“Not obedient?”
Jiang Si raised her eyebrows and smiled, “If A’fei can be obedient, she should be obedient too.”
Being obedient doesn’t necessarily bring benefits, but disobedience leads to trouble. A’ya, coming from a lowly background as a little maid, was likely to be very perceptive. Tonight’s nightmare would surely leave a deep impression on her.
“Miss, if you think that Qing’er is problematic, why do you still keep her by the First Miss’s side?” A’man asked, puzzled.
Jiang Si smiled and patted A’man, “Why ask so many questions? Go fetch water, I want to bathe.”
In the washroom, mist swirled, mingling with the autumn chill. Jiang Si shed her clothes and stepped into the large wooden tub, allowing the warm water to submerge her fair shoulders. Her jet-black hair spread out on the water’s surface like seaweed, exuding an indescribable languor.
The sound of water being poured filled her ears, but Jiang Si paid no heed, closing her eyes and lost in thought. There shouldn’t be any problems with Elder Sister for now. Tomorrow, she needed to meet A’fei…
A’man paused in her water-pouring and asked A’qiao in a low voice, “Has the Miss fallen asleep?”
A’qiao leaned in and called softly, “Miss?”
After a moment, Jiang Si’s eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes.
“You should get up now. Let us dry you off before you sleep, or you’ll catch a cold.”
Jiang Si nodded and stood up.
Water droplets trickled down the young lady’s smooth, white skin. Her waist-length hair covered her entire back, while the front revealed the budding curves of youth.
Perhaps due to having been married twice in her previous life, and having experienced the passionate intimacy with Yu Jin, Jiang Si didn’t exhibit the shyness typical of girls her age when exposing her body. She walked barefoot towards the living quarters.
Suddenly, a noise came from outside the window, as if someone was tapping on it.
Jiang Si’s previously indifferent expression instantly turned to one of terror. She hurriedly hid behind the nearest screen and urgently said, “A’qiao, bring me my clothes!”
The two maids also panicked, quickly fetching clothes and helping Jiang Si dress hastily. The tapping on the window continued incessantly, sounding particularly clear and unsettling in the early evening.
Finally dressed, Jiang Si’s pretty face was tense as she strode towards the window, her wet hair still hanging loose.
She was determined to see who was outside!
“Miss—” A’man and A’qiao hurried after her.
Jiang Si waved them off and, with a dark expression, opened the window herself.
It could be said that at this moment, Fourth Miss Jiang was utterly furious.
Imagine anyone’s terror upon hearing window tapping while naked after a comfortable hot bath.
Outside the window, a large dog had its front paws on the windowsill, sniffing at Jiang Si.
The anger that was about to erupt from Fourth Miss Jiang instantly dissipated. She exclaimed in surprise, “Er’niu, why are you here?”
She instinctively stepped aside, and the large dog easily jumped in.
A’qiao, who rarely went out with Jiang Si, was unfamiliar with the situation and was genuinely startled.
A’man, however, happily greeted Er’niu, “Er’niu, have you found money again?”
Er’niu gave A’man a look of cool indifference before turning to Jiang Si and raising its head eagerly.
Having calmed down, Jiang Si guessed Er’niu’s purpose and indeed found a small pouch around its neck.
Frowning, Jiang Si removed the pouch and took out a folded note. After reading it, she walked to the table, removed the lampshade, and threw the note inside.
The candle flame instantly leaped up an inch, illuminating the young lady’s tense face even more brightly.
A’man and A’qiao were burning with curiosity, but seeing their mistress’s expression, neither dared to speak.
Jiang Si quickly wrote a reply in her study, tucked it back into the pouch, and patted Er’niu’s head, “Go back now.”
Er’niu wagged its tail pitifully.
Jiang Si thought for a moment and instructed A’qiao, “Go bring the braised pork knuckle that Father sent today.”
At some point, Old Master Jiang had developed the good habit of sending braised pork knuckles to comfort his little daughter, and in generous portions too. Today’s delivery hadn’t been finished, and it was perfect timing.
Er’niu ate its fill before leaping out the window and disappearing into the night.
Jiang Si stood silently by the window for a while before turning towards her bed.
Yu Qi had sent Er’niu a message to arrange a meeting tomorrow, but she had already said all she needed to say and couldn’t think of any reason for them to meet.
Moreover, she was supposed to meet A’fei tomorrow.
Unlike the tranquility of Haitang Residence, Yaxin Garden was brightly lit at this moment. Second Madam Xiao looked at the cold dishes on the table with no appetite. The man she had expected to come and dine with her, to inquire about her daytime encounter, hadn’t arrived.
Second Master Jiang hadn’t even set foot in Yaxin Garden, instead retiring directly to his study in the front courtyard.
Madam Xiao felt a surge of irritation at being ignored, but she couldn’t even express this vexation.
She was well aware that everyone in the mansion who knew about this incident was laughing at her expense.
The lady of the house kidnapped in broad daylight and mysteriously returned – if this had happened to someone else, she too would have scorned and mocked them.
Old Woman Xiao, standing nearby, had been observing Madam Xiao’s expression and finally couldn’t help but kneel.
“Old Woman Xiao, what are you doing?”
Old Woman Xiao’s voice was a bit hoarse as she kowtowed heavily, “Madam, can Yue’er still be found?”
Old Woman Xiao was Madam Xiao’s confidante, and Yue’er was Old Woman Xiao’s daughter. Both mother and daughter were useful to Madam Xiao.
Madam Xiao was stumped by the question.
She didn’t even know who had kidnapped her, and upon waking, she found no trace of Yue’er. Although the Earl’s mansion had secretly sent people to search, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Madam Xiao rubbed her brow and said wearily, “People have been sent to search. Perhaps we’ll have news tomorrow…”
Old Woman Xiao lay prostrate on the ground, her forehead touching the cold floor, tears streaming down.
She knew her daughter would never return.
…
In the newly completed Prince Yan’s Mansion, Yu Jin had finally welcomed Er’niu back.
As soon as Er’niu approached, he caught a faint scent of meat. He immediately pinched Er’niu’s cheek, his tone a mix of jealousy and dejection, “She treats you better than she treats me.”
Er’niu grunted twice, urging its master to quickly take the pouch.
Yu Jin took out the note from the pouch and read it, feeling even more dejected.
Well, Er’niu got meat for running an errand, while he only got two dry words: “Won’t meet.”
How could the treatment between man and dog be so different?
But this time, Yu Jin wasn’t deterred by the words “Won’t meet.” He felt it was necessary to see her.
Although he couldn’t push A’si too hard, he couldn’t let her think he had intentions towards other young ladies. That would be a great misunderstanding!
The next day, the autumn wind blew cool. Jiang Si went to pay her respects at Cixin Hall as usual, letting Old Madam Feng’s scolding go in one ear and out the other. She then found an opportunity to take A’man to the rented house.
A’fei was already waiting there and hurriedly greeted Jiang Si upon seeing her.
Jiang Si waved, indicating no need for formalities, and got straight to the point, “Did you lose track of those two idlers chasing the young lady yesterday?”