Back in her room, Jiang Lanyue sat before the mirror, her long black hair flowing freely.
Her suspicions were largely confirmed: the “Young Master Yan” was undoubtedly the tyrannical emperor currently on the throne.
These past few days, she had often pondered how to escape the fate of being at the mercy of others in her previous life.
Today, during her trip to Hanshan Temple, she had seen Shen Jiaxue again, observing her elegant demeanor as a noblewoman, casually plucking a priceless green chrysanthemum as a hairpin, yet no one dared to oppose her.
It would be a lie to say she wasn’t flustered.
In terms of family background, she could never compare. As long as the Liang State Duke’s mansion existed, Shen Jiaxue would remain a high-ranking noblewoman, and she would remain an ant at her mercy.
Because Wei Chi had deliberately incited Shen Jiaxue’s jealousy, hiding and biding her time would only lead to an even more miserable end. It was better to find a new path, to secure a powerful backer.
Having determined her next goal, Jiang Lanyue’s mind instantly relaxed, and she gradually drifted off to sleep.
In the next room, seeing that everyone on the estate was asleep, Junyao quietly walked to a corner. A moment later, someone scaled the wall and entered.
“Your Majesty, I am late in rescuing you. Please forgive me.”
Junyao put his index finger to his lips and whispered, “Keep your voice down. How is the investigation going?”
The man hesitated for a moment before truthfully recounting his findings.
“…This matter is also related to the Empress Dowager. Your Majesty, should we continue the investigation?”
A cold glint flashed in Junyao’s eyes as he indifferently replied, “Investigate!”
The Empress Dowager is truly remarkable; it seems he has given her too much freedom, making her forget who she is.
The head guard thought for a moment and then relayed the conversation between Wei Chi and the Duke of Liang. Junyao’s expression remained indifferent, offering no further instructions.
“I will be living in seclusion here for the next two days to recuperate. Your men should keep a close watch on all movements. If anything unusual happens, come find me.”
“Your Majesty, I will obey!”
The head guard vanished like a gust of wind. Junyao glanced at the courtyard and returned to his room.
…
The next day.
The emperor announced a two-day suspension of court, and everyone had different thoughts.
After seeing Shen Jiaxue, Wei Chi prepared to go find Jiang Lanyue. As he passed the city gate, he saw the officers from the Military Command and suddenly remembered that his mother and sister were still in prison.
He slapped his forehead and had no choice but to abandon his plan to leave the city and turn back to the Military Command.
Before being given the cold shoulder, Wei Chi had already brought out the tokens from the Duke of Liang’s mansion. After a series of persuasive tactics, the officers from the Military Command finally released the prisoners.
When he saw the two bloodied and disheveled beggars, Wei Chi almost didn’t recognize them: “Mother… Mother? Wanwan?”
Wei’s mother, enduring the stinging pain in her buttocks, hugged Wei Chi and cried, “Waaah… My son! You’ve finally come to save us! Do you know that your sister and I were almost beaten to death?”
In a few words, Wei Chi learned about his mother and sister’s situation at the Military Command.
The two women were originally sentenced to eighty strokes of the cane, but they couldn’t bear the pain and fainted after only two strokes. Therefore, they were kept in custody for several days, receiving five strokes a day to slowly accumulate the required amount.
“This is outrageous! Mother! Your unfilial son has caused you so much suffering!” Wei Chi was furious, his eyes bloodshot with rage.
Recalling the suffering of the past four days, Wei’s mother’s hands trembled; she was no longer the arrogant woman she once was, her spirits waned, and she looked listless. Wei Wan’er, needless to say, had been silent and lifeless since leaving.
Seeing his lively and bright younger sister in this state, Wei Chi felt a surge of murderous intent. In his previous life, when had he ever suffered such humiliation?
He would remember the Military Command and the Imperial Censor Meng; when he rose again, he would tear them to pieces.
“Mother, little sister, I’ll take you back first.”
Tears welled in Wei’s mother’s eyes as she pulled Wei Wan’er away from the Military Command immediately. She never wanted to return to such a horrible place.
Being flogged is something most people can’t endure. If Chi’er had rescued her two days later, the Wei family would probably have been preparing a funeral for her.
Not long after the three left the military headquarters, Manager Qian quietly slipped away from a corner; this matter needed to be informed of the young lady immediately.
At the estate, Jiang Lanyue was personally grinding flower petals to use as incense, with several medicinal herbs beside her.
Jun Yao walked over slowly, casually picked up a piece, sniffed it, and asked, “Is Madam preparing medicine for me?”
Besides him, the patient, there was no one else in the courtyard, so Jun Yao naturally assumed it was for him.
Moreover, her skillful treatment of the wound yesterday suggested she had medical training.
Jiang Lanyue smiled, inwardly rolling her eyes—what a shameless person!
“Young Master Yan is joking. I don’t know medicine. These are for making incense. My maid is already brewing your medicine.”
Hearing this, Jun Yao seemed slight ly regretful. He sat beside her as a companion, occasionally asking questions, and Jiang Lanyue patiently explained, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Hiding in the corner, Aunt Li smacked her lips, her face filled with worry. “I wonder where this vixen has come from. Madam has just escaped one danger, she can’t fall into another. I have to keep a close eye on him, lest he deceive Madam.”
Jun Yao glanced at the corner, a cold glint in his eyes. Did he look so desperate?
Just then, Uncle Zhong came over, saw Aunt Li hiding in the corner, asked the reason, and was furious. He immediately scolded her away.
Then he slowly walked to Jiang Lanyue and softly reminded her, “Madam, Manager Qian is here.”
Jiang Lanyue looked up with a slight puzzlement and said, “Let him come inside and wait. I’ll go see him after I wash my hands.”
Uncle Zhong said “Okay” and left. Jiang Lanyue faced Jun Yao and curtsied gracefully. Jun Yao smiled and said,
“Madam, don’t worry about me. You have things to do, I’ll wait for you here.”
These words were ordinary, but coming from Jun Yao’s mouth, they always carried a hint of ambiguity.
Jiang Lanyue’s cheeks flushed crimson, but she couldn’t speak directly. She turned and left, her retreating figure giving the impression of fleeing in panic.
Seeing this, Junyao chuckled softly and murmured, “I never knew you were so naive, blushing even when you speak.”
He was secretly pleased, unaware that Jiang Lanyue’s face turned cold the moment she turned away, all traces of shyness gone.
Upon reaching the front courtyard and meeting Manager Qian, Jiang Lanyue learned about the situation at the Military Command after a few brief words.
Jiang Lanyue wasn’t worried about it; getting them a few lashes was already a good thing.
“Uncle Qian, don’t worry. The most important thing right now is to collect the debt from Wei Chi, and also spread some rumors that he forced me to run out of food. Please ask them to return the money as soon as possible.”
Manager Qian nodded with a smile, “Miss, don’t worry, I’m already handling this. Those students are searching all over the academy to borrow money.”
“Hmm.” Jiang Lanyue suddenly remembered something and said, “Don’t make a fuss about the spice shop for now. Let’s talk about it again in two months.”
This was naturally to make the students believe more that she was in dire str aits. Also, because of the trip to Hanshan Temple, she hadn’t yet been able to promote her perfume and fragrance business after playing a trick on Shen Jiaxue.
Nowadays, few people scent their clothes, and without a noble lady leading the trend, the effect will be greatly diminished.
After chatting for a few more minutes, Jiang Lanyue asked Manager Qian to go see Ruyi.