Chapter 4

The courtyard of the Jiang family’s main residence bore a plaque inscribed with the words “Gentle Breeze.” The main hall was elegantly arranged with a display shelf of antiques and a glazed stand. On either side stood four-panel folding screens; one side depicted plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, while the other showcased flowers, birds, insects, and fish.

In the seat of honor, an official’s hat chair, sat a dignified and solemn beauty. Her brows were furrowed, and a trace of helplessness flickered in her eyes as she rubbed her temples in pain.

“Is that really what she said?” she asked the maid who had reported the news.

The maid curled her lips. “Indeed. I have inquired thoroughly. Fifth Miss truly spoke those words. The whole academy is buzzing about it. They say her actions might backfire.”

Hearing this, the lady’s headache seemed to worsen.

“Go fetch the Third Madam and Fifth Miss.”

The maid hurried off upon receiving the order.

Before long, Gu and Jiang Si arrived.

As Gu entered, she took the initiative without waiting for the lady to speak. “Sister-in-law, today’s matter is truly not Young Master Yu’s fault. The Crown Prince of Fu Wang acted so publicly—are we really meant to let him have his way? My Yu has enough sense not to think of the Fu Wang Mansion’s wealth, nor would he ruin his reputation by becoming someone’s concubine!”

This lady was Madam Xie, wife of the Jiang family’s main branch.

Born into a prestigious lineage, she had managed the household since the elder matriarch was alive. As the principal mistress of the Jiang family, all her considerations naturally aligned with the family’s interests.

Her headache, in truth, stemmed from what Gu had said: today’s incident was not her own daughter’s fault, yet gossip would hardly be kind.

More worryingly, the girl was growing up, her heart growing bolder; what if she harbored improper intentions, and in trying to be clever, ended up bringing trouble that implicated all the Jiang girls?

“Fifth Miss, what were you thinking then?”

“Respectfully, Eldest Aunt, I didn’t think much. I just believed that since the Crown Prince treated me so, if I did nothing, he would only take advantage further. As a Jiang daughter, I could not let an outsider bully me in our own academy!”

Madam Xie had not expected such a reason. Looking at her niece, whose delicate beauty was still overshadowed by a childish air, she could not help but feel both amused and exasperated.

Hearing this, it seemed like a childish quarrel between little girls, each refusing to yield.

“Still, you shouldn’t have caused a scene in public—made yourself a laughingstock and made the Crown Prince lose face.”

“He had the nerve to treat me like that; why shouldn’t I complain? Everyone in the academy fawns over him—I’ve long been disgusted by him,” Jiang Si said, lowering her eyes in defiance. “Besides, Grandfather praised me.”

Now both Madam Xie and Gu perked up.

They looked at her together, Gu first asking, “Your grandfather really praised you?”

She nodded obediently and seriously, emphatically saying, “Grandfather said, ‘Fifth Miss is not bad.’ Mother, that was praise, right?”

“Of course it was,” Gu said happily. Initially uneasy about the day’s events, her heart finally settled. “Your grandfather is a wise man, surely he also thinks the Crown Prince’s behavior was inappropriate. Our Jiang girls won’t stand for being bullied—Sister-in-law, don’t you agree?”

Since even their father-in-law had said nothing against it, what could Madam Xie say?

Still, no matter how justified, the matter did not sound good when spread around.

“Fifth Miss, next time something like this happens, come tell the elders at home first, alright?”

Jiang Si obeyed, “Eldest Aunt, Fifth Miss remembers.”

Seeing her daughter had been standing so long, Gu quickly gestured for her to sit beside her.

Not long ago, hearing the rumors, she had feared her daughter might have feelings for the Crown Prince of Fu Wang. Now she realized she had simply overthought it.

She looked at her daughter with love and guilt for her earlier suspicions.

When sisters-in-law meet, they naturally exchange family talk. Women’s conversations often revolve around household affairs and their children.

When Gu mentioned Madam Xie’s eldest legitimate daughter, Jiang Shan, a smile finally appeared on Madam Xie’s face.

The main branch had three daughters: only Jiang Shan was her own; the other two were half-sisters—Fourth Miss Jiang Gui and Second Miss Jiang Hua, who was already married.

“Shan has now settled in with this child; I feel much more at ease,” said Madam Xie.

Jiang Shan was married to the heir of the Wei Marquis household. Her firstborn was a daughter, so both she and Madam Xie hoped this child would be a son.

“Among the young ladies in the mansion, Shan is the luckiest. I believe this birth will go smoothly. Sister-in-law, you can look forward to holding your first grandson.”

Gu’s words pleased Madam Xie immensely.

Though she usually carried the air of a strict matron and eldest sister-in-law, in private she was just a mother with a heavy heart for her children. Especially since her daughter’s pregnancy was delicate, she welcomed such auspicious talk.

After some idle chatter, Gu and her daughter took their leave.

Madam Xie watched their backs and said to the maid beside her, “Fifth Miss is so pretty, but her nature is far too innocent. She still has a child’s heart. I wonder if that is a blessing or a curse?”

...

Lanterns were lit as night deepened.

After carefully settling her daughter, Gu left.

Jiang Si, her hair loose, her small face exposed beyond the silk quilt, stared at the canopy overhead with wide, watery eyes.

After what had happened, the male lead probably wouldn’t bother her again, right?

“Achoo!”

She suddenly sneezed, causing Zhu Ping and Zhu An to fret anxiously, fearing her illness might relapse. Their faces were tense as they watched her.

Fortunately, there was no further trouble after the sneeze.

Zhu An clasped his hands, murmuring, “May the Bodhisattva bless her—not that she’s still ill, but that someone is keeping her in mind.”

Zhu Ping nodded in agreement.

“Surely someone is thinking of her.”

Jiang Si smiled faintly and slowly closed her eyes.

In her previous life, she had died with no one to care. This time around, she had loving family; her parents and brothers all thought of her.

How wonderful.

Yet there was one person who not only thought of her but was even discussing her with others at this moment.

The most bustling part of Yongjing City was Shangyang Street, lined with teahouses and taverns on both sides, alive with noise and laughter. Around a bend lay the famous Phoenix Pool, with willow-lined bridges and painted boats filled with song and dance.

In one such painted boat on the water, a singing girl played the pipa, her almond-shaped eyes occasionally gazing affectionately at two richly dressed young gentlemen drinking not far away.

One wore a robe shimmering like moonlight—Murong Cheng.

The other, clad in azure silk, was Yi Que, son of the Marquis of Liuen. Now, he leaned mysteriously over to Murong Cheng, whispering through a fan, “What did your little imperial uncle say?”

“He said I have no fate with Jiang Wu.”

Mentioning this made Murong Cheng restless.

Had anyone else said it, he might have argued. But since it came from his little imperial uncle, he wouldn’t dare call it nonsense even with a hundred guts.

Yi Que fanned himself, serious. “If your little imperial uncle says so, what’s left to consider?”

“I just don’t feel good about it!”

“What will you do?” Yi Que raised an eyebrow. Though he disliked studying, he had joined the Jiang family academy to follow Murong Cheng. Having witnessed today’s events, he agreed his friend had lost face.

Yet seeing Murong Cheng’s reaction made him suspicious. “Don’t you like Fourth Miss Jiang? Don’t tell me you’re not just trying to save face but actually care about Fifth Miss?”

“What kind of look is that? Am I not worthy of her?”

“Not at all. If you fancy her, it’s a blessing she’s earned over lifetimes.” Yi Que quickly ceased teasing and poured him a cup of wine apologetically. “Did your little imperial uncle say why you two have no fate?”

Murong Cheng downed the wine and banged the cup for a refill. After three cups, his insides burned fiercely, like fire consuming his organs.

The more he thought, the angrier he grew. “He said her fate is different; I can’t suppress that.”

Yi Que paused then realized, “Her body is weak; her destiny is light. You, as a scion of the imperial family, should be able to dominate it. Your little imperial uncle probably thinks her light fate makes her unworthy of you, so he said you have no fate.”

“Exactly.” Murong Cheng grumbled irritably, “I’m the Crown Prince’s son—how could I not overpower her? With her fragile body, I can easily control her!”

Noticing his friend’s ambiguous, suggestive gaze, he suddenly realized his words sounded off and slapped him away.

“Don’t think nonsense!”

Yi Que chuckled; he wasn’t trying to imagine anything.

Leaning in again, he whispered more into Murong Cheng’s ear.

After listening, Murong Cheng looked conflicted.

Is it enough just not to marry her?

Could Jiang Wu really be playing hard to get?

He pondered long and hard, sometimes thinking it might be so, sometimes doubting it.

Unable to sleep, he rushed to the Jiang family academy early the next morning and successfully intercepted Jiang Si.

She tried to avoid him, but he deliberately followed wherever she went.

“Jiang Wu, I forgive you,” he said.

Who cared for his forgiveness!

Jiang Si responded with a simple “Oh,” preparing to sidestep him.

He blocked her way, patiently saying, “Jiang Wu, if you’re playing hard to get, then you’ve succeeded.”

To hell with your hard-to-get act!

Jiang Si glared at him, wishing she could glare holes into him.

Yet to him, this behavior made the young girl seem more lively than before; her already stunning beauty now glowed with vitality.

His heart stirred, his tone softened. “Jiang Wu, don’t be angry.”

He thought at this point she would take the hint and back down.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Si showed him no mercy. “Move aside.”

Feeling defeated, his pride bruised, he angrily grabbed her hand.

Jiang Si was small and fragile; she could not resist his strength and was dragged to a secluded spot.

“Murong Cheng, let me go or I’ll call for help!”

“Go ahead and call!” Murong Cheng acted shamelessly. “Let everyone know I’ve harassed you again. What can you do to me? I’m a man—I’m not afraid. If people talk badly about you, you’ll only end up with me!”

Scoundrel!

Jiang Si glared and spat at him.

“Pah!”