......
Today’s weather is sweltering hot.
Old Lady Jiang arrived at the Provincial Capital.
Witnessing the mansion of the Jiangs in the Provincial Capital, she found it much grander than their humble abode back in Ming County.
The entrance plaque of their Ming County home was shabby and worn, each absence from the house led to ransack and robbery, leaving it in a state of squalor.
The entrance couplets were skewed.
Within the courtyard, the traces of neglect were evident due to the laziness of the servants.
However, the Jiang Mansion in the Provincial Capital gleamed with new paint, the entrance couplets fresh and upright, reflecting prosperity and growth.
Old Lady Jiang felt a pang of regret.
She wished she had acted sooner to eliminate the nuisance. She now wouldn't have had to move into this place.
Whereas Jiang Huaisheng, amidst the rising waves, persisted in his Buddhist chants.
He had decided to become a monk.
However, he still couldn't find inner peace.
Wan'er, who he had fondly watched grow up, had now disappeared. Dead or alive, he had to see her, which brought him here.
The striking entrance didn't evoke any emotions in him though.
What's the use of such grandeur?
Like the white clouds in the sky, a gust of wind and everything scatters and fades away.
......
Jiang Changtian approached the two young masters.
Young Master Liu was clad in a pale green robe.
Young Master Chu donned a dark green robe.
Young Master Liu looked somewhat naive, whereas Young Master Chu bore a demeanor of nobility.
A top-notch jade plaque hung around the waist of Young Master Liu.
Young Master Chu had a block of wood carved into a plaque, evidently made of agarwood, unpretentious but undeniably more valuable than jade or gold.
The two stood together, their disparities in demeanor noticeable.
Young Master Liu was clearly the younger brother.
Chu Xi shared a resemblance with Chu Yi.
Qin Luoxia didn't recognize them; she didn't remember faces of the vanquished.
But Jiang Changtian did.
His mind was sharp.
Taking in the contrasting figures, with bits and pieces of information relayed by his scout, he made an educated guess about the man's identity.
He had also deduced why Jiang Wan left Young Master Liu’s side.
Chu Xi had arrived in Jingzhou.
Jiang Changtian took a detailed look at the man in the dark green robe. Handsome, slightly elongated face, the perfect haircut balancing the look, oozing maturity and calm with an astonishing regal aura. The epitome of aristocracy.
Old Lady Jiang was there to look for Wan'er, but unexpectedly encountered a noble.
The son of the Seventh Prince, Old Lady Jiang was indeed eager to forge a good relationship.
For a moment, there was a rare peaceful coexistence.
Jiang Huaisheng appeared utterly tranquil.
The Jiang family's guest hall was quite large.
Liu Tong, anxious about Qing Qing, eventually couldn't help but ask, "Master Sima, may I inquire where Miss Qing Qing might be?"
"Don't worry, I have already sent someone to invite her," Jiang Changtian said.
Old Lady Jiang inquired, “Where is Wan'er?”
Jiang Changtian replied, "I have already sent someone to fetch her, there’s no need to rush."
Jiang Huaisheng glanced at his brother.
Old Lady Jiang, struggling to contain her fury, was certain that her granddaughter must have been snatched by these brutes.
Jiang Changtian bid everyone to take a seat.
Qin Luoxia left to change her clothes.
A servant poured tea.
Liu Tong was the most anxious.
Chu Xi was a bit puzzled.
Old Lady Jiang was infuriated.
Jiang Huaisheng felt uncomfortable.
Although he was constantly chanting Buddhist scriptures, he felt uneasy sitting in this residence.
He could never have imagined his brother, who was once skinny as a stick dressed in ragged clothes, was now a man of authority, sitting upright, quite intimidating.
The atmosphere was tense. In fact, Old Lady Jiang still wanted to have a meaningful discussion with Chu Xi, to ask about Yu Luan's condition.
But she was also worried about Wan’er, she decided to meet Wan’er first.
Upon seeing Chu Xi, a person of talent, and considering their cousin relationship, Old Lady Jiang started to have additional thoughts.
As for that young man, who was in such a rush to find Qingqing, seemed very frantic and irresponsible. Old Lady Jiang didn't appreciate seeing him.
Everyone was on edge, none in the mood to drink tea.
Luckily, it was just the ordinary refreshing tea that was being served.
Everyone waited for a while before a haggard-looking girl was brought out.
Although she was tired, it didn't hide her beauty. Instead, it added a fragile charm which was utterly breathtaking.
She walked up with somewhat of a daze, as if her head wasn't entirely clear.
The brightness outside made her uncomfortable, and she didn't know where she was being led.
Soon as she was brought out, Liu Tong, unable to contain his excitement, rushed over. Showing anticipation of a young man in love and having been separated, Liu Tong cherished her even more. Overflowing with intense emotion and sincerity, he quickly pounced and embraced Jiang Wan, crying out, "Qingqing, Why would you leave me like this? How could you be so heartless, to discard me? Without you, who else matters in my life?"
Jiang Wan, held in a warm embrace, slowly regained her senses. Recalling her terrifying experience, she couldn't help but burst into tears.
When she lifted her head, she could see through Young Master Liu's shoulder a man dressed in dark green robe - Chu Xi, who was frowning at her.
Jiang Wan's tears, dripping onto her cheeks in shock, then fell on the ground, splashing around.
...