Chapter 19: Not Good"Let's go see." Jiang Yiyue straightened her clothes and walked out."Yes." Xiangcao hurriedly followed.Nanny Li happened to lead a group of people inside."Nanny Li, what brings you here?" Jiang Yiyue smiled politely.When Miss Jiang the Fourth was young, she was adorable, lively, and well-mannered, making her quite likable.After getting involved with Cui Lianqing, she often exhibited behaviors that drew criticism.Either she was rude or timid.Nanny Li gradually grew to dislike her.But after the bandit incident, Miss Jiang the Fourth seemed to have broken free from her muddled state.She became proper and radiant again.It couldn't help but catch one's eye.Nanny Li stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings, Fourth Miss.""No need for formalities, Nanny Li." Jiang Yiyue stepped forward to help Nanny Li up.Miss Jiang the Fourth has truly matured now!Nanny Li felt particularly comfortable inside, her gaze softening."Xiangcao, serve tea for Nanny Li," Jiang Yiyue said."Yes," Xiangcao replied."No need for the trouble. I'll just deliver some rewards to Fourth Miss and be on my way." Nanny Li slightly tilted her head.Several maids approached carrying trays.Jiang Yiyue asked in confusion, "What is this?"Nanny Li smiled. "These are gold and silver jewelry, rouge, and powder bestowed upon Fourth Miss by the Countess.""Rewards? Why is Grandmother rewarding me?" Jiang Yiyue was extremely surprised.Xiangcao had just thought Nanny Li was here to cause trouble, but how…Nanny Li asked, "Does Fourth Miss not know yet?""Know what?" Jiang Yiyue countered."His Majesty has rewarded the Count for Fourth Miss's assistance to Heir Ji in suppressing the bandits.""His Majesty knows about my assistance in suppressing the bandits?""Yes.""Did Heir Ji tell His Majesty?""Yes."Ji Shuhuai is truly a good person.Jiang Yiyue praised Ji Shuhuai a hundred times in her heart.But why did His Majesty reward Count Jingnan instead of directly rewarding her?How strange.Nanny Li continued, "The Count's residence is hosting a banquet for Heir Ji at noon today. Fourth Miss may go to express her gratitude.""Will Heir Ji really come?" Jiang Yiyue asked.Nanny Li nodded. "Yes, he has already accepted the Count's invitation.""Alright, I'll go later then. Thank you for your trouble, Nanny Li." Jiang Yiyue took out some silver pieces.Nanny Li accepted them with a beaming smile.The maids placed the rewards down and left with Nanny Li.Jiang Yiyue hurriedly opened each small box.Rouge and powder.Gold and silver jewelry.Gold and silver leaves.…Though not abundant, it was still a considerable sum.Happily, she rewarded Xiangcao with a silver leaf.Xiangcao was too frightened to take it."Take it. You deserve it." Jiang Yiyue stuffed it into her hand."Thank you for the reward, Miss." Xiangcao happily accepted it."Give some rewards to Nanny Pan and the others as well." Besides Xiangcao, the personal senior maid, there was also a head nanny and two rough-work maids in Tingyu Pavilion."Yes.""Also, set aside half of these rewards to send to the Second Madam.""Yes." Xiangcao immediately went to handle it.Jiang Yiyue returned to her bedroom, rummaging through chests and cabinets for clothes.She tried on set after set.Finally, she selected one.Xiangcao returned just then."Is everything done?" Jiang Yiyue asked."All done," Xiangcao said."Come help me with my makeup. I'll go see Heir Ji in a while." Jiang Yiyue sat before the dressing mirror.Xiangcao stood behind Jiang Yiyue and said, "Second Madam said that when Miss meets Heir Ji later, she should mind her words and actions.""Don't worry." Jiang Yiyue casually replied.Xiangcao had noticed the changes in her young mistress these past few days and believed she could succeed.Everything was ready, and the time was almost right.Jiang Yiyue brought Xiangcao to the front courtyard.At a glance, she saw Ji Shuhuai speaking with Count Jingnan in the courtyard.He wore a deep cyan robe with subtle patterns and wide sleeves, cinched at the waist with a belt of the same color.His injured right arm rested lightly across his chest, while his left arm was tucked behind his back.Just this upright, pine-like, immortal posture was enough to captivate anyone’s gaze.Ji Shuhuai seemed to sense something and turned his head to look over.His honey-toned skin, sharp gaze, and flawlessly sculpted features were beyond reproach.This man was truly handsome!Jiang Yiyue was momentarily stunned.Ji Shuhuai hadn’t seen Jiang Yiyue for several days, and she was no longer dressed casually.She wore a spring-green wide-sleeved robe over an orange skirt patterned with begonia flowers, both bright and elegant.Her snow-white face no longer held the pallor from Shanzhi Village or the grime from their mountain escape.She looked fair, dewy, and exquisite.Like a flower blooming on a cliff—beautiful, dazzling, and resilient.His mind suddenly echoed her words, “I am the number one beauty in the capital.”Barely… she could be called the number one beauty in the capital.But her gaze… was still the same as before, utterly unconcealed.As if she wanted to strip him bare.He frowned slightly and gave a light cough.Jiang Yiyue showed no reaction.“Fourth Young Miss,” Xiangcao quietly tugged at Jiang Yiyue’s sleeve.Jiang Yiyue snapped back to attention.Without any embarrassment over being lost in admiration of his looks, she smiled naturally and walked over.Ji Shuhuai deliberately shifted his steps, putting some distance between himself and Jiang Yiyue, as if afraid she might take liberties with him.“Yiyue is here.” Count Jingnan wasn’t particularly fond of Jiang Yiyue.However, his political achievements were mediocre and went unnoticed, yet recently, because of Jiang Yiyue, he had received rewards from the emperor.He was quite pleased and had begun to pay more attention to Jiang Yiyue.“Yes, Grandfather.” Jiang Yiyue gave a light curtsy.“Quickly thank Heir Ji for saving your life.” Even though it was Jiang Yiyue who had saved Ji Shuhuai,Count Jingnan insisted that Ji Shuhuai had saved Jiang Yiyue.His intention to curry favor was obvious.At that moment, a servant came to report something.Count Jingnan motioned for Jiang Yiyue to entertain Ji Shuhuai for a while.He took a few steps aside to listen to the servant’s report.Jiang Yiyue looked at Ji Shuhuai, her eyes sparkling. “Heir Ji, have you recovered?”“Almost,” Ji Shuhuai replied.“You’re not someone who enjoys socializing, so did you come to Count Jingnan’s banquet just to see me?” Jiang Yiyue asked with a grin.Xiangcao’s eyes widened in surprise upon hearing this.Not far away, Ji Feng was taken aback and quickly turned to look at Ji Shuhuai, curious about his reaction.Ji Shuhuai’s lips twitched slightly, and he lowered his voice. “Fourth Young Miss Jiang, be careful with your words.”“Have I overstepped?” Jiang Yiyue asked.Actually… not really.Ji Shuhuai didn’t know how to respond.“Aren’t we comrades in adversity?” Jiang Yiyue pressed.Ji Shuhuai was left speechless.“Since we’re comrades in adversity, what’s wrong with you coming to see me?”“I…” Her reasoning was sound, and Ji Shuhuai couldn’t refute it.“What kind of comrade in adversity treats me so coldly?” Jiang Yiyue muttered, lowering her head dejectedly.Ji Shuhuai suddenly felt that treating his savior and comrade in adversity this way was truly inappropriate.He coughed again, lowered his head slightly, and his voice softened. “Have your injuries healed?”This gentle tone?Could it really be coming from the heir?When did the young master ever show such affection towards a young lady?Ji Feng was utterly astonished.Yet Jiang Yiyue pouted discontentedly and muttered, "That's about enough."Ji Shuhuai then asked gently, "How have you been lately?""Not well," Jiang Yiyue replied, lifting her gaze.Ji Shuhuai was taken aback. "What's wrong?"

The Aloof Grand Minister Doted on Her Until She Cried