Jiang Si was completely stunned.
What was going on? In her previous life, Yu Jin hadn’t been granted a princely title at this time.
She distinctly remembered that in her past life, after Yu Jin’s great victory over the Southern Lan in cooperation with the Wu Miao tribe, the edict granting him a princely title was sent directly to the south. How had he been granted a title now?
Truthfully speaking, she had only changed things directly related to herself, and shouldn’t have had any impact on Yu Jin at all.
So, where did these differences come from?
Jiang Si’s mind was in chaos from this shocking news, momentarily lost in thought.
“Surprised?” Jiang Ancheng, unaware of the turmoil in his daughter’s mind, asked with a smile.
Jiang Si came back to her senses and forced a smile, “Surprised indeed—”
The current Seventh Prince’s strange circumstances were known to all prominent families in the capital, even secluded young ladies would gossip about it.
“Daughter heard that the Seventh Prince has always been in the south. How did he suddenly get granted a title?”
“The Seventh Prince returned to the capital some days ago, but he’s kept a low profile. Being granted a title is truly unexpected.”
“Has Father heard the reason?” Jiang Si seized the opportunity to ask.
“It’s said to be because of a brawl among the princes…” Jiang Ancheng relayed the already distorted rumors he had heard to Jiang Si, finally sighing, “The Emperor is truly a benevolent ruler, not forgetting this son he hasn’t seen in over a decade.”
Jiang Si’s feelings were complex.
She hadn’t slept well these past two days, but for what exactly?
“Si’er, why are you asking about this?” Jiang Ancheng belatedly questioned.
“Uh, there’s been so much excitement in the capital lately. The daughter was wondering if the case of ‘Imperial Uncle Yang’s’ sudden death had been solved.”
“Why would a young lady be curious about such things? What if you get scared?” Jiang Ancheng disapproved.
Just thinking about how his daughter had watched as so many skeletons were unearthed from Marquis Changxing’s back garden made him sleepless with worry. He had even eaten the two braised pork knuckles meant to calm her nerves.
“Father is right,” Jiang Si said with a smile.
Father is always right.
“By the way, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you, but I’ve been too busy lately to find the chance.”
“Please instruct me, Father.”
Jiang Ancheng was very pleased.
Look how obedient his daughter was, how pleasant her words were. Now look at that rascal Jiang Zhan, who only knew how to anger him!
Jiang Zhan, who had skipped classes to buy liangpi from Wang Fifth Sister’s shop on East Street to bring to his sister, sneezed several times in a row. He muttered, “Father must be criticizing me again. Looks like I can’t show up in front of him today.”
In the bright study, Jiang Ancheng gestured for Jiang Si to sit down and asked, “What do you think about your Second Sister’s situation?”
“Second Sister?” Jiang Si hadn’t expected Jiang Ancheng to ask about Jiang Qian. She said lightly, “Second Sister met the wrong person, her luck was a bit poor.”
What she wanted to say was that those who are pitiful must have something hateful about them, but such words weren’t appropriate to say in front of an elder.
If Jiang Qian hadn’t helped the heir of Marquis Changxing harm others, whether in her past life or this one, she would have deeply sympathized with a sister from the same household facing such a situation and would have done her best to help Jiang Qian overcome her troubles.
But now, she would only wait for an opportunity to ensure Jiang Qian received her due punishment.
She didn’t believe Jiang Qian was someone who would suddenly have an epiphany.
Jiang Ancheng sighed deeply, “Si’er, we can’t control our luck, but at least we can make the right choices after encountering misfortune. If you ever… “
Jiang Ancheng couldn’t bear to imagine anyone being cruel enough to raise a hand against his obedient and beautiful daughter, but he had to say this. It was his responsibility as a father: “If you ever encounter someone who would harm you, don’t worry about how it might affect your husband’s family or your maiden family. Come home immediately!”
“Father—”
“Your brother and I will handle everything. There’s no need for a young girl like you to endure for the sake of some greater good.”
“Daughter will remember,” Jiang Si lowered her eyes, feeling moved.
In her past life, if she hadn’t been so stubborn and had been softer in front of her father and brother, would things have been different?
She had used a whole lifetime to learn when to be soft and when to be strong. Surely she and her loved ones would have a good ending this time?
“Your maternal grandmother’s birthday is coming up soon. When you see your Eldest Sister then, chat with her more and see how she’s doing,” Jiang Ancheng said, mentioning his eldest daughter Jiang Yi with a heavy heart.
When his eldest daughter was born, he was still young and preoccupied with her mother, unable to spare much attention for the child. Later, when he had his son who needed constant discipline, he paid even less attention to his daughter.
Then, his second daughter was born, and his wife passed away…
His eldest daughter had always been quiet and obedient, never causing him any worry. Fortunately, his son-in-law seemed to be a good man who genuinely cherished his eldest daughter. It was just that, coming from a scholarly family, they had many customs, and his eldest daughter rarely got to visit her maiden home.
Jiang Ancheng was, after all, a man. Usually, he only thought that Jiang Yi and her husband were in harmony and didn’t need his concern. But after what happened with Jiang Qian, he couldn’t help but worry.
What if the mother-in-law mistreated Yi’er, and Yi’er only endured it silently?
“Don’t worry, Father. On that day, I’ll have a good chat with Eldest Sister.”
No matter how strict the Zhu family’s rules were, they couldn’t possibly forbid Eldest Sister from paying respects on her maternal grandmother’s birthday. After all, her maternal family was the Marquis of Yining’s household, not some declining family.
Jiang Si left the study and had just exited the mansion when she encountered Jiang Zhan.
“Fourth Sister, are you going out?” Jiang Zhan asked, slightly out of breath, his cheeks flushed.
Jiang Si looked up at the sky, “Shouldn’t Second Brother be in class at this time?”
Jiang Zhan proudly presented the liangpi to Jiang Si, “Fourth Sister, do you remember Wang Fifth Sister from East Street? Her liangpi is the most famous. They closed for a while recently due to family matters, but they reopened today. You wouldn’t believe how long I had to queue to buy this!”
“So Second Brother skipped class to buy liangpi.”
“You love eating it, don’t you? Their liangpi is especially chewy, cut into even strips and drizzled with sesame sauce, topped with minced garlic and vinegar, and paired with thin cucumber and chili strips. It’s most refreshing on a hot day.” Jiang Zhan pressed the liangpi into Jiang Si’s hands, “Fourth Sister, eat the liangpi before you go out to play. I need to get back to class now, or Father will catch me and give me a good beating.”
Before Jiang Si could say anything, Jiang Zhan reached out to pluck a flower petal that had inadvertently fallen on her hair, then dashed off in a whirlwind.
“Second Brother, don’t run so fast, be careful of heatstroke!” Jiang Si only managed to call out once before Jiang Zhan’s figure disappeared around the street corner.
“Miss, this liangpi—” Aman silently swallowed.
She had tasted Wang Fifth Sister’s liangpi before. It was so delicious!
Whimper… How she wished she had an older brother like the Second Young Master.
“Let’s take it to Quezi Hutong first.”
It would be too troublesome to take the liangpi back now that they had already left, but fortunately, a box of liangpi wasn’t heavy.
At the entrance of the Imperial Clan Court, Long Dan and Leng Ying were waiting expectantly.
“They’re out!” Long Dan’s eyes lit up as he tugged on Leng Ying’s sleeve.
Several people walked out of the Imperial Clan Court. Each of them had an extraordinary demeanor, but one person, between youth and adolescence, was separated from the others by some distance. This was undoubtedly Yu Jin.