Chapter 33: Returning Home
The third day after the wedding was the day for returning home. Jiang Chenghan had prepared the homecoming gifts the day before. Shortly after breakfast, he and Yan Jingshu took a carriage to the Duke of Anguo’s residence.
Knowing that Jiang Chenghan and Yan Jingshu would return today, the Duke of Anguo, though unable to skip court, had instructed Yan Zhong to wait at the main gate in advance. The Dowager Lady Yan had also sent An Momo to greet them.
Upon arriving at the Duke’s residence, Jiang Chenghan stepped down from the carriage first, then carefully helped Yan Jingshu alight. Yan Zhong arranged for the servants to handle the gifts and the carriage, while they followed An Momo into the residence, heading straight for the Dowager Lady’s Rong’an Courtyard.
The Dowager Lady had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Jiang Chenghan, tall and handsome, and Yan Jingshu, elegant and refined, walking hand in hand, she felt the fortune-teller’s prediction about their compatibility was absolutely correct—they were truly a match made in heaven.
"Good, good, rise quickly," she said with a smile, accepting their formal bows before urging them to stand.
Jiang Chenghan and Yan Jingshu stood up, after which Yan Jingshu introduced his sister-in-law, Shen Shi, and nephew, Xin’er. Jiang Chenghan and Shen Shi exchanged greetings. Xin’er, still young, was curious about this suddenly appearing "new uncle," staring at him with wide eyes.
Finding the chubby little boy adorable, Jiang Chenghan took a liking to him. He gave him the prepared gift and gently pinched his plump cheeks.
Xin’er, somewhat shy, buried his face against Shen Shi’s waist but couldn’t resist peeking at Jiang Chenghan with half his face hidden, thinking no one noticed. His timid yet mischievous expression was utterly endearing.
After meeting Shen Shi and Xin’er, Jiang Chenghan subtly scanned the room. Seeing only maids and elderly servants, he realized his mother-in-law, Xie Shi, and Yan Jingshu’s younger sister, Yan Jingyu, were absent, which puzzled him.
As if sensing his confusion, the Dowager Lady smiled and explained, "Jingshu’s mother caught a chill some days ago and hasn’t recovered. Jingyu has been tending to her and also fell ill, so they couldn’t come out today."
Jiang Chenghan recalled that during the Mid-Autumn Festival visit, the Duke had mentioned Xie Shi’s illness. That it still hadn’t healed—and had even spread to Yan Jingyu—made him concerned. "How severe are their illnesses?" he asked, standing up as if to visit them.
The Dowager Lady replied, "Not too serious, but the illness lingers. It’s kind of you to ask, but it’s best to wait until they’ve fully recovered."
With that, Jiang Chenghan sat back down, though he sensed there was more to the story. But since neither the Dowager Lady, Shen Shi, nor Yan Jingshu seemed inclined to discuss it further, he suppressed his doubts.
The Duke of Anguo’s family had earned their title through military merit. The late Duke was a famed undefeated general, and the Dowager Lady, born into a military family, had once led troops to rescue her husband—a heroic feat proving her as capable as any man. While Jiang Chenghan might lack in other areas, military matters were his forte.
Thus, he and the Dowager Lady soon engaged in lively conversation, leaving Yan Jingshu and Shen Shi with little chance to interject. Meanwhile, Xin’er’s admiration for Jiang Chenghan grew visibly, his eyes shining brighter the more he listened.
Initially clinging to Shen Shi’s side, the boy gradually inched closer to Jiang Chenghan until—with a sudden weight on his leg—Jiang Chenghan looked down to find Xin’er leaning against him, mouth slightly open in awe.
Caught in the act, Xin’er tried to wriggle away, but Jiang Chenghan effortlessly caught him and lifted him up. The boy squirmed briefly in protest before giving in, soon relaxing happily in his new uncle’s secure hold.
"Xin’er likes his uncle Jiang so much?" Shen Shi teased.
The boy, though bashful, clung to Jiang Chenghan’s clothes and whispered, "Uncle Jiang is strong. He can fight big tigers."
Yan Jingshu, surprised but pleased by Xin’er’s attachment, added, "Your uncle Jiang can do even more impressive things than fighting tigers."
Xin’er immediately turned to stare at Jiang Chenghan with wide, expectant eyes.
Jiang Chenghan shot Yan Jingshu a helpless look but, not wanting to disappoint the boy, hoisted him onto his shoulders. "What I can do isn’t for indoors. We’d have to go to the courtyard. Want to come?"
Thrilled by the unfamiliar height—both scary and exciting—Xin’er laughed and shouted, "Yes! Yes!"
Though Shen Shi initially worried he might fall, seeing her son's rare enthusiasm made her hold back her concerns. She simply instructed the momo and maids to accompany Jiang Chenghan and Xin'er outside.
As Xin'er's cheerful laughter gradually faded, the room settled into silence. The Dowager Lady took a slow sip of tea, her sharp eyes studying Yan Jingshu. "You sent him away on purpose. What did you want to say?"
"You saw through me, Grandmother," Yan Jingshu replied with a smile, his tone light but unsurprised.
Shen Shi's eyes widened in realization - Yan Jingshu had intentionally arranged for Jiang Chenghan to leave the room.
Yan Jingshu's face grew solemn as he began his account. With every revelation, the Dowager Lady's anger mounted visibly, her grip tightening on her teacup, while Shen Shi sat motionless, her face pale with shock.
The heir to Zhenguo Duke's household, Mu Tingyuan, had not only assaulted Yan Jingshu while drunk but also continued to harass him even after his marriage - even issuing threats.
"That insolent brat—" The Dowager Lady Yan slammed the table furiously, her eyes burning with barely suppressed rage.
"Grandmother, don’t be angry. Mu Tingyuan didn’t actually harm me. Chenghan saved me and even taught him a lesson. Besides, I have his written confession in hand—he won’t dare act recklessly again." Yan Jingshu hadn’t wanted to upset the Dowager Lady, which was why he hadn’t mentioned the incident at Louwailou before.
But now that he had openly provoked Mu Tingyuan, he feared retaliation against the Duke of Anguo’s household. Thus, he decided to disclose the matter so his grandmother and father could be prepared.
At the mention of Jiang Chenghan’s name, the Dowager Lady’s anger eased slightly. "When Mu Tingyuan came to cause trouble, did Jiang Chenghan take his anger out on you?"
Yan Jingshu reassured her with a smile. "Don’t worry, Grandmother. Chenghan isn’t the petty type—he didn’t blame me at all. My only concern is that Mu Tingyuan might use the Duke of Zhenguo and the Eldest Princess to target our family..."
Relieved that Jiang Chenghan bore no grudge, the Dowager Lady waved dismissively. "There’s no need to worry too much. Even if Mu Tingyuan wants to stir trouble, the Duke of Zhenguo and the Eldest Princess are shrewd—they won’t indulge him lightly, much less provoke our ducal house."
Yan Jingshu had initially felt guilty for bringing trouble upon them, but his grandmother’s words eased his mind. He then handed over Mu Tingyuan’s blood-written confession for safekeeping—it might prove useful in the future.
Noticing Yan Jingshu’s solemn tone, the Dowager Lady recalled his past-life revelations and wanted to ask more. However, with Shen Shi present, she refrained.
As the acting mistress of the household and future mother of the next Duke of Anguo, Shen Shi couldn’t be kept in the dark about matters concerning the family’s safety. But Yan Jingshu’s rebirth was too significant to disclose.
With this burden off his chest, Yan Jingshu finally relaxed, his usual gentle smile returning. Jiang Chenghan had been entertaining Xin’er in the courtyard but, noticing the boy’s flushed cheeks and damp brow, scooped him up to bring him indoors before he caught cold. Shen Shi, ever the devoted mother, immediately excused herself to tend to her son, whisking him away for a warm bath and fresh clothes.
Not long after, the Duke of Anguo returned from court, his face lighting up at the sight of Yan Jingshu and Jiang Chenghan. The three chatted until noon, when servants laid out an elaborate feast in the main hall of Rong’an Courtyard.
After the meal, little Xin’er—worn out from the morning’s excitement—succumbed to sleep much sooner than his usual naptime, forcing Shen Shi to take him back. Apologizing for the lack of hospitality, she was reassured by Jiang Chenghan, who urged her to tend to the child.
Once she left, the Duke of Anguo eagerly dragged Jiang Chenghan to the front courtyard to admire his collection of treasures. Though not a connoisseur of such curios, Jiang Chenghan feigned interest to humor his father-in-law, carefully selecting an item the Duke wouldn’t miss too much.
Amused by his son-in-law’s "lack of taste," the Duke ordered the chosen piece packaged for Jiang Chenghan to take home.
Meanwhile, in Rong’an Courtyard, the Dowager Lady broached a sensitive topic: "You once said news of war from the northern border would arrive soon—within these few days, correct?"
"Yes," Yan Jingshu confirmed. "The military report should already be on its way to the capital. In my past life, the court received it tomorrow."
The Dowager Lady nodded. Though Yan Jingshu’s memories indicated the crisis would pass without actual conflict, no one knew that yet. As general, Kou Shijun would have to return to the border immediately—and Jiang Chenghan, as his guard, would follow.
Determined to accompany him, Yan Jingshu had insisted on the earliest possible wedding date. Now, he would leave the capital in just a few days, with no certainty of when he’d return. The Dowager Lady longed to say more, but she had already repeated every possible warning before his marriage.
As Yan Jingshu prepared to comfort her, a maid interrupted: Xie Shi, having learned of his visit, requested an audience.
The Dowager Lady frowned, ready to refuse, but Yan Jingshu stood. "Let me see her, Grandmother. This may be... our last meeting." He, too, wondered what Xie Shi wanted to say.
After a pause, the Dowager Lady relented. "Go, then. Some words must be spoken between mother and child."
Yan Jingshu bowed and left.
Xie Shi and Yan Jingyu had initially been confined to the ancestral hall, but after Xie Shi fell ill, they were moved to a remote, long-abandoned courtyard—still guarded but provided medical care.
Upon arrival, Yan Jingshu froze. The courtyard felt eerily familiar—it was the very place where, in his past life, he had been imprisoned after discovering his mother’s role in poisoning the Dowager Lady. Had Jiang Chenghan not rescued him, he would have died there unnoticed. Now, fate had brought Xie Shi and Yan Jingyu to the same prison.
No comments:
Post a Comment