Jiang Si had never denied her feelings for Yu Jin.
It was precisely because she was very clear about this that she was more afraid of getting involved with him.
She never wanted to be a substitute for any other woman in this life, nor did she want to inexplicably become short-lived. At least before her father, brothers, and elder sister were safe, she had to live well.
She still had feelings for him, but no longer wanted to be with him.
This was Jiang Si’s true thought, but she couldn’t explain it clearly to her brother.
She couldn’t just say that she and Yu Qi had already been husband and wife, that he was good in every way except for having someone else in his heart.
“Come back to the manor with me,” Jiang Zhan grabbed Jiang Si’s wrist, intending to pull her away.
“Second Brother?”
“After we return, I’ll report this matter to Father, and let Father thoroughly investigate Yu Qige. If—” Jiang Zhan was very reluctant, but thinking of his sister’s feelings, he swallowed his discomfort and continued, “If Father approves, then let Yu Qige’s elders come to propose marriage soon.”
Saying this, Jiang Zhan became even more upset: “We can’t just watch you being young and naive, and one day that guy takes advantage of you!”
He was purely considering his fourth sister’s interests, benefiting that Yu Qige fellow.
Jiang Si didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “Second Brother, you’ve misunderstood. I don’t want to get married so quickly.”
Jiang Zhan frowned, looking unusually reliable: “We’ll just get engaged first. Of course, you can’t marry so quickly and start worrying and tiring yourself out.”
“Second Brother, I mean I’m not willing to marry Young Master Yu.”
“You don’t have feelings for him?” Jiang Zhan was stunned.
Had he overthought it?
That shouldn’t be the case. He had even visited brothels and had experience!
Jiang Si didn’t know where her brother’s experience came from, but she firmly said: “Even if I were to marry, I wouldn’t want to marry him.”
Seeing his sister’s expression didn’t seem fake, Jiang Zhan became uncertain: “Really?”
“Really.” Jiang Si nodded.
Jiang Zhan became embarrassed.
He had overthought it. He should have known, how many times had Fourth Sister met Yu Qige? How could she be swayed by him?
Although Yu Qige was good-looking, he wasn’t bad either. His sister saw such a handsome brother every day, surely she wouldn’t fall for a man just because of his looks.
That’s right, that’s how it was. His sister wasn’t such a shallow woman.
Thinking of the big bad wolf still eyeing his sister, Jiang Zhan’s expression turned serious: “Fourth Sister, since that’s the case, you must promise me not to go to Yu Qige’s place anymore.”
Jiang Zhan’s heart was as clear as the bright moon, pure and transparent, but he also had an amazing intuition.
He vaguely felt that Yu Jin was the type who wouldn’t give up until he achieved his goal. If Fourth Sister had feelings for him, it would be fine, but if Fourth Sister didn’t have such feelings, it would be best to stay away from that person.
“Mm.” Jiang Si nodded without hesitation.
She had been somewhat improper these past two days. After all, taking care of Erniu was one thing, but not being able to control her own heart was the main issue.
When someone disappeared without a trace, she would involuntarily worry…
In the quiet of the night, Jiang Si didn’t know how many times she had scolded herself for being useless.
“Also, don’t meet with Yu Qige anymore.” Jiang Zhan thought of the liangpi left at Yu Jin’s place and became even more upset.
Since Fourth Sister didn’t like him, of course, they had to guard against him strictly. Even the best of friends couldn’t be allowed to take advantage of his sister.
Jiang Si hesitated for a moment, then nodded: “Alright.”
It was good to listen to Second Brother. Just meeting that person would cause ripples in her heart, unlike when she had just been reborn and her mind was only focused on solving the immediate problems, with the entanglements and pain from her previous life seeming like passing clouds.
“Second Brother, let’s go back.”
Halfway home, Jiang Zhan had a hesitant look on his face.
“Does Second Brother have something else to do?”
Jiang Zhan laughed dryly: “Fourth Sister, do you have any money?”
Jiang Si smiled sweetly, gesturing for Amang to give the money pouch to Jiang Zhan.
“Is this enough?”
Jiang Zhan opened it and took a look, his ears turning slightly red: “It doesn’t seem to be quite enough.”
Jiang Si observed Jiang Zhan’s expression and frowned: “Second Brother, you’re not planning to spend lavishly at Bichun House, are you?”
The money pouch that she had Amang carry contained about ten taels of silver, enough for a meal at a good restaurant.
Jiang Zhan’s face instantly turned red, and he said angrily: “What are you saying, Fourth Sister? Am I that kind of person?”
If he were going to a brothel, how could he have the face to borrow money from his sister? What kind of person would that make him?
“How much does Second Brother need?” Jiang Si originally didn’t plan to ask Jiang Zhan what he needed the money for, but thinking of how he had mixed with those good-for-nothing in his previous life and ultimately lost his life, her heart tightened.
No, she still needed to ask clearly. If Second Brother took the money to mingle with those people, she absolutely couldn’t agree.
Hearing Jiang Si ask about the reason, Jiang Zhan was frank: “I want to go to Heqi Hall to buy a good ginseng to give to Yu Qige. Didn’t he get injured?”
“Injured?”
“Yes, he suffered a serious internal injury.”
Jiang Si: “…” No wonder Second Brother didn’t fight with Yu Qi but came to confront her instead. So that scoundrel had been lying again!
Taking advantage of her and making her take the blame, how could he be so thick-skinned?
Jiang Si’s mind involuntarily flashed to that person’s image, sometimes his gentle and considerate self from the previous life, sometimes his cunning and shameless self from this life. In the end, the two overlapped, blurring the boundaries between her previous life and this life for a moment. A vague pain spread from her heart.
Completely letting go of a person who had lived in one’s heart was like using a knife to forcibly dig out the corner where he resided. It was bound to be painful.
“What’s wrong, Fourth Sister?”
Jiang Si forced a smile: “It’s nothing. Anyway, Heqi Hall isn’t far from here. I’ll go with Second Brother. Come to think of it, Amang still has a bag of bank notes.”
Amang looked at Jiang Si in surprise.
Didn’t the young miss say she would return the money when she saw Young Master Yu? She had been carrying it around for this reason, and today she didn’t know what happened between the young miss and Young Master Yu that made her forget. Now the young miss wanted to use this money to buy ginseng.
Jiang Si felt not the slightest guilt.
Since that scoundrel had deceived Second Brother, they might as well use his money to buy ginseng.
“Second Brother, is this enough?”
Jiang Zhan opened it and looked, his eyes widening.
It was unfair! They were born from the same father, why was Fourth Sister so rich while he was still in debt?
The siblings went to Heqi Hall together, chose a good ginseng, and had it wrapped up. Jiang Zhan returned the money pouch to Jiang Si: “Fourth Sister, I’ll pay you back when I’ve saved enough money.”
Jiang Si didn’t take the money pouch: “No need. Second Brother, just give this to Young Master Yu as well.”
Jiang Zhan was confused.
“Yu Qige is Second Brother’s lifesaver. Since he’s suffered a serious internal injury, it wouldn’t be right for me to do nothing now that I know. But sending something else wouldn’t be appropriate either. It’s better to just send some medical fees. It’s practical and won’t cause any misunderstanding.”
Jiang Zhan couldn’t help but nod.
Fourth Sister’s reasoning was so good. After all, girls were more thoughtful.
As the siblings were walking back, they heard a delighted voice: “Si’er, what a coincidence!”
Jiang Si looked toward the voice and saw a young couple standing not far away.
The young woman was about her age, with a sweet apple-shaped face dimpling as she smiled. It was Xie Qingyao, the eldest daughter of the neighboring Yongchang Earl’s manor. The cold and handsome young man standing beside Xie Qingyao was her twin brother, Xie Yinlou.