Ji Qiuyang came from a farming family, but that didn’t mean he had read few books. Over the years, while studying at the town academy, he would copy books for the bookshop during his free time and occasionally borrow books to read at home. He had actually come across some unofficial texts, including records about spirits returning in borrowed bodies.
If not for the various peculiarities Jiang Jingyi had displayed, Ji Qiuyang would never have thought of such a thing.
But once suspicion arose, everything he observed seemed amiss.
If his observations were correct, when Jiang Jingyi said she would show off her skills, her maid Yingtao had also shown surprise. Even if Madam Ma of the Jiang family disliked Jiang Jingyi and her brother, for the sake of face she wouldn’t have let Jiang Jingyi cook herself. As for Jiang Jingyi having an interest in cooking herself—that was even more impossible. He couldn’t believe such a sharp-tongued, mean-spirited girl would subject herself to enduring smoke and heat.
And then there were the expressions of the Jiang family members today, all revealing that the Jiang Jingyi of now had changed significantly from before. He, who had known her only briefly, could detect the difference; the Jiang family, who had lived with her for so many years, certainly couldn’t have missed it. Perhaps the Jiang family attributed this to Jiang Jingyi having deliberately put on such airs before, but Ji Qiuyang held a skeptical view.
For a moment, Ji Qiuyang’s suspicions grew stronger, and when his gaze fell upon Jiang Jingyi, it carried a certain wariness.
If the Jiang Jingyi before him truly wasn’t the original person, then what of their marriage?
For a moment, Ji Qiuyang found himself hesitating.
Just then, Jiang Jingyi picked up a piece of braised pork for Old Lady Ji and smiled, “Mother, this meat is stewed until tender—please try it.”
Although Old Lady Ji was under fifty, her teeth weren’t good, so she couldn’t chew things like spicy chicken. But this braised pork was just right—one bite brought sweet, tender, melt-in-the-mouth flavors that stimulated the appetite. Old Lady Ji’s face filled with smiles. “This meat is delicious, and this old woman doesn’t struggle to eat it.”
In truth, farming families in the countryside only ate meat during festivals, mostly as dumpling fillings. Dishes like a whole plate of braised pork were almost unheard of.
Jiang Jingyi beamed, “If you like it, please eat more.”
But after two pieces, Old Lady Ji refused to eat any more, finishing her meal with easier-to-chew dishes.
As for He Yan and his wife, who most enjoyed good food and had eaten many delicacies, they still sincerely praised Jiang Jingyi’s cooking skills. He Yan laughed, “This is not inferior to the chefs at Zuixianju in the prefectural city.”
These words made Jiang Jingyi beam with joy. If ordinary ingredients cooked this way could earn praise, imagine what she could do with all the right ingredients! Moreover, her mind contained many recipes from later generations that didn’t yet exist. Once she had her own shop, she would certainly need to manage it well.
“With your words, Jingyi feels much more confident.” Jiang Jingyi patted her chest and said, “When I have the chance, I’ll definitely prepare an even more proper meal for you and Grandfather—I guarantee it’ll be delicious.”
He Yan immediately burst into laughter. “Good, I’ve noted those words.”
Seeing that the Ji family were all honest, straightforward people who treated Jiang Jingyi well, Old Master He’s concerns gradually eased. He glanced at Ji Qiuyang again—truly elegant and handsome, and he’d heard the boy studied well, already a Xiucai (scholar), perhaps he might even pass the Juren examination someday.
As the old saying goes, do not underestimate a youth because he was poor—this was the principle. The Ji family might be poor now, but who knew what things would look like in a few years? Though merchants in this dynasty didn’t have low status, it was far from being an official. If Ji Qiuyang truly had the ability, even if only as a county magistrate, the He family would share in the glory, and even the county magistrate of Qingshui County would owe him a favor.
Old Master He smiled as he stroked his beard and said, “Qiuyang, Jingyi is a good girl—don’t let her down.”
Ji Qiuyang stiffened, the corners of his mouth twitching. Did you realize, old sir, how many disgraceful things the “good girl” in your eyes had done before?
However, Ji Qiuyang didn’t voice this, merely nodding slightly without uttering a word.
Jiang Jingyi, who was sitting next to him, noticed his expression and said meaningfully, “Grandfather, rest assured that Brother Yang will treat me well. After all, virtuous and kind people like me are rare.”
She deliberately emphasized the words “virtuous and kind,” and sure enough, Ji Qiuyang’s mouth twitched again.
Old Master He was thoroughly satisfied and, in high spirits, ate an extra bowl of rice.
Everyone enjoyed the meal thoroughly. Just as the dishes were being cleared away, the two Ji boys and Jiang Jingyi’s sister-in-law, Ji Linxia, returned. The three children gathered in the kitchen and polished off the remaining food.
Ji Linxia looked at the expensively dressed guests in the main room with some envy. She tugged at Lady Yun and said, “Sister-in-law, are those Second Brother’s in-laws? Their clothes are so nice.”
Lady Yun looked at her young sister-in-law and smiled, “Your Second Sister-in-law gave me some fabric. Shall I make you a pretty skirt?”
The little girl’s eyes first lit up, then she said shyly, “Sister-in-law, you should make one for yourself. I have plenty of clothes.”
As the sisters-in-law were talking, the guests inside prepared to leave.
Jiang Jingyi and Ji Qiuyang saw Old Master He and the others out. He Yan said, “Don’t worry about the shop. I’ll look for one according to your specifications.”
“Thank you, Uncle.” Jiang Jingyi was in an excellent mood. It seemed this original identity was quite useful after all. As long as she didn’t act outrageously, life wasn’t bad. If worst came to worst, she could buy land with her money, become a small landlord, and follow the He family’s lead—life wouldn’t turn out poorly.
Her eyes swept over Ji Qiuyang, who was also studying her. When their eyes met, he quickly looked away and spoke politely with He Yan.
Old Lady Ji had Yun pack up some fresh vegetables from the countryside and additionally caught two chickens as return gifts for the He family to take with them. After the He family left, Lady Yun took the two children to wash the dishes and chopsticks. Only the seven or eight jin of meat left from the morning remained, and they didn’t know what to do with it.
Jiang Jingyi said, “Leave a piece to stew for dinner, and Sister-in-law, you can salt the rest.”
Jiang Jingyi liked giving directions and could cook, but she wasn’t willing to do other tasks.
Fortunately, Lady Yun wasn’t one to quibble and didn’t mind doing a bit extra.
In the afternoon, Jiang Jingyi directed Ji Qiuyang to move all of He Yuniang’s dowry into their room. The west room immediately became completely full.
Jiang Jingyi murmured to herself, “I’m practically a wealthy woman now, aren’t I?”
Ji Qiuyang glanced at her but didn’t respond. Just today, Jiang Jingyi had obtained over two thousand taels of silver notes—more money than most people would see in their lifetimes. That raised the question: if Jiang Jingyi herself had no issues, did she really have the ability to retrieve that money?
Ji Qiuyang held a skeptical view.
With such thoughts weighing on his mind, he became somewhat distracted. Jiang Jingyi paid it no mind, took an afternoon nap, and got up in the evening ready for dinner.
Dinner was prepared by Old Lady Ji. The meat was stewed a bit too tough, and Old Lady Ji worried that Jiang Jingyi might disapprove, occasionally glancing up at her.
However, although Jiang Jingyi enjoyed good food, she didn’t mind what others cooked when she hadn’t prepared it herself. She ate the meat and rice until her stomach was pleasantly full.
The two Ji boys were overjoyed today—meat for two consecutive meals! Such treatment was unheard of ordinarily. During New Year’s, they might have dumplings with plenty of meat filling, but never just stewed meat like today. So, except for Ji Qiuyang, who had matters on his mind and ate sparingly, every other member of the Ji family ate until their stomachs were round.
After dinner, Old Lady Ji asked Jiang Jingyi, “Second Daughter-in-law, are you truly planning to open a shop in the county seat?”
Jiang Jingyi nodded. “That’s the plan, but we’ll have to wait until the shop space is secured.”
Summer heat made food preparation difficult anyway; it would be better to wait until the weather cooled down. In the meantime, she could consider what types of food would be suitable.
Old Lady Ji nodded. “You and Qiuyang make the major decisions. If you need help, just say the word.”
“Okay.” Jiang Jingyi hadn’t planned on being standoffish anyway. Opening a restaurant required kitchen helpers and servers, after all—she and Yingtao alone wouldn’t be enough.
The next day, Ji Qiuyang would return to the academy. Even though it was only in town, he stayed at the academy, returning home only on his ten-day holiday.
Jiang Jingyi felt somewhat pleased at the thought of having the room to herself starting tomorrow. When Ji Qiuyang returned from bathing, he found Jiang Jingyi humming a tune while rummaging through her dowry.
Ji Qiuyang spread out a reed mat and sat down with a book, resolutely trying to ignore the soft, sweet, melodious voice that reached his ears. Jiang Jingyi seemed to guess his thoughts and deliberately sang louder, the notes curling around and entering Ji Qiuyang’s ears.
Ji Qiuyang cast a dissatisfied glance at Jiang Jingyi. Jiang Jingyi smiled back at him but didn’t stop her song, instead shifting to humming “Golden Threaded Robe,” greatly annoying Ji Qiuyang.
Just as she was about to truly provoke him, Jiang Jingyi stopped. “You’re going to the academy tomorrow?”
Ji Qiuyang nodded in acknowledgment.
Jiang Jingyi sighed softly. “What a pity.”
Ji Qiuyang didn’t know why she thought it was a pity, but he didn’t plan to ask. Asking might make him dizzy with anger, so it was better to keep quiet voluntarily.
“Sleep,” Jiang Jingyi said, pursing her lips as she went out to the outhouse. When she returned, Ji Qiuyang had already lain down fully clothed.
Due to the summer heat, his clothes were thin. After lying down, his white robe clung to his body, outlining his lean, strong frame. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, the hint of defined muscles she’d seen before, plus long legs—truly an attractive type among men.
Jiang Jingyi couldn’t help licking her lips. This man was truly handsome. If time passed, what if she actually fell for him?
She chuckled, blew out the lamp, and went to bed.
In the darkness, Ji Qiuyang opened his eyes, his tense body gradually relaxing. Jiang Jingyi’s gaze earlier had been too intense to ignore. Looking at her silhouette in the moonlight, the thought in his mind grew stronger and stronger.
“Are you really Jiang Jingyi?”
Ji Qiuyang’s voice was very low. He didn’t know if Jiang Jingyi heard him; no one answered.
**