Erniu stood on his hind legs, his front paws resting on Jiang Si’s shoulders, affectionately sticking out his tongue to lick her face.
Yujin swiftly kicked away the ambushing dog, scowling, “You ungrateful mutt! The master who raised you from a pup has returned, and you don’t even acknowledge him!”
Erniu glanced at Yujin, whimpering pitifully to Jiang Si.
Jiang Si patted Yujin’s arm, chiding, “Why are you arguing with Erniu?”
Although she had returned a day early, to minimize inconsistencies in today’s performance, she hadn’t even told Nanny Ji, inadvertently neglecting Erniu. The dog’s behavior today could be considered a minor flaw in their act.
Yujin continued to express his dissatisfaction, “Not content with being with the mistress every day? Go away!”
Erniu barked twice at Yujin before darting towards the side room.
“Second Brother, when we heard you were in trouble, the whole family was in chaos… Tell me about your experiences these past days,” Jiang Si continued the act, noticing several servants still watching.
Jiang Zhan, not adept at this, smiled brightly, “There’s no rush to discuss that. I’d like to see my little niece first.”
Jiang Si, tired of pretending, walked towards the side room, “Follow me, Second Brother. Ahuan might be sleeping.”
Everyone crowded into the side room, leaving the serving maids and older women outside.
It was still cold, so Ahuan was placed in the innermost room, with layers of exquisitely embroidered cotton curtains keeping the chill at bay.
The sound of a rattling drum came through the door curtain, somewhat erratic.
Yujin frowned, “Is it the wet nurse or a maid? They can’t even use a rattle drum properly to soothe a child. We should reassign them elsewhere later.”
Jiang Si calmly lifted the door curtain and entered.
Yujin and Jiang Zhan followed closely, stunned by the scene inside.
Erniu held a rattle drum in his mouth, shaking his head and creating an arrhythmic beat. Ahuan, sitting unsteadily, stared intently at the dog playing with the rattledrum, giggling without noticing anyone entering.
The wet nurse stood nearby, ready to catch Ahuan if she fell.
Jiang Zhan was so transfixed that he momentarily forgot to look at his niece, whom he had never met, instead staring at Erniu.
He had always felt this dog was extraordinary, especially irritating when provoked, giving him the impression of deliberate provocation. He never imagined the creature had truly become magical, even knowing how to use a rattle drum to entertain a child!
Yujin, watching the scene, was equally at a loss for words.
Seeing Erniu make Ahuan laugh so joyfully, he wondered if, in the long run, this dog would push him, the father, to the sidelines.
Feeling a surge of crisis, Yujin quickly walked over and nudged Erniu aside.
The rattledrum fell from Erniu’s mouth with a clatter.
As the rattle drum’s sound stopped, Ahuan’s lips quivered at the sight of her father’s face, and she burst into loud cries.
Yujin was immediately embarrassed, awkwardly trying to hold his daughter, but the little one cried even louder.
He had to look to Jiang Si for help.
Jiang Si hurriedly took Ahuan, holding her close and comforting her while giving Erniu a sidelong glance.
She hadn’t missed it; Erniu had deliberately dropped the rattledrum. Poor Yujin was oblivious to being set up by his dog…
After a moment of sympathy for her husband, Jiang Si decided to let it be.
After all, both her daughter and Erniu were closest to her, and that was enough.
As Ahuan’s sobs subsided in Jiang Si’s arms, Jiang Zhan finally dared to speak, “Ahuan, look at uncle. I’m your uncle.”
Yujin quickly said, “Ahuan is shy around strangers. Couldn’t you wait a bit longer to speak up? She just stopped crying.”
As he spoke, Ahuan curiously examined Jiang Zhan for a moment, then reached out her hands.
Was she… asking to be held?
Yujin’s face darkened as he watched Jiang Zhan take Ahuan and kiss her. Not only did Ahuan not cry, but she giggled, leaving Yujin feeling even more disgruntled.
He had been away on a trip, and now his precious daughter didn’t recognize him, preferring Erniu and even a stranger. It was one thing for Erniu to lack awareness of being a dog and know how to shake a rattledrum, but this was Jiang Zhan’s first time meeting Ahuan!
Jiang Si tried to console her husband, “Ahuan probably sees some resemblance between Second Brother and me, making her feel comfortable.”
Jiang Zhan lifted Ahuan high, making the baby laugh even more heartily. He said proudly, “That’s right, they say uncles are special. I’m Ahuan’s closest relative. In the future, if Ahuan faces any grievances, she’ll come to her uncle for help.”
Yujin let out a cold laugh.
You’re getting ahead of yourself? You clearly don’t understand the situation.
“No matter how close, she’s not your daughter. If you like children so much, you should have your own.” At this, Yujin had a sudden realization, “Oh, I just remembered, you’re not even married yet.”
Jiang Zhan looked at Yujin with a twitching mouth.
What kind of brother-in-law was this, being so ruthlessly honest?
After playing with Ahuan for a while, the three headed to the East Peace Earl’s Mansion.
In a short time, the East Peace Earl’s Mansion had been thoroughly cleaned, even the stone lions at the entrance seemed more spirited than before.
“The Prince, Princess Consort, and Second Young Master have arrived.”
Jiang Ancheng came out to greet them personally, patting Yujin’s shoulder, then carefully examining Jiang Si before sighing in relief, “Good, you haven’t lost weight. You’re still young; praying to Buddha daily is fine, but your body can’t handle a vegetarian diet.”
He then glared fiercely at Jiang Zhan, scolding, “It’s all because of you, making your sister worry. Can’t you go a day without causing trouble?”
Jiang Zhan rubbed his nose sheepishly, feeling wronged.
He had just returned, “resurrected” from the dead. Couldn’t his father think more about that?
Jiang Yi came forward to mediate, “Father, let’s not discuss this outside. Let’s go in first.”
The group entered Cixin Hall.
After some warm greetings, Old Madam Feng looked at Jiang Si, her tone complex, “Your prayers behind closed doors truly brought Zhan’er back. Heaven truly has eyes…”
If Fourth Miss’s prayers were so effective, perhaps she could ask her to pray to Buddha if she felt unwell in the future.
As the old lady was thinking about this pleasant prospect, she saw Jiang Si smile faintly and say lightly, “A sincere heart yields results. Second Brother is one of my closest relatives, so of course my sincerity was absolute.”
Old Madam Feng felt as if an arrow had struck her heart, leaving her speechless.
She had thought too much. Given Fourth Miss’s attitude towards her, it was good enough that she didn’t curse her.
After sharing a reunion meal with the Earl’s family, Jiang Si found an opportunity to speak with Jiang Ancheng alone.
“Father, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”
Jiang Ancheng, unaware of how shocking his daughter’s question would be, casually picked up his teacup and said, “What do you want to know?”
Jiang Si voiced the doubt that had been lingering in her mind for a long time, “Did Mother only give birth to me?”
“How could there be only you? There’s also your elder sister and second brother.” Jiang Ancheng said, taking a sip of tea.
“What I mean is, do I have a twin sister?”
With a splutter, Jiang Ancheng spat out his tea.