Chapter 14: Returning to the Mansion
The journey from Qingcheng Mountain to Yanjing City wasn’t particularly long. Traveling at a leisurely pace, they arrived in ten days.
From the mountains to the plains, what changed wasn’t just the weather but also the scenery along the way.
The further they traveled, the hotter it became. Even such weather couldn’t dampen Tong’er’s curiosity and excitement. The closer they got to Yanjing City, the more frequently she carefully lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to sneak a peek at the scenery outside.
Yuxiang sat beside Jiang Li. Although Sun Momo had been sent to fetch her, whether intentionally or not, she hadn’t brought any maids to attend to Jiang Li. Thus, throughout the journey, only Yuxiang and Tong’er accompanied Jiang Li.
The carriage was a fine one, with soft cushions spread inside. Tong’er let go of the curtain and turned to Yuxiang, saying, “Sister Yuxiang, we’re about to enter the capital. It’s been years since the young lady and I last returned to the capital. I don’t know what’s fashionable now or what the situation is like. Could you teach me a bit so I don’t make a fool of myself when we return?”
Tong’er was about the same age as Jiang Li. When Jiang Li was sent to Qingcheng Mountain, Tong’er was, at best, a clueless little girl. Her memories of the capital were very hazy.
Yuxiang chuckled and said, “You’ve said this at least eight or ten times along the way. I’ve already told you everything I can. Besides, it’s just a return to the capital. Why are you so nervous? Look at Second Miss—she’s not worried at all.”
Tong’er glanced at Jiang Li, who was reading a book, and suddenly grinned. “Of course, our young lady isn’t an ordinary miss. Naturally, she has no reason to be nervous.”
Hearing this, Yuxiang also smiled but couldn’t help stealing another glance at Jiang Li. Throughout the journey, Jiang Li had either been reading or resting with her eyes closed. Unlike Tong’er’s endless curiosity, Jiang Li seemed exceptionally calm and indifferent about returning to the capital.
Yuxiang didn’t understand. Regardless of why Second Miss Jiang had been sent to Qingcheng Mountain—whether she had been framed by her stepmother or had truly attempted to harm her stepmother—after so many years away from the Jiang residence, shouldn’t she show some emotion upon returning? Excitement, nervousness, curiosity, or even anger, resentment, or the apprehension of returning home after a long absence?
Yet, there was nothing. Second Miss Jiang simply sat quietly in the carriage, traveling peacefully. She seemed utterly detached from the capital she was about to see and the relatives she hadn’t met in years. The gentleness and serenity in her expression sometimes seemed more like indifference.
The carriage wheels rumbled along, and by the time they reached the city gates, it was nearly noon.
The city guards inspected Sun Momo’s travel documents and let them pass. As soon as they entered Yanjing City, the noise around them seemed to intensify.
Sun Momo’s voice came from outside, laughing as she said, “Second Miss, we’ve entered the city.”
Jiang Li lifted the carriage curtain, and as soon as she did, she met the curious gazes of the commoners outside. Tong’er hadn’t expected so many people and was momentarily stunned.
Yuxiang explained with a smile, “The Grand Secretary’s carriage is ornate and exquisite, so commoners tend to take notice. It seems the news of Second Miss’s return has already spread. These commoners are likely here because they heard about it.”
Jiang Li smiled. “Thank you for the reminder, Sister Yuxiang.”
Yuxiang hurriedly demurred.
The sunlight outside was glaring and harsh. After a quick glance, Jiang Li let the curtain fall. Tong’er, who still wanted to look outside, had no choice but to give up. Feeling somewhat uneasy, she wanted to comfort Jiang Li, but Jiang Li merely leaned against the carriage cushion, leisurely sipping tea.
As if she weren’t worried at all.
Tugging at Jiang Li’s sleeve, Tong’er whispered, “Young lady, once we return to the mansion, this servant will definitely protect you well.”
This earnest vow amused Jiang Li, who shook her head and said, “There’s nothing to fear.” The carriage curtain blocked the curious gazes outside, but it made Jiang Li’s heart even clearer.
After the incident at Qingcheng Mountain, the story of Second Miss Jiang being sent to the nunnery had become widely known. It was likely that Liu Yuanfeng hadn’t missed the chance to use this against the Ji family, with Madam Liu’s assistance. Since Ji Shuran wanted to prove herself a virtuous stepmother, she had to silence the gossip. Not only did she have to bring Jiang Li back, but she also had to ensure the entire Yanjing City knew about it.
The arrangements had to be grand—whether it was the carriage or the guards, it was all part of the face Ji Shuran had to put on. Unintentionally, this elevated Jiang Li’s status, letting the people of Yanjing City know that even if Second Miss Jiang was a venomous schemer who had harmed her stepmother and half-brother, even if she had spent seven years in a nunnery, she was still the legitimate daughter of the Grand Secretary’s household—a golden branch and jade leaf not to be slighted.
She just wondered if the current Grand Secretary’s wife, Jiang Li’s stepmother Ji Shuran, felt any discomfort while making these arrangements.
A faint smile touched Jiang Li’s lips. She wasn’t afraid of the future awaiting her in the Grand Secretary’s mansion. Even if it were a mountain of knives or a sea of flames, even if there were jackals, wolves, tigers, or leopards ahead, she felt no fear. Having died once, her courage had been forged into iron. As Second Miss Jiang, she would bear the weight of her past and future from now on.
And the final path she would walk was one of revenge—using the Jiang family’s power to get close to that person, that pair.
The carriage continued on its way, and after an unknown length of time, it finally came to a stop.
The hustle and bustle outside seemed to quiet down.
Sun Momo’s voice rang out from outside, saying, “Second Miss, we’re home.”
Home.
This was Jiang Li’s home.
Outside the carriage, at the entrance of the residence, onlookers crowded everywhere. The news of Second Miss Jiang’s return had spread throughout Yanjing City days ago. Seven years ago, the incident of Second Miss Jiang poisoning her stepmother had caused quite a stir. And since Jiang Yuanbai was now a pillar of the court, the Jiang family’s affairs naturally attracted countless eyes.
Including those curious about Second Miss Jiang, who hadn’t returned home in seven years.
Outside the Jiang residence’s main gate stood a large group of people. The woman at the forefront was gentle, beautiful, and quite elegant, while the young girl beside her was charming and adorable, with features as exquisite as a painting. Standing next to them was a tall, handsome man with a refined and scholarly demeanor.
This was Jiang Yuanbai, along with his wife, Ji Shuran, and their daughter, Jiang Youyao.
Whispers from the commoners reached their ears.
“Third Miss Jiang is incredibly beautiful. I wonder what Second Miss Jiang looks like?”
Another person spat, “Third Miss Jiang takes after her mother. Just look at how graceful Madam Jiang is. I’ve heard that Second Miss Jiang’s birth mother, the former Madam Jiang, was rather plain. If Second Miss Jiang resembles her mother, well, there’s no comparison.”
“You can’t say that. You haven’t even seen her.”
“So what if I haven’t? Forget about looks—Second Miss Jiang has been in a nunnery for seven years. She probably doesn’t know the first thing about manners and etiquette. How could she compare to Third Miss Jiang’s refinement and upbringing? Besides, who knows what unclean things she might have picked up in that nunnery? That would make her even more unsightly…” The voice trailed off, as if afraid of being held accountable for gossip.
Jiang Youyao nearly couldn’t suppress a smile upon hearing these remarks, but seeing Ji Shuran’s dignified and proper demeanor, she restrained her thoughts.
Sun Momo had called out for a while, but there was no movement from inside the carriage. Jiang Yuanbai frowned slightly, and the commoners were growing impatient when suddenly, a crisp voice sounded from the carriage.
“Young lady, let this servant help you down.”
The carriage curtain was lifted, and someone assisted Second Miss Jiang as she stepped out.
Finally back—time to tear into them! ヾ（≧O≦）〃
(End of Chapter)
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