Volume One, Chapter 19: Anran Returns Home
After a while, as if gradually coming to her senses, Shang Yinqiong withdrew her wary gaze, her expression softening considerably. “So it’s you.”
Jiang Xuanyan observed everything carefully.
Why was she so heavily guarded?
Such a look was hardly one that a pampered girl raised in seclusion would reveal.
Indeed, she was quite an intriguing person.
“It’s dawn.”
The effects of the medicine had worn off, and Jiang Xuanyan could only speak in a hushed voice.
Shang Yinqiong’s sharp ears twitched. “Why has your voice changed?”
“Maybe because of the injury…”
Jiang Xuanyan offered a vague answer.
Shang Yinqiong simply nodded silently, not pressing further. The sky was just beginning to brighten; if they hurried along the path, they likely wouldn’t be discovered.
Her eyes flicked sideways at Jiang Xuanyan.
This person wore a mask all night—did he truly have some unspeakable purpose?
“Take this bone flute,” Jiang Xuanyan said, removing it from around his neck and handing it to her.
Though puzzled, Shang Yinqiong extended her hand and took the flute, gently shaking it. “What use is this?”
“As long as you blow this bone flute, no matter how far you are, I will hear it immediately and come running.”
A subtle smile, as light as a breeze, flickered through Jiang Xuanyan’s eyes, well concealed.
Though uncertain how far the sound could carry, she accepted his kindness. “You’re still being hunted yourself. If I’m in danger, will you really come to my rescue?”
Shang Yinqiong remained doubtful.
Without delay, they parted ways.
Shang Yinqiong stuck to the narrow path, hugging the walls and keeping her face hidden, finally returning to the residence of the Duke of the Nation.
She located the spot and climbed over the wall by leaning against a tree.
Unexpectedly, as she jumped down, she bumped straight into Ling Yu.
“Miss…”
With swift reflexes, Shang Yinqiong covered Ling Yu’s mouth, signaling her to stay calm.
Just as she was about to speak, voices came from the garden path.
Shang Yinqiong pulled Ling Yu behind a nearby stone, both lowering their breaths.
Ting He carried some pastries, followed by a young maid. They walked slowly, chatting casually.
The young maid glanced around furtively, then complained, “Sister Ting He, the miss has been either scolding people or throwing things about these past days. We all walk on eggshells in the courtyard.”
“You dare gossip about the lady now?”
As Shang Runyu’s personal maid, Ting He naturally defended her mistress at all times.
The young maid pouted. “We wouldn’t dare, Sister Ting He. But if the miss keeps losing her temper like this, it won’t end well. I heard the Duke came home yesterday so angry he didn’t even eat.”
Ting He sighed silently.
Serving Shang Runyu was always a delicate task, but now that the lady was in low spirits, any small mistake would result in shards and objects being hurled at them.
It was truly a hardship without words.
The two continued their idle chat and then left.
Shang Yinqiong pressed a finger to her lips and motioned toward the courtyard.
Ling Yu nodded in confusion, and before the household inside awoke, they nearly ran back to their own courtyard.
“Phew.”
Shang Yinqiong exhaled deeply, feeling revived only after a warm sip of tea.
Ling Yu hurriedly closed all the doors and windows. “Miss, are you hurt? You didn’t come back all night. I was so worried.”
She hadn’t dared linger at the wall corner, fearing unwanted attention. But upon returning, she couldn’t rest, hearing nothing from the miss for a long while.
Half asleep, at first light, she rushed to the wall corner.
Thankfully, she had finally waited the miss’s return. If anything had happened to the Third Miss, the matriarch would never forgive her.
After three or four cups of tea, Shang Yinqiong’s dry throat eased. “No one noticed, right?”
“No one. Our courtyard is a bit remote. Unless someone was specifically looking, no one would pass by.”
Ling Yu had kept watch outside all night and understood well—no one had come.
She went out briefly and returned with a basin of hot water.
“Miss, wash your face quickly. The Duke came back last night with a dark expression. I reckon the whole family will have breakfast together early this morning.”
As Ling Yu spoke, she gently wiped Shang Yinqiong’s hands with a hot cloth.
“Why is Father angry?”
Could it be because of Shang Runyu?
Logically, it shouldn’t have been such a big deal.
Ling Yu shook her head. “I don’t know.”
---
Early in the morning, Madam Yu arrived at Shang Runyu’s courtyard. Seeing the mess everywhere, she was furious.
“What kind of tantrum are you throwing in your own courtyard? Rather than venting like this, you should think about how to salvage your reputation in the capital.”
Madam Yu was disappointed.
She had hoped her carefully nurtured daughter would have more composure, but such a small setback had left her utterly helpless.
It was unlike her at all.
Shang Runyu’s eyes were darkened and swollen from crying. “Mother, I don’t dare go out anymore. Whenever I do, I feel everyone’s eyes scrutinize me. Shang Yinqiong wants to destroy me. She resents the favor I receive and envies my foothold in this household.”
Madam Yu slowly sat down, waving her handkerchief with an air of restrained nobility. “Are you saying those rumors in the capital were spread by Shang Yinqiong?”
Could Shang Yinqiong truly have such power?
Shang Runyu clutched her blanket tightly, her gaze venomous, like cold silver needles piercing silently into one’s bones in the dead of night. “It must be her. No one else hates me so bitterly, wishing that I can never recover.”
Is that so?
Madam Yu tapped the wooden table slowly. “I will deal with those rumors for you. But you must keep calm. Don’t let such petty tricks throw you into panic. Have you forgotten all I taught you?”
“Mother.”
Hearing that the matter outside would be handled, Shang Runyu’s face immediately brightened. “Mother, Shang Yinqiong clearly came back this time to target me. We cannot afford to be careless.”
Though Madam Yu still believed Shang Yinqiong’s current state made her no real threat, she had at least formed an impression and would weigh her moves accordingly in the future.