The peach blossoms on Qingcheng Mountain bloomed luxuriantly. When they reached the peak of their splendor, they began to wither and fall in great swaths. Even the decaying flower petals seemed to be peach-pink in color, and combined with the recent rumors about the debauched monk from Helin Temple, they added quite a bit of romantic atmosphere to these mountains.

The mountains were not as hot as down below—it was extremely refreshing. Jiang Li and Tong’er no longer had to do endless chores as before. Before leaving, Madam Liu had left behind sufficient food and silver, and Yuxiang was also there to help. With those wicked nuns gone from the nunnery, even Tong’er’s laughter had become much more lively.

On the second day of the sixth month, there was suddenly a clamor of voices outside the nunnery. Tong’er was sitting by the window listening to Yuxiang talk about the strange and unusual events that had occurred in Yanjing City over the years. Hearing the voices, she was startled and said curiously, “What’s happening outside?”

Jiang Li, who was sitting below Yuxiang and listening along with Tong’er, moved her eyes slightly and said softly, “They’ve arrived.”

“What’s arrived?” Tong’er asked, puzzled.

Jiang Li smiled faintly. “The people coming to fetch us have arrived.”

Yuxiang pondered for a moment, stood up and said, “This servant will go outside to take a look first. Second Miss, please wait here for now.”

“No need,” Jiang Li said with a smile as she stood up. “I’ll go with you.” Without waiting for Yuxiang to speak, she walked out of the room first. Seeing this, Tong’er hurriedly got up and chased after her out the door, saying, “This servant will go too!”

After the incident with Master Liaowu and Abbess Jing’an, not to mention Helin Temple, the nunnery was more or less abandoned. The incense offerings here had never been prosperous to begin with, and after its reputation fell drastically, which respectable family would willingly come here? They couldn’t wait to stay far away from such a filthy place, lest they too be implicated and pointed at by others.

Therefore, after being quiet for more than half a month, the sudden arrival of people was particularly conspicuous.

As soon as they stepped out of the nunnery hall’s main entrance, they saw a group of people, about twenty in number, already standing at the gate one after another. Most of them wore the clothing of guards and servants, and there were also some dressed as maids. Leading them was a dark, stout woman wearing a silk jacket with a solid gold hairpin that dazzled the eyes stuck in her hair. She had triangular eyes, and because of her tall stature, even her gaze carried a somewhat condescending fierceness.

These people standing here were truly out of place. The leading woman sized up the three people who came out, and her gaze quickly settled on Jiang Li. She stepped forward and said, “This servant greets Second Miss.”

Jiang Li didn’t answer but smiled and turned her body slightly to receive this greeting. She wasn’t truly the Jiang family’s Second Miss, so she didn’t know this woman’s surname or name, but there was nothing to fear either.

The woman saw that Jiang Li not only didn’t respond but calmly accepted her greeting, and couldn’t help but feel somewhat surprised. She couldn’t resist raising her head to scrutinize Jiang Li.

In fact, six years had passed, and there were really not many people in the entire Jiang household who still remembered Second Miss Jiang. Even those who had seen Jiang Li back then probably now only vaguely remembered this young lady’s appearance. At this moment, looking up, the woman only felt that the young girl before her was extremely unfamiliar. When Jiang Li was sent to the nunnery, she had still been a tender young girl, but now the girl before her eyes wore simple and plain clothing, had clear eyes and brows, and stood there gracefully, making people feel inexplicably comfortable.

Truly worthy of being the Chief Minister Jiang’s legitimate daughter—her clear and noble appearance was exactly like her father’s. This thought arose unbidden in the woman’s heart.

Tong’er blinked and said in a strange tone, “Nanny Sun, why have you come?”

So this woman’s surname was Sun. Jiang Li thought to herself, then heard Nanny Sun laugh and say, “Madam ordered this servant to bring Second Miss back to the residence. Second Miss has stayed here for several years, and Madam has been constantly worried. She mentioned many times to the Master that she wanted to bring Second Miss back to the residence. A few days ago, the Master finally agreed, and Madam immediately sent this servant to bring people to fetch Second Miss.”

She only said that Madam Ji Shuran wanted to bring Jiang Li back while Chief Minister Jiang Yuanbai had obstructed her in every way, making it sound as if this daughter was indeed unloved by her birth father. Whether this was the truth or an attempt to sow discord, Jiang Li could of course see through it.

She smiled and nodded to Nanny Sun, saying, “Thank you for Mother’s concern. While Jiang Li was in the nunnery, she also thought of Mother at all times. Not being able to serve Mother and fulfill my filial duties has always been a source of self-reproach and regret. Now that I’m finally returning to the residence, I dare not forget Mother’s heartfelt intentions. In this life, I will definitely find ways to repay her.”

Her voice was gentle and obedient as she spoke, but as Nanny Sun listened, she somehow felt fine goosebumps spreading all over her arms. It was as if in the blazing heat of the sixth month summer, a trace of chill had emerged, imperceptibly brushing across her heart.

Nanny Sun was momentarily speechless.

It was Yuxiang who broke the silence. Yuxiang smiled and said, “If that’s the case, it’s an excellent thing that Second Miss Jiang can return to the residence. May I ask, Nanny, when do you plan to have Second Miss depart?”

Only then did Nanny Sun notice Yuxiang and asked inquiringly, “This person is…”

“This servant’s madam is Madam Liu from the Chengde Lang’s household,” Yuxiang smiled. “My madam felt sorry for Second Miss Jiang and originally wanted to bring Second Miss Jiang back to Yanjing together, but Second Miss Jiang refused. So Madam had this servant stay behind to look after Second Miss Jiang.”

The personal maid of Madam Liu from the Chengde Lang’s household had actually remained here to serve Jiang Li—when had Jiang Li become so close to the Chengde Lang’s wife? Nanny Sun grew suspicious in her heart, but her mouth answered, “Madam naturally hopes that Second Miss will return to the residence as soon as possible. Once Second Miss has packed her luggage, we’ll depart immediately.”

“In that case,” Jiang Li’s lips curved up, “perfect. Let’s set out now.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone around was stunned, including the servants by the carriages and horses. Nanny Sun concealed the contempt in her eyes and said, “Second Miss need not be so hasty. Since Madam has spoken, she will certainly have Second Miss return to the residence. Why must you…”

“It’s not being hasty,” Jiang Li interrupted her, “but rather that there’s nothing to pack.”

Nanny Sun was stunned.

“I have no luggage. As for the luggage I originally brought here, it’s been six years—surely Nanny doesn’t think there’s anything left? Nanny is not unaware that I didn’t bring any gold, silver, or jewels, only some clothes, and now I’ve long since outgrown those clothes. In this entire nunnery, the only thing I have is Tong’er. Bringing Tong’er back with me is enough. As for those wooden stools and bowls and chopsticks… does the Chief Minister’s residence actually need them? If so, I’ll have Tong’er pack them all up.”

Nanny Sun’s face flushed red with a “whoosh.”

In front of Yuxiang, Jiang Li’s words were tantamount to saying that the Chief Minister’s residence had mistreated this legitimate daughter—staying in the mountains for six years without using anything valuable, penniless, and now upon leaving, unable to pack even a single piece of luggage. Even she, a mere servant, had several pieces of jewelry!

One must know that the male master of Yuxiang’s household, Chengde Lang Liu Yuanfeng, was at odds with Madam’s Ji family. If he learned of these matters, who knew what he would make of it!

Nanny Sun looked at Jiang Li. Jiang Li looked back at her with a completely earnest expression, as if she didn’t understand the deep meaning and mockery contained in those words just now.

In an instant, Nanny Sun felt this was somewhat tricky.

This Second Miss who had been away from the Jiang family for six years was not the impulsive and brainless person described in the letters. She was gentle and polite, yet one could not easily get the better of her.

Nanny Sun forced out a smile and said, “Very well then, Second Miss. Let these guards have some tea and rest their feet, then we’ll set out.”

Jiang Li smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Nanny.”