This was no old garment—it was practically new, nine-tenths unworn, crafted from fine fabric. Though plain white in color, it was embroidered with delicate blue flowers. The material was even superior to the cotton-padded jacket she’d received for her engagement to the Zhang family.
Such fine clothing, and Lu Mingzhu was willing to give it to her, even worrying she might disdain it. Yet the younger sisters she had raised in the Jiang family were eager to divide her clothes and anything else of value she possessed.
Jiang A Yao had been deprived of kindness for so long that this small gesture brought a sting to her nose. She didn’t accept it immediately, instead saying, “These clothes are lovely, but I still have work to do. It’d be a pity to wear them. My old clothes will suffice.”
“Sister Jiang, if clothing keeps you warm, it’s never a waste. The weather’s turning cold, and you’re still in thin garments—you’ll fall ill.” Lu Mingzhu smiled warmly, pressing the clothes into her arms. “Sister Jiang, as long as you don’t mind that these were worn by someone as sickly as me.”
Holding the clothes, Jiang A Yao felt a warmth spread through her lips. “How could I ever disdain such fine clothing?”
Lu Mingzhu glanced at Lu Da, her tone suddenly somber. “Others say I bring bad luck. Because of me, a sickly burden, my brother can’t find a wife…”
Jiang A Yao paused, her heart aching at the sight of Lu Mingzhu’s downcast eyes. Lu Da must have spoken to her, yet she still addressed her as “Sister Jiang” and hadn’t questioned her about the arrangement with her brother.
“Who dares say you’re bad luck? Tell your brother to teach them a lesson.” Jiang A Yao feigned fierceness, freeing one hand to gently stroke Lu Mingzhu’s cheek. “Being ill isn’t shameful—everyone falls sick sometimes. It’s alright. I know a little about medicine. We’ll take it slow and treat it gradually.”
Lu Mingzhu cautiously looked up, and seeing the warmth in Jiang A Yao’s eyes, her spirits lifted instantly.
“Sister Jiang…” She took two steps forward, wanting to embrace her, but Lu Da caught her arm, and Jiang A Yao retreated slightly.
“Mingzhu, I’m truly filthy.” Jiang A Yao’s clothes were stained with dried blood and dust—so grimy she feared sullying the garments in her arms.
Lu Mingzhu quickly understood. “Oh, of course! Sister Jiang, you should go wash up.”
Jiang A Yao nodded but paused to advise her before heading to the kitchen. “Mingzhu, your health is delicate. Try to keep your emotions steady—avoid extreme highs and lows, don’t scream, and don’t get overly excited, understood?”
Lu Mingzhu nodded obediently, and only then did Jiang A Yao enter.
Beside the kitchen was a small room designated for washing. Though the house was dilapidated, it had all necessities—far more convenient than the Jiang residence.
Watching the door close, Lu Mingzhu stuck her tongue out at her brother. “Sister Jiang sounds just like that old doctor in town.”
Lu Da ruffled her hair, smiling. “So you’d better listen to your Sister Jiang.”
Since arriving here, this was the first time Lu Da had seen his sister so genuinely happy. She had been lonely for far too long.
Lu Mingzhu nodded emphatically, her eyes sparkling. “I know.”
Finally, there was a Sister Jiang who didn’t scorn her, who was willing to marry her brother. She would definitely heed her words.
…
After bathing, Jiang A Yao dried her hair until it was half-dry before putting on the clothes Lu Mingzhu had given her.
Jiang A Yao was extremely thin. Although Lu Mingzhu was younger than her, the clothes fit perfectly, with the cuffs reaching just to her wrists.
At this moment, Jiang A Yao couldn’t help but feel grateful that she was so slender. If she had been any heavier, she might not have been able to wear the clothes, disappointing Lu Mingzhu’s kindness.
The outfit was a long dress style, lined with a thin layer of cotton, and paired with an underskirt of the same color.
Lu Mingzhu had thoughtfully found a new pair of thin cotton pants for her. The fabric of the clothes was soft, comfortable to wear, and very warm.
After washing the clothes, Jiang A Yao went outside. Her hair was still half-dry, but it wouldn’t soak the clothes, so she left it loose.
When she came out, Lu Mingzhu had already returned to her room. Only Lu Da was sitting in the main hall, seemingly lost in thought, looking somewhat distracted.
“Where… should I hang these clothes to dry?”
Jiang A Yao walked up to Lu Da, and only then did he snap out of his reverie, meeting her gaze.
Jiang A Yao was not unattractive to begin with, but previously, her clothes were worn and tattered, making her look disheveled. However, after bathing and changing into fresh clothes, she instantly looked different.
The plain white clothes made her complexion appear fairer, and her slightly damp long hair falling around her face added a touch of softness. There was a familiar feeling in her eyes and brows.
Lu Da, realizing he had been momentarily distracted, immediately lowered his gaze and pointed toward the door. “Outside… on the bamboo pole to the left of the yard.”
Jiang A Yao didn’t notice his unusual behavior and went out with the basin to hang the clothes.
Left alone in the room, Lu Da found his thoughts wandering.
It wasn’t that he had never seen women before, but he had never encountered someone whose eyes and brows resembled that person’s so closely.
Especially since she got along well with Mingzhu, and Mingzhu liked her very much.
Lu Da lowered his gaze, suppressing the surge of emotions in his eyes.
After hanging the clothes, as Jiang A Yao was about to go back inside, she spotted A Long standing in the distance.
She checked the time—it wasn’t noon yet, and A Long hadn’t come to urge her to leave, so she turned and went inside.
By then, Lu Da was no longer in the main hall. After tidying up the wooden basin, she went to knock on Lu Mingzhu’s door.
“Sister Jiang, come in!”
Lu Mingzhu’s voice was cheerful, welcoming her warmly.
Jiang A Yao pushed the door open and saw her sitting on the bed, looking eager to talk. She smiled and asked, “Aren’t you afraid I might be a bad person?”
“No, I’m not. With my brother here, no bad person can get in.”
Lu Mingzhu patted the edge of the bed. “Sister Jiang, come sit.”
Jiang A Yao obliged and sat beside her.
Lu Mingzhu looked her up and down, her round eyes filled with laughter. “Sister Jiang, you look so beautiful in these clothes.”
“Thank you. It’s because the clothes you gave me are beautiful.”
Lu Mingzhu hugged her arm and said sweetly, “It’s because Sister Jiang is beautiful.”
Looking at her smiling little face, Jiang A Yao felt an overwhelming sense of sweetness.
How could a young girl be so sweet?
No wonder Lu Da couldn’t bear to let her die and spent large coins to save her life. Even after such a short time with her, Jiang A Yao couldn’t bear the thought of such a lovely girl dying.
“Flattery won’t help. This beautiful Sister Jiang needs to check your pulse now.”
Jiang A Yao gently moved her hand and placed it on her own lap, then told her to lean back and stay still.
Lu Mingzhu leaned against the bed, her big round eyes glancing up at the ceiling and then back at Jiang A Yao.
A moment later, Jiang A Yao shifted her position and said to her, “Switch hands.”
Lu Mingzhu obediently complied, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on her, and suddenly asked, “Sister Jiang, how is it? When will I die?”