiyu grinned, “That depends. If you’re going to chase me away, then I can’t walk. If you want to accompany me to enjoy the flowers, then I can walk.”
Enjoy flowers? Jiang Xuanjin shot her a glance. “If you don’t leave now, you’ll be caught by my father and interrogated.”
Upon hearing this, Huaiyu became excited, grabbing his arm. “Does your father know that I’m hiding in your room? Is he particularly angry? Does he think I’m a seductive vixen?”
As she spoke, she put her hands on her hips and twisted her nonexistent tail. “Let him come! I’m a thousand-year-old vixen; how can I be afraid of a mere mortal?”
Jiang Xuanjin looked at her as if she were a fool. “It’s not what you think.”
Huh? If it’s not like that, then what is it? Huaiyu was puzzled and was about to ask again when Cheng Xu entered.
“Master, Fourth Miss.” Besides the cloak, he also carried a tray, walking over with a resigned expression and handing it to her. “This is what the Old Master sent over, saying that the ‘young lady’ was frightened and should drink a cup of calming tea to settle down.”
What? Huaiyu was taken aback, glancing at the tea and then at Cheng Xu. “What do you mean?”
She reached out to take the teacup, opened it, and sniffed. “Is it poisoned?”
Jiang Xuanjin took the teacup from her hand and placed it aside, then stood up to look out the window.
Sure enough, many servants were wandering around Mo Residence, seemingly aimless, but they had completely blocked the entrance. Anyone who tried to leave would be scrutinized.
“Is your Old Master treating me well or not?” Huaiyu continued to grumble at Cheng Xu.
Cheng Xu sighed and said softly, “He knows you’re a girl, and the Old Master is currently quite happy. But… if he knew your identity, it wouldn’t be the same.”
Fourth Miss Bai, Jiang Yan’s nominal fiancée, had been discovered in the prince’s courtyard. What kind of rumors would that create?
Listening to this, Huaiyu showed no signs of worry on her face. Her bright eyes darted around, looking particularly mischievous.
“Don’t think of any crooked ideas,” Jiang Xuanjin said coldly. “Even if you stand outside and shout that you are Fourth Miss Bai, you still won’t get past my door.”
Having her thoughts exposed, Huaiyu chuckled awkwardly. “I wasn’t thinking that.”
“That’s best.” Closing the window, Jiang Xuanjin turned to look at her. “You can’t leave this courtyard for now; just stay here obediently.”
Pouting, Huaiyu hugged the blanket and looked at him. “In my opinion, we might as well break the pot and sink it. Taking this opportunity, you should marry me, and we’ll all be happy.”
Who is like her, a broken pot? Jiang Xuanjin’s face darkened. “You’re dreaming!”
Always with that line, can’t she change her words? Huaiyu looked at him disdainfully, just as she was about to tease him again when Yufeng suddenly shouted nervously from downstairs.
“Second Young Master, wait!”
Jiang Shen stood at the bottom of the guesthouse, looking at Yufeng with a gentle smile. “Don’t be anxious; I won’t barge in. I just want to ask if Third Brother is up there.”
Yufeng cupped his hands. “Master is upstairs… entertaining guests, so he may not have time to see Second Young Master. If you have urgent matters, you can let me convey them.”
“Oh?” Jiang Shen’s curiosity was piqued, and he wanted to go upstairs even more. “I just heard someone say that there’s a girl hidden in Third Brother’s room. Since I’ve been searching for Fourth Miss Bai without success, I might as well take a look.”
Yufeng shook his head. “That won’t do.”
“Why not?” Jiang Shen looked at him curiously. “You’ve always been steady; why are you acting so strangely today, just like your master?”
Yufeng stood stiffly, unsure of what to do.
“What to do?” Cheng Xu upstairs was also panicking. “Second Young Master is here!”
If he goes upstairs, Yufeng has no reason to stop him. Jiang Xuanjin’s expression darkened as he scanned the room, realizing there was almost nowhere for the disaster on the bed to hide.
“It’s over!” Li Huaiyu said gleefully in a low voice. “This time, we’re going to break the pot and sink it!”
With a gloomy look, Jiang Xuanjin glared at her. “You aren’t nervous at all!”
“What do I have to be nervous about?” she said with a grin. “If I can get involved with the Prince of Ziyang, I can only gain and not lose.”
Furrowing his brows tightly, Jiang Xuanjin was genuinely a bit angry. “In your eyes, getting entangled with me is more important than your reputation?”
“Not really.” Huaiyu shook her head, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. “I should say that you are more important than anything else.”
Jiang Xuanjin was momentarily speechless, clenching his fists. “Nonsense!”
Jiang Shen had already begun to walk upstairs, the sound of footsteps on the stairs making Jiang Xuanjin’s heart race. He was already thinking quickly about how to explain to his second brother that he had nothing to do with this woman.
“Hey,” Huaiyu called out to him. “Do you not want me to be seen by your second brother?”
“Of course not.”
She was supposed to marry Jiang Yan, and if Jiang Shen saw her now, regardless of whether he recognized her or not, it would be discovered later. At that point, it would be a mess. It would be impossible to explain clearly, and it might even create a rift between him and Yan’er.
Feeling anxious, Jiang Xuanjin’s aura became chaotic.
In a moment, Jiang Shen had reached the door and gently knocked. “Third Brother?”
With a tight throat, Jiang Xuanjin resignedly lowered his eyes, intending to have Cheng Xu open the door.
However, just as he opened his mouth, a hand suddenly reached over, grabbing his collar and pulling him down.
Jiang Xuanjin was caught off guard and lowered his head, his lips brushing against something soft, “smack!”
“You don’t want him to see me, so I won’t let him see me.” With crescent-shaped eyes, Li Huaiyu smiled and released his collar, lightly punching his chest with her small fist.
Then she quickly turned around, dragging her injured right foot, and with a leap, she supported herself on the windowsill and jumped out, her dark cloak billowing in the wind, her figure gracefully leaping out the window.
Jiang Xuanjin’s pupils dilated.
What he saw was a carved wooden window, and she flashed past it like a bird shot from the sky, leaving a corner of her cloak fluttering in the wind, creating ripples before quickly disappearing.
She jumped down from the attic like that!
Gasping in shock, he turned pale and rushed to the window, looking down urgently!
The stone ground was empty; there was no one there.
His heart, which had just been struck, finally reacted. The thing in his chest began to pound violently, making it hard for him to breathe.
“Third Brother? I’m coming in,” Jiang Shen called out, having waited outside for a long time without hearing anything, cautiously pushing the door open.
“Huh? Why are there only you two?” He glanced around the room, puzzled. “Wasn’t there a girl?”
Turning to look at him, Jiang Xuanjin opened his mouth but found he couldn’t speak.
“What’s wrong?” Jiang Shen walked up to him. “Is something wrong?”
Cheng Xu came back to his senses, glanced at his master, and cupped his hands to answer for him. “Second Young Master, my master is fine; it’s just that there were many matters today, and he is tired.”
Having never seen his third brother like this, looking as if he had been frightened by something, Jiang Shen didn’t intend to press further. He kindly advised, “If you’re tired, take a rest; there’s no need to push yourself.”
Jiang Xuanjin nodded slowly.
After looking around and confirming that there was indeed no girl, Jiang Shen felt quite regretful. He chatted for a while before leaving.
As soon as he stepped out of Mo Residence, Jiang Xuanjin quickly made his way downstairs, stepping over the wooden steps and around the front courtyard, rushing to the eaves behind the attic.
Li Huaiyu was half-reclining against a pillar under the eaves, grimacing as she held her right foot.
Hearing footsteps, she turned her head and smiled brightly at him. “How was it? He didn’t see me, right?”
Stopping in front of her, Jiang Xuanjin looked down at her, remaining silent for a while before saying, “You’re a madwoman!”
“Hahaha!” Huaiyu laughed heartily. “I’m not crazy; your attic is built cleverly, with eaves above. I climbed down and surely wouldn’t die from the fall.”
As she laughed, she glanced at him teasingly. “Are you scared?”
With a serious face and no response, Jiang Xuanjin reached out and picked her up.
“Wow, you’re so proactive this time?” She wrapped her arms around his neck, her almond-shaped eyes blinking. “Are you worried about me?”
“Shut up.”
“You won’t even say a kind word; you’re so stingy!”
Jiang Xuanjin thought to himself that it was a blessing that he hadn’t died from her antics. Saying anything nice? Not scolding her was already a sign of his good temper!
Returning upstairs, he sat at the edge of her bed with a stern face, unwrapping the white cloth around her ankle to take a look.
Her originally delicate ankle was now swollen like a bun.
“Cheng Xu,” he said, “go fetch a physician.”
“Ah, no need to trouble yourself.” Huaiyu pulled out the ointment that Qi Jin had left for her earlier. “I can handle it myself.”
As she spoke, she lifted her skirt and rolled it up, revealing a section of her fair, tender calf. The smooth lines glimmered subtly, skin that should have been hidden beneath layers of fabric was boldly exposed by her!
Jiang Xuanjin’s expression darkened, and he instinctively turned to block her, raising his eyes to glare at Cheng Xu, who was still standing nearby.
Cheng Xu was also stunned by Huaiyu’s actions, momentarily forgetting to look away. When he noticed his master’s gaze, he tensed up and hurriedly retreated, turned around, and exited, closing the door in one swift motion.
Watching the door close, Jiang Xuanjin felt a surge of anger and reached out to pull down the skirt of this shameless person.
However, he didn’t turn his head to look, and as he reached out, he didn’t grab the skirt but instead touched something as delicate as sheep fat.
Jiang Xuanjin was taken aback and slowly turned his head. What he saw was his hand gripping the small leg of the person on the bed, his long fingers brushing against her skin, soft and smooth.
The room was very quiet, so quiet that he could hear the sound of their breathing intertwining, the air feeling a bit thin.
His gaze suddenly darkened.
Li Huaiyu blinked, also feeling a bit flustered by the sudden situation. After a moment, she reacted, “Ouch!”
“…” Coming back to his senses, Jiang Xuanjin withdrew his hand, awkwardly turning his head away. “It’s fine if you’re in pain. Casually lifting your skirt in front of others, you’ll either get hurt or be beaten to death by Bai Dezhong!”
Noticing the anger in his words, Huaiyu shrank her neck and said pitifully, “I need to apply medicine. To apply medicine, I naturally have to lift my skirt.”
“Then wait until people leave before lifting it!”
Pouting, Huaiyu conceded, “I’ll do it your way from now on.”
Hearing her obedient words, Jiang Xuanjin finally relaxed his brows. His gaze swept over her clumsy bandaging technique, and he sighed inwardly, taking the white cloth from her and wrapping it around her ankle, tying a knot.
Huaiyu was taken aback, looking up at him in surprise.
The dignified Prince of Ziyang was bandaging her? Had he taken the wrong medicine?
Noticing her strange gaze, Jiang Xuanjin’s ears turned slightly red, and he said coldly, “Do you want me to tie a knot on your eyes too?”
“No need!” She politely cupped her hands toward him, saying earnestly, “I still want to keep my eyes to see you.”
“…” This person was really impressive when it came to such words; he was completely no match for her.
Turning his face away, Jiang Xuanjin glanced at the windowsill not far away, frowning slightly.
“Don’t jump next time,” he said. “There are always other solutions.”
Huaiyu smiled brightly. “You do care about me! I won’t jump anymore! But… given the current situation, what do you plan to do?”
It seemed she couldn’t leave, and staying here wasn’t a solution either. If Jiang Yan came, she could still hide, but what if the Old Master came?
Jiang Xuanjin lowered his head in thought, looking somewhat troubled.
The most contradictory part was that she bore the title of “Jiang Yan’s fiancée.” Although Yan’er had always been unwilling to acknowledge it, in the eyes of others, the status was established. He suddenly brought her into the courtyard; it was unreasonable both emotionally and logically.
After thinking for a long time, Jiang Xuanjin stood up.
“Rest well,” he said. “I’ll go to the front courtyard.”
“Okay.” Huaiyu obediently replied, watching him leave.
Once the door closed, she hopped down to the ground, peeking out the back window toward the ink-washing pool.
That had been such a good opportunity; she didn’t know if it had succeeded.
As Jiang Xuanjin passed by the tea room, he happened to run into Jiang Yan, who had just finished serving tea.
“Uncle!” Jiang Yan approached him with a distressed expression, bowing. “Uncle, help me!”
Stopping in his tracks, Jiang Xuanjin looked at him. “What’s wrong?”
“Look over there.” He pointed to a person standing not far away, looking quite annoyed. “This Second Miss Bai is so domineering; she insists on following me and even serves tea to the elders.”
Looking in the direction he pointed, Jiang Xuanjin said, “Isn’t it good that she’s helping you?”
“Don’t laugh at me!” Jiang Yan shook his head. “It’s clear that this is someone my grandfather forced on me; how could I think it’s good?”
Jiang Yan had no other faults; he was just a bit proud and unwilling to let others interfere in his affairs or make decisions for him. The elders of the Jiang family had already touched his sore spot, and due to their seniority, he couldn’t express his anger. If Second Miss Bai came to provoke him, he clearly wouldn’t give her face.
With a glint in his eyes, Jiang Xuanjin twirled the Buddhist beads and pondered for a moment before asking him, “You previously refused Fourth Miss Bai; now that you’ve been switched to Second Miss Bai, you still refuse. Do you not want to get married?”
Jiang Yan paused, thinking carefully. If the girl in the garden was indeed Fourth Miss Bai, he could reluctantly accept it. But switching to Second Miss Bai… he shook his head repeatedly. “Uncle, you’re older than me and still unmarried. I do not need to rush.”
“You’re not in a hurry, but your father and grandfather are,” Jiang Xuanjin said. “Convincing them to cancel the marriage is not easy, and if you truly regret it, it will hurt the relationship between the Jiang and Bai families.”
With a long face, Jiang Yan bowed deeply to him. “That’s why I want to ask Uncle for help; you must have a way!”
Jiang Xuanjin remained silent, his brows slightly furrowed, looking quite troubled.
What is the highest realm of deception? It’s making others beg you to deceive them. He already had a plan in mind, but given Jiang Yan’s temperament, it would be easier to get him to agree if he played a little hard to get.
Sure enough, seeing him silent, Jiang Yan hurriedly bowed and spoke sweetly. “Uncle has always cared for me the most; you can’t just stand by and watch me die!”
Sighing, Jiang Xuanjin said, “There is a way, but you must think carefully. Do you truly not want to get married?”
Jiang Yan paused, glancing at Bai Xuanji in the distance, shivering slightly before nodding firmly. “I’ve thought it through; I don’t want to!”
Waiting a few more years is fine; he was still young, wasn’t he?
“Good.” Jiang Xuanjin nodded, rarely showing a smile. “Let me point you in the right direction.”
Jiang Yan’s eyes lit up. “What direction?”
Jiang Xuanjin pointed toward the main gate and said meaningfully, “That is the right direction.”
Jiang Yan was stunned, and after realizing what his uncle meant, he gasped, his eyes widening.
**In the tea room.**
The Old Master and Bai Dezhong were still waiting to see Fourth Miss Bai, but Jiang Shen returned, saying he couldn’t find her.
“Are you sure she came?” the Old Master asked, puzzled.
Jiang Chong also looked confused. “The invitation said it was indeed Bai Zhuji, but whether it’s her… I’ve never seen Fourth Miss Bai, so I can’t confirm.”
Bai Dezhong stroked his beard and said, “I know very well what Fourth Miss looks like. If she is as graceful and dignified as the General described, then someone must be impersonating her.”
The Old Master fell silent, feeling somewhat troubled, when he suddenly saw Jiang Xuanjin walk in through the door.
“How is it at Mo Residence?” he quickly asked.
“No problem; only half a room was burned, and some small items were damaged,” Jiang Xuanjin replied. “The fire has been extinguished.”
“Then…” The Old Master wanted to ask, what about that girl? Why didn’t you bring her to see me?
However, Jiang Xuanjin spoke before he could. “Let’s continue discussing important matters.”
Time was running short, and Bai Dezhong’s father and daughter were in a hurry to return home, so it was natural to prioritize the marriage discussion. The Old Master steadied himself, exchanged glances with Bai Dezhong, and they took turns speaking.
“Since Fourth Miss cannot be found, even if we do find her, it seems that Second Miss is more suitable for Yan’er. Second Miss has been busy helping Yan’er today, which is quite considerate.”
“The daughter-in-law of the Jiang family cannot be chosen casually; Zhuji is still not as mature as Xuanji in handling matters.”
“Moreover, if Jiang Qi were still alive, she would surely be concerned for her son and choose the most suitable daughter-in-law. Both mothers have passed away for many years; even if Fourth Miss were to marry over, Jiang Qi could not take care of her, and Bai Feng would gain nothing. Why cling to the past?”
“Xuanji’s birth chart is also compatible with the young master’s; the fortune teller at the temple even said she has a prosperous fate.”
The two of them chattered on, while Jiang Xuanjin remained unresponsive.
The Old Master sighed. “I know you value promises, but it’s difficult for you to be flexible. You can pretend you don’t know about this matter; we will take charge of everything.”
Having reached this point, Jiang Xuanjin didn’t intend to argue further. He looked at Bai Dezhong and asked, “Is your Fourth Miss truly so unworthy?”
Bai Dezhong was taken aback, sighing. “It’s my oversight in her upbringing. Once her second sister is married, I will certainly teach her the proper etiquette and find her a good family.”
Nodding, Jiang Xuanjin said, “Then let’s settle it this way; have someone choose an auspicious date.”
Bai Dezhong was pleasantly surprised. The Old Master was also very happy, nodding at him. “I’ve looked at the dates; May 21st is the best auspicious date. Let’s decide today, and the engagement can be announced the day after tomorrow.”
“Good.” Jiang Xuanjin replied.
Bai Dezhong finally felt a weight lift from his heart. After exchanging pleasantries with the Jiang family, he called for Bai Xuanji to come and bid farewell before taking the carriage back home.
“Why did Third Brother suddenly change his mind?” Jiang Shen asked curiously, standing beside Jiang Xuanjin.
Jiang Xuanjin replied calmly, “I’m just following my father’s orders.”
“Your father is very pleased.” The Old Master said cheerfully, “Since you’re so willing to listen to your father, why not bring that girl from your room to let me see?”
Jiang Xuanjin shook his head, clasping his hands. “Let’s do it tomorrow.”
Why tomorrow? It was still early today! Everyone was somewhat puzzled.
Jiang Shen smiled meaningfully, leaning closer to him and whispering, “Could it be that you haven’t managed to get the girl yet? Don’t worry; your second brother can teach you!”
“Thank you, second brother,” Jiang Xuanjin said expressionlessly. “No need.”
If he managed to get her, he would be the one with a headache.
Now that things were half resolved, he let out a slight sigh of relief and was about to sip his tea when he suddenly heard Cheng Xu whispering behind him, “Master, something has happened.”
What now? Jiang Xuanjin frowned, almost instinctively saying, “Why is she so restless?”
Cheng Xu shook his head. “No, it’s the ink-washing pool that has a problem.”
The ink-washing pool was where Qing Si was locked up.
His expression changed, and Jiang Xuanjin stood up, bowing to the Old Master as he excused himself, hurriedly heading back.
Qing Si was an extremely important person, and he still needed to get many answers from her. If she were taken away, it would likely mean either silencing her or making her disappear from the world, which would be troublesome.
However, when he arrived at the bamboo house, he immediately saw Qing Si still shackled.
“Master, forgive me!” a hidden guard knelt beside him, saying, “The intruders had premeditated plans and took advantage of the fire to break in and kidnap her. We didn’t have enough manpower; although we saved the prisoner, the thieves managed to escape.”
As long as the person was still there, Jiang Xuanjin felt relieved. He glanced at the chaotic signs of struggle in the bamboo house and frowned. “Who is so bold?”
“I’ve already sent people to pursue them; I will report back as soon as there’s news.”
If they couldn’t even keep them in the manor, how could they catch them outside? Jiang Xuanjin frowned, staring at the woman in shackles not far away, his eyes filled with suspicion.
Was the fire in the guesthouse too coincidental?
“You will eventually face retribution,” Qing Si looked at him, her long hair disheveled, blood clots on her hair and face, looking cold and terrifying.
“Retribution?” Coming back to his senses, Jiang Xuanjin sneered. “That word is more suitable for your deceased master.”
Hearing this, Qing Si’s eyes turned fiercer, struggling to stand up and lunging at him!
The smell of blood filled the air, and her filthy hands stopped just an inch away from Jiang Xuanjin, shackled and unable to advance any further.
Unwilling to give up, she curled her fingers and spat out, “You beast!”
Jiang Xuanjin stood still, calmly twirling the Buddhist beads. “Only those who have lost their humanity are beasts. I act on behalf of heaven to eliminate evil and protect the good; how can I be called that?”
“Acting on behalf of heaven?” Qing Si spat a mouthful of blood, the bright red splattering onto his turquoise sleeve, staining it with spots.
“You’re just a knife for the petty; do you think you’re doing the right thing?” Her eyes were like knives, glaring at him through the strands of hair. “One day, you will regret it; you killed the person in Northern Wei who should not have died!”
Dan Yang shouldn’t have died. Jiang Xuanjin shook his head. “Your words are too absurd.”
Everyone in the world knows that the one who should die the most in Northern Wei is Princess Dan Yang; where does this “should not die” come from?
“Absurd?” Qing Si gritted her teeth. “Just ask Lord Han Xiao why he supports the princess despite public opinion, and you will understand who is truly absurd!”
Pausing slightly, Jiang Xuanjin said, “Be clearer with your words.”
Qing Si sneered. “Do I need to explain to you? You have the means to frame the princess but no means to uncover the truth?”
The truth? Jiang Xuanjin lowered his eyes. He only knew that Dan Yang had used treacherous means to kill her uncle, executed the loyal subjects of the late emperor with cruel punishments, and caused the tragic death of Prime Minister Sima Xu in the palace, all while playing with power and putting the common people in peril—these were all truths.
With these truths in mind, Dan Yang’s death was not unjust.
Collecting his thoughts, he coldly looked at the deranged maid before him and waved his sleeve, instructing the people beside him, “Keep a close watch on her; don’t let anyone get close.”
“Yes!” everyone responded in unison.
Returning to the guesthouse, Jiang Xuanjin stood at the door for a moment, lost in thought until the Buddhist beads pressed painfully into his palm, prompting him to push the door open.
“Back already?” The person in the room looked at him with curiosity. “Where did you go? Why do you look so pale?”
Her amber-colored almond eyes were exceptionally clear, showing no signs of guilt.
Looking at her, Jiang Xuanjin said softly, “It’s nothing serious; some thieves took advantage of the fire in the guesthouse to try to steal something from my courtyard.”
“Ah?” Huaiyu’s eyes widened. “Stealing something from your courtyard? That’s too bold! What did they steal? Was it valuable?”
He shook his head. “The thieves didn’t succeed.”
Huaiyu paused, clapping her hands and laughing. “That’s good! If someone stole something right under your nose, where would the face of the Prince of Ziyang go?”
Her attitude was calm, her words flowing smoothly, and her eyes looked at him without avoidance. Jiang Xuanjin felt that perhaps he was being overly suspicious. Even if the fire in the guesthouse had provided an opportunity for someone, she had already said it wasn’t intentional. Moreover, she had no connection to Qing Si, so there was no need for her to do something so thankless.
Feeling a bit relieved, he said, “I just went to the front courtyard; they have already settled the marriage between Yan’er and Second Miss Bai.”
“Ah?” Huaiyu’s face fell, and she grabbed his sleeve with great grievance. “Didn’t you say you would help me get my marriage back? You’re not keeping your word!”
The veins on Jiang Xuanjin’s forehead throbbed, and he gritted his teeth. “If you hadn’t insisted on coming to my courtyard, how could it have turned out like this?”
Originally, if she hadn’t caused such a ruckus, he could have fought for her wholeheartedly. But now, how could he fight? To fight for her title as “future young mistress,” only to be caught by the Old Master hiding her in his room? They would both end up in deep trouble!
The person in front of him blinked, looking as if she had just realized something. “Oh right, it was me who insisted on coming here.”
After thinking for a moment, she looked at him with a hint of grievance. “Why didn’t you stop me? How could you be so easily persuaded by me?”
Jiang Xuanjin: “…”
“Ahhh!” She was suddenly lifted and placed by the windowsill, screaming in fright as she clutched the windowsill. “I was just joking! Don’t be so agitated! It’s all my fault! It’s all my fault! Don’t throw me out!”
Jiang Xuanjin was furious; every time he encountered this disaster, he felt like he could be driven to death. He wished he could throw her down and turn her into a meat pie, so the world would be peaceful!
Sensing the murderous aura on him, Li Huaiyu immediately clung to him like an octopus, her hands clasped tightly, refusing to let go. “You can’t treat me like this!”
“Give me a reason,” he said, narrowing his eyes slightly.
Swallowing hard, Huaiyu’s eyes darted around. “Killing someone means paying with your life!”
This reason was quite serious and persuasive. Jiang Xuanjin snorted lightly, finally calming down and tossing her back onto the bed.
Rolling over onto the blanket, Huaiyu said pitifully, “You’re so fierce; you won’t be able to marry a wife in the future!”
“You don’t need to worry about that.” He turned around, walking away. “Stay here honestly for a day.”
“A day?!” Huaiyu was shocked. “What about Bai Manor?”
Pausing his steps, Jiang Xuanjin stopped at the door, his hand slightly clenched into a fist, looking quite angry. “I will give them an explanation.”
How could he explain the situation of a young lady staying overnight in his courtyard? Huaiyu rubbed her chin, narrowing her eyes in deep thought.
As Jiang Xuanjin stepped out of the room, he closed the door behind him.
Once the door was shut, Li Huaiyu instantly dropped her carefree expression, frowning and sighing.
Rescuing Qing Si was indeed not as easy as she had thought. She had found the place and the opportunity, yet she still couldn’t get her out. When she grabbed Jiang Xuanjin’s sleeve, she saw the fresh bloodstains on it. Jiang Xuanjin hadn’t been injured. That blood was most likely Qing Si’s. That girl had suffered who knows how much under Jiang Xuanjin’s grip.
Feeling gloomy, Huaiyu was troubled, her face scrunching up in distress.
“Miss?” Just then, Ling Xiu’s voice came from outside.
Huaiyu was taken aback, watching her push the door open in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
Ling Xiu’s eyes were filled with sorrow as she walked up to her and forced a smile. “Just now, someone from Prince Ziyang’s side came to find me, saying I should come to serve you.”
When they entered Jiang Manor, Ling Xiu had been waiting outside in the carriage with Zhao Cai. Jiang Xuanjin was quite thoughtful, knowing to call her maid over.
Patting the bed to invite her to sit down, Huaiyu observed Ling Xiu’s expression and curiously asked, “What happened?”
Ling Xiu hesitated for a moment before whispering, “While I was in the carriage, I happened to see the Old Master and Second Miss leaving Jiang Manor. I overheard them say a few words. The meaning was… the Jiang family is preparing to send a betrothal gift to Second Miss.”
This matter had been mentioned by Jiang Xuanjin before, so Li Huaiyu was not surprised. She reached out to pat her back in comfort. “A blessing in disguise.”
With the previous incident of her young lady sneaking out at midnight to find clothes and jewelry, Ling Xiu was no longer so fixated on this marriage. However, she couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful. “The young master of the Jiang family is such a good husband; it’s hard to find another like him elsewhere.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Huaiyu reassured her. “There are plenty of fish in the sea.”
“…” Ling Xiu looked at her, both amused and exasperated. “Miss, this is your fiancé who’s gone, not mine!”
“Ah, is that so?” She waved her hand nonchalantly. “It’s all the same.”
That was a bit too open-minded! Ling Xiu couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head. After a while, she felt relieved.
As long as the young lady was open-minded, perhaps she would meet someone better in the future.
Half-seriously, half-jokingly, Huaiyu explained to her why she was in Prince Ziyang’s courtyard. Ling Xiu found it unbelievable and couldn’t help but sigh at her young lady’s misfortunes, lamenting that she had been injured for no reason.
The two of them chatted for a while before it was time for dinner. Huaiyu asked Ling Xiu to call Cheng Xu over, intending to remind him to bring more meat dishes. However, when Cheng Xu arrived, he brought dinner along with Jiang Xuanjin.
The table was filled with exquisite delicacies, and sitting beside it was the exceptionally handsome Prince of Ziyang, leaving her dumbfounded.
“Did you miss me?” Huaiyu looked at him, blinking. “You even want to have dinner with me?”
“No,” Jiang Xuanjin replied coldly. “I just want to avoid being disturbed before dinner.”
What does that mean? Huaiyu was puzzled. Who would disturb him while he was eating?
This question was answered halfway through dinner.
“Is Third Brother here?” someone called from the entrance, followed by Yufeng going to the main building to wait.
Huaiyu heard the voice, but the person beside her seemed oblivious, leisurely finishing the food in his bowl, wiping his hands with a napkin, and then standing up to walk outside.
Curiously watching his back, Huaiyu said nothing and grabbed the nearby cane to follow him.
Cheng Xu watched but didn’t stop her, letting Ling Xiu keep an eye on her.
Jiang Chong sat in the main building, looking anxious. Upon seeing Jiang Xuanjin enter, he quickly approached him. “Third Brother, have you seen Yan’er?”
Jiang Xuanjin looked confused. “Yan’er? I saw him in the front courtyard this afternoon.”
“What did he say?”
Thinking for a moment, Jiang Xuanjin replied, “He said to save him, saying that Second Miss Bai was too domineering.”
Hearing this, Jiang Chong’s face turned pale, and he sighed deeply. “This child has been spoiled by me and is very willful. The marriage arranged by the elders is not something he can question. He’s unhappy and has even run away from home!”
“Run away from home?” Jiang Xuanjin paused, lowering his eyes to ask, “When did this happen?”
“I don’t know either.” Jiang Chong shook his head. “I couldn’t find him during dinner, so I searched everywhere and found this letter in his room. Here, take a look.”
Taking the letter, Jiang Xuanjin read it and folded it up. “He only has a few places he could go; let’s send someone to look for him.”
“I’ve already sent people to search, but I’m uncertain whether to report this to Father,” Jiang Chong said, looking troubled. “If he finds out, he won’t sleep well, but if we don’t find him by tomorrow morning, he will know anyway, and I’ll be blamed for deceiving him.”
This was indeed a tricky situation. Jiang Xuanjin thought for a moment and said softly, “Let’s keep searching. If we still can’t find him by tomorrow morning, we can pretend to have just discovered this letter and report it to Father.”
Li Huaiyu, eavesdropping outside, smiled and said softly to Cheng Xu behind her, “Your master has been led astray by me; he’s even learning to lie!”
Cheng Xu touched his nose but didn’t speak. His master was not just teaching someone to lie; he was also lying himself. Fortunately, the eldest young master was straightforward and didn’t suspect anything at all.
The old saying is true: “Those who get close to ink will turn black!”
Inside the room, Jiang Xuanjin calmly dealt with Jiang Chong until the Old Master’s anger had subsided. Just as he turned around, he saw Li Huaiyu hopping out from the corner with a cane.
“Hehehe.” She smiled teasingly at him.
Feeling inexplicably embarrassed, Jiang Xuanjin turned his gaze away. “What’s up?”
“Nothing, just find you very cute.” Huaiyu stroked her chin, her eyes glinting mischievously. “I want to trick you into taking me home and hiding me.”
“More nonsense!” Jiang Xuanjin waved his sleeve irritably and turned to walk back into the main building.
Watching his retreating figure, Huaiyu sighed to Cheng Xu beside her, “Your master is good in every way, but his vocabulary is lacking. It’s either ‘nonsense’ or ‘outrageous,’ or else it’s ‘absurd’ and ‘shut up.’ Does he know any other words?”
Cheng Xu stifled a laugh and cupped his hands to her. “Fourth Miss is too impressive.”
“Flattery, flattery.” Not modest at all, Li Huaiyu yawned. “I should go rest; it seems there will be a good show tomorrow.”
After all the trouble, Bai Xuanji had finally secured the marriage, but before it could even warm up, the groom had run away. If Jiang Yan couldn’t be found tomorrow, it would truly be a huge joke.
Jiang Chong understood this logic as well. To prevent Jiang Yan from being reprimanded by the Old Master, he sent many people out, even alarming the capital’s yamen, nearly turning the entire capital upside down.
However, Jiang Yan seemed to have evaporated from the world, never to be seen again.
At dawn, Jiang Chong knelt at the Old Master’s door.
The morning in Jiang Manor was once again a stormy affair.
When Li Huaiyu woke up yawning, Jiang Xuanjin was sitting at the table in her room, glancing at her. “Get dressed and have breakfast.”
Smiling, Huaiyu reached out to him. “I’m tangled in the blanket; I need Prince Ziyang to hug me to get up!”
Her voice was soft and sticky, with a sleepy nasal tone, sounding hoarse and lazy.
If it were someone else, they would surely be charmed and left dry-mouthed by her. However, Jiang Xuanjin was completely immune to this, his face cold as he said, “If you keep talking nonsense, you won’t have breakfast.”
Upon hearing this, Huaiyu sprang up like a fish out of water. However, her movements were too abrupt, accidentally pulling on her injured foot, and she cried out in pain, clutching her ankle and wailing for a while before reluctantly putting on her shoes and getting out of bed.
Ling Xiu quickly lowered the curtain at the partition and helped her to change behind the screen. The clothes she wore yesterday had been burned, but fortunately, Prince Ziyang was considerate and had found a new set for her. The fabric and style were quite nice, allowing her to maintain her appearance.
After changing into better clothes and tidying up, Li Huaiyu appeared dignified and graceful again. Leaning on her cane, she sat down beside Jiang Xuanjin, picked up her chopsticks, and looked at him. “I thought all night yesterday, and I feel that Jiang Yan’s sudden runaway has something to do with you.”
Jiang Xuanjin picked up his chopsticks, chewing slowly on the food, ignoring her.
Huaiyu continued, “Look at how anxious General Jiang was yesterday. You, as the one who cares for Jiang Yan the most, not only aren’t worried but are also eating and sleeping well. It’s not normal at all.”
“But I can’t figure out why you would do this. Jiang Yan’s marriage to Bai Xuanji has been settled; what good does it do you for him to run away?”
“Could it be that you have an issue with Bai Xuanji?”
……
After finishing a bowl of rice, Jiang Xuanjin wiped his mouth and stood up. “Come with me.”
“What?” Huaiyu’s eyes widened. “I haven’t finished my breakfast yet!”
“You talk too much; you must not be hungry.”
“…” Stunned by his words, Huaiyu laughed helplessly, realizing he truly had no intention of waiting for her. She quickly stood up, stuffing two pieces of pastry into her sleeve, and, using her cane, hurried to catch up.
The Old Master was in the front hall, fuming.
“Look at this! Look at what he wrote! What nonsense! ‘Yan has a heart for the country but no family; he fears he will ruin the girl’s life, so he uses this as proof to dissolve the engagement.’ Is it something he can just dissolve because the elders arranged it?!”
Jiang Chong knelt below, remaining silent.
When Jiang Xuanjin entered, the Old Master had already torn up the letter left by Jiang Yan, tossing the scraps into the hall like snowflakes, fluttering down around him.
“Calm down, Father,” he said. “I’ve arranged for people to be stationed at all the exits of the capital. Once Yan’er is found, he will be brought back immediately.”
Seeing him arrive, the Old Master immediately turned his anger toward him. “Look at the good nephew you’ve raised! He’s learned to be ascetic and unwilling to marry! Is the Jiang family’s lineage going to end with you two?”
Jiang Xuanjin lowered his eyes. “Take care of your health.”
“What health to take care of?” The Old Master slammed his dragon-headed cane on the ground. “Tomorrow we are supposed to send the betrothal gifts to Bai Manor; the news has already been released, and the Bai family is prepared. With Yan’er running away, what are we going to tell Bai Manor?”
“I will naturally go to apologize,” Jiang Chong added.
“Apologize?” The Old Master shouted angrily. “Is this something that can be resolved with an apology? The friendship between the Jiang and Bai families cannot be destroyed by your ungrateful son! What will outsiders say about the Jiang family? How will Bai Manor view us?”
Jiang Chong lowered his head awkwardly. “This…”
Jiang Xuanjin stood quietly, waiting for the Old Master’s anger to subside before softly asking, “Have the betrothal gifts for Bai Manor been prepared?”
Mentioning this made the Old Master even angrier. “Of course, they’ve been prepared! They were ready years ago! But with such an ungrateful grandson, it seems they will have to be put aside for a few more years!”
“Putting them aside isn’t necessary.” Jiang Xuanjin said. “Let me use them.”
“…”
The Old Master stopped shouting, suddenly going quiet.
“You… what did you say?” After a long pause, he looked at Jiang Xuanjin in shock. “You want to use the betrothal gifts? How will you use them?”
Jiang Chong was also shocked, nearly losing his balance as he turned to look at him in astonishment.
Under the intense gaze of everyone, Jiang Xuanjin calmly said, “What else can I do? Naturally, I will use them to send the betrothal gifts and bring back a wife.”
Bring back a wife… bring back a… wife?
A shiver ran through him, and the Old Master felt he might be getting old, his hearing failing him, leading to such a ridiculous hallucination. He tugged at his beard, feeling the pain, and asked in confusion, “Are you serious?”
“To preserve the relationship between the Jiang and Bai families and to maintain the Jiang family’s reputation, isn’t this the only way?”
Hearing this, the Old Master was genuinely moved, even beginning to feel grateful that Jiang Yan had run away from the marriage. He had escaped with a small one and caught a big one! Jiang Xuanjin’s marriage was far more troublesome than Jiang Yan’s; Jiang Yan was still young, but Xuanjin should have been married long ago!
After thinking for a moment, he asked, “Are you going to marry Second Miss Bai?”
As soon as he asked, he frowned again. “That girl seems clever and is quite suitable for Yan’er, but your situation…”
Jiang Chong was still present, and the Old Master didn’t say it too plainly, but he had his calculations in mind. Bai Xuanji was already a high climb for Yan’er; what qualifications did she have to be Jiang Xuanjin’s wife? Even if he casually pulled someone to live with, the Old Master couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful.
Just as he was struggling with this, Jiang Xuanjin suddenly said, “I came today to discuss something else with Father.”
“Oh?” The Old Master straightened up. “What is it?”
“A while ago, I encountered some rioters on the street and was almost ambushed. In a critical moment, a girl rushed out and saved my life.” Taking a deep breath, Jiang Xuanjin steeled himself to lie. “That girl is kind-hearted; she saved me without asking for anything in return and didn’t leave her name, so I couldn’t repay her.”
“I didn’t expect to meet that girl again at yesterday’s banquet, and coincidentally, she had injured her foot. So yesterday, I helped her back to Mo Residence and asked a physician to treat her. I didn’t expect that my family’s servants would see it and cause a misunderstanding, almost ruining her reputation.”
Upon hearing this, the Old Master’s eyes lit up. “Are you talking about the girl you hid in your room?”
“She’s not hidden in my room,” Jiang Xuanjin patiently explained. “It’s because she was injured, so temporarily…”
“I understand,” the Old Master waved his hand with a smile. “It’s because she was injured that you hid her in your room.”
Jiang Xuanjin: “…”
Jiang Chong was also excited. “Such a good girl; why not bring her to let Father see?”
“She’s outside.” Glancing at the Old Master, Jiang Xuanjin thought for a moment and asked, “Father, have you taken your medicine today?”
The steward beside him smiled and replied, “Not yet; it’s warming on the stove.”
“Bring it over first.”
“Yes.”
“What do you care about medicine for?” the Old Master said kindly. “Let the girl in first!”
As he spoke, he waved his hand at Jiang Chong, who was still kneeling. “You can get up now.”
Jiang Chong breathed a sigh of relief, standing up and sitting down in a nearby chair, silently rubbing his knees. Jiang Xuanjin watched as the steward brought over the medicine before nodding at Cheng Xu.
Outside, Li Huaiyu received the message to come in. She tucked the cane under her arm, straightened her clothes, and prepared to enter.
“Miss!” Ling Xiu called out worriedly. “Does your foot hurt?”
“It hurts,” Huaiyu nodded honestly, whispering, “But if I endure this moment, your young lady will be able to soar to great heights; it’s worth the pain!”
With a determined expression, she gracefully crossed the threshold of the front hall.
The Old Master and Jiang Chong both widened their eyes, staring at the entrance. In a moment, they saw a graceful young woman approaching with the wind, her beauty striking, her posture elegant. She took three steps forward and performed a curtsy, her manners impeccable.
“Greetings to the Old Master, greetings to the General.”
Her voice was like a yellow oriole, flawless.
The Old Master beamed, though he still maintained a stern demeanor, his eyes sparkling as he looked her up and down, nodding in satisfaction. “The young lady is very polite.”
At first glance, Jiang Chong also thought this girl was quite good, but as she approached, he felt something was off.
Why does she look… a bit familiar?
“May I ask where this young lady resides and what her surname is?” Not noticing Jiang Chong’s unease, the Old Master asked.
Li Huaiyu smiled and glanced at Jiang Xuanjin, silently asking: Should I say it directly?
Jiang Xuanjin paused, then said to the Old Master, “Father, drink your medicine first; it will cool down soon.”
“No rush, no rush.” The Old Master waved his hand, his mind entirely focused on the young lady before him. He thought that if her family background was also suitable, he wouldn’t need to drink the medicine; his health would surely improve for months!
After hesitating for a moment, Huaiyu knelt and said, “I live beside the official road in Chang’an, my surname is Bai, and my name is Zhuji.”
Upon hearing “Chang’an,” the Old Master felt pleased for a moment, thinking she must be from a wealthy family, suitable, suitable! However, upon hearing the latter half, he fell silent.
A long silence.
“Father?” Jiang Xuanjin called out in confusion.
The Old Master gripped his dragon-headed cane, motionless, while Jiang Chong stood up in shock. “No wonder she looks familiar; she’s Fourth Miss Bai!”
Huaiyu smiled and bowed to him again.
Jiang Chong looked at her, feeling quite complicated, and turned to his father. “See, I told you Fourth Miss Bai is very well-mannered and graceful. You didn’t believe me. But I truly didn’t expect that the one who saved Third Brother’s life would be Fourth Miss Bai!”
As he spoke, he glanced at the Old Master’s calm expression and couldn’t help but praise, “Father, you truly are well-versed in the world. You’re not surprised at all when encountering such matters.”
He was the shocked one.
The Old Master stared at Li Huaiyu for a long time before finally coughing and opening his mouth to mumble something.
The steward leaned in to listen, thinking he had some private instructions, but instead, he heard, “Bring… bring me the medicine!”
Hastily placing the medicine bowl in his hands, the steward nervously assisted him in breathing. “Take your time drinking!”
The Old Master gulped down a few mouthfuls of medicine, finally able to catch his breath. He coughed and looked at the young lady in front of him, then at Jiang Xuanjin. “Is the one you want to marry Fourth Miss Bai?”
“Father, please see clearly,” Jiang Xuanjin said. “The one I want to marry is the one who saved my life, and that person just happens to be Fourth Miss Bai.”
In other words, he didn’t intend to get involved in the Bai family’s affairs; it was all fate!
“Since that’s the case, why did you push for the marriage between Fourth Miss Bai and Yan’er so strongly yesterday?” The Old Master was anxious, leaning on his cane. “Isn’t this absurd?!”
“There’s a misunderstanding in this matter.” Jiang Xuanjin lowered his eyes and began to fabricate again.
“The reason I pushed for that marriage was truly for my late sister-in-law’s last wish, and at that time, I didn’t know she was Fourth Miss Bai. It was only later when the elders settled the marriage that I lamented a bit, and she remembered to tell me her identity.”
Upon hearing this, the Old Master immediately turned his anger toward Li Huaiyu. “He didn’t know your identity, but you didn’t know his identity either? You have an engagement with Yan’er; why are you entangling with Xuanjin?”
Li Huaiyu bit her lip, thinking that Prince Ziyang was not being fair. He had completely distanced himself from her, leaving all the blame on her!
Wasn’t this just a matter of lying? He had learned this skill from her; how could he be afraid of her?
Taking a deep breath, her eyes reddened as she spoke in a choked voice. “Old Master, please see clearly! I was foolish for three years and just recovered recently, so I don’t remember many things. When I first met Prince Ziyang, I truly didn’t recognize him. When we met again at the banquet yesterday, I didn’t want to get entangled again, but who knew the prince would hold onto me, saying he wanted to repay my life-saving grace? I intended to clarify immediately, but the prince was busy with affairs and left in a hurry. I had no choice but to wait for him to be free to explain the truth.”
As she spoke, she looked pitiful. “What kind of identity do I have to dare to climb high to the prince? Before coming here, I didn’t even know the prince had thoughts of marrying me. Now that I know, I naturally wouldn’t dare to agree!”
With her words, the Old Master’s brows relaxed a bit. Looking at her sincere and sorrowful expression, his heart softened as well.
The Fourth Miss Bai had always been looked down upon; her mother had passed away early, and her life in the Bai Manor must not have been easy. Now that her marriage was taken by her second sister, and she had been injured, she was truly pitiful.
After thinking for a moment, he looked at Jiang Xuanjin. “You too; how could you not ask clearly in advance?”
Jiang Xuanjin: “…”
Indeed, the old ginger is spicier; he had just learned to lie, and he was no match for her, the master of deception.
“It’s not entirely the prince’s fault,” the person beside him continued, growing more animated. “He is of high status and busy with affairs; he only had time to joke with me for a moment. How could he truly have time to listen to my heartfelt words? What he said about marrying me was likely just a momentary impulse, wanting to explain his actions last night.”
As she spoke, she turned her head, her face a mix of anger and shyness, her lips slightly parted. “The prince doesn’t need to give me any explanation; what happened last night was an accident, and I certainly won’t cling to him because of it.”
Last night? An accident?
Hearing these words, the Old Master’s breath hitched again, and he trembled as he reached for the steward. “Bring me another bowl of medicine!”