Volume 1, Chapter 8: Meeting Lu Junyan Again

Seeing that the two were about to argue, Jiang Ruozhen hurriedly intervened, "Brother, elder sister is ill, why must you quarrel with her?"

"If she had even half your sense, I wouldn't have to—"

Jiang Ruozhen thought to herself, her brother had a favor to ask, why was he still speaking so recklessly? Fearing he might ruin things, she nudged the food box toward Jiang Zhinian. "Sister, please calm your anger. If paying money to solve this doesn't work... perhaps you could think of another way?"

"Didn't the Empress grant you a favor just a few days ago?"

As these words fell, everyone turned their eyes to Jiang Zhinian. Jiang Zhinian covered her nose and pushed away the crab, her tone flat. "You are mistaken, sister. The favor was granted to you, not me."

After saying this, Fuguang entered with a bowl of light, warm sweet porridge. Jiang Zhinian spoke nonchalantly, "Father said I stole your credit, and he punished me for it. The money was deducted from the Jiang estate's accounts, so the credit for the porridge distribution is now rightfully yours."

"Sister, I—" Anyone with eyes could see that the Empress had only been doing a favor for Jiang Zhinian at the time. If she didn't want it, could the credit truly belong to her?

"Sister Ruozhen, do not belittle yourself."

If they insisted she had stolen the credit, she would simply return the money. From now on, the credit would belong to Jiang Ruozhen. Since the Jiang family no longer had the funds to buy an official post for Jiang Ruoqi, and she no longer had the favor to help him seek one, whether he regained his position would depend entirely on Jiang Ruozhen.

Seeing that Jiang Zhinian could not resolve the matter, Mother Jiang took the two and prepared to leave in a dejected manner, claiming they would not disturb Jiang Zhinian’s rest any longer.

Jiang Zhinian smiled warmly as she saw them off. "By the way, Mother, patients cannot consume these; they are difficult to digest."

Mother Jiang, who had just reached the threshold, nearly stumbled. Fortunately, Jiang Ruozhen steadied her. The stifled frustration in Mother Jiang's heart dissipated in that moment, replaced by a creeping sense of guilt.

So, Zhinian was not putting on airs; it was simply...

Jiang Zhinian gave a faint smile. She had long since ceased pinning any hopes on the Jiang family. In this life, she only sought how to break free from them and prevent the tragedy of her past life from repeating itself. Currently, she was tied too deeply to the Jiang family, and the Empress even intended for her to be the Crown Princess; she could not leave just because she wanted to.

However, a question remained in her mind. She had lived with the Jiang family for over a decade; even without blood ties, was all that past affection a lie? How could they be so ruthless toward her for the sake of Jiang Ruozhen?

***

Ever since she turned the Jiang family away, Jiang Zhinian’s health improved day by day. Jiang Ruoqi lingered outside Linlang Pavilion several times, waiting for Jiang Zhinian to invite him in, but she acted as if she didn't see him. Feeling profoundly disappointed, he was just gathering the courage to walk inside when he saw a matron hurrying over.

"Eldest Miss! Eldest Miss, the Empress has summoned you to the palace for an audience!"

Jiang Zhinian, who was about to turn back to her room, paused and headed toward the gate of Linlang Pavilion. Seeing Jiang Ruoqi there, she feigned surprise. "Brother, why are you here?"

Jiang Ruoqi was both anxious about his official post and curious to see if Jiang Zhinian had recovered. During the days he spent dismissed from office, he had noticed the peach tree in the courtyard; though it was bare in the winter, the sight of it reminded him of how mischievous Jiang Zhinian used to be as a child.

He remembered her wanting to pick the small peaches on the tree, but she wasn't even as tall as his waist back then. How could she climb it? It was he who had hoisted her up. As she grew older and busier, and he began serving in the Ministry of War, he hadn't paid attention to the tree in a long time.

"I... is your health better? The Empress has summoned you to the palace, you..." Taken aback by the sudden question, Jiang Ruoqi was flustered.

Jiang Zhinian assumed he was still scheming for that favor. "Rest assured, Brother, I will bring Ruozhen with me to the palace. Perhaps she can think of a way to help you then."

Did Zhinian really think of him that way? They were siblings; he had come to show concern for his sister, not for his own benefit! Jiang Ruoqi felt a flash of annoyance and retorted stubbornly, "Fine! It is Ruozhen’s first time in the palace, take good care of her!"

Jiang Zhinian nodded and left with the matron. Jiang Ruoqi opened his mouth to say something but stopped, eventually returning to his own courtyard in low spirits. He stood beneath the peach tree, looking up at its withered branches, which only added to his irritation.

A servant in the courtyard asked, "Young Master, why are you looking at this lifeless peach tree?"

"The tree was infested with worms two years ago, and I fear it won't survive this year. Next spring, replace it with a magnolia tree."

Jiang Ruoqi snapped, "This is my courtyard! I haven't given the order, so who are you to suggest changes? Get out!"

***

Jiang Zhinian’s carriage waited for a full hour before Jiang Ruozhen finally arrived. It was her first time entering the palace, and she was visibly nervous, having asked Mother Jiang to style her hair in a particular way—a style Jiang Zhinian recognized instantly, as it was one their mother used to do for her.

The mutton-fat jade bracelet on her wrist was the one Jiang Zhinian had gifted their mother for her birthday last year.

"My apologies for keeping you waiting, sister," Jiang Ruozhen said with a curtsy.

Jiang Zhinian acknowledged her with a hum and urged her to board the carriage. She had ordered two carriages; previously they would have shared one, but now she did not wish to have much contact with Jiang Ruozhen.

The Empress had sent someone to meet them at the palace gate. Unlike Jiang Ruozhen, who looked around in wonder, Jiang Zhinian kept her eyes lowered, lost in thought. What was the Empress’s purpose in summoning her now? The imperial decree for her marriage was still half a year away!

She was so lost in thought that she didn't see someone approaching until the guide, Hongdou, stopped to bow. Jiang Zhinian finally looked up.

Her gaze swept from the bottom up, and she immediately spotted the jade pendant worn by the man before her—it was the exact same one worn by the person who had entangled her in her private chambers in her past life!

Jiang Zhinian’s breath hitched. Her eyes filled with terror, and her heart raced as she instinctively took a step back.

"Greetings, Your Highness, Heir Apparent."

Hongdou’s voice was like a bucket of cold water, pulling her from her shock. Realizing she had overreacted, Jiang Zhinian quickly regained her composure. She heard the man's attendant explain, "Young Master, it is the maid Hongdou from the Weiyang Palace."

Only then did Jiang Zhinian notice that the man’s eyes were vacant; his dark gaze remained fixed on a single point, as if he were looking through her at something behind her.

Lu Junyan nodded. "This is the path leading out of the palace; why is Hongdou here?"

"Replying to Your Highness, the Empress has summoned the two daughters of Minister of Rites Jiang to the palace today, and I am here to escort them."

Jiang Ruozhen and Jiang Zhinian curtsied, though Jiang Zhinian’s voice was barely a whisper. Lu Junyan asked no more, and Hongdou led the two away. Jiang Zhinian let out a breath of relief; fortunately, he was blind, or he would have surely noticed her strangeness.

Behind her, Lu Junyan curled his lips slightly, his eyes flickering. "It is her."