Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Jiang Wan knew there would be guests at her home today.

She felt a bit flustered.

The Jiang family had not received guests for many years.

That morning, as usual, she woke up early and recited the sutras, which calmed her mind.

The day before, her brother's guard had died tragically, casting a dark cloud over the household.

The elderly lady was furious that Wu Liu actually had such a bad habit, which could have corrupted Jiang Rong.

Moreover, the cause of death was so disgraceful that it would embarrass them in front of the esteemed guests.

Jiang Wan felt sympathetic, so that morning she recited the sutra for sending the deceased to the next life, a way to bid him farewell.

The vanities of this world are but a handful of yellow dust.

After finishing the sutra recitation, her maidservant Mai Zi helped her with grooming and dressing.

Mai Zi carefully and gently combed Jiang Wan's long, lush, and beautiful black hair.

"My lady, you're becoming more beautiful every day. I've never seen anyone more beautiful than you. You must be the fairest in the land," Mai Zi flatteringly remarked with her lively manner.

Jiang Wan smiled. This was merely due to their rural setting. Besides, being the fairest was not necessarily a good thing. Legend had it that Princess Huiyun, the only sister of the current Emperor, was extremely beautiful. However, after a fire severely burned her face, she now spent her days as a hermit, refusing to be seen.

After grooming, Jiang Wan went to greet her grandmother.

Today, all members of the family were present.

Her father, mother, and brother were there.

She was the last to arrive.

After the family finished breakfast and rinsed their mouths, the guests had arrived.

In reality, only two younger people were visiting, so there was no need for the entire family to assemble.

However, the Jiang family had been away from the center of power for too long, and their rural life was indeed devoid of any excitement. Hence, the entire family had assembled with a bit too much pomp and circumstance.

Meng Shaoxia and He Chen, two young gentlemen from prestigious families, conducted themselves with grace and poise. Even if they were slightly surprised, they did not show it.

The Jiang residence was spacious and bright. Although not luxuriously ornate, the porcelain vases on the antique shelves and the paintings on the walls displayed the family's cultivated background.

Upon seeing the two handsome and refined young men, Jiang Huaisheng was delighted by their vigorous spirits and noble bearing.

Being a refined gentleman himself, he engaged in pleasant conversation with them.

Seeing these two outstanding young men, he felt even more disappointed in his own son. Despite being of similar age, they had already traveled extensively and could handle affairs independently, while his son could not even complete his studies at the county school, constantly behaving in a muddled and devious manner.

Jiang Wan joined in receiving the guests, her face slightly flushed. Although she knew it was improper, her grandmother said they had to meet people, and there were not many taboos in this rural area.

She immediately noticed the young man with a square face and was briefly stunned.

Then she looked at the other young man, with his sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, high nose bridge, and thin lips. Dressed in luxurious robes and hat, he was both handsome and debonair.

"Sister Wan greets the two gentlemen," Jiang Wan said politely as she bowed.

The matriarch did not speak much, and He Chen was distantly related to her, addressing her as "Aunt." She was a beauty with a straightforward character.

Although it was just a visit and they could not discern much, their initial impression was that the younger son of the Jiang family must have committed grave misdeeds for the elderly Lady Jiang to be so resolute, and Master Jiang would not have agreed otherwise.

The two young men decided to stay for a few more days.

However, their families' guards soon arrived in Ming County, urging them to return quickly, as the situation seemed unstable.

Due to the hot weather, drought, and natural disasters, the border regions were in turmoil, and there were even rebels inciting large groups of displaced people to revolt.

Thus, both families urgently dispatched messengers to summon them back.

Their journey had only just begun, as they had agreed to travel the world together.

They felt slightly disheartened.

Meng Shaoxia suggested, "Why don't we visit Brother Jiang Feng this afternoon and ask if he is willing to join us?"

He Chen felt an inexplicable reluctance to leave the Jiang family, even though they had only met once. He even felt as if he and Sister Jiang Wan shared an unspoken connection, as if she understood him perfectly despite being separated by a room full of people.

Meng Shaoxia also found Sister Jiang Wan to be quite knowledgeable and compatible with his temperament.

However, he was more impressed by the young man Jiang Feng, as he had encountered him first.

He sent someone to inquire and learned that Jiang Feng should be at home today and had not gone out.

So, the two men, accompanied by their guards, rode their horses toward the village where Jiang Feng resided.

The mountain path was winding and narrow.

The horses did not move quickly.

After a short rest, they caught sight of the village in the distance, with scattered houses, the sounds of chickens and dogs, appearing somewhat dilapidated and unfamiliar.

At the entrance to the village stood a large tree.

An old man was resting in the shade of the tree.

After asking for directions, they continued riding up the mountain.

The sun was slanting in the west.

It was not an ideal time to visit someone's home.

The uneven path made He Chen feel impatient.

Suddenly...

"Giggle, giggle."

"Giggle, giggle."

The sound of laughter could be heard.

Clear and melodious, like tinkling chimes under the eaves.

...