The young lady was the daughter of the second branch of Duke An’s household, with the given name Fanghua. As the only young miss in Duke An’s family, Ji Fanghua was much loved by the elders in the household, which nurtured her lively and cheerful disposition.
During Jiang Si’s time at Duke An’s mansion, it felt like being in a cage. Ji Chongyi ignored her, while Madam Duke An could hardly be said to favor her. Every day passed in suffocating oppression.
Thinking back now, the rare times she spoke more were when Ji Fanghua occasionally came to see her.
Despite her loathing for Duke An’s household, Jiang Si held no ill feelings towards Ji Fanghua. She replied with a smile, “Indeed, it is.”
Ji Fanghua felt uneasy: “I wonder if Elder Sister Jiang still remembers me? We met at the lotus-viewing banquet last summer.”
“Of course, I remember.”
Ji Fanghua glanced around: “It’s inconvenient to talk here. Would Elder Sister Jiang like to walk with me over there?”
Jiang Si was somewhat surprised but agreed without showing it.
The two walked along the willow-lined embankment.
“You all wait here. I’ll just take a casual stroll with Miss Jiang,” Ji Fanghua stopped the maids and elderly servants from following.
Jiang Si signaled A-Man and A-Ji to stay behind as she walked ahead with Ji Fanghua.
By the river, green willows swayed, mist holding sorrow. Ji Fanghua stopped by a willow tree, and Jiang Si halted her steps as well.
She couldn’t understand why Ji Fanghua still had something to say to her, given that their families had already broken off the engagement.
Ji Fanghua fiddled with her handkerchief, then suddenly bowed to Jiang Si.
“Why does Miss Ji do this?” Jiang Si stepped aside to avoid it.
“About Third Brother’s matter… I feel I should apologize to Elder Sister Jiang.” Ji Fanghua’s cheeks flushed red, fearing that mentioning Ji Chongyi would anger Jiang Si, and looked at her nervously.
Jiang Si smiled gracefully: “Miss Ji need not apologize to me. I don’t mind at all.”
Even if she did mind, she couldn’t blame Ji Fanghua.
She didn’t even care to hear Ji Chongyi’s apology. For her, those lovebirds staying far away from her was better than anything else.
“I know an apology doesn’t help much, but I just… just wanted to say it to Elder Sister Jiang. My Third Brother is quite good—”
Jiang Si interrupted Ji Fanghua with a smile: “I appreciate Miss Ji’s apology. As for others, please don’t mention them, Miss Ji. I don’t care at all.”
Jiang Si’s response was very unexpected to Ji Fanghua.
She had thought Jiang Si would be full of resentment and had prepared herself to be blamed. She never expected such a reaction from the other party.
Gazing at the calm and serene expression on the beautiful face of the young woman, Ji Fanghua suddenly sighed inwardly.
Third Brother… was truly foolish.
“Miss Ji, I’ve been out for a while. If I don’t return soon, my family will scold me. Please excuse me for leaving first.”
“Take care, Elder Sister Jiang.” Ji Fanghua watched Jiang Si leave, standing motionless under the willow tree.
She had come out today simply to clear her mind.
The Duke’s mansion had always been a place of loving elders and harmonious siblings, but ever since her Third Brother’s incident, things had changed.
Even living in the second branch, she vaguely heard arguments between First Uncle and First Aunt, causing a depressing atmosphere throughout the entire household, as if even breathing was difficult.
That’s why she had brought her maids and elderly servants out to clear her mind, unexpectedly encountering Fourth Miss Jiang.
Meeting Jiang Si not only failed to clear her mind but made her feel even more troubled.
The more she compared, the more she felt her Third Brother’s eyes were covered with excrement.
“Young Miss, we should head back,” an elderly servant reminded.
“Mm.” Ji Fanghua nodded, surrounded by her maids and elderly servants as she boarded the blue-curtained carriage parked nearby.
The willow-lined embankment quickly returned to tranquility, countless silken threads lightly brushing the water’s surface, disturbing the reflections of the graceful shadows.
Returning to Duke An’s mansion, Ji Fanghua’s heart remained unsettled for a long time.
After much contemplation, she decided to visit Ji Chongyi.
Ji Chongyi had fallen ill from getting soaked, and his body hadn’t fully recovered. Upon entering the room, one could smell a strong scent of medicine.
“Sister has come.” Seeing Ji Fanghua enter, Ji Chongyi showed a smile.
The two branches of the Duke’s family only had Ji Fanghua as a girl. Although they were cousins, Ji Chongyi treated Ji Fanghua like his own little sister.
“Is Third Brother feeling better?” In front of Ji Chongyi, Ji Fanghua wasn’t reserved and gracefully sat opposite him.
“Much better.” Ji Chongyi pushed the sunflower-shaped platter on the table towards Ji Fanghua. “Sister, have some preserved fruits. The green plums taste quite good.”
Ji Fanghua picked up a plum and ate it, appearing somewhat distracted.
“Does Sister have something on her mind?” Ji Chongyi noticed Ji Fanghua’s unusual behavior and asked with concern.
Ji Fanghua glanced at Ji Chongyi, struggling internally for a moment before she couldn’t help but ask, “Third Brother, do you intend to marry Qiao Niang?”
Ji Chongyi was stunned, then frowned slightly: “Qiao Niang and I are in love, and now our parents have agreed. Why do you ask, Sister?”
“But Third Brother, don’t you think Qiao Niang and our family are mismatched in status—”
“Sister, Qiao Niang is a good girl. Her humble origins are not her fault. She will soon be your Third Sister-in-law. I hope you can get along with her harmoniously, rather than looking down on her background.”
Ji Fanghua bit her lip, feeling wronged: “Third Brother, how can you say that about me? The mismatch in status is an unchangeable fact. Does not mentioning it make the problem disappear? What does this have to do with whether I look down on her or not?”
“Alright, Sister. I don’t want to discuss this matter with you.” Ji Chongyi felt a surge of irritation.
To be with Qiao Niang, he had already endured too much pressure from the elders and didn’t have the energy to deal with anyone else.
“But I met Fourth Miss Jiang today—”
Ji Chongyi’s brow furrowed deeper: “Did Sister hear some idle gossip from Fourth Miss Jiang?”
Ji Fanghua tossed the plum she had picked back into the box and stood up: “Third Brother, don’t make baseless assumptions. Fourth Miss Jiang didn’t say anything. I just think Fourth Miss Jiang is a very good person—”
“Where did Sister encounter Fourth Miss Jiang?” Ji Chongyi asked, displeased.
“We met by chance while walking along the willow embankment.”
Ji Chongyi sneered: “Sister, you’re truly naive. Think about it, how could there be such a coincidence in this world!”
Ji Fanghua grew annoyed too and laughed coldly: “Third Brother, have you become muddled from your illness? You and Fourth Miss Jiang have already broken off the engagement. Do you think our family has an imperial throne to inherit that would make her go to such lengths to orchestrate a chance encounter with your cousin?”
“Fanghua, have you gone mad? How dare you say such things!” Ji Chongyi became agitated and started coughing.
Seeing this, Ji Fanghua lost the will to argue with Ji Chongyi. She stamped her foot and said, “Fine! The third Brother is bewitched and won’t come to his senses for now. I just hope Third Brother won’t regret it later!”
With that, she lifted her skirts and ran off. Ji Chongyi coughed as he pounded the table forcefully.
He just wanted to be with the person he loved. Why was it so difficult?
When Jiang Si returned to the mansion, she noticed A-Qiao’s expression seemed a bit off.
“A-Qiao, did something happen in the household while I was out?”