Сhарtеr 24: Distоrtiоn
Jiang Chuji саrriеd а fоod box аnd hеaded tо Fanghua Соurtуаrd.
Аt this mоment, Fаnghuа Соurtyard wаs envelopеd in silеncе.
Тwо guаrds wеre stаtiоnеd outside Jiаng Luоwei’s bеdroom. Seеing her figurе, they werе somеwhat surрrisеd. “Secоnd Young Miss, why аrе уоu…”
Jiang Chuji wоrе а fаint smile on hеr faсe, a smilе as gentlе and warm аs a spring breеzе.
Shе raisеd hеr hand slightly to indiсatе thе food bоx she wаs holding, hеr vоiсe sоft and tendеr, as if it cоuld mеlt оne’s heart.
“I was worried that Eldеr Sistеr didn’t eat much at dinnеr tоday, so I hаd thе kitchen prepare some midnight snacks for her.”
“Father said that Elder Sister is not allowed to leave without his permission. But he probably didn’t say that I’m not allowed to visit her.”
The girl’s eyes held sincerity, without the slightest hint of pretense. The two guards exchanged glances, looking at each other.
This Second Young Miss is truly too kind-hearted.
Concubine Zhou bribed a maid to frame Second Young Miss, causing her so much suffering before.
Yet not only does Second Young Miss harbor no resentment, she even fears that Eldest Young Miss might go hungry while confined and specially brings food. It’s truly moving.
Thus, the guard stepped aside and said, “Then please go in, Second Young Miss.”
As Jiang Chuji stepped into the bedroom, she saw the room in complete disarray. Many bottles and jars were shattered on the floor, and even the pillow had been thrown to the ground.
Jiang Luowei, lying on the bed, heard the noise and turned around with reddened eyes. Upon seeing this pure and charming face, her expression twisted for a moment.
“…What are you doing here?”
As if oblivious to the other’s hostility, Jiang Chuji unhurriedly placed the food box on the table.
She bent down, extending her delicate hand to gently pick up the pillow from the floor, her smile serene. “I was worried that Elder Sister might be hungry, so I brought some midnight snacks for you, and also came to visit.”
“Jiang Chuji, stop pretending,”
With no one else in the room, Jiang Luowei had no intention of feigning sisterly affection. She gritted her teeth and said, “You must be delighted to see my mother and me confined, aren’t you?”
Today’s incident seemed to have nothing to do with Jiang Chuji. But Jiang Luowei couldn’t shake the feeling that it was somehow connected to her.
Yet she couldn’t understand why her eldest brother, who had always been indifferent to Jiang Chuji, suddenly became so protective of her. And how did her eldest brother suddenly go to Lincheng, find that Fang’er, and bring her back to the mansion to clear Jiang Chuji’s name?
For some reason, she felt that the Jiang Chuji before her seemed like a completely different person.
The old her was timid and easily manipulated, but the current her, in every move and gesture, was utterly unpredictable.
Jiang Chuji blinked her eyes. Her gaze was innocent, appearing harmless, and she spoke slowly.
“Elder Sister, how could you think that? Even after learning the truth, I bore no resentment toward the concubine.”
“After the concubine and Elder Sister were taken away, I even pleaded with Father on the concubine’s behalf, asking him not to confine her for too long.”
Jiang Chuji’s gaze fell upon the other.
Jiang Luowei would probably never imagine that the missing hibiscus gold hairpin had been personally slipped into the crack of the table by Jiang Chuji herself that morning, taking advantage of the chaos among the crowd.
She knew that Jiang Yanchuan would bring someone back to the mansion that evening to clear her name, so she deliberately added fuel to the fire of this drama.
Jiang Bingrong and Old Madam Jiang had condemned her for stealing the hairpin without any investigation.
The more harshly they had scolded her and the heavier the punishment they had imposed, the more their faces would sting when the hairpin was found.
As for that whip strike, she knew someone would take the blow for her.The pain that whip inflicted on Jiang Yanchuan would be matched by the depth of her eldest brother’s fear and heartache for his sister.
Moreover, without that lash, how could she have made her brother resolutely stand against everyone and take her side?
“Enough, there’s no need for you to play the good person here.” Jiang Luowei’s eyes were filled with hatred.
If it weren’t for Jiang Chuji, her own mother wouldn’t be locked away in a wretched place like Plum Fragrance Courtyard.
“Since elder sister dislikes me so much, I suppose I should leave,” the young girl said, a hint of regret in her expression.
Her gaze drifted subtly toward the food box as she casually tempted, “But you should still have some of the midnight snack I brought, elder sister. Don’t starve yourself.”
“Who would eat anything you brought!” Jiang Luowei retorted without hesitation.
Then, as if remembering something, she added with a touch of sarcasm, “Don’t think that just because big brother is backing you up now, you can do as you please. Second brother will be back in a couple of days.”
Once second brother returns, let’s see how Jiang Chuji dares to act so arrogantly.
…Second brother.
Jiang Chuji gently rubbed her fingertips, offering no response.
Seeing Jiang Chuji leave, Jiang Luowei immediately walked to the table, intending to smash the food box.
But the moment her hand touched it, her stomach growled—she truly hadn’t eaten much that evening and had long been starving.
Just one look, to see what was inside.
Unable to resist, Jiang Luowei opened the food box. Inside, she saw glistening, enticing braised pork with preserved vegetables, fried meatballs, and fried cakes. She instinctively swallowed.
Surely Jiang Chuji wouldn’t dare to poison the food she brought?
She probably didn’t have the guts.
With that thought, Jiang Luowei couldn’t help but pick up her chopsticks, eagerly stuffing a large piece of braised pork into her mouth. Once she started, she couldn’t stop.
…
The next day.
Early in the morning, the chief steward of the Chancellor’s Manor came to Yilan Courtyard to deliver silver.
Jiang Chuji directly took ten taels from it and very naturally slipped them into his hand: “Thank you for your trouble, Steward Zhu, making the trip here.”
Zhu Biao hadn’t expected the once most taciturn second young miss to now understand social niceties so well, and to give such a generous amount at that.
Accepting the reward, he immediately beamed with delight: “Not at all, not at all, thank you, Second Young Miss.”
Jiang Chuji smiled faintly: “However, since I rarely go out, I’d like to be a bit more free. Steward Zhu need not prepare the Chancellor’s Manor carriage for me, nor send additional attendants. I’ll take Fuling and make my own arrangements.”
“This…” Zhu Biao hesitated.
Jiang Chuji then said, “Don’t worry, Steward Zhu. The capital is under the emperor’s feet; public order has always been excellent. Nothing will happen to me.”
Zhu Biao thought for a moment before replying, “Then as Second Young Miss wishes. However, you must return to the manor before dark, otherwise I won’t be able to explain to the master.”
Jiang Chuji nodded: “You can rest assured about that, Steward Zhu.”
After leaving the manor, Jiang Chuji found a carriage herself and gave the driver the location.
Fuling looked puzzled: “Miss, we finally have a chance to go out and have fun. Why aren’t we going to the lively market, but instead heading to an inn?”
Jiang Chuji narrowed her eyes: “You’ll understand once we get there.”
Entering the inn, the innkeeper was standing behind the counter doing accounts. Hearing the commotion, he looked up and immediately recognized Jiang Chuji.
His eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward with an enthusiastic smile, his voice loud and brimming with eagerness.”Miss, it’s you who has come. Rest assured, we have been taking meticulous care of the Madam, guaranteed to satisfy you!”
Madam?
Fuling had no idea who the shopkeeper was referring to.
Following the young lady upstairs and pushing open the door to see that figure, she immediately stumbled over her words: “Ma… Madam?!”
Could she be dreaming? How could her young lady be so resourceful as to bring the Madam back from outside the city?