Chapter 20: Matchmaking"So many, many people bully me," Jiang Yiyue said in a low voice.She looked like a stray kitten.Pitiful and endearing.Ji Shuhuai didn't even notice the urgency in his own tone: "Who bullied you?""Heir Ji, my deepest apologies." Count Jingnan suddenly approached.Ji Shuhuai quickly composed himself, returning to his usual cold and indifferent demeanor."I was just handling some trivial matters, keeping you waiting," Count Jingnan said apologetically.Ji Shuhuai looked at Count Jingnan and replied, "It's no trouble."Count Jingnan turned to Jiang Yiyue: "Yiyue."Jiang Yiyue dropped her pitiful expression and obediently responded, "Yes, Grandfather.""Have you thanked Heir Ji?" Count Jingnan asked.No.Just as Jiang Yiyue was about to speak, Ji Shuhuai cut in first: "It is I who should thank Fourth Miss Jiang.""Heir Ji, please don't say that," Count Jingnan hurriedly interrupted. "I know my granddaughter best."She has little talent."This encounter with the mountain bandits was truly unfortunate."Fortunately, she met Heir Ji—""Count Jingnan." It had already been said that it was Jiang Yiyue's merit.Count Jingnan not only flattered and fawned but also belittled Jiang Yiyue.Ji Shuhuai suddenly recalled Jiang Yiyue's earlier words: "So many, many people bully me."He felt particularly uncomfortable.His voice involuntarily hardened: "The Emperor has clearly stated Fourth Miss Jiang's merit. Does Count Jingnan have any objections?"He couldn't see the change in Ji Shuhuai's expression.But he could hear it.Count Jingnan quickly replied, "I dare not, I misspoke. The Emperor is wise, and it is indeed Yiyue's merit."Ji Shuhuai was somewhat satisfied.Seeing this, Count Jingnan hurriedly changed the subject, saying, "Heir Ji, when you last visited my humble home, you left in haste and didn't have the chance to see much. Why not take a tour today?""Count Jingnan, please lead the way," Ji Shuhuai agreed."Heir Ji, please," Count Jingnan said.Ji Shuhuai walked ahead, effectively letting go of Count Jingnan's earlier slip of the tongue.Count Jingnan discreetly lifted his sleeve to wipe the sweat from his forehead and hurried to catch up with Ji Shuhuai.Jiang Yiyue observed everything, secretly smiling to herself as she followed with light steps.Ji Feng and Xiangcao trailed at the back, quietly observing their own master and the other party's master.Ji Shuhuai and Count Jingnan chatted, occasionally glancing slightly sideways at Jiang Yiyue.Jiang Yiyue noticed this and deliberately hung her head."Heir Ji, this is the Hundred Flowers Garden of the estate," Count Jingnan introduced to Ji Shuhuai.Ji Shuhuai withdrew his gaze from Jiang Yiyue and looked ahead.It was early spring, and all things were reviving.Amidst the lush greenery, flower buds were eagerly emerging.Everywhere was full of vitality.It lifted one's spirits.Suddenly, voices could be heard."Wow, there are so many flower buds here too.""Yes, they'll bloom in a few days.""Then the Hundred Flowers Garden will be even more beautiful.""Second Sister, let's come play together then.""When the time comes, we'll pick flowers to brew tea.""…"Two brightly dressed girls chatted and laughed as they emerged from the greenery, accompanied by two maidservants.Ah.It was Second Miss Jiang Mingzhu and Third Miss Jiang Mingjiao from the main branch.Among them, Third Miss Jiang Mingjiao was the female lead of "The Beloved Sweetheart."During the days Jiang Yiyue was recuperating in the Listening Rain Pavilion, Jiang Mingzhu and Jiang Mingjiao happened to be visiting relatives.They must have just returned today.Thus, this was her first time seeing them.Sisters resembled each other, but Jiang Mingjiao was more delicate and gentle, fresh and natural like a lotus flower."Mingzhu, Mingjiao." Count Jingnan called out."Greetings, Grandfather." Jiang Mingzhu and Jiang Mingjiao curtsied gracefully.Count Jingnan turned his head and said, "Heir Ji, these are my two granddaughters. I hope you don't mind their presence."Ji Shuhuai responded politely, "You flatter me, Count Jingnan.""Greetings, Heir Ji." Jiang Mingzhu and Jiang Mingjiao greeted Ji Shuhuai together.Ji Shuhuai gave a slight nod.Instead of dismissing them, Count Jingnan asked, "What brings you two here?""Grandfather, we came to admire the flowers," Jiang Mingzhu replied, glancing briefly at Ji Shuhuai.In all her life, she had never seen a man like him.Not only powerful and influential, but also so handsome and tall, almost perfect.Just one glance made her cheeks flush with warmth.Thus, her remaining words came out with an extra touch of gentleness: "We thought to pick some to make flower tea for Grandmother.""Yes," Jiang Mingjiao nodded.Jiang Mingzhu stole another glance at Ji Shuhuai, her heart racing even faster."You are thoughtful indeed, no wonder your grandmother dotes on you both," Count Jingnan praised with satisfaction.Yet he still did not send Jiang Mingzhu and Jiang Mingjiao away. Instead, he turned to Ji Shuhuai and asked, "Heir Ji, does the Marchioness of Zhenbei enjoy flower tea?"Oh… Jiang Yiyue suddenly understood Count Jingnan's intention to forge a marriage alliance with the Zhenbei Marquisate.He was deliberately trying to match Jiang Mingzhu with Ji Shuhuai.How infuriating.She and Ji Shuhuai had already shared hardships and bonded. Wouldn't it be easier to match her with him instead?Indeed!As expected, Count Jingnan still favored the eldest branch of the family.She looked at Ji Shuhuai unhappily.Ji Shuhuai replied indifferently, "My mother has many interests, and she does enjoy flower tea as well."In the original story, after Ji Shuhuai became lame, he endured much ridicule and grew increasingly cold-hearted.He had not the slightest interest in matters of romance.Thus, he remained unmarried for life.But after Jiang Yiyue transmigrated into the book, she inadvertently saved his leg through a twist of fate.Now that he was physically and mentally healthy, was he looking for a woman?Hah.Men.She couldn't help but let out a disdainful "tsk" to express her displeasure.Ji Shuhuai had exceptionally sharp hearing and caught the faint sound.He turned his head slightly to look in her direction.Jiang Yiyue happened to roll her eyes at him with utter contempt.He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.Jiang Yiyue realized he had noticed her attitude.She quickly smiled in response, even batting her sparkling, doe-like eyes, trying to make him forget the earlier eye-roll."That's wonderful. Mingzhu is quite renowned in the capital for making flower tea," Count Jingnan continued.Upon hearing this, Ji Shuhuai looked at Count Jingnan. "Is that so?""Grandfather praises me too highly. I only know a little," Jiang Mingzhu said shyly."Second Sister is too modest," Jiang Mingjiao chimed in with a smile. "At last year's Autumn Banquet, all the ladies praised your chrysanthemum tea as the most exquisite.""Not at all," Jiang Mingzhu replied, secretly pleased, and stole another glance at Ji Shuhuai.Clearly, she was delighted to have others praise her in front of him.Count Jingnan laughed. "If there is an opportunity, perhaps the Marchioness of Zhenbei could offer some guidance.""Yes," Jiang Mingzhu responded happily, at the same time lifting her chin triumphantly toward Jiang Yiyue.What does that mean?Did I provoke you?Jiang Yiyue caught Jiang Mingzhu's look.Before she could speak, she heard Ji Shuhuai say, "Thank you for your kind offer, Second Miss Jiang."Upon hearing this, Jiang Mingzhu looked up and met Ji Shuhuai's sharp gaze.It seemed as though her earlier actions and her intentions had been seen through in an instant.Her heart couldn't help but flutter with panic.Ji Shuhuai spoke word by word: "My mother believes in Buddhism. She does not do cruel things like destroying flowers, nor does she drink tea made from unbloomed buds."

The Aloof Grand Minister Doted on Her Until She Cried