Jiang Si’s blunt response startled Zhu Ziyu, and an awkward expression appeared on his face.
Everyone knew his previous words were mere pleasantries, but he didn’t expect this girl to take them seriously.
Apologizing in person was certainly not a problem, but Jiang Si’s reaction made Zhu Ziyu reassess his sister-in-law.
Zhu Ziyu hadn’t met Jiang Si many times. In his impression, this sister-in-law was stunningly beautiful and a quiet girl. He didn’t expect her real personality to be so difficult to deal with.
Zhu Ziyu felt quite relieved as he glanced at Jiang Yi, thinking how fortunate it was that his wife was completely different from her sister, with a gentle and tender nature.
Jiang Si’s response also surprised Jiang Yi, who couldn’t help but say, “Fourth Sister—”
She knew her sister had a bit of a temper, and it was normal to be upset after such a big scare and injustice today. But with so many people around, it wasn’t just about her husband losing face; if word spread about Fourth Sister being willful and unforgiving, it wouldn’t be good.
Jiang Yi worriedly glanced around.
Most of the onlookers who had stopped to watch the commotion had dispersed, but there were still a few idlers lingering to see what would happen next.
“Fourth Sister, I know you feel wronged, but let’s talk about this when we get back,” Jiang Yi gently persuaded, her eyes filled with worry and pleading.
Jiang Si hardened her heart and ignored Jiang Yi’s plea, extending her hand to Zhu Ziyu and slowly opening her palm.
The young lady’s palm was fair and soft, and on it lay a long needle.
Zhu Ziyu’s eyes suddenly narrowed, looking at Jiang Si in astonishment.
Jiang Yi’s heart began to race, and she asked with uncertainty, “Fourth Sister, where did this needle come from?”
Could it be that her sister carried not only chili powder and insects but also long needles with her?
Jiang Si’s lips were tightly pressed together, her tone cold: “I took this from the horse’s hindquarters, hidden among the hair. The needle was deeply embedded in the flesh with only a small part exposed. I believe this is the reason why the horse suddenly became startled.”
Ignoring the reactions of those around her, Jiang Si fixed her gaze on Zhu Ziyu: “Brother-in-law, I don’t think the Zhu family’s carriage driver made an unintentional mistake, do you?”
Zhu Ziyu’s face turned ashen at Jiang Si’s words.
Jiang Yi’s face paled even more, and she exclaimed, “Fourth Sister, are you saying the carriage driver deliberately inserted this long needle?”
Jiang Si took two steps forward and said calmly, “When a horse is running, isn’t the carriage driver in the best position to insert a long needle into its hindquarters, Elder Sister?”
Unable to refute this, Jiang Yi looked to Zhu Ziyu.
Today’s events were far beyond her expectations; it all felt like a dream.
After regaining his composure, Zhu Ziyu shot a fierce glance at the carriage driver and forced a smile at Jiang Si: “Fourth Sister, when we return, I will thoroughly question the driver and give you a proper explanation for today’s events. For now, with so many people around, let’s leave first.”
Jiang Si shook her head.
Zhu Ziyu gave Jiang Yi a meaningful look.
Suppressing her tumultuous thoughts, Jiang Yi joined in persuading, “Yes, Fourth Sister, your brother-in-law is right. Let’s discuss this when we get back.”
Jiang Si stood motionless, sighing, “Elder Sister, do you think a mere carriage driver would specifically target you?”
Jiang Yi was at a loss for words.
Jiang Si narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at Zhu Ziyu with a half-smile, half-sneer, “Or does Brother-in-law think so?”
“Of course not…” Zhu Ziyu’s expression grew increasingly uncomfortable, but he couldn’t lose his temper. He solemnly promised, “When we return, I will investigate the truth and ensure that you and your Elder Sister haven’t suffered this injustice in vain.”
This girl was too tactless. Making a scene in front of so many people now, letting others know that the Zhu family had a carriage driver intent on harming his masters – who knows what unpleasant rumors might spread later.
“How can Brother-in-law guarantee that?” Jiang Si retorted. Without waiting for Zhu Ziyu’s answer, she continued with a cold smile, “The person who instructed the driver to harm others must not be an ordinary individual. They might even have an extremely close relationship with Brother-in-law. How would I know if my Brother-in-law will handle this impartially? Won’t you just find a scapegoat to appease me?”
Beads of sweat had formed on Zhu Ziyu’s forehead. He smiled bitterly, “Fourth Sister, your words make me feel ashamed. You can ask your Elder Sister if I’m that kind of person.”
Jiang Yi certainly didn’t want her sister to be at such odds with her husband. She quickly tried to smooth things over, “Fourth Sister, your brother-in-law wouldn’t do such a thing…”
Jiang Si waved her hand dismissively: “Brother-in-law, there’s no need to bring my Elder Sister into this. After all, you are also a master of the Zhu household and can easily command the family’s carriage driver. Given the suspicious circumstances, Brother-in-law should have avoided any involvement.”
“Fourth Sister!” Jiang Yi never imagined Jiang Si would say such things, her expression changing dramatically.
What did Fourth Sister mean? Could she be suspecting that today’s incident was orchestrated by her husband?
As this thought flashed through Jiang Yi’s mind, she found it absurd. For the first time, she felt her sister was being too willful.
If it were her mother-in-law, who had some complaints about her being childless, or her sisters-in-law who always compared themselves to her, there might be some possibility. But her husband… that was impossible.
After years of marriage to the Zhu family, her husband’s care for her had been meticulous. How could he possibly harm her?
Jiang Yi’s reaction made Jiang Si inwardly bitter.
She had long anticipated that it would be almost impossible to make her loving and trusting Elder Sister suspect Zhu Ziyu, but this accident made her more inclined to believe there was something wrong with Zhu Ziyu.
Earlier, when she saw her Elder Sister riding in the carriage while Zhu Ziyu was on horseback, perhaps it wasn’t that she was being overly sensitive, but that Zhu Ziyu already knew the carriage would lose control…
Of course, this was still her conjecture, but after her Elder Sister’s life had been endangered, this guess was undoubtedly much more credible than before.
In just over two months, her Elder Sister’s misfortune would befall her. Under these circumstances, Jiang Si certainly wouldn’t overlook any anomalies.
Zhu Ziyu gently patted Jiang Yi’s shoulder and maintained a gentle demeanor towards Jiang Si: “Then what does Fourth Sister think should be done?”
On one side was a gentleman who remained calm and courteous even when questioned, and on the other was a young girl who seemed relentless in her pursuit. In comparison, it made Jiang Si appear even more aggressive.
Jiang Si didn’t care at all about others’ opinions. She curved her lips slightly and said, “In this matter, Brother-in-law needs to personally explain to my father.”
Regardless of who instructed the driver, if her sister’s life was threatened and her maiden family showed no reaction, whoever wanted to harm her Elder Sister would become increasingly brazen in the future.
“Of course,” Zhu Ziyu immediately agreed.
Given his sister-in-law’s temper, he knew the matter wouldn’t be easily dismissed. Apologizing in person was within his expectations.
Jiang Si nodded slightly, raising her fair chin: “The carriage lost control with only two defenseless women inside. This is attempted murder, so I want to report it to the authorities!”
Whether or not the officials could uncover who was behind the attempt on her Elder Sister’s life, once this matter was reported and spread, people would be left with the impression that someone in the Zhu family meant harm to her Elder Sister. Then, even if she couldn’t prevent the incident of her sister’s alleged “affair” in winter, at least there would be some room for a counterattack.
The reason was simple: since someone had previously used the carriage driver to harm her Elder Sister, further framing wouldn’t be surprising.
Jiang Si’s move was to turn a passive situation into an active one, seizing a bit of initiative.
“No!”