Following Jiang Zhan’s comment, Jiang Si turned her attention to the dogs surrounding Cui Yi.
She had attracted these dogs using special powder.
Earlier, while talking with Cui Yi, she had secretly flicked the powder onto him. This powder could drive dogs mad and quickly attract any canines within range.
She had intended to use the frenzied dogs as a weapon against Cui Yi, paying no attention to what the dogs looked like.
But after Jiang Zhan’s comment, Jiang Si’s eyelid twitched violently, and her lips went pale as she stared at one particular yellow-gray dog.
That dog was familiar to her too!
Jiang Si’s heart sank as she suddenly looked at Jiang Zhan.
“That’s Seventh Brother Yu’s dog!” Jiang Zhan exclaimed in realization, quickly pulling at Jiang Si. “Fourth Sister, let’s leave quickly.”
Though her mind was in turmoil, Jiang Si knew this wasn’t the time to dwell on it. She hurriedly left with Jiang Zhan.
As they approached East Peace Earl’s Manor, Jiang Zhan stopped under a tree, breathing a deep sigh of relief.
Jiang Si stared at him coldly, her gaze cool.
Thinking she was angry about the earlier trouble, Jiang Zhan hurried to console her: “It’s all Second Brother’s fault for causing you trouble. Fourth Sister shouldn’t go out with Second Brother anymore.”
“What does Second Brother’s Seventh Brother Yu look like?” Jiang Si suddenly asked.
Caught off guard, Jiang Zhan stammered: “Well, just… you know, two eyes and a mouth, tall, like a bamboo pole…”
Unable to continue such obvious lies, Jiang Zhan forced a laugh: “Why is Fourth Sister suddenly asking about this?”
Jiang Si almost laughed at her foolish brother: “Didn’t Second Brother say before that Seventh Brother Yu was big and burly? That’s quite different from a bamboo pole.”
“Did I?” Jiang Zhan feigned confusion, then suddenly slapped his forehead. “Oh, I almost forgot! I promised to drink with Seventh Brother Yu today. Fourth Sister should head back first.”
Jiang Si smiled faintly: “Actually, I’d like to meet Seventh Brother Yu and thank him for saving Second Brother’s life.”
“No need, no need. I’ve already thanked him properly. It wouldn’t be appropriate for a young lady like yourself,” Jiang Zhan hastily refused.
Fortunately, Yu’s family wasn’t a long-time acquaintance or relative of the Earl’s household, giving him ample reason to prevent their meeting.
“In that case, Second Brother should go ahead. I’ll return home first.” Jiang Si agreed calmly, though secretly determined to follow him later to confirm her suspicions.
Jiang Zhan secretly sighed in relief.
His sister was still so obedient.
Just then, a large dog came trotting over, carrying an exquisitely crafted sapphire blue purse in its mouth.
“Er Niu, thank you for today!” Jiang Zhan recognized Yu Seven’s lame dog and cupped his hands in gratitude.
Though this dog usually gave him trouble, it had proved reliable in crucial moments.
The dog gave Jiang Zhan a sideways glance, ignored him completely, and approached Jiang Si. Its tail wagging joyfully, it placed the purse in her hands.
Jiang Si held the purse, watching the dog gazing expectantly at her, her heart turbulent.
She knew this dog was called “Er Niu,” and knew its leg had been lamed saving that bastard’s life on the battlefield.
This dog had even accompanied her for a long time; she could almost be considered Er Niu’s half-owner.
She had never met a dog more human-like than Er Niu, who had always liked to present her with treasures it found.
But—
Jiang Si looked down at the proud dog, feeling lost between past and present.
In this life, she had never interacted with Er Niu, so why did the dog show the same fondness as in her previous life?
“Woo—” The dog made a muffled sound, clearly urging her on.
Jiang Si unconsciously smiled, but Jiang Zhan suddenly pulled her behind him.
“Don’t frighten my sister!” Jiang Zhan glared nervously at Er Niu.
The dog bared its teeth: “Woof!” Then tilted its head, whimpering softly at Jiang Si.
Jiang Zhan nearly cursed.
This wasn’t a dog but a wolf in heat, showing such obvious preferential treatment.
Under the dog’s expectant gaze, Jiang Si opened the blue purse.
Inside were several gold leaves and about ten round pearls.
Jiang Zhan’s voice couldn’t hide his envy: “That bastard Cui Yi must be quite wealthy!”
Look at this—a purse full of gold leaves and pearls, while he had to borrow from his father just to buy his sister a basket of soup dumplings.
Jiang Si stuffed all the gold leaves and pearls into Jiang Zhan’s hands: “Second Brother should keep these.”
Jiang Zhan wasn’t so pedantic, smiling and nodding: “I am a bit short on money lately. The gold leaves are enough for me—Fourth Sister should keep the pearls to play with.”
Jiang Si smiled and refused: “They belong to someone else. I don’t want them.”
Hearing this reasoning, Jiang Zhan agreed and tucked both gold leaves and pearls into his purse.
Jiang Si tossed the blue purse to A-Man: “Burn it in the brazier when we return.”
Seeing Jiang Si had dealt with the purse, the dog whimpered twice, then gently caught her skirt in its teeth and pulled.
Jiang Zhan exploded: “You little beast, let go immediately!”
The dog cast a disdainful look at Jiang Zhan, lifting its lip slightly.
Jiang Zhan’s heart quivered.
Such a big mouth, such sharp white teeth—if this beast went mad, wouldn’t it snap Fourth Sister’s leg right off?
“You… stay calm,” Jiang Zhan’s forehead began to sweat.
But Jiang Si remained relaxed: “Do you want to take me somewhere?”
The dog nodded its head, front paws planted firmly as it pulled Jiang Si outward.
“I should go home,” Jiang Si sighed softly.
Sunlight filtered through the dense leaves, scattering like gold dust on the dog’s body, turning its yellow-gray fur into golden threads.
Jiang Si looked down at the dog, tenderness flowing in her eyes, but firmly withdrew her skirt.
She thought there was no need to confirm anymore. What she needed to do now was stay far away from that bastard, never to cross paths again in this life.
The dog looked at Jiang Si in confusion, then suddenly turned and ran.
Jiang Zhan’s surprised voice rang out: “Seventh Brother Yu, why are you here?”
Not far away, under a magnolia tree, a youth in green robes had one hand resting gently on the dog’s head, his deep, distant gaze passing over Jiang Zhan to fall on the girl in white robes and red skirt.
Jiang Si felt as if frozen by an immortal’s spell, unable to move.
“Er Niu went mad for some reason, so I came looking for it,” Yu Seven smiled and explained to Jiang Zhan, then looked at Jiang Si. “This is—”
At this point, Jiang Zhan could no longer pretend ignorance and introduced them: “This is my sister. Fourth Sister, this is Second Brother’s lifesaver, Seventh Brother Yu.”
Looking at Jiang Si’s veiled face, Jiang Zhan secretly rejoiced: Thankfully Fourth Sister was wearing her veil, nothing to worry about.
The dog tilted its head, then suddenly jumped up and pulled off Jiang Si’s veil.
Jiang Si felt a cool breeze on her face, and the sudden brightness made her eyes squint, temporarily unable to see the young man’s features.
“Woo—” The dog wagged its tail proudly at Yu Seven.
Jiang Zhan: “…” He was going to kill this wretched dog!