Chapter 13: Arrangements
Having already experienced betrayal once, Yan Jingshu no longer harbored resentment toward Chuntao and the others, but neither did he retain the years of master-servant affection. However, replacing them now would mean having to adjust to new people, and he couldn’t trust those sent by his mother either. Thus, it was better to maintain the status quo. At least until his marriage to Jiang Chenghan was settled, these servants, grateful for his kindness, would serve him with utmost dedication.
"Go tell Stewardess Zhang that I don’t need any replacements here. Send her back," Yan Jingshu said indifferently.
"Yes!" Chuntao froze for a moment before her face lit up with joy. She hastily bowed and hurried out, as if afraid Yan Jingshu might change his mind even a second later.
That night, after finishing dinner, Yan Jingshu went to bed early. Just as he was about to fall asleep, a clamor arose outside. The night was quiet, so the noise, seemingly coming from just beyond the courtyard, was particularly noticeable.
"Chuntao, what’s happening outside?" Yan Jingshu didn’t get up, merely raising his voice slightly to ask Chuntao, who was keeping watch in the outer room.
Chuntao hurried in and said, "This servant will go check immediately." With that, she turned and quickly left the room.
Yan Jingshu lay in bed with his eyes closed, waiting. After a long while, Chuntao returned, bringing news that didn’t surprise him in the least.
Chuntao said, "Young Master, it’s from the ancestral hall. The Third Young Lady fainted inside. The physician said she suffered from extreme fright and needs proper rest. She must not be startled again, or her life could be in danger. She has already been taken back to Linglong Pavilion."
Yan Jingshu curled his lips silently. His mother was as efficient as ever—Yan Jingyu had only spent a few hours in the ancestral hall before being whisked away. And once out, she likely wouldn’t return.
But Yan Jingshu wasn’t displeased. In fact, this was better. Now, he wouldn’t have to "forgive" Yan Jingyu and pretend to be loving siblings anymore.
"I see. You may leave," Yan Jingshu instructed Chuntao before relaxing and sinking into deep sleep.
The next morning, Yan Jingshu didn’t oversleep as he had the day before. He woke at his usual hour, had breakfast, and then headed to Rong'an Courtyard. Besides visiting his grandmother, he had another matter to ask for her help with.
In his past life, his grandmother had always cared for him. Before her death, she had left him many resources and connections. Later, it was through these that he had managed to uncover clues about the murderer after Jiang Chenghan’s death. In this life, though he already had some leads, his own capabilities were limited for now. Thus, he needed to ask his grandmother for those resources again.
Ever since Yan Jingyu’s guilty confession the day before, the Dowager Lady had believed everything Yan Jingshu said. So when he made his request, she agreed without hesitation.
Since Yan Jingshu couldn’t leave the estate easily now, he had written detailed instructions for what those people needed to do. Once the Dowager Lady consented, he handed the instructions directly to An Momo, asking her to relay them. After that, all he had to do was wait for their findings.
Though the places they needed to investigate were far and the events dated back many years—making the task difficult and time-consuming. Jiang Chenghan’s murder in his past life had occurred over two years later. There was no need for urgency yet.
After settling this important matter, Yan Jingshu didn’t leave Rong'an Courtyard immediately. Once he married Jiang Chenghan, they would head north to Ningcheng, and he didn’t know when he’d see his grandmother again. The Dowager Lady seemed to sense this too and didn’t shoo him away as she usually did.
Grandmother and grandson chatted over tea and pastries. Yan Jingshu mostly shared amusing anecdotes from his studies, while the Dowager Lady recounted stories from her early years accompanying the old Duke of Anguo guarding the southwest. The vastly different customs and culture compared to the capital fascinated Yan Jingshu, who was hearing these tales for the first time.
The atmosphere was warm and harmonious. The Dowager Lady, rarely so at ease, softened her expression and smiled, appearing genuinely happy. Only when the Duke and Duchess of Anguo arrived did the conversation cease, and their smiles fade.
Seeing Yan Jingshu there didn’t surprise the Duke and his wife.
After paying respects to the Dowager Lady, the Duke turned to Yan Jingshu and said, "Shu'er, you’ve likely already heard, your sister fainted again in the ancestral hall yesterday. The physician said she suffered extreme fright and must not be startled further, or her life could be at risk. So, for now, I’ve allowed her to return to Linglong Pavilion to recuperate. Once she’s fully recovered, she’ll resume her punishment."
Xie Shi chimed in, "Yes, your sister is truly gravely ill. If there were any other way, your father and I wouldn’t have done this. I know you’re a good child and will understand—"
Yan Jingshu almost laughed. He wondered, if he said he didn’t understand, would it make him a bad child? After over a decade of being the "good child," he wondered what it’d be like to be the bad one for a change.
"What if Yan Jingyu never recovers? What if she’s ill for a year or even until her wedding?" Yan Jingshu didn’t give the answer his parents wanted. After a long silence, he lifted his gaze and asked coolly.
This was the first time they’d seen Yan Jingshu so sharp and unyielding. The Duke was stunned, while Xie Shi nearly tore her handkerchief in anger. Unable to hold back, she stood and pointed at Yan Jingshu, accusing furiously, "Shu'er! How can you be so cruel! Yu'er is your own sister! Must you drive her to her death to be satisfied?"
"So this is how Mother sees me…" Yan Jingshu was taken aback by her words. Staring at Xie Shi’s face, twisted with rage and hatred, he smiled bitterly. Something in his eyes dimmed, as if extinguished.
"Shu'er…" The Duke frowned, his heart aching at Yan Jingshu’s sudden silence. He even felt a flicker of displeasure toward Xie Shi.
Just as he was about to speak, Yan Jingshu looked up. But his once-bright eyes were now dull and lifeless, devoid of emotion. His voice flat, he asked softly, "…Father, have you explained things to the General’s Residence yet?"
Caught off guard, the Duke froze. When he recovered, he opened his mouth but found no words.
He had only learned the truth a day ago. With Yan Jingyu’s constant theatrics and the unresolved conflict between the siblings, he’d completely forgotten about the need to explain things to the General’s Residence. But family scandals couldn’t be aired publicly—the fact that Yan Jingyu had framed her own brother must never be revealed. That left only fabricating an excuse.
Yet Yan Jingshu being framed for adultery was too extraordinary. Without a plausible explanation, rumors would spread, and Yan Jingshu’s reputation would suffer. This was a thorny problem, and the Duke hadn’t yet devised a foolproof solution—hence his delay.
Xie Shi looked puzzled, unaware of the General’s Residence’s involvement, and asked for clarification.
Only then did the Duke realize he hadn’t told her. He recounted the events.
"Shu'er, I’ll clarify matters with the General’s Residence. Don’t worry. But as for your sister—"
Yan Jingshu shook his head, cutting him off. Eyes downcast, he said tonelessly, "No need to explain, Father. Regarding Yan Jingyu, I’ve said it’s your decision. Whatever you choose, I have no objections."
"Shu'er—" Though Yan Jingshu’s words implied indifference to Yan Jingyu’s punishment, the Duke felt no relief. Instead, Yan Jingshu’s detached use of "Yan Jingyu" instead of "sister" filled him with inexplicable dread, as if Yan Jingshu were drifting further away.
But Yan Jingshu ignored him. He stood, walked to the Dowager Lady, and slowly knelt.
The room fell silent in confusion. Then, Yan Jingshu’s next words struck like thunder, leaving everyone stunned and speechless.
Calmly, Yan Jingshu said, "Grandmother, General Kou came to our residence to offer birthday congratulations, yet his subordinate Jiang Chenghan was harmed because of me. I'm filled with remorse. Were it not for Jiang Chenghan, I would have suffered unspeakable humiliation. I'm deeply grateful. To repay this debt and to give the General’s Residence an explanation—to prevent the decades-long friendship between the Yan and Kou families from crumbling—I willingly pledge myself to Jiang Chenghan in marriage. I beg for your blessing." With that, he kowtowed deeply.
"Shu'er! What nonsense are you spouting?!" The room erupted in shock. The Duke shot to his feet, bellowing.
Xie Shi, equally startled, added, "Shu'er, don’t speak recklessly! Even if you’re upset with us, don’t joke about your future!"
Yan Jingshu remained unmoved, as if deaf to their words. Still prostrated before the Dowager Lady, motionless, he seemed resolved not to rise unless she consented.
Furious and frantic, the Duke strode forward to yank Yan Jingshu up, but the Dowager Lady snapped, "What are you doing? Dare you raise a hand in my presence?"
"Mother, this child—" The Duke halted, not daring to disobey, though his anger remained.
"Enough. Both of you, leave. Let me speak with Shu'er alone." The Dowager Lady knew keeping the Duke here would only escalate tensions. To spare Yan Jingshu further distress, she dismissed them.
Assuming she meant to persuade Yan Jingshu, the Duke reluctantly complied, fearing he might say something unforgivable in his rage. Xie Shi followed.
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