The family banquet for the Yin siblings at the Jiang family could be considered a harmonious occasion for both host and guests. The siblings spoke in very interesting ways—both entertaining and courteous, with great patience. When the late Emperor sent General Zhaode to the bitter cold lands of the northwest, it naturally couldn’t be considered a good place. But when Jiang Yuanping asked about their life in Yunzhong during the meal, there wasn’t a trace of resentment or unwillingness in the siblings’ tone. Instead, they seemed to accept it gladly, as if quite satisfied with their lives.
People in the world who were content were rare, and those who could find joy in hardship were even rarer. Watching the satisfaction in Old Madam Jiang’s and Lu Shi’s eyes grow increasingly intense, Jiang Li became increasingly silent.
Yin Zhili didn’t deliberately approach her. His attitude toward her was friendly but maintained at a respectful distance, as if treating a friend, making it impossible to feel aversion. Jiang Li understood this feeling—it was like how Ye Shijie and Wenren Yao treated her, except Yin Zhili could do it even better, making people more comfortable.
Only Jiang Li still understood the difference between a friend and a husband.
When the sky gradually darkened, the Yin siblings prepared to take their leave. Jiang Li saw the two of them out. After returning to Wanfeng Hall, only Old Madam Jiang and Lu Shi remained.
Old Madam Jiang beckoned: “Second Girl, come here.”
Jiang Li walked into the room.
She actually knew what Old Madam Jiang was going to say. All the male family members had left the room, naturally because it was inconvenient for them to hear what they were about to discuss.
Lu Shi looked at Jiang Li and asked delightedly: “Little Li, having met this Prince’s Heir today, he truly lives up to his reputation. Not only is he handsome and talented, he’s also gentle and courteous. He seems like a good child. Mother, don’t you agree?”
“Prince Xia is indeed very good at raising children. This pair of children are both outstanding.” Old Madam Jiang looked at Jiang Li. “Second Girl, what kind of person do you think the Prince’s Heir is?”
Jiang Li said flatly: “Grandmother, what kind of person the Prince’s Heir is—does it have anything to do with me?”
Both people in the room froze. Baixue and Tong’er standing by the door looked at each other.
Lu Shi cleared her throat and said: “Little Li, you’ve always been intelligent. How have you become confused about this matter? How could the Prince’s Heir have nothing to do with you? You…” She didn’t know what to say next. It was a matter without even a hint of definite arrangement yet. If she spoke it aloud and something went wrong, wouldn’t it needlessly damage Jiang Li’s reputation?
But Old Madam Jiang detected something unusual. How could someone as intelligent as Jiang Li fail to see the Jiang family’s intentions? Yet she asked this way, which was extremely abnormal. One should know that although Jiang Li was stubborn in her bones, at least outwardly she was usually docile and obedient, not showing emotions on her face. Even in the worst situations, she could remain composed and smiling. Old Madam Jiang valued precisely this composure in Jiang Li.
But today, she didn’t even have a docile surface smile, almost clearly expressing her resistance.
Why was this?
Old Madam Jiang asked gently: “Then, Second Girl, what do you think is wrong with the Prince’s Heir?”
“Grandmother, I’ve said it before—whether the Prince’s Heir is good or not has nothing to do with me, so I don’t need to judge him.” Jiang Li’s tone remained calm, yet carried a barely perceptible coldness. She said: “However, from the Jiang family’s perspective, it’s not appropriate to have too much interaction with the Yin family. His Majesty already harbors suspicions about the Jiang family. The Yin family’s current momentum—no one can see it clearly now. Caution ensures safety for ten thousand years. I still feel the Jiang family should not invite trouble.”
These words left Lu Shi dumbfounded. She said: “Oh my, Little Li, you’re speaking too extremely. It can’t be that serious…” Jiang Yuanping hadn’t told her these things. She felt Jiang Li was being alarmist, but seeing Jiang Li’s expression didn’t seem like she was lying, she subconsciously believed it somewhat and stopped speaking, only looking at Old Madam Jiang at a loss.
Old Madam Jiang stared at Jiang Li deeply for a long while before saying: “Second Girl, are these words you’re saying truly for the Jiang family’s sake?”
“If Grandmother doesn’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do.”
“I’m just afraid you’ve developed thoughts you shouldn’t have.” Old Madam Jiang said.
Jiang Li smiled slightly and didn’t refute. Refuting this statement would be meaningless. Even if the Jiang family truly hoped she could marry Yin Zhili, Jiang Li still believed they shouldn’t hastily take a position at this moment. At least they should wait until after Prince Cheng’s matter was resolved to see what attitude Yin Zhan had.
What if… Yin Zhan was the next Prince Cheng?
For some reason, this thought suddenly emerged in Jiang Li’s mind. She was startled by her own thought and quickly suppressed it. Fortunately, no one discovered what she was thinking.
Old Madam Jiang was silent for a moment, then said: “You may go back first.”
Jiang Li nodded and turned to leave. Old Madam Jiang’s voice came from behind her again: “Remember, you are a daughter of the Jiang family. Your surname is Jiang.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Li’s heart grew half-cold again. It seemed that being in a great household, one must always put family honor first, and thus one’s entire life should be sacrificed. Not to mention what choice the real Second Miss Jiang would make—the current Jiang Li was no longer the real Second Miss Jiang. If one truly traced back to that daughter surnamed Jiang, she had already died over a year ago in the unnoticed Qingcheng Mountains, in the cold contracted after that drowning.
She had occupied Second Miss Jiang’s body, so she helped Second Miss Jiang clear her false accusations, found the murderer of Ye Zhenzhen, and helped the Ye family escape trouble. But she owed the Jiang family nothing, so naturally she didn’t need to sacrifice her entire life for the Jiang family.
Jiang Li turned and walked out of Wanfeng Hall.
Old Madam Jiang watched her retreating figure and sighed softly.
This granddaughter was more stubborn than she had imagined. Probably because Jiang Li hadn’t completely forgiven the Jiang family’s misunderstanding and neglect of her back then, she didn’t have very deep feelings for the Jiang family. It seemed that thinking of the Jiang family was only based on her inherent kindness, but relying on this kindness to have her go through fire and water for the Jiang family—this child would definitely not agree. She would simply turn and walk away, just like now.
Lu Shi asked carefully: “Mother, does Little Li not like the Prince’s Heir? I feel that this Prince’s Heir is truly excellent. Looking across all of Yanjing City, you couldn’t find a second person better than this child. Little Li is just at the age for marriage now. I see the Prince’s Heir is quite good to Little Li too. If Little Li misses this opportunity, someone else might beat her to it. I’m her aunt—how could I harm her? Mother, besides, you saw today too—the Prince’s Heir is truly good, right? Why doesn’t she like him?”
“Yes.” Old Madam Jiang’s gaze was distant. “Why doesn’t she like him?”
Outside, Jiang Li silently returned all the way to Fangfei Courtyard.
Baixue and Tong’er didn’t dare make a sound either. After the door closed, Tong’er suddenly said out of the blue: “Actually, if Miss doesn’t like that Prince’s Heir, it’s quite natural.”
Both Baixue and Jiang Li turned to look at Tong’er.
Tong’er said righteously: “I think the Duke treats our Miss better, looks better, and is richer than their family. They were in Yunzhong before, but the Duke is from Yanjing—comparing them, of course the Duke and our Miss are more suited.” Seeing that Jiang Li didn’t stop her, she grew bolder, walked in front of Jiang Li, and said earnestly: “Miss, even if Old Madam, Second Madam, Master, Second Master, Second Young Master, and Third Young Master all think the Prince’s Heir is good, if Miss thinks the Duke is good but feels outnumbered and alone, there’s still this servant. This servant also thinks the Duke is good. And Baixue—Baixue, don’t you agree?”
Baixue quickly nodded: “This servant thinks the Duke is very good.”
These two maids were probably afraid Jiang Li’s mood was low and that she would doubt her own judgment. They were doing their utmost to prove to Jiang Li that her judgment was correct, making Jiang Li smile helplessly.
She couldn’t hide things from those around her. Since Tong’er and Baixue already thought this way, she was too lazy to correct them.
“It’s not for that reason.” Jiang Li said.
Tong’er asked: “Then what is the reason?”
“This Yin family…” Jiang Li said: “I always feel there might be something they’re concealing.”
…
In a spacious residence in Yanjing City, someone was speaking inside.
The man sitting in the study was now past his fortieth year. He was tall and very handsome. His complexion was rather dark, looking powerful and strong, yet with a wonderful scholarly air that also weakened his fierce temperament somewhat. His features were distinct and exceptional, bearing some resemblance to the young man standing before him.
This was Prince Xia, the famous General Zhaode, Yin Zhan.
When he spoke, he always carried three parts smile, seeming very hearty. He patted Yin Zhili’s shoulder and asked: “Zhili, when you went to the Jiang Manor today, did you see that Second Miss of the Jiang family?”
“I did.” Yin Zhiqing beside them interjected: “Father, that Second Miss Jiang—we’d actually met her a few days ago. At the time, a child fell from their carriage and I saved them. She even thanked me. When I went to the Jiang family today and heard her call herself Second Miss, I was quite startled.”
“Oh?” Yin Zhan was somewhat surprised. “You’ve already met? What fate.”
“Isn’t it?” Yin Zhiqing said: “Someone like Brother actually played through an entire game of chess with Second Miss Jiang—incredible. I think this Second Miss Jiang has an eighty to ninety percent chance of entering our Yin family.”
Yin Zhan smiled: “Is that so, Zhili?”
“Miss Jiang’s chess skills are very good. She won against me by one piece.” Yin Zhili smiled.
“She won against you?” Yin Zhan was surprised, then smiled and said: “It seems this Second Miss Jiang is truly quite intelligent. Since she was first in the Six Arts examination, clearly she doesn’t lack talent. And she was willing to beat the grievance drum for strangers she met by chance, showing she has courage and a chivalrous spirit. It’s just that I don’t know about her appearance…”
“Her appearance is also good,” Yin Zhiqing said. “Though not exceptionally outstanding, she can still be considered attractive. As long as Brother likes her, that’s all that matters.”
“Zhiqing.” Yin Zhili stopped her nonsense.
Yin Zhiqing fell silent. But Yin Zhan looked at Yin Zhili and smiled, as if glimpsing Yin Zhili’s thoughts. Yin Zhili’s face flushed slightly red. Fortunately, Yin Zhiqing on the side had already spoken up to change the subject. She asked: “Father, do you know about that Duke of Su in Yanjing City?”
“Duke of Su?” Yin Zhili froze, then said: “Is that the son of the Golden Guard General, Ji Heng?”
Yin Zhan’s expression changed. He asked Yin Zhiqing: “Why are you asking about him?”
“Today at the Jiang Manor, I heard someone mention this name and was curious. So the Duke of Su’s name is Ji Heng. Father, what kind of person is he? Since he’s a general’s son, is he also a general?”
She asked urgently. Yin Zhan, usually patient, this time didn’t answer her good-naturedly. Instead, he said: “Don’t ask about these things. Rather, why would the Jiang family mention Ji Heng? Does the Jiang family have dealings with him?”
Yin Zhili asked: “Zhiqing, did you really hear this at the Jiang family?”
Yin Zhiqing naturally couldn’t say she had seen him on the street that day. Actively inquiring about a strange man would inevitably attract Yin Zhan’s attention. Moreover, she thought, Jiang Li herself had been walking together with Ji Heng, yet said she wasn’t very familiar with Ji Heng—it must be because of the Jiang family’s relationship that Ji Heng had dealings with Jiang Li. This way, the Jiang family must have a connection with Ji Heng, so Yin Zhan’s question wasn’t wrong. She said: “It’s true.”
Yin Zhan’s expression gradually grew serious. After a while, he said to Yin Zhili: “Don’t worry about these matters for now. Zhili, grow closer to Second Miss Jiang. As for what I instructed you before, handle it as you see fit.”
Yin Zhili’s eyes moved, then he said: “I understand, Father.”
…
During the day, she had seen off the Yin siblings. At night, Jiang Li couldn’t sleep either.
The Jiang family’s intentions were so obvious that Jiang Li had to consider future problems. If Jiang Yuanbai would listen to her, she would naturally advise the Jiang family not to have dealings with the Yin family temporarily to avoid being schemed against. But if the Jiang family insisted on being obstinate, Jiang Li was also unwilling to be tied together with the Jiang family.
One must know she wasn’t alone now—she still had her father, Xue Huaiyuan. If Jiang Li was also implicated because of the Jiang family, what would happen to Xue Huaiyuan? It might even implicate Xue Huaiyuan and the Ye family. Thinking it over, Jiang Li felt it was all inappropriate. Perhaps she should find a day to leave the manor, confess to Xue Huaiyuan, and tell Ye Mingyu that Yanjing City wasn’t suitable for staying long—they should seek other plans early and flee far away. As soon as Prince Cheng’s matter was resolved, everyone should quickly pack up and run. Let this place turn upside down with floods and chaos—it would have nothing to do with them anymore.
By then, she would take her father and travel the jianghu with Ye Mingyu everywhere, which would also fulfill the wish Xue Zhao had left unfulfilled back then.
Thinking of Xue Zhao, Jiang Li’s heart sank again. Even if she wanted to leave everything behind, she wanted to bring Xue Zhao back to their hometown for proper burial. Otherwise, once she and Xue Huaiyuan left, Xue Zhao would truly be left alone in Yanjing City.
Thinking about it over and over, Jiang Li felt suffocated. She simply put on her outer robe, stood up, and walked out to the courtyard.
The moonlight was like water. Tree shadows reflected on the bluestone ground, becoming blurred and soft. The wind made the tree shadows rustle. The spring breeze at night still carried a chill—winter’s sharpness hadn’t completely dissipated.
She walked slowly in the courtyard. Suddenly, she saw something rustling in the grass by the flower bed. Jiang Li froze and walked closer to look. She saw a person with their back to her, crouching on the ground, seemingly pulling weeds or doing something else.
“You…” Jiang Li had barely said one word when that person gave a start and turned around. This startled Jiang Li instead: “Zhao Ke?”
“Eh? Second Miss,” Zhao Ke answered. “Long time no see.”
“How are you here?” Jiang Li felt strange inside. Zhao Ke had left the Jiang family long ago—perhaps the task Ji Heng had assigned him to do at the Jiang family was already complete, or perhaps the current Jiang family was of no use to Ji Heng now, so naturally there was no need to send someone to spy. So suddenly seeing Zhao Ke appear before her, she was quite surprised. Jiang Li asked: “What are you doing here in the middle of the night? Don’t tell me you’re just here to pull weeds.”
Zhao Ke coughed lightly and stood up: “Second Miss, His Lordship sent me over to see if anything has happened at the Chief Minister’s Manor.”
“Anything happened?” Jiang Li was puzzled and didn’t understand. “What thing?”
Zhao Ke scratched his head. “I don’t know either. Maybe he just sent me to see if Second Miss has encountered any trouble.”
Jiang Li froze, then smiled: “Thank him for his kind intentions.” What was this? Secret care and attention? Jiang Li couldn’t really explain it. She answered, “But nothing special has happened, and I’m doing well.”
Zhao Ke looked at Jiang Li, his gaze somewhat strange, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t. Finally, he sighed abruptly and said: “By the way, His Lordship also said that if Second Miss Jiang hasn’t fallen asleep, she could come sit at the Duke’s Manor.”
Jiang Li was astonished.
“Second Miss doesn’t seem to be asleep right now, so would you like to go sit at the Duke’s Manor?”
Jiang Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Speaking of such things so casually, as if going for a stroll in one’s own garden—only people from the Duke’s Manor could do that. She did indeed have some things she wanted to ask Ji Heng, regarding the Yin family. But it was precisely because of the Yin family that her heart had some reservations. Jiang Li said to Zhao Ke: “It’s possible, but you should know, General Zhaode recently returned to the capital, and today he even came to the Jiang family. I don’t know the relationship between General Zhaode and your lordship, but it’s always good to be more cautious. If we leave the manor now, will we be discovered by Yin Zhan’s people?”
Zhao Ke: “Second Miss needn’t worry about this. Yin Zhan hasn’t returned to Yanjing for many years, so he may not know all the small paths in Yanjing clearly. The route we’re taking will be sufficient to conceal Second Miss and won’t be discovered by anyone. However, Second Miss’s caution is indeed a good thing. With the Yin family, it’s best to keep an extra eye out.”
Zhao Ke usually spoke and acted according to Ji Heng’s instructions and rarely expressed his own opinions. Today was the first time he advised Jiang Li in his own tone. Jiang Li felt this was very unusual indeed. It almost confirmed once again that Ji Heng’s target was probably Yin Zhan, because even his subordinates were clear about it.
Ji Heng and Yin Zhan would inevitably stand in opposition one day. Jiang Li felt somewhat confused. She couldn’t participate in past events, and knew very little about General Zhaode, so she really couldn’t guess what grievance there was between the Duke’s Manor and General Zhaode in the past.
Perhaps tonight she could find out some clues.
Thinking this, Jiang Li nodded: “In that case, I’d like to go to the Duke’s Manor. Thank you for the trouble.”
Zhao Ke said: “Second Miss, rest assured. Follow me.”
…
Speaking of it, Jiang Li hadn’t set foot in the Duke’s Manor for quite a while. From before being abducted to Huangzhou to the period after, she hadn’t actively come here, and Ji Heng hadn’t actively summoned her either. Thinking about it, the last time she roasted deer meat with Old General Ji and Wenren Yao in the Duke’s Manor courtyard seemed like something from a previous life.
Zhao Ke drove the carriage through the night. The horse’s hooves must have been wrapped in cloth—she couldn’t hear any sound at all. Jiang Li speculated this was to guard against someone coming out to check at night. But it hadn’t been like this in the past. The difference between now and the past was simply the addition of General Zhaode.
Jiang Li grew increasingly curious about what grievance this General Zhaode had with the Duke’s Manor. One should know that when Yin Zhan went to the northwest, Ji Heng might not have been born yet, or was just a babbling infant, so naturally he couldn’t have any conflict with Ji Heng. Following this line of thought, it must mostly concern Ji Heng’s father, the Golden Guard General’s generation.
But according to rumors, didn’t Ji Minghan and Yin Zhan have a very good relationship?
Jiang Li carried her questions in her heart. When the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Duke’s Manor, the guard at the door saw Jiang Li and his eyes lit up. He grinned at Jiang Li in a smile.
The Duke’s Manor guards were all very good-looking, but usually didn’t talk much. When this guard grinned, he showed a bit of foolishness. Zhao Ke looked down on him greatly: “What are you smiling about?”
“Second Miss Jiang hasn’t come in a long time.” The guard opened the door. “Please come in quickly.”
Jiang Li felt a strange sensation. Zhao Ke also felt something was off, but both didn’t think much of it and walked in.
Along the way, they didn’t see many servants. After all, it was late at night—the servants had all gone to sleep. Servants like Zhao Ke with tasks at hand were not everyone.
When they walked to the edge of the flower garden, Zhao Ke said: “We’re here.”
Jiang Li said: “I don’t see the Duke.”
“Over there.” Zhao Ke indicated for her to look.
At the edge of the flower garden, there was indeed a person. Because he wasn’t standing and the flowers and grass around him were tall, Jiang Li hadn’t seen him right away. So she walked a few steps closer and saw Ji Heng half-kneeling on the ground, holding a small shovel in one hand, digging in the soil.
Jiang Li was shocked: “Why has your lordship started working as a gardener himself?”
Zhao Ke didn’t answer—perhaps even he didn’t know why. But Jiang Li thought, could this person have had a sudden whim to plant flowers in his own courtyard in the middle of the night? She walked closer. Ji Heng, probably to avoid getting his clothes dirty from the soil, hadn’t worn his outer robe—he wore only his black inner garment. Seeing Jiang Li, he smiled: “You’re here.”
“What precious flower is this?” Jiang Li asked. “That the Duke would personally plant it?”
“It’s not a very precious flower.” As he spoke, he continued digging. Jiang Li saw what was placed around him wasn’t flower seedlings at all but clearly a tree sapling. She couldn’t tell what kind of tree it was—it was only as tall as a small child.
When Jiang Li was young, she had also planted trees with Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao in Tongxiang, so she could tell at a glance that Ji Heng was probably planting a tree for the first time—his method was truly wrong. The key was that he was still so leisurely and unconcerned, handling it casually, as if he might continue until the end of time.
People’s leisurely interests really existed at all times. Jiang Li really couldn’t stand watching. She rolled up her sleeves: “You let go. I’ll do it.”
Ji Heng released his grip. Jiang Li took the small shovel. She dug faster than Ji Heng, her movements also more practiced. She quickly dug a hole of just the right size, exactly big enough to fit two tree roots. Ji Heng stood to the side watching her with a smile, while also appearing thoughtful.
“You’ve planted trees before?”
“Yes.” Jiang Li said: “With Father, we planted an apricot tree in the courtyard. Unfortunately, it died after a few months. But later we planted grapevines that grew very well. In autumn, Father would give these grapes to others.”
If people from the Jiang family were present and heard this, they would probably be completely confused—when had Jiang Li planted trees with Jiang Yuanbai? Moreover, young ladies from great households wouldn’t personally handle such things as planting trees. But before her was Ji Heng. Ji Heng knew she had once been Xue Fangfei. Many things didn’t need to be hidden—he understood.
Ji Heng indeed smiled. He said: “Interesting.”
“I also didn’t expect the Duke would be in such a mood late at night, specifically coming to plant flowers,” she suddenly thought of something and turned to ask: “You didn’t call me here at night just to help you plant trees, did you?”
“How could that be?” Ji Heng said lazily. “I originally planned to plant it myself, but you seem very experienced.”
Jiang Li said nothing more. She dug the deep hole and had Zhao Ke fetch a pot of cold water. She poured some into the hole, then had Ji Heng help her hold the tree sapling upright as they placed it in the hole, before beginning to fill in the soil.
Wen Ji had somehow also come to the courtyard. Watching Ji Heng and Jiang Li, he asked Zhao Ke: “What is His Lordship doing?”
“Planting a tree together with Second Miss Jiang.” Zhao Ke folded his arms. “Second Miss Jiang is really quite capable. Look at how she plants the tree—more practiced than you or me. And she doesn’t seem uncomfortable at all. Tell me, are we too incompetent, or is Second Miss Jiang too unusual?”
Wen Ji said nothing.
In the flower garden, Ji Heng filled in the last bit of soil and asked Jiang Li: “Is it done now?”
“Water it one more time.” Jiang Li said.
She took the water pot, carefully and unhurriedly watering it once more, making sure the tree sapling was thoroughly watered before putting down the pot. She said: “Now it’s done.”
Under the night sky, bright beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Planting a tree wasn’t an easy task, and she wasn’t just going through the motions with the shovel—she had truly used her strength. She was different from those who put on airs and constantly acted delicate and weak. Although very tired, she still persisted. She had more vitality than those people.
Ji Heng smiled slightly: “Perhaps by the time you’ve grown up, it will have grown up too.”
He was speaking of the tree sapling.
Jiang Li turned to look at that tree sapling. Its branches and leaves were all verdant green. The breeze passed and the branches swayed, as if in an instant it also gained life. In this flower garden full of brilliant colors, it wasn’t the most eye-catching one, yet it seemed to be the one most full of vitality.
Jiang Li looked at it and said: “I just don’t know where I’ll be when it grows up.”
Ji Heng looked at her. The girl’s tone was genuinely wistful, and one could also hear some reluctance and bewilderment, as if she had made a decision to immediately travel far, yet before leaving she felt some reluctance after all.
She turned her head and looked at Ji Heng: “Now can we talk about the reason you called me here tonight?”