Jiang Si’s lips held a faint smile, her eyes calm and deep, giving an impression of unpredictability.
The girl became flustered and cried, “If the young miss doesn’t want me, I’ll have nowhere to go. In the end, I’ll still be sold to a brothel by my good-for-nothing gambling brother…”
Jiang Si sighed. This is why it’s hard to be a good person – not only do you have to spend money, but you also have to take responsibility.
“So, do you want me to call back those men who just left and ask for the gold beads back?” Jiang Si asked expressionlessly after listening to the girl’s crying for a while.
The girl’s sobs stopped abruptly, and in her haste, she hiccupped, her face instantly turned bright red.
She was now certain that this young lady from a noble family was different from others!
Seeing the girl rendered speechless, Jiang Si felt somewhat satisfied.
Although she had decided not to change the original course of events for now, watching the person who would harm her elder sister act was still irritating.
Jiang Yi couldn’t help but remind her, “Fourth Sister, mind your words.”
It wasn’t good for a girl to speak so sharply in public, as it could harm her reputation if word spread.
Jiang Si understood Jiang Yi’s concern but inwardly disagreed. If one had to endure humiliation or even compromise oneself for the sake of a good reputation, such a reputation wasn’t worth having.
The girl turned and knelt before Jiang Yi again, “Please, madam, take me in. I can do anything, I just need a place to stay and food to eat…”
As more and more onlookers gathered, their discussions reaching their ears, Jiang Yi felt quite embarrassed. After a moment’s hesitation, she made a decision, “Fourth Sister, if it’s inconvenient for you, let this girl follow me. It seems she has no way out if she goes back…”
For a young girl with no parents, if her brother could sell her once, he could sell her again. Taking her in would be seeing the act of kindness through to the end.
Jiang Si inwardly sighed.
As expected, even though she had intervened to buy the girl’s freedom, with no one to stop it, the girl still ended up by her elder sister’s side.
The girl was overjoyed upon hearing this and kowtowed to Jiang Yi several times, “Thank you, madam, thank you…”
Jiang Yi quickly helped the girl up, “There’s no need for that. I don’t even know your name yet.”
“This servant’s childhood name is Qing’er. If madam doesn’t like it, please give this servant a new name,” the girl was quick-witted and promptly changed how she referred to herself.
Jiang Yi smiled, “Qing’er, like the clear sky after rain. It’s a good name, no need to change it. We’ll continue to call you Qing’er.”
Not wanting to linger and be the center of attention, Jiang Yi gestured for Azhu to lead Qing’er to the carriage following behind.
“Yi’niang, you should get in the carriage too,” Zhu Ziyu smiled, seeing Jiang Yi’s gaze still on the carriage behind. “She’s just a little maid. If you like her, keep her in our courtyard. If not, just send her somewhere else to work. Don’t worry too much about it.”
Zhu Ziyu’s thoughtfulness made Jiang Yi smile gently, “The other places are fully staffed. Well, let her stay in the courtyard as a cleaning maid.”
With these words, Qing’er’s fate was decided, further confirming Jiang Si’s belief that Qing’er was indeed the person her elder sister had mentioned in her previous life.
Once in the carriage, Jiang Si’s furrowed brow caught Jiang Yi’s attention, “Fourth Sister, are you unhappy that I took in Qing’er?”
Jiang Si looked up and met Jiang Yi’s gaze but remained silent.
Jiang Yi sighed and pulled Jiang Si close, advising, “Fourth Sister, you did a praiseworthy deed by helping Qing’er out of big trouble. Why were you so harsh afterward? Our family doesn’t lack food, but Qing’er would face certain death if she went home. This way, your good intentions might be misunderstood by others…”
Jiang Si frowned and interrupted Jiang Yi, “Elder Sister, are other people’s opinions so important?”
Jiang Yi was taken aback, a thought crossing her mind: Aren’t other people’s opinions important?
This was the difference between the two sisters. Even without experiencing a rebirth, Jiang Si had never been a docile character. In her previous life, she had been even more headstrong. Jiang Yi, on the other hand, had always been the model of a well-bred young lady, following rules and conventions in everything.
“Elder Sister, do you remember what I told you at Baiyun Temple?”
At the mention of Baiyun Temple, Jiang Yi’s face paled. That place held unpleasant memories for her, and she likely wouldn’t visit again for a long time.
“Elder Sister, didn’t I tell you about my dream where you saved a snake, but it turned around and bit you?”
Jiang Yi’s heart skipped a beat, “You mean—”
“It’s too much of a coincidence. I had this dream, and then Qing’er appeared. I think this dream must be a warning!”
Jiang Yi found it hard to believe, murmuring, “But it was you who saved Qing’er…”
Jiang Si almost laughed in exasperation, “Elder Sister, if I hadn’t stepped in, who would have saved Qing’er?”
Jiang Yi was left speechless.
If her Fourth Sister hadn’t intervened, she would certainly have chosen to save the girl.
“Elder Sister, you should keep a close eye on this Qing’er, pay attention to her words and actions, and be especially careful not to be manipulated by her,” Jiang Si emphasized, worried that Jiang Yi might not take it seriously. “We shouldn’t harbor ill intentions towards others, but we must be cautious. Elder Sister, if anything happens to you, Yan’yan will suffer the most.”
Jiang Yi nodded, “Don’t worry, Fourth Sister. I’ll be careful.”
Although it was hard to imagine how a new cleaning maid could manipulate her, for Yan’yan’s sake, she should be vigilant, given her sister’s strange dream.
Of course, Jiang Si wouldn’t relax just because of Jiang Yi’s nod. She had other plans in mind.
Jiang Yi was lost in thought, frowning as she remembered her sister reporting to the authorities.
“Wait, where are we going?” Zhu Ziyu’s surprised voice came from outside.
Old Qin replied, “The young miss said to return to the Earl’s mansion.”
Zhu Ziyu reined in his horse, calling out, “Stop!”
The carriage slowly passed by Zhu Ziyu, then Old Qin cracked his whip, and the horses broke into a gallop. In the blink of an eye, the carriage disappeared in a cloud of dust, leaving Zhu Ziyu coughing in the stirred-up dirt.
The sudden acceleration startled Jiang Yi. She steadied herself against the carriage wall and looked out, seeing Zhu Ziyu left behind. She urgently asked, “Fourth Sister, what’s going on?”
Jiang Si smiled reassuringly, “Don’t worry, Elder Sister. We’re just going back to the Earl’s mansion to tell Father about what happened today.”
Jiang Yi hadn’t expected Jiang Si to do this. Her expression became anxious, “Fourth Sister, this is a matter for the Zhu family. When we get home, I’ll investigate it thoroughly with your brother-in-law. Why involve Father and make him worry?”
Jiang Si remained unmoved, “Elder Sister, please sit tight.”
“Fourth Sister—”
Despite Jiang Yi’s anxiety, the carriage, driven by Old Qin, soon arrived at the gates of the Earl of Dongping’s mansion.
Jiang Yi, being gentle-natured, could only reluctantly follow Jiang Si inside at this point.
As soon as Jiang Si stepped through the main gate of the Earl’s mansion, she suddenly sensed something unusual.