These words certainly do not sound like compliments, do they? What do “燕雀鸿鹄” (yànquè hónghù) mean? As a solitary phoenix who has rolled in the mundane world since childhood and has not read much, Qingsi was filled with confusion and could not bring herself to ask, so she just stared at Xu Chuniang.
Xu Chuniang, unhurried, got up, washed up, tidied herself, and headed straight out to find Huaiyu.
The sky was overcast today as if it were about to rain heavily. At the inn’s entrance, people were busy loading luggage onto the carriage, while Huaiyu sat on a stool at the door, holding a bowl of chicken soup, her face looking quite bitter.
“Still drinking?” she asked.
Lu Jingxing forced a smile, “Drink!”
He had been drinking it for several days now, and just the smell made him want to vomit. Huaiyu frowned, her eyes darting around, just as she was thinking of finding someone to help her drink it when she saw Xu Chuniang coming out.
“Chuniang!” Seeing her like a savior, she rushed over, pulling her aside, and blinking her eyes as she handed the soup bowl to her. “You got up late and haven’t had breakfast yet, right? Here! It’s made by Chijin himself; it’s delicious!”
Xu Chuniang was taken aback and looked down at the soup. It had turned a reddish-brown color, rich in aroma and incredibly tasty.
“Is this for me?” she asked, puzzled. “Aren’t you supposed to be nourishing yourself?”
Huaiyu shook her head repeatedly, lying through her teeth, “It’s for you! Chijin said you were startled yesterday and need to calm down.”
Hearing that, Xu Chuniang couldn’t help but chuckle and shake her head. Just as she was about to say something, she heard someone behind her say, “How considerate.”
Her back stiffened, and Xu Chuniang didn’t turn around.
Jiang Shen walked up from behind, his face full of mockery. He had intended to walk past her, but as he passed by, he stopped.
“Get in the carriage,” he said.
Huaiyu shot him an unfriendly glance and quietly asked Xu Chuniang, “Should you ride with him or with me?”
Xu Chuniang held the soup bowl in silence for a moment and replied, “I’ll find you again when we reach Yinping.”
She and Jiang Shen still had the title of husband and wife, and avoiding him wasn’t a solution. She had already troubled Huaiyu enough; some matters she needed to resolve herself.
“Alright.” Huaiyu didn’t insist, saying, “Xuxu is also ahead. If you need me, just have him send a message.”
“Mm.” Gratefully glancing at her, Xu Chuniang turned and got into the carriage with Jiang Shen.
Jiang Shen’s expression was poor, with dark circles under his eyes, looking quite haggard. He sat opposite Xu Chuniang in the carriage, and every time she raised her eyes, she could see his appearance, which made her want to ask.
However, as the solitary phoenix got into the carriage, Xu Chuniang naturally gave up her seat, moving to the side and lifting the curtain to look outside.
Jiang Shen squinted.
“Master, your breakfast…” the solitary phoenix said, looking at him with concern.
“What’s the big deal? Missing one meal won’t kill me,” Jiang Shen scoffed, but his peripheral vision was still on Xu Chuniang.
She heard their conversation but didn’t look at him, just lowered her head and picked up the spoon. She began to sip the chicken soup, one spoonful at a time.
The soup was smooth and not greasy, with the rich flavor of meat mingled with a strong herbal aroma, clearly simmered for a long time.
The solitary phoenix also caught the scent and turned her head to look, smiling, “Are you drinking by yourself, Madam?”
Under normal circumstances, wouldn’t she at least let the master have a taste? It was as if she didn’t acknowledge their presence, disregarding even the most basic etiquette.
Xu Chuniang didn’t lift her head, silently savoring the soup. After just a few sips, she had guessed all the ingredients, but she still needed to think more about the proportions.
Seeing her so absorbed, Jiang Shen felt an inexplicable anger rising: “Is it that good?”
Nodding honestly, Xu Chuniang replied, “People often say that a gentleman should stay away from the kitchen. It’s rare for a man to have such culinary skills.”
Jiang Shen sneered, “A gentleman should stay away from the kitchen, but he’s not a gentleman; he’s just a brute. What’s so rare about cooking? Even a cook can do it.”
Chijin was not a brute; his handwriting was also quite beautiful. Xu Chuniang pursed her lips, arguing silently in her heart but choosing not to voice it.
There was no good outcome from clashing with him.
Seeing her fall silent again, Jiang Shen felt inexplicably anxious: “Can you say something?”
With a strange expression, Xu Chuniang glanced at him and said softly, “Didn’t you think I was too noisy before?”
“…That was before.”
Shaking her head, Xu Chuniang replied, “There’s nothing to say.”
When she was with others, there was laughter and conversation, but with him, there was nothing to say. Jiang Shen was annoyed, but thinking back to how he had been in the wrong yesterday, he endured it and softened his tone to coax her: “I misunderstood you yesterday, so I apologize.”
Xu Chuniang loved hearing him speak like this, dropping the frivolous tone. His voice was low and gentle, filled with sincerity, and it was always effective.
However, the person in front of her merely shook his head calmly: “No need.”
Just like that? Jiang Shen was taken aback, then felt that perhaps just this one sentence wasn’t enough. He glanced at the solitary phoenix beside him and said, “Solitary Phoenix, go urge Xue to sit over there.”
The solitary phoenix was stunned for a moment, then obediently got out of the carriage.
This was the first time he had pushed her away, leaving his wife beside him. The solitary phoenix felt uncomfortable but had no choice; the second young master was like this, being gentle and considerate when he was in a good mood, and then pushing people away when he was annoyed. She was more sensible than the Jiang Xu family and wouldn’t make a fuss over such small emotions; she wanted to be the one who was favored for a long time.
With no one else around, Jiang Shen moved closer to Xu Chuniang, wrapping his arm around her shoulder: “Are you still mad at me?”
Xu Chuniang didn’t answer, uncomfortably trying to shake him off. Seeing that he wouldn’t let go, she stopped moving and quietly continued to drink her soup.
“Stop drinking.” Jiang Shen unhappily snatched her soup bowl away and threw it directly out of the carriage.
With a loud “thud,” half a bowl of soup splattered on the ground.
Xu Chuniang frowned, her lips pressed tightly together. Although she didn’t say anything, Jiang Shen could tell she was angry.
“Hey, it’s just a bowl of soup,” he said. “When we get to Yinping, I’ll have someone make you something better.”
“Don’t ignore me; sulking will harm your health.”
Taking a deep breath, Xu Chuniang removed his hand from her shoulder and moved to sit opposite him: “I want to discuss something with the second young master.”
Seeing her resolute expression, Jiang Shen suddenly had a bad premonition in his heart. He frowned and changed the subject: “Why do you always call me ‘Second Young Master’? Shouldn’t you call me ‘Husband’?”
Xu Chuniang stared at him, chuckling lightly: “Why do I call you that? Don’t you remember, Second Young Master?”
Jiang Shen shook his head. He didn’t know when it had started, but Xu Chuniang had gotten used to calling him Second Young Master, and he had gotten used to hearing it.
“You and I have only been married for a month. You promised your friends you would go to a poetry meeting and take your family. You wanted to take the solitary phoenix, but the old master scolded you, so you had to take me instead.” Remembering the past, Xu Chuniang lowered her gaze. “I’m plain-looking, not as beautiful as the fragrant beauties from various families. You made me pretend to be your maid, so I could only call you Second Young Master and not Husband.”
Jiang Shen was taken aback: “Is that so?”
Rather than saying he had a poor memory, it was more accurate to say he was carefree, forgetting many things as soon as he turned his head, not taking them to heart at all.
When he first married her… right, he had welcomed her into his home just to silence the old master’s nagging, treating her with indifference and aloofness. If it weren’t for the way she looked at him with such warmth and affection, he might not even remember what she looked like.
At that poetry meeting, he had just begun to gain fame and was at a time when he cared about his reputation. Taking such a wife out would make him lose face, so he had her change into a maid’s outfit, serving tea and water along the way, even lying that his wife was sick and couldn’t come.
He hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but looking back now, that behavior was truly absurd and childish.
“How could you agree to that?” Jiang Shen muttered.
Xu Chuniang smiled: “Love is vexing.”
Who wasn’t foolish when they first fell in love? When he frowned, she was so scared that she nodded at everything. As long as he was comfortable, what did it matter if she was called to serve in a maid’s outfit? At that time, she felt that marrying him was already a great fortune.
He had never treated her as a wife. Yet he often called her “Madam,” while she had always regarded him as her husband, but the term “Husband” rarely left her lips.
Isn’t it ironic?
“I’ve been married to you for three years and have not given birth. I’ve long since violated the seven reasons for divorce,” Xu Chuniang said. “The old master feels sorry for me and hasn’t been too harsh, but the second young master has the right to divorce me.”
Jiang Shen was stunned, and his expression darkened: “Divorce?”
Xu Chuniang nodded, slowly but firmly.
Anger turned to laughter, and Jiang Shen grasped her wrist: “Why has your temper gotten so much bigger? Before, you just wanted to go back to your family, but now you’re even bringing up divorce? It’s just a misunderstanding. I was wrong and apologized. Whatever you want, I’ll agree to it. Why bring up something so serious?”
He held her tightly. Xu Chuniang, however, didn’t feel any pain. Tilting her head, she looked at his pale fingers and asked, “Are you reluctant to part with me?”
If it were someone else, Jiang Shen could easily respond with a casual “Of course, I can’t bear to part with you.” But facing her, he felt inexplicably tongue-tied.
For so many years, she had chased after him, and he had never lowered his head to her. It was too difficult for him to suddenly humble himself.
After a long silence, he turned his head away: “You and I are living well together. If I suddenly divorce you, wouldn’t I be seen as a heartless man who abandons his wife?”
Still concerned about his reputation.
Xu Chuniang chuckled and nodded: “Then I’ll go ask the old master. If he grants the divorce, it won’t concern you.”
Feeling a tightness in his heart, Jiang Shen frowned at her: “Are you serious?”
Was it because of his actions yesterday? The solitary phoenix had taken off her clothes. But he was still wearing his! He was just unhappy and throwing a little tantrum; how could it come to this?
Xu Chuniang ignored him and turned her gaze to the curtain outside.
It started to drizzle, and the sky was dark and oppressive, making one feel uncomfortable. She didn’t speak, and Jiang Shen stiffened, falling into a suffocating silence in the carriage.
Yinping was the closest county to the main city of Ziyang. By stopping here, they could directly contact people in the main city.
Xu Chuniang looked outside; the rain was heavy. Just as she hesitated about whether to wait for an umbrella before leaving, Jiang Shen had already stepped out of the carriage.
Was he really that angry? He would rather get wet than stay with her.
Smiling, Xu Chuniang felt that she wasn’t as sad as she had imagined. Perhaps it was because she had been sad too many times in the past three years, exhausting all her emotions. Now, she only felt relieved.
She reached out to catch some rain, the coldness refreshing. She decided to wait a little longer and not rush into that big courtyard.
Old Master Jiang was the first to get out to settle in. He held two umbrellas over his head, ensuring he didn’t get a drop of rain on him. Once inside, he was served hot tea to rest, so he was in a good mood.
“Father!”
While he was drinking tea, the old master suddenly heard a loud shout, followed by rain splashing onto his clothes.
“What’s the hurry?” Startled, the old man looked up to see his second son, who was usually frivolous and flamboyant, now drenched, with his hair sticking to his clothes, and dripping with water. He strode up to him and knelt without saying a word.
“Son has something to ask Father for help!”
Seeing him like this, the old man found it strange: “What? Have you taken a liking to some beauty and want to pay a bride price?”
Jiang Shen looked up, water dripping from his chin to the ground: “I’m not interested in any beauty; I just want to ask for a family law punishment.”
What? Everyone in the hall was shocked. Jiang Chong walked over and felt his forehead: “Second brother, are you alright?”
Shaking his head seriously, Jiang Shen said, “Please, Father, grant me this!”
……
Xu Chuniang waited and waited, finally seeing Li Huaiyu come with an umbrella.
“I knew no one would come to pick you up.” Huaiyu held the umbrella over her head, helping her down from the carriage with one hand, pouting. “I just saw that the second young master’s two concubines could share an umbrella, leaving one for you, but they insisted on walking separately, using both umbrellas.”
Waving her hand dismissively, Xu Chuniang pulled her along: “I’m used to it.”
“You’re just too gentle.” Huaiyu pouted fiercely, “If it were me, I’d break their hands!”
Xu Chuniang couldn’t help but laugh at her feigned ferocity as they entered the courtyard. She whispered, “Has my father arrived in Danyang?”
Xu Xian and the others left early, and without the sea-catching documents, calculating the days, they should have arrived near Yixian City. Huaiyu nodded: “Don’t worry; they’re quite safe.”
“Then…” After hesitating for a moment, she gathered her courage to ask, “Can I go with you to find my father?”
“Of course.” Huaiyu replied casually, but after agreeing, she felt something was off and suddenly turned to look at her, “What did you just say?”
Xu Chuniang replied earnestly, “I want to go with you to find my father.”
“Then… how will you explain to Jiang Shen?”
Looking towards the main hall ahead, Xu Chuniang smiled: “I’ll go give them an explanation right now.”
When she first met this girl, she was timid and anxious, even careful when angry. But now, looking at her, it seemed her worries had vanished. Her gaze was firm, and she stood tall.
Huaiyu could already guess what she was about to do, her eyes brightening.
Xu Chuniang smiled at her, lifted her skirt, and stepped into the main hall.
Old Master Jiang sat in the main seat, gripping his dragon-headed cane, his expression quite subtle. Jiang Shen was still kneeling below, looking disheveled.
“Pay your respects to the old master.” Xu Chuniang didn’t linger and stepped forward to bow.
“The weather has turned cooler.” The old master looked at her and said, “You’re someone who fears the cold; go rest in the warm pavilion first.”
“Thank you, old master.” Xu Chuniang nodded but didn’t get up. “I still have something to say.”
She had already thought it through; just the fact that she had no children was enough to be persuasive. Jiang Shen had always favored the side concubine, and if he divorced her and brought the other back, it would ease the tension between the emperor and the capital, and it would also fulfill him.
The most beautiful woman in the capital had been written about in his poems no less than twenty times.
However, before she could speak, the old master said, “Wait a moment; there are still accounts to settle here.”
Turning to Jiang Shen, he said angrily, “As a son of the Jiang family, I have always valued loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness. Yet you, on the other hand, favor a side concubine, putting the main wife in danger! Jiang Xu’s family is magnanimous and does not hold it against you, but as your father, I have no reason to indulge you!”
What? Xu Chuniang was a bit confused. She turned her head to look, and Jiang Shen, with his head bowed, didn’t even refute: “Son accepts the punishment.”
Jiang Chong brought the family law and presented it. The old master waved his hand: “I don’t have enough strength; you do it.”
“Yes.” Jiang Chong complied, raising the wooden board and standing behind Jiang Shen, looking as if he was about to hit him hard.
“Wait.” Xu Chuniang spoke up.
Hearing this, Jiang Shen slightly curled his lips but quickly suppressed that bit of pride, glancing at Jiang Xuanjin beside him.
He had just said that this move was useless, but look, didn’t someone still care about him?
Jiang Xuanjin shot him a cold glance, continuing to sit and drink tea.
The old master kindly asked her, “What do you want to say?”
Xu Chuniang said, “Regarding the matter of the robbery at the inn, it was I who left the room, and it has nothing to do with the second young master, so there’s no need for family law.”
Listen to her, speaking so firmly. In front of others, she was still protecting him! Jiang Shen pressed his lips to suppress a smile.
The old master also breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing Shen’er so flustered when he came to ask for help, he had thought that Jiang Xu’s family had truly severed ties with him, but it seemed it wasn’t that bad.
Just as he was thinking, he heard her continue, “Furthermore, I have been married for three years without children and have not contributed anything to the family. It’s only natural for the second young master to favor a side concubine.”
The smile on Jiang Shen’s face froze, and he slowly turned his head to look at her.
Xu Chuniang knelt straight, her hands resting on her knees, her tone humble: “For so many years, I have been grateful for the second young master’s care; it has been my fortune. The second young master is a man of great renown, and I am unworthy of him. I have long occupied the position of the main wife and dare not continue to enjoy his favor. I ask the old master to grant me a divorce and return the second young master his freedom.”
Every word was firm as if she had repeated it a thousand times, without pause or error.
The old master was dumbfounded, and the Jiang family members were in an uproar. Jiang Shen, kneeling beside her, blocked out all the noise and stared at her, asking, “Are you willing?”
Xu Chuniang met his gaze, her lips trembling slightly, but slowly, she broke into a serene smile: “I have never had anything to hold on to, so what is there to be reluctant about?”
In Jiang Shen’s heart, she was just a girl who admired him, teasing her when he was in a good mood, making her blush and her heart race, then laughing and leaving. He had never taken her seriously, and even now, he was merely unaccustomed to her saying such things, which made him frown.
If he had any genuine feelings, she wouldn’t be so resolute.
Jiang Shen was charming throughout the capital, with countless beautiful women around him. He had even written such flirtatious words as “Three cups of wine and fragrant incense come, drunk with the clear moon in my arms.” He was never short of women and had never truly cared for anyone.
She was the first to ask for a divorce. If love wasn’t enough to make him remember, then perhaps hatred could.
Looking away, Xu Chuniang bowed deeply to the old master, knocking her head three times.
The old master’s expression grew serious as he looked at her for a while, then shook his head: “As a son of the Jiang family, once married to the main wife, one does not easily abandon her.”
Xu Chuniang’s eyes flickered, slowly turning to look at Jiang Xuanjin, who was drinking tea beside them.
“He has been abandoned.” Jiang Shen added quietly.
Jiang Xuanjin: “…”
He was just sitting here drinking tea; who had he offended?
Putting down the quilt, Jiang Xuanjin stood up: “A virtuous person like Second Sister-in-law is being forced to ask for a divorce by Second Brother, which shows how excessive Second Brother’s actions are. A gem must be polished; I ask the elder brother to administer the family law.”
Jiang Chong glanced at the old master awkwardly, who thought for a moment and nodded firmly.
Thus, the palm-width wooden board “thudded” against Jiang Er Gongzi’s back.
“Ah—” Jiang Shen pressed his hand to the ground, turning back angrily to Jiang Chong: “Is it that heavy?”
Jiang Chong replied, “A gem must be polished.”
Pah! Jiang San was seeking revenge! They were listening! Jiang Shen gritted his teeth in anger, but when he turned to look, Xu Chuniang’s expression seemed to soften a bit. He thought for a moment and decided to endure it; let them hit him. Women were always more receptive to gentleness than harshness. If he took this beating and then spoke to her nicely, perhaps he would have a better chance.
The second young master, who was usually good at coaxing women, unexpectedly found himself in this situation of using self-inflicted pain to gain sympathy.
Jiang Xuanjin watched leisurely, catching a glimpse of Li Huaiyu sneaking in to watch the commotion.
She had no sympathy at all, watching Jiang Shen get beaten with great interest. When Jiang Chong hit him hard, she even secretly applauded.
Second Brother underestimated women.
Strolling over to block her view, Jiang Xuanjin said, “We’ve arrived at Yinping; there are some matters to discuss with His Highness.”
Reluctantly pulling her gaze away, Huaiyu hooked her finger at him and left with him.
Bai Xuanzhi stood aside, watching the two of them huddle together, and couldn’t help but step forward to say to the old master, “I also want to ask you to make a decision.”
The old master was unaware of Bai Xuanzhi’s situation. The Jiang brothers had kept this matter from him to avoid adding to his worries. But no one expected that this Miss Bai, who had not yet consummated her marriage, would dare to directly refer to herself as “daughter-in-law” in front of the old master.
Old Master Jiang looked at her in confusion for a moment, then suddenly realized: “Isn’t she the fiancée of Yan’er? Why is she calling herself daughter-in-law? Shouldn’t she be calling herself granddaughter-in-law?”
Bai Xuanzhi shook her head: “Daughter-in-law is the imperial-conferred Jun Madam, the legitimate wife of the third young master.”
The old master was taken aback: “Then what about Zhuji?”
“Don’t you know?” Bai Xuanzhi said, “She has long since severed ties with the emperor and was imprisoned for rebellion, her reputation in tatters…”
“What nonsense are you spouting?!” Jiang Chong stopped and scolded.
However, the old master had already taken in her words, his expression darkening. He looked at Jiang Chong and asked, “Is this true?”
Jiang Chong didn’t dare to lie or admit it, feeling panicked.
His chest heaved violently as the old master slammed his dragon-headed cane down: “Speak the truth!”
“Father, calm down!” Jiang Chong returned to his side, glaring at Bai Xuanzhi, then said, “It’s not as serious as this Miss Bai says.”
Calling her Miss Bai again? Bai Xuanzhi felt a bit annoyed, lowering her gaze and saying, “His Majesty personally decreed the marriage; does the general still not acknowledge Xuanzhi’s identity?”
Jiang Chong ignored her, continuing to soothe the old master: “As for the specifics, let Xuanjin explain later.”
The old master couldn’t accept it: “Earlier… didn’t they come to pay their respects to me? How could the Jiang Bai family possibly be imprisoned?”
Bai Xuanzhi interjected, “Do you think His Majesty left the capital for no reason? Wasn’t it because of that Bai Zhuji? To save her, His Majesty didn’t hesitate to let the Jiang family suffer together!”
Jiang Chong was truly angry, but he wasn’t good at cursing, so he could only glare at Bai Xuanzhi. The latter ignored him, continuing, “His Majesty is known for his loyalty and righteousness, but once deceived, he lost all four words cleanly. Rather than punishing the second young master here, you should drive that vixen away so that His Majesty can regain his clarity.”
Xu Chuniang couldn’t listen any longer and raised her eyes: “Vixens are those who slander good people with malicious words.”
Whether Bai Zhuji was a vixen or not was unknown to everyone, but the one stirring up trouble and spreading rumors here was not a good person.
Bai Xuanzhi wasn’t angry; she looked at her and smiled: “Second Madam has read quite a bit, but unfortunately, her eyesight isn’t very good. She’s gotten too close to bad people and hasn’t learned any good behavior. Do you think that once you get a divorce, you can live a good life? Once a woman loses her husband’s family, who will provide for your food and clothing? Who will shelter you from the rain?”
Jiang Shen retorted, “So the second young lady is without food and clothing, so she has to cling to my third brother?”
Bai Xuanzhi was momentarily speechless. Then she smiled again: “I’m helping the second young master speak; why are you getting angry with me?”
“Jiang family matters are not for outsiders to meddle in.” Leaning on his body, Jiang Shen sneered, “The second young lady can stand here today thanks to the protection of the Bai Imperial Censor. The Jiang family is willing to give the Bai Imperial Censor face, but the second young lady shouldn’t take herself too seriously.”
Daring to stir up trouble in front of the old master was a serious taboo for the Jiang family.
“Stop arguing!” Old Master Jiang was so angry he was trembling, leaning on the steward beside him to stand up. “I’ll go find Xuanjin to clarify this!”
“Father,” Jiang Chong said anxiously, “Why go through all that trouble? I’ll just have the third brother come over.”
“Didn’t he just leave with the Bai family’s fourth young lady?” the old master asked.
Jiang Chong pursed his lips: “I didn’t see.”
“Daughter-in-law saw it; it’s true.” Bai Xuanzhi said. “If you hurry over now, you’ll know that I’m not lying.”
Old Master Jiang grabbed his dragon-headed cane and left.
Ning Zhendong, the county magistrate of Yinping, had been waiting early in the morning. When Jiang Xuanjin and Li Huaiyu arrived, he greeted them with great joy: “I received news early and have been waiting for His Majesty for a long time. Here are the important documents from the past three months in Yinping, presented to His Majesty.”
The county magistrate’s attitude was better than those they had encountered in previous cities. Jiang Xuanjin nodded and had the people behind him collect the documents, then followed him to meet the officials of various ranks in the county government.
Ning Zhendong smiled: “These people have admired His Majesty for a long time. Upon hearing that His Majesty returned to Ziyang, they were delighted for a long time. By the way, who is this?”
Seeing that he had noticed her, Huaiyu felt a bit awkward, unsure of how to respond. Jiang Xuanjin casually said, “My wife.”
“Madam Jun?” Ning Zhendong quickly bowed.
Huaiyu smiled foolishly, pulling Jiang Xuanjin aside and gritting her teeth: “What will I do when I return to Danyang if you say that?”
They would inevitably meet again when traveling between the two places, right?
Jiang Xuanjin calmly looked at her small hand on his sleeve, smiling: “It’s still early for you to return to Danyang.”
How was it early? Even if she walked slowly, in half a month, she should reach Yixian City! Huaiyu puffed her cheeks, wanting to protest, but suddenly, there was a commotion outside.
Jiu Wu and the others had received news and rushed over, arriving even before Old Master Jiang. They stood at the county magistrate’s gate, hesitating whether to force their way in. Several guards were so frightened by their imposing aura that they trembled, shouting, “Get back!”
The more Jiu Wu didn’t back down, the louder they shouted.
“What’s going on?” Huaiyu came out upon hearing the noise and saw Qing Xian and the others all flushed with urgency: “Your Highness, hurry and leave!”
“Where to?” she asked, confused.
Before Qing Xian could explain, a carriage arrived behind them.
Several attendants pushed aside the guards without saying a word, stepping forward to shield Li Huaiyu behind them.
Jiang Xuanjin stood at the door, looking up in confusion, only to see his father getting out of the carriage in a fit of rage, pointing his dragon-headed cane at him.
His heart sank, and he stepped forward, cupping his hands: “Why did you come personally?”
“I’m asking you.” Old Master Jiang suppressed his anger: “Is it true that Bai Zhuji was imprisoned for rebellion?”
His expression darkened, Jiang Xuanjin looked back at Jiang Shen and the others who had just gotten out of the carriage: “Who said that?”
Without thinking, Jiang Shen replied, “Bai family’s second young lady.”
“I don’t care who said it.” The old master said, “I just want to know if it’s true or false.”
Jiang Xuanjin pursed his lips and nodded slightly.
“Then is she still with you? Did you save her?”
After a pause, Jiang Xuanjin said, “She’s clever. I didn’t help much.”
“You still want to help!” The old master was furious. “Helping a rebellious person, what have you become?!”
Li Huaiyu listened, knowing the truth had come to light, but for some reason, she felt relieved.
She pushed through the people in front of her and walked toward the carriage, smiling: “This is not a place for conversation. If the old master has questions, you can ask me.”
“Ask you?” The old master shot her a cold glance, “What are you?”
When the old man was angry, he didn’t like to give people a face. Huaiyu forced a smile, scratching her chin shamelessly: “I think I’m a rare treasure.”
“Absurd!” Old Master Jiang’s lips trembled with anger. “If it weren’t for you, Xuanjin wouldn’t dare to defy the world! If it weren’t for you, he would still be the dignified Ziyang Jun in the court!”
Jiu Wu stepped forward, speaking in a deep voice: “It’s mutual; if it weren’t for Ziyang Jun, Your Highness would still be the Eldest Princess sitting in the palace, not some insignificant Fourth Young Lady!”
The old master was taken aback: “Eldest Princess?”
Jiang Xuanjin frowned, secretly shaking his head at Jiu Wu, but the latter seemed not to see, standing in front of Li Huaiyu and saying, “Old Master, if you think His Majesty is not worth it, we also think Your Highness is not worth it. There are more treasures in this world than just your son. If you want to argue about who is right and who is wrong, you might not win!”