Unable to see Wei Zhao, Jiang Yihuan slept restlessly. Early the next morning, while she was still half-asleep, visitors arrived at her door.
It was Wei Zhilan, accompanied by Nanny He from Madam Heng’s household.
Wrapping an outer robe around herself, Jiang Yihuan hid behind Zhu Xian.
“…Sister, I’m scared.”
Zhu Xian comforted her gently.
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you.”
Wei Zhilan’s gaze immediately fell upon the Liuguang Brocade resting on the table. Its shimmering brilliance seemed like blazing fire, burning a hole through her heart.
Her brother had actually given the Liuguang Brocade to Jiang Yihuan?
Having been born into wealth and privilege, she had never coveted the fabric itself. What she cared about was her brother’s affection.
Jiang Yihuan peeked out from behind Zhu Xian.
“What are you here for? Didn’t we already settle our grievances?”
Wei Zhilan replied coolly,
“I’ve come under Mother’s orders to bring you to the Wei residence. Brother and Mother both scolded me over what happened that day. I was even punished and made to kneel. Are you satisfied now?”
“I’m not going. I don’t like you! And you don’t like me either!”
Zhu Xian also spoke up.
“My master instructed me to protect Miss Jiang. He never said she was to return to the Wei residence.”
Nanny He smiled warmly.
“Miss Zhu Xian, my mistress is very fond of Miss Jiang and wishes to invite her to stay for a few days. The Young Master will surely agree.”
Zhu Xian hesitated.
Madam Heng was indeed kindhearted, but without her master’s explicit orders, she dared not make the decision herself.
Jiang Yihuan blinked innocently.
“Nanny, Madam likes me. If Miss Wei and I get into an argument, she’ll definitely take my side. That wouldn’t be fair to Miss Wei, so I’d better not go.”
Nanny He nearly choked.
You’re overthinking this. How could Madam possibly favor you over her own daughter?
Just as the standoff continued, Wei Zhao returned.
Tall and straight as a pine or bamboo, he carried himself with effortless elegance, though a trace of sleepiness lingered between his brows.
“Yihuan, come out.”
Jiang Yihuan and Wei Zhilan both hurried toward him at the same time.
“Brother! I came to see you!”
“Wei Zhao! Your troublemaking sister came to our house!”
The corner of Wei Zhao’s mouth twitched.
His gaze landed on Jiang Yihuan’s loose black hair.
“I’ll be accompanying the Crown Prince to Dongshan on the eastern outskirts of the capital for a few days. Zhu Xian will stay behind to look after you.”
Jiang Yihuan pouted.
“No. I’m your prisoner. You have to keep an eye on me.”
“You can stay home and sew clothes. Isn’t all that Liuguang Brocade enough to keep you busy?”
“I’ll bring the brocade and go with you!”
Wei Zhao deliberately frightened her.
“If you keep making trouble, I’ll lock you in your room.”
Jiang Yihuan obediently rubbed her fingers together.
“…Fine. I’ll listen to you.”
Wei Zhao gave a satisfied hum, pleased by her compliance.
Almost absentmindedly, he reached out and gently smoothed her silky hair.
Seeing this scene made Wei Zhilan feel even worse.
When had Brother ever treated me so gently?
“Brother, you’re going to Dongshan? Have you told Mother?”
Wei Zhao ignored her.
Unable to bear it any longer, Nanny He stepped forward.
“Greetings, Young Master. This old servant came under Madam’s orders to bring Miss Jiang back. Since you’re leaving the capital, you can safely entrust Miss Jiang to Madam’s care.”
Wei Zhao looked at Jiang Yihuan.
“Would you like to stay with my mother?”
“Yes. Your mother is kind. But I’m afraid of your sister.”
Wei Zhao nodded.
“Zhu Xian, pack Yihuan’s belongings and escort her to Mother’s residence.”
“Yes, Master.”
Wei Zhilan suppressed her frustration.
“Brother, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her too.”
Wei Zhao’s gaze swept over her face before he said calmly,
“Zhu Xian, look after Yihuan carefully—and keep an eye on her for me.”
Zhu Xian blinked.
“…Ah? Yes… understood.”
Wei Zhilan felt utterly wronged.
Did Brother really need to guard against me like this?
Jiang Yihuan suddenly asked,
“Wei Zhao, where did you run off to fool around last night? Did you keep another prisoner somewhere? Isn’t having me enough?”
Wei Zhao flicked his sleeve impatiently.
“Don’t push your luck! That’s none of your concern!”
He owned several residences and rotated between them. He had come early in the morning just to give her a few instructions, yet now she was interrogating him?
Wei Zhilan immediately felt much better.
Serves Jiang Yihuan right. She got too full of herself and finally annoyed Brother.
After packing, Jiang Yihuan climbed into the carriage bound for the Wei residence, bringing all six bolts of Liuguang Brocade with her.
Humming happily, she leaned against Zhu Xian.
“I’m going to make lots and lots of clothes. Once I use up all the Liuguang Brocade, I’ll ask Wei Zhao for more.”
Wei Zhilan stared at her.
“Your brother tried to assassinate my brother several times. My brother should hate you. Why is he treating you so well?”
When she had been little, she had been deceived by rumors. Whenever others insulted her brother, she had even joined them in throwing stones at him.
She had regretted it ever since growing up.
Couldn’t her brother see that?
“The one who tried to kill him was my brother. I never hurt him. Why should he blame me?”
“I was living peacefully in the countryside. That day I worked so hard and finally dug up a huge bamboo shoot. Before I could even put it in my basket, your brother’s men dragged me away.”
She suddenly brightened.
“You reminded me. I need to make him compensate me for that bamboo shoot.”
Wei Zhilan was speechless.
“He gave all six bolts of Liuguang Brocade to you! He didn’t give me even a single inch! You’re stealing my brother from me!”
Everyone envied her for having such an impressive elder brother.
No one knew how distant and cold he actually was toward her.
Jiang Yihuan’s head began to ache from all the complaining.
“I’m not stealing him from you. I already have a brother, and he loves me very much.”
“When I was little, I caught the plague and the village head drove me out of the village. My brother carried me up into the mountains to hide. While searching for medicine, he nearly fell off a cliff.”
“Later, to buy nourishing food for me, he even sold himself to a wealthy widow.”
“That’s how I survived.”
Wei Zhilan’s eyes reddened.
“Your brother… sold himself?”
“Yes.”
Jiang Yihuan smiled softly.
“My brother is my favorite person.”
Wei Zhilan hesitated before asking quietly,
“…Then… if everyone hated your brother, looked down on him, and considered him your disgrace… would you still acknowledge him?”
“Why should I care what other people think?”
“He’s the best brother in the world.”
“I even want to bring him back to the capital. I’m just too weak right now and haven’t figured out how.”
Wei Zhilan couldn’t help recalling the day Jiang Yihuan had begged everyone not to insult Jiang Qianli.
Back then…
Did she herself ever have the courage to stop others from bullying her own brother?
Jiang Yihuan nudged her.
“We’re here. Let’s get out.”
“My stomach hurts a little.”
News of Jiang Yihuan’s arrival at the Wei residence quickly spread throughout the household.
Old Madam Wei snorted.
“I’d like to see what kind of girl has managed to catch Zhao’er’s eye. Where is Miss Jiang staying?”
A maid answered,
“Reporting to Old Madam, her belongings have been moved into the First Madam’s courtyard.”
Old Madam Wei sneered.
“Keeping Zhao’er’s favored girl by her side? Isn’t she just scheming for her own benefit?”
Back then, blinded by rumors and already disliking Madam Heng, she had misunderstood her eldest grandson.
In recent years, she had repeatedly tried to mend their relationship, yet Wei Zhao had never accepted her goodwill.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yihuan lay in her room, feeling a dull, dragging pain in her lower abdomen.
After settling her in, Madam Heng looked at her gloomy daughter.
“You’re unhappy. Did you quarrel with her?”
Wei Zhilan lowered her head in shame.
“Mother… please don’t ask. I don’t want to talk about it.”
Madam Heng sighed.
“I know you don’t like her. But now that she’s here, you must treat her kindly.”
How she wished she could simply devote all her love to her daughter.
Yet reality was bittersweet.
Although her son respected her, he had never obeyed her in everything.
Sometimes, she even found herself needing to win his favor.
At that moment, the crystal-beaded curtain was lifted, and an elderly maid from Old Madam Wei’s residence came to deliver a message.
“Old Madam invites all of you to dine in her courtyard.”
“And bring Miss Jiang along as well.”