Chapter 5: Previous Life
"Lord Yan, how is your son?" Seeing the Duke of Anguo emerge from the inner chamber, Kou Shijun spoke first before the Duke could say anything.
"Thank you for your concern, General Kou. My son is doing well." By now, the Duke of Anguo had adopted a kindly, smiling demeanor, with no trace of his earlier anger or displeasure visible on his face.
Jiang Chenghan exchanged a glance with his general, and they both had a rough idea of what had happened. Sure enough, the next moment, the Duke of Anguo said, "I’ve just questioned my son, and today’s incident truly had nothing to do with Brother Jiang. He was merely caught up in the matter undeservedly. I must ask Brother Jiang not to take offense at my earlier outburst, born of parental anxiety, and I must also thank him for looking out for my son. Once this matter is fully investigated, I will personally visit to give General Kou and Brother Jiang a proper explanation."
With the Duke speaking so sincerely and humbly, Jiang Chenghan and Kou Shijun could hardly press further. After all, the one who had suffered the most in this incident was ultimately Yan Jingshu, and the Duke’s earlier distress was understandable given his paternal concern. At any rate, Jiang Chenghan hadn’t suffered any real harm.
"You are too kind, Lord Yan. As long as your son is unharmed, all is well," Jiang Chenghan replied with a smile.
Kou Shijun nodded and said, "Since the misunderstanding has been cleared up, it would be inappropriate for us to linger here any longer. Lord Yan still has matters to attend to, so we shall take our leave now."
After such an incident, though no major chaos had ensued, Kou Shijun and Jiang Chenghan had lost all appetite for the banquet. The Duke of Anguo understood and politely urged them to stay a little longer, but when they insisted on leaving, he did not press further. He then instructed Yan Zhong to attend to Yan Jingshu’s needs before personally escorting Kou Shijun and Jiang Chenghan to the main gate.
As military men, Kou Shijun and Jiang Chenghan had arrived on horseback and would depart the same way. By the time they reached the gate, servants had already brought their horses. Taking the reins, they mounted, bid farewell to the Duke, and rode off toward the General’s residence.
Jiang Chenghan was not from the capital and, being newly arrived with no plans to stay long, had not purchased a residence. Instead, Kou Shijun had arranged for him to stay in a guest courtyard within the General’s residence, alongside a few of General Kou’s trusted aides and close companions—all comrades-in-arms with whom Jiang Chenghan shared a deep bond.
"You’ve had a long day. Go back and rest well. Don’t go out these next few days, focus on recovering first," Kou Shijun reminded Jiang Chenghan, recalling the old physician’s advice.
"Understood, General," Jiang Chenghan replied before parting ways with Kou Shijun and heading down the path toward his own courtyard.
"Brother Jiang, back so early?" A burly man with a thick beard, lifting stone weights in the courtyard, spotted him and sounded surprised.
"Had a bit too much to drink. Going to lie down for a while, we’ll talk later," Jiang Chenghan deflected, knowing today’s events couldn’t be shared with outsiders.
Though it was still early, Jiang Chenghan was exhausted and in no mood for anything else. After a quick wash in his room, he soon fell asleep. Before drifting off, his thoughts turned again to Yan Jingshu of the Duke of Anguo’s family. He wondered what the young man was doing now—after such an ordeal, he must be struggling to come to terms with it…
Unbeknownst to the sleeping Jiang Chenghan, Yan Jingshu was also thinking of him at that very moment.
"Young Master?" Steward Yan Zhong, following the Duke’s orders, had come to receive Yan Jingshu’s instructions but found the young man staring blankly at the ivory-colored bed curtains, unresponsive for a long while.
Assuming his young master was still distraught after the day’s upheaval, Yan Zhong waited quietly, giving him time to collect himself.
"...Uncle Zhong, there are two people I need you to investigate for me," Yan Jingshu finally spoke, eyes closed as he leaned against the headboard, slowly uttering two names.
"Understood," Yan Zhong committed them to memory while mentally reviewing everything he knew about the two.
The Duke’s household, with few true masters, employed only about a hundred servants. As the longtime steward, Yan Zhong knew nearly everyone, especially since the two Yan Jingshu named were not ordinary servants.
One was Qiulan, Yan Jingshu’s first maid, bought into the duke's residence as a child and gradually promoted over the years.
The other, Li Wang, though not part of Yan Jingshu’s personal servant, he was the nephew of Third Miss Yan Jingyu’s wet nurse, Aunt Li. Thanks to this connection, he oversaw the procurement of flowers and fruit trees for the estate and was fairly competent.
Recalling their backgrounds, Yan Zhong glanced up at Yan Jingshu but saw no emotion on his face. Lowering his gaze, he said, "This old servant will investigate them thoroughly at once."
Yan Jingshu shook his head. "Investigate, yes—but not yet. For now, have them discreetly watched without alerting them or others. Also, send two trustworthy men to hide near the abandoned well behind the garden’s rockery. Unless something unexpected happens, the one behind Qiulan and Li Wang will make a move by midnight."
Yan Zhong immediately grasped the implication: the mastermind intended to silence the two. But how could Yan Jingshu know the attempt would happen at midnight, at the abandoned well?
Though puzzled, Yan Zhong knew better than to ask for explanations now. "This old servant understands."
Yan Jingshu gave a slight nod. "Should you uncover anything, refrain from taking immediate action. Allow the mastermind believe all went smoothly. As for Qiulan and Li Wang, they can be interrogated afterward."
He paused, then added, "I know you once served Grandfather and are highly capable. So, whatever methods are necessary, ensure they speak the truth."
Though Yan Jingshu’s tone was calm, Yan Zhong sensed a cold ruthlessness beneath it. Meeting the young man’s icy gaze, he felt a chill.
"Young Master need not worry. This old servant will not disappoint you," Yan Zhong replied solemnly.
Having served the old Duke in rooting out traitors, Yan Zhong was no stranger to bloodshed. Though such days had passed after the old Duke’s death and the family’s decline, his skills remained sharp. Two greenhorns would pose no challenge.
Yan Jingshu trusted Yan Zhong—hence entrusting him with this task. "One more thing. Mother has been exhausted preparing for Grandmother’s birthday. Let her rest, don't trouble her with this matter, lest it harm her health. I’ve already discussed it with Father, and he agrees."
Though the reasoning was sound, Yan Zhong felt uneasy. Then he remembered Li Wang’s connection to Third Miss Yan Jingyu, and a horrifying suspicion took shape.
Could today’s events involve the Madam and Third Miss?!
Not daring to dwell on it, Yan Zhong sensed upheaval brewing in the Duke’s household. With no further instructions, he bowed and withdrew.
Alone, Yan Jingshu closed his eyes again. He knew Yan Zhong’s thoughts but didn’t care, because they were true. And soon enough, every relevant party would learn the truth.
His suffering today was the work of his younger sister, Yan Jingyu. Though their mother wasn’t the mastermind, in his past life, upon learning the truth, she had shielded Yan Jingyu, erased all evidence, and even forced him into marriage.
In his past life, he had only learned the truth from Yan Jingyu as he was being sent away to marry. Her motive? A man she fancied, one who had shown interest in Yan Jingshu rather than her.
Yan Jingshu was aware of the man's affections but harbored no marital intentions. After repeated rejections, he had severed all contact completely. Yet Yan Jingyu's jealousy festered like an untreated wound, reaching its peak when she drugged him during their grandmother's sixtieth birthday festivities to destroy his reputation.
Back then, already despairing over his forced marriage, the revelation had shattered him. He’d known his mother disliked him and his sister was distant, but he never imagined they’d go this far.
Surrounded by his mother’s guards during the wedding procession, he’d been unable to seek justice from his grandmother or father. Heartbroken, he was sent away in a carriage, his spirit broken.
Remembering that helpless despair, Yan Jingshu shuddered. Closing his eyes, he steadied himself before opening them again, his gaze now icy.
His dear sister and mother had plotted to ruin his life. This time, though he would still marry Jiang Chenghan—to atone for past regrets and save Jiang Chenghan’s life, he wouldn’t let them off so easily.
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