Yu Jin walked in to find Jiang Si staring intently at a letter. He smiled and asked, “What are you reading?”
“A letter from Elder Sister, inviting me to visit Grandmother together.”
At the mention of the Yining Marquis Manor, Yu Jin’s brows furrowed. “If you don’t want to go there, you can decline.”
Jiang Si put down the letter and walked to the window to gaze outside. Under the corridor, eaves hung an exquisite birdcage where two kingfishers nestled close together.
After what happened with her cousin Su Qingyi, she had been reluctant to step foot in the Yining Marquis Manor. However, her grandmother had always treated her well, and now that she was gravely ill, it was only right to visit her.
“Grandmother has always been good to me.”
Yu Jin wrapped his arms around Jiang Si’s waist, joining her in watching the affectionate pair of kingfishers. He remarked casually, “Then go. You’re now the Princess Consort of Prince Yan, not Fourth Miss Jiang who could be bullied. You don’t need to worry about how the people at the Yining Marquis Manor treat you.”
The mention of the Yining Marquis Manor left a bad taste in Yu Jin’s mouth. He had participated in the investigation of Su Qingyi’s drowning case with Zhen Shicheng and had witnessed firsthand how the manor’s residents treated Jiang Si.
“I’ll accompany you.”
“There’s no need.”
“I have nothing else to do anyway.”
“I’m going with Elder Sister. She might feel uncomfortable with you there.”
“All right then.” Feeling rejected, Yu Jin gave a sheepish smile. “I’ll go visit the magistrate’s office instead.”
Jiang Si watched him leave, his figure soon appearing outside the window. He stopped under the corridor eaves to poke at the birdcage.
As the cage suddenly swayed, the two kingfishers jumped about in alarm, crying out angrily.
The man turned back, his features striking in the autumn sun, and waved at her before disappearing from view.
Jiang Si shook her head with a smile.
That Yu Seven was never a serious moment.
Though she complained, sweetness welled up in her heart.
It would be the greatest blessing if they could spend their lives together like this.
She went to her small study and wrote a reply to Jiang Yi.
Illness waits for no one, so the sisters arrange to meet the next day.
The following day, a drizzle began to fall.
Autumn rain brings cold—the summer heat seemed to linger just yesterday, yet now the weather has suddenly turned cool.
A’Qiao selected a light bean-green cloak for Jiang Si to wear and handed the box of precious medicines to A’Man, then saw them both off at the courtyard gate.
“Old Qin, please take our Princess Consort to the Earl’s Manor to pick up someone first,” A’Man instructed crisply before climbing into the carriage.
Old Qin, a man of few words, cracked his whip and headed toward the East Peace Earl’s Manor.
Jiang Yi was already prepared and waiting at the main gate with Jiang Zhan.
“She’s here!” Seeing the Prince Yan Manor’s carriage in the distance, Jiang Zhan hurried forward.
“Fourth Sister—”
The carriage curtain lifted, revealing a familiar face.
“Second Brother isn’t on duty today?”
Jiang Zhan, with his open personality and the advantage of having a sister who was now a Princess Consort, had been doing well in the Imperial Guards.
He smiled, patting the sword at his waist. “I switched shifts with someone. Let’s go together.”
The last time their grandmother celebrated her birthday, it had resulted in a murder case that had entangled Fourth Sister. Just thinking about it made him anxious.
Although Fourth Sister was now a Princess Consort, he still felt more at ease accompanying her.
Besides, with Grandmother ill, he needed to visit regardless.
Jiang Si instructed A’Man to help Jiang Yi into the carriage.
As the carriage slowly moved forward, Jiang Zhan rode alongside on horseback, shaking the rain cape on his shoulders.
The rain was truly bothersome.
However, hearing his sisters’ soft conversation from within the carriage lifted his spirits, and he cheerfully whistled a bright tune.
The melodious whistle interrupted the sisters’ conversation inside.
Jiang Yi shook her head with a smile. “Second Brother is still such a child.”
Jiang Si smiled. “Second Brother has a good attitude, much better than those who always maintain a stern face.”
“That’s true.” Jiang Yi agreed wholeheartedly and lowered her voice, “I wonder when Second Brother will marry. The other day, I tried to gauge Father’s thoughts. Father said he’d wait until Second Brother finds someone he likes. But from what I observe, Second Brother seems completely oblivious in matters of the heart…”
“When the time is right, he’ll understand. These things can’t be rushed.” Jiang Si was quite open-minded about this and changed the subject to ask about Jiang Yi’s life at the Earl’s Manor.
Soon they arrived at the Yining Marquis Manor, and the carriage came to a stop.
A’Man jumped down and helped the sisters descend.
“Greetings to the Princess Consort.”
Jiang Si glanced around to see quite a few people at the main gate, led by the Yining Marquis Manor’s head steward.
Taking Jiang Yi’s hand, Jiang Si walked inside together.
The manor’s servants hurried to announce their arrival, and soon Second Uncle Su and his wife, along with others, came out to welcome them.
“Why trouble Second Uncle and Second Aunt to come to greet us…”
Second Uncle Su smiled, “It’s only proper when the Princess Consort visits.”
His niece was only a Princess Consort now – if she were to become someone of higher rank in the palace, even his parents would have to come out to welcome her.
Second Uncle Su then looked at Jiang Zhan with a warm smile: “Zhan’er isn’t on duty today?”
“I was worried about Grandmother’s health, so I took leave to visit her.”
“Zhan’er has truly made something of himself.” Second Uncle Su nodded, then said to Jiang Yi, “Yi’er looks well.”
Jiang Yi smiled, “All thanks to Uncle and Aunt’s care.”
After exchanging pleasantries, they all proceeded to the Old Madam’s quarters.
The Old Marquis was squatting in the corridor, puffing on his pipe. Hearing the commotion, he barely lifted his eyelids.
“You’re here.”
The three siblings quickly paid their respects to the Old Marquis.
The Old Marquis waved his hand listlessly, “Go in and see your grandmother.”
Jiang Si felt a pang in her heart.
In her memory, her grandfather and grandmother had always been deeply in love. Now that grandmother was gravely ill, if anything were to happen, grandfather would be left all alone.
Jiang Yi’s eyes had already reddened.
The Old Marquis frowned, “Go in now, and don’t cry in front of your grandmother.”
“Don’t worry, Grandfather, we understand.” Jiang Yi quickly wiped her eyes and pulled Jiang Si inside.
A faint medicinal smell permeated the room.
Elder Aunt Yu was feeding medicine to the Old Madam.
Hearing movement, she quickly stood to greet Jiang Si.
Jiang Si marveled inwardly.
After that last confrontation at the manor had ended so awkwardly, with Elder Aunt Yu nearly breaking all pretense of civility with her, she could now act as if nothing had happened.
Truly, those who abandon shame are invincible.
Jiang Si would never forget how Elder Aunt Yu had schemed to marry her to her foolish son.
Noticing Jiang Si’s coldness, Elder Aunt Yu maintained her composure outwardly while seething inside.
How did this girl manage to rise so high?
Now circumstances favored the girl, and despite being the elder, she had to bow her head.
“*cough* *cough* *cough* Yi’er and the others are here?” A weak, aged voice called out.
The three siblings immediately circled Elder Aunt Yu at the bedside.
The Old Madam’s appearance shocked them all.
The elderly lady who had been quite spirited at the beginning of the year was now so thin her cheeks were sunken, her face completely devoid of color, and even breathing seemed to require great effort.
“Grandmother, how are you feeling?” Jiang Yi grabbed one of the Old Madam’s hands, holding back her distress.
Jiang Si silently held the Old Madam’s other hand.
“I’m fine—” The Old Madam had to rest after speaking just these few words.
Fine? Jiang Si happened to notice the Old Madam’s fingers and her pupils suddenly contracted.