Jiang Si could understand Ah Lan’s mindset to some extent.

In Ah Lan’s heart, the Holy Maiden was an inviolable existence, sacred and untouchable. For this personal maid, the Holy Maiden’s status was even higher than that of the Grand Elder.

Yet someone was now impersonating the Holy Maiden, enjoying the reverence that should belong to her alone.

For Ah Lan, this was utterly intolerable.

Thus, despite the Grand Elder’s guidance, Ah Lan was still eager to teach Jiang Si a lesson, to make this impersonator face reality.

As for Jiang Si’s appearance and voice being identical to the Holy Maiden’s, it didn’t inspire awe in Ah Lan. On the contrary, it made her even more anxious.

This woman, who took pride in being the Holy Maiden’s maid, feared that Jiang Si might truly replace the Holy Maiden.

However, while Jiang Si could understand her mindset, it didn’t mean she would indulge it.

It was better to teach her the reality early on, rather than let her stew in resentment later.

“What’s the matter? Haven’t figured it out yet?” Jiang Si cast a meaningful glance at Ah Lan.

Ah Lan’s heart skipped a beat, but she suppressed her anger and replied, “I understand.”

She thought to herself, that this woman from Da Zhou was so despicable, daring to act high and mighty after coming to Wu Miao.

But the other party was right. The Grand Elder needed her help now. If she angered this person and delayed important matters, the Grand Elder would surely throw her into the Pit of Ten Thousand Snakes.

Thinking of that scenario, Ah Lan shuddered and had to temporarily suppress her irritation.

“Since you understand, go wash your face and bring me a pot of hot tea,” Jiang Si ordered.

Ah Lan bit her lip and quickly turned to leave.

Jiang Si’s expression relaxed, but her heart wasn’t as at ease.

The New Fire Festival mentioned by the Grand Elder was approaching. She didn’t need to worry about anything before then, but figuring out how to escape with her brother after pacifying the Wu Miao people during the festival was what she needed to contemplate.

She knew clearly that Holy Maiden Ah Sang was dead, and Elder Hua’s oath alone didn’t mean much.

The night passed without incident.

Ah Lan first went to Jiang Zhan’s quarters.

“What? You want Ah Hua to take care of you?” Ah Lan’s face looked extremely odd after hearing Jiang Zhan’s request.

Jiang Zhan raised his eyebrows slightly. “Is that not allowed? That elderly lady said yesterday it would be fine.”

Ah Lan’s lips trembled, feeling half-dead with anger.

Why would Elder Hua say such a thing? Did she think her care wasn’t attentive enough?

And this detestable man, she had set aside her status as the Holy Maiden’s maid to take care of him, yet he wanted to change caretakers?

Ah Lan didn’t realize that most of her irritation stemmed from another sentiment quietly taking root in her heart.

Jiang Zhan didn’t care what the young girl before him was angry about. He said carelessly, “It’s not appropriate to always trouble Miss Ah Lan alone. We should take turns.”

Ah Lan’s lips quivered as she asked word by word, “Does the young master want Ah Hua to take care of you?”

“Yes, of course,” Jiang Zhan began to find this girl a bit strange.

Ah Lan stomped her foot. “Fine then, young master. Just wait.”

She turned and left, leaving Jiang Zhan dumbfounded.

She left just like that, and even took his breakfast away? This girl seemed angry – could it be that she had a fetish for serving others?

Ah Lan realized she was still holding the tray only after she had angrily left the room. There was no way she would take it back now. With a black face, she dumped the breakfast into the slop bucket, viciously thinking to herself: Wretched man, it would be best if he starved to death!

Arriving at the Grand Elder’s quarters, Ah Lan relayed Jiang Zhan’s request.

The Grand Elder felt a headache coming on.

Neither of these siblings was easy to deal with.

“Go call Elder Hua,” the Grand Elder instructed a middle-aged woman.

Soon after, Elder Hua hurried over.

“Where’s Ah Hua?” the Grand Elder asked.

Elder Hua was momentarily stunned, her thoughts immediately going to Jiang Si.

What trouble was the Princess Consort of Yan stirring up now?

The Grand Elder seemed to guess what Elder Hua was thinking and said helplessly, “I mean your granddaughter.”

Elder Hua finally realized, “She’s at the inn.”

“Bring her back quietly. That young master specifically asked for Ah Hua to take care of him.”

Elder Hua was somewhat bewildered.

Yesterday, that young master clearly didn’t say this. He even complained that Ah Hua’s name didn’t sound good.

“Go on then.”

Elder Hua quickly agreed and left the Grand Elder’s residence.

She had left her granddaughter at the inn yesterday to be safe, but now that the Princess Consort of Yan had become the Holy Maiden, Ah Hua was supposed to return to the clan anyway.

When Ah Hua stood before Jiang Zhan, he was already starving.

“Young master, please have your meal.”

“I’ve finally waited for you to come. I thought you might not want to come because of what I said yesterday,” Jiang Zhan tried hard to squeeze out a smile he considered charming and elegant.

Ah Hua looked completely confused. “What did the young master say?”

Jiang Zhan paused.

This wasn’t right. He had made such a big sacrifice, shouldn’t this young girl be head over heels for him, and then secretly help him escape?

Perhaps she was still upset about what he said yesterday.

Jiang Zhan put away his smile and said seriously, “I thought about it later, and Ah Hua sounds much better than Ah Lan. My elder sister’s daughter has a fat cat named Ah Hua, which shows everyone likes this name—”

“You’re sick!” Ah Hua rolled her eyes, picked up the tray, and turned to leave.

Jiang Zhan was completely stunned.

This… this wasn’t the same girl as yesterday!

His breakfast was taken away, and his lunch was taken away too. He probably didn’t have the strength to escape now, right?

Gazing longingly out the window, Jiang Zhan felt utterly hopeless.

By this time, Jiang Si had already spent half a day listening to the Grand Elder explain Wu Miao matters, including their mysterious supernatural arts.

These arts were usually not revealed to outsiders, but since they needed Jiang Si to impersonate the Holy Maiden if she knew nothing about the arts, it would be too easy to expose the ruse.

“Ah Sang, have you remembered everything I’ve told you?” the Grand Elder asked.

Jiang Si nodded, “I have.”

The Grand Elder’s expression didn’t change, but she was inwardly astonished.

She had spoken at length over the past half day, not expecting the other party to remember it all.

“Then tell me about the forty-nine supernatural arts I mentioned.”

Jiang Si nodded slightly and began, “The Cloud Observing and Wind Listening Art refers to judging sunny, cloudy, rainy, or snowy weather by observing the shape and color of clouds in the sky and discerning subtle changes in the moisture of the wind…”

After Jiang Si calmly finished explaining the last supernatural art, the Grand Elder was amazed.

This woman had an incredible memory!

The Grand Elder’s heart gradually settled.

Having a good memory was enough to remember what needed to be remembered, making the plan to substitute one for another more likely to succeed.

Looking at the features identical to Ah Sang’s, a thought struck the Grand Elder: If she could be taught the supernatural arts, who could say this woman before her wasn’t the Holy Maiden?

Unfortunately, mastering supernatural arts wasn’t something that could be achieved overnight, and this woman’s identity was also problematic…

As the Grand Elder couldn’t help but let her imagination run wild, Jiang Si became increasingly calm.

Soon it was the eve of the New Fire Festival, and several elders jointly requested an audience with the Grand Elder.

The Grand Elder received them in the hall.

An elder with a long face spoke directly, “Grand Elder, the New Fire Festival is led by our tribe, with over ten tribes jointly praying for the new year. Will the Holy Maiden still not emerge from seclusion this time?”

“Yes, Grand Elder. Although the Holy Maiden has secluded herself to master the art of controlling insects, she can’t remain out of sight forever,” another elder chimed in.