“Jiang Furen, Miss Jiang.”
The young man’s voice was as clear and pleasant as his appearance.
Jiang Chaohua didn’t dare to look up at Zhou Chi. She was afraid of seeing his eyes, afraid of seeing that expression he had before his death.
In this lifetime, she would absolutely not get involved with Zhou Chi again, and naturally wouldn’t implicate him either.
“Mother, I’m tired and want to go home.”
Jiang Chaohua tugged at Shen Shi’s sleeve, her voice somewhat muffled.
Shen Shi nodded repeatedly, patting Jiang Chaohua’s hand and asking her to wait a moment.
“Madam Shen, regarding Fei Yun’s case, this official will provide an explanation, but…”
Yan Jing narrowed his eyes, glancing sideways behind him.
Jiang Chaohua and Zhou Chi actually knew each other. He had witnessed Zhou Chi’s talent, and someone like Jiang Chaohua didn’t deserve Zhou Chi.
Yan Jing’s tone was meaningful, his gaze fixed on Jiang Chaohua as if wanting to say more but holding back.
Shen Shi frowned, feeling that Yan Jing’s words carried hidden meaning, though she couldn’t quite grasp it.
“Young Marquis Yan’s methods are renowned throughout Chang’an City. I presume we’ll have news soon, right?”
Jiang Chaohua shook Shen Shi’s arm, speaking to Yan Jing but keeping her eyes fixed on her mother.
“Naturally. But since this concerns the Jiang family, and Miss Jiang is the key witness, how quickly this official resolves the matter depends on Miss Jiang.”
Yan Jing chuckled softly, his red-robed figure passing by Jiang Chaohua as he departed gracefully.
Jiang Chaohua held her breath. Her fear of Yan Jing had reached the point where merely smelling the sandalwood scent on him triggered a physical reaction.
But what exactly did Yan Jing mean? What did he mean by “it depends on her”?
“Madam, I shall take my leave now.”
With Yan Jing gone, only Jiang Chaohua remained deep in thought. Zhou Chi noticed Jiang Chaohua deliberately avoiding him, a trace of melancholy appearing in his clear eyes as he bowed to Shen Shi before leaving.
“Chaochao, don’t be afraid. Mother is here. Once your aunt emerges, I’ll take you home. Today is your birthday—your eldest brother should come out, right?”
Shen Shi comforted Jiang Chaohua, her heart aching at the thought of Jiang Wanfeng.
He was once her most accomplished child, having topped the imperial examinations at fifteen and poised to enter the Hanlin Academy, until an accident left him paralyzed from the waist down.
“Mother, I’ll go with you to see eldest brother.”
Jiang Chaohua pressed her lips together, her gaze profound.
In her previous life, she had been viciously ambitious, wanting everyone to comply with her wishes so badly that she spent fortunes learning medicine to poison people.
In this life, her medical skills wouldn’t harm innocent people—only villains.
With second brother safe, next was eldest brother. If she could help eldest brother recover, he could regain his spirit.
“Mmm.”
Shen Shi remained worried. Before long, the Empress Dowager emerged from the Imperial Study with a cold expression.
She took Shen Shi’s hand, leading her back to Yongshou Palace. After the meal there and bestowing numerous gifts, she allowed Shen Shi to return to the Jiang family.
Jiang He had been summoned to the palace, and Jiang Laofuren was no exception. Since she enjoyed making Shen Shi stand as punishment for etiquette, the Empress Dowager made her stand through etiquette lessons at Yongshou Palace.
Since becoming an official’s wife, Jiang Laofuren had never endured such hardship. But kneeling in Yongshou Palace, she didn’t dare faint, remaining until her knees swelled before being carried back to the Jiang family.
With Jiang Laotaitai and Jiang He absent, the Jiang household was unusually peaceful.
Upon returning home, Shen Shi and Jiang Chaohua headed directly for Jiang Wanfeng’s residence—Liufeng Courtyard.
Originally, Jiang Wanfeng’s courtyard was located right at the center of the Jiang family estate, in a prime location. But after becoming disabled, he grew reclusive and disliked seeing people, sometimes even avoiding Shen Shi.
Liufeng Courtyard.
“Madam, Eldest Young Miss.”
There was only one young servant in Liufeng Courtyard.
The servant, Qing Lai, was holding a water basin, sprinkling water on the bamboo grove in the courtyard.
When he saw Shen Shi and Jiang Chaohua, Qing Lai hurried over, his sidelong glance at Jiang Chaohua full of wariness.
“Is Eldest Brother in his bedroom?”
It had been a long time since she last visited Liufeng Courtyard. The previous time, she had come to humiliate Jiang Wanfeng.
Disgusted by Jiang Wanfeng’s reclusive behavior, she had caused a scene in Liufeng Courtyard. It was said that after she left, Jiang Wanfeng fell ill.
“Chaochao, you…”
Shen Shi pursed her lips, looking at Jiang Chaohua. She too feared that Jiang Chaohua might say something to provoke Jiang Wanfeng again.
But today, her daughter’s behavior had pleased her. In her heart, she wished for her daughter and son to be as close as siblings in other families.
“Mother, in the past, I was immature. As long as I can see Eldest Brother, even if he hits me, I won’t dodge.”
Jiang Chaohua took two steps forward, abruptly lifted her skirt, and knelt on the ground, her voice clear and earnest:
“Eldest Brother, Mother and I have come to see you. I won’t defend my past actions—what I did was wrong. I only beg you to let Mother and me see you.”
Jiang Chaohua wasn’t sure what Jiang Wanfeng was thinking now, but she had to see him first to diagnose his pulse.
“Qing Lai, send her away.”
A hoarse, youthful voice came from the bedroom, and Qing Lai’s eyes suddenly reddened.
“Young Miss, please don’t provoke the Young Master again. Have you forgotten what you said to him last time?”
She had called him a cripple, doomed to remain that way forever, beyond saving.
What kind of younger sister would say such things about her own elder brother?
“Please ask Mother to return as well. I am fine.”
The voice from the bedroom paused before continuing.
Shen Shi’s eyes reddened at the corners, tears falling once more.
If only Wanfeng would agree to see a physician, but he refused. He refused to do anything. What was she to do with him like this?
“I beg Eldest Brother to see me. I have something to say to you. I know I have no right to face you, but I implore you to see me. It concerns Mother and our brothers. Please, Eldest Brother, see me!”
Listening to Jiang Wanfeng’s weak, despondent voice, Jiang Chaohua’s heart sank.
If a person’s body is broken, there is still hope for recovery. But if a person’s spirit is broken, then there is no cure.
She had to find a way to reignite Jiang Wanfeng’s fighting spirit, to stir something within him.
Now, the only thing that might matter to Jiang Wanfeng was to reveal the truth.
If she told him, he would surely investigate. He would feel hatred, and with hatred came the will to survive.
Thump, thump, thump.
Jiang Chaohua began knocking her head forcefully against the ground.
The sound struck Shen Shi’s heart. She gasped and hurried to pull her up, but Jiang Chaohua gently brushed her away:
“Mother, let me kowtow. I apologize for my past foolishness and malice. I wronged Eldest Brother. I am willing to accept punishment. I beg Eldest Brother to see me once. I still remember the warmth of Eldest Brother holding me in his arms when I was young. I still remember his scent. Please, Eldest Brother, see me.”
Jiang Chaohua knelt on the ground, her eyes red as she kowtowed repeatedly.
Her forehead quickly turned red from the impact, the skin broken and bleeding.
Qing Lai drew a sharp breath. He had initially thought Jiang Chaohua was pretending, but now he wasn’t so sure.
“Please, Elder Brother, see me. Elder Brother, Chaochao misses you.”
She truly missed him—so very much.
Her elder brother had always treated her well, yet in her past life, she had been the one to push him away. In this lifetime, she would never do so again.
“Thump, thump, thump.”
Jiang Chaohua continued kowtowing without pause. Shen Shi wept as she tried to support her, but it wasn’t until Jiang Chaohua’s face was covered in blood that movement finally came from the bedroom.
“Thud.”
It sounded as if something had fallen. Startled, Qing Lai hurried toward the bedroom.
“Qing Lai, let her in.”
The voice was hoarse, but at last, Jiang Wanfeng had relented.