Chapter 3 Leaving the Jiang Mansion

They returned to Hongyun Garden half an hour later than the agreed noon time. Shang Yuji took out the pastries that had barely retained their original shape, and Jiang Xi took them with both hands and ate them carefully in small bites.

After finishing the pastries, Jiang Xi nervously grabbed Shang Yuji's sleeve: "Aji, before you came back, someone knocked on the door. It wasn't our code, so I didn't open the door."

"Did they come in?" Shang Yuji's heart jumped as she recalled the conversation she overheard behind the artificial hill this morning.

Jiang Xi shook her head: "No, they knocked for a while and then stopped..."

After saying that, he leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "Has Aji's matter been resolved?"

Shang Yuji rubbed the head that had been placed in front of her: "It's all taken care of. If nothing unexpected happens, we should be able to leave the Jiang residence before dinner tonight. Let's pack our things first."

Jiang Xi didn't understand the meaning of the sudden knocking, but she certainly did.

Those watching from the shadows are stirring with desire. Perhaps for now, some inexplicable sense of propriety and shame are holding them back from their moral compass, but once they taste it, their desires will overwhelm the barriers like a flood.

Unstoppable.

Fearing that things might change if they delayed, Shang Yuji pulled Jiang Xi inside to pack their bags.

Money, clothes, hair ribbons of different colors, tinderbox, bowls and chopsticks... The traces of the past year are only two small packages, but it is much better than when she first came to Hongyun Garden with nothing.

"Aji, bring this too." Jiang Xi held a bamboo dragonfly in both hands. There wasn't a single scratch on the bamboo dragonfly, which showed how much its owner valued and carefully cared for it.

It was a New Year's gift she gave him this year.

At that time, Shang Yuji watched as the Jiang family held a grand spring banquet, and everywhere was bustling with activity, but Hongyun Garden seemed to have been forgotten by everyone, sitting coldly and quietly in a corner.

Unconvinced, she took the copper coins she had painstakingly saved and went to the street to buy red paper to make window decorations and lanterns. On her way back home, she passed a stall displaying bamboo dragonflies and, after much thought, decided to buy some and give them to Jiang Xi.

Whatever other young masters have, her young master must have too.

Holding her breath, Shang Yuji delivered the first gift in Jiang Xi's life.

A simple, inexpensive, and childish bamboo dragonfly, yet one he cherished.

"Aji? Can I take it with me?"

The prolonged silence made him uneasy. Jiang Xi held the bamboo dragonfly and approached Shang Yuji, her face showing obvious helplessness.

Shang Yuji took a deep breath, suppressing the stinging sensation in her nose, glared at him but didn't say anything.

Jiang Xi thought she had asked the wrong question: "If Aji doesn't allow me to bring it, then I won't bring it."

After saying that, he frowned his delicate eyebrows and was about to put the bamboo dragonfly in his hand back into the small hidden compartment by the bedside.

Shang Yuji grabbed his arm, her expression unchanged: "I didn't say you couldn't, you can wear it."

"But it seems that Aji is sad because of it, and she will be happy if she doesn't take it."

"Just take it because I told you to!"

"Okay, okay!"

Before the sun set, a magnificent carriage was parked in front of the Jiang residence, with the flag of the Princess's residence hanging on it.

A fierce-looking guard stepped out of the carriage. Those who knew him well knew that he had once been the eldest princess's right-hand man. He had been wounded on the front lines and had now retired to the second line, where he was in charge of half of the guards in the eldest princess's residence.

Li Da was adept at using his intimidating appearance to frighten the servants and stewards who treated people differently based on their status. They would see him and fear that he would cause trouble and start a fight, leaving them with no choice but to swallow their anger and back down. In short, it always worked.

"Hey, bring out that celestial-looking young master Jiang from your manor. The Princess has taken a liking to him and has ordered me to take him back!"

The gatekeeper dared not bargain with this fierce-looking man, and hurriedly sent someone to ask the master for instructions, while the people who stayed behind tried to stall for time.

"Sir, we have already sent someone to fetch the master. Please wait a little longer. As for the third young master, his courtyard is far away, so it will take some time to get him here."

Li Da brandished his riding whip, the high-quality whip whistling through the air: "I don't care what you have or don't have, the princess must have been incredibly lucky to have taken a liking to him!"

The steward arrived at the front gate before the master, carrying Master Jiang's verbal order, and obsequiously led the man into the main hall of the Jiang residence.

When Mr. Jiang saw the person arrive, he stepped forward and invited him to sit down and have some tea.

He seemed oblivious to the impatience on Li Da's face and asked with a cheerful smile, "How could Her Highness the Princess have taken a liking to my unruly third son? Does Your Excellency know anything about the inside story?"

"Aren't you his father?" Li Damian asked with feigned confusion, explaining, "It's been all over the capital lately, saying that Vice Minister Song was instantly captivated by Young Master Jiang's beauty and is now so obsessed with him that he can't eat or sleep. The news has reached the ears of the Princess, and someone, seeing her curiosity, presented her with a portrait of Young Master Jiang."

"The Eldest Princess exclaimed, 'Such a beauty must be a celestial being descended to earth!' and sent us to fetch her! Master Jiang, let me tell you the truth, entering the Eldest Princess's residence is such an honor; countless people would kill to get in. If the Third Young Master goes there, won't he be enjoying wealth and luxury? Perhaps, the Jiang family can also benefit from this opportunity!"

Despite Li Da's rough appearance, his words and actions had won over Master Jiang's heart.

Sacrificing an unpopular third son in exchange for the backing of the Princess's mansion—what a worthwhile deal!

Mr. Jiang did not agree directly, but his attitude was noticeably more relaxed, and he and Li Da began to flatter each other.

The steward bowed and said, "Master, the Third Young Master has arrived."

Shang Yuji and Jiang Xi followed behind the steward, and upon entering the hall, they were greeted by this harmonious scene.

Master Jiang frowned slightly, somewhat displeased with his illegitimate son's lack of manners. But thinking of the benefits his son would bring to the Princess's residence, he quickly relaxed his grip: "My lord, this is my son. Ah Qu, this is Lord Li. He is going to take you to a new place to live. You must listen to Lord Li."

Li Dayuan thought it was an exaggeration to say that the princess was completely bewitched, but after seeing who it was, he suddenly realized that everything made sense.

Her eyebrows and eyes were like stars and the moon, her skin as white as solidified cream. Her face was like a lotus blossom, her eyes filled with affection, her white clothes were whiter than snow, and every frown and smile was captivating and sweet.

His appearance amazed everyone in the hall. Even Master Jiang, looking at this face, couldn't help but recall Jiang Xi's ill-fated mother.

Jiang Xi wasn't used to being in crowded places, but thankfully A Ji had said that a casual response would suffice: "Father, your son understands."

"You!" Master Jiang cursed angrily, then barely suppressed his anger: "Lord Li, you flatter me. My son is so dull-witted that he may have offended Her Highness the Princess."

Li waved his hand: "It's alright. Sometimes a brainless beauty is more endearing than a smart one."

Old Master Jiang stopped paying attention to Jiang Xi and focused on talking to Li Da about the bright future.

Jiang Xi had never been taught manners since birth, so he naturally didn't know how to be humble. He parroted Master Jiang's words like a parrot.

Whether it was right or wrong, seeing that the two were no longer paying attention to him, he breathed a sigh of relief and moved his body back, trying to get a little closer to Shang Yuji.

Shang Yuji maintained the posture of a servant with his head bowed, and using Jiang Xi's body as cover, secretly poked him with his finger to make him maintain some dignity.

Having received a response, Jiang Xi had no idea what she meant by her words, and simply quickened her pace happily.

In the end, Li Dayi obtained Jiang Xiqu's household registration and Shang Yuji's indenture, which ended the conversation and also stopped Jiang Xiqu from making any further advances.

Li Da didn't mention helping the two with their luggage, but if he had brought it up even slightly, Master Jiang would have had to find a way to stop him. By the time Master Jiang realized it, it was already too late.

Hongyun Garden is remote and deserted. It would be embarrassing for outsiders to see it. Who knows what they would say about them, saying that the Jiang family mistreats their unfavored illegitimate son!

Li Da followed closely behind the two, and as they walked, he witnessed the two sides of the Jiang residence.

Half of it is magnificent and luxurious, while the other half is desolate and bleak.

The treatment of a young master is not even as good as that of an ordinary servant in the Princess's mansion. No wonder Sister Shang went to great lengths to take Young Master Jiang away.

Upon arriving at Hongyun Garden, Shang Yuji led Li Da to a small wooden chair in the courtyard: "Brother Li, please sit in the courtyard for a while. We'll be right back."

Li Da quickly glanced at the neat little medicinal herb field, the simple bamboo table and stools under the green bamboo, and the corner of the kitchen built from mud peeking out from the corner. He had to admit that Shang Yuji was truly extraordinary for being able to make such a simple environment habitable and still take good care of Young Master Jiang.

In fact, their luggage had already been packed, but they made Li Da wait in the courtyard because they were going to cause some trouble.

"Young Master, smash down the wardrobe door!"

"Put the desk under the bed."

"Tear down the bed legs and the newly pasted windows!"

The commotion inside was impossible for Li Da to ignore. Just then, Shang Yuji opened the door with a gentle and charming smile: "Brother Li, may I borrow your knife? The round wooden table is too good to scratch."

"..." Li Da was silent for a moment, then asked, "Why did you do that, little sister?"

She smiled shyly: "I can't let those bastards in the Jiang family benefit from all the hard work I put into this."

"Good, good, good!" This genuine and straightforward manner was truly appreciated by Li Da, who came from a martial arts background.

He laughed and drew his long sword from his waist. "Little sister, let me help you. You're not strong enough to cut for long."

The bamboo table in the courtyard, the medicinal herb garden, and the kitchen were all completely ransacked.

With the support of Li Da's long sword and military force, the sabotage operation ended much faster than expected.

As we were leaving, an uninvited guest arrived at the entrance of Hongyun Garden.

As soon as Young Master Jiang entered, he saw a tall, fierce-looking man holding a large knife, pointing it at his third brother and a maid. The sarcastic remarks he wanted to say stuck in his throat.

Unexpectedly, the maid saw him as if she had seen a savior and shouted to him, "Second Young Master, hurry and save us! The Third Young Master said something wrong and offended the master. The master is going to take his anger out on the Third Young Master!"

Li Da reacted quickly, turning around with a grim expression, and said with displeasure, "Are you all in cahoots?"

Shang Yuji's panic seemed genuine. Jiang Xi, oblivious to everything else, saw Shang Yuji's frightened expression and grabbed her clothes, tears streaming down his face, looking as if he had been frightened by Li Da.

What a jinx!

Young Master Jiang cursed inwardly: Is this something he can handle? He might be the one getting stabbed next!

For a moment, he forgot his original purpose and hurriedly distanced himself from them: "Since it was my third brother who offended you, sir, he is naturally at your disposal. From today onwards, he is no longer a member of the Jiang family!"

After saying that, he abandoned his entourage and slunk away.

Shang Yuji and Li Da exchanged a glance. Li Da sheathed his long sword and, with a grim expression, loudly urged them to hurry up and leave.

She responded with a sob, grabbing Jiang Xi's arm like two shivering quails, supporting each other as they followed behind Li Da.

With Li Da's cold face clearing the way, no one dared to jump out and block the road without a hint of rudeness.

Before stepping out of the Jiang residence and getting into the carriage, Shang Yuji took one last deep look back at the Jiang residence, which resembled a gaping abyss, and then boarded the carriage without any hesitation.

Inside the carriage, Shang Yuji stopped her convincing performance and thanked him, saying, "Thank you for your cooperation, Brother Li. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to leave so easily."

"No need to thank me, it was nothing!"

Seeing that Shang Yuji was alright, Jiang Xiqu broke into a smile through her tears. Her long eyelashes were adorned with glistening tears that were about to fall, and her eyes were red-rimmed, making her look quite pitiful.

Shang Yuji gently patted the back of his hand to comfort him. The carriage slowly drove by, and they gradually left the Jiang family behind.

Now, they have taken the first step away from the abyss.