On the way back, Jiang Yihuan cupped her cheeks and asked, “Wei Zhao, where did you get those cherries yesterday? I want more.”
“From the Eastern Palace. They were the first cherries to ripen this year, presented as tribute to the Crown Prince.”
The day before, after hearing Jiang Yihuan mention cherries, Wei Zhao had gone straight to the Crown Prince to ask for some. The Crown Prince had only one basket to begin with, and Wei Zhao had mercilessly taken the whole thing.
“Can’t you ask for another basket?”
“No. The person you like most eats far too much. I can’t afford to keep feeding her.”
Yesterday, Zhu Xian had gotten so carried away that she had devoured more than half the basket, leaving Jiang Yihuan with only a few.
Jiang Yihuan reached into her robes and pulled out her handkerchief made of Flowing Light Brocade. Wrapped inside were several large, plump cherries.
“Hehe… Bet you didn’t expect this! I secretly saved a few.”
Wei Zhao couldn’t help laughing. He pinched her cheek, pleased to find it had finally gained a little flesh.
“So you did remember to save a few for yourself. You’re not completely foolish after all.”
“They’re really delicious. You should have one too.”
She picked up a cherry and held it to his lips.
Her fingers were soft and round like polished jade beads. Wei Zhao glanced at them and immediately clamped his lips shut.
“You’re really not going to eat it? These are the best cherries in the whole basket. I saved them especially for you.”
“Then why didn’t you give them all to Zhu Xian? Isn’t she the person you like most?”
“Zhu Xian got hurt because of me, so she should eat more. But the biggest and reddest cherries had to be saved for you. I always give the best things to you.”
She swallowed hard.
“I-If you won’t eat them, then I’ll eat them myself.”
Wei Zhao instantly grabbed her wrist.
As his teeth lightly bit into the cherry, sweet juice flooded his mouth, carrying a refreshing tartness with a hint of sweetness.
No one had ever saved the best things for him.
When his parents were alive, the finest things were reserved for the elders out of filial piety.
Later, after his younger sister came along, the best naturally belonged to her.
Anything he wanted, he had always had to fight for himself.
No one had ever set something aside just for him.
When they returned to the Wei residence, Madam Heng and the others were already waiting in the main hall.
Wei Zhiru had been badly frightened the previous day and hadn’t dared visit Jiang Yihuan in Wei Zhao’s courtyard. She now stood beside Madam Lin, looking thoroughly guilty.
The moment Wei Zhao saw her, his expression turned cold.
“Wei Zhilan. Wei Zhiru. Just what kind of friends have you been making? If anything like this happens again, I’ll punish both of you as well.”
Madam Heng hurriedly said, “I’ve already spoken to your aunt. The girls will be much more careful when choosing friends from now on.”
Madam Lin added, “I’ve already scolded Zhiru. She’s simply too naïve and was completely fooled by Miss Fu. She suffered plenty because of it.”
Wei Zhao squeezed Jiang Yihuan’s hand.
“You need to be more careful when making friends too. No one is allowed to take advantage of you. Understand?”
“Mhm. I’ll listen to everything you say.”
Madam Lin stared in astonishment.
She had thought Jiang Yihuan had exaggerated just how much Wei Zhao doted on her.
Now she realized the truth was even more unbelievable than the stories.
After court adjourned, Vice Minister Pei was stopped by Deputy Chief Qiao of the Court of Judicial Review, who handed him a written judgment.
Vice Minister Pei’s already dark face turned green.
“Deputy Chief Qiao, have you lost your mind? Since when does the Court of Judicial Review accept lawsuits from ordinary civilians?”
“From the moment Wei Zhao barged into the Court and made a scene.”
Deputy Chief Qiao answered with a perfectly straight face.
“I’m a Vice Minister of Justice. Are you deliberately insulting me?”
“I’m the Deputy Chief of the Court of Judicial Review. I’m not the one insulting you—Wei Zhao is.”
“Get this straight! It was Miss Jiang who hit my younger sister. I haven’t even held her accountable yet, and she files a complaint first? You didn’t even investigate before issuing a judgment?”
“My apologies. That’s exactly how I ruled.”
“As a fellow official, let me give you one piece of advice.”
“If you can’t get rid of Wei Zhao, then take your sister to apologize to Miss Jiang.”
“Otherwise…”
“…wait for Wei Zhao to get rid of you.”
After all, Wei Zhao’s famous saying was:
“You want to kill me? Then I’ll kill every last one of you first!”
Arrogant to the extreme.
Vice Minister Pei slowly closed his eyes.
That damned dog Wei Zhao… When will he finally fall from power?
Since the incident, Jiang Yihuan hadn’t gone out to play.
Madam Lin had hired a female tutor for Wei Zhiru, so no one was available to keep her company.
She lay across the table, clumsily writing her own name on a sheet of paper.
Jiang Yihuan.
Then she wrote another name.
Wei Zhao.
Zhu Xian noticed that Jiang Yihuan was holding the brush completely wrong. It was obvious she had never learned to write.
Then again, she had barely been able to fill her stomach growing up.
Where would she have found the money to buy brushes and ink?
A maid came in to report,
“Miss Jiang, Vice Minister Pei and Miss Pei have arrived.”
Jiang Yihuan’s eyes lit up.
“So soon? We only went to the Court of Judicial Review the day before yesterday. The capital really handles cases efficiently!”
She immediately changed into one of her brightly colored outfits before going to receive the Pei siblings.
Pei Nianfang awkwardly lowered her head.
“Miss Jiang… I’ve come to apologize.”
Jiang Yihuan stared at her face.
“Really? I don’t believe you.”
“Tell me. What exactly did you do wrong?”
Pei Nianfang hesitated.
“…I… I shouldn’t have stood up for my friend.”
“No.”
“Standing up for your friend isn’t wrong.”
“But you shouldn’t have done it without knowing the truth.”
“The one who scolded Wei Zhilan was Wei Zhao. If you were really angry, you should’ve demanded an explanation from him instead of taking it out on me.”
Pei Nianfang fell silent.
Demand an explanation from Wei Zhao?
That would be asking to die.
Vice Minister Pei spoke solemnly.
“Miss Jiang, my sister was wrong for bullying an innocent person like you.”
“I failed to discipline her properly.”
“Please forgive us.”
Ever since Deputy Chief Qiao had handed him that judgment, he had spent two days and two nights weighing his options before deciding to come in person to apologize.
A true man knew when to yield and when to stand firm.
There was nothing shameful about it.
But Jiang Yihuan suddenly said,
“Vice Minister Pei, when you frown, you look even sterner than Old Madam Wei.”
“Honestly, the two of you resemble each other a little.”
“But you’re much younger.”
“And you’re not nearly as mean as she is.”
Vice Minister Pei: “…”
What an innocent little goose.
So this is Wei Zhao’s type?
Zhu Xian quickly coughed.
“Ahem… Lord Pei serves in the Ministry of Justice. He’s always this serious.”
Jiang Yihuan nodded.
“Vice Minister Pei, your sister caused trouble and dragged you into it.”
“You didn’t beat her.”
“You even brought her here to apologize.”
“That proves you’re a good older brother.”
“I forgive her.”
“You shouldn’t stay angry either.”
“When you get home, don’t shut the doors just to scold her.”
“I won’t allow it.”
Vice Minister Pei couldn’t help sighing inwardly.
Although Miss Jiang could seem adorably foolish, she was considerate and kind.
For the first time, he found himself a little envious of Jiang Qianli.
The moment they returned home…
He was definitely going to give his sister the scolding of her life.
Pei Nianfang smiled sincerely.
“Yihuan, thank you for forgiving me.”
“From now on, we’re friends.”
Jiang Yihuan noticed the large chest behind them.
“What’s inside that box?”
“Is it all for me?”
“Yes, yes.”
“It’s your compensation.”
“Five hundred taels of silver.”
“Do you think it’s enough?”
“Enough! More than enough!”
“We’re friends who have been through life and death together now!”
Jiang Yihuan beamed happily.
Pei Nianfang secretly sneered.
You silly goose.
I’ll become your friend first.
Once I’ve earned your trust…
Then I’ll teach you a proper lesson.
After the Pei siblings left, Jiang Yihuan took out some silver and handed it to Zhu Xian.
“This is three months’ worth of your salary.”
“Please stop stabbing Wei Zhao with imaginary needles in your heart.”
Zhu Xian froze in shock.
S-She actually noticed?
She immediately dropped to her knees with a thud.
“Miss Jiang!”
“You absolutely mustn’t tell Master!”
“I’m begging you!”
Wei Zhao didn’t return until deep into the night.
He looked troubled.
Earlier that day, he had received word that Jiang Qianli had escaped into the deep mountains during his exile.
Those mountains were filled with venomous snakes and savage beasts…
Exactly like the story Wei Zhao had used to scare Jiang Yihuan a few days earlier.
If Jiang Qianli really died…
Would Jiang Yihuan cry herself to death?
As he pushed open the door, a sheet of paper slipped through the crack and landed at his feet.
Written on it in crooked, childish handwriting were two names.
Wei Zhao.
Jiang Yihuan.
There was no need to guess who had written it.
It had to be Jiang Yihuan.
He studied it for quite a while.
It was…
Quite ugly.
Liang Jian lowered his voice.
“General… Reading by lamplight at night is bad for your eyes.”
“You should probably put it away.”