"So you're not going to take responsibility for me? You told me to wait for you, but all I got was news that you were going to marry someone else." Xiao Zhan stared intently into Jiang Wei's eyes. "Now you've dissolved your engagement, but you still won't acknowledge me."

Jiang Wei looked at him. Back then, they were both young and had fun playing together.

But this has nothing to do with marriage.

Besides, she has no plans to get married and can live a good life on her own.

Why suffer in silence for a man, clinging to a small, isolated place?

Having been given a second chance at life, she wants to choose a different way of life to please herself and make herself happy.

She never imagined that one day she would marry into the royal family.

"What responsibility? I never made you wait for me, and you never suffered any delays because of me."

Xiao Zhan looked at Jiang Wei as if she were a faithless man, and waved the jade pendant in front of her. "Impossible. With this as proof, you can't deny it even if you want to. I asked you back then if you would regret it in the future, and you answered that you would never, and that you would come to find me when we grew up."

Now you want to abandon me? I won't agree.

Xiao Zhan leaned closer to Jiang Wei, reaching his hand to the wall of the carriage behind her and trapping her inside. "Before, I was far away at the border. When I was about to return to propose to you, I learned that you were already engaged, and it was widely rumored that you and Song Tingxuan were in love."

So I chose to wish you both well. I've let go once before. If you're married and happy, I'll pretend nothing happened. But that's not the case, so this time I won't let you go again.

Jiang Wei was flustered and confused. She stammered twice, unable to get the words out.

“You don’t need to tell me now. I know you’re scared. I can wait for you.”

Their breaths mingled, their warmth filling each other's faces.

The atmosphere inside the carriage had changed.

Jiang Wei was stunned. She never expected that the person who always made her feel sad and heartbroken when she thought about him would actually be standing alive in front of her.

Jiang Wei was at a loss, gripping the fluffy cushion tightly with both hands, completely bewildered.

"General Xiao...I..."

Jiang Wei was speechless; these were all things that had taken her by surprise.

Outside the carriage.

Jiang Wen got off the Chen family's carriage and walked to Jiang Wei's carriage. "Elder sister, we're home."

"Third sister, slow down," Mingzhao called after her.

Xiao Zhan released Jiang Wei.

Jiang Wei steadied her breathing and got off the carriage.

Xiao Zhan followed behind him the whole time, as if nothing had happened.

"Thank you, General Xiao, for bringing my brother and me back. General Xiao, you should also go back and rest early." Jiang Wei said goodbye to Xiao Zhan as usual.

“Miss Jiang, I have a few words to say to you. Please ask the Third Miss and her husband to return to the manor first,” Xiao Zhan said.

Jiang Wen and Ming Zhao glanced at Jiang Wei and bowed to Xiao Zhan.

He then went back, turning back every few steps.

"Brother, don't you think General Xiao treats sister differently?" Although Jiang Wen was not yet of marriageable age, he was gradually growing up and could understand some things.

Mingzhao knew that General Xiao treated his sister very well, but she didn't understand what Jiang Wen meant by "unusual".

"I'm sorry for being so abrupt today. I didn't mean to rush things and scare you, but if I don't tell you my feelings, I'm afraid you'll become someone else's wife."

Everything I'm telling you today is true.

Xiao Zhan took out one of the jade pendants with twin fish that Yu had given him yesterday from his bosom.

“This jade pendant is a pair with the one you have. Whenever you are ready, wear the other jade pendant on your body, and I will know.”

Xiao Zhan took out a bottle of ointment from his pocket and placed it in Jiang Wei's hand. "Go back quickly! It's cold outside."

As Jiang Wei walked towards the Jiang residence and turned back, Xiao Zhan was still standing there. He saw her turn around.

He waved to her so she could go inside quickly.

As soon as Jiang Wei entered, she was surprised to find that Jiang Zaishui was so free that he moved a chair and sat down to wait for her.

Seeing Jiang Wei enter, he reached out and took the brambles from the side, then walked angrily toward Jiang Wei.

"Tell me, is it because you, this rebellious daughter, are blocking things from the outside that Xiao Zhijie hasn't come to propose marriage?"

You ruined a perfectly good marriage.

If I don't teach you a lesson today, I'm not your father.

Jiang Wei was shocked by Xiao Zhan's words and had no mood to argue with Jiang Zai Shui.

“Lian Sang stopped him and took my father back to his room. Staying up so late at night is bad for his health and makes him more likely to die young.”

Lian Sang drew his whip, which cracked in the darkness.

He spoke respectfully, saying, "Please, sir! Please don't let the young lady's filial piety go to waste."

Jiang Zai Shui cursed loudly and refused to leave, insisting that Jiang Wei go and win Xiao Zhi Jie back.

The insults were so nasty that Lian Sang slapped Jiang Zai Shui with the back of his hand, causing Jiang Zai Shui to collapse.

She had the servants in the courtyard take Jiang Zai Shui back to the house.

"Master, aren't you being too hasty today? You might have frightened Miss Jiang!" Qingfeng asked Xiao Zhan from the carriage.

Did he want it to be like this? No, he didn't. He desperately wanted Jiang Wei to fall for him first.

But he dared not gamble; he had already missed the first time and could not afford to miss it again.

"Have Lian Sang keep a close eye on Physician Jiang's movements. If anything is detrimental to Miss Jiang, report it to me immediately."

The master and servant seemed to be in no hurry to go home, riding their horses slowly.

"And my elder brother, the Emperor, must also be kept a close eye on if he makes any moves." The subordinate understood.

"Let's go check out the east gate of the city." Xiao Zhan quickened his pace on horseback.

"Is Your Highness afraid that the Second Prince has not properly settled the people?" Qingfeng asked as he rode his horse.

“My elder brother is known for his virtue. How could he not do his best to earn a good reputation for something that the people praise?”

"What did the master go to see?"

………………

Jiang Wei sat in front of the dressing table, looking at the jade pendant with two fish in her hand.

The things she told her older brother back then, she never even told his maternal grandfather.

No matter how long Xiao Zhan had known his maternal grandfather, he could never have known those words.

But if Xiao Zhan was the older brother back then, why did her maternal grandfather never mention it to her?

Jiang Wei never imagined that Xiao Zhan would have such feelings for her.

She always thought he would take care of her because of her maternal grandfather and his family.

Seeing Jiang Wei holding the jade pendant, Dewdrop assumed that Jiang Wei was still heartbroken over it. "Miss, why don't we ask around tomorrow? If it was picked up by someone in the manor, we can ask them to return it. If not, the jade pendant must still be in its original place."

Jiang Wei pinched Dewdrop's cheek. "Silly Dewdrop, no need to look anymore, we've already found it."

"Why is that girl still staring at it in a daze?" Dewdrop asked, puzzled.

Jiang Wei recalled what Xiao Zhan had said in the carriage, how close he had been, and couldn't help but blush.

"It's nothing. Is the water ready? I'm going to take a bath first. I still need to go out to the east gate of the city and check on An Sheng Ji early tomorrow morning!"