In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, the Jiangs make a strategic move to secure a marriage alliance between a late bloomer, Jiang Ying, and the crown prince, Lan Xichen. However, their plans are disrupted when Jiang Ying is abducted before the mee...
As Jiang Yanli watches the guests heading off to sleep or drink more, she thinks about how quickly time is passing. However, there is still no improvement in finding her missing brother. She grows more worried that something terrible has happened to him and decides she should go and alert her parents about his disappearance before it's too late. She believes that any punishment she receives for deceiving them will be better than whatever trouble Jiang Ying finds himself in.
With determination, she searches for her parents and eventually spots her father walking alone after saying goodbye to a friend. This may be her only opportunity to save her brother's life and honor, and she doesn't want to let it slip away. "Father," she calls out, hurrying to catch up with him.
Jiang Fengmian turns to face her, a smile spreading across his face. "A-Li?"
"I'm sorry to disturb you. Can you come with me for a moment?" she requests, a sense of urgency in her voice.
Jiang Fengmian nods, his brow furrowing in confusion. He walks in the garden with his daughter, remaining silent aside from greeting the guests. Despite his calm appearance, the air is thick with tension. They reach a pavilion, ensuring no one can eavesdrop on their conversation. Sitting down at the table, they begin to talk.
"What is it, A-Li?" he asks, his voice filled with concern.
Jiang Yanli takes a deep breath, steeling herself for what she is about to reveal. "It's about A-Ying," she begins, her heart racing with fear and determination. "He is..." Her words trail off as she jumps, startled by a loud thud coming from across the garden.
A servant sprawls on the ground with his arms wrapped around a large box. A rattling, terrible wheeze escapes his lips as the air vacates his lungs with force. It sounds again as his lungs try to take in air, breaking off into a groan as the weight of the box works against him. His vision starts to turn spotty.
Jiang Fengmian rushes toward him, followed by Jiang Yanli, and lifts the box off the servant's chest, helping his lungs fill with air. The servant's breathing steadies as the color returns to his face. Panic fades from Jiang Fengmian and Jiang Yanli as the servant is able to focus on them.
"Sorry, Master. It won't happen again," the servant says in a shaky voice.
Jiang Fengmian helps the servant into a sitting position and reassures him, "It's okay. Just be more careful next time. Is it the gift prepared for the imperial family?"
The servant nods, still slightly out of breath. "Yes, Master. It is the gift to show your family's loyalty and respect to the imperial family," he explains. "Madame Yu has checked it already, and she wants you to look it over again before the imperial family arrives tomorrow."
Jiang Yanli's eyes widen as she listens to the conversation between her father and the servant. She has heard whispers of the impending visit from the imperial family, but the reality of it is starting to sink in now. What can she do? How can she reveal that her one brother is missing and the other is out there searching for him without causing chaos? Her family's reputation and honor are at stake, and she needs to do something.
She tries to get her father's attention, but he is too busy helping the servant carry the gift and goes with him to check whether the imperial family's gift is damaged or not. She frowns and looks up at the night sky, where the moon is covered by a thick layer of dark clouds. "Where are you, A-Ying?" she whispers to herself as the wind picks up, causing the leaves to rustle and the branches to sway.
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