The wind from the lake was cool, and even in the height of summer, people felt a chill in their hearts as they listened to Su Qingxue’s account.
Su Qingxue’s hatred had reached its peak.
Everything had gone so smoothly at first. When she found Second Brother, he was alone, and she had easily lured him to Chaoyang Pavilion.
Soon after, the maid sent by First Madam brought Jiang Si there. With just a few words of encouragement, Second Brother rushed out to pester Jiang Si.
However, she hadn’t expected Jiang Si’s maid to be capable of kicking down someone as large as Second Brother. Before she could bring others to the scene, Jiang Si had already escaped.
But what was even more unexpected was that the Concubine Mother came by afterward. She said something to Second Brother that made him run to the lakeside and peer into the water. Then, before her eyes, the Concubine Mother forcefully pushed the Second Brother in.
Just thinking about that moment brought back suffocating terror to Su Qingxue.
She had never imagined that her Concubine Mother, who usually couldn’t even raise her head in front of others, would do such a thing. At that moment, she was terrified.
If First Madam learned that Concubine Mother had killed Second Brother, she surely wouldn’t spare her either!
She had wanted to rush out and save him, but she couldn’t swim. Even if she could, she wouldn’t have been able to pull Second Brother out. Concubine Mother stood by the lake until Second Brother stopped struggling, then quickly left. All Su Qingxue could do was flee from that nightmarish place and pretend nothing had happened.
Zhen Shicheng listened quietly to Su Qingxue’s account before asking, “Why were you with Second Young Master in Chaoyang Pavilion?”
Su Qingxue quickly glanced at Madam You.
Madam You’s usually elegant features had twisted while listening to how the concubine had killed her son, but this glance brought her back to clarity.
Madam You gave Su Qingxue an almost imperceptible nod, temporarily burying her hatred for the mother and daughter in her heart.
Though she didn’t want to admit it, she knew well that the son who died today was the foolish second son. While she grieved, it wasn’t to the point of inconsolable sorrow. Had it been her eldest son instead, she would likely have gone mad with grief.
Su Qingxue collected herself and said, “We met by chance. Second Brother said no one would play with him and insisted I accompany him in kicking the shuttlecock. I thought the path was too busy with people coming and going, so I took him to Chaoyang Pavilion to play. Shortly after, Cousin Si arrived. Second Brother was delighted to see her and ran out. I meant to follow, but before I could react, Cousin Si had hurriedly left, and then—”
No matter what, she couldn’t reveal First Madam’s instructions, or death would be her only outcome.
In truth, Su Qingxue understood that since her birth mother had killed First Madam’s son, her life wouldn’t be easy going forward even if she kept quiet, but a difficult life was still better than losing it entirely.
At this moment, Su Qingxue deeply regretted her previous meddling. If she hadn’t reported Jiang Si to First Madam, perhaps none of this would have happened.
With this thought, she involuntarily looked toward Jiang Si.
Standing beside Jiang Zhan, Jiang Si noticed Su Qingxue’s gaze and slightly turned her head, her eyes cold and distant.
Debts must always be repaid, she thought. Since Su Qingxue had schemed against others, she should be prepared for karmic retribution. As for whether someone had directed her actions—Jiang Si’s gaze shifted, briefly glancing at Madam You.
Losing one’s flesh and blood was no light retribution.
Jiang Si thought that Su Qingyi’s “death from illness” in her previous life might not have been so simple, especially since Su Qingxue’s birth mother had died shortly after.
She remembered this because at a banquet, Su Qingxue had appeared in bright red clothing, and Su Qingfrost had mentioned to her that it was inappropriate for Su Qingxue to dress so boldly when her birth mother, even if just a concubine, had recently passed.
In her previous life, the successive deaths of Su Qingyi and Su Qingxue’s birth mother had seemed unrelated to outsiders. But now, knowing the concubine’s hatred for Su Qingyi, the truth that the Marquis Yi’ning household had tried to conceal became clear.
A household’s young master being killed by his father’s concubine would be scandalous—”death from illness” was certainly more appropriate.
“Does the Young Master Su have any more questions?” With the case settled, Zhen Shicheng asked Elder Master Su.
Elder Master Su, unwilling to look at the woman any longer, waved his hand dismissively.
“Take her away!”
At Zhen Shicheng’s command, yamen runners immediately came forward to drag the woman away.
“Then this official shall take his leave.” Zhen Shicheng cupped his hands toward Elder Master Su, casting a meaningful glance at Jiang Si as he turned.
He had seen through today’s events—that someone was plotting against this young lady. He hoped she would be clever enough to avoid falling into the trap.
Jiang Si curtsied slightly to Zhen Shicheng in farewell.
Seeing her serene demeanor, Zhen Shicheng felt reassured.
Perhaps he had worried needlessly; this young lady always had a way of turning danger into safety.
After walking a few steps, Zhen Shicheng turned back: “Little Yu, aren’t you coming?”
Yu Jin smiled. “I’ve met a friend, just catching up.”
“Ah.” Zhen Shicheng stroked his beard.
If a prince wanted to catch up with friends, he certainly couldn’t stop him.
Watching Yu Jin walk toward Jiang Si, Zhen Shicheng momentarily forgot to stroke his beard.
However, contrary to his expectations, Yu Jin walked past Jiang Si and patted Jiang Zhan’s shoulder: “Brother Jiang Two, what a coincidence.”
Jiang Zhan rubbed his nose: “Indeed a coincidence, how did Seventh Brother Yu become Official Zhen’s subordinate?”
Yu Jin pointed toward the main gate: “Let’s walk and talk.”
Jiang Zhan, already tired of staying due to Madam You’s hostile attitude toward Jiang Si, found this suggestion perfect. After quickly informing Jiang Ancheng, he left with Yu Jin.
Jiang Si felt relieved to see Yu Jin no longer pursuing her.
This was for the best—staying apart would allow those uncontrollable feelings to gradually fade until they disappeared completely.
After walking about thirty paces, Yu Jin suddenly turned back, his gaze skimming over Jiang Si’s face like a dragonfly touching water, and called out to Er Niu who lay on the ground: “Come here!”
Er Niu looked up at the sky, its tail stirring up dust as it wagged.
It didn’t want to leave—the mistress hadn’t petted its head yet.
Yu Jin hadn’t expected the usually clever Er Niu to be so stubborn at this moment. His expression darkened slightly as he strengthened his tone: “Come here.”
Er Niu reluctantly stood up, letting out a pitiful whine toward Jiang Si.
Jiang Ancheng hurriedly stepped in front of Jiang Si, calling out to Yu Jin: “Constable, please take this dog away quickly, it would be terrible if it frightened someone.”
Constable?
For a moment, Seventh Prince Yu Jin’s handsome face twisted slightly as he cast a deep look at Jiang Ancheng.
Being called “Constable” by his future father-in-law felt rather peculiar.
This was all Er Niu’s fault for causing trouble!
Yu Jin unhesitatingly blamed Er Niu, making a gesture toward it.
Er Niu’s eyes brightened.
Master would reward it with a bowl of meat bones!
But looking back at Jiang Si, Er Niu became conflicted.
Should it choose the meat bones or the mistress?
Well, there were many meat bones, but only one mistress.
Er Niu sat back down, steady as a mountain.
Yu Jin wanted to go back and kick Er Niu, but couldn’t in front of Jiang Si. He made another gesture.
Three bowls of meat bones!
Er Niu sprang up, cast a reluctant glance at Jiang Si, then trotted over.
Jiang Si: “…”