Chapter 25: The One in My Heart“What are you still doing here?” Ji Shuhuai asked.Huh?No, no… go investigate right now?So urgent?Alright then.Ji Feng had no choice but to say, “I’ll go investigate right away.”Ji Shuhuai nodded.Ji Feng stood up and left the carriage.Ji Yu entered to accompany Ji Shuhuai.Not long after, they arrived at the entrance of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s residence.Ji Shuhuai stepped down from the carriage.Ji Shuyou happily came forward to greet him: “Brother!”“Hmm, didn’t go out to play today?” Ji Shuhuai asked.“I just got back myself.”“Going out again now?” The customs of the Great Wei were relatively open.Women could go out to shop, sightsee, work, and so on.Ji Shuyou had loved playing since childhood and often went out for a stroll.Ji Shuhuai never restrained her.Ji Shuyou shook her head: “Not going out. I came out specifically to welcome you, Brother.”Ji Shuhuai looked at her in surprise.Ji Shuyou said with a smile: “Mother is looking for you.”“What is it?” Ji Shuhuai stepped over the high threshold of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s residence.Ji Shuyou followed: “It’s about the spring outing!”“I’m not going.” Ji Shuhuai strode forward.Ji Shuyou had just turned fifteen.She was quite tall for her age.But compared to her older brother Ji Shuhuai, she was still far behind.She had to lift her skirt and jog to catch up: “You’re not going again?”Ji Shuhuai was firm: “Not going.”Ji Shuyou frowned: “Why do you never go every year?”“Busy.” Ji Shuhuai answered succinctly.Ji Shuyou said: “Mother said you absolutely have to go this year!”“Not going.” Ji Shuhuai said firmly.Ji Shuyou said: “Mother said you must go.”Ji Shuhuai didn’t respond.Ji Shuyou switched to persuasion: “Brother, you’re not young anymore. It’s time to find a wife.”Ji Shuhuai tossed a remark at Ji Shuyou: “Mind your own business.”Ji Shuyou defended herself: “It’s not me meddling, it’s Mother.”Ji Shuhuai ignored her.Ji Shuyou continued: “Brother, the spring outing is really fun. You can fly kites, play rattan ball.”Ji Shuhuai remained unmoved.“The scenery there is beautiful too.” Ji Shuyou went on: “Lush greenery, flowers blooming everywhere.”Ji Shuhuai seemed not to hear.“Many talented young men and beautiful young ladies go.”Ji Shuhuai kept walking.“Every time, several handsome men and beautiful women end up matched.”Ji Shuhuai pondered the details of the corruption case.“This year, the Cui family, the Wang family… Count Jingnan’s daughter are all going on the spring outing.”Ji Shuhuai’s steps suddenly halted.Ji Shuyou continued jogging with her skirt lifted, then suddenly noticed no one was beside her.She turned back: “Brother, what’s wrong?”“Nothing.” Ji Shuhuai’s face showed no trace of anything unusual as he continued walking.“Brother, let’s go on the spring outing together, okay, okay?” Ji Shuyou pleaded.As they spoke, the two had already arrived before the Marchioness of Zhenbei.The Marchioness of Zhenbei overheard Ji Shuyou’s words.Knowing her son was unwilling to go on the spring outing.She sighed and said: “You’re busy every single day. Even if you’re not considering marriage for now, you should still relax a little. Don’t exhaust yourself.”“Yes, Brother, your arm isn’t fully healed yet.” Ji Shuyou said.“Take this chance to rest and recuperate.” The Marchioness of Zhenbei asked: “Alright?”“Alright.” Ji Shuhuai agreed.The Marchioness of Zhenbei and Ji Shuyou were prepared to continue persuading him.Suddenly, they realized Ji Shuhuai had said “Alright.”The two of them stared at Ji Shuhuai in astonishment, doubting their own ears: "You said yes?""Mhm." Ji Shuhuai nodded."Brother, you mean you're going on the spring outing?" Ji Shuyou quickly asked."Yes." Ji Shuhuai replied.Ji Shuyou hurriedly looked at the Marchioness of Zhenbei, happily saying: "Mother, brother says he's going on the spring outing too.""Mhm, I heard!" The Marchioness of Zhenbei could hardly conceal her joy.Ji Shuhuai chatted with the Marchioness of Zhenbei and Ji Shuyou for a while before taking his leave.Ji Yu curiously asked: "Young Master, are you really going on the spring outing?""Mhm." Ji Shuhuai didn't know why he had suddenly agreed to go.Really…He couldn't help but frown."Then I'll make some preparations." Ji Yu said."No need to take it too seriously. I'm just following the Marchioness's wishes, going through the motions.""Yes."Ji Shuhuai walked into the study.As soon as he sat down at the desk, he forgot all the messy thoughts.Three days later.The sun was bright, the spring breeze gentle.Men and women on the streets had changed into spring clothing.The roadside stalls were filled with all kinds of wild vegetables and flowers.Waves of fresh fragrance drifted through the air.The lively spirit of spring extended into every corner.The Zhenbei Marquisate's carriage headed toward the city outskirts.The Jingnan Count's carriage was still traveling within the city.Jiang Yiyue rode in the same carriage as the Countess of Jingnan, Madam Shen, First Madam, and Third Madam.This was her first formal outing from the estate, and she couldn't resist peeking through the window crack to look outside.Everything seemed new and fascinating.She couldn't help asking: "Grandmother, what is that?"The Countess of Jingnan glanced outside and said: "Snow-bubble plum blossom soup.""Is it sweet?" Jiang Yiyue asked again."Yes, it contains licorice, dried tangerine peel, and plum blossoms. It's sweet and refreshing.""Grandmother, you're so knowledgeable!"The Countess of Jingnan couldn't help but laugh.Madam Shen smiled faintly.First Madam and Third Madam, however, were extremely displeased."Grandmother, what about that one, what is it?" Jiang Yiyue asked, holding the Countess of Jingnan's arm.Not only was the Countess of Jingnan not annoyed, she even leaned toward the window crack to look with her.Even Madam Shen was surprised by how much the Countess of Jingnan liked Jiang Yiyue.Jiang Yiyue's daily visits to the Countess of Jingnan these past few days to do handicrafts had not been in vain.Seeing the grandmother and granddaughter so intimate, First Madam and Third Madam secretly gritted their teeth.Third Madam wanted to speak up and stop the pair's behavior.First Madam signaled with her eyes for her not to say anything.In the end, Third Madam remained silent.Soon, they arrived at the spring outing destination—Four Seasons Mountain.With its mountains, lake, and grasslands, it was an excellent choice for the nobility's spring outings.Many people had already set up outdoor wind-screens, spread out blankets, and arranged fruits, snacks, wine, and the like, gathering together to chat leisurely.Jiang Yiyue helped the Countess of Jingnan down from the carriage.Jiang Mingzhu got down from the carriage behind.She quickly ran over, pointing ahead and saying: "Grandmother, our outdoor wind-screen is over there.""Let's go." The Countess of Jingnan said.The group walked over.Servants were setting up the outdoor wind-screens."I'll help." Jiang Yiyue stepped forward.First Madam and the others watched Jiang Yiyue doing such menial work, looking down on her.Who would have thought the Countess of Jingnan would step forward and start directing: "It's a bit off, move it a little to the left."How could the Countess of Jingnan also…First Madam and the others looked very displeased.Not only did the Countess of Jingnan take charge herself, she also turned her head: "What are you all standing there for?"First Madam and the others had no choice but to spread the blankets, arrange the fruits, and so on.Countess of Jingnan looked at the outdoor wind-screen and said, "The wind is a bit strong today, this outdoor wind-screen isn't easy to set up.""Hmm, it needs to be secured," Jiang Yiyue replied."Young Master Cui," Jiang Mingzhu suddenly called out.Young Master Cui?Cui Lianqing?A group of people turned their gaze toward the lakeside at the sound.Cui Lianqing was dressed in a dark green spring robe, with a gold-inlaid belt around his waist, tall and handsome.He turned his head and saw Jiang Mingjiao.His eyes lit up.Just as he was about to step forward, he saw Jiang Yiyue walking briskly toward them.He immediately frowned in disgust, "Fourth Miss Jiang, in such a public setting, if you continue to pester me, I…"

The Aloof Grand Minister Doted on Her Until She Cried