Qí Jǐn had been a physician in Jiang Mansion for just a year. She was timid and had never set foot in Mò Jū before, so she was already quite nervous. When she heard Huaiyu’s question, her hands trembled slightly before she timidly responded, “You didn’t injure any bones, just walking will be painful. You’ll need to apply medicine for a few days.”
“Is that so? That’s great,” Huaiyu clapped her hands with a smile, then expressed her gratitude, “You’re skilled in medicine!”
“No… no, Miss, you’re too kind,” Qí Jǐn replied, her head lowered.
“But I’m someone who can’t sit still, I like to wander around casually. If I have to lie in bed for a few days, I’ll go crazy,” Huaiyu blinked and asked, “Is there any way I can walk?”
If she had asked anyone else, they would probably have advised her to stay put. But Qí Jǐn was kind-hearted, and seeing Huaiyu’s pitiful appearance, she thought for a moment before saying, “I’ve taken care of many patients with leg injuries before, and I’ve made a kind of crutch. If only one foot is injured, you can use it to help you walk.”
“Oh?” Huaiyu became interested. “What does it look like? Can I see it?”
“Please wait a moment, Miss.” Qí Jǐn quickly finished dressing her wounds, then got up and left to find someone. In no time, Yǔfēng brought over a pair of crutches.
Huaiyu was delighted and immediately wanted to get out of bed. “Let me try it!”
Yǔfēng hesitated slightly. “Master instructed you to rest well.”
“Oh, I’m just trying it out,” Huaiyu said, taking the crutches. She stood up on one leg, her face beaming. She took a few steps into the room and then exclaimed, “Let’s go downstairs and take a look.”
Seeing her behaving like she had just found a treasure, both Qí Jǐn and Yǔfēng couldn’t help but smile. They didn’t stop her and accompanied her downstairs, strolling around the courtyard.
“It truly lives up to being His Highness’s residence; the flowers here are even more fragrant than elsewhere.” Li Huaiyu took a deep breath, a smile spreading across her face.
Seeing her joy, Qi Jin also smiled and said, “As long as the young miss is happy.”
Yufeng stood in the distance, occasionally glancing in their direction, without imposing any restrictions.
So, Huaiyu casually strolled around Moju.
Apart from the main building, there were two guest pavilions beside it, further back was a row of rooms, with everything from kitchens to woodsheds, including the servants’ quarters. Further beyond, there was a wash basin, flanked by two or three bamboo houses and four or five plum trees, creating an elegant atmosphere.
However, as she attempted to move forward with her cane, Yufeng spoke up, “Miss, please hold on.”
“What’s wrong?” Huaiyu stopped, looking innocent.
Yufeng bowed respectfully, “Please, Miss, return to your room and rest.”
“We can’t go back there?” Huaiyu was puzzled, with a hint of jealousy on her face, “Could it be that His Highness is keeping someone hidden in the bamboo house?”
Shaking her head earnestly, Yufeng said, “No, it’s just that you should rest. If the master returns later and doesn’t see you, he might blame me.”
The way he said it made it seem like Jiang Xuanjin took her quite seriously. Huaiyu rolled her eyes but didn’t insist, obediently returning to the loft in the guest pavilion.
However, as she ascended the stairs, she grinned at Qi Jin and said, “I suddenly got ‘injured,’ and a fellow traveler is still waiting. I can’t inform him. If it’s convenient for you, could you deliver a message for me?”
It was a small matter, and Qi Jin readily agreed.
Jiang Xuanjin went to the front yard.
The fire in the courtyard had died out, and the steward was trembling as he apologized to the old master, “It was the incompetence of this servant.”
Old Master Jiang was displeased and said sternly, “There are still many guests present; it’s not the time to investigate. You go and continue your duties.”
“Yes, sir.”
Bai Xuanji stood beside Jiang Yan, whispering as she held her handkerchief, “Many female guests have arrived today, and there must have been quite a few startled by the incident just now. Xuanji believes that sending some tea to console them would show the Jiang family’s thoughtfulness.”
Her words were not wrong, and one could even say they were thoughtful. If said to someone else, they might even earn praise for being “virtuous and considerate.” However, as Jiang Yan listened, he glanced at her with a furrowed brow.
“Miss Bai, there’s no need for you to worry about Jiang’s family matters.”
A person who hadn’t even taken the first step, how could she suddenly act like the mistress of the Jiang family?
Bai Xuanji was startled by his words, her face turning red with embarrassment as she nervously held her handkerchief, stammering a few words. She had intended to seize the opportunity to demonstrate her worth a little, but who would have expected Jiang Yan to be so unappreciative, not leaving her a shred of dignity?
Jiang Xuanjin, sitting nearby, placed the tea he was holding on the stone table. “Nephew,” he called.
“Young uncle?” Jiang Yan turned his head.
“Accompany the steward and pay respects to the elders who have come from afar.”
These words, coming from him, made Jiang Yan feel much more comfortable. Smiling, he nodded and replied, “Yes.”
Taking another glance at Bai Xuanji, Jiang Xuanjin said, “There’s a spot in the mansion where the crabapple blossoms are in full bloom. Would Miss Bai like to go and take a look?”
“….Alright.” Knowing that Lord Ziyang was intentionally sending her away, Bai Xuanji could only agree, obediently leaving the tea pavilion.
Old Master Jiang glanced at Jiang Xuanjin. “Do you have something to say?”
Waving his hand to have Cheng Xu close the door, Jiang Xuanjin said, “The engagement between the Jiang and Bai families has been settled for a long time. Since Bai Yushi has come to the mansion today, it might be a good opportunity to set the wedding date.”
It was to set the wedding date, not to reconsider the marriage.
Sitting beside him, Ba Dezhong ng was somewhat surprised. He glanced at Jiang Xuanjin and twirled his beard, saying, “I did indeed intend to discuss this matter with the old master and the Jiang family.”
“That works out well,” Jiang Xuanjin said. “Jiang Yan already holds an official position, and Fourth Miss Baiwill turn eighteen this year. Why not choose a date this year to celebrate the joyous occasion?”
At this remark, Old Master Jiang slammed his teacup onto the table, making a crisp sound.
Everyone paused, and Ba Dezhong ng glanced at the old master, understanding his stance. He then bowed to Jiang Xuanjin and said, “Your Highness, please allow me to speak a few words.”
“Please speak, sir,” Ba Dezhong ng said.
Lowering his eyes, Ba Dezhong ng pondered for a moment before speaking, “We are grateful for the willingness of the mansion to accept our fourth daughter, Zhuji. The Jiang family’s kindness is such that I cannot truly bring myself to betroth our foolish daughter to the young master. Zhuji has been simple-minded for three years, and although there has been some improvement lately, she has forgotten all manners and etiquette. How can the young master, who is outstanding, be burdened by her? Therefore, I urge everyone to reconsider this marriage.”
Old Master Jiang relaxed his brows, gripping his dragon-headed cane. “The Jiang and Bai families have been close for generations. If Bai Yushi does not wish to marry the fourth miss, there must be other considerations.”
“Yes,” Ba Dezhong ng continued, “I brought my second daughter, Xuanji, today to speak frankly with the old master—Xuanji has been educated since childhood and is now of marriageable age. If Zhuji is unsuitable, she is a well-behaved child.”
This was exactly what he had in mind! Old Master Jiang felt relieved. He didn’t want his beloved grandson to marry a fool. If he could marry Miss Bai instead, it would be a good match.
Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Xuanjin, twirling his prayer beads, spoke first, “The marriage between Yan’er and the fourth miss was arranged by Jiang Qi Shi, the former matriarch of the Jiang family.”