“Why wait? This is an opportunity. After Uncle Mingxuan finishes his business, I’ll return to Xiangyang with him.”

As soon as these words were spoken, both Ye Shijie and Ye Mingxuan froze in place. Tong’er’s eyes widened as well.

After a long moment, Ye Mingxuan asked doubtfully, “Did you just say you want to go to Xiangyang with me?”

“Yes.” Jiang Li answered cheerfully. “I haven’t seen Grandmother or my uncles in many years either. When I was young and ignorant, I committed many wrongs. Later, when I came to understand things, I felt quite regretful, but had no opportunity to apologize in person. Now that Uncle has come to the capital and will be returning to Xiangyang in a few days, it’s the perfect opportunity.” She lowered her head slightly with a touch of guilt. “I’ve never had the chance to show filial piety to Grandmother. Whenever I think of it, I often feel uneasy.”

Ye Shijie had initially wanted to scoff instinctively. These words coming from Jiang Li’s mouth truly seemed like a joke. After all, the Jiang Li of the past had not shown such a pleasant face to the Ye family members who came to receive her. But the mocking words were right on his tongue—looking at Jiang Li’s smiling eyes, Ye Shijie somehow couldn’t utter them.

If she were lying, she would have to be the most skilled deceiver in the world. Those eyes were so sincere they didn’t seem false; even doubting them felt like an insult.

Ye Mingxuan was even more astonished and couldn’t speak.

Ye Mingxuan had been in business for years. Among the three Ye sons, he was the shrewdest and the one with the most scheming mind. Therefore, unlike Ye Shijie—who hadn’t even realized he had unconsciously begun treating Jiang Li as his own person and had imperceptibly acknowledged her change—Ye Mingxuan firmly believed that a person’s nature wouldn’t easily transform.

Moreover, even if the young Jiang Li of those years had been manipulated into distancing herself from the Ye family, in the many years after the Ye family left, how could the person behind the scenes not strike while the iron was hot and continue manipulating Jiang Li? Jiang Li’s sudden awakening seemed unreasonable no matter how one looked at it.

The Jiang Li he saw today was indeed completely different from the one in his memory. Whether in temperament or speech, Jiang Li could be considered outstanding among the noble ladies of the capital. As for suddenly showing goodwill toward the Ye family, Ye Mingxuan didn’t dare draw conclusions easily. He thought it was either at the instruction of the Jiang family or Jiang Yuanbai, or Jiang Li had her own ulterior motives. Who couldn’t put on a friendly face?

But suddenly proposing to return to Xiangyang—this left Ye Mingxuan baffled.

First, although the Ye family was immensely wealthy, Xiangyang ultimately couldn’t compare with the capital’s prosperity. Moreover, the journey would be long and arduous. Could a pampered young lady really endure it? On the other hand, if this was at Jiang Yuanbai’s or the Jiang family’s instruction, what benefit would there be in sending Jiang Li back to the Ye family? After all, Jiang Li alone in the Ye family couldn’t stir up any trouble; she would instead be isolated and powerless. She couldn’t do anything harmful, just purely ingratiate herself with the Ye family? Would the Jiang family bother?

“Uncle needn’t think so much,” Jiang Li said with a beaming smile. “I’m only going back to see Grandmother, nothing more.” As if able to glimpse into Ye Mingxuan’s thoughts, Jiang Li suddenly spoke up.

Being abruptly caught in his thoughts, Ye Mingxuan’s face showed no embarrassment. Instead, he smiled immediately and said, “I was thinking that the road to Xiangyang is long and difficult. How could a young girl like you endure it?”

“Uncle, don’t forget that I lived in a nunnery for eight years, where I had to fetch water and chop wood myself. I’m not that delicate,” Jiang Li said.

She spoke frankly and openly, as if she didn’t consider it shameful at all, merely stating a past experience plainly, which also made Ye Mingxuan pause.

Ye Shijie’s brow furrowed slightly.

“But… I’m afraid your father won’t be at ease with you going back with us,” Ye Mingxuan said thoughtfully.

“If Uncle goes to negotiate with Father, I believe Father will let me go,” Jiang Li said calmly. “Mother has been gone for over ten years. I’ve grown up, and there’s Third Sister in the household. I’m not the only legitimate daughter. Father’s energy won’t all be focused on me alone.”

Her words had hidden meaning. After Ye Zhenzhen died, Ji Shuran became the second wife. If she wanted to create the impression of a loving mother, she would naturally need Jiang Li to be close to her. And as long as the Ye family existed, Ji Shuran could never possibly become the person closest to Jiang Li. So there had to be a rift between Jiang Li and the Ye family. As for how this rift was created, it depended on what methods were used.

This was what Jiang Li had realized later. At that time, Ji Shuran probably coaxed the young Second Miss Jiang and somehow made her speak ill of her own grandmother, causing the relationship between the two families to rupture. Whether Jiang Yuanbai knew was hard to say, but even if he did, between a merchant in-law and the Vice Minister of the Censorate’s in-law, he would rather choose the latter.

New people replace the old; only the new are seen laughing, who hears the old ones crying?

This Uncle Mingxuan seemed like a clever person who wouldn’t fail to understand the meaning in her words.

“Moreover, now that Eldest Cousin has become a vice director in the Ministry of Revenue,” Jiang Li smiled, “Father will surely agree for our two families to interact more.”

Everyone said merchants valued profit over parting, but in reality, how much nobler could the supposedly high-minded official families truly be? The ways of officialdom, the fickleness of people—sometimes it was even more savage and ugly than the business world.

Such was the human heart, such was desire.

Ye Mingxuan looked at her meaningfully. “Ah Li certainly understands quite well.”

That Jiang Li was this perceptive truly surprised Ye Mingxuan, and what surprised him even more was Jiang Li’s candor. Jiang Li concealed nothing, which instead made it even harder to understand what she truly wanted to do.

He was momentarily at a loss for words.

Just then, Ye Shijie suddenly spoke. He looked at Jiang Li and asked, enunciating each word, “Do you truly want to return to Xiangyang to see Grandmother?”

“Absolutely certain,” Jiang Li said. She also felt somewhat helpless inside. This should have been a perfectly natural matter, but because of the years-long rift between the Ye and Jiang families, even this request seemed extremely strange and suspicious.

Ye Shijie stared fixedly at Jiang Li. A solemn expression appeared on the young man’s face, his gaze carrying a scrutinizing quality. After watching for a while, he turned his head and said to Ye Mingxuan, “Since she wants to go, Uncle, take her back.”

Ye Mingxuan looked at him in surprise.

Ye Shijie, however, only stared at Jiang Li, his words laden with meaning. “It’s rare for Cousin to have such consideration. It’s merely a matter of one more pair of chopsticks. Let her go back to see Grandmother and fulfill her filial duty.”

Jiang Li smiled slightly at Ye Shijie. “Thank you, Cousin.”

Ye Shijie still had doubts about her, but he was finally beginning to believe her.

After a long silence, Ye Mingxuan raised his head and said to Jiang Li, “Then I’ll discuss it with your father first.”

“Alright,” Jiang Li said.

…

“You want to return to Xiangyang?” In Wanfeng Hall, Jiang Yuanbai, who had just returned from court and hadn’t yet had time to remove his official robes, asked Jiang Li with a frown.

Jiang Li nodded. “I heard from Uncle Mingxuan that Grandmother’s health hasn’t been well lately. I haven’t seen Grandmother in many years and truly miss her.” Jiang Li said, “Moreover, I’ve never been to Xiangyang. After thinking it over, I should go and see it.”

Jiang Yuanbai looked toward Ye Mingxuan, who smiled warmly and gracefully.

Regarding Ye Mingxuan, Jiang Yuanbai wasn’t particularly averse. Although the Ye family was a merchant household, Second Master Ye Mingxuan was already the least merchant-like person in the Ye family. He could be considered well-read and lacked much of the vulgar money-grubbing air of merchants. Therefore, Jiang Yuanbai was also willing to exchange a few more words with Ye Mingxuan.

But even with this willingness, after so many years without contact, suddenly interacting again was still somewhat awkward.

“Since Ah Li has the intention, why not take her back to see the place where Zhenzhen once lived?” Ye Mingxuan smiled. “Lord Jiang, rest assured, we will take good care of Ah Li.”

“How could that work?” Ji Shuran, who was standing beside Jiang Yuanbai, spoke up worriedly. “The journey will be long and arduous. Moreover, Li’er has never been to Xiangyang. How could she adapt to eating and living there?”

Ye Shijie felt somewhat displeased. Ji Shuran’s words made it sound as if the Ye family would mistreat Jiang Li. To put it bluntly, setting aside the distinction between officials and merchants, what the Ye family ate and used wasn’t necessarily inferior to what people in the Chief Minister’s mansion had.

“Mother worries too much,” Jiang Li said indifferently. “I lived in a nunnery at Qingcheng Mountain for eight years and did quite well. I’ve long grown accustomed to it. Xiangyang should be much livelier than Qingcheng Mountain.”

Ji Shuran was rendered speechless by Jiang Li’s retort. What should have been the greatest humiliation of Jiang Li’s life had now become like Jiang Li’s badge of honor, her protective talisman, which she pulled out as a shield at every turn. What was infuriating was that she used it quite effectively. Looking at Jiang Yuanbai’s expression, he immediately softened toward Jiang Li.

Ji Shuran was so angry that the smile on her face was utterly forced. These days she had been busy consoling the heartbroken Jiang Youyao, and in order to gain Jiang Yuanbai’s favor, she often acted cautiously and carefully, having no time to pay attention to Jiang Li. She didn’t know how Jiang Li had gotten involved with the Ye family. When this orphaned daughter had no support from the Ye family, she could already stir up such muddy waters. If she gained the Ye family’s backing, who knew what Jiang Li might accomplish?

“It’s not that it’s not good…” Jiang Yuanbai mused.

Ye Mingxuan watched the dispute between Ji Shuran and Jiang Li, and a layer of contemplation inevitably arose in his eyes. It seemed the relationship between Ji Shuran and Jiang Li was indeed poor. That Jiang Li had pushed Ji Shuran causing her miscarriage back then—Ji Shuran’s coldness toward Jiang Li was to be expected. What was unexpected was Jiang Yuanbai’s attitude; Jiang Yuanbai didn’t seem to completely favor Ji Shuran’s side either.

This wasn’t something easily accomplished.

“Since Second Girl wants to return to Xiangyang, let her make the trip,” Old Madam Jiang, sitting in the seat of honor, spoke up at the opportune moment. She said, “If not for my poor health, I would want to go see her too. After all these years,” she sighed, “Second Girl has grown up. She should be allowed to see her.”

Old Madam Jiang did have some genuine affection for the Ye family. After all, Ye Zhenzhen had been personally selected by Old Madam Jiang as a daughter-in-law. Ye Zhenzhen was simple and lovely. Though not shrewd enough, she excelled in having a kind heart. Regarding the current Ji Shuran, the wife Jiang Yuanbai chose himself, Old Madam Jiang couldn’t say she disliked her, but she couldn’t say she liked her either. It was just that the Ji family was now thriving, so for the sake of appearances, Old Madam Jiang was also amiable toward Ji Shuran. It was only after Ji Shuran lost her child because of Jiang Li that Old Madam Jiang began to treat Ji Shuran with genuine sincerity.

But recent events had made Old Madam Jiang wonder whether Jiang Yuanbai’s judgment had been mistaken.

Jiang Li was becoming increasingly outstanding. Since returning from Qingcheng Mountain, she had repeatedly become the topic of discussion among people in the capital. But it had to be said that among the several daughters of the Jiang family, Jiang Li was the cleverest.

Old Madam Jiang had keen judgment. Having such an intelligent legitimate daughter who appeared to have no ill intentions was naturally good. Moreover, the Ye family had produced Ye Shijie, and Old Madam Jiang felt that Ye Shijie’s future official career should progress well.

It was time to restore good relations with the Ye family, Old Madam Jiang thought. At the very least, she couldn’t let Ji Shuran think that just because the Ji family existed, she could forever act without restraint. The Ji family might rely on Noble Consort Li to climb upward, but their Jiang family didn’t need to curry favor with the Ji family for anything. If Ji Shuran had forgotten her position, she needed to be reminded that this was the Jiang family, not the Ji family.

“Mother—” Ji Shuran said somewhat anxiously. For Old Madam Jiang to say this was tantamount to slapping her face. It was also at this moment that she suddenly realized that, imperceptibly, both Jiang Yuanbai and Old Madam Jiang had gradually come to stand on Jiang Li’s side.

She couldn’t believe it.

What had Jiang Li done? Jiang Li seemed to have done nothing at all. She hadn’t acted coquettishly and curried favor before Old Madam Jiang daily like Jiang Bingji, nor had she sought to please Jiang Yuanbai at his knee like Jiang Youyao. How had she accomplished this?

Ji Shuran suddenly looked toward Jiang Li.

Jiang Li smiled faintly.

There was no need to do anything. In such an official family that prioritized profit, perhaps familial affection wasn’t entirely absent. But relying on that meager and unstable affection to survive wasn’t secure. One day that bit of affection might disappear, or the other party might believe someone else’s slander, and everything one once possessed could be utterly destroyed.

People still had to rely on themselves—this was the principle Jiang Li had learned through blood and tears. She hadn’t groveled before the Jiang family members, fawning and currying favor. She only needed to quietly do her own things and prove her own worth.

A worthless daughter could be trampled at will, but pearls couldn’t be sold as fish eyes. As long as the Jiang family thought she could be useful, they wouldn’t easily abandon her.

“Let’s settle it like this then,” Old Madam Jiang said decisively. She looked at Ye Mingxuan and said, “If you need anything for the journey, feel free to tell us. Second Girl is also a young lady of our Jiang family. This time, please look after her well.”

She spoke very courteously.

Ye Mingxuan quickly cupped his hands in acknowledgment. He also felt somewhat indescribably strange inside. Today he had originally only wanted to come see the Jiang Li whom Ye Shijie described as “completely changed.” He hadn’t expected it would end with this result—actually bringing Jiang Li back to Xiangyang.

But was Jiang Li truly not afraid? Ye Mingxuan couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Li. The Ye family members weren’t without grievances toward Jiang Li, and some rifts weren’t so easily eliminated. If Jiang Li went to the Ye family, she would inevitably face coldness at first. And regarding others’ indifference, as a pampered young lady putting her warm face against cold buttocks—how long could she persist? Why travel such a long distance to seek suffering?

Ye Mingxuan didn’t believe Jiang Li hadn’t thought about these matters. This young girl seemed so clever, she must have considered it all long ago.

But still…

Ye Mingxuan saw Jiang Li also looking at him. Her eyes were clear and bright, but unquestionably, no one who looked at her would doubt her determination.

She looked at him with such determination, such persistence, smiling all the while. As if going to Xiangyang was a matter she absolutely had to accomplish in her lifetime.

Jiang Li was indeed very determined.

She had to return to Xiangyang. No matter what price she had to pay, she had to go back and see her father once.

This was her heart’s desire.

…

On the way back, both Ye Shijie and Ye Mingxuan were very silent.

Everything that had happened at the Jiang family truly exceeded their expectations. Before coming, they had considered various possible scenarios, but were still caught by surprise.

When they were nearly at the inn entrance, Ye Mingxuan asked his nephew, “Shijie, do you think Ah Li truly wants to return to Xiangyang to see your grandmother?”

“I don’t know.” Ye Shijie felt somewhat irritated. “She’s full of scheming. Who can see through her?”

Among his peers, Ye Shijie was also considered mature. After all, he was the Ye family’s eldest grandson, the person who would shoulder the Ye family’s burden in the future. But facing Jiang Li, he repeatedly had a feeling of helplessness. He really didn’t understand what was going on in Jiang Li’s mind, but it seemed like Jiang Li could guess whatever he was thinking. This passive feeling was truly unpleasant. Today was the same—Ye Shijie didn’t even have the energy to speak much to Ye Mingxuan.

“I think,” Ye Mingxuan said thoughtfully, “she didn’t suddenly come up with this idea. She must have wanted to return to Xiangyang for a long time, just never had the opportunity. Today when I went to visit the Jiang family, it happened to be an opportunity, so she raised it.”

Ye Mingxuan’s speculation was actually quite close to the truth. Jiang Li had indeed been preparing early for the matter of returning to Xiangyang, and had thought of using the Ye family to achieve her goal. She had begun planning this from the moment she learned Ye Shijie was her cousin, including befriending Ye Shijie.

“Does Uncle think she’s lying?” Ye Shijie frowned. “She has ulterior motives?”

“Hard to say.” Ye Mingxuan shook his head. “But look, this matter wasn’t Old Madam Jiang’s or Jiang Yuanbai’s idea. When I brought it up, their surprise didn’t seem false.”

“Perhaps it’s just her own idea.” Ye Shijie walked inside, closed the door behind him, sat down on a stool at the table, and looked at Ye Mingxuan. “Uncle… you all should be careful.” He spoke hesitantly.

“It won’t come to that.” Ye Mingxuan smiled. “From what I saw of her today, she doesn’t seem like a cruel person. Although I don’t know why she insists on returning to Xiangyang, she is family after all. Let’s trust her for now.” He sighed. “The waters in the Jiang family run very deep. You saw that Ji Shuran today as well. Ah Li’s survival in the Jiang family has been much more difficult than ours. She’s a strong girl, and very clever.”

Ye Shijie fell silent.

After a long while he finally said, “Don’t speak too absolutely. Let’s observe first.”

…

In Shuxiu Garden, Ji Shuran clutched her handkerchief, her fingertips white, already beside herself with rage.

Time and again, Jiang Li had instigated Jiang Yuanbai to stand on her side, while the Ji mother and daughter couldn’t do anything to Jiang Li. She was supposed to be an orphan girl without any support, who should have had to live trembling under her control. But now it seemed the guest was displacing the host—she was incredibly arrogant.

This time Jiang Li returning to the Ye family seemed like a small matter, but Ji Shuran felt a profound sense of crisis. Although Ye Shijie was a vice director in the Ministry of Revenue, how could he compare with the Ji family? Old Madam Jiang was admonishing her, and Ji Shuran wasn’t stupid enough not to hear it. But the more this was so, the more unwilling she felt.

Thinking about how Jiang Youyao was currently confined to her quarters, depressed every day—wasn’t this all Jiang Li’s doing? Fortunately there was still Jiang Bingji… Thinking of Jiang Bingji, Ji Shuran’s eyes turned fierce.

She still had a son. She had to plan for Jiang Bingji. Jiang Li had turned the entire primary branch upside down; she might inevitably set her sights on Jiang Bingji. Keeping Jiang Li around was just a disaster.

“Madam needn’t be angry,” Xunchun, the maid beside Ji Shuran, stepped forward and said in a low voice, “Although Second Miss is going to Xiangyang, it may not be a bad thing.”

“Where’s the good in it?” Ji Shuran frowned.

“Right now the household is full of troubles, and Second Miss is so shrewd, always creating discord before the master. After Second Miss leaves, Madam can have Third Miss spend more time alone with the master. The master already feels quite guilty toward Third Miss because of Young Master Zhou’s matter. This is a perfect opportunity. Without Second Miss, Third Miss and the master will certainly get along more harmoniously.”

Ji Shuran fell silent.

Indeed it was so. Before Jiang Li returned to the capital, Jiang Youyao had been the apple of Jiang Yuanbai’s eye. It could be said she got whatever she wanted, never encountering any obstacles. After Jiang Li returned, Jiang Yuanbai always consciously or unconsciously revealed his guilt toward Jiang Li. Even she found it grating to watch, let alone Jiang Youyao. And Jiang Youyao, who had been spoiled and willful since childhood, would show all her displeasure on her face when Jiang Yuanbai showed favoritism, and wasn’t willing to actively get close to Jiang Yuanbai. The relationship between father and daughter was gradually growing distant.

For instance, if this had been before, if the matter with Zhou Yanbang had occurred, Jiang Yuanbai would never have let it go so easily. At the very least, he wouldn’t have let Jiang Yu’e and Zhou Yanbang off.

With Jiang Li leaving the capital for Xiangyang, she probably wouldn’t return for some time. It was indeed a good opportunity. Without Jiang Li, Jiang Youyao wouldn’t feel alienated in her heart, and Jiang Yuanbai could bestow all his favor entirely upon Jiang Youyao.

“Moreover,” Xunchun smiled again, “it’s easy to leave the Chief Minister’s mansion, but not simple to get back in. When Second Miss left the Jiang household gate back then, it took eight years before she could return. This position isn’t even secure yet, and she’s already eager to return to Xiangyang—isn’t this her own foolishness? Once she leaves, who knows when she’ll return, or…” her voice suddenly dropped, “or if she’ll return at all?”

“You mean…” Ji Shuran was startled.

On the other side, Xiahan also stepped forward and said, “Last time the Vice Director’s wife also told you that many eyes are watching in the capital. It’s not easy to make a move under the emperor’s feet. But if Second Miss goes to Tongxiang, the journey is long and remote… if an accident were to happen, it would be very natural. If something truly does happen then, it would be the Ye family’s bad luck. If the Ye family can’t provide an explanation, our household and the Ye family would truly be severed this time, with no possibility of reconciliation.”

Ji Shuran said, “What you’re saying, I haven’t not thought about.”

“I’ve carefully cultivated my reputation for so many years, only to have it destroyed by her in the end. Because of recent matters, I was always thinking of acting cautiously, but inadvertently let this little wretch seize the initiative.” Ji Shuran took a deep breath. “You’re right. In the capital, I still have some reservations. After all, the young lady of the Chief Minister’s household—if something happens, all sorts of people will investigate. But in Tongxiang, or on the road to Tongxiang…” A trace of viciousness flashed in Ji Shuran’s eyes. “No one will be able to investigate, and even if they do, the traces will have long been cleaned up. The Ye family may have money, but attracting thieves because of money is also commonplace.”

Xiahan and Xunchun nodded together.

Ji Shuran reached out to stroke the leaves of the qiongying flowers on the table. The leaves were smooth and verdant.

All along, in the Jiang family, in the capital, in order to maintain the reputation of a loving mother, and because Jiang Li’s return and actions were too high-profile, she had been unable to make a move. Under such passive circumstances, Jiang Li had instead achieved victory after victory.

Now that Jiang Li had suddenly proposed returning to Xiangyang, she probably wanted to restore good relations with the Ye family to find herself a backer, not knowing that by doing so, it was like a general fighting on a battlefield giving up his victorious city to instead launch an attack on a remote highland. Throwing away the watermelon to pick up a sesame seed—this was exactly it.

Since Jiang Li didn’t want to stay in the Chief Minister’s mansion, this was also an opportunity to drive her out completely, so there would never again be a place for Jiang Li in the Jiang household.

Ji Shuran’s hand pressed on the veins of the qiongying flower leaf. Suddenly she grasped it, and the leaf was crushed by her into fragments. The stem snapped at the middle, breaking into several tattered pieces that fell scattered on the ground.

She abruptly stood up and said, “Bring paper and brush. I need to write a letter to Father.”

One person couldn’t accomplish these things alone. To make a move in Tongxiang without anyone knowing, she would still have to rely on the Ji family.

…

While Ji Shuran was here discussing Jiang Li’s departure from the capital, in Fangfei Court, Tong’er and Baixue were also frantically packing things in a fluster.

“This needs to be taken… this too… this dress was just newly made a few days ago, it must be taken, and these shoes too…”

Jiang Li said with a mix of laughter and tears to Tong’er, “I’m only going back to Xiangyang. It’s at most two or three months. You’re taking so many things, as if I’m staying in Xiangyang permanently.”

Tong’er deflated. “Who knows if Xiangyang will be missing anything? The capital has everything, but Xiangyang might not. If Miss doesn’t bring enough things and they don’t have them there, how could that work?” She turned around worriedly and said, “I also don’t know what the Ye family people are like, whether they’ll treat Miss well. After so many years without seeing each other, will they be warm toward Miss…”

Jiang Li didn’t have the heart to tell Tong’er that forget about warmth—the Ye family members would probably greet her with cold looks at first sight. Even she herself felt somewhat embarrassed thinking about how shamelessly she was inserting herself.

“Is there anything Miss particularly wants to bring?” Baixue asked earnestly. “Or things to do? Once you leave the capital, it’ll be some time before you return. If there are any pastries you want to eat, this servant will go buy them shortly. Xiangyang might not have them.”

They were treating Xiangyang as if it were some poor backwater. Jiang Li smiled inwardly. Tongxiang was quite impoverished, but Xiangyang was not lacking at all. Xiangyang had many wealthy merchants—from that alone one could tell it lacked nothing.

However, Baixue’s words did remind her of something.

She smiled and said, “You’re right. How about this—tomorrow we’ll go out, eat some good food, and enjoy ourselves thoroughly. After all, we’ll be in Xiangyang for quite a while.”

“Really?” Upon hearing this, Tong’er’s earlier worries vanished completely, and she immediately cheered.

Baixue was also very happy.

Neither of them saw that when Jiang Li turned around, she slightly lowered her eyes, her expression utterly solemn.

Before returning to her hometown, she had to go see Xue Zhao. Although she still couldn’t bring Xue Zhao’s remains back yet, couldn’t let him also return to his hometown. But Jiang Li had to go see him.

Carrying Xue Zhao’s blood debt and his life with her, returning to Xiangyang—no matter what, she had to go see him once.

He was her deceased younger brother, Xue Zhao.