Qi Jin was a physician who had just joined the Jiang residence a year ago. She was timid and easily frightened, having never entered Mo Ju before. Upon hearing Huai Yu’s question, her hands trembled in fear as she timidly replied, “It’s not a bone injury; it will just hurt when you walk. You’ll need to apply medicine for a few days.”
“Is that so? That’s wonderful!” Huai Yu clapped her hands with a smile, then expressed her gratitude, “Your medical skills are truly impressive!”
“N-no, Miss, you flatter me,” Qi Jin said, lowering her head.
“However, I can’t sit still; I love to wander around. If I have to lie in bed for a few days, I’ll surely get bored to death,” Huai Yu blinked and asked, “Is there any way I can get up and walk?”
If she had asked someone else, they would likely advise her to stay put. But Qi Jin was kind-hearted and, seeing her pitiful appearance, thought for a moment before saying, “I’ve taken care of many patients with leg injuries before and made a kind of crutch. If it’s just one foot that’s injured, you can use it to help you walk.”
“Oh?” Li Huai Yu’s interest was piqued. “What does it look like? Can you show me?”
“Please wait a moment,” Qi Jin said, quickly applying the medicine and bandaging her foot. She then got up to find someone, and before long, Yu Feng brought over a pair of crutches.
Huai Yu was so delighted that she immediately wanted to get out of bed. “I’ll give it a try!”
Yu Feng hesitated slightly. “The master instructed you to rest well.”
“Oh, I’m just going to try it out,” Huai Yu said cheerfully, taking the crutches and standing on one foot. After taking a few steps into the room, she felt it wasn’t enough and exclaimed, “Let’s go downstairs and take a look!”
Her excitement was infectious, making those nearby want to join in her joy. So, Qi Jin didn’t stop her, and neither did Yu Feng. They accompanied her downstairs, wandering around the courtyard.
“It truly lives up to being the lord’s residence; the flowers smell better than anywhere else.” Taking a deep breath, Li Huai Yu beamed with joy.
Seeing her happy, Qi Jin smiled and said, “As long as the Miss is at ease, that’s good.”
Yu Feng stood at a distance, occasionally glancing in their direction but not restricting them in any way.
Thus, Huai Yu casually strolled around Mo Ju.
Aside from the main building, there were two guest houses on the side, and further back was a row of side rooms, with a kitchen and firewood storage all in place. The servants’ quarters were among them. Beyond that, there was a wash basin, with two or three bamboo houses nearby and four or five plum trees, creating a serene atmosphere.
However, as she leaned on the crutches and tried to walk further back, Yu Feng spoke up, “Miss, please stop.”
“What’s wrong?” Huai Yu halted, looking innocent.
Yu Feng clasped his hands together and said, “Please return to your room to rest.”
“Can’t I go back there?” Huai Yu pouted, a hint of jealousy in her expression. “Could it be that the lord is hiding a concubine in the bamboo house?”
Shaking his head honestly, Yu Feng replied, “No, it’s just that you should rest. If the master returns and doesn’t see you, he might be displeased.”
The way he said it made it sound as if Jiang Xuanjin took her very seriously. Huai Yu pouted but didn’t press the issue, obediently returning to the guest room upstairs.
However, as she climbed the stairs, she smiled at Qi Jin and said, “I suddenly got injured, and I have a friend waiting for me, but I can’t inform him. If it’s convenient for you, could you send a message for me?”
This was a small matter, and Qi Jin nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Jiang Xuanjin had gone to the front courtyard.
The fire in the central courtyard had been extinguished, and the steward was trembling as he apologized to the old master. “It was my negligence.”
Old Master Jiang was displeased and said in a deep voice, “There are still many guests present; this is not the time to pursue the matter. You should go back to your duties.”
“Yes.”
Bai Xuanji stood beside Jiang Yan, nervously clutching her handkerchief. “Many ladies have come today, and I’m sure they were startled by the earlier incident. I think we should send some tea to comfort them; it would show that the Jiang family is considerate.”
This was indeed a reasonable suggestion and could even be considered quite thoughtful. If it were said to someone else, they might praise her for being “virtuous.” However, as Jiang Yan listened, he turned to glance at her and frowned.
“The Jiang family’s affairs don’t require Miss Bai Er’s concern.”
How could someone with no connection to the Jiang family act like the mistress of the Jiang family?
Bai Xuanji was taken aback, her face flushing with embarrassment. She fidgeted with her handkerchief, feeling quite awkward. She had intended to take the opportunity to show off, but who knew that this young master Jiang would be so ungrateful, leaving her with no dignity at all?
Jiang Xuanjin, sitting nearby, placed his teacup on the stone table and said, “Yan’er.”
“Uncle?” Jiang Yan turned back.
“Go with the steward to apologize to a few elders who have come from afar.”
Hearing this, Jiang Yan felt much more at ease. He smiled and cupped his hands in acknowledgment. “Yes.”
Glancing at Bai Xuanji again, Jiang Xuanjin added, “There’s a place in the residence where the begonia flowers are blooming beautifully. Would Miss Bai like to go take a look?”
“…Sure.” Knowing that Ziyang Jun was intentionally trying to send her away, Bai Xuanji could only comply and obediently exited the tea room.
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 Jiang and Bai families have been engaged for a long time. Since Bai Yushi is visiting today, it would be a good opportunity to set the wedding date.”
It was a wedding date, not a renegotiation of the marriage.
Sitting nearby, Bai Dezhong was somewhat surprised. He looked at Jiang Xuanjin and stroked his beard, saying, “I indeed have the intention to discuss this matter with the old master and the Jiang family.”
“Then that’s perfect,” Jiang Xuanjin said. “Yan’er has already taken an official position, and Miss Bai Si will be eighteen this year. Why not choose a date this year to hold the wedding?”
As soon as these words were spoken, Old Master Jiang slammed his teacup down on the table with a crisp sound.
Everyone paused, and Bai Dezhong glanced at Old Master Jiang, understanding his stance. He then cupped his hands toward Jiang Xuanjin and said, “Your Highness, please allow me to speak.”
“Please, go ahead, my lord.”
After pondering for a moment, Bai Dezhong said, “I am grateful that the Jiang family has not abandoned us and is still willing to marry Miss Bai Si. However, I cannot truly allow my foolish daughter to be promised to the young master. Zhu Ji has been foolish for three years; although she has recently shown some improvement, she has forgotten all the etiquette and rules. The young master is a dragon among men; how can he be burdened by her? Therefore, I ask everyone to reconsider this marriage.”
Old Master Jiang relaxed his brow, gripping his dragon-headed cane. “The Jiang and Bai families are old friends. If Bai Yushi does not wish to marry Miss Bai Si, there must be other considerations.”
“Indeed,” Bai Dezhong replied. “Today, I brought my second daughter, Xuanji, to express to the old master that Xuanji has been well-educated and is at the right age for marriage. If Zhu Ji is unsuitable, she is a good child.”
This was exactly what Old Master Jiang had in mind! He was pleased; he didn’t want his precious grandson to marry a fool. If he could replace her with Miss Bai Er, it would be a good match.
Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Xuanjin, fiddling with his Buddhist beads, preemptively said, “The marriage between Yan’er and Miss Bai Si was arranged by the late matriarch, Jiang Qi.”