Jiang Ying was stunned, then immediately grasped the situation.
Yao’er was young, and it was only natural for her to be infatuated after seeing the Young Master Xie a few times at banquets.
She couldn’t help but say, “Yao’er, you are still young. That Young Master Xie is indeed very handsome, and it’s perfectly normal for you to have a good impression of him. However, this matter needs to be approached slowly…”
She thought to herself, Perhaps Yao’er is only taken with Young Master Xie’s appearance. There’s still time.
When he lies in bed for another ten days or half a month, that face will certainly become gaunt, and Yao’er will naturally let go.
Jiang Yao pursed her lips, putting on a perfectly bashful and awkward display. She leaned close to Jiang Ying’s ear and whispered shyly, “Actually… Young Master Xie and I have already made private vows of lifelong love. Yao’er must have Young Master Xie in this life…”
Jiang Ying felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her words of comfort were completely cut short, and her voice suddenly rose a few pitches. “What did you say?”
Jiang Yao blushed and softly repeated herself.
The air fell silent for a moment. Jiang Ying pressed her lips together and looked at Jiang Yao as if looking at a lovesick fool who had fallen into the depths of love.
“But Young Master Xie has been in a coma for more than ten days; it’s not certain he will wake up…” Jiang Ying seemed to realize something. “Yao’er, didn’t you argue with Father a few days ago…”
Oh no, this elder sister is hard to fool.
Jiang Yao lowered her head, twisting the handkerchief in her hand. “That was because there were rumors in the capital that Young Master Xie would never wake up. In my grief and indignation, I then heard Father say that he intended to promise A-Jie to His Royal Highness Prince Jin…”
“That wolf-hearted dog… lair, it would be better for Yao’er to go in A-Jie’s place! After all, Yao’er’s beloved cannot wake up either!”
“That term should be jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards,” Jiang Ying corrected, pressing a hand to her forehead in exasperation.
She did not know that what Jiang Yao originally intended to say was “wolf-hearted dog-lungs” (heartless); she only assumed it was because her younger sister was usually negligent in her studies and had misused a word.
Jiang Ying picked up the teacup from the table and continued, “You hardly ever left the courtyard before. When did you… and him…?”
“…”
Jiang Yao pulled out her handkerchief and sniffled, trying to cover her tracks. “We were afraid of being discovered by others, so we always used letters to communicate.”
She really, she could just cry.
She should have soaked her handkerchief in some chili water before leaving.
Having said that, she quickly added, fearing Jiang Ying would not believe her, “Chunlan can also testify.”
Chunlan quickly nodded from the side.
Jiang Yao continued, “A-Jie, to be honest, the reason Yao’er had a fever a few days ago was because of my longing for Young Master Xie—a longing I couldn’t pull myself away from.”
“Waaah… To think he has been in a coma for so long, and yet I can’t even get a glimpse of him…”
“…”
Jiang Ying’s hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, and her voice was filled with uncertainty.
“When exactly did you… make private vows of lifelong love?”
“It was… on the day of the Lantern Festival. It’s also my fault this time. Young Master Xie said he was going to hunt a wild rabbit for me to make a rabbit-fur neck warmer, but who knew…”
Jiang Yao sobbed, letting out a few more false cries.
As she spoke, the little person in her heart clasped their hands together and bowed toward the four directions. Sorry, Young Master Xie. My small life is now in your hands.
Jiang Ying pressed her lips together and sighed deeply.
She could not have imagined that the seemingly aloof and noble Young Master Xie would be this type of person behind the scenes.
She had always thought he maintained that cold, unattainable demeanor toward everyone…
Jiang Ying looked up at the tear-stained Jiang Yao, thinking that he was even willing to hunt a wild rabbit for her personally, which showed he must be a decent person.
No, wait. Yao’er was still so young. It was possible she had been deceived by that scoundrel.
Jiang Yao, seeing that her sister was no longer questioning her, felt there was an opportunity. She moved forward a little and grasped Jiang Ying’s slender wrist. “A-Jie, please help Yao’er!”
Jiang Ying pulled her to sit on the soft couch. Observing Jiang Yao’s innocent expression, she unconsciously sighed.
Yao’er was naive and straightforward. Now that she had reached the age when love first awakens, she was naturally curious about romance, which was why she had fallen for a rogue who would make private vows with a young lady.
Jiang Ying composed herself and tried to reason with Jiang Yao in the most gentle tone. “Yao’er, love is not as beautiful as it’s written in storybooks. At first, men in this world will only show you their perfect side.”
Jiang Yao listened, her eyes wide with shock.
“…”
A-Jie, you knew that all along?
Then how did you later become love-struck?
She pouted and mumbled softly.
In Jiang Ying’s eyes, this expression meant she had hit upon the truth, yet her sister still didn’t show remorse.
Jiang Ying slowly sighed, staring at Jiang Yao’s face and delicately asking, “Now, Yao’er, how far did things progress with Young Master Xie…?”
Huh?
What?
Jiang Yao was completely bewildered.
Jiang Ying’s face was beet-red.
…
Jiang Yao belatedly realized what her sister was implying.
She hesitated for only 0.01 seconds between nodding and shaking her head.
“A-Jie… Waaaaah!” Jiang Yao hugged Jiang Ying, crying uncontrollably. “I didn’t know Young Master Xie would… would fall into a coma! A-Jie! Waaah, waah, waah… But I truly love him! I want to marry him! He will definitely wake up!”
I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Young Master Xie. When you wake up, even if you lose your memory and become a three-year-old child, I will still treat you well.
Jiang Ying took a deep breath.
The situation was indeed more serious than she had imagined.
Outside the window, the sunlight was scorching, and the tree shadows were mottled, like fragmented gold foil spread across the ground.
Inside the room, Jiang Ying’s gaze passed through the half-open window lattice, resting on the swaying shadows, and she sighed softly.
“I will… speak with Mother first. She happens to be planning a visit to the Xie Residence in a few days.”
Jiang Ying paused, then gently advised, “Yao’er, you must not mention the specifics of your private meetings with Young Master Xie to anyone, understand?”
“If anyone asks, only say that the two of you met a few times in private and became mutually fond of each other. Understand?”
If these details were to spread, her reputation would be completely ruined.
Jiang Yao knew Jiang Ying was doing this for her own good and quietly pulled back her sobs.
However…
Madam Shen was going to visit the Xie Residence?
She had to figure out a way to follow her there.
Jiang Yao pondered, I have to figure out a way to follow her there.
“By the way, A-Jie, take this!” Jiang Yao grabbed Jiang Ying’s hand and placed the warm jade into her palm, speaking earnestly.
The warm jade emitted a faint luster; the jade was fine and delicate, and the touch was gentle.
According to the description in the original book, Jiang Ying’s body would grow weaker after her miscarriage, suffering from internal coldness even in the summer. This warm jade might come in handy.
Jiang Ying looked at the warm jade in her palm, and her heart couldn’t help but ache.
“Yao’er…”
This younger sister of hers, who was always cold toward her before, was now simultaneously acting spoiled and giving her a gift…
It showed how deeply she was in love with Xie Yunian.
Jiang Ying was the eldest daughter of the Jiang family and had more than one younger sister beneath her, but it was Yao’er whom Jiang Ying felt the most profound pity for.
Yao’er lost her birth mother at a young age and had always endured whatever happened, swallowing her complaints even if she had to break her teeth to do so.
If Jiang Yao truly could not live without Xie Yunian, then as the elder sister, she naturally had to do everything she could to help her.
But if Xie Yunian never woke up…
How could she stand by and watch Jiang Yao step into a fire pit?
Never mind. For now, the priority is to keep Yao’er stable.
Jiang Ying’s expression was gentle, and she spoke softly, “Yao’er, don’t worry. A-Jie will help you.”