“I’m deeply disappointed in you, Qin’er.”
After Fang Ankang chased after Fang Cheng, Jiang He watched the meaningful glance Fang Ankang gave before leaving with immense heartache. Holding Jiang Laofuren in his arms, he looked at Shen Shi with disappointment.
Shen Shi’s original name was Shen Qin. Since falling in love with Jiang He, he had always called her Qin’er.
Now hearing her name from his lips again, she never expected it to be filled with resentment.
“I feel the same about my husband. Chaohua, come, let’s fetch a physician for your grandmother.”
Shen Shi tightened her grip on her handkerchief, cast a cold glance at Jiang Wanxin lying on the ground, and led Jiang Chaohua away.
What did he mean by being disappointed in her? Was it because she hadn’t taken the blame for Jiang Wanxin or offended the Fang family on her behalf? If that was the case, then she truly didn’t care for Jiang He’s high opinion—she didn’t need it. No matter what conflicts she had with the Zhongyi Marquis Estate, it wasn’t for some orphan girl to climb over her head.
“Madam!”
In the past, whenever Jiang Laofuren fell ill, Shen Shi would personally attend to her at the bedside. But now she turned and left with Jiang Chaohua without looking back. Jiang He stiffened, his eyes filled with disbelief.
What had happened to Shen Shi? Why was she suddenly so hostile toward Jiang Wanxin?
Could it be that she had discovered Jiang Wanxin’s background?
Holding Jiang Laofuren, Jiang He softly called her name twice. Seeing that she didn’t wake up, he realized she had truly fainted from anger. Not daring to delay, he immediately ordered someone to fetch a physician.
Overwhelmed with his own troubles, he knew today’s drama at the Jiang family must have offended Fang Ankang.
As the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Appointments with impeachment duties, Fang Ankang would surely make things difficult for the Jiang family in the future. After the Old Madam woke up, he would have to find some excuse to pin today’s incident on Shen Shi.
Thinking shamelessly along these lines, Jiang He remained preoccupied. Meanwhile, after leaving Feihe Courtyard with Jiang Chaohua, Shen Shi let out a heavy sigh of relief.
She was no longer willing to endure the Old Madam’s unreasonable demands. Since the Old Madam was ill and wouldn’t want to see her upon waking, why not enjoy some peace and quiet?
“Mother, are you alright?”
Jiang Chaohua carefully studied Shen Shi’s expression.
Shen Shi shook her head and composed herself:
“Mother is fine.”
If she didn’t pull herself together, the position of household mistress might soon change hands.
While she was present, the Old Madam and Jiang He already showed such favoritism toward Jiang Wanxin. If she were gone, who would protect her daughter and son?
“Mother, will Father and Grandmother still expect you to intervene and help Jiang Wanxin resolve matters with the Fang family? After she slandered both of us like that, I don’t want you handling her affairs anymore.”
Based on Jiang Chaohua’s understanding of Jiang He and Jiang Laofuren, they would never let this rest. Since they couldn’t afford to offend the Fang family but still wanted to protect Jiang Wanxin, they would inevitably scheme against Shen Shi.
Therefore, she needed to keep reminding Shen Shi.
“Hah, she can forget about it.”
Shen Shi sneered, narrowing her eyes.
Only after all these years had she discovered how Jiang Wanxin had been speaking about her behind her back.
Since they had already torn off all pretenses today, if she stopped involving herself in Jiang Wanxin’s affairs from now on, no one in the Jiang household could say a word against her.
“Mother, you’re magnificent! But Mother, just us knowing what happened earlier isn’t enough. After all, outsiders tend to sympathize with those who appear weaker. So we need to spread word about what just occurred. That way, when you stop caring about Jiang Wanxin in the future, people won’t gossip. What do you think?”
Linking arms with Shen Shi, Jiang Chaohua curled her lips into a smile, looking expectantly at her mother for praise.
Shen Shi smiled dotingly, gazing at Jiang Chaohua’s current demeanor with immense relief:
“Chaochao is right, let’s proceed this way. Mother has a solution.”
Chaochao’s reminder struck her—since Jiang Wanxin had Jiang He’s protection, she would inevitably try to drag Shen Shi down as an excuse to escape. This approach wasn’t a bad idea at all.
“Miss.”
As she supported Shen Shi through a corridor, Feicui’s figure suddenly caught up with them.
Seeing Feicui’s pale complexion, Jiang Chaohua’s heart sank.
Knowing that the Fang family would propose marriage today and that Fang Cheng would be devastated, she had arranged for Feicui to follow Fang Cheng early on.
Judging by Feicui’s state, something must have happened to Fang Cheng.
Although Jiang Wanxin’s scheme had been thwarted today, if anything were to happen to Fang Cheng, Fang Ankang and the Fang family would surely blame Shen Shi as well, rendering all their efforts futile.
“Mother, I need to go out for a while. Don’t worry, I’ll have Feicui accompany me.”
Jiang Chaohua tugged gently at Shen Shi’s sleeve.
Shen Shi nodded gently. “Go ahead.”
Feicui was her trusted servant, steady and reliable. With her along, Shen Shi felt completely at ease.
“I’ll return soon to keep you company, Mother.”
Jiang Chaohua turned and left the Jiang residence with Feicui.
The moment they stepped out of the Jiang family’s gate, Feicui’s voice grew more urgent:
“Miss, I was useless—I lost track of Young Master Fang. He ran too fast. Do you think something might have happened to him?”
Feicui bit her lip, her eyes filled with guilt.
She felt utterly foolish for failing at such a simple task, but Fang Cheng had been too deeply shaken.
She had been in Feihe Courtyard earlier, listening to the exchange with dismay. That cousin was truly ruthless—she had been using Fang Cheng all along, and when confronted, she pushed him forward to take the blame.
“Feicui, let’s go to Ji’nan Lake.”
The bustling streets were as lively as ever, filled with people coming and going.
Fang Cheng had run off too quickly, driven by shock and likely out of control. It wasn’t just Feicui—even a man would have struggled to keep up.
After a moment’s thought, Jiang Chaohua changed direction and hurried toward Ji’nan Lake.
Ji’nan Lake was where Fang Cheng and Jiang Wanxin had first met—a remote, quiet spot with few visitors.
She would take a gamble, betting that Fang Cheng was at Ji’nan Lake.
“Yes.”
Feicui’s face turned even paler. Ji’nan Lake was notorious for its deep waters, and few tourists ventured there due to the danger.
Could Fang Cheng truly be contemplating something irreversible?
One couldn’t help but marvel at the devastating power of a first love—undeniable and overwhelming.
Jiang Chaohua quickened her pace, eventually breaking into a run.
Only when they reached Ji’nan Lake and spotted Fang Cheng’s figure by the shore in the distance did Jiang Chaohua instruct Feicui to rush to the Fang family for help.
Feicui didn’t dare delay, hurrying off to seek assistance from the Fang family.
“It’s you?”
The lake shimmered under the sunlight, and a arched bridge spanned Ji’nan Lake.
The bridge stood in the shade, its surface slippery.
Hearing footsteps, Fang Cheng turned and saw Jiang Chaohua.
At the sight of her, Fang Cheng felt an immediate surge of disgust, followed by surprise—how had Jiang Chaohua known he was here?
“Has Young Master Fang been so devastated by the deception of the girl he loved that he intends to drown himself in the lake?”
Jiang Chaohua curved her lips into a smile, halting her steps under Fang Cheng’s wary gaze.
Her smile was just as mocking and disdainful as it had been earlier in Feihe Courtyard, instantly fueling Fang Cheng’s anger.
“If you’re here to mock me, get lost. No matter how downcast I am, I would never resort to such desperation.”
He simply couldn’t bear it anymore, feeling utterly disheartened.
Ever since his concubine mother passed away, he had regarded Jiang Wanxin as everything in his heart. Jiang Wanxin was the obsession that kept him going through the long years.
Now that he saw Jiang Wanxin’s true character, Fang Cheng felt disheartened and believed he no longer had the courage to carry on.
“Is this your territory? You can come, but I can’t? I refuse to leave. Perhaps I can even watch a good show.”
Jiang Chaohua stretched lazily, leaning against the arch bridge with her chin propped in her hand:
“Are you going to jump into the lake, Young Master Fang? That would be wonderful. But could you hurry up? After I finish watching the excitement, I can go home and rest.”
Jiang Chaohua’s tone was unavoidably gloating. After hearing this, Fang Cheng grew even angrier:
“Why should I listen to you? Stay out of my business.”
“Is that so? So you’re still going to jump? Tsk, it’s just being deceived in love. Is it worth making such a fuss about life and death? How useless you are. Life is so long, and to die for a woman—I truly look down on you.”
“But then again, I’ve never seen anyone die for love before. Young Master Fang, hurry up and jump. If you’re not going to jump, then come down. I say, don’t blame my cousin. Blame yourself for being blind. Practice your judgment more in the future. Just treat this as a momentary lapse in your vision. Why make things difficult for yourself?”
Jiang Chaohua’s tone was lazy, and her gaze was equally indolent.
She spoke venomous words, but her eyes were remarkably clear. Fang Cheng’s face darkened as he thought that Jiang Chaohua was right about one thing—this was also his fault. Who asked him to be so self-deluded?
“Hey, are you going to jump or not? If not, come over here. The bridge is slippery—don’t fall and die.”
Jiang Chaohua shifted her posture and stretched again. Seeing the rapidly changing emotions in Fang Cheng’s eyes, her own gaze flickered, and she fell silent.
“I…”
Fang Cheng stared at Jiang Chaohua, and the two remained locked in a stalemate.
A gentle breeze lifted Fang Cheng’s robe. Suddenly, he felt that Jiang Chaohua in this state wasn’t so detestable. At the very least, she was as his father had said—she spoke her mind without pretense, unlike Jiang Wanxin.
“Cheng’er, what are you doing? Are you trying to take your father’s life? Come down quickly!”
Feicui moved swiftly. Not long after she ran off, she encountered Fang Ankang, who was also searching for someone.
Fang Ankang had just arrived when he saw Fang Cheng sitting on the arch bridge. The sight terrified him so much that his vision went black, and he stumbled backward.
“My lord!”
The servants exclaimed in alarm, and Fang Cheng’s heart tightened.
But in the blink of an eye, Fang Cheng slipped beneath him, lost his balance, and fell directly from the bridge.
“Help! I can’t swim!”
Jiang Chaohua never expected Fang Cheng to be a landlubber. Her small face darkened, and without a second thought, she leaped into the water.
Fang Cheng must not die.