Just as Jiang Yunniang was preparing to leave the Song residence, she learned that someone had died in Song Wenjian’s courtyard.
The news was brought back by a little maid. Qiuyue, timid by nature, turned pale upon hearing it, while Nanny Sun remained calm as she relayed the message.
“They say Third Young Master’s attendant, Shanshi, drank wine last night and accidentally fell into the well and drowned.” Nanny Sun shivered as she spoke. “I saw him looking lively just yesterday—who would have thought he’d be gone today?”
Jiang Yunniang was surprised, though in her previous life she had never paid attention to Song Wenjian’s courtyard, so she didn’t know if Shanshi had died then as well.
Judging by Shanshi’s attitude toward Song Wenjian, he hadn’t been a good man. Jiang Yunniang felt little about his death. “A mere servant, drinking at night—he was bold indeed.”
“Exactly, so unruly,” Nanny Sun agreed. “Yesterday, he spoke ill of Third Young Master, and I thought him far too insolent. But now he’s dead, we shouldn’t speak further. I heard Second Madam herself went to look into it, though I don’t know how she handled it.”
Qiuyue, recovering a little, added, “What else could she do? Likely gave some silver to his family. Shanshi fell in himself, not pushed by anyone. But I heard something—Third Young Master was born of Second Master’s bedchamber maid. She grew up alongside Second Master and shared some affection with him. But her fate was poor—she died right after giving birth.”
Nanny Sun sighed. “If his mother had lived, he wouldn’t have ended up like this. Everyone says Second Madam is kind, but I don’t believe she truly has a good heart.”
As they spoke, they prepared for Jiang Yunniang’s outing. Once everything was ready, they left the room.
Outside, they saw several maids carrying things toward the rear courtyard. Qiuyue stopped them to ask and learned they were gifts from the Second Master to Jiang Bairou. Qiuyue frowned immediately. “Second Young Madam, how could the Old Master agree to let that wretch enter the household?”
Jiang Yunniang herself did not yet know.
Last night, after she had gone to bed, Song Wenling had brought Jiang Bairou back to Chunxi Courtyard. When she awoke, Qiuyue had already come to complain, saying the Old Master was truly muddle‑headed.
But Jiang Yunniang did not think him muddle‑headed. Since her rebirth, she had come to understand more. If the Old Master truly did not value the eldest branch, why would he let Madam Zhang manage the household?
Song Qingbai’s abilities were mediocre. For years, he had achieved little, relying solely on family connections and wealth to secure his current post. Even so, he was overshadowed by the second branch’s Song Qingyang. If household management fell to Madam Xu, then in both internal and external affairs, the eldest branch would be beneath the second.
Whatever the Old Master’s reasoning, his arrangements showed that the eldest branch still held some place in his heart.
Since he had already agreed to let Jiang Bairou enter, Jiang Yunniang decided to wait and watch. The days ahead were long.
Leaving the Song residence, Jiang Yunniang went to a tavern in the southern part of the city. She bought three jin of sorghum wine and ten jin of distilled liquor. Just as she stepped out, she saw a thug dragging an old man.
“You old wretch! Still claiming you didn’t steal my money? Then why is my purse in your hands?” The thug was eight feet tall, broad‑shouldered, with hands larger than Jiang Yunniang’s face. No one nearby dared approach.
“You’re unreasonable!” The old man, held by his collar, still insisted he hadn’t stolen. “This is clearly my purse. How can you claim it’s yours?”
“I say it’s mine, so it’s mine! Do you want a beating?” The thug raised his fist, about to strike, when Jiang Yunniang spoke up to stop him.
The tavern boy hurried to whisper a warning. “Miss, don’t meddle. That man is Wang Zhuang, a notorious bully in this area. Whoever crosses him will suffer. You’re just a young lady—best not invite trouble.”
Jiang Yunniang smiled faintly. With her veil, no one could see her face. She continued calmly, “Just state how much money is in the purse. If the amounts match, it proves who is telling the truth. Whoever lies, let the constables take him—he’ll spend a few days in jail.”
Among the onlookers, seeing a young lady speak up, several men echoed her suggestion.
The old man immediately declared, “There are thirty‑six copper coins and one tael of broken silver in my purse!”
All eyes turned to Wang Zhuang, waiting for his answer.
The crowd didn’t know, but Jiang Yunniang recognized his silence as guilt. In her previous life, she had passed this way and seen Wang Zhuang bullying common folk. She had witnessed him robbing Doctor Luo Jiren’s wife’s purse, called the constables, and thus met Luo Jiren.
At the time, she hadn’t known how skilled Luo Jiren was, thinking him just an ordinary physician. Later, when Nan Huai’an searched the city for healers and posted Doctor Luo’s portrait, she realized his medical talent was extraordinary.
But back then, she had been healthy, with no need for a doctor. Later, when Madam Zhang poisoned her, she couldn’t leave her courtyard and had no way to seek Doctor Luo.
Seeing Wang Zhuang unable to answer, Jiang Yunniang looked toward the distance and said softly, “There are constables patrolling nearby. Let them come and judge.”
At the mention of constables, Wang Zhuang glared at Jiang Yunniang, then released Luo Jiren.
“You filthy woman, I’ll remember you!” He spat on the ground and stalked off, cursing.
The crowd, seeing his guilty retreat, understood what had happened. But none dared pursue him, and they slowly dispersed.
The tavern boy sighed. “Miss, you meant well, but you don’t know—Wang Zhuang’s brother‑in‑law is a constable. You’d best go home quickly and avoid going out for a while.”
Jiang Yunniang was unafraid. Wang Zhuang was the type to bully the weak and fear the strong. A constable brother‑in‑law was nothing compared to the power of the Song and Jiang families.
Once the tavern boy returned inside, Jiang Yunniang turned to Luo Jiren. “Elder, are you alright?”
“Aiya, I’m fine.” Luo Jiren patted the wrinkles from his clothes, took two steps forward, and chuckled. “Thank you, young lady, for speaking up. You’re bold indeed—none of those big men dared to intervene, but you did. Come, come, a share for everyone. Let’s split it half and half.”
As he spoke, Luo Jiren pulled out another purse and began dividing the money.
Seeing the purse in his hand, Jiang Yunniang was stunned. Before she could ask, Luo Jiren continued, “Don’t misunderstand, young lady. He thought I was old and easy to bully, and tried to extort my money. I knew I couldn’t keep my own purse safe, but my tigress at home is waiting for me to buy rice. So I snatched his purse instead. You don’t know how fierce my tigress is—if I’m not quick with my hands, I’ll be sleeping on the floor tonight!”
In her previous life, Jiang Yunniang had little contact with Luo Jiren. She never imagined that, besides his medical skills, he also had such tricks up his sleeve.
Looking at the money he offered, Jiang Yunniang paused, then smiled softly. “Elder, better use it to buy two more bushels of rice.”
“No, no, you helped me, I must repay you.” Luo Jiren noticed the maid beside Jiang Yunniang carrying two wine jars and exclaimed, “Well now, so you like wine too! Come, let me treat you to two cups.”
Nanny Sun didn’t understand why her mistress had come to buy wine, but she dared not let her drink with an old man. She quickly said, “Thank you, elder, but our Second Young Madam must return home. We shouldn’t delay.”
“Ah, I see. Well then, fine. From the way you speak, you must be from a proper household. Enough, I’ll go buy rice.” Luo Jiren tucked away the purse. “My home is on Tongliu Street, all the way to the end. If the young lady ever has a headache or fever, send someone to find me. I’ll give you a discount. But let me be clear—I don’t treat just anyone.”
Jiang Yunniang agreed politely and watched him leave before boarding her carriage.
Luo Jiren was eccentric. In her previous life, Nan Huai’an had offered ten thousand taels of silver for him to treat Madam Zhou, but Luo Jiren refused. Later, when too many people sought him out, he grew annoyed and simply moved away.
Jiang Yunniang dared not reveal her true purpose too soon. She planned to build contact gradually before asking for more later.
Back at the Song residence, Jiang Yunniang was exhausted. Just as she was about to rest in Chunxi Courtyard, the gatekeeper reported that an honored guest had arrived, specifically requesting her presence.