Chapter 11: Returning to the Mansion"Lord Heir, we'll soon arrive at Count Jingnan's mansion.""Mm.""But Miss Jiang the Fourth hasn't woken up yet.""Then stop at the entrance of Count Jingnan's mansion and wait for her to wake.""…"Jiang Yiyue faintly heard two people speaking in her drowsy state.She couldn't make out the words clearly and slowly opened her eyes.Ji Shuhuai wore dark robes with subtle patterns, his black hair neatly combed back, his face clean and aloof, like light atop a mountain peak.Even with his right arm in a splint, he remained dazzling yet cold.Ji Shuhuai noticed she was awake and turned his gaze toward her.Jiang Yiyue tried to sit up, but a wave of pain shot through her body."Slowly." Ji Shuhuai reached out to support her.Jiang Yiyue gradually straightened herself and realized she was sitting in a moving carriage.She asked in confusion, "Where are we going?""Taking you back to Count Jingnan's mansion," Ji Shuhuai replied."Going back now?" Jiang Yiyue asked."Unwilling?" Ji Shuhuai inquired."Did you suppress the bandits?" Jiang Yiyue asked."…" Ji Shuhuai had to admit, "Yes.""Was it successful?""Naturally."Jiang Yiyue eagerly asked, "Then will you later say I contributed to suppressing the bandits?""Mm." Upon learning of the bandits' rampage, Ji Shuhuai had resolved to eliminate them.Later, when Jiang Yiyue wanted the "assistance" credit to clear her "lost virtue" reputation, he kept it in mind.Last night, before even descending the mountain, he had ordered Ji Feng to lead men straight to the bandits' lair."Ah, Heir Ji, you're truly wonderful!" Jiang Yiyue smiled and reached to tug at Ji Shuhuai's sleeve.Ji Shuhuai lowered his gaze to look at her hand.In Shanxi Village, Jiang Yiyue had acted as Ji Shuhuai's wife, deliberately designing some intimate gestures to deceive Auntie Qi and the others.In her excitement, she had done it again.She quickly withdrew her hand and said, "Apologies, I overstepped."Ji Shuhuai said nothing.Jiang Yiyue suddenly noticed the clothes she was wearing.Bright in color, made of fine fabric.She exclaimed in surprise, "Heir Ji, my clothes…""The physician changed them for you," Ji Shuhuai said."What physician?""A female physician."Jiang Yiyue was puzzled.Ji Shuhuai explained, "After you fell asleep, we quickly descended the mountain and found an inn."There happened to be a female physician there who applied medicine and changed your clothes."However, we couldn't stay long at the inn to avoid gossip."Once everything was prepared, we took the carriage back to the capital."We'll soon arrive at Count Jingnan's mansion.""So that's how it was. Heir Ji, you're truly a great person!" Jiang Yiyue praised without hesitation.Usually, Ji Shuhuai paid no heed.But this time he said, "You saved me.""Ah?" Jiang Yiyue wondered if she was hearing things.Ji Shuhuai said, "If not for you, I might have been buried in the mountain forest."No way!In the book, without the original host appearing, Ji Shuhuai hadn't been buried in the mountain forest!But!Jiang Yiyue had appeared and saved his right leg, otherwise he would have been a cripple like in the book!Thinking this, she indeed had great merit.She immediately said, "You're right! I have contributed!""Mm, great kindness needs no thanks. If Miss Jiang the Fourth ever has needs in the future, you may seek me anytime.""Really?" Being able to establish a connection with Ji Shuhuai meant twenty years less struggle.Jiang Yiyue couldn't wait to ask, "Can I really seek you out?"Ji Shuhuai hadn't expected Jiang Yiyue to be so eager.Jiang Yiyue also noticed her own impatience.She hurriedly explained, "Young Master Ji is accomplished at a young age and handsome as well. It's truly a great fortune to have met you."Here we go again.Fake.Ji Shuhuai didn't expose her.Jiang Yiyue then asked, "Then in the future…"Seeing her pause, Ji Shuhuai inquired, "In the future what?""Will we be considered friends who have weathered hardships together?" Jiang Yiyue asked."Naturally."Worth it!So worth it!Jiang Yiyue suddenly felt that all the pain and suffering she had endured these past few days were entirely worthwhile.She showered Ji Shuhuai with another round of praise.Ji Shuhuai was left speechless.At that moment, the carriage slowly came to a stop.Ji Feng's voice came from outside, "Young Master, we've arrived at Count Jingnan's residence.""Understood." Ji Shuhuai turned to Jiang Yiyue, "Shall we get off now?"In the original story, the protagonist had been humiliated and suppressed by Cui Lianqing, and after leaving Count Jingnan's residence, she never returned.Jiang Yiyue had returned, and she intended to stand her ground.She immediately rose to her feet.But she stood up too quickly, pulling at her wound.She stumbled in pain for a couple of steps.Ji Shuhuai quickly reached out with his left hand to steady her.But his left arm was also severely injured, and he winced with a sharp intake of breath.Jiang Yiyue hurriedly supported his arm, "Are you alright?"Ji Shuhuai felt the warmth from her slender fingers.Somewhat uncomfortable, he slowly withdrew his arm and said, "It's nothing.""Your left arm was injured a second time, so you must take good care of it," Jiang Yiyue said.Ji Shuhuai gave Jiang Yiyue a deep look and said, "Let's get off the carriage.""Alright." Jiang Yiyue nodded.The gatekeeper at Count Jingnan's residence had already been informed of Ji Shuhuai's arrival and reported it to Count Jingnan.Ji Shuhuai was not only the heir of the Marquis of Zhenbei and the younger brother of the Virtuous Consort but also held a position in the Censorate.The Emperor valued him, and even princes and chief ministers showed him respect.Count Jingnan quickly tidied himself up and came out with his three sons to welcome him.Ji Shuhuai returned the courtesy to Count Jingnan.Only then did Count Jingnan and the others notice Jiang Yiyue standing beside Ji Shuhuai."Greetings to Grandfather, Eldest Uncle, Father, and Third Uncle." Jiang Yiyue bowed."You…" On the day Jiang Yiyue encountered the mountain bandits, Count Jingnan's residence had already received the news.The entire capital knew about it as well.Regardless of whether Jiang Yiyue was alive or dead, malicious rumors had inexplicably begun to spread.Count Jingnan's residence had also been caught up in the gossip.But now she had returned.The four men from Count Jingnan's residence were stunned.Count Jingnan asked, "Are you alright?""Not only is she fine, but she also assisted in the suppression of the bandits and contributed greatly," Ji Shuhuai interjected."Assisted in suppressing bandits?" the four men from Count Jingnan's residence asked in unison."Yes. Count Jingnan must be aware that bandits have been rampant outside the city," Ji Shuhuai said.Count Jingnan replied, "The terrain outside the city is treacherous and ever-changing, and the bandits hide deep within, making them difficult to eradicate.""Exactly."This time, they struck again, plundering nearby villages."Miss Jiang the Fourth unfortunately encountered them."She did not retreat but instead ran, luring the bandits into pursuit."Coincidentally, I was returning to the capital with a group of soldiers and came across them."Based on the information provided by Miss Jiang the Fourth, we intercepted and killed a large number of bandits while also capturing some alive."We successfully destroyed the bandits' stronghold in one fell swoop."Miss Jiang the Fourth was a great help to us." Ji Shuhuai glanced at Jiang Yiyue.Jiang Yiyue secretly gave Ji Shuhuai a thumbs-up.Ji Shuhuai gave her a faint sidelong glance.He bowed to Count Jingnan and said, "Miss Jiang the Fourth is intelligent, brave, fearless of danger, and resourceful in serving the people."It must be due to Count Jingnan's excellent guidance."Ever since Jiang Yiyue had started revolving around Cui Lianqing day and night, Count Jingnan and the second branch of the family had been consistently suppressed by Cui Lianqing.Although Count Jingnan's residence was a noble estate, the Cui family was a century-old aristocratic clan.Count Jingnan had also been looking rather disheveled these days.He never expected to earn Ji Shuhuai's approval because of Jiang Yiyue.He felt particularly pleased and hurriedly invited Ji Shuhuai into the residence.The group arrived in the main hall.Count Jingnan looked at Jiang Yiyue and said, "Yiyue, your grandmother has been very worried about you."Jiang Yiyue turned her gaze toward Ji Shuhuai.This… lingering, reluctant gaze… Ji Shuhuai couldn't handle it.He pretended not to see it and quickly raised his teacup to take a sip of water.But Jiang Yiyue deliberately said, "Young Master Ji, we agreed to meet again. Don't forget."Agreed to meet again?When did they agree?When was it supposed to be?Ji Shuhuai nearly choked.

The Aloof Grand Minister Doted on Her Until She Cried