Jiang Si and Jiang Qiao finally returned to the Earl of Dongping’s mansion. Naturally, they had to go to Cixin Hall to explain why they had come back so soon.
When Third Madam Guo heard that her daughter had developed a rash, she was heartbroken. She pulled Jiang Qiao along, quietly scolding her as they walked.
Jiang Si stood on the bluestone path, watching the mother and daughter gradually move away. A faint sense of envy welled up in her heart.
She had no mother and didn’t know what it felt like to be scolded by one.
Just then, Jiang Qiao suddenly turned back and waved at Jiang Si.
Jiang Si was stunned for a moment, then smiled, pressing her lips together.
Envy aside, she didn’t have time for sentimentality.
Jiang Si didn’t even return to Begonia Residence, instead going directly to the study to find Jiang Ancheng.
Jiang Ancheng and Third Master Jiang managed the Earl’s estate together. Usually, Third Master Jiang spent more time running around outside, while Jiang Ancheng stayed at the mansion most of the time.
At this moment, he was dozing off in the study. Seeing Jiang Si arrive, he immediately perked up.
“Am I disturbing Father?”
“Not at all, I was just resting my eyes after reading.”
Jiang Si glanced at the imprint on the left side of Jiang Ancheng’s face and said seriously, “Father, please be mindful of resting while reading. Be careful not to strain your eyes.”
Jiang Ancheng coughed lightly, covering his mouth with his fist. “I’ll be sure to balance work and rest. Wasn’t Si’er at Marquis Changxing’s mansion? Why are you back today?”
“Third Sister was feeling unwell, so I accompanied her back.”
Jiang Ancheng asked a bit more about Jiang Qiao’s condition. Hearing that it wasn’t serious, he felt relieved and thought happily to himself: My daughter is so considerate, coming to see her old man as soon as she returns. Unlike that good-for-nothing Jiang Zhan, who spends all day idling about outside.
“Father, I wanted to ask you about something.”
She had found a safety charm with “Lingwu Temple” written on it in the pouch from the female corpse. However, she had never heard of Lingwu Temple. At present, A-Fei hadn’t returned, and she had no one else at her disposal. After much consideration, she decided to ask her father directly.
“What does Si’er want to ask?”
“Father, have you heard of Lingwu Temple?”
“Lingwu Temple?” Jiang Ancheng frowned in thought, then shook his head after a moment. “I’ve never been one for such things, so I’m not very clear on this. Si’er, are you asking because you want to go pray?”
Jiang Si was a bit disappointed, but it was within her expectations.
If Father knew about it, that would have been lucky.
“On the way back, I overheard a young woman by the roadside saying that the incense at Lingwu Temple was very efficacious. If one went to pray there, their wishes would come true. I was just curious and wanted to ask about it.”
Jiang Ancheng smiled, “Your Third Uncle travels to many places. When he returns, I’ll ask him. He might know. If not, I’ll send someone to inquire about it.”
As long as his daughter was happy, it didn’t matter if it was efficacious or not.
“If Father sends someone to inquire, please don’t let too many people know about it.”
Jiang Ancheng was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily, “Don’t worry, Si’er. I’ll send someone to inquire discreetly.”
His daughter was so shy. Could it be that she wanted to pray for a good marriage?
Seeing Jiang Ancheng laugh like this, Jiang Si knew he had misunderstood, but she didn’t explain.
She wanted to expose the true face of the Heir of Marquis Changxing while also trying her best to avoid involving the Earl’s family.
After all, she still didn’t have anyone she could use, and as an unmarried girl, it wasn’t convenient for her to act freely.
“Then I won’t disturb Father’s reading any further.” Jiang Si curtsied and left the study, returning to Begonia Residence.
As soon as A-Man and A-Qiao saw Jiang Si return, they joyfully rushed to greet her.
“This servant was worried that Young Miss wouldn’t be comfortable staying alone at the Marquis’s mansion,” A-Man said, anxiously looking Jiang Si over. “Young Miss has even lost weight.”
A-Qiao’s mouth twitched.
It had only been one day!
“Alright, bring me a cup of iced honey water.”
Having been stuck in traffic from Marquis Changxing’s mansion to the Earl’s mansion, Jiang Si didn’t want to go inside for the moment. She simply sat down on the swing under the tree.
A-Qiao hurried inside to bring the honey water. Jiang Si took a small sip.
“Fourth Sister, I heard you were back.” Jiang Zhan came running in excitedly.
The weather was hot, and Jiang Zhan’s face was slightly flushed from running, his forehead glistening with sweat. Yet, because he was handsome, he didn’t look slovenly or greasy at all. Instead, he exuded a vibrant, youthful energy.
This energy seemed capable of dispelling the gloom in one’s heart.
Jiang Si couldn’t help but smile, “Second Brother, did you just return from outside? A-Qiao, go fetch a cup of honey water for Second Young Master.”
Jiang Zhan strode over, gently pushed the swing, and then sat down on a nearby stone bench. His dark eyes were full of excitement, “I have some good news to tell you, Sister.”
“Oh? What good news?”
“That Ji fellow’s high horse was bitten by Erniu during the wedding procession!”
He had always disliked Erniu, but never imagined that Erniu would be on the same side as him!
No, the same side as a dog!
That’s not right either…
Jiang Zhan was a bit confused, so he decided not to think about it anymore. He’d just give Erniu two jin of cooked beef later.
“Sister, aren’t you happy?” Seeing that Jiang Si didn’t show much joy, Jiang Zhan asked in surprise.
Jiang Si thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
To be honest, she did feel a bit of secret pleasure.
Although she acknowledged that Ji Chongyi not liking her wasn’t wrong, this marriage wasn’t something the Earl of Dongping’s family had eagerly sought.
Initially, it was Duke An’s family who had actively sought to form a marriage alliance with the Earl of Dongping’s family. When Father was still hesitating, it was Duke An who patted his chest and guaranteed that marrying his daughter over wouldn’t be a loss.
In her previous life, after Ji Chongyi’s sweetheart died, he married her in despair but completely ignored her.
She could feel that Ji Chongyi couldn’t blame his parents, so he transferred the resentment for his sweetheart’s death onto her. As if without this marriage, he could have married his sweetheart in a grand ceremony.
Or perhaps, after losing his sweetheart, hating her was the only thing that gave him the will to live.
But that kind of suffocating cold treatment could drive any normal woman mad.
Even with all her later experiences, she still couldn’t help but think: if he was truly in despair, why not simply become a monk? Duke An had three sons; he didn’t need Ji Chongyi to continue the family line.
Or he could have protested to the death. Would Duke An and his wife force him to marry against his will?
By marrying her, Third Young Master Ji had fulfilled his duty to his parents and maintained the reputation of Duke An’s family. Only she had become the sacrifice to their love story.
Seeing Jiang Si’s genuine smile, Jiang Zhan smiled along with her. He quickly finished the iced honey water A-Qiao brought him, then got up and went behind her to push the swing.
“Fourth Sister.”
“Hmm?”
“That Ji fellow isn’t much. You’ll meet someone better in the future.” Jiang Zhan’s curiosity was piqued as he said this. “What kind of man does Fourth Sister prefer? I have many friends, I can keep an eye out for you.”
Jiang Si smiled sweetly, “If he could be as good as Second Brother, I’d be satisfied.”
As for her brother’s friends, she’d rather not.
Jiang Zhan was stunned for a moment, then his face suddenly turned as red as a cloth. He hurriedly made an excuse and fled in embarrassment.
Jiang Si hadn’t expected Jiang Zhan to be so thin-skinned. She smiled, got up from the swing, changed into a fresh set of clothes, and left with A-Man.
Since Yu Qi had sent her a message through Erniu, she might as well go and get some clear answers.