The group drew closer and closer to Xie Yunian’s courtyard.
Jiang Yao couldn’t figure out why things had escalated to this point. Her original plan was to visit the Xie Estate, spend some money to spread a few rumors, and the matter would be settled.
Instead, Madam Xie seemed to have channeled her inner-shipper, insisting that Jiang Yao take a look at Xie Yunian, as if she were desperately hoping for a miracle to occur.
“Although Yunian has a somewhat cold personality, he is considerate and thoughtful. Before he left, he even said he’d hunt a pheasant for me to make stew, but alas…”
Madam Xie sighed.
Looking at the dark circles under Madam Xie’s eyes, Jiang Yao could guess that the worry in her heart had been significant since Xie Yunian fell into a coma.
Jiang Yao smiled and said, “A fortunate person is blessed by the heavens. Madam Xie, please don’t worry. Young Master Xie will definitely wake up.”
She actually wanted to tell Madam Xie directly, “Your son wakes up in fifteen days, and although he loses his memory, at least he’s fully intact.”
After all, there were quite a few people in the capital who had lost limbs after falling from a horse.
Madam Xie was taken aback. Others had said similar things to her since Yunian’s accident, but their words were mostly for comfort.
Jiang Yao was the first to speak with such certainty.
“Do you truly believe Yunian will wake up?”
“Truly! Just pretend Young Master Xie told me in a dream.” Fearing Madam Xie might press her for details, Jiang Yao quickly made up an excuse.
Since entering the Xie Estate, Shen Shi (沈氏) had been observing Jiang Yao. Seeing her face so composed, without a trace of panic, Shen Shi couldn’t help but feel a little suspicious.
Could it be that Jiang Yao truly was romantically involved with Young Master Xie?
Otherwise, why would she be so certain?
Wasn’t she afraid that Young Master Xie would settle accounts with her after waking up?
Or was she already convinced that Young Master Xie wouldn’t wake up, which is why she dared to swagger into the Xie Estate and put on a show of concern?
“Hiss,” Shen Shi gently supported her forehead, “Madam, I feel a little dizzy. Why don’t you take Yao’er over first?”
Regardless, the matter with the Wei (衛) family could not be brought up now.
Madam Xie was startled, then nodded and instructed a maid to help Shen Shi to a nearby pavilion to rest.
Jiang Yao followed Madam Xie, turning past a small bamboo grove, and arrived at Xie Yunian’s courtyard.
Xie Yunian liked peace and quiet, so the large courtyard was only tended by a few young attendants.
Yuanzheng (元正) was sitting on the stone steps at the door, one hand propping up his head as he dozed off.
Hearing the commotion from outside the courtyard, he abruptly lifted his head.
Didn’t the estate have guests today? Why would Madam come to the Young Master’s courtyard at this time?
Yuanzheng rushed down the steps, bowed, and happened to block their path. “Madam…”
“Get up. I’ve brought Miss Jiang to see Yunian.”
Miss Jiang ..?
Who is that?
Yuanzheng secretly looked up to appraise Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao noticed Yuanzheng’s gaze, slightly lifted her head, and her clear eyes met his.
Yuanzheng quickly lowered his head, but his heart was still filled with doubt.
Could she be Madam’s distant relative?
“How is the Young Master today?” Madam Xie asked.
“The Young Master is the same as usual. We’ve been following the doctor’s instructions and feeding him medicine orally.” Yuanzheng replied, his voice carrying a subtle trace of nervousness, and getting louder.
“Alas, let’s go in and take a look.” Madam Xie sighed softly and turned to speak to Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao nodded obediently and was led by Madam Xie into Xie Yunian’s room.
When the soldiers come, block them; when the floods come, cover them with earth. Since she had a chance to gain favor with Madam Xie, the more the better.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Yuanzheng’s eyes, but fearing that Madam would notice something, he took a step back and slowly opened the door.
Xie Yunian’s room layout was simple. A few calligraphy and paintings by famous artists hung on the surrounding walls, and a row of wooden weapon racks stood in one corner of the room.
Sunlight streamed through the carved wooden window, illuminating the desk covered with rice paper.
A small incense burner was placed next to the desk, emitting a faint scent of sandalwood.
Further inside, a screen partitioned the room, separating the bed.
Seeing the situation inside the room, Yuanzheng, who was following behind them, quietly let out a sigh of relief.
Jiang Yao followed Madam Xie past the screen and saw Xie Yunian lying on the bed.
Xie Yunian lay quietly on the couch, his face pale, his brows tightly furrowed.
Madam Xie slowly walked to the bedside and sat down. She gently adjusted the quilt for Xie Yunian, her gaze tender yet sorrowful.
“Yunian, when will you wake up?”
Madam Xie held the cold, weak hand.
“Has Young Master Xie’s waist injury gotten better?” Jiang Yao suddenly remembered something and quietly asked Yuanzheng, who was waiting nearby.
Yuanzheng subconsciously nodded. “The Young Master’s waist injury is much better after changing the dressing a few times.”
Only after he spoke did he belatedly realize what he had said, and a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.
How did this young lady know that his Young Master had an injury on his waist?
One must know that even Madam was unaware of this.
Madam Xie was only surprised for a moment before she understood. It seemed that her son’s admiration for Miss Jiang was confirmed.
His father was just the same back then; every time he got a small injury while practicing martial arts, he would pitifully tell her about it, just so she would feel heartache.
Yunian hadn’t even told her about the injury on his waist, yet he had told Miss Jiang.
Honestly, he had perfectly copied his father’s old tricks.
“Miss Jiang, how did you know about this?” Yuanzheng swallowed nervously, his voice filled with a hint of confusion.
Jiang Yao pursed her lips, a hint of worry in her eyes. “Young Master Xie told me. He had a waist injury, yet he still went hunting. No matter how I tried to persuade him, it was no use.”
“If I had known he would fall from the horse, I would have stopped him that day no matter what…”
She turned her body and lowered her head, revealing the side of her fair face. Her eyes, like two ripe apricots, were slightly red.
Jiang Yao’s throat gently trembled twice, as if she was trying hard to suppress her emotions. Her voice carried a trace of a sob, “It’s all my fault…”
“How can this be your fault?”
Seeing her like this, Madam Xie was heartbroken. She instinctively reached out to pull her close when she suddenly felt an unusual tremor in the hand she was holding.
She turned around sharply, somewhat incredulously.
Qinglian, who was standing to the side, also widened her eyes, her gaze shifting from the bed to Jiang Yao.
But Jiang Yao was unaware of what was happening on the bed. She took out her handkerchief to gently dab the nonexistent tears from the corner of her eyes.
“Young Master Xie and I share a single heart…”
“Cough…!”
Jiang Yao was startled by the sudden cough and instinctively looked towards the bed where the sound came from.
She saw Xie Yunian’s eyelashes flutter, and his tightly closed eyes slowly opened, revealing those deep, profound eyes.
“Yunian!” Madam Xie’s voice was filled with surprise and disbelief.
Who?
How did he suddenly wake up?
Didn’t they say he’d been in a coma for half a month!?
Now what? What should she do next!