Chapter 22

Murong Sheng withdrew from the academy, and Jiang Si did not show up either. For Jiang Si, the classroom felt much brighter than before without the presence of the hero and heroine.

She attended her classes earnestly, and whenever she encountered something she did not understand, she would ask either her tutor or Jiang Yu. Anyone with eyes could see that she and Jiang Yu were close.

Gu Duan looked toward them from time to time, his expression filled with guilt and avoidance. After class, he remained seated. When Jiang Yu and Jiang Si were about to leave, he seemed to have something to say but hesitated.

Jiang Si shouldered her book bag and walked over to him. Under his shocked and shameful gaze, she said, "Cousin Duan, you need not blame yourself, nor should you feel guilty. Even without you, she would have found other ways to harm me. What you must do now is study hard and not fail the expectations of our aunt and uncle."

"Yu-ge..." Hearing this, he felt even worse. He had known, hadn't he? He knew who the Fourth Young Lady of the Jiang family favored, and he knew he was not a match for her status. Yet, as if possessed, he had thrown himself into the situation, nearly harming his own cousin.

Jiang Si patted his shoulder. "Cousin Duan, the more distressed you feel, the more you should focus on your studies. One day, when you have achieved success, you will look back on these past events and realize they were nothing more than fleeting clouds."

He felt even more ashamed, yet he nodded under Jiang Si’s encouraging and expectant gaze.

The leaves of the parasol trees had turned a deeper yellow, and more were falling. As a cold breeze swept by, it left a chill in the air. Jiang Si and her brother Jiang Yu exited the academy. Just past the road was the back gate of the Jiang residence. Shortly after entering, they spotted someone acting suspiciously in the distance.

Jiang Yu recognized the person and exclaimed in surprise, "Fifth Sister, isn't that Sixth Brother?"

Jiang Xuan was covering his face with his hand, hunching his body as he limped forward. Whenever he encountered someone, he would quickly hide, as if terrified of being discovered. Hearing footsteps behind him, he quickened his pace. When the footsteps drew closer, he hurried away, stumbling with every step.

"Second Brother!"

Hearing this voice, he stopped. Turning around to see only Jiang Si, he let out a sigh of relief. He leaned against a tree in a slouching posture, panting as he waved at her. "Yu-ge, come over here and help your brother."

Jiang Si finally saw her brother's condition clearly and furrowed her brow. His hair was disheveled, there were visible bloody cuts on his face, and his clothes were not only wrinkled but covered in dirt. It was clear he had been in a fight.

"Second Brother, what happened to you? Who did you fight with?"

He groaned, "Someone who deserved a beating. Don't look at me like this; he’s in much worse shape than I am. Yu-ge, don't tell Mother about this, I'm fine."

Jiang Si handed him a handkerchief to wipe his face, but he waved it away. "Don't get your handkerchief dirty; I'll just wash my face."

No sooner had the siblings entered the courtyard of the Third Branch than the elderly servant Hu, who served under Madam Gu, rushed over in a panic to report that the person who had been beaten was now at their door.

Seeing the look on the servant’s face, Jiang Si had a sudden guess. She looked at her brother, "Second Brother, the person you fought... wouldn't happen to be Murong Sheng, would it?"

Since the person had come to their door, Jiang Xuan could no longer hide it. "That brat dared to harass you; I’ve wanted to hit him for a long time. I never had a chance before, but now that he’s joined the Imperial Martial Guard, how could I let him off?"

So, Murong Sheng had joined the Imperial Martial Guard.

Jiang Si developed a headache. She thought to herself, what a mess this was. She had finally managed to distance herself from the male lead, only for him to get entangled with her second brother.

"Don't you worry, Yu-ge, I'm not afraid of that brat. He was the one who acted improperly first. I hit him, so be it. I’ll take responsibility for my own actions; I don't believe he can do anything to me!"

The servant Hu, whose face was already full of worry, contorted even further upon hearing this. She whispered, "It is not just the Young Marquis who has come; Prince Shen is here as well."

At the mention of Prince Shen, Jiang Xuan’s legs went weak. He gritted his teeth, "A fine Murong Sheng! He can't win in a fight, so he uses his status to pressure me—how despicable! Even if the Commander is here, I am his subordinate; I don't believe he would favor his kin over justice."

Jiang Si reminded him, "Second Brother, Murong Sheng is not only his cousin but also his subordinate."

His legs grew even weaker. He leaned on Jiang Si, looking like a martyr facing his end, "Yu-ge, this time next year will be your second brother’s death anniversary. Please, make sure to burn some paper money for me."

When they arrived outside the main hall, Murong Sheng suddenly appeared from somewhere. He did indeed look worse than Jiang Xuan; it was no exaggeration to say he was beaten black and blue. He looked at Jiang Xuan defensively, but his words were directed at Jiang Si. "Jiang Five, this was supposed to be a matter between your brother and me. He hit me, and I hit him; I consider us even."

"We are not even!" Jiang Xuan retorted, neck stiff. "You brought the Commander here; you tell me, how can we be even?"

On this point, Murong Sheng had his own grievances. "I had no intention of telling anyone. Who knew my cousin Su would hear of it and insist on bringing me to the Jiang family to demand an explanation?" He had already returned to the Prince’s mansion when his cousin Su tracked him down. He wondered, for a Commander of the Imperial Martial Guard, was his cousin really that idle?

Jiang Xuan remained skeptical and looked at Jiang Si for confirmation. Jiang Si nodded slightly, feeling that Murong Sheng was unlikely to be lying.

Just then, the dignified and angry voice of Grand Tutor Jiang echoed from inside the room, "Get in here at once!"

Jiang Xuan shrank his neck and steeled himself to enter.

After a moment of silence, Murong Sheng spoke first, "Jiang Five, your face..."

"It's nothing."

"The person you like...?"

"It is not you."

Murong Sheng felt a complex mix of emotions; he did not even understand what he was expecting. After another silence, he broke the stalemate again. "I heard you are discussing a marriage with Fang Lingneng?"

Fang Lingneng? Jiang Si immediately thought of the person: the third young master of the Duke of Xian’s mansion.

"No."

"No?" Murong Sheng frowned. "Then why have I heard that you met with him, and that he took a liking to you and is planning to send someone to propose?"

Jiang Si thought for a moment and decided not to hide it. She told him about what had happened at the Marquis of Weiqi's residence, including the note, relaying everything exactly as it occurred. At the end, she asked, "Young Marquis, do you know why the Fourth Sister would act this way?"

"She..." He seemed quite shaken, his brow furrowed tightly. "...What I heard is the complete opposite of what you are saying."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Si smiled. The beautiful, youthful girl offered a cold, undisguised sneer. Her expression was completely at odds with her face, yet like a flower blooming in an instant, its dazzling radiance was stunning.

"Did that person say that I wanted to compete with the Fourth Sister, and even if I couldn't win, I wouldn't let her have her way?"

"You... you know who said it?" He muttered, dazed.

Jiang Si smiled again. Was there any need to guess? "Jiang Yi."

"Jiang Five, you... you all..."

"We?" Jiang Si looked at him with cool, indifferent eyes. "Is our current state not caused by you? You wanted to catch the Fourth Sister’s attention, so why drag me into it? Since you provoked her, why were you not steadfast? You are fickle, irresponsible, and flirtatious—you really are a scoundrel!"

He was scolded to his face, yet he had no words to defend himself. Could he say that he had changed his mind, and that the person he liked was no longer Jiang Si, but the girl before him? Fate was cruel; they could never have a future. What could he do?

"Jiang Five, I... I am sorry."

"Young Marquis, you should be saying that to the Fourth Sister."

"I... I will." Suddenly, he looked up and jumped in fright. "...Uncle, y-you... why are you here?"

Clad in white as snow, with ink-black hair, he possessed a countenance as clear as the moon and an elegance like a jade mountain. He appeared suddenly like a being from another world, standing silently and gracefully.

Jiang Si quickly bowed, but Murong Sheng blocked her behind him. Murong Sheng explained urgently, "Uncle, Jiang Five did nothing. I was the one who approached her to speak. Please do not blame her."

Jiang Si: "..."

"Go inside first; I have words for her," Murong Fan’s voice was extremely soft, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.

Murong Sheng had no choice but to comply. "Uncle, it is all my fault. I shouldn't have talked to her. Please, do not blame her." As he left, he looked at Jiang Si with eyes full of worry.

Jiang Si kept her head down, feeling the atmosphere change. Could it be that Murong Fan was actually upset that she had spoken with Murong Sheng? Good heavens, she truly had no such feelings for Murong Sheng.

"You hurt yourself—was it intentional?"

She had not expected Murong Fan to ask this. She looked up in surprise, exposing the wound near her chin. "Not really, it was just... a bit of a mishap."

Murong Fan looked at the wound. For the first time in his life, he felt that not everything in this world could be tolerated. "Use this; it will not leave a scar."

A delicate little porcelain box was placed in front of Jiang Si. She obediently took it. As their eyes met, she looked into Murong Fan’s gaze. It was so calm, like a peaceful haven that had existed for ages, accepting everything from both of her lifetimes and nourishing her dry, fragmented past. It was so warm, so encompassing.

"Your Highness, thank you for your birthday gift." She touched her heart and smiled brightly. "I like it very much."