Jiang Xuanjin returned to the residence, his expression dark throughout the journey. The servants he passed quickly lowered their heads and stepped back several paces in fear.
“Uncle,” Jiang Yan, who had just finished his studies for the day, approached him as he passed by the corridor. Noticing his demeanor, he bowed and asked, “What’s wrong? Are you unwell?”
Jiang Xuanjin turned his head and saw Jiang Yan, his lips red and teeth white, dressed in a royal blue brocade robe. A silk headband adorned his forehead, embellished with a white jade gemstone that glimmered softly.
Such a handsome appearance and refined demeanor would earn him compliments from anyone who saw him. It was truly a pity that he was to marry a woman as improper as Bai Sijie.
Clearing his throat, Jiang Xuanjin lowered his gaze and replied, “I’m fine. Where are you headed?”
Jiang Yan smiled, “I just came from the tutor’s place and was planning to pay my respects to Grandfather. But… seeing you like this, I think I should escort you back to Moju first.”
Jiang Xuanjin didn’t refuse and continued walking silently.
“Did you encounter some trouble, Uncle?” Jiang Yan asked as they walked. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you this impatient.”
Or rather, he had never seen him this impatient before. Usually, even if a mountain were to collapse in front of him, he would think of how to save the country and its people, never revealing a hint of worry.
But now, he was radiating hostility.
Reminded by Jiang Yan, Jiang Xuanjin was slightly startled and realized something was off with him. He quickly composed himself.
“…It’s nothing troublesome.” He turned his head away. “I just visited the Bai residence.”
The Bai residence? Jiang Yan was taken aback, and his expression darkened. “What did you go there for?”
Hearing the sudden displeasure in his tone, Jiang Xuanjin frowned slightly. “Your eighteenth birthday is coming up. What do you think I went there for?”
Jiang Yan sulked, “Uncle, I don’t want to marry Bai Sijie.”
“You have no say in the matter.”
Upon entering Moju, Jiang Xuanjin sat down on a soft couch and took a few sips of tea that Chengxu had brought him. “This is a marriage your mother arranged before her passing. If you want to break it off, your father will surely beat you half to death.”
“Let him beat me!” Jiang Yan exclaimed, lifting his robe to sit beside him. “I’d rather he kill me than marry a fool!”
A fool? Jiang Xuanjin sneered. If Bai Zhujing were a fool, then there would be no intelligent people in the world. Just look at her flirtatious ways—hugging and clinging to every man she met, even getting entangled with Lu Jingxing. It was fortunate he hadn’t believed her words; otherwise, he might have thought she had any sincerity!
Jiang Yan was feeling frustrated when he turned to see his uncle’s expression and immediately stood up in fright. “I… I was wrong! Please don’t be angry! I didn’t mean to speak ill behind anyone’s back!”
Jiang Xuanjin glanced at him, slightly furrowing his brow. “Which of your eyes saw me angry?”
Both of his eyes saw it! Jiang Yan was flustered, standing in front of him with his hands behind his back like a child caught in wrongdoing.
Chengxu, unable to bear it any longer, whispered, “Young Master, don’t worry. The Master isn’t angry with you.”
Huh? Not angry with him? Jiang Yan felt relieved but was still puzzled. “Then who is he angry with?”
Glancing at his silent master, Chengxu smiled, “Who can say? Perhaps it’s because he’s still unwell. Young Master, if you have nothing else to do, it’s better to go pay your respects to the Old Master.”
“I was just about to do that.” Jiang Yan said, then turned to Jiang Xuanjin, “Uncle, my birthday is the day after tomorrow. You must take care of yourself and perform the hairpin ceremony for me.”
“Mm.” Jiang Xuanjin nodded in acknowledgment.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Wait.” Jiang Xuanjin called him back. “Have you delivered the invitation to the Bai residence?”
Mentioning the Bai residence made Jiang Yan’s face fall again. “I delivered it. How could I not? My father personally went to deliver it.”
“Just one invitation?”
“Of course.”
Half-closing his eyes, Jiang Xuanjin fiddled with the Buddhist beads in his hand and said in a calm voice, “Send another one, specifically for Bai Sijie.”
Jiang Yan was startled. “Why?”
Logically, one invitation should suffice for the whole family. He would rather Bai Sijie come down with a headache and not show up than have to send her a separate invitation!
Jiang Xuanjin looked up at him.
As soon as Jiang Yan felt the icy gaze fall upon him, he immediately became obedient, clenching his fists. “I’ll have someone deliver it tomorrow.”
“Go ahead.”
“Yes, I’ll take my leave.”
Watching him exit, Chengxu couldn’t help but whisper, “Young Master dislikes this marriage.”
“So what?” Jiang Xuanjin loosened his cloak, changed his clothes, and rested, his voice hoarse and muffled. “In the end, he has no say in the matter.”
Looking at him, Chengxu whispered, “Actually, there is some leeway. If you just say a few words in front of the Old Master…”
Jiang Xuanjin shot him a cold glance. “Why should I say anything?”
This marriage had long been arranged. Even if the girl from the Bai family wasn’t a good match, it should be his elder brother Jiang Chong’s decision. Why should he get involved?
Chengxu fell silent, not daring to speak further, and obediently brought out the nightclothes for him to change into.
**The Next Morning.**
Huaiyu opened her eyes and turned her head to see Lingxiu sitting at the table, embroidering a gown. The oil lamp on the table flickered dimly, suggesting it had burned all night.
“You silly girl.” Supporting herself up, Huaiyu said, “Why are you so stubborn?”
Lingxiu was startled, nearly pricking her finger with the needle. She looked up at her, her eyes bloodshot. “Miss, you’re awake? I’ll go get you breakfast right away.”
“Take a break,” Huaiyu said irritably as she got out of bed to change. “Can you walk steadily now? Don’t spill the food halfway and end up crying again.”
Lingxiu pouted, wanting to defend herself, but Huaiyu was quick, dressing in just a few moments, rinsing her mouth, washing her face, and heading out.
After thinking for a moment, Lingxiu picked up the gown and continued to embroider.
The Bai residence was already bustling with activity in the early morning. Huaiyu wound her way to the kitchen, where the cook smiled upon seeing her. “Congratulations, Fourth Miss! I heard your health has improved greatly.”
Huaiyu politely smiled back. “I came to get breakfast.”
Upon hearing this, the cook immediately turned and served two bowls of thin porridge along with several small dishes, placing them on a tray and handing them to her. “It’s time for breakfast, Fourth Miss. Please take it.”
Glancing at the dishes, Huaiyu couldn’t help but sigh. Bai Dezhong was truly a clean and honest official; even the food his daughter ate was so simple. He was indeed a good example of integrity.
However, when she glanced sideways, she saw a large array of exquisite dishes on the stove behind her: eight-treasure porridge, steamed perch, and colorful steamed buns that made her mouth water.
Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “Whose breakfast is this?”
The cook was taken aback, moving to block her view and smiling apologetically. “Who else could it be? Naturally, only the Master can have these.”
Is that so? Huaiyu nodded, not intending to pursue the matter further. However, as she turned around, she bumped right into a maid coming from behind, causing two bowls of hot porridge to spill all over her.