Marriage of Di daughter

140

He spoke casually, with a slight smile on his face, as if he could hold someone's life in his hands with just a few words. Jiang Li suddenly felt a sense of absurdity. Was Ji Xing like Princess Yongning, who simply assumed that, because of her high status, she could easily get rid of anyone who stood in her way?However, she quickly stopped her wild thoughts. Ji Xing had no grudge against the Ningyuan Marquis's residence, so saying such things was only for her own benefit. If she continued to be picky and difficult, she would truly be ungrateful.Jiang Li was not willing to be someone who would curse others while eating at the same table.She said, "Thank you for your kind offer, Your Grace. However, involving matters of life and death may not be easily explained to the Ningyuan Marquis's residence. Moreover, the autumn in Yanjing City is full of troubles. Starting any trouble now might only lead to suspicion."She politely declined Ji Xing's offer of help.Ji Xing remained noncommittal and said, "Just be careful yourself." After a pause, he added, "Your life is in my hands, so don't let it slip away carelessly."Jiang Li smiled and replied, "Understood."After exchanging a few more words with Ji Xing, Jiang Li left the room to check on Xue Huaiyuan. Today was the first time Situ Jiuyue had treated Xue Huaiyuan with acupuncture. Xue Huaiyuan was extremely afraid, so Jiang Li had to gently comfort him, which eventually calmed him down."He listens to you very well," Situ Jiuyue said, casting a glance at her. "That's quite rare.""After I rescued County Magistrate Xue from the Tongxiang prison, I took care of him for a long time. Even though he has lost his sanity, he dimly recognizes who treats him well. When I am around, he feels more at ease," Jiang Li explained."It's not just that simple," Situ Jiuyue said as she inserted a silver needle into Xue Huaiyuan's acupoint without looking up. "People who have lost their minds see everyone the same way. They don't differentiate between good and bad, but his attitude towards you is obviously different. Although Ye Mingyu has spent a lot of time with him, he has no feelings towards Ye Mingyu.""Have you known each other before?" Situ Jiuyue asked.Jiang Li's heart skipped a beat, and she firmly denied, "No, I was in Yanjing City, then went to Qingcheng Mountain, while County Magistrate Xue has always been in Tongxiang. We had no connection.""That's strange," Situ Jiuyue seemed puzzled. "For him to behave like that towards you, it must be a remnant habit of familiarity in his memory."Jiang Li had to say, "I don't know why it's like this."Situ Jiuyue glanced at her again. "I've heard about your situation. You are quite bold, no wonder Ji Xing looks at you differently."Seeing her address Ji Xing by name directly, Jiang Li couldn't help but be curious and asked, "Miss Jiuyue seems to be very familiar with His Grace?""Somewhat," Situ Jiuyue replied. "We owe each other our lives."Jiang Li was surprised. Ji Xing had saved Situ Jiuyue's life, which was not surprising to her. The turmoil in Molan was many years ago, and at that time, Situ Jiuyue was probably just a five or six-year-old girl. She had no ability to protect herself, so someone from Beian must have helped her get to Beian. Whether that person was Ji Xing, Jiang Li had no idea.But Situ Jiuyue had also saved Ji Xing's life?"Don't be fooled by his lively appearance now; he was on the brink of death back then," Situ Jiuyue said. "After barely surviving, no one can touch him now."Jiang Li: "..."This girl really doesn't mince her words.There was no one else in the room. Xue Huaiyuan was still babbling, while Situ Jiuyue, with a needle in hand, continued to insert it slowly. "However, he asked me to help you, which is quite unexpected. From the looks of it, you may not be a bad person. According to Lu Ji, you were falsely accused of killing your mother and brother. Hmph," she said, "Although you have the courage to act in Tongxiang, you are ultimately a kind-hearted rabbit. How could you associate yourself with them? In my opinion," she skillfully continued, making Jiang Li dizzy, "you'd better draw a clear line with Ji Xing as soon as possible to avoid being implicated in the future. Even if you don't get implicated, you might end up scared to death by him."Jiang Li smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Miss Jiuyue."Situ Jiuyue furrowed her brow. "I'm not concerned about you."Jiang Li found it amusing. Situ Jiuyue seemed a year or two older than Miss Jiang, but compared to her past life, she was younger. However, her way of speaking and acting had a certain grace, making her feel like an elder sister advising an innocent younger sister, mixing threats with guidance in her actions.But it made sense; experiencing a sudden change in life, one would inevitably grow up overnight. While she was lost in thought, Situ Jiuyue had finished treating Xue Huaiyuan with the last needle, and he seemed exhausted, falling into a deep sleep. Jiang Li helped him lie down on the bed, covered him with a blanket, and tucked him in.Situ Jiuyue stood by, watching. She had a sweet and charming appearance, but dressed in black, with a hint of fierceness in her smile, clearly not someone to be trifled with. She said, "You really know how to take care of people.""Is that so?" Jiang Li smiled."Has no one ever said that to you before?" Situ Jiuyue asked curiously."You're the first one," Jiang Li replied.Before she got married, Jiang Li had taken care of the Shen family very diligently, but she had never received any praise. Before she got married, it was Xue Zhao who took care of everyone. Xue Huaiyuan pampered his daughter, but he wanted to toughen up his son. Besides being skilled in military and literary arts, Xue Zhao could even cook.Sometimes Jiang Li felt that she had to accept many of Xue Zhao's care and attention.Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly saw something moving in front of her, Situ Jiuyue waving her hand in front of her eyes and asking, "What are you thinking about so deeply?"Jiang Li snapped out of her reverie and said, "I was thinking about family matters."Situ Jiuyue said, "Alright.""Miss Jiuyue, thank you for treating County Magistrate Xue. I appreciate it," Jiang Li said."You don't need to thank me," Situ Jiuyue said. "I dare not defy Ji Xing's orders. Do you have any other business? If not, I'll take my leave."After saying this, she indeed left without saying much more, leaving Jiang Li feeling amused by her straightforwardness.As she walked out, she noticed that Ji Xing had also left at some point. When Wen Ranyao saw her coming out, his eyes lit up, calling out "Second Miss" repeatedly. Jiang Li was overwhelmed by his enthusiasm and made up an excuse to leave the Ye residence and return to the Jiang family first.After Jiang Li left, Wen Ranyao stood in the courtyard and asked Situ Jiuyue, "Jiuyue, am I good-looking?"Situ Jiuyue replied, "Get lost!""How strange," he said, looking at himself in the mirror. The young man in the mirror still looked handsome and elegant, but he said, "Why does Miss Jiang look at me as if she's seen a ghost? When I treat ordinary girls like this, they are usually very happy, aren't they?"Situ Jiuyue sneered, "Ji Xing is much better looking than you. Even though Jiang Li sees him, she remains calm. If you have a delicious dish in front of you and you don't like it, would you prefer to eat... something else?"Wen Ranyao: "..."He said, "You are really rude!"...In the Jiang residence, in the evening, in the Phoenix Hall, Old Lady Jiang sat with her eyes closed.Since the incident with Master Chongxu, followed by Aunt Hu's suicide, the Jiang family had faced a major upheaval. Although this matter had not been leaked to outsiders, the Jiang family members were well aware of it. The situation had aged Old Lady Jiang considerably overnight.She had always been spirited, even in her old age, still displaying a vigor and dignity comparable to her youth. But after these events, it seemed like much of her vitality had been drained, and those around her could only see her sitting with her eyes closed all day long.She hadn't even glanced at her beloved grandson, Jiang Bingji.Fei Cui walked in and said, "Old Madam, Third Miss is still outside, begging to see you."Old Lady Jiang opened her eyes and, without looking at Fei Cui, stared at the fireplace in front of her, saying, "Let her go back."Fei Cui replied, "Yes," and left to inform Jiang Yuyao.The maid stood by Old Lady Jiang's side, gently massaging her shoulders, and asked, "It's been a few days now. How do you plan to deal with the Jis?"Old Lady Jiang paused for a moment.After a long silence, just when the maid almost thought she had fallen asleep, Old Lady Jiang's calm voice rang out, "Give her the medicine."The maid's hand trembled. It had been many years since the Jiang family had administered medicine to someone. Although Old Lady had always been strict, she rarely harmed others. Unless it was a serious offense by a servant, she wouldn't resort to fatal punishment. So, for her to insist on taking someone's life this time, it indicated how deep her hatred towards Jis had become."What's wrong? Do you think I was too harsh?" Old Lady Jiang sensed the hesitation of the maid and, without waiting for a response, continued with a self-deprecating tone, "I felt I was being too lenient on her. Let's not mention her affair with that man; even though we are the Jiang family, we have lost three lives because of her. Three lives," she murmured, "How wicked must one's heart be to be able to sacrifice even a child?""I've told Yuan long ago not to marry someone too clever. With our family background, there's no need to seek connections with anyone. Although the Yes are slightly inferior in family background, the focus is on their kindness and gentleness. Now, looking back, I don't know if it was a blessing or a curse. Perhaps it was precisely because the Yes were too kind and accommodating that they allowed dissent among their subordinates, were deceived by Ji, and lost their lives. However, this is also my fault for not managing the household strictly. If I had been more attentive back then, the Yes might not have fallen into Ji's trap.""You don't have to blame yourself too much," the maid said. "Who could have known that Ji would target Madam's position while she was still alive and develop evil intentions? This is unheard of even in Yanjing City.""Not to mention Madam, even her daughter Er Ya, I didn't take care of her properly," Old Lady Jiang said with a bitter smile. "Back then, Er Ya kept insisting that she didn't push Ji, but I only believed my own eyes and never thought that it was all an act by Ji. I just didn't expect that Ji would be so heartless as to abandon her own flesh and blood."Thinking about this, the maid couldn't help but feel a shiver down her spine. That was her own flesh and blood, even if it was an illegitimate child, it was still connected by blood. Ji had been willing to sacrifice her just to frame Jiang Li, deceiving everyone in plain sight."Er Ya spent eight years on Qingcheng Mountain, and now that she's back, you see, has she gotten close to anyone in this house?" Old Lady Jiang asked.The maid was speechless.Er Ya was gentle and polite, but when it came to being close...But to say they were close, no, even towards Jiang Yuanbo, they were polite."She goes to the Ye family every day. Not to mention anything else, just to a person who has lost their mind, she is much closer than us. It's our own fault. We abandoned her back then, so naturally she doesn't care about us."Jiang's old lady said this with a heavy heart, and even the nanny couldn't help but feel a bit emotional, advising, "Miss Er just returned to the Jiang family, she hasn't been here for long, there are knots in her heart. Now that the truth about the Ji family's affairs is revealed, her knots should be untangled. As time goes on, things will naturally get better. You and the old master are her relatives, if she doesn't feel close to you, who else can she feel close to?"Jiang's old lady shook her head, "I've lived for so many years, I'm practically one foot in the grave. I've seen all kinds of people, at this age, there are few people who can deceive me. Er Yaotou won't feel close to us anymore, her heart has hardened, nothing we do will help. It's too late."Her tone was unquestionable.Before the nanny could speak, Jiang's old lady's voice came again, "But it's quite good. With her like this, she won't be bullied like her mother. With a harder heart, she'll be more cautious in everything, not revealing her heart and soul to anyone, and won't be deceived in the future. This way, I can rest assured."After thinking for a while, the nanny said, "Old lady, there's no need to be so definitive. People's hearts are like flesh, as long as we start treating Miss Er well now, there will come a day when she will see it."Jiang's old lady waved her hand, "Forget it. I don't know if I'll still be alive to see that day. Has Miss Er not returned to the mansion yet?""She went to the Ye family," the nanny said."When she comes back, let her go see Ji Shi, if she has anything to say to Ji Shi, tell it to Ji Shi.""Old lady, this is..." the nanny was surprised."After she sees Ji Shi, give Ji Shi the medicine," Jiang's old lady's eyebrows furrowed, her expression cold, "The sooner, the better, to atone sooner."After saying this, she closed her eyes again, as if falling asleep.The nanny remained silent for a while, not saying anything more....In Yao Guang Zhu Li, Jiang Yuanyao paced restlessly in the room.Ji Shuran was locked up, and no one was allowed near her. She couldn't visit Ji Shuran, and in fact, Jiang Yuanyao didn't dare to visit her either. Even though she was usually clueless, the crimes Ji Shuran admitted to that day were too shocking. Not to mention anything else, just the crime of adultery, Jiang Yuanyao knew that the Jiang family would definitely not forgive Ji Shuran easily.Back then, the top scholar's wife in Yanjing, Xue Fangfei, was found guilty of adultery. Even now, when people mentioned her, they would only say "adulteress." Now, this person had changed to Ji Shuran. It was easy to imagine that if this news spread, the private affair of the prime minister's wife would be more sensational than the top scholar's wife's adultery.Fortunately, Jiang's old lady had handled it, with all the servants in the courtyard in her hands, ensuring that not a word would leak out. Even so, Jiang Yuanyao was still anxious. The looks from the concubines in the second and third houses, especially Lu, in the past few days, when seeing her, the mockery in their eyes made Jiang Yuanyao wish she could find a hole to hide in.Ji Shuran was stained, and people looked at her as if she were dirty, as if she were the one committing adultery. But she wasn't. She was the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family, a true noble lady! This position couldn't be taken by anyone else, and it could never be taken away!"Miss... what should we do... the old lady's attitude is too harsh," the maid Jin Hua said."Has there been a reply to the letter I wrote to Aunt?" Jiang Yuanyao asked.Now, it was harder to get a letter out than to reach the sky. She had spent a lot of money to get a servant from the Jiang Mansion to deliver the letter to Chen Ji's. In her heart, she told Chen Ji to go to the palace and find Li Pin. Li Pin would surely have a way.Jin Hua shook her head.Jiang Yuanyao's disappointment was evident, she said, "No, could it be that the old lady has made the Jiang family too strict, and outside letters can't get in. Jin Hua, go find out again.""Miss, I'm afraid Madam Chen won't come again. After the incident the other day, someone from the Ji family came by, but later they left... Did they intend to abandon Madam Chen?" If there was a chance to turn things around, the Ji family would not have left so decisively, they would have stayed in the mansion for a while longer. But they left directly.With these words, Jin Hua was slapped by Jiang Yuanyao, and she said vehemently, "Nonsense! How could Grandmother and Aunt not care about my mother? Clearly, it's a delaying tactic! They don't know what Grandmother and Father said to make Aunt leave, Aunt doesn't know the current situation of my mother. Now that I've written everything clearly in the letter, as soon as they know about my mother's situation, they will come immediately to rescue us!"Jin Hua quickly knelt down, saying, "I know I was wrong, it was my nonsense, Madam Chen will definitely come to save Madam."Although Jiang Yuanyao spoke confidently, with Jin Hua's words, she also started to feel uneasy.Ji Shuran didn't tell her how Jiang Li would be unlucky that day, but Jiang Yuanyao could vaguely guess that the end result was not like this. The Taoist priest Chongxu had disappeared, and if Chen Ji asked the palace for help from Li Pin, Li Pin would not stand idly by, so why hadn't any news come yet? Even if Ji Chen couldn't enter the Jiang Mansion, he could have someone bring a message.But there was nothing, nothing at all.This couldn't go on. Although Jiang Yuanyao was afraid, she also knew that the only one in the mansion who truly cared about her was Ji Shuran. Jiang Yuanbo was now angry with Ji Shuran, and she didn't know if he would forgive his mother, but waiting like this was not good for her. Who knew if Jiang Li, that despicable person, would secretly use some dirty tricks again?She stood up abruptly and said, "No, I have to find a way to leave the mansion.""Miss?" Yin Hua was stunned, "The mansion is under strict control now, how can you leave?"To prevent the news from spreading, not even a fly was allowed to leave the mansion, let alone someone as conspicuous as Jiang Yuanyao. Although Jiang Yuanyao wasn't under house arrest, she couldn't go anywhere."Damn it." Jiang Yuanyao sat down dejectedly in the chair, "What can I do?"...As the sky gradually darkened.If there was anyone in the mansion who could come and go freely, Jiang Li was one of them. She had just returned from the Ye family and walked to Fang Fei Garden. Qing Feng and Ming Yue were sitting in the courtyard embroidering purses. When they saw Jiang Li return, they got up to greet her."Has anything happened in the mansion?" Jiang Li asked."Abao came by, returning the silver and charcoal that Miss had given to Aunt Hu earlier." Ming Yue said, "Abao followed Aunt Hu for a lifetime, after Aunt Hu passed away, Abao had nowhere to go. The old lady returned Abao's indenture and let her go home. But it seems that Abao has already given up and said she wants to go to the temple, light incense, and spend the rest of her life in peace." Ming Yue sighed, "She's also a pitiful person.""Has she left already?" Jiang Li asked."She'll leave tomorrow."Jiang Li handed the silver to Ming Yue again, "Although she's going to the temple, silver is still indispensable. The future is long, don't bet everything on a single path right now. But she won't be able to listen to these words now. Find a way to take this silver to her, without letting her know," Jiang Li said.Ming Yue took the silver, hesitated for a moment, then smiled, "Miss, you have a kind heart.""It's just a sentiment," Jiang Li shook her head."By the way, the pearls around the old lady also came by." Qing Feng remembered something and said, "Pearl said that after Miss returned, the old lady allowed her to go see Ji Shi and say whatever she wanted to Ji Shi."Tong Er was surprised, "Didn't the old lady forbid anyone from approaching Ji Shi, that lunatic?""Who knows, maybe it's just to vent Miss's anger. Ji Shi has caused such misery to Miss and Madam, she should be scolded properly to vent her anger," Qing Feng said nonchalantly.But Jiang Li didn't think so. The sudden statement from the old lady only meant that she had made up her mind. Ji Shuran's path had come to an end, and the old lady was allowing her to see Ji Shuran for the last time.Jiang Li said, "Since it's the old lady's decision, then let's go.""Now?" Tong Er asked."Right now."If they delayed any longer, it would be too late....Ji Shuran was tied up in an old building in the side courtyard.The house was draped inside and out with white cloth. Aunt Hu had died, and normally in a large household, when a concubine passed away and the main wife went out, there was no need to arrange a funeral, especially for someone like Aunt Hu, who had been almost forgotten in the mansion for years. But because Aunt Hu's death was so tragic and the Jiang family felt guilty, even though she was a concubine, she was still buried properly, with everyone in mourning.The room where Ji Shuran stayed was the same. Only two white candles were lit in the room, the candle oil dripped into strange shapes, resembling tears. At the door, someone had set up a copper basin, with some unburned paper money inside, some of which had flown out, casting eerie shadows on the window.Ji Shuran huddled in a corner, feeling a chill down her spine.There was no one in the room. She was very scared, to the point that even the rough maids who had spoken harshly to her now seemed particularly missed by her. At least if there was someone in the room, she wouldn't feel so eerie.She had always thought she wasn't afraid of ghosts or gods. As long as people had means, even ghosts were afraid. But the day when Taoist priest Chongxu came to exorcise, what she saw with her own eyes shattered her resolve. There were ghosts in this world, once she was sure of this, Ji Shuran could close her eyes and see the spirits of those she had harmed coming to haunt her.Ye Zhenzhen, Jiang Yuer, Liu Wencai, Si Qi, and many others, including the child in her belly. Her mind was particularly noisy, with many voices. At this moment, she felt extremely fragile, longing for Jiang Bingji and Jiang Yuanyao to be in front of her.But they didn't come.But then again, she was unforgivable in front of the Jiang family, and her two children were naturally forbidden to see her. Fortunately, Jiang Yuanbo and Jiang's old lady were not unreasonable people, they wouldn't take out their anger on her two children because of her. With this in mind, Ji Shuran felt a little relieved.At that moment, there seemed to be a sound outside. Ji Shuran nervously curled up, her hands and feet were tied up, making her unable to move or escape. Since she was born, although she wasn't of noble birth, she had never experienced any hardships, let alone being replaced by someone like this. Ji Shuran thought, the way the Jiang family treated her so harshly, once she got out, her sister would definitely find a way to take revenge on the Jiang family.Yes, Ji Shuran still wanted to get out.At first, she thought she wouldn't have a chance to live, because the spirit of Liu Wencai appeared. But for some reason, Liu Wencai didn't take her away. As long as a person didn't die, the desire to survive would be particularly strong. After Ji Shuran came to her senses, she thought about how to escape.Leaving aside everything else, her sister was the emperor's most beloved concubine, and if the Jiang family wanted to move her, they had to consider it carefully.The footsteps outside gradually became clearer, step by step, neither light nor heavy, but each step felt like a heavy blow to Ji Shuran's heart.The voices of people outside became audible.The door creaked open.The wind blew the paper money on the floor, and a person in plain white clothes and a white skirt, wearing a white flower on her head, holding a lantern, walked in.It was Jiang Li.