As soon as Zhu Ziyu heard Jiang Si mention reporting to the authorities, he could no longer maintain his composure and firmly refused.
Jiang Yi was equally startled, clutching Jiang Si’s hand and murmuring, “Fourth Sister, how can we report this to the officials?”
Keeping family scandals private was the prevailing mindset for most people, especially for someone like Jiang Yi, who was both a daughter-in-law and a wife. Naturally, she preferred to handle matters behind closed doors.
Reporting to the authorities? It was something she had never even considered.
Jiang Si smiled apologetically, “But I’ve already sent Aman to report it.”
Jiang Yi was shocked, looking around to find that Aman was indeed nowhere to be seen.
“Fourth Sister, did you send Aman to report this?” Jiang Yi could hardly believe Jiang Si’s boldness.
Jiang Si nodded, dashing Jiang Yi’s hopes: “Yes, I’ve heard that the Shuntian Prefect, Lord Zhen, has solved many peculiar cases. If we invite him to investigate, the truth will surely come to light, and Brother-in-law won’t have to trouble himself with the investigation. Brother-in-law, what do you think?”
Zhu Ziyu’s expression turned extremely unpleasant. Although he said nothing, he was furious, his gaze fixed intently on Jiang Yi.
Under such a stare, Jiang Yi felt somewhat embarrassed but still defended Jiang Si, “Husband, Fourth Sister is still young and doesn’t understand…”
Zhu Ziyu remained silent, his face grim.
How could the matter of the Zhu family be taken to the officials without his consent? Could it be dismissed with a simple “she doesn’t understand”?
Jiang Si blinked, her eyes innocent and puzzled, “Elder Sister, we nearly lost our lives today. Isn’t it appropriate to ask Lord Zhen to investigate? Surely you don’t think that so-called face is more important than our lives? Brother-in-law, you don’t think that way, do you?”
Zhu Ziyu forced a stiff smile, “Of course not. But why involve the officials and make ourselves a laughingstock when we could resolve this matter privately?”
Cornered by Jiang Si’s questions, Zhu Ziyu could barely contain his anger.
Jiang Si smiled, “Brother-in-law is a scholar, so you must know the saying of the ancients: ‘In learning, some are ahead of others, and in different pursuits, people have different specialties.’ It’s good that you want to resolve this privately, but what if you can’t uncover anything? Wouldn’t it be too late to involve the officials then? Surely you, who care so much for Elder Sister, wouldn’t want to see the person who harmed her go unpunished?”
Zhu Ziyu could only respond with a bitter smile.
“Elder Sister, let’s take my carriage back,” Jiang Si gently tugged at Jiang Yi’s hand.
Jiang Yi instinctively looked toward Zhu Ziyu.
“Let’s leave this place for now,” Zhu Ziyu said, his face full of resignation.
Zhu Ziyu’s predicament made Jiang Yi feel increasingly ashamed.
Her mother-in-law was already displeased about her going out to burn incense, and now such a big incident had occurred. She didn’t know how to explain when they returned.
Jiang Si sighed inwardly and helped Jiang Yi into the rented carriage.
Lifting the curtain, she revealed her bright, youthful face, “Old Qin, drive carefully.”
The words carried a hidden meaning, which Old Qin understood clearly. He replied loudly, “Don’t worry, Young Miss. I’ll make sure it’s a smooth ride.”
Watching the inconspicuous, small carriage slowly move away, Zhu Ziyu stood still for a moment, his eyes dark. He then turned to the two maids left behind and said, “What are you waiting for? Get in the carriage!”
Aya and Azhu didn’t dare make a sound, trembling as they climbed into the dilapidated Zhu family carriage parked by the roadside.
Zhu Ziyu mounted his horse, following the carriage carrying the Jiang sisters at a moderate distance, his expressionless face concealing his thoughts.
Jiang Si sensed Jiang Yi’s low spirits, as she remained silent for a long while after entering the carriage.
“Is Elder Sister angry with me?” Jiang Si feared nothing more than her elder sister siding with Zhu Ziyu at this crucial moment, distancing herself from her.
Jiang Yi smiled bitterly and sighed, reaching out to stroke Jiang Si’s raven-black hair, “How could I be angry with you? It’s just that your actions today were too impulsive. Once matters are taken to the officials, it becomes difficult to resolve quietly.”
“Does Elder Sister remember the incident at the Marquis Yongchang’s mansion?” Jiang Si asked.
Jiang Yi was startled, then nodded, “How could I forget?”
The Marquis Yongchang’s family had been neighbors with the Earl of Dongping’s family for many years. The Marquis and his wife were familiar elders to Jiang Yi, and thinking of their unfortunate passing filled her with sadness.
“Elder Sister, think about it. If the Marquis Yongchang’s family had chosen not to report to the officials, how would they have ever known that the culprit was a kitchen maid who had harbored a grudge against the Marquis for over a decade due to a misunderstanding? The Marquis would have lived the rest of his life burdened with guilt over his wife’s death, and it would have remained an eternal pain in the hearts of the Xie siblings.”
Compared to the father personally killing the mother, the outcome was undoubtedly more acceptable.
Although Jiang Yi agreed with Jiang Si’s words, she still shook her head, “Today’s incident is not the same as what happened at the Marquis Yongchang’s mansion…”
Jiang Si gripped Jiang Yi’s hand tightly, “Elder Sister, someone is trying to harm you. Think about Yanyan.”
Jiang Yi suddenly shuddered.
As a mother, Yanyan was undoubtedly her weakness, but also the source of her courage.
If someone was truly trying to harm her, facing her mother-in-law’s reproach was certainly better than leaving her daughter helpless if something were to happen to her.
“But what if the officials can’t uncover anything?” Jiang Yi asked.
Hearing this question from Jiang Yi, Jiang Si felt relieved.
At least her sister’s words meant that this incident wouldn’t create a rift between them.
“Even if they can’t uncover anything, at least it will serve as a warning to whoever wants to harm you, letting them know that the people of the Earl of Dongping’s family are not pushovers.”
Jiang Yi sighed softly, leaning tiredly against the carriage wall and saying no more.
First the incident at the mountain temple pavilion, then the startled horses on the road – the series of accidents had left her mentally and physically exhausted.
The carriage maintained this silent atmosphere as they entered the city.
The sounds outside grew noticeably louder – the chatter of pedestrians, the calls of street vendors, the creaking of carts and horses – all intertwining to create a scene of bustling prosperity.
Jiang Si had no interest in appreciating these sights, silently pondering her next move.
Suddenly, the carriage came to a halt, followed by a series of startled cries.
“Old Qin, what’s happening outside?” Jiang Si asked.
Old Qin’s calm voice came from beyond the carriage curtain, “A woman suddenly rushed out, nearly colliding with Young Master Zhu’s horse.”
Jiang Yi’s eyes snapped open as she lifted the curtain to look outside.
Zhu Ziyu had already dismounted and was asking in a gentle voice, “Are you alright, miss?”
The woman, as if grasping at a lifeline, clutched Zhu Ziyu’s sleeve tightly and gasped, “Young… Young Master, please save me—”
Zhu Ziyu looked back at the carriage, meeting Jiang Yi’s gaze, his face full of embarrassment and helplessness.
Jiang Yi instinctively straightened her clothes and stepped out of the carriage to stand beside Zhu Ziyu, asking, “Husband, what has happened?”
At that moment, a commotion arose: “Make way, make way!”
Soon, two burly men pushed through the crowd, grabbed the woman, and started dragging her away, cursing, “You dare to run? You’ve gone too far!”
The woman clung desperately to Zhu Ziyu’s sleeve, pleading, “Young Master, please save me—”
Zhu Ziyu frowned, unmoved.
“You still dare to ask for help? You really won’t learn until you’re at death’s door!” One of the men raised his hand and slapped the woman.
Knocked to the ground, the woman struggled to embrace Jiang Yi’s legs, looking up and begging, “Madam, please save me. I’m willing to be your slave to repay your kindness…”