Chapter 210: Gathering Together
The weather was hot today.
Old Madam Jiang had arrived at the Prefecture City.
She saw the Jiang Mansion, which was much larger than the one in Ming County.
The nameplate of the Jiang Mansion in Ming County was already dilapidated; every time they left home, it would be ransacked, making it seem like a house of paupers.
The couplets at the entrance were even crooked.
Because the servants were not diligent, there were signs of decay everywhere in the courtyard.
The characters on the sign of the Jiang Mansion in the Prefecture City were glossy, and the couplets at the entrance were brand new, looking prosperous and thriving.
Old Madam Jiang felt a twinge of regret inside.
If she had either killed that little beast earlier or simply endured it, she would be living here now too.
Jiang Huaisheng, however, remained calm and composed, continuing to recite Buddhist scriptures silently.
He was determined to become a monk.
Yet, he still could not achieve a state of inner peace.
Jiang Wan was someone he had watched grow up like a precious treasure; since she had disappeared, he had to come, whether to see her alive or to find her body.
He looked at the bright and clean lintel without feeling anything.
What did worldly glory matter?
It was like the white clouds in the sky; a gust of wind, and it would vanish into thin air.
Jiang Changtian walked up to the two young masters.
Young Master Liu was wearing a pale green robe.
Young Master Chu was wearing a dark green robe.
Young Master Liu looked a bit more inexperienced, while Young Master Chu looked much more noble.
Young Master Liu wore a high-quality jade pendant at his waist.
Young Master Chu wore a wooden pendant at his waist, likely made of agarwood; it looked low-key, but in reality, it was probably more valuable than jade or gold.
Standing together, the difference in their temperaments was quite significant.
One look at Young Master Liu, and it was obvious he was the younger one.
Chu Xi also looked a bit like Chu Yi.
Qin Luoxia did not recognize him; she did not pay attention to the souls who had died under her blade.
Jiang Changtian recognized him.
It was as if he had one more brain than others.
When the two stood together, in a flash of lightning, he pieced together the information reported by the guide and inferred who this man was.
He also found the reason why Jiang Wan had to leave Young Master Liu.
Chu Xi had come to Jingzhou.
Jiang Changtian carefully observed the man in the dark green robe; he was talented and handsome, with a slightly long face, but his hairstyle covered it well. Overall, he looked very mature and steady, possessing the noble air of a descendant of the royal family—a standard aristocrat.
His whole body exuded an aura of “I am a person of high status” that could not be hidden.
Jiang Changtian stepped forward to greet him.
He said he had seen that young lady.
Young Master Liu looked excited.
As for Chu Xi, facing these two, he felt an inexplicable sense of tension.
He also found it somewhat incredible.
Because of Chu Yi’s death, Jiang Wan had written to her aunt, basically reconstructing the scene as it happened, except for omitting the fact that she had ordered Chu Yi to shoot Jiang Changtian.
Everything else was described very clearly and in detail, without emotion and with very clear logic; in fact, the letter was quite astonishing.
The Seventh Prince was not satisfied with this answer.
The Seventh Prince was a very forbearing person, but since his son had died, he would certainly seek revenge.
That was why Jiang Rong had also died.
Regarding the culprits, Jiang Changtian and his wife, Chu Xi had an image in his mind; he thought it was a person who had gained success through petty means, and his wife was a barbaric, vulgar woman.
The two people in front of him were dressed as men, but upon closer inspection, he realized one of them was a woman.
She was truly heroic and spirited, unlike the spoiled arrogance of his mother, the consort.
She was extremely sharp and looked like someone who acted decisively.
Yet the two were actually standing right in front of him. For a moment, Chu Xi felt nervous, but then he realized that he shouldn’t be the one feeling nervous.
Jiang Changtian laughed and said, “Young Master Chu, come to think of it, we are actually related. You should call me Uncle, but perhaps you have your own birth mother and do not recognize the side of the Princess Consort, so I truly cannot claim that title.”
Chu Xi’s expression turned ugly. How could there be a man who spoke so sarcastically as soon as he opened his mouth?
He usually took great care to please his mother, the consort; if these words were passed back by those around him, it would surely cause another round of trouble.
Moreover, his movements were not high-profile, yet he had actually been recognized.
Was Commander Jiang that idle?
Catching him at the storytelling teahouse at this time?
Chu Xi put on a surprised and respectful look, stating that he had just arrived and had originally prepared a visiting card to call on them, but he had not expected to meet them here by chance.
Jiang Changtian warmly took the two young masters back to the mansion.
They happened to run into Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Huaisheng.
Old Madam Jiang was used to being overbearing in front of Jiang Changtian, often cursing at him, but in front of outsiders, seeing two dashing young masters, she still wanted to save face and did not curse, though her face was dark and terrifying.
Upon hearing Jiang Changtian introduce this young master as the eldest son of the Seventh Prince, Old Madam Jiang immediately put on the appearance of a kind old lady, wishing she could hug Chu Xi and cry bitterly, thinking that the reason that little beast was polite to her was because she had a backer.
If it were the Old Madam Jiang from before, Chu Xi would be willing to play the part of a filial grandson; after all, Old Madam Jiang’s appearance was quite striking. Although she was older, her foundation of beauty remained, and she was well-preserved, looking like a noble lady at first glance.
But the current Old Madam Jiang had deep nasolabial folds on her face and had suffered from illness and torment, making her look very fierce and naturally not beautiful.
Even though she put on a kind expression towards Chu Xi, Chu Xi could not bring himself to bite the bullet and go up to hug her and cry.
His mother, the consort, had outstanding beauty, and he had not expected Old Madam Jiang to look so fierce.
Jiang Changtian said to Chu Xi, “I was just joking with you earlier. I have already been removed from the Jiang Family clan, so you don’t need to acknowledge me as your uncle. However, Old Madam Jiang is truly your biological maternal grandmother, and this is your biological eldest uncle; you should acknowledge them.”
Chu Xi looked at the fierce-looking Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Da in monk’s robes, and suddenly felt that if he were to take these two back, he didn’t know if his mother, the consort, would cry tears of joy.
His mother always said her eldest brother was talented in both civil and military affairs and had a belly full of ink. She said Old Madam Jiang was the kindest person, eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddha’s name every day. She said her niece, Jiang Wan, was famous for her talent. In any case, she praised her maternal family to the skies.
Their mother had no status, so naturally, she had no maternal family.
Old Madam Jiang had come to find Wan’er, but had unexpectedly met a person of high status.
As the son of the Seventh Prince, Old Madam Jiang was very eager to build a good relationship with him.
For a moment, it was a rare scene of peaceful coexistence.
Jiang Huaisheng appeared to have a heart as still as stagnant water.
The Jiang Family’s reception hall was quite large.
Liu Tong was anxious about Miss Qingqing and finally could not help but ask, “Lord Sima, may I ask where Miss Qingqing is?”
“No rush, I have already sent someone to invite her,” Jiang Changtian said.
Old Madam Jiang asked, “What about Wan’er?”
Jiang Changtian said, “I already said no rush; I have sent someone to invite her.”
Jiang Huaisheng looked up at his younger brother.
Old Madam Jiang suppressed her anger; sure enough, she had been captured by this beast.
Jiang Changtian invited everyone to take their seats.
Qin Luoxia went back to change her clothes.
Servants served tea.
Liu Tong was the most anxious.
Chu Xi was somewhat puzzled.
Old Madam Jiang was angry.
Jiang Huaisheng felt a bit awkward.
Although he kept reciting Buddhist scriptures, sitting in this mansion made him feel restless.
He could never have imagined that his younger brother, who used to wear tattered robes and was so thin he looked like he might fly away, was now full of official authority, sitting upright and looking quite intimidating.
Everyone had different expressions. In fact, Old Madam Jiang still wanted to have a good talk with Chu Xi and ask how Yu Luan was doing.
But she was also worried about Wan’er, so she decided to see Wan’er first.
Seeing Chu Xi, Old Madam Jiang thought he was quite talented and handsome, and since they were cousins, she had some other thoughts in mind.
As for that young master, he looked impatient, searching for some Miss Qingqing, which was not very dignified, and Old Madam Jiang did not like him.
Everyone had different expressions and had no heart to drink tea.
Fortunately, what was served was just ordinary clear tea.
Everyone waited for a while.
Then, a young lady with a haggard expression was brought out.
Although haggard, it did not hide her beauty; instead, there was a startling, delicate beauty to her.
She was brought up, feeling a bit dazed and not very clear-headed.
She was a bit unaccustomed to the bright light outside and did not know where she was being taken.
She had just been brought out.
Liu Tong rushed forward, unable to control his excitement. A young man’s first love, lost and found, made him cherish it even more. His emotions were passionate and sincere. He walked up quickly and embraced Jiang Wan, shouting, “Qingqing, Qingqing, how could you leave me? How could you be so cruel to abandon me? Without you, what meaning is there for me to be with anyone else?”
Jiang Wan fell into a warm embrace and gradually began to wake up. Thinking of her horrific ordeal, she could not help but burst into tears.
When she looked up again, she saw Chu Xi, who was sitting opposite and wearing a dark green robe, over Young Master Liu’s shoulder.
He was looking at her with a frown.
Jiang Wan’s tears hung on her cheeks in astonishment, then fell to the ground and scattered.
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