Jiang Si supported Jiang Ancheng’s arm, glancing at Second Master Jiang.
Second Master Jiang frowned and inhaled, waiting for comfort from his niece who had become a Prince’s Consort.
He had only spoken the truth, how could they beat him like this?
The father was confused by the pain of losing his son, but shouldn’t the daughter understand the reason?
Yes, he admitted that upon hearing the news of Jiang Zhan’s death, he didn’t feel much grief internally. But he hadn’t shown it outwardly, so how could his elder brother beat him so severely?
Jiang Si had long known about the Second Branch’s restlessness.
In her previous life, when her father was expelled from the family, the title of Earl of Dongping was inherited by her Second Uncle. It was hard to say whether Second Uncle had a hand in that matter.
As such, it would be strange if Jiang Si comforted Second Master Jiang.
She merely gave Second Master Jiang a cold glance before addressing Jiang Ancheng, “Father, let me help you inside.”
Jiang Ancheng’s expression was wooden as he allowed Jiang Si to support him away.
Seeing this, Yu Jin followed closely behind, ignoring the others. Given his status, he didn’t need to give a face to these people. Any courtesy he showed was solely out of respect for Jiang Si.
Second Master Jiang’s face suddenly turned the color of a pig’s liver. He resentfully said to Old Madam Feng, “Mother, you see—”
Old Madam Feng’s expression was also unpleasant, but her granddaughter was a Prince’s Consort, her grandson-in-law was a Prince, and her only remaining leverage—her eldest son—was experiencing the pain of losing a child and on the verge of collapse. What could she say?
“Forget it, let them be. Wait for the physician to come and examine you.”
Second Master Jiang’s lips quivered, swallowing the words that followed.
His elder brother had raised a capable and accomplished daughter. What else could he do but swallow this anger?
But just wait and see. What use was a moment of glory? Without a son, his elder brother’s brilliance was nothing more than a rootless duckweed, bound to dissipate sooner or later.
Thinking this way, Second Master Jiang felt somewhat better. He frowned and shouted at Jiang Cang, “Hasn’t the physician arrived yet?”
His second son, Jiang Yuan, began to cry, “Grandmother, Father, has Second Brother met with misfortune?”
Since two years ago, he had looked up to his Second Brother, who had become a member of the Imperial Guards, as a role model. Later, when the Second Brother was about to go to the battlefield and declare before the Emperor and officials that “A man should not spare himself, but should protect the country and defend the nation,” his admiration for the Second Brother reached its peak.
That’s how a man should be. In comparison, his eldest brother, who only knew how to bury himself in books, was far inferior to Second Brother.
Second Master Jiang glared at Jiang Yuan, “Stop meddling in adult affairs!”
Jiang Yuan pouted with red eyes, “How is this just adult affairs? I’m heartbroken that Second Brother died—”
Jiang Cang placed a hand on Jiang Yuan’s shoulder, sighing, “Third Brother, say less. Everyone’s heart is aching.”
Meanwhile, Jiang Si helped Jiang Ancheng into the room and seated him. She choked up, “Father, don’t worry. Ah Jin will keep an eye on Second Brother’s matters.”
Though she was grieving, her father was suffering the most. At this moment, she could only muster her strength to comfort her old father.
Jiang Yi also joined in consoling him.
Jiang Ancheng looked at his two daughters and then turned to Yu Jin.
Yu Jin half-squatted down, speaking sincerely, “Father-in-law, if you have any requests, please don’t hesitate to tell me.”
Jiang Ancheng seemed to finally emerge from his numbness, his voice hoarse, “There’s nothing to say about a man sacrificing himself for the country, but I can’t bear the thought of Zhan dying in a foreign land. Please ask the Prince to have the southern troops make an effort to bring Zhan’s remains back, so he can return to his roots…”
“Rest assured, Father-in-law. I will make sure it’s done.”
Jiang Ancheng’s eyes reddened as he attempted a smile, “With your word, I can be at ease. It wasn’t in vain that Zhan was close friends with you.”
Hearing Jiang Ancheng speak this way, Yu Jin felt even more distressed.
He had initially befriended Jiang Zhan with ulterior motives, initially just to have a chance to get close to Ah Si. But as they spent more time together, despite outwardly complaining about Jiang Er’s simplicity, how could he not have come to admire him?
Perhaps because he had experienced so many dark things, he increasingly enjoyed interacting with people of such temperament.
Jiang Si and Yu Jin stayed with Jiang Ancheng until nightfall, finally being sent back by him.
Everyone in the Prince of Yan’s mansion knew about the death of the Princess Consort’s brother. No one dared to even breathe loudly. As a result, the entire mansion seemed even quieter, with an emptiness that made one’s heart ache.
Jiang Si walked back to her chambers step by step as if she had traveled a great distance, using all her strength.
She sat dazed at the head of the bed, leaning against the pillow. The grief she hadn’t dared to show in front of her father now overwhelmed her, causing her eyes to redden once more.
Yu Jin sat down close to Jiang Si, silently putting an arm around her shoulders.
Jiang Si looked up at Yu Jin, “Ah Jin, did I make a mistake? If I had insisted and stopped Second Brother from going, regardless of everything else, he wouldn’t have met with this fate…”
Yu Jin gently patted her back and asked, “Ah Si, if you had forcibly stopped Jiang Zhan then, would you have been at peace? Would Jiang Zhan have been happy? No one can decide another person’s entire life, not even parents, let alone siblings. You understand this principle.”
Jiang Si remained silent, biting her lip hard until it bled. Finally, she said self-mockingly, “Yes, I understand.”
She just couldn’t accept the fact of her brother’s death, finding a reason for this endless regret and sorrow.
“So don’t take on this responsibility. It pains me to see you like this, and Jiang Zhan would be uneasy in the afterlife—”
Jiang Si couldn’t bear to hear more. She clutched Yu Jin’s sleeve and began to wail loudly.
All thoughts of dignity and face were forgotten; only crying aloud could relieve the pain in her heart.
A Qiao and A Man stood at the door, continuously wiping their tears.
The second Young Master had died, and their mistress was in pain. How could they not be grieved? They had witnessed the Second Young Master’s kindness towards their mistress from childhood to adulthood, and it had touched their hearts.
“A Qiao, how could someone as good as Second Young Master die?” A Man asked, wiping the corners of her eyes.
A Qiao’s voice choked, “On the battlefield, swords and blades are blind. How can one explain such things…”
A Man bit her lip and said, “I don’t believe Second Young Master is dead.”
A Qiao looked at her, swallowing her words of rebuttal.
She didn’t want to believe it either, but the news had come from the palace. How could it be false?
A Man’s expression turned serious, “I’ve seen it many times. Our Second Young Master has a full forehead. He doesn’t have the look of someone who would die young!”
After a long silence, A Qiao said softly, “I feel the same way.”
The two maids looked at the doorway in unison and said no more.
After several agonizing days, Yu Jin was summoned to the palace again.
As soon as he saw Emperor Jingming, Yu Jin hurriedly asked, “Father Emperor, is there news from the south?”
Watching Ah Si grow haggard over the past few days, he could barely endure it. If there was still no news, he was prepared to go to the courier station and intercept any messengers from the south.
Yu Jin’s impatience made Emperor Jingming’s lips twitch. He gestured for Pan Hai to speak on his behalf.
Pan Hai inwardly sighed.
It wasn’t easy for him either. The Emperor pushed all the difficult conversations onto him.
No matter how hard it was to say, it had to be said. Pan Hai gathered his thoughts and said, “News has come from the south. The remains of most of the fallen soldiers have been prepared and are ready to be sent back to the capital. However—”
“However, what?”
“The remains of some soldiers haven’t been found, including those of the Dong Ping Earl’s heir…”