“Third Uncle!”
Xiao Yuzhang ran in from outside with a foolish grin, shouting for Xiao Jing as he went.
Xiao Jing didn’t respond to him, instead turning to look at the servant, who was dumbfounded.
The Third Master had explicitly ordered that the Eldest Young Master was not to be allowed in—how had he gotten inside?
“Young Master… how… how did you get in?”
Xiao Yuzhang flicked the servant’s forehead with a loud snap, then planted his hands on his hips, looking smug.
“Of course I barged in! You damned servant, how dare you block me? Aren’t you afraid I’ll complain to Third Uncle?”
Xiao Yuzhang thought the servant at the gate had stopped him on his own initiative, and spoke with a tone of grievance, occasionally glancing toward Xiao Jing, hoping his uncle would stand up for him.
However, Xiao Jing remained cold-faced from start to finish. “It was my order. From now on, don’t barge in recklessly without permission.”
“Th-Third Uncle? You’ve changed—you don’t care about me anymore!”
Xiao Yuzhang was utterly aggrieved, itching to rush forward and cling to Xiao Jing’s leg for comfort. He thought it, and he did it.
Xiao Jing stepped back in disgust. “Stay right there! Speak—what did you come to me for?”
“Third Uncle…” Xiao Yuzhang looked pitiful. “Fine, I won’t move.”
“I just wanted to ask if you’re on good terms with Xu Yun. Could you ask her to help me arrange a meeting with Sister Ah Fu? She won’t even acknowledge me when I try to reach her.”
Xiao Yuzhang scratched his head. Ever since he’d seen Jiang Fu, it was as if his soul had been stolen. The Xiao family had no female relatives of a similar age, and the invitations he’d sent to the Xu family had gone unanswered. With no other choice, he’d come to beg Xiao Jing for help.
Xiao Jing had once reserved a private room for Xu Yun, so Xiao Yuzhang figured that with his uncle’s word, Xu Yun would surely help him arrange a meeting with Jiang Fu.
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became, feeling quite pleased with himself. He completely failed to notice Xiao Jing’s face growing darker and darker.
“You want to arrange a meeting with Jiang Si?”
“Yes! I want to apologize to Sister Ah Fu. Breaking off the engagement before was my mistake—I shouldn’t have misunderstood her because of rumors. I hope she can forgive me and give me another chance, hehe…”
Crack!
The teacup in Xiao Jing’s hand shattered into several pieces. Blood seeped from between his fingers, splattering on the ground like crimson blossoms.
“Th-Third Uncle?”
Xiao Yuzhang was startled and immediately called for the servant to fetch a physician.
Xiao Jing clenched the shards, the corners of his eyes turning bloodshot. “Yun An, see the guest out!”
“Third Uncle!”
Xiao Yuzhang was completely bewildered as he was driven out. He didn’t know how he had offended Xiao Jing. Being thrown out twice in a row—had he done something wrong to upset his uncle?
Seeing him reflect like this, even Yun An felt a bit sorry for him.
The Third Master used to dote so much on the Eldest Young Master, but ever since Jiang Si came into the picture, the young master had become like a little cabbage in the field.
“Young Master, the Third Master has no relationship whatsoever with Miss Xu. Please don’t say such things again in the future. If you tarnish the Third Master’s reputation, he’ll be furious.”
“…Fine. Since when did Third Uncle become so petty?”
Xiao Yuzhang pouted. So that was why Xiao Jing had gotten angry. He shrank his neck slightly—his uncle truly was indifferent to women, cold and unfeeling. He’d have to be more careful in the future and not let any woman get involved with Third Uncle.
However, aside from this, Xiao Yuzhang also felt a bit relieved.
Xiao Jing had saved Jiang Fu before, and he’d been worried that his uncle might have feelings for Sister Ah Fu. Now it seemed he’d been overthinking it.
Third Uncle will never like any woman!
After Xiao Yuzhang left, Yun An brought over the golden wound medicine, “Third Master, shall I bandage it for you?”
Xiao Jing opened his hand. Shards of the teacup were embedded in his flesh, his palm a bloody mess. Just looking at it was enough to know how painful it must be, yet his expression remained unchanged.
“Has the invitation from the palace been delivered?”
“It has. It might already be in Fourth Miss’s hands by now.”
“Mm.”
Xiao Jing felt a bit more at ease. He could guess that the little girl had been deliberately avoiding him these past few days. Combined with Xiao Yuzhang’s words today, Xiao Jing was growing somewhat anxious.
The little girl was his. No one could take her away.
Not even his own nephew.
In the main branch of the Jiang family, Madam Yan stared at the invitation Mama Wang had handed her for a long time, unable to regain her composure.
“…You said this was sent from the palace? And it’s for Jiang Fu? How is that possible?”
The Empress actually sent an invitation to Jiang Fu, inviting her to the palace banquet. This must be a sign she hadn’t fully woken up this morning.
Jiang Yao reacted even more strongly than Madam Yan. She had never paid Jiang Fu any mind before, but now Jiang Fu was slapping her in the face again and again.
This time, it was about to leave her thoroughly swollen.
“Mama Wang, this must be fake, right? Jiang Fu forged it!”
“Madam, Miss, it’s real. This old servant personally received it from the eunuch’s hands. Besides, how could Fourth Miss possibly forge an invitation from the palace…”
Mama Wang swallowed nervously, feeling that the Jiang family was about to undergo a great change.
How had this timid and cowardly Fourth Miss suddenly caught the eye of a noble?
“What about me? Can I go?”
Jiang Yao stared eagerly, causing Mama Wang to take a few steps back in fright. “This… this old servant wouldn’t dare to say…”
If it were any other invitation, it might be one thing, but this was personally sent by the Empress. The Jiang family would have to have a death wish to dare withhold it.
They all knew in their hearts that this invitation was for Jiang Fu; they just couldn’t accept it.
“That wretch! What gives her the right?”
What gave her the right? Of course, it was her good fortune, having connected with Xu Yun and now having her name known before the Empress.
Madam Yan was filled with jealousy and resentment but didn’t dare to cause trouble. Instead, she had to properly prepare clothes and jewelry for Jiang Fu. Otherwise, if Jiang Fu went out dressed in rags, others would say that she, as the elder aunt, was sweet on the outside but bitter at heart.
“If only we hadn’t let her go to the Xie family that day!”
If she hadn’t gone to the Xie family, none of the later events would have happened, and things wouldn’t have spiraled out of control like this.
But it was too late for regrets now. Madam Yan could only hope that Jiang Fu would embarrass herself at the palace and offend the nobles, letting others vent her anger for her.
On the day of the palace banquet, Jiang Fu prepared early.
The Jiang family’s carriage was waiting for her at the side gate. The Jiang family’s side gate was adjacent to the back gate of the Princess’s residence. As Jiang Fu stepped out, her heart fluttered with timidity.
She was afraid that opening the door would reveal Xiao Jing.
“Bai Xing, let’s walk faster.”
“Alright.”
The little girl tiptoed into the carriage and quietly urged the coachman to drive. Only when the carriage smoothly left the Jiang family alley did Jiang Fu’s heart finally settle.
“Miss, have a piece of dried apricot. It’s a long way to the palace.”
“Alright!”
Jiang Fu took the dried apricot Bai Xing handed her, no longer feeling as resistant to apricots as before.
After the carriage departed, Xiao Jing emerged from the back gate with Yun An. He looked at the wheel tracks pressed into the bluestone road, a faint smile appearing in his eyes.
Yun An was puzzled. “Third Master, you waited behind the gate for so long. Why didn’t you come out just now?”
He had thought Third Master woke up so early just to coincidentally meet Miss Jiang Fu.
Xiao Jing glanced back at him. “She’s timid.”
He naturally wanted to see Jiang Fu, but more than that, he was afraid of frightening her.
After all, once she entered the palace, there would be many opportunities to meet—there was no need to rush.
Yun An nodded thoughtfully. His master’s meticulous care was all devoted to the Fourth Miss Jiang.
An old house catching fire—truly unstoppable once it starts!