It was already late morning, and despite the Golden Water River being thoroughly searched, there was still no sign of the East Peace Earl’s second young master.
Those who had come to watch gradually lost patience and began to disperse. Of course, some who lived nearby went home to fill their stomachs, then returned with small stools to continue observing.
What if they waited a bit longer and saw the body of the East Peace Earl’s second young master being pulled from the river? Then they could boast about being the first to see the corpse.
Jiang Ancheng walked along the riverbank with bloodshot eyes, his steps uneven.
By this point, he no longer held hope for his son’s survival. His only thought was to find Jiang Zhan’s body.
Even if it meant an elder burying a younger one, at least there would be someone to bury. He couldn’t let his son remain at the bottom of the river to feed the fish.
The Golden Water River seemed endless. Jiang Ancheng could barely feel his body’s fatigue, even though his feet were blistered. He couldn’t bring himself to stop.
From last night until now, he had thought about many things, but mostly about Jiang Zhan.
Jiang Zhan being stung unconscious by wasps while raiding a bird’s nest; Jiang Zhan being caught and scolded by a farmer for stealing watermelons; Jiang Zhan eating roast chicken in class, angering the teacher to the point of resignation; Jiang Zhan beating up his second uncle’s superior while visiting a brothel…
As Jiang Ancheng recalled these memories, he felt a hollowness in his heart. His foot stumbled, and he lurched forward.
“Eldest Brother, be careful,” Third Master Jiang quickly steadied him.
Jiang Ancheng looked at Third Master Jiang, meeting his equally bloodshot eyes.
Jiang Ancheng gave a bitter smile. “Third Brother, am I not pathetic? I couldn’t bring glory to the Earl’s mansion, nor could I raise my son to be outstanding. In the end, I couldn’t even protect his life. When I face your sister-in-law in the underworld, how can I hold my head up?”
“Eldest Brother—” Third Master Jiang put his arm around Jiang Ancheng’s shoulders. Although he knew there was no hope, he still comforted him, “Zhan’er is blessed; heaven will protect him. He’ll be fine.”
Second Master Jiang, standing nearby, chimed in at the right moment, “That’s right, Eldest Brother. You can’t break down now. Who knows, we might find Zhan’er in the next moment.”
He wondered if Jiang Zhan’s body had been washed downstream. If they continued searching like this, even the living wouldn’t be able to endure.
Second Master Jiang’s face was flushed; he felt like he was about to suffer heatstroke.
Jiang Ancheng nodded numbly. “Yes, as long as we keep searching, we’ll find him.”
He refused to accept an outcome where neither the living person nor the body was found.
At this moment, a cautious voice called out, “Father—”
Jiang Ancheng was startled and then gave a bitter laugh. “I’ve become useless, even having hallucinations now.”
Seeing his usually imposing father now looking so lost, Jiang Zhan felt a lump in his throat. He fell to his knees with a thud and kowtowed heavily. “Father, this isn’t a hallucination. Your son isn’t dead!”
Jiang Ancheng still stared blankly at his son kneeling on the ground, not reacting. Third Master Jiang, however, was overjoyed and pulled Jiang Zhan up. “Zhan’er, you’re alright?”
Jiang Zhan remained kneeling, not rising. “Third Uncle, your nephew is fine.”
Second Master Jiang was completely stunned.
How could Jiang Zhan still be alive?
After a cold, appraising look, seeing that although Jiang Zhan was pale, his clothes were clean and dry, Second Master Jiang came to his senses and said with a joyful expression, “It’s good that you’re alright, it’s good that you’re alright.”
Jiang Cang smiled and went to help Jiang Zhan up. “Second Brother, it’s so good that you’re okay. We were so worried about you.”
Jiang Zhan shook off Jiang Cang’s hand and crawled on his knees to Jiang Ancheng. He pleaded pitifully, “Father, it’s all your son’s fault for making you worry. Please, beat your son severely to vent your anger.”
Jiang Ancheng stood still for a moment, then suddenly reached out to touch Jiang Zhan’s face.
It was true; his son was still alive!
At this moment, Jiang Ancheng felt his heart, which had plummeted to the depths, finally rise again. He had returned from hell to the world of the living.
This little beast!
Jiang Ancheng wanted to beat him as usual to vent his anger but found he lacked the strength. Without a word, he turned and walked away.
Jiang Zhan was stunned, and then quickly got up to follow. “Father, wait—”
The father walked ahead while the son followed behind, leaving countless people to discuss enthusiastically the miracle of the East Peace Earl’s second young master’s narrow escape from death.
By this time of day, the East Peace Earl’s mansion would usually be preparing for lunch. However, today the masters were gathered in the Hall of Kindness, and no one mentioned serving the meal.
Jiang Qiao sat beside Jiang Si, comforting her, “Fourth Sister, Second Brother will be alright. Let me tell you, I can read faces. Second Brother has a full occiput and a long philtrum, which are signs of longevity—”
Old Madam Feng’s eyes swept over, and she scolded, “Young lady, what nonsense are you spouting!”
For a young lady of an earl’s family to claim she could read faces—wouldn’t it be laughable if word got out?
Jiang Qiao, of course, couldn’t read faces. She was merely trying to comfort Jiang Si. Hearing the rebuke, she stuck out her tongue and quietly squeezed Jiang Si’s hand.
Jiang Si smiled gracefully. “Mm, I believe Second Brother will be alright.”
In the oppressive atmosphere of the hall, only Jiang Si’s red dress stood out conspicuously.
The young lady sat with her back perfectly straight, a faint smile on her lips. Seeing this, Jiang Qiao couldn’t help but tear up.
She knew her fourth sister was putting on a brave face, unwilling to face the reality of the Second Brother’s misfortune. In truth, who knew how much pain Fourth Sister was enduring inside?
Second Madam Xiao cast a cold glance at Jiang Si, inwardly sneering: She wanted to see how long this little minx could keep up her stubborn act.
“Old Madam, let’s have the kitchen serve the meal. We might not eat, but you can’t go hungry. Your health won’t withstand it.”
Old Madam Feng didn’t object to Madam Xiao’s words.
People need food to sustain them. Losing a grandson was certainly painful, but to neglect one’s health by not eating would be even more unwise.
“Serve the meal. Have the kitchen prepare food for the Earl and the others and send it over. Remember to make a pot of mung bean soup.”
At that moment, hurried footsteps approached, and a servant woman rushed in to report, “Old Madam, the Earl and the others have returned!”
Old Madam Feng stood up involuntarily. “What about the Second Young Master?”
The servant woman was very excited. “Second Young Master has returned too!”
Everyone present misunderstood the servant’s excitement, thinking that Jiang Ancheng and the others had brought back Jiang Zhan’s body. They crowded around Old Madam Feng and headed outside.
Madam Xiao turned to glance at Jiang Si and sighed, “Fourth Miss, your father has been searching all night. He’s probably exhausted now. As his daughter, you should take extra care of him.”
“Thank you for your concern, Second Aunt,” Jiang Si responded coolly, then quickly walked outside.
She wondered how Second Brother was faring after the combined efforts of Yu Qi and Father.
Old Madam Feng had just led everyone out of the courtyard gate when they saw Jiang Ancheng and the others approaching.
Afu, the senior maid following behind Old Madam Feng, was usually composed, but even she couldn’t help exclaiming, “Se-Second Young Master!”
The person following closely behind Jiang Ancheng was none other than Second Young Master Jiang Zhan.
Madam Xiao mumbled as if she’d seen a ghost, “Jiang Zhan is still alive?”
“Yes, Second Aunt. I said earlier that good people are rewarded and evil people face retribution. It seems that’s indeed true,” Jiang Si said as she walked past Madam Xiao, quickly going to meet them.