After parting ways with Jiang Zhan, the Jiang sisters found a shady spot to continue their casual conversation.
The sisters hadn’t seen each other for a long time. Jiang Si was worried about the impending misfortune her elder sister would face, while Jiang Yi felt sorry for her younger sister’s broken engagement. As a result, their conversation grew increasingly intimate.
At this moment, a maid in green clothing approached quickly and curtsied respectfully to Jiang Yi. “The Old Madam requests your presence.”
Although surprised, Jiang Yi stood up.
Jiang Si wanted to accompany her, but Jiang Yi stopped her. “It’s hot out. Fourth Sister, there’s no need to run around with me. Grandmother probably just wants to ask me a few questions. I’ll come back to find you after we’re done.”
Jiang Yi quickly left with the green-clad maid. A’Man took out a fan and began fanning Jiang Si, as the mistress and maid chatted idly.
“It’s really hot today. Fortunately, Young Miss found such a cool spot. The breeze feels quite pleasant.”
Jiang Si had her eyes lightly closed, allowing the bright sunlight to filter through the green leaves and fall on her porcelain-like face. Hearing A’Man’s words, she opened her eyes and glanced at her, smiling. “Then why are you still fanning? You might as well take a break.”
“This servant isn’t tired.” A’Man glanced around to ensure no one was nearby, then covered her mouth and giggled softly. “Young Miss, I noticed that Elder Cousin Master wasn’t as reticent today as usual.”
Su Qingxun was a very proper person. In the past, when Jiang Si stayed at the Marquis’s mansion, they hardly interacted, at most exchanging greetings when they met.
Jiang Si closed her eyes again and said indifferently, “Elder Cousin is a good person. Alright, we’re out in public. Don’t casually discuss others.”
Jiang Si understood why Su Qingxun’s attitude towards her was different this time.
After she turned ten, First Aunt Madam You began to be wary of her, fearing that this ordinary cousin might become entangled with her son, in whom she had placed high hopes.
Although Madam You’s attitude was subtle, both the naturally sensitive Jiang Si and the intelligent, reserved Su Qingxun sensed it.
Su Qingxun, not wanting to make things difficult for her because of his mother, had remained distant since then. The reason for his different behavior today was that Jiang Si’s recent circumstances appeared dire in the eyes of the world, and he didn’t want her to feel that people had become fickle.
A’Man stuck out her tongue. “Alright, I won’t say anything more.”
Seeing her mistress with eyes half-closed and a calm expression, A’Man secretly sighed, thinking to herself that her young miss’s heart must only have room for that Young Master Yu, showing no interest in anyone else.
The sound of hurried footsteps approached. Jiang Si opened her eyes to see a green-clad maid hurrying towards them.
She sat up straight.
The maid came before her, curtsied, and said urgently, “Cousin Miss, Madam Zhu has suddenly fainted.”
Jiang Yi’s married surname was Zhu. Since she was already married, the servants of the Marquis’s household couldn’t address her as Elder Cousin Miss anymore, so they referred to her as Madam Zhu.
Jiang Si’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. She immediately stood up. “Where is my Elder Sister now? Quickly, take me to her.”
“Please follow this servant, Cousin Miss.”
Jiang Si followed the green-clad maid, winding through various paths. Although anxious, she remained vigilant of her surroundings. Seeing that they were indeed heading towards where the Old Madam of the Marquis of Yining was, she felt slightly reassured.
After turning a corner, they came upon Juxia Lake.
Juxia Lake, along with the nearby Chaoyang Pavilion, was considered one of the most beautiful scenes in the Marquis of Yining’s mansion.
Jiang Si was familiar with this scenic spot but had no time to appreciate it now.
Just as she was about to pass by, a figure suddenly rushed out from behind some nearby flowers and trees, blocking their path.
“Who’s there!” A’Man couldn’t help but cry out. Upon closer look, she exclaimed in surprise, “Second Cousin Master?”
The person blocking their way was a youth of fourteen or fifteen, with a very broad build. His originally delicate features were squeezed together due to obesity, giving him a somewhat fierce appearance.
The youth’s eyes were somewhat vacant. He clapped his hands happily at Jiang Si. “Cousin Si, play with me!”
Jiang Si looked at the person who had suddenly appeared, and although surprised, her expression remained calm.
Maintaining her composure, she quickly noticed that the green-clad maid who had been leading them had disappeared into the lush flowers and trees, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
Jiang Si immediately sensed something was amiss and decisively took two steps back.
Just then, Su Qingyi reached out to grab Jiang Si’s sleeve, but because of her retreat, he grasped empty air.
A’Man screamed, “Second Cousin Master, what are you doing!”
“A’Man, don’t say anything more. Let’s go!”
Jiang Si turned and retreated.
Second Cousin Su Qingyi was mentally deficient. Trying to reason with him at this moment would be foolish; making a swift exit was the wisest choice.
At this point, Jiang Si couldn’t afford to think about who might be scheming against her or what their purpose might be. She acted almost instinctively, making the most appropriate choice.
But Su Qingyi was a fool. Now that he wanted to play with Jiang Si, how could he let her leave? He immediately rushed forward, pushing A’Man aside, shouting, “Cousin Si play with me, I want to play with Cousin Si!”
By now, A’Man had also reacted. She raised her foot and kicked out.
A’Man was skilled in martial arts and could easily handle two grown men. In this urgent situation, her kick was powerful. Although Su Qingyi was large, he still fell on his backside.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the mistress and maid quickly left.
After they had gone quite far, A’Man patted her chest. “Young Miss, what’s going on? How did Second Cousin Master end up there out of nowhere?”
Jiang Si, catching her breath from the quick escape, said coldly, “Indeed, I’d like to know what’s going on too!”
Su Qingyi wasn’t bright, and he hadn’t appeared during the birthday wishes for Grandmother. If their encounter here was a coincidence, the disappearance of the green-clad maid was enough to indicate something fishy.
“Let’s find my Elder Sister first.”
The green-clad maid had used her concern for her elder sister to make her follow along. So was her sister’s departure really at Grandmother’s behest, or was there another plot at play?
Thinking of this, Jiang Si grew anxious.
Her elder sister was different from her. She didn’t have a maid skilled in martial arts, nor did she have Jiang Si’s insects and powders. If she encountered trouble, it wouldn’t be easy for her to escape.
Jiang Si hurried with A’Man towards where the Old Madam of the Marquis of Yining was watching the opera. From a distance, she saw Jiang Yi sitting beside the Old Madam, and only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. She stood still for a moment to catch her breath.
It was only then that she realized her palms were drenched in sweat.
Jiang Si raised her hand to tidy her slightly disheveled hair and walked slowly toward the stage.
Many people were accompanying the Old Madam to watch the opera. Jiang Si didn’t push forward but chose an inconspicuous spot to sit down.
However, Jiang Yi had noticed Jiang Si’s arrival early on and looked over with a questioning gaze.
Seeing that her elder sister was safe, Jiang Si felt quite relieved and smiled at Jiang Yi to indicate that all was well.
Jiang Yi smiled back, but just then, the Old Madam of the Marquis of Yining said something, and she turned her attention away.
As the sisters communicated silently, First Madam You’s gaze, which had secretly swept towards Jiang Si, was quite complex.
What’s going on? Could it be that Su Qingxue had messed things up?
Suddenly, a commotion arose, and someone cried out while sobbing, “Something terrible has happened! Second Young Master is in trouble!”