The red lanterns at the entrance of the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion had been replaced with white ones bearing the character of “mourning”. Yu Jin’s face looked even worse than the swaying white lanterns.
He had waited here for half a day, only to see this?
He punched the tree trunk, causing the large tree to shake violently and drop many leaves.
“Master, your hand is bleeding!”
Yu Jin carelessly wiped his hand with a handkerchief, his gaze never leaving the entrance of the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion.
Long Dan secretly rolled his eyes.
His master was truly a jar of vinegar (extremely jealous). With such a major event at the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion, even if the heir was a scoundrel, he wouldn’t be thinking about romance at a time like this. Miss Jiang was perfectly safe.
He had completely underestimated his master.
How could Yu Jin be just a jar of vinegar? He was a river of vinegar!
Yu Jin understood the logic that Long Dan could figure out, but just thinking about Jiang Si standing next to another man made his heartache.
“Long Dan.”
“This servant is here.”
“Didn’t the maid following Miss Jiang carry a small bundle?”
“Yes.”
Yu Jin narrowed his eyes, “Their two mansions are so close, why would her maid need to bring a bundle?”
Long Dan thought for a moment, then had a flash of insight, “Miss Jiang must be staying over!”
With the two mansions being neighbors, only staying overnight would require bringing personal items.
Yu Jin’s face darkened even more as he turned to leave.
“Master, where are you going?” Long Dan hurried to catch up.
“To find Erniu.”
At crucial moments, Erniu was more useful than guards.
Erniu had returned to the civilian residence in Quezi Hutong and was happily eating a bowl of meat bones.
Cold Shadow, usually taciturn and expressionless, was exceptionally gentle with Erniu, “Don’t rush, there’s more after you finish.”
As he spoke, he extended a hand with distinct knuckles and unceremoniously moved the bowl of meat bones away.
Moved it away!
Erniu looked up in confusion, meat juice still clinging to his whiskers.
Yu Jin patted Erniu’s back, “Stop eating, there’s important business.”
Erniu flopped onto the ground, sweeping his tail listlessly.
The half-eaten meat bones had been taken away. Was there anything more important than that?
In any case, he didn’t want to hear anything.
“Erniu—” Yu Jin’s tone carried a warning.
Erniu glanced sideways at his master, still maintaining a blank expression.
Depriving a dog of its food, doesn’t your conscience hurt, master?
“Go do the task first, and when you return, I’ll have Long Dan buy you some braised beef.”
Erniu immediately stood up, shaking his sleek fur, his tail wagging.
Yu Jin brought Erniu to a spot not far from the entrance of the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion and pointed at the vermilion-painted main gate, “Find a chance to sneak in and protect Miss Jiang well.”
Previously, when Asi went to stay at the Long Xing Marquis’s mansion, she encountered that psychopath of an heir who had buried a garden full of corpses. Now she was going to stay at the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion. Who knows what might happen?
He wished he could switch places with Erniu and go himself.
Erniu looked at Yu Jin warily.
Why was his master’s gaze so full of envy?
“Go on.” Yu Jin suppressed his regret and patted Erniu’s head.
Erniu let out a low bark, cleverly avoiding the crowds and running along the wall towards the back.
Yu Jin slowly withdrew his gaze, lowered his eyes to look at the scratch on the back of his hand, and silently left.
Jiang Si was led directly to Xie Qing’ao’s boudoir.
Xie Qing’ao sat motionless on the bed, surrounded by several women trying to console her.
Jiang Si felt a bit dazed.
Just yesterday, she and Xie Qing’ao were here chatting about the Jade Gentleman, praising the kitchen maid’s snowflake cakes, happy and carefree.
But in just one day, Xie Qing’ao’s life had undergone an earth-shattering change, and this change touched Jiang Si just as profoundly.
Jiang Si stood rooted to the spot, suddenly feeling as if her feet weighed a thousand pounds, unable to take a step.
The maid who had led Jiang Si in called out, “Miss, Fourth Miss Jiang is here.”
Xie Qing’ao looked up, meeting Jiang Si’s eyes. Her blank expression suddenly changed as she pushed past the people in front of her and quickly walked over.
“Asi, you’ve finally come.”
Jiang Si grasped those cold hands in return, forcing a small smile, “I’ve already spoken with my family, don’t worry.”
Xie Qing’ao pulled Jiang Si towards the bed, glancing at the people gathered there. Her voice was wooden as she said, “I want to talk with Asi alone. Please leave for now.”
The woman who had just been pushed aside by Xie Qing’ao looked displeased, “Qing’ao, your aunt came specially to keep you company. The mansion is in chaos right now, and you’re young and don’t understand things. You shouldn’t just let anyone into the house. Auntie knows you’re hurting, but you still have your cousins here. If you need anything, just tell Auntie, and I’ll take care of it for you.”
The others nodded in agreement, their eyes looking at Jiang Si with hidden criticism.
Jiang Si guessed these people must be Xie Qing’ao’s clan members.
The Xie clan lived on an estate on the outskirts of the capital. If they had moved quickly after receiving news of the deaths, they should have arrived by now. Xie Qing’ao’s maternal grandparents’ family was from out of town and wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow at the earliest.
The Jiang and Xie families had been neighbors for many years, and Jiang Si knew that the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion didn’t interact much with their clan members, only dealing with them during festivals and holidays. Yet this woman’s words seemed to suggest she wanted to take charge of the household.
Jiang Si inwardly sneered.
Did they think that with the Marquis and his wife dead and Xie Qing’ao being young, they could take over managing the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion?
This wasn’t uncommon. Often when the pillar of a great family fell, the first to try and benefit were these clan members.
Hearing the woman’s words, Xie Qing’ao became angry, “Whether I understand things or not, do I need you to lecture me? Who are you to me?”
As she said this, Xie Qing’ao thought of her deceased parents and began to cry uncontrollably.
Her father had no blood brothers. If her parents were still alive, when would it be the turn of a clan aunt to criticize her?
“Oh my, Qing’ao, your words hurt Auntie’s heart. Auntie is doing this all for your good.” The woman slapped her thigh.
“Yes, cousin, my mother is just worried about you,” a young woman in plain clothes chimed in.
The woman sighed, “Your cousin is grieving and bound to say some confused things. How could I take offense at a child?”
Xie Qing’ao was heartbroken over her parents’ death, her thoughts already sluggish. The woman’s words left her so angry she could only cry, forgetting to retort.
Jiang Si steadied Xie Qing’ao’s hand and coldly smiled, “Madam, you came to keep Qing’ao company?”
“Yes,” the woman replied casually.
“When I came in just now, Qing’ao was fine. After a few words from you, Madam, you’ve made Qing’ao cry. It seems you’re not doing a good job of keeping her company. Since you can’t even do this small task well, Madam, don’t think about managing anything for Qing’ao. Madam, you’re from the countryside and probably don’t understand, but even though the Marquis and his wife have passed away, the rules of the mansion still stand. The stewards will handle matters according to established practices. There’s no need for outsiders to interfere.”
Jiang Si’s words were reasonable and well-founded, while also thoroughly criticizing the woman. The woman’s face suddenly turned red with anger, “You, who are you?”
She had originally thought this girl was here to keep Xie Qing’ao company, perhaps a daughter from some minor family serving as a companion to the young lady of a great house. But how could this girl call the Yongchang Marquis “Uncle”?
Xie Qing’ao, hearing Jiang Si’s words, came to her senses and angrily ordered, “Take them away!”