Chapter Seventeen: Just Who Exactly Are You Meeting in Secret?

“Be... be careful.”

Finally able to leave, Jiang Lingyao’s face brightened with a faint smile. She nodded lightly at the words and walked briskly.

Once they were far away, Wen Qiu rolled her eyes fiercely and ground her teeth, “Pah, what’s Song Lian’er so proud of? It’s really annoying, flaunting how doted on she is by the eldest young master. It’s utterly disgraceful! You’re the eldest young master’s own sister by blood; no matter how good she is, that blood bond can never be changed.”

She hated it deeply, but Jiang Lingyao only smiled softly and said, “Jiang Xiuyuan has always favored her, so it’s not really boasting.”

That was how she had thought too. No matter how well her brother treated Song Lian’er, she was still their blood sister. Was it really necessary to fuss over it?

Yet she realized she was the one who had been completely wrong all along.

Coming back to her senses, Jiang Lingyao comforted Wen Qiu, “Don’t be sad. If you really want to cheer up our young mistress, go buy some chestnut cakes for me.”

She pointed toward a shop crowded with people and handed some silver coins to Wen Qiu. “I haven’t eaten them in a long time.”

Wen Qiu’s sadness vanished instantly. She hurriedly said, “I’ll go right away! As long as the young mistress has an appetite, I can buy anything for you. But this shop’s chestnut cakes are the most popular. Miss, please wait at the tea house next door for a while.”

Jiang Lingyao smiled in reply, watching Wen Qiu run off, her heart warming slightly.

See, Wen Qiu, who had no blood ties with her, was wholeheartedly devoted to her. Maybe blood relations weren’t everything after all.

During the year she spent in the temple, although dull and without Buddhist affinity, she witnessed love, hatred, attachment, and ignorance—everything depended on fate. Her connection with the family was always a bit lacking. She had forced things and ended up trapped in this predicament.

So she no longer cared.

Thinking of this, Jiang Lingyao quickened her pace toward the agreed-upon shop.

...

“Apologies, something urgent has come up at the manor. I must take my leave,” Pei Xingzhi said, his mind unsettled since Jiang Lingyao’s departure. He found an excuse to bid farewell to the two.

Song Lian’er’s eyes reddened with anger. Jiang Xiuyuan tried to soothe her but seemed distracted.

She tugged at Jiang Xiuyuan’s sleeve through tears, “Brother, do you think I made sister angry, so you’re mad at me too?”

“No, no!” Jiang Xiuyuan snapped back to reality. “I was just thinking about whether to visit the Embroidery Pavilion. Summer is coming; I should have some new clothes made for you.”

Song Lian’er paused, “Brother is so good to me. Lian’er thanks you, brother.”

Jiang Xiuyuan withdrew all his thoughts, his expression darkening.

If Jiang Lingyao didn’t want them, then he would give everything to Lian’er! Lian’er was sensible and obedient, unlike Jiang Lingyao, who had always been stubborn and strong-willed, never willing to yield.

Lian’er never remembered the kindness she had shown her. Instead, she caused upheaval in the family and still believed they had wronged her. Wasn’t that intentional?

Jiang Xiuyuan thought it was because he had spoiled Jiang Lingyao too much. She needed to learn a lesson so she would understand that only family truly cared for her.

...

The closer Jiang Lingyao got to the shop, the faster her heart raced, her palms slightly damp.

Last year, Liao Yun had reunited with his uncle who was doing business in the neighboring country. Back then, his mother had insisted on becoming a concubine for love, breaking ties with her clan. His maternal grandparents were heartbroken and moved the entire family south, away from this sorrowful place.

By a fortunate coincidence, their business prospered, they settled in the neighboring country, and even had some minor holdings in the capital.

Today, she was going to this shop because it was one of Liao Yun’s uncle’s properties.

Stepping inside, Jiang Lingyao took out a letter she had kept hidden for a long time and handed it to the shopboy. “Give this to Liao Yun, and tell him everything remains as usual.”

The shopboy blinked in surprise, “Miss Jiang?”

Jiang Lingyao nodded, nervous but still unable to suppress her concern. “It’s been cold this spring. Is he in good health?”

The shopboy hurriedly assured her, “Rest assured, miss...”

Before he could finish, Jiang Lingyao saw a pair of large hands reach out and snatch the letter from his grasp.

“Pei Xingzhi!”

Her face turned pale as she lunged forward to snatch it back.

Pei Xingzhi’s gaze was cold and sharp as a blade, chilling her to the bone. She struggled to steady herself.

He tore open the letter but fixed his eyes on her. “What are you worried about? You said you wanted to surprise me, and this is the surprise?”

“Jiang Lingyao, have you never seen my methods? How dare you send letters to some wild man right under my nose?”

Jiang Lingyao’s hands trembled as if plunged into an ice cellar, a wave of despair washing over her.

How could she forget that Pei Xingzhi was a ruthless official, a favorite minister who made the capital’s nobles tremble?

Though furious, Pei Xingzhi’s voice was tinged with a mocking smile as he patiently reached out to pinch her chin, his fingertips brushing her cheek, causing her to shiver uncontrollably.

“Why are you crying? How bold you are. Why didn’t you think about the timing?”

Only then did Jiang Lingyao realize tears of fear had unknowingly streamed down her face.

Her hands shook, tears falling in heavy drops, her whole body trembling with cold.

What should she do? She could never let Pei Xingzhi open that letter, never let him learn about Liao Yun!

At the peak of her terror, her heart suddenly quieted.

She decided that even if it meant tearing ties with Pei Xingzhi today, she would never let him know she intended to leave. She only wanted to escape the manor safely. She truly never wanted to stay here any longer.

Pei Xingzhi released her, decisively tearing open the seal. Unexpectedly, a gold token slipped out and fell to the ground.

His gaze followed the token’s fall, suddenly cold as frost. When he looked up again, no warmth lingered in his eyes. “This is the one your mother gave you on your first birthday. Who are you intending to give this to?”

Jiang Lingyao’s face drained of color. She even considered rushing forward to snatch and swallow the letter, but though Pei Xingzhi was a civil official, he had trained in martial arts alongside the crown prince.

She felt utterly hopeless.