Chapter 24: Why Should She Go Out of Her Way to Curry Favor with Eldest Brother?

"Miss, you are truly amazing! How do you know how to do everything?" Wenqiu caught the fragrant scent and could not help but praise her. "You even managed to build a stove."

Jiang Lingyao could not help but laugh at her exaggerated tone, but halfway through, a sense of melancholy washed over her.

She hadn't known how to do these things before; it was Liao Yun who had taught her. After they first met, they would often lie awake at night, starving, until Liao Yun would somehow conjure up wild game, and they would hide from the temple staff to secretly cook a meal.

Jiang Lingyao was slightly dazed. Seeing her gloomy expression, Wenqiu’s smile vanished instantly. She bit her lip cautiously and said, "Miss, your injuries haven't healed yet. Please go inside and rest for a while. I will call you when the porridge is ready."

Jiang Lingyao did not stand on ceremony. "Alright, thank you for your hard work."

"What are you saying, Miss? This is only what I should do!"

Jiang Lingyao paused, remembering how many times she had said those very words to the members of the Duke's household. She had said them to her brothers, and to her father and mother.

She pulled herself back to the present, pushed aside her thoughts, and turned to head back inside. She was truly exhausted today; her lower back ached so much she could barely stand, and her knees throbbed with a dull pain. She needed to rest.

But just as she placed her hand on the door, a familiar voice rang out from outside the courtyard.

"Jiang Lingyao."

She turned to see Jiang Xiushu and Jiang Xiumo walking in one after the other. Their gazes seemed to hold a hint of smugness. As they approached, Jiang Xiushu reached out, revealing a small jar in his palm.

"Look at this. Do you know what this is? It's Jade Skin Ointment from the palace. My fourth brother and I only just learned that Mingzhu Courtyard burned down, so we brought you some medicine." Jiang Xiushu appeared slightly awkward, then added with a strange, impulsive edge, "You cry out even for the smallest scratch; you are far too delicate. You should learn from Lian'er. Look how composed she is."

Jiang Lingyao instinctively took a step back, her brow furrowing as she looked at him coldly.

Jiang Xiushu’s triumphant expression faltered. Why wasn't she happy?

He offered the jar, but Jiang Lingyao did not take it. "I have no use for it."

She was covered in injuries; a tiny jar of ointment would do nothing to heal them. Jiang Lingyao didn't even have the heart to care, and truthfully, she didn't need it.

Jiang Xiushu was displeased. He snapped angrily, "What are you throwing another temper tantrum for? Is it a crime to care about you?"

Did she need his care now? Where was he when she needed his care the most?

A sense of mockery welled up in Jiang Lingyao’s heart. Not wanting to get entangled with him, she stared at him steadily and said, "Fine. Thank you."

She reached out, but Jiang Xiushu suddenly pulled his hand back, his face cold as he waited. "Apologize to me, or I won't give it to you."

Jiang Lingyao used to be terrified of being scarred; surely she would apologize to him honestly.

Jiang Xiushu raised an eyebrow and couldn't help adding, "You should learn from Lian'er. I don't know who you learned that sharp, bitter tongue from. Which man would ever like you in the future?"

Jiang Lingyao took a deep breath, swallowing the sharp retort that threatened to spill out. She glared at him and turned to leave.

Jiang Xiumo, who had been silent until now, hurriedly snatched the ointment from Jiang Xiushu’s hand. He stepped forward and offered it to her, his voice gentle. "Mingzhu, your third brother has a childish temper. Don't hold it against him. He does care about you; it's just that his mouth is truly infuriating."

Jiang Lingyao pursed her lips, her gaze toward Jiang Xiumo complex.

Her fourth brother was not a man of many words and was not as close to her as the other brothers, but he was also the one who had hurt her the least.

She could not bring herself to be cold toward Jiang Xiumo. "Alright," she replied.

"No, why does she smile at Jiang Xiumo but give me such a sour look?"

Jiang Xiushu was about to lash out when he suddenly noticed Wenqiu in the corner. He froze for a moment, then sneered, "Jiang Lingyao, are you planning to burn down Yunting Garden now, too?"

Caught off guard, Jiang Lingyao watched him walk over. Her heart skipped a beat, and she followed him.

"Tsk, you and that dog-like temper of yours. I don't believe the servants' talk about how Mingzhu Courtyard was burned by Lian'er. It was clearly you who burned it."

Wenqiu had sharp ears; hearing this, she stood up, furious. "Mingzhu Courtyard was not burned by Miss!"

She felt the injustice for her mistress!

Wenqiu’s eyes reddened. Jiang Lingyao stepped in front of Jiang Xiushu, her expression calm but her eyes growing cold. "Third Brother, Wenqiu is just ignorant. You shouldn't hold a grudge against a little servant girl."

She glanced at Jiang Xiumo, her hands clenching involuntarily.

Jiang Xiushu let out a scoff. Jiang Lingyao breathed a sigh of relief, only to see him look down, his entire body suddenly freezing.

Jiang Lingyao wouldn't accept the medicine he brought, she gave him cold looks, yet here she was, brewing soup for Jiang Xiuyuan, fawning over him?

Jiang Xiushu stared fixedly at the makeshift stove in front of him, his expression turning abruptly dark.