Chapter 5

◎Desire to Dedicate Oneself◎

After inspecting the North Ward, Jiang He went to stroll around the Water Ward. There was nothing unusual about her expression, but Ji Xue was extremely excited. Children can't sit still, and he couldn't help but peek out and ask Jiang He.

"Miss, what exactly did that handsome young man say? He seemed a little sad at the end. Did you scold him, just like you scolded Ji Xue before?" Ji Xue remembered that he had run off to play before and was severely scolded by his young mistress. He couldn't bear the injustice and cried loudly. From then on, the young mistress never dared to speak to him in such a harsh tone again.

Jiang He sat in the carriage, a book still clutched in her hand. "I've been reading so much poetry and books for the past three years that I've forgotten how to curse. Remember Xue, don't talk nonsense. This isn't something a child should know."

Xue pouted and put her hands on her hips, saying, "If Miss doesn't want to say, I won't ask anymore, hmph."

At this moment, Yuange asked, "Miss, are those hooligans and thugs you ordered the guards to arrest near the North Quarter today to be transferred to the Jingzhao Prefecture?"

Jiang He put down her book, a ruthless glint in her eyes. "No need. Just lock her up in the manor's dungeon."

Yuange accepted the order and went to handle it.

Those thugs and hooligans thought they had gotten away with it, but before they could run more than a few steps, they were caught by the fierce-looking soldiers of the Jiang family. They were threatened to take them to the capital's yamen. This terrified them. They had thought that bullying a down-on-his-luck young master of a noble family would be no big deal, but now they were going to jail.

Unexpectedly, instead of going to the Jingzhao government office, they were imprisoned in the Jiang family's dungeon. This relieved them, as they felt they would be fine. After all, the Jiang family were merchants, and at most they would be imprisoned for a few days and would not easily resort to torture.

But the result was clearly more serious than all expectations.

The woman who touched Xue Lingyu's wrist had her hand bones crushed by Jiang He, leaving her completely crippled and unable to lift that hand for the rest of her life.

The others weren't faring much better; they were all beaten black and blue, and terrified out of their wits. They were in a truly pathetic state. Yuange stood outside the dungeon, hearing the painful screams and pleas for mercy from inside, along with a woman's low curses...

Even Yuan Ge found it extremely indecent.

When Jiang He came out of the dungeon, she looked quite dignified. She lightly brushed the dust off her shoulders, straightened her disheveled sleeves, and instructed Yuan Ge, "Throw those people out of the dungeon. They won't die. If they sue me for murder afterward, hire the best lawyer and pay them to go in and have a taste of what it's like."

Yuange nodded and said, "I understand. Would you like to change your clothes and get rid of the bad luck on you, Miss?"

Jiang He lowered her head slightly and sniffed her collar. It did indeed smell of the dungeon, making her feel a little disgusted with herself. "Yeah, it really is bad luck."

The Jiang family had no shortage of money and silver. Jiang He's bathing pool was decorated in a luxurious manner. The water in the pool was specially piped down from the mountain, which had a moisturizing effect on the skin. In addition, several maids massaged her shoulders, and Jiang He felt much more relaxed.

As Yuange massaged her temples, she couldn't help but marvel at how her young mistress, despite saying she disliked violence and scolding, had broken down her defenses so easily.

The reason, of course, is because of that young master surnamed Xue...

Xue Lingyu was escorted home by the Jiang family. Because of Jiang He's special instructions, the guards stopped at the street corner and watched Xue Lingyu enter the house before they all withdrew. Therefore, the Xue family did not know what had happened to Xue Lingyu that day, or even that he had met Jiang He.

Before leaving, Xue Lingyu told his servant not to look for him. Now, he returned looking preoccupied. He was wearing an unfamiliar cloak, and his clothes looked rumpled and torn. He was hiding in his room and refused to see anyone. Xue's father knew immediately that something must have happened to him today, so he hurriedly came over to ask him, despite his illness.

"Yu'er, I heard from the servants that you went out today. What happened? Tell me and I will help you." Father Xue asked several times and said many comforting words. Only then did Xue Lingyu raise her head, her eyes clearly filled with tears.

"Father, I'm fine. I just ran into some thugs today, but luckily someone came to my rescue."

When Xue's father saw that he was unharmed, he could hear the undisguised grievance in his words, and he was also in great distress.

In this situation, the man is destined to suffer a loss. Although he returns safely, he can only swallow his bitterness. If he were to spread the word, it would certainly damage his reputation.

Rumors are the hardest thing to stop. The Xue family has already fallen to such a state that everyone can take a jab at them. If the eldest son gets entangled with these people, I'm afraid no young lady from a respectable family will dare to ask for his hand in marriage.

Xue Lingyu understood this principle, so he only told his father about it. His father comforted him and asked who had saved him. Xue Lingyu only said that it was a young lady traveling with a guard, but she did not leave her name and he did not know who she was.

Xue's father did not suspect anything, but Xue Lingyu could not sleep that night.

He couldn't figure out Jiang He's attitude towards him. If she really still remembered what happened three years ago and harbored hatred, wouldn't it be great to see him fall into misfortune and be bullied? But why did she step forward to save him and even send soldiers to escort him back?

Today, he dismissed the guards from Jiang He's side, leaving only the two of them. He asked with extreme trepidation whether the promise he made to marry her still stood. But Jiang He smiled faintly and said, "So Young Master Xue still remembers this. I had long forgotten about it."

She said it didn't count, but Xue Lingyu's heart couldn't help but ache. He should have been able to forget those words by tomorrow, after all, he was the one who refused first back then.

But the next second, Jiang He's lips curled up, and she said to him in an extremely flippant tone, "What, Young Master Xue, have you heard that my father has recently been choosing a concubine for me, and has someone to recommend?"

Xue Lingyu was so angry that she trembled all over, and her face was extremely ugly.

She both saved him and said those words.

The next day, news came from the Jingzhao government office that the Xue family could send one person to visit Xue in prison. Xue Lingyu left enough money for her father's medicine and gave all the remaining money to the constable, hoping to get an extra spot, but was refused.

Xue Lingyu said to her father, "Father, you should go. Mother has suffered so much, she must be very worried about you. There's no use in me going."

Father Xue held Xue Lingyu's hand, wiped away his tears, and said with relief, "Yu'er, wait for news at home. Maybe your mother has a way to save the Xue family. We will have hope."

Xue Lingyu also harbored some thoughts in her heart.

After being in a coma for several days, Xue Taifu in the palace suddenly woke up and even asked about the Xue family. Since His Majesty had a debt of gratitude to Xue Taifu for raising him, the emperor temporarily allowed the Xue family to visit Xue Lingyi.

The situation in the palace is constantly changing, and no one can guess His Majesty's thoughts. However, the main thing is whether Consort Xue can survive this ordeal. As long as he is still alive, His Majesty will not eradicate the Xue family completely, and at least he will have a way to survive.

The sale of smuggled salt and the involvement in a murder case could be offset with money, but the latter was irrefutable evidence. Even Xue Lingyi, who was imprisoned, knew that the current situation was completely disadvantageous for the Xue family.

When Xue's father returned from the Jingzhao government office, his eyes were red, and he had to be helped by a servant to barely step into the mansion. Xue Lingyu was anxious, so she rushed to the main courtyard to inquire about the situation.

But upon seeing Xue's father's appearance, he had a bad feeling.

"Father, have you seen Mother? Did she say anything?"

Father Xue clutched a handkerchief in his hand, tears still wet on his face, and said bitterly, "I saw her, but the Jingzhao government dared to torture your mother. A perfectly healthy person is now covered in wounds. If she didn't speak, I wouldn't even recognize her..."

Xue Lingyu couldn't help but lean back, but the servant caught her in time to prevent her from falling.

Everyone knows the methods of the Jingzhao government, but no one expected them to use them against aristocratic families. If that's the case, they must have received His Majesty's orders.

"In such a freezing place, your mother was injured, and I'm afraid she will suffer from chronic illness. On my way back, I heard that Imperial Physician Xue had fallen into a coma again. The imperial physician diagnosed that there was probably no cure, and the day when His Majesty will judge the Xue family is not far off."

Xue Lingyu took a deep breath, feeling the chill in his lungs, which made his fingers tremble. He supported his frail body, his eyes slightly red, and asked, "Father, did Mother kill someone?"

Father Xue shook his head gently, “No, the Xue family is a distinguished family, your mother would not do such a thing.”

Xue Lingyu clenched her fists and walked towards the door without offering any explanation.

Fearing he might do something foolish, Xue's father called out to stop him, "Yu'er, where are you going!"

“Miss, Imperial Censor Feng has written a memorial impeaching you, saying that you acted lawlessly, injured her beloved daughter in the street, and colluded with the Jingzhao government to cause Feng Meiyu to suffer in prison for no reason. Several other noble families have also submitted memorials in support of this, and even advised His Majesty to punish you severely.” Yuange reported the events that had occurred in court today to Jiang He.

Jiang He, without changing her expression, asked, "What did His Majesty say?"

Yuan Ge truthfully replied, "His Majesty said it was just a minor squabble among the noble ladies of the capital and ordered Imperial Censor Feng to handle it himself. In the end, after Imperial Censor Feng cried and pleaded in front of the palace, he issued a lukewarm decree, ordering the Jingzhao government to investigate thoroughly. I suppose Imperial Censor Feng's beloved daughter will have to stay in the Jingzhao government for a few more days."

It's not hard for anyone in the court to see that His Majesty's blatant favoritism towards Jiang He is largely due to the handsome eldest son of the Jiang family; it's simply a case of loving the house because of the child.

His Majesty's favor towards the Jiang family, even to the point of condoning Jiang He's injury of a noble lady in the capital, will inevitably make no one in the capital dare to provoke the Jiang family, especially Jiang He, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family.

"By the way, the lord has selected several men from his own family and outside the family who have good family backgrounds and gentle personalities. He said that Miss should personally take a look at them tomorrow. If Miss likes them all, then they will be accepted."

"What are you collecting? Are there more handsome brothers?" Ji Xue, who was standing to the side in a daze, immediately perked up when she heard this.

Jiang He smiled. "I'll take you with me tomorrow. If you like any of them, they can stay and keep you company, how about that?"

Ji Xue nodded vigorously, grinning, "Okay!"

"Then you go play first, I still need to look at the account books for a while." Jiang He patted Ji Xue's head.

No longer confined indoors, Xue, with her free-spirited nature, runs faster than anyone else.

After he left, Yuange spoke again: "Miss, this can't go on forever. The lord is determined to arrange a few suitable men for you this time. With the Jiang family's current wealth and status, you can have any kind of man you want. You don't need to suffer like this."

Jiang He paused slightly, holding the vermilion brush. "It's not time yet."

"If this drags on any longer, what if the prince's marriage falls to you..."

Jiang He stopped writing and looked at Yuan Ge. "Alright, Yuan Ge, why are you acting like that gossipy old man today? If you say another word, I'll send you out."

Yuange shut her mouth, "I won't say anymore."

Ji Xue's voice suddenly rang out, "Miss! Miss! There's a handsome brother, a handsome brother is here!"

He ran quickly, panting as he entered the room, his face beaming with joy.

"What handsome brother?" Jiang He asked subconsciously, and upon seeing the candy in Ji Xue's hand, she almost immediately came to the answer.

“It was right in the courtyard; I brought the person in.”

"Ji Xue, how can you bring people into the Jiang family's backyard so casually? What if they are people with ulterior motives?" Yuan Ge said with a sense of vigilance. She immediately went out to find out what was going on, holding her sword, but Jiang He stopped her.

Jiang He's eyes were dark and unreadable. "Ji Xue, take the person to the study. Yuan Ge, you may leave now."

“Yes, Miss.” Yuange accepted the order.

This was Xue Lingyu's first time stepping into the Jiang family's backyard. Previously, he only knew the Jiang family was incredibly wealthy, and he'd heard their home was filled with gold and silver ornaments, decorated in a lavish and wasteful manner, which he disliked greatly. Now, seeing it for himself, he realized he'd only believed the rumors...

He was already willing to abandon his pride and ask to see Jiang He through the main gate, but unexpectedly he encountered Jiang He's guard near the Jiang family home. He tricked the guard into taking him to see Jiang He with just a piece of candy.

Xue Gang had just been scolded by Yuan Ge and was feeling extremely upset. Reluctantly, he returned the candy to Xue Lingyu, saying, "Handsome brother, Miss asked me to take you to the study to see her, and also asked me to return the candy to you."

Xue Lingyu didn't answer: "Is she angry?"

Xue replied listlessly, "No."

"Keep the candy, just say you've already returned it to me." Xue Lingyu pushed his hand back.

He looked up at the brightly lit study, his thin frame tensing up, his heart racing.

He can't leave before tomorrow, no matter what.

◎Latest Comments:

[If I water the author with nutrient solution, will it grow into a massive, 10,000-word novel?!]

Some women have never seen a real-life scumbag, yet they have high expectations of women. And they're so naive! If a wife were to attack a mistress, she'd probably run faster than a dog seeing shit.

[Why are you criticizing so fiercely? Reading is all about mutual consent, right? If you don't like it, just click the "X". This story has been sitting around for a while and hasn't been finished yet, but the comments have shocked me.]

Why do people keep saying Jinjiang's female-oriented channel is unworthy of men? Does that mean women reading Qidian is also unworthy in some people's eyes? Male and female channels are just a general division, and Jinjiang doesn't even have a separate female channel! What are some people so insistent on criticizing? It's normal for people to have both female and male protagonist preferences, just like how BL and GL have different preferences for top/bottom characters. It's just a matter of taste. Some people treat this like a political stance—what kind of idiots are they?

Is the female lead saying "it's not the right time yet" because she's waiting for the male lead? (This is just my guess)

[How funny, why is the male protagonist in this story commenting on a female-dominated novel?]

[I feel the male lead is unworthy to be a concubine. I haven't seen anything particularly admirable about him yet.]

[I feel it's unworthy for the male lead to be a concubine.]

【

Regardless of the writing style, some male protagonist enthusiasts are unintentionally misogynistic.

[Some male protagonists have a strong "tea" vibe, huh?]

[Go go go!]

[I'll be updating twice today (rubbing my hands together like a fly)]

[Beep, Unemployed Person Card—]

[Waiting for more! I can still manage!]

-over-