After helping Jiang Susu into the carriage first, Gu Yi stood a few steps away from the carriage, looking at Jiang Ruan with some embarrassment.

Jiang Ruan walked over and spoke gently: “Thank you for Master Gu’s guards. There’s something this humble girl wishes to say to Master Gu. Actually… this humble girl has a favor to ask.”

Gu Yi was startled and said with concern: “What difficulties does Miss Jiang have? As long as I can help, Gu Yi will certainly do everything in my power.”

This Gu Yi was indeed someone who cherished and protected the fairer sex. Jiang Ruan nodded slightly: “Master Gu must know something about my family’s affairs. Actually, this matter shouldn’t be spoken of outside. But seeing Master Gu’s sincere heart, I believe you are also extremely honest in character. Moreover, only Master Gu can help with this matter, so this humble girl brazenly seeks your convenience.”

Gu Yi was flattered by her few sentences and felt even more fond of Jiang Ruan. He heard Jiang Ruan say in a low voice: “This humble girl’s elder brother left the residence to join the army five years ago and has been without news since. This humble girl’s birth mother died young, and elder brother is the only blood relative in this world. These years, this humble girl has been inquiring about his news, but unfortunately to no avail.”

Her voice was gentle, and her face still wore a smile, but somehow, her soft voice managed to convey a trace of sorrow. Such strength and forbearance made people feel even more pity.

Gu Yi comforted her: “Miss Jiang, don’t be sad. Your brother is blessed by fortune and will surely be fine. But how can I help with this matter?”

“This humble girl heard that the General has excellent private relations with General Guan and General Chen,” Jiang Ruan smiled: “And five years ago when my brother enlisted, the capital coincidentally had General Guan and General Chen recruiting soldiers. This humble girl thinks that perhaps my brother is in Chen’s army or Guan’s army. Since the General has connections with both generals, perhaps you could do a favor and help this humble girl inquire about my brother’s news.”

Gu Yi patted his chest: “What difficulty is this? I’ll speak with father about this matter when I return. Miss Jiang can rest assured—once there’s news of your brother, I’ll have someone notify you immediately.”

Jiang Ruan solemnly bowed deeply to him: “Master Gu’s kindness is something this humble girl cannot repay. I can only keep it in my heart, and if there’s an opportunity in the future, I will certainly repay you.”

Gu Yi was startled and waved his hands in refusal: “It’s just a small effort—why must Miss Jiang be so polite? Can we now be considered friends?”

Jiang Ruan smiled: “Naturally.”

After bidding farewell to Gu Yi, Jiang Ruan boarded the carriage. Jiang Susu, Jiang Li, and Jiang Dan were all waiting inside the carriage. Seeing Jiang Ruan enter, Jiang Susu’s eyes could barely contain her fury, while Jiang Li sneered sarcastically: “Vixen!” Only Jiang Dan smiled timidly at her, still maintaining a weak appearance. But after tonight’s events, Jiang Ruan had a deeper understanding of her. How could she believe that she was truly as timid and fearful as she appeared on the surface? There was probably another one hiding deep in this residence—she just hadn’t discovered it in daily life.

The several people in the carriage remained silent all the way back to the Jiang residence gate. The gatekeeping servants and Steward Zhang outside were quite surprised to see several unfamiliar guards.

Bai Zhi helped Jiang Ruan out of the carriage. Jiang Ruan smiled at the several guards: “Thank you all for today. Please convey my thanks to Master Gu.” After speaking, Lian Qiao stepped forward with a smile, placing a prepared pouch containing silver pieces into one guard’s hands: “Take this silver to buy wine for everyone.”

The several guards looked at each other, bowed, and then left.

Steward Zhang had been in the residence for many years and immediately understood that these guards were probably following their master’s orders to protect Jiang Ruan. Steward Zhang looked at Jiang Ruan’s composed and steady demeanor and couldn’t help but wonder—could it be that at tonight’s flower lantern festival, this eldest miss had actually gained favor?

Meanwhile, Dragonfly hurriedly jumped down from the carriage and helped the soaking wet Jiang Susu down. Butterfly urgently said: “Quickly call for a physician—Second Miss has fainted.”

Steward Zhang was also greatly alarmed at first sight and quickly had someone fetch a physician. While arranging for someone to notify Xia Yan, he asked: “What happened to Second Miss?”

Jiang Ruan smiled inwardly. Fainting right upon returning to the residence—Jiang Susu’s method was quite convenient. But how could everything go as she wished? If she didn’t give Jiang Susu some trouble, how could she be satisfied? Jiang Ruan glanced at Xuan Li’s outer robe draped over Jiang Susu and said with concern: “Second sister fell into the river and was also slandered by a villain. For now, let’s wait for second sister to wake up. This matter involves the patrol office, so we’ll wait for father to return before making decisions.”

Her words were unclear, but when Steward Zhang heard phrases like “slandered” and “patrol office,” his heart jumped and cold sweat covered his back. He couldn’t care about asking for details and only thought this was a major incident. The “unconscious” Jiang Susu, hearing Jiang Ruan’s words, felt her forehead twitch as she clenched her fists tightly.

Jiang Ruan sighed: “I’m also tired today. With such an incident occurring, I’ll return to my courtyard to rest first. Let mother comfort second sister well—this matter isn’t her fault.” After speaking, she returned to Ruan Residence with Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao.

On the other side, Xia Yan quickly arrived. Seeing Jiang Susu’s disheveled state, she was immediately shocked. Jiang Quan had not yet returned to the residence. Seeing Xia Yan, Jiang Susu no longer pretended to be unconscious and grasped Xia Yan’s hand in panic: “Mother, what should we do? Zhou Da was sent to the patrol office—what if he identifies us?”

“Don’t be afraid,” Xia Yan calmed down: “I had Nanny Li find people outside the residence to instruct Zhou Da. No matter what, it can’t be traced back to us. But how did you suddenly fall into the water?”

“I don’t know either,” Jiang Susu gritted her teeth: “But it must be related to Jiang Ruan! Tonight’s incident was clearly her doing. Now my reputation is completely ruined—what should we do?”

“I underestimated Jiang Ruan. Now with Prince Jinying and Eighth Prince on your side, there’s no need to worry. But how do you have a connection with Prince Jinying?”

“I don’t know either,” Jiang Susu’s face reddened: “Perhaps… perhaps he couldn’t bear to see injustice.”

“He’s not that type of person,” Xia Yan said decisively: “I’ll pay more attention to this matter. That bitch Jiang Ruan actually schemed against you like this—in the future, I’ll make her pay a hundred or thousand times the price!” After speaking, her eyes showed complete malice, completely unlike her usual virtuous and gentle appearance.

In Ruan Residence, Bai Zhi brought over a white rabbit lantern. Lu Zhu asked curiously: “This lantern is so exquisitely made! Where did it come from?”

Bai Zhi glanced at Jiang Ruan and said: “Eighth Prince had someone deliver it, saying it was the prize from Linglang boat that Miss forgot to take.”

Jiang Ruan glanced at the lantern and said indifferently: “Send this lantern to Meiqing Courtyard. Say it’s a gift from me to second sister to calm her nerves.”

Lu Zhu felt it was somewhat wasteful. Lian Qiao handed Jiang Ruan a cup of hot tea: “Miss, now that Zhou Da has been arrested, although it was their instigation, he may not necessarily implicate them. Will this matter just end like this?”

Lian Qiao saw clearly that Xia Yan’s maternal family was now prospering, and the patrol office had to give her some face. The Zhou Da matter would probably be raised high but settled gently.

“If it really ended like this, wouldn’t it waste Xia Yan’s painstaking arrangements?” She gently sipped her tea: “How could I let her down?”