On the way, Jiang Zhan was still uncertain: “Your Highness, does my family believe I’m dead?”
Yu Jin smiled, “You’ll find out when we get there.”
Jiang Zhan thought this made sense, so he suppressed his curiosity, guilt, shame, and inexplicable excitement, hurrying towards the Earl of Dongping’s mansion.
In previous years, the Earl’s mansion would have been decorated festively like other households. However, this year’s celebrations were subdued.
Although Old Madam Feng thought trading an insignificant grandson for a three-generation inheritance of the title was an excellent deal, the master of the house was Jiang An Cheng. It wouldn’t be appropriate for others to show no sorrow at all.
Due to Jiang Zhan’s supposed death, the household had fewer social interactions this year. The gatekeepers were idly drinking tea in their quarters, and even the two stone lions at the entrance seemed dispirited.
A knock sounded, and a gatekeeper opened the door, asking, “Who is it?”
Jiang Zhan revealed a big smile: “It’s me.”
“Ah—” A scream rang out, and the gate slammed shut.
More horrified voices came from inside: “Ghost!”
Jiang Zhan rubbed his nose, which had nearly been hit by the gate, and gave Yu Jin a helpless smile: “It seems they thought I was dead.”
Inside the mansion, the gatekeeper ran wildly, shouting, “Second Young Master’s spirit has returned—”
Servants along the way were both curious and frightened. One stopped the gatekeeper and asked, “What’s going on?”
The gatekeeper, pale-faced and wide-eyed, was terrified: “Se-Second Young Master is back!”
“It’s broad daylight, stop talking nonsense—”
The gatekeeper glared: “Who’s talking nonsense? If you don’t believe me, go check the gate. I need to report to the Earl.”
He pushed past the servant blocking him and ran off, leaving the others looking at each other in confusion.
“Judging by Old Zhang’s reaction, it doesn’t seem fake.”
“If it’s not fake, is it real? Look up, the sun is still high.”
“Let’s go see for ourselves.”
The servants agreed and headed towards the main gate.
Jiang Zhan, who had been shut out, wasn’t annoyed. He smiled at Yu Jin, “I guess I scared them.”
Yu Jin shook his head expressionlessly: “The Earl’s gatekeepers need to be replaced.”
He had just returned his brother-in-law safely and was eager to reunite with Si, but the old gatekeeper was wasting time.
As he was thinking this, the gate slowly opened, and two or three people peeked out. Seeing the situation outside, their eyes widened, looking as if they’d seen a ghost.
“Hurry and make way, His Highness is still outside,” Jiang Zhan pointed at Yu Jin and reached for the gate.
His movement startled the servants, who ran away screaming, “Ghost, ghost—”
Jiang Zhan couldn’t maintain his composure anymore. He strode in, shouting angrily, “Ghost your grandmother! Are you cursing me during the New Year? Quickly inform my father that his son has returned alive and well!”
Hearing Jiang Zhan’s strong voice, the servants stopped and cautiously asked, “Are… are you Second Young Master?”
Jiang Zhan rolled his eyes: “If not me, then who? Can a ghost be this handsome? Bunch of fools!”
He stopped wasting words with them and walked inside. He hadn’t gone far when he encountered Jiang An Cheng hurrying out.
Upon seeing his son, Jiang An Cheng froze, his face trembling violently.
Jiang Zhan quickly approached and knelt before Jiang An Cheng: “Father, your son isn’t dead. I’ve returned!”
Jiang An Cheng stared at his kneeling son for a while before saying, “Get up—”
Jiang Zhan obediently stood up, smiling at Jiang An Cheng.
Seeing his son’s familiar foolish grin, Jiang An Cheng’s unsettled heart calmed a bit, but he still felt as if in a dream. He reached out and pinched Jiang Zhan’s cheek, finding it warm and pliable. Only then did he fully relax, murmuring, “It’s good you’re back, it’s good you’re back.”
Jiang Zhan winced at the pinch, his handsome face contorting, but he dared not resist, thinking: Well, I’ve worried Father for so long, let him pinch as he likes.
After enduring for a while, seeing that his father showed no signs of letting go, Jiang Zhan coughed, “Father, His Highness brought me back.”
Jiang An Cheng snapped back to reality and looked at Yu Jin.
Yu Jin cupped his hands in greeting: “Father-in-law, I’ve brought your son back.”
Jiang An Cheng grasped Yu Jin’s hand, speechless.
His son-in-law, a prince, had traveled far to bring back his son who was presumed dead in battle. He didn’t know what to say, only thinking: My daughter didn’t marry the wrong man.
Love extends to loved ones; his son-in-law cared for his daughter, which led to this southern journey.
“Where… where was he found?” After a while, Jiang An Cheng found his voice, unable to hide the tremor.
“Father-in-law, let’s discuss this inside.”
Jiang An Cheng came to his senses and nodded repeatedly: “Yes, let’s talk inside.”
The father-in-law and son-in-law then walked in together, leaving Jiang Zhan rubbing his sore cheek and muttering, “So he was excited for just a moment, and then his son-in-law became dearer than his son?”
He was the “back-from-the-dead” son, yet he was left behind?
After questioning his life for a moment, seeing everyone had gone far, Jiang Zhan had no choice but to follow.
All the family members gathered in the Ci Xin Hall, confirming that Jiang Zhan had indeed returned alive. They congratulated Jiang An Cheng one after another.
Among them, Second Master Jiang was the most dejected.
Originally, with the earldom set to continue for three generations and his brother’s only son gone, knowing his brother wouldn’t remarry for an heir, there was a good chance the title would fall to one of his sons. He never expected Jiang Zhan to return alive!
Looking at the smiling crowd, Second Master Jiang felt an indescribable disappointment.
His long-held hopes were dashed just when they seemed closest to fruition.
Nevertheless, Second Master Jiang had to force himself to appear happy.
At this moment, Jiang Yuan said, “Second Brother, you’ll be the heir apparent now.”
The room fell silent at these words.
“What heir apparent?” Jiang Zhan was confused and looked at Jiang An Cheng.
Jiang Yuan excitedly explained, “The heir apparent to the Earl of Dongping! Before you returned, the Emperor granted our family the right to inherit the title for three generations. So you’re the heir apparent now.”
Seeing his second son’s excitement, Second Master Jiang felt dizzy, but no one paid attention to his feelings at that moment.
“Father, what’s going on?”
Jiang An Cheng smiled, “You and your Fourth Sister performed well, and the Emperor rewarded us. However, the position of heir apparent will only be official after a formal request for investiture.”
Jiang Zhan suddenly realized, “Does this mean I need to go to the palace to express gratitude?”
Yu Jin said, “I’ve already sent word to the palace when we entered the city. If Father Emperor wishes to see you, we should receive news soon.”
When Emperor Jingming received the news, he was half-closing his eyes while stroking a white cat: “Old Seven has good luck, he managed to find the remains of the Earl of Dongping’s son.”
Pan Hai quickly explained, “Your Majesty, he’s alive.”