Tang'er was two years older than Lian'er and considerably more composed in temperament. Wearing a light green vest, when dragged in by Lian'er, she still held a calling card in her hand. At this moment, she immediately registered something amiss with Jiang Xuening's expression.
She quickly pinched Lian'er.
Lian'er immediately fell silent.
Only then did she approach, first pressing that calling card onto the table beside them, then coming to Jiang Xuening's side to help her remove the wine-scented robes: "Lian'er saw you hadn't returned all night and was frightened into confusion. This servant guessed that the Young Marquis still had to enter the palace for the daily lecture, so you would return by morning at the latest. Therefore, I had hot water prepared. You should bathe first, then rest a bit. This servant saw that you didn't seem to sleep well last night."
This one could be useful.
Jiang Xuening assessed Tang'er carefully.
This maid had also been placed at her side by Lady Meng. Though she possessed ability, she couldn't withstand having such a terrible-tempered mistress above her who was too indulgent toward fawning servants. Even with ten parts ability, being able to utilize three parts would already be remarkable.
"Then let's bathe first."
She didn't want to say too much at the moment. Seeing that Lian'er was no longer crying and wailing, she temporarily suppressed that thought of selling her off.
All the bathing items were prepared. Jiang Xuening loosened her robes, entered the bathing tub, and slowly settled down, letting the warm water gradually cover her smooth shoulders and slender neck.
This kind of moment was easiest for emptying one's mind.
But she particularly favored thinking about things at such times.
Having just asked Tang'er, it was now the seventh day of the ninth month: she hadn't yet cross-dressed as a man to follow Yan Lin to the Double Ninth Festival lantern fair, nor had she yet encountered Grand Princess Leyang who had emerged from the palace to play with Shen Jie. That is to say, the matter of Grand Princess Leyang mistakenly falling in love with her in this life could still be avoided. Looking at the earlier scene at the inn, she also hadn't yet begun intentionally approaching Shen Jie, so as long as she didn't compete for it, being summoned to the palace as a study companion wouldn't fall upon her. Yan Lin was still riding horses with his sword through the capital, the Yongyi Marquis Manor hadn't yet been implicated in the Prince Pingnan rebellion remnants case, and in this life she hadn't yet spoken those hurtful words to that youth in his darkest hour…
But things weren't entirely optimistic.
Just Yan Lin alone was headache enough.
The youth who would soon celebrate his coming-of-age ceremony had almost completely entrusted his innocent yet fervent feelings to an undeserving her—taking her out to play, protecting her, and even helping her smooth things over at the Jiang Manor despite her outrageous willfulness and boldness.
In her previous life, she hadn't thought it through clearly.
But having experienced much in this life, how could she still fail to see it?
Jiang Boyou would naturally feel several parts guilt and pity toward this daughter whose fate had been so troubled, but large households had to maintain certain rules. No matter how indulgent, he wouldn't permit her to cross-dress as a man and run around outside.
Yet the Jiang Manor had tacitly permitted it.
There could only be one explanation—
That is, her marriage had already been privately settled. Rather than saying they indulged her because she was the Jiang Manor's second young lady, it was more accurate to say it was because she was the future wife of the Yongyi Marquis's heir.
But it was destined to have no result.
The Yongyi Marquis Manor would meet disaster in another two months. In her previous life, Yan Lin never waited for that day when he could bring people to propose marriage. The day before his coming-of-age ceremony, his family was raided.
Jiang Xuening leaned quietly against the edge of the wooden tub, blinking slowly. She thought of young Yan Lin's spirited face and fervent, blazing eyes, then thought of the mature Yan Lin's firm and profound features and inscrutable, cold gaze when he returned to court with military merit. For a moment, she felt her heart in chaotic turmoil.
That the Yongyi Marquis Manor had connections with Prince Pingnan's faction remnants was true.
But there seemed to be inside information in between.
Otherwise, in her previous life, after Yan Lin returned to court holding heavy military power, he wouldn't have pledged himself to Xie Wei and rebelled together with him.
But what specifically that inside information entailed, Jiang Xuening hadn't been able to discern even until her death.
Better to proceed and observe as things developed.
No matter how things unfolded next, she didn't plan to remain in the capital anyway. It was just that in this life, she had already gotten entangled with Yan Lin. She must conceive of a proper way to part with him amicably, lest he turn love into hatred and, upon returning to the palace one day, place her under house arrest and exact revenge.
Those days in her previous life were simply nightmares.
If she could hide away elsewhere, that would be even better.
After all, in her previous life, a whole nest of cunning people fought fiercely in the capital, but they controlled the scope extremely well. No matter how much turmoil erupted in the palace, it remained within that one acre and three-tenths of land in the imperial city. The entire realm still had prosperous people and healthy commoners.
Better to wait until they finished fighting, then return to the capital to live.
Counting it all up, from beginning to end, it was only seven years.
If she left the capital, she could even go find You Fangying who traveled everywhere doing business. Why not?
Jiang Xuening acknowledged that at most she possessed a bit of cunning in manipulating hearts. She didn't dare claim to have the great wisdom for stabilizing the country and governing the realm, let alone with that Imperial Tutor Xie Wei wearing a sage's skin still holding court.
Working alongside this person, one careless day and she wouldn't even know how she died.
In this game of chess, she couldn't afford involvement.
Seeking fortune and avoiding disaster was human nature.
Having thought things through fairly well, Jiang Xuening summoned Lian'er and Tang'er to wipe her body and dress her, changing into a snow-blue embroidered skirt. The hem was finely pressed with deep white flowing cloud hidden patterns. With the waist sash tied, it created a slender waist that couldn't be grasped in one hand.
But when Tang'er was folding her sleeves, she again spotted that two-inch scar on the inside of her left wrist.
For a moment, she sighed lightly: "The scar-reducing ointment brought back last month has been used up. This one looks like it's faded somewhat. This servant will purchase more for you in a couple days."
Jiang Xuening then turned her wrist to look.
It was an old scar from four years ago.
From the middle of the inner wrist, it slanted toward the palm—deep below, shallow above. At a glance, one could tell she had cut it herself with a dagger, using it to bleed for a short time, probably able to let half a bowl.
She turned her wrist back over, but in those eyes passed several parts of obscure and difficult-to-discern light: truly didn't know whether to say Heaven treated her well or treated Xie Wei well. Though it gave her the opportunity of rebirth, it specifically made her reborn after returning to the capital.
If she had been reborn on the road back to the capital…
Before she had made this cut, this life might have been far easier.
But what had happened had happened. Thinking too much was useless.
Since Jiang Xuening already harbored plans to leave the capital to avoid disaster, money and wealth became the primary matter requiring consideration, so naturally she had to clarify things first.
Therefore, she instructed: "Go move everything in my quarters here. I want to count it all."
Both maids froze momentarily.
Their young lady's belongings had always been uncounted, and moreover, she liked the new and disliked the old. Sometimes after receiving her monthly allotment and being given things, or when the Young Marquis sent items, after using them once or twice, she would toss them aside and not care about where they went.
So there were several people in the quarters with greasy hearts, led by Wang Xingjia's wife, who often appropriated the young lady's things.
Even if they were dissatisfied, it was useless because the young lady turned a blind eye and didn't say anything to them at all.
Now suddenly wanting to count things…
Tang'er and Lian'er exchanged glances.
Tang'er was better, able to keep her composure.
But Lian'er couldn't suppress it. Energized, she clenched her small fist and quickly said: "Yes, we servants will go right away!"
In Jiang Xuening's memory, over these four years she had received quite a few things.
But when the two maids finished gathering and bringing them, only two boxes remained.
Bright pearls and beautiful jade, gold and silver hair ornaments.
Casually flipping through, the quality was still not bad, but the quantity was truly rather shabby.
She picked up a string of translucent tourmaline beads, laughed once, then tossed it back into the box, only saying: "Call everyone in for me, inside and outside, not one less."
The two maids went down to summon people.
But it took quite a while before seven or eight people gradually assembled, and they stood without proper posture, disrespectful and lazy.
The maids and matrons all whispered among themselves, guessing what she wanted to do.
Jiang Xuening sat on the kang by the window, half-leaning against an autumn-fragrance colored brocade bolster, picked up the tea cup on the small table and took a sip of tea, only calmly sizing up these people.
After another while, even Wang Xingjia's wife arrived.
Having been frightened half to death by Jiang Xuening beneath the corridor this morning, as soon as she heard just now that Jiang Xuening was calling people, she had rushed over anxiously, smiling ingratiatingly: "There are still many things waiting for everyone to do. The young lady suddenly calling everyone here—is there something you need to instruct?"
Jiang Xuening couldn't be bothered to waste words with them. She only pointed with her hand at those two boxes placed on the table before them, saying lightly: "Nothing particularly urgent. Just looking at my boxes being rather empty. However much you all took in the past, return it all."
Wang Xingjia's wife's expression immediately transformed.
The others were also suddenly shocked.
The room immediately lost all sound, becoming extremely quiet. Everyone's eyes flickered, but no one spoke.
Jiang Xuening smiled at this: "None of you took anything?"
Wang Xingjia's wife had taken the most and moreover knew that hardly anyone in this room was clean. Everyone covered for each other—it was too late for that, let alone causing trouble. She only felt nothing major would happen. Standing forward, she spoke with an exaggeratedly shocked expression: "What words are these that the young lady speaks! This truly mortifies us old servants. Everyone serves you in this manor, in every matter large and small. Everything puts you first. Who would dare take your things?"
Jiang Xuening didn't listen to her. She only turned her eyes to look at the others: "Do you all think the same?"
The others looked at each other.
But in this kind of matter, who dared step forward and admit it?
Moreover, they all knew that the second young lady had no accounting of her own things. Even if they checked and found things missing, what use was it? One couldn't determine for no reason that any of them had taken it.
Whoever stepped forward to admit it would be a fool.
They could still figure out this simple reasoning and felt that Jiang Xuening was probably just making a fuss because too many things were missing. But with her outwardly strong yet inwardly weak temperament, she couldn't stir up any real trouble.
So after she finished asking, no one answered for a long time.
Among them, a melon-seed-faced little maid even came forward to echo Wang Xingjia's wife: "The young lady truly thinks of one thing after another. Without reason, you open your mouth to wrongly accuse us servants who work hard serving you—it truly breaks our hearts!"
Jiang Xuening didn't get angry. She only said: "Fine."
Having said this, she stepped on the footrest at the edge of the kang and stood up, casually clapped her hands, and without minding the others, walked toward the door.
Everyone was completely baffled.
Wang Xingjia's wife was extremely confused. She had anticipated some arguing, but never expected her to simply leave.
Her suspended heart should have fallen, but inexplicably several parts of vague unease arose: "Where is the young lady going?"
By this time, Jiang Xuening had already walked out.
Wang Xingjia's wife stood behind her, carefully discerning the direction. Suddenly, her expression changed drastically—
This direction was clearly toward the master's study!
Just now in that scene, Jiang Xuening had already seen clearly.
This group of maids and matrons couldn't be made to obey for the time being.
Though she possessed plenty of methods to deal with this group, these small matters in the inner quarters really weren't worth her expending too much effort, having to fight with people until their eyes turned black like roosters.
When there's trouble, just find Father.
If it could be resolved quickly, don't drag it out.
Lady Meng wasn't close to this legitimate daughter raised by a concubine with outrageous behavior, but Jiang Boyou still treated her quite well—perhaps because of Yan Lin, it could even be called indulgent.
Punishing maids and matrons—a word from him would suffice.
At most, it would cost some words of explanation about the reasons.
But this was Jiang Xuening's forte, so naturally she wasn't afraid.
Jiang Boyou's study was in the eastern corner of the front courtyard, concealed in the green shade of several old locust trees.
Having just entered the outer room of the study—
A young servant in blue stood by the door, Chang Zhuo, who served at Jiang Boyou's side. Inside, against the wall stood a row of four chairs. On the very last chair actually sat a man wearing the dark blue regular uniform of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. A token hung at his waist. He looked tall and steady. Though his features were ordinary, when his eyes opened and closed, there was the sharp gleam of an eagle or falcon, revealing a kind of deep calculation.
When Jiang Xuening saw him, he also saw Jiang Xuening.
Immediately, the man rose from his seat and solemnly cupped his hands in salute to her: "Greetings, second young lady."
Zhou Yinzhi.
In her previous life, he had become Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the chief official holding the seal of this guard.
But this person was famously a "servant of three surnames" in court.
At the very beginning, he was merely the son of a servant in the Jiang Manor. Implicated by Wanniang's affair, he was sent to the estate along with his family. After growing up, he also helped with manual labor on the estate and learned a few characters from the schoolroom teacher, reading several books himself.
When Jiang Xuening was to return to the capital, she had no one to rely on.
So she invited him to return to the capital together with those who came from the capital, to escort her to the capital.
Zhou Yinzhi then put forward one request: after arriving in the capital, please have Jiang Xuening speak a few words to Jiang Boyou to let him work at the master's side.
Jiang Xuening agreed.
After arriving in the capital, Zhou Yinzhi worked for Jiang Boyou.
Seeing that he handled matters properly with some calculation, two years ago Jiang Boyou recommended him to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, securing him a position as a military instructor. He too proved worthy—by today he had already become a sixth-rank Baihu of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
If Jiang Xuening remembered correctly, in her previous life, one month from now, she would entrust Zhou Yinzhi to investigate Shen Jie's identity for her.
And the condition Zhou Yinzhi proposed was to introduce him to Young Marquis Yan Lin.
As the saying goes, "gentlemen unite by principle, petty men unite by profit."
Between her and Zhou Yinzhi was "uniting by profit"—one had something to seek, one had something needed, so naturally she agreed.
Before the Yongyi Marquis Manor met with disaster, he seized the opportunity to climb upward, becoming a fifth-rank "Assistant Chiliarch."
Later, when Jiang Xuening married Shen Jie, Zhou Yinzhi naturally followed Shen Jie.
After Shen Jie ascended the throne, he also trusted him quite well.
Ultimately, he reached the position of Commander, rivaling the Eastern Depot controlled by eunuchs, doing many things—some that should be done and some that shouldn't—becoming a considerable force in court.
Unfortunately, his end was extremely miserable.
After Xie Wei stepped from behind the scenes to the forefront, controlling state affairs and the palace, the first thing he did was order someone to shoot him to death with arrows. His head was nailed to the palace gate with three long iron spikes, letting the civil and military officials coming and going all witness it.
Jiang Xuening hadn't seen it with her own eyes, but just hearing the palace servants' rumors made her heart run cold.
Speaking of which…
The Yongyi Marquis Manor being implicated in the Prince Pingnan rebellion remnants case—it was precisely the Embroidered Uniform Guard who handled it.
A thought suddenly flashed by. Jiang Xuening glanced at Zhou Yinzhi but didn't return the courtesy, only nodding flatly, then turning to Chang Zhuo and saying: "Is Father inside?"
Chang Zhuo said: "He's inside, but there's a guest."
Jiang Xuening frowned, recalling her youthful willful temperament, then said: "I don't care. That group of maids and matrons in my quarters have rebelled to the heavens, stealing my things and ganging up to bully me. You go in and tell Father—I just need one word from him, then I'll go deal with them!"
Chang Zhuo couldn't help but feel somewhat embarrassed, but also knew this second young lady's temperament. Steeling himself, he agreed and actually lifted the curtain to the inner room to go report.
Jiang Xuening then sat down on a chair in the outer room.
Zhou Yinzhi, however, no longer sat, only standing to the side, occasionally glancing at her.
Speaking of Chang Zhuo going in to report, Jiang Boyou was personally making tea for his guest.
He had a refined scholarly appearance, approaching his forties, and kept a beautiful beard, possessing several parts bearing.
Hearing Chang Zhuo whisper at his ear that it was Jiang Xuening looking for him, he furrowed his brow: "Nonsense!"
Chang Zhuo raised his eyes to look at the person sitting across from Jiang Boyou and felt somewhat awkward, lowering his voice even more as he said: "The second young lady says the maids and matrons in her quarters have sticky fingers…"
A round of detailed explanation followed.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Boyou's face suddenly showed delight, his eyes lighting up: "She truly said this?"
Chang Zhuo nodded.
Jiang Boyou immediately clapped his hands and laughed: "This girl actually has a moment of enlightenment! Could it be she's momentarily so enraged her head became muddled? This group of people in her quarters have been rather unruly in secret. Madam has mentioned it several times. I've long wanted to deal with them, just couldn't find an opportunity! Go immediately and call that whole room of people here for me! Absolutely don't wait until Ning girl comes to her senses. If her anger passes, we won't be able to deal with them!"
Chang Zhuo looked at his own master's excited energy and couldn't help but feel even more embarrassed.
But Jiang Boyou himself didn't realize it. Turning his head, he said to the guest sitting across the table: "Ju'an, I'm afraid I must neglect you for a moment. There's some dirty business in my manor that needs handling. I'll return shortly."
That guest smiled slightly, only saying: "No matter."
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