Having roughly guessed Ji Shuran’s next plan, Jiang Li felt somewhat reassured.
The worst thing in any situation is being passive, not knowing what one will face and thus being unprepared. But once you know, even if you know you’re facing difficulties, you can still follow the clues to find a way out—it’s not completely hopeless.
Jiang Li understood that after the Xue family case, Princess Yongning had already set her sights on her. Setting aside how Shen Yurun would react, the domineering Princess Yongning would definitely find reasons to trouble her in the days ahead. Before this, if the Ji mother and daughter had stayed quiet, Jiang Li wouldn’t have had time to spend too much energy on this matter. But Ji Shi kept repeating her mistakes, and Jiang Li had come to feel that leaving Ji Shi in the Jiang household all this time was not a good idea.
She needed to clear out the idle troublemakers.
Zhao Ke had already left. Jiang Li sat on the bed, a question rising in her heart. Why did Ji Shi relentlessly pursue her? Even if Ye Zhenzhen had left behind a child back then, by now the girl should be of age to marry and leave—there was no need to pursue her to the death. Even if Ji Shi wanted to snatch away the marriage arrangement with Zhou Yanbang, she didn’t need to put Jiang Li to death. Back then, everyone knew that Jiang Li had killed her mother and younger brother—it was a public matter that couldn’t be denied. But before that, it was said that Jiang Li and Ji Shuran had gotten along fairly harmoniously.
There’s no hatred without reason. Although later rumors claimed that Jiang Li was quite calculating, pretending to be friendly with her stepmother and only pushing Ji Shuran to miscarry after the stepmother became pregnant, Jiang Li believed that the Jiang Li of those days was too young, and having grown up in such an environment with no one to teach her tactics and scheming, how could she have reached such a level—even able to manipulate Ji Shuran?
At first glance, Jiang Li found this matter somewhat suspicious, but because so much time had passed, many things were difficult to investigate. Now that Ji Shuran was pressing her step by step, it actually made Jiang Li determined to thoroughly investigate this matter. If there were hidden circumstances within, it could probably become a tool to deal with Ji Shuran.
Regardless, she would go find Zhao Ke tomorrow to inquire further.
With this thought, Jiang Li lay down to sleep.
In Yaoguang Residence, Jiang Youyao was also sleepless tonight.
Today, her maid Jinhua had been following Jiang Li’s maid Tong’er closely in the corridor of the Jiang residence when Tong’er dropped an invitation card without noticing. Jinhua picked up the card, and upon opening it, discovered it was actually an invitation from the Marquis Ningyuan’s residence to Jiang Li. She immediately dared not delay and gave the card to Jiang Youyao.
Jiang Youyao couldn’t sleep, repeatedly stroking this invitation card. The card wasn’t from Zhou Yanbang, but from Jiang Yu’e. Thinking of Jiang Yu’e, Jiang Youyao gnashed her teeth in hatred. Zhou Yanbang was originally supposed to be Jiang Yu’e’s brother-in-law, but now he had become Jiang Yu’e’s husband. Her beloved now held Jiang Yu’e in his arms every night. Although Jiang Yu’e was only a concubine, and although Shen Ruyun was Zhou Yanbang’s legitimate wife, the thought that this third branch daughter whom she had never regarded highly and looked down upon with contempt had stolen her husband made Jiang Youyao want to tear Jiang Yu’e to pieces.
But now, Jiang Yu’e had already been taken into the Marquis Ningyuan’s residence. Before long, the marriage between Shen Ruyun and Zhou Yanbang would also be upon them, and Jiang Youyao had no way to do anything about it. She wanted to find Zhou Yanbang, but didn’t know how to explain things clearly to him. She didn’t believe Zhou Yanbang had no feelings for her at all. If not for someone’s schemes, they should have been a perfect match.
“Jiang Li…” Looking at the invitation card before her, Jiang Youyao knew that Jiang Yu’e and Jiang Li had never gotten along, and previously Jiang Yu’e had always stood by her side. Why, after marrying into the Zhou family, was she instead inviting Jiang Li for a small gathering? Not to mention herself—after all, Jiang Youyao had harmed Jiang Yu’e, leaving a scar on her forehead. The two sisters weren’t even willing to maintain a facade of harmony, but Jiang Yu’e was also unwilling to see her own biological sister Jiang Yuyan, yet had specifically invited Jiang Li. This was quite intriguing.
At the palace banquet, Ji Shuran had said that originally the plan was to scheme against Jiang Li and Ye Shijie, but in the end, somehow it became Zhou Yanbang and Jiang Yu’e who got into trouble. It must have been Jiang Li’s doing behind the scenes. Jiang Li had probably reached some agreement with Jiang Yu’e. This way, Jiang Yu’e could have her heart’s desire. Now the appearance of this invitation card seemed to completely prove that Ji Shuran’s suspicions were true.
Only if Jiang Li and Jiang Yu’e had already established a private relationship beforehand would things have turned out this way.
Jiang Youyao didn’t tell Ji Shuran about the invitation card. She kept the card and had no intention of returning it to Jiang Li. She decided to reply to Jiang Yu’e in Jiang Li’s name, changing the time and place, to see exactly what Jiang Yu’e and Jiang Li were plotting.
She was determined to expose their scheme.
…
This night passed with various people in different courtyards of the Jiang residence pondering their own thoughts. When Jiang Li woke up, Yanjing’s winter day rarely brought out the sun.
The snow in the courtyard hadn’t melted. Looking up at it shining on the accumulated snow, it emitted a subtle warm-colored luster, making even one’s heart feel warm. As usual, Jiang Li planned to visit Xue Huaiyuan after breakfast. Emperor Hongxiao had said he would gather renowned physicians from across the land to treat Xue Huaiyuan, to see if there was any chance of awakening Xue Huaiyuan’s consciousness.
These past days, physicians had come to the Ye residence in an endless stream. There were even imperial physicians personally dispatched by Emperor Hongxiao from the palace. But after coming to examine Xue Huaiyuan, they all shook their heads one after another, indicating they couldn’t treat him.
Jiang Li was initially quite disappointed, but Ye Mingyu comforted her, saying that regardless, the fact that Xue Huaiyuan was still alive was a good thing—as long as he was alive, there was hope. Moreover, the current Xue Huaiyuan didn’t need to remember the terrible things he experienced in prison, nor did he need to know the terrible news of his children’s tragic deaths. Living like this, he might actually be a bit happier. When he recovered consciousness and accepted the enormous blow that fate had dealt him, he would realize how precious these days when he couldn’t remember anything were.
Hearing Ye Mingyu say this, Jiang Li’s feelings were also complicated. On one hand, she hoped her father could recover so that in this life, she could still reunite with her father. On the other hand, she felt that making her father recall those injustices was truly too cruel—she couldn’t treat a pitiful old man this way.
Regardless, daily visits to see Xue Huaiyuan still had to be done.
Jiang Yuanbai coldly watched her every move. Jiang Li knew her actions displeased Jiang Yuanbai, but right now she didn’t care. She couldn’t just abandon her own biological father.
On the way to the Ye residence, in the corridor, Jiang Li encountered an unfamiliar woman.
This woman was no longer young. Between her brows and eyes, one could vaguely see the charm of her youth. Her clothing wasn’t like a servant’s, but it wasn’t luxurious either. She was accompanied by only one maid. Her expression was extremely calm, so calm it was like a pool of stagnant water that had been still for many years, unable to stir up even a ripple of color.
They met in the corridor. The woman’s maid called out “Second Miss” and bowed to Jiang Li. Only then did the woman slowly look toward Jiang Li and softly call out, “Second Miss.”
Jiang Li stared at her carefully. The other party’s expression still showed no fluctuation whatsoever, as if she had lived in this state of neither sorrow nor joy for thousands upon thousands of years, and nothing in the world could stir her concern anymore. Jiang Li said, “Concubine Hu.”
Concubine Hu was the only concubine in the first branch of the Jiang residence. Although the Jiang family was large and prosperous, and the family wasn’t as harmonious internally as it appeared on the surface, there was one point that Jiang Li thought was actually quite good. That was that the several sons of the Jiang family—Jiang Yuanbai, Jiang Yuanping, and the illegitimate son Jiang Yuanxing—all only had legitimate sons born to their legal wives. Even though there were concubines, none of them had sons. It was said that Old Master Jiang had doted on a concubine and fathered Jiang Yuanxing, doing many foolish things for her. Old Madam Jiang was disgusted by that favored concubine, and along with her dislike extended to Jiang Yuanxing. Not only that, she also corrected the family’s propriety and reputation, forbidding her sons from allowing their concubines to bear offspring.
And Concubine Hu was the only concubine in the entire Jiang residence who had borne offspring.
Originally, Concubine Hu had been a maid by Old Madam Jiang’s side. Old Madam Jiang had arranged for her to be deflowered by Jiang Yuanbai. Later, after Ye Zhenzhen married in and remained childless for three years, the chamber maid became pregnant first. Originally, Old Madam Jiang wanted to give the maid a bowl of abortifacient medicine to prevent the child from being born. But Ye Zhenzhen was soft-hearted and actively pleaded on her behalf, allowing the child to be born after all.
The child born was a daughter, the eldest miss of the Jiang family. Not long after, Jiang Li was born. That chamber maid then naturally became a concubine. People said that Concubine Hu was neither competitive nor grasping, kind-hearted, and got along very well with Ye Zhenzhen. Shortly after Ye Zhenzhen gave birth to Jiang Li, she fell ill and died. Concubine Hu was quite despondent for a while.
Later, Ji Shuran entered the household. When Jiang Li was two years old, that eldest Miss Jiang accidentally fell from a decorative rock formation while playing in the garden and couldn’t be saved. From then on, Concubine Hu grieved day and night, almost developing a mental disorder. Every day she would sit in her courtyard holding a pillow and singing lullabies, rarely appearing before others anymore. Old Madam, mindful of their years of mistress-servant affection, still arranged for maids to serve her. After all, the Jiang family didn’t lack this bit of silver—they might as well have an extra pair of chopsticks at meals, and it didn’t hinder anything.
Concubine Hu looked at Jiang Li and gently lowered her head.
A flash of doubt crossed Jiang Li’s mind. Everyone said Concubine Hu had mild dementia. Jiang Li had only seen her once from a distance at a family banquet. Now, looking at her up close, although this Concubine Hu’s expression was calm and waveless, her eyes weren’t clouded like those of someone who had gone mad. This was different from Xue Huaiyuan. She was merely distant, but she was lucid.
After contemplating for a moment, Jiang Li suddenly said, “The sunlight is very good today, and this place seems quite close to Concubine Hu’s courtyard. Concubine Hu, may I sit in your quarters for a while? You wouldn’t refuse, would you?”
Everyone froze.
Baixue and Tong’er were puzzled. Jiang Li had no interaction whatsoever with Concubine Hu. Concubine Hu was like a transparent person in the residence. Why would Jiang Li actively seek to befriend Concubine Hu?
The maid by Concubine Hu’s side was also surprised. Perhaps they were accustomed to their solitary life in the Jiang residence. Apart from Old Madam, it seemed no one remembered their existence. Even Jiang Yuanbai might have forgotten he once had such a concubine. But Jiang Li’s attitude was warm, with a smile at the corners of her lips, making it difficult to refuse.
Jiang Li just smiled at Concubine Hu.
After a while, Concubine Hu said softly, “Alright.”
Concubine Hu’s courtyard was even more remote than Jiang Li’s “Fangfei Garden.” At least after going through various incidents, Ji Shuran didn’t dare to mistreat Fangfei Garden openly. But Concubine Hu’s courtyard—Jiang Li could only say that if she hadn’t known about Concubine Hu, she would probably have doubted whether this courtyard was for a concubine to live in or for servants to live in.
Or rather, the personal maids close to Ji Shuran and Jiang Youyao lived in places more comfortable than Concubine Hu’s. This courtyard was small, but that didn’t diminish the feeling of desolation at all. There was nothing used for decoration. Inside the room, one bed, one table, several chairs—that was all the belongings.
Concubine Hu’s maid went to pour tea for Jiang Li. Jiang Li noticed there were only two teacups in the room, and even the teapot had a chip in it. As for snacks on the table, there were none at all.
The maid was somewhat embarrassed, but Concubine Hu was very natural, as if she didn’t find anything improper about this. Her brows and eyes were serene and indifferent. Jiang Li thought she looked more like a nun from the nunnery at Qingcheng Mountain—without desire or demands, as if in the next moment she would ride the wind and depart.
“Concubine Hu’s place is truly quite desolate,” Jiang Li said. “In winter, how can you not even have a brazier of charcoal burning?”
The maid seemed to have finally found someone in charge who was willing to speak up for them. She was so aggrieved she nearly cried, saying, “This servant went to the kitchen to get charcoal, but all the charcoal the kitchen gave us had gotten damp. Even after drying it and burning it in the room, it’s still the lowest grade charcoal, making everyone in the room cough from the smoke… If Second Miss pities our mistress, please say something to the kitchen. Our mistress has gotten frostbite several times this winter already. Her knees are all old injuries.”
Jiang Li said, “Why not go find Mother? Mother holds all the household authority. For such a small matter, Mother would make decisions for you.”
The maid immediately fell silent. Concubine Hu said, “It’s nothing. I’m used to it. I’m not cold.”
Her voice was also very soft. If one didn’t listen carefully, it would almost be inaudible. Looking at her, Jiang Li knew this woman was definitely not someone suffering from dementia. Before her, she wasn’t hiding her lucidity either. The person she was hiding from wasn’t Jiang Li. The person she wanted to be candid with was Jiang Li.
For what purpose?
Jiang Li smiled and said, “I heard that when Mother first gave birth to me, Concubine Hu often held me. So many years have passed, and I can’t remember many things clearly. Seeing Concubine Hu feels much more distant now, but I also feel that actually, it’s quite intimate.”
This was of course fabricated by Jiang Li. She wasn’t the real Second Miss Jiang. But even if she were the real Second Miss Jiang, she certainly wouldn’t remember these things, as Jiang Li had been far too young at the time.
But these words seemed to stir up Concubine Hu’s distant memories. Her gaze became somewhat faraway as she slowly said, “Yes, back then…”
She didn’t continue.
Jiang Li said, “Back then, when eldest sister fell from the decorative rocks, what exactly happened?”
This sudden question left everyone in the room stunned.
Baixue and Tong’er were too shocked to speak. Although Concubine Hu seemed like a good person right now, bringing up past sorrows in front of a mother—what if Concubine Hu had a breakdown and her dementia relapsed? What would they do?
Concubine Hu’s maid, however, seemed to have received some terrible news and trembled slightly.
Concubine Hu’s gaze turned to Jiang Li, as if something flashed quickly through her eyes. She asked, “What do you mean by that?”
“I’m just asking—was there something suspicious about eldest sister’s death back then? For instance, was she murdered by someone?”
She spoke boldly and without evasion, one heavy blow after another. The maids didn’t know what expression would be appropriate. But Jiang Li’s expression was calm, as if she were asking about a very ordinary matter.
But Concubine Hu’s calm demeanor was broken.
She said, “Second Miss, watch your words. Some things cannot be said in this residence.”
“So that’s why you pretend to have dementia, feigning ignorance of the hidden circumstances, playing deaf and dumb just to barely survive. Yet you suffer the agony of hammering at your heart daily, unable to emerge from your daughter’s death.” She swept a glance at the items on the table in the room.
The eldest Miss Jiang had died young and wasn’t allowed into the Jiang family ancestral hall. So Concubine Hu had placed eldest Miss Jiang’s memorial tablet in her room, offering worship daily. The room always retained the lingering scent of incense and candles. On the table were also some children’s playthings—a rattle-drum and such. Clearly, even now, Concubine Hu couldn’t let go.
After so many years, she should have let go. To be so persistently unable to let go, feeling such heartache, unable to find release—wasn’t it because there were hidden circumstances in her own daughter’s death, that it was truly an injustice? She was unwilling to accept it, yet had no recourse, so she could only live on like this, harboring resentment and hatred, enduring in silence.
But she dared not forget for even a moment.
Looking at her, Jiang Li gently spoke, “Concubine Hu, if eldest sister were still alive, she should be getting married this year. She’s a bit older than me, and should have grown up to be very beautiful.”
Concubine Hu closed her eyes slightly. Jiang Li saw her hand resting on the table slowly clench into a fist, then relax again. She looked at Jiang Li and said, “Second Miss, this concubine knows nothing.”
Jiang Li quietly observed her for a while before saying, “Is that so? What a pity then.” She stood up and casually brushed off her clothes, saying, “I had thought that if there truly were hidden circumstances within this matter, perhaps I could help in some way. It’s not that I want to help Concubine Hu—I just feel sorry for eldest sister.”
Concubine Hu’s lips moved, but she said nothing. Jiang Li summoned Tong’er and Baixue to leave, walking and talking as she went, “I still have matters to attend to today, so I won’t stay here long. Concubine Hu’s place has no charcoal fire and is truly too cold. If you have anything you wish to tell me, you’re most welcome to come find me at Fangfei Garden. Fangfei Garden has sufficient charcoal fire and isn’t cold. I think you should come sit at Fangfei Garden more often. After all… my mother and you used to be very close.”
Having finished these words, she didn’t look back again and directly stepped out the door.
Concubine Hu didn’t watch her leave. She only focused on looking at the tea in her cup. The tea leaves were coarse and of poor quality, carefully stored by the maid and only brought out when there were guests. But guests rarely came to this courtyard. The tea had been stored too long, and the room was also damp, so it had already gone bad.
The maid said, “Mistress…”
Concubine Hu sighed softly. She said, “Second Miss has grown up.”
The maid said nothing.
“If my daughter were still here…” she murmured, “she should have grown up too.”
“Mistress, what should we do now?” the maid asked quietly. “Second Miss has come to our door. Madam will inevitably discover this.”
“Between Second Miss and Madam, it will inevitably be a fight to the death,” Concubine Hu said calmly, lowering her eyes. “Now is the time.”
Walking out of Concubine Hu’s courtyard, Baixue and Tong’er seemed to finally come to their senses.
“I didn’t expect that Concubine Hu looks perfectly fine and doesn’t have any dementia at all,” Tong’er said. “This servant initially heard people in the residence say that Concubine Hu didn’t recognize anyone anymore. Seeing her today, she’s clearly quite lucid.”
“This servant also finds it strange,” Baixue interjected. “Concubine Hu is completely different from what this servant imagined.”
“How is she different?” Jiang Li asked with a smile.
“Can’t really say, but somehow the Concubine Hu that others described and this Concubine Hu don’t seem like the same person.” Seeing no one around, Baixue moved closer to Jiang Li and asked quietly, “Miss, you said earlier that there were hidden circumstances in eldest miss’s death. What did you mean? Could eldest miss have been murdered by someone?”
Tong’er also looked nervously toward Jiang Li.
They had heard of such things happening in prominent households, but the Jiang family’s population was relatively simple. No one had ever thought of such things before. But just now when Jiang Li was speaking with Concubine Hu, the implications revealed in her words, when recalled now, were truly chilling.
“It’s not certain yet. Don’t speak carelessly,” Jiang Li said. “Don’t let others know about this matter. As for the rest, let’s see what happens.”
Baixue and Tong’er quickly fell silent.
But Jiang Li already had a general suspicion in her heart. Since Concubine Hu hadn’t denied it, then eldest Miss Jiang’s death truly wasn’t an accident. And Concubine Hu’s warning also seemed to prove that the reason she hadn’t spoken out was because she feared someone.
The third branch of the Jiang family were illegitimate sons, so let’s not mention them for now. The second branch of the Jiang family also had no need to target a concubine from the first branch. Only the first branch… Eldest Miss Jiang only got into trouble after Ji Shuran entered the household. Based on Jiang Li’s current understanding of Ji Shuran, she wouldn’t be surprised by anything Ji Shuran had done.
However, if Ji Shuran was truly connected to eldest Miss Jiang’s death, then Jiang Li would have to regard this Concubine Hu with new respect. To be able to endure a blood feud of life and death, yet not depend on Ji Shuran but rather live in destitution—this definitely wasn’t merely clinging to survival, but rather waiting for an opportunity. Once the opportunity arose, she would come out for revenge, just like herself.
Now, she just needed to investigate clearly.
After leaving the Jiang residence, Jiang Li still went to the Ye residence as usual to visit Xue Huaiyuan. But because her mind was preoccupied with Concubine Hu’s matter, Jiang Li was somewhat distracted while at the Ye household.
Seeing her like this, Ye Shijie thought Jiang Li was worried that the Xue family case implicated Princess Yongning, and that Jiang Li was anxious about offending Prince Cheng. He said, “Recently Prince Cheng has been busy with his own affairs. His Majesty intends to reduce Prince Cheng’s power, so Prince Cheng has no time to concern himself with the Xue family case. You needn’t worry.” He paused, then continued, “I’m actually more worried about Princess Yongning. I’ve heard this princess has always acted without restraint. These next few days, bring more guards when you go out. If possible, you don’t need to come to the Ye residence every day. Third Uncle and I will take good care of Lord Xue.”
Jiang Li came back to her senses and looked at Ye Shijie. Thinking of the first time she met Ye Shijie, when he had been hostile toward her, yet now he was sincerely looking out for her—the fate between people was just so marvelous. Thinking about it was quite moving. She smiled and said, “I’m fine. At least I still have the Jiang family backing me. It’s you—you’re tied together with me. If Yongning and Prince Cheng want to target me, they might very well take out their anger on you. You’ll face even more difficulties in official circles. Be careful in everything. If possible, temporarily set aside your principles. If it differs too much from your principles, you can seek my father’s help. My father values profit above all. Now that you’re Assistant Director in the Ministry of Revenue, if you rise higher, it benefits him, and he’ll support you.”
Ye Shijie felt somewhat odd. When Jiang Li spoke of Jiang Yuanbai, her assessment sounded not like she was speaking of her own father, but of a stranger. However, Ye Shijie was also clear in his heart that what Jiang Li said wasn’t wrong. Although Jiang Li was younger than him, in many ways, Jiang Li seemed more worldly-wise than him.
He truly didn’t know what kind of upbringing could produce such a temperament.
Ye Shijie didn’t continue the topic. Jiang Li turned back to visit Xue Huaiyuan for a while, spoke with Ye Mingyu for a bit, then returned to the Jiang residence.
She couldn’t guess what Princess Yongning might do. It was best to be cautious in all things. For the next few days, apart from the Ye household, she’d better not go anywhere else, lest some accident occur.
After returning to the Jiang residence, when night fell, Jiang Li stood before the window and once again blew the whistle painted with peony flowers.
This time, Zhao Ke appeared very quickly. Although he tried hard to appear calm, Jiang Li could still see the helplessness in his expression.
“What are Second Miss Jiang’s instructions?” Zhao Ke asked.
Jiang Li said, “Zhao Ke, you came to the Jiang household seven years ago. By then I had already gone to Qingcheng Mountain. Although you weren’t at the Jiang household before that either, I think your master should have had you investigate what happened at the Jiang household previously.”
Zhao Ke was somewhat puzzled. “This subordinate doesn’t understand.”
“I think perhaps you know some secrets of the Jiang residence—things that others don’t know, things I didn’t know about in the past. Since you know, why not share them with me so I can understand as well?”
She spoke casually, but to Zhao Ke it was quite startling. After a moment, his complexion seemed to pale somewhat, and he looked at Jiang Li with indescribable difficulty. He said, “This subordinate… this subordinate is not someone who pries into others’ secrets.”
He wasn’t one of those gossip-loving women on the street corners who liked to inquire about family scandals. Jiang Li’s words clearly treated him like a servant or maid, and she said it so righteously!
“Small matters naturally needn’t concern you,” Jiang Li said. “But you surely know about major matters involving human lives, don’t you? Never mind other things—the eldest Miss Jiang, my father’s first illegitimate eldest daughter, many years ago when she was playing in the garden, she fell from the decorative rocks and died. However, today I got some rumors that eldest Miss Jiang’s death wasn’t entirely an accident. Zhao Ke, do you know of any hidden circumstances in this matter?”
…
At the Duke’s residence, the study remained brightly lit.
Guard Wen Ji stood in the study, bowing his head to the person before him and saying, “Second Miss Jiang blew the whistle again tonight.”
The young man in red robes sat before the desk, his long robe spreading softly on the floor. In winter, thick carpets were also laid on the floor. The magnificent robe lay upon it, making even the carpet seem to glow with the brilliant luster of gemstones.
“Oh?” Ji Heng asked. “For what matter?”
“To inquire about the reason for eldest Miss Jiang’s death many years ago.”
“Pfft.” Lu Ji, who was drinking tea, nearly sprayed out his mouthful of tea. He said, “Second Miss Jiang actually asked Zhao Ke about such things?”
That was Zhao Ke—Zhao Ke whose martial arts were among the best in the Duke’s residence. He was actually being used as an informant to inquire about secret gossip? Using him so casually?
Ji Heng had said to blow the whistle when there were important matters, but Jiang Li was blowing this whistle far too frequently. This didn’t count as any important matter, did it?
“She’s quite unrestrained,” Ji Heng laughed. His expression showed no anger, only saying, “She really doesn’t treat herself as an outsider.”