The flood caused the people of the capital to be constantly on the run, and the spring rain pattered non-stop. However, these few days, the Eighth Prince and the Second Young Master of the Prime Minister's fu had achieved initial success in controlling the flood. Moreover, more and more people joined the porridge distribution team, and the situation became much more stable. The capital gradually returned to its former order.
For example, this afternoon, the Guan family army returned to the capital early from the frontier. The orderly and solemn army almost filled the entire street. The person in the lead was high-spirited, tall and strong, Guan Liang Han. Keeping pace with him was a young man who was incomparably handsome. Although he was a martial artist, he did not appear crude, but instead had the elegance of a noble son in the capital. The young man was very unfamiliar. There was also a horse carriage behind the team, but it was unknown who was sitting in the carriage.
Zhao Yuan Feng and Xiao Shao had already left. Jiang Xin Zhi followed Jiang Ruan's instructions and rode a horse around the streets of the capital. He did not think much of it, only thinking that Jiang Ruan had the temperament of a little girl and wanted to show off. Jiang Ruan sat in the carriage. Lian Qiao secretly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and peeped outside. She said in surprise, "Eldest Young Master is really awe-inspiring, the common people are all watching."
Bai Zhi also laughed, "Now that Eldest Young Master is back, Miss will have a good life."
Lian Qiao rolled her eyes, and a trace of craftiness flashed in them, "This time, that person in Yan Hua Yuan will be furious."
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly and did not comment. Xia Yan saw that Jiang Xin Zhi had returned unscathed, and she was not just angry. This matter would not end so easily. If they wanted to scheme against Jiang Xin Zhi, they could forget about getting out of this situation unscathed. Xuan Li and Li An still had a big gift to give to the two of them.
Jiang Xin Zhi was now young and promising. Looking at his and Guan Liang Han's posture, it was not difficult for the crowd to guess that he was the deputy general who had won the military merit, but they did not expect him to be so young. Many of the young ladies and young wives who were watching from the side of the street blushed and threw silk flowers on the horse. Jiang Xin Zhi's lips curled into a smile. After so many years of experience, he restrained his emotions very well. At first glance, he looked like a scholarly general at ease.
There were also madams and young ladies from official families in the capital. Seeing this scene, they began to inquire about this deputy general's identity. At this time, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "Isn't this the eldest son of Minister Jiang's fu? I heard that he joined the army five years ago. I didn't expect that he would return to the capital with military merits! "
It was like a stone that caused a thousand ripples. As soon as these words came out, everyone started discussing.
"I was wondering why he looked so familiar. Turns out it's the eldest son of the Jiang family. Tsk, I haven't heard from him for so many years. Now, I can finally hold my head high."
"So the Jiang family has an Eldest Young Master. I don't think I've ever heard anyone in the Jiang fu mention this."
"Eh? What was there to be confused about? The Jiang family was now ruled by a stepmother. After all, she was not a biological daughter. Hadn't there been no news of the Eldest Miss of the Jiang family for more than five years? I'm afraid that Eldest Young Master Jiang didn't leave home of his own accord. "
"All in all, it's all good now. The Eldest Jiang Young Master has achieved military merits, and the Eldest Jiang Young Lady is also a jade-like person. In comparison, the Eldest Jiang Young Master is more promising than the Second Jiang Young Master. I don't know what Minister Jiang is thinking. Instead of feeling sorry for such an outstanding Eldest Young Master, he dotes on the Second Young Master. "
"You don't understand. He's a man. What's there to say about favoring his concubine and neglecting his wife? When the original mistress of the household was still around, the current Jiang Furen was just a concubine."
The crowd was bustling with discussion. There were all sorts of things being said. Most of them were praising Jiang Xin Zhi and his sister while belittling Xia Yan's family. Jiang Ruan leaned against the carriage and smiled faintly. Trampling on the weak and flattering the strong had always been the trend of the people. Now that Jiang Xin Zhi was young and promising, his official career was promising. Naturally, there were countless praises for him. The more outstanding he was, the more incompetent Jiang Chao appeared.
In Yan Hua Yuan, Xia Yan was leaning against a soft couch and slowly drinking tea. Today, she only needed to arrange everything properly. With the Xia family and the Li family's help, she did not believe that Jiang Xin Zhi would be able to escape this calamity. She took a sip of tea. Now that Jiang Xin Zhi was dead, Jiang Ruan was nothing to worry about. She had all the time in the world to tidy up. However, she did not know why, but early this morning, she had a faint feeling of unease in her heart. Her expression unconsciously revealed a trace of impatience.
Seeing this, Feicui comforted her, "Furen need not worry. This matter is absolutely safe. Just wait for the good news."
Xia Yan did not speak. She saw that the curtain in the room had been lifted and Lin Lang hurriedly walked in. Her expression was somewhat panicked as she said, "Not good, Furen, Eldest Young Master has returned!"
"What did you say?" Xia Yan suddenly stood up, her beautiful face full of malevolence. She grabbed Lin Lang's shoulder and said, "Jiang Xin Zhi has returned? How is this possible? Are you sure you didn't see wrongly? "
"Furen, this is absolutely true," Lin Lang said. "General Guan and Eldest Young Master have brought the army to the streets of the capital. Everyone has seen them and the common people are talking about them. It is indeed Eldest Young Master. "
Xia Yan's body swayed and she fell back onto the soft couch. She muttered, "How is this possible? Could it be that Jiang Xin Zhi has the blessing of the gods? This is simply impossible!"
As she spoke, a manservant hurriedly came in from outside. He opened his mouth and said, "Furen, Eldest Young Master has arrived at the fu's entrance. The army and General Guan are also there. Furen should quickly go and welcome him, lest others gossip."
"I welcome him?" Xia Yan could not help but shriek. Heaven knew that right now, she wished that she could bite Jiang Xin Zhi to death. Yet, she still had to put on a smiling face and pretend to be a loving mother to welcome him! If she did not welcome him, she was already at the heart of the struggle. If she really fell into the eyes of the common people, who knew what kind of malicious stepmother nonsense would be spun!
"Fine, I will welcome him!" Xia Yan gritted her teeth and said, "I will go and welcome my good son!"
Lin Lang and Fei Yu stood to one side, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Xia Yan had just arrived at the door with the servant girls when she heard Guan Liang Han's hearty laughter. "Xin Zhi, since you have returned to the fu, I will not stay for long. I will leave now. When I return to the Emperor, this General will definitely put in a few good words for you and let His Majesty bestow you a high official. Let's go. "
By the time Xia Yan reached the door, Guan Liang Han had already mounted his horse. He merely stared coldly at Xia Yan. Xia Yan could not help but shiver under his gaze. Before she could open her mouth, Guan Liang Han cracked his horsewhip and, with a "Jia" sound, took the lead and left. The troops behind him hurriedly followed.
The entrance of the Jiang fu was surrounded by the common people who were watching the commotion. Xia Yan quickly walked to stand in front of Jiang Xin Zhi. In the past, the frail youth who was not even as tall as she was was now tall and valiant. When he looked at her, the blood-red light in his eyes made one tremble in fear. Xia Yan suppressed the uneasiness in her heart and looked Jiang Xin Zhi up and down. With a gentle smile, she said, "Xin Zhi, I have waited so long for you to return. After so many years, why did you not even send a letter home? Your father misses you very much. What is there that cannot be reconciled between father and son? Why did you run away from home, and for five years at that?
He is your father, after all. "Her words were gentle and cordial, and her eyes were full of affection. However, every word she said was that Jiang Xin Zhi was unfilial and had left home in a fit of pique with his father. In the Great Jin Dynasty, filial piety was more important than the heavens. No matter how big the matter was, one could not be unfilial.
However, Jiang Xin Zhi did not even look Xia Yan in the eye. Without consulting anyone, he walked to the carriage that was parked at the side. Gently lifting the curtain, he smiled and said, "Ah Ruan."
When the person in the carriage was helped down, everyone could clearly see that it was Jiang Ruan.
Xia Yan stared blankly for a moment, then smiled and said, "Ruan niang, why are you here? Didn't you go with Miss Wen to pick out some jewellery?"
Jiang Ruan smiled apologetically and said, "That should have been the case, but on the way, I saw Eldest Brother leading the troops. In a moment of excitement, I came back with Eldest Brother." She walked to stand in front of Xia Yan and said with a smile, "Just now, I also asked Eldest Brother what Mother asked. Father always knew that Eldest Brother was not the material to write essays, so he carefully taught Second Brother. Everyone in the Jiang fu knows that when Mother was still alive, Father taught Second Brother to read and write since he was young. Eldest Brother was not good at literature, but he did not want to be bad at martial arts. When Mother passed away, he was impetuous and thought that he might as well just go out and try to make a career for himself. He did not expect that he would come back with a Deputy General. Mother, please do not blame him, it was a blessing in disguise. Besides, the borderlands are bitter and cold, and Eldest Brother did not want to worry the family, so he did not write back. Father also thought the same, so he never wrote back to ask about Eldest Brother's situation. This was to temper Eldest Brother's temperament! "
Xia Yan's words were vicious, and Jiang Ruan's words were also correct. Look, when the first wife was still alive, Jiang Quan had carefully taught Jiang Chao, and neglected his own di eldest son. In the fu, no matter how bad the di eldest son was, he would still inherit the family business. What was it that made a di eldest son not hesitate to seek refuge in the army to fight for his future? The meaning behind Jiang Ruan's words was really thought-provoking. Thinking about it, Jiang Quan did not really miss his di eldest son. Otherwise, in these five long years, he would have been able to find out Jiang Xin Zhi's whereabouts. Why would he not even send a letter home? Everyone looked at Jiang Xin Zhi and began to discuss again. So what if he had received Jiang Quan's careful guidance? In the end, he had still fallen behind. On the contrary, he was not as good as this Eldest Young Master, who had always relied on himself for everything.
Xia Yan naturally noticed the change in everyone's gazes, and her lungs almost exploded with anger. However, at this moment, she heard a low and deep voice, "Xin Zhi."
Jiang Ruan looked up and saw that it was actually Jiang Quan. Behind him were Jiang Chao, his brother and sister, Jiang Li, Jiang Dan, and a few other concubines. Apart from the Old Jiang Madame, who was in poor health, everyone in the Jiang family was present.
When Jiang Xin Zhi faced Jiang Quan, he only nodded his head in an extremely courteous manner, "Father."
Seeing him like this, a gloomy feeling rose in Jiang Quan's heart. Now that this son of his had become so outstanding, it was even more impossible to control. He looked at Jiang Ruan standing by Jiang Xin Zhi's side. This pair of children both had outstanding looks and temperaments, but they had crawled out of Zhao Mei's belly!
Jiang Su Su's expression did not reveal anything, but Jiang Chao's face was taut as he stared fixedly at Jiang Xin Zhi. His gaze was like that of a poisonous snake. Jiang Ruan noticed his gaze, so she looked over and smiled at Jiang Chao.
In Jiang Chao's eyes, this smile was a naked provocation. He slowly clenched his fists and curled up his broken little finger. He only felt that the gazes of everyone around him were a joke.
Jiang Ruan's smile did not change. Comparison. When two people of the same status appeared in the same fu, what people loved to do the most was to compare. In her previous life, people had compared her with Jiang Su Su. The more outstanding Jiang Su Su was, the more unbearable she was. Such a comparison could completely destroy a person. If the other party had been Jiang Chao, who had always been held in high regard by Jiang Quan, and the arrogant Jiang Chao, would he have done something impulsively if he was given a taste of being compared to someone of inferior quality?
He had been locked in his room and could not make a move. What if he took the initiative to attack?
Jiang Li and Second Yiniang stared hatefully at Jiang Xin Zhi. Their hearts were filled with jealousy and hatred. With Jiang Xin Zhi's return, at least for the time being, no one in the fu would dare to openly bully Jiang Ruan. How could Jiang Ruan's life be so good? She had reached this stage, yet she still had such a famous older brother to rely on.
Hong Ying secretly heaved a sigh of relief. In her heart, she rejoiced that she had not become Jiang Ruan's enemy. Jiang Xin Zhi had returned, and with the status of Deputy General. At least, Xia Yan's days in the fu would not be so relaxed. She wondered if Jiang Ruan would fulfill her promise and really let her sit in the position of the mistress of the household. Hong Ying's heart was secretly excited.
Standing at the fu's entrance, Jiang Xin Zhi exchanged a few insincere words with the Jiang family. Then, he showed a trace of weariness, "I am very tired. I want to go back and have a few words with Ah Ruan. If there is anything else, we can talk about it at night."
These two siblings had just reunited, so they had a lot to talk about. It would not be good for them to stop them. Just as Jiang Xin Zhi was about to enter the door, Xia Yan finally could not help but ask, "Xin Zhi, on your way back … Did you encounter anything? "
"Mother, what do you think I should encounter?" Jiang Xin Zhi asked in return. His tone was as gentle as ever, but it was mixed with a faint murderous intent. Xia Yan's body stiffened. She smiled and said, "I was just casually asking."
Jiang Ruan smiled and said, "Mother was right. On the way back, Eldest Brother encountered a group of rebels."
"Rebellion?" Xia Yan cried out involuntarily, "How could it be a rebellion?" Those people had only ambushed Jiang Xin Zhi. How could it have become a rebellion? The crime of rebellion was no small matter. If one was not careful, their nine generations would be implicated.
Jiang Ruan softly said, "Isn't that so? There were many archers lying in ambush. However, it just so happened that General Guan and Xiao Wangye arrived and arrested all of them. I reckon that they will need to be interrogated in detail. Presumably, they will be able to uncover the person behind them." She smiled at Xia Yan, who was still in a daze, and said, "If the person behind them is caught, he will certainly be dismembered by His Majesty's five horses." After saying this, she no longer paid any attention to Xia Yan and pulled Jiang Xin Zhi towards the door.
Jiang Xin Zhi had returned in a hurry and the courtyard had not been vacated yet, so he went to Jiang Ruan's courtyard first. Lu Zhu and Zhou momo had been waiting anxiously. Seeing that they had returned safe and sound, they were overjoyed and hurriedly made tea for them.
Jiang Xin Zhi and Jiang Ruan sat by the window. Jiang Xin Zhi looked at Jiang Ruan and said, "Ah Ruan, do you suspect that Xia Yan did it?" He was not a thirteen or fourteen-year-old ignorant and impetuous youth. Jiang Ruan's attitude towards Xia Yan just now was thought-provoking, but how did Jiang Ruan know these things? Moreover … "Xia Yan could not mobilize so many archers. Those people were clearly well-trained soldiers."
"Xia Yan could not do it, but it does not mean that the Jiang family cannot. Moreover, there is also the Li family, and perhaps the Eighth Prince is involved." Jiang Ruan looked at him and said, "Eldest Brother, you are someone who goes to the battlefield to kill the enemy. Leave the sinister schemes of these women in the inner courtyard to me to deal with. "
"How old are you to deal with these things?" Jiang Xin Zhi frowned and looked at her. His heart was both distressed and angry, "Ah Ruan, I do not want you to participate in these things. Leave them to me. If you do not like the Jiang fu, we will move out."
"You are the son of the Jiang fu. What will others think if you move out? There are so many imperial censors in the capital. Once you have something that people criticize, they will not hesitate to report you. What will happen to your future career as an official? "Jiang Ruan said," I will not move out of the Jiang fu. "
"I do not care about being an official," Jiang Xin Zhi said, "Ah Ruan, as long as you are safe and happy, Eldest Brother will be satisfied."
Safe and happy? It was only four words, but how many people could actually achieve it? She lived her entire life for the sake of revenge. Being safe and happy was already a mirage that could only be hoped for but not achieved.
"You must be an official, Eldest Brother," Jiang Ruan said, "only then can you trample all of them under your feet. Make them respect you, fear you, and not dare to bully you. This way, they will not bully me. Eldest Brother, do not worry about me. I have been here for so many years. I can protect myself, and I can also protect you. "
Jiang Xin Zhi looked at her, "Ah Ruan, is there something you are hiding from me? Why must you live in the Jiang fu? " Jiang Xin Zhi had just returned to the capital, and his mind was a complete mess. He only knew that some unforeseen event must have occurred. Why had his sister's temperament changed so much, and why was she involved in the affairs of the court?
Jiang Ruan said indifferently, "Nothing." She could not tell Jiang Xin Zhi about Zhao Mei's murder. Jiang Xin Zhi's impulsiveness would inevitably spoil things. Moreover, in this life, it was enough to have one evil person with a rotten heart. Jiang Xin Zhi wanted to live cleanly. These dirty deals and conspiracies would not spoil his heart.
"I will not force you," Jiang Xin Zhi said. Even if Jiang Ruan did not say anything, he could still find out. He patted Jiang Ruan's head, "But since you are not willing to move out of the Jiang fu, I will not move out either. As long as you stay in the fu, no one will dare to bully you."
Jiang Ruan nodded slightly.
Bai Zhi, Lian Qiao and Lu Zhu could not help but shed tears when they saw the warm scene of the brother and sister reuniting. Jiang Ruan had endured for so many years.
On this side, everyone was happy, but in other places, the sky was about to be turned upside down.
"What did you say? Jiang Xin Zhi has returned to the fu? " Xia Cheng clasped his hands behind his back and looked at the person in disbelief, "Nonsense! Even if he had nine lives, he would not be able to escape! This matter is foolproof, unless he has the help of gods and ghosts! "
"Not only that," the person said cautiously, "The people we sent have all been captured and are being interrogated in prison."
"Aren't they the suicide warriors? Why are they still alive? However, "Xia Cheng snorted disdainfully," those suicide warriors have all been trained and will not open their mouths no matter what. Find out where they are being held. Tonight, go find a few people to handle it. I don't need to tell you what to do. "
"But... The person being interrogated is Xiao Wangye. "
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