Chapter 3 Returning Home: "Good morning, my husband."
The next day.
When Jiang Zhiyao arrived at the gate of the mansion, the carriage was already waiting.
She lifted the curtain and went inside; Yan Zhenxi was sitting there.
"Good morning, my husband," Jiang Zhiyao greeted him naturally.
"Greetings, Madam," Yan Zhenxi replied.
Yan Zhenxi didn't feel anything about the change in how she addressed her; it was just a title, and Yan Zhenxi didn't care. She also changed her way of addressing her.
Jiang Zhiyao let out a soft breath. It's not that hard to call out.
Last night, Jiang Zhiyao thought about it for a long time and felt that calling him "Young Master" was not quite appropriate. It would be better to call him "Husband" in public, since the two of them were already married.
Judging from Yan Zhenxi's expression, he probably doesn't mind being called that.
A secret joy welled up inside me.
After exchanging greetings, the carriage returned to silence.
The carriage slowly drove towards the Ji residence.
Jiang Zhiyao sat inside, lifting the curtain slightly to look at the lively scene outside the carriage.
I just watched quietly the whole way.
Jiang Zhiyao was somewhat pleased. She had wanted to do this before when she rode in a carriage, but in the past, whenever she went out and needed to take a carriage, she always rode with other people.
It would be impolite to keep looking outside when there are other people around, but now that Yan Zhenxi can't see, it makes things easier for Jiang Zhiyao.
She saw familiar streets and stalls; the Ji residence was approaching.
Jiang Zhiyao saw a group of people at the entrance of the Ji residence from afar, and her heart began to leap with joy.
Although she didn't really feel a strong sense of belonging to the Ji family, her sister Ji was there, and she felt somewhat at ease returning to a familiar place.
The carriage stopped.
After Yan Zhenxi alighted from the carriage, Jiang Zhiyao also lifted the curtain, preparing to get off.
What catches the eye is a pair of hands with distinct joints, long and wide, and as white as jade.
Jiang Zhiyao was a little stunned; she thought Nan Zhi would be the one to help her up again.
Noticing Jiang Zhiyao's hesitation, Yan Zhenxi gently called out, "Madam."
Jiang Zhiyao reached out her hand, and Yan Zhenxi's palm firmly supported her. However, in just a moment, their hands separated after they landed.
But it was enough to make Jiang Zhiyao's heart pound.
His hands were a little cold, and they not only looked like jade, but also felt like jade to the touch.
Seeing Yan Zhenxi helping Jiang Zhiyao down from the carriage, the smiles on the faces of everyone in the Ji family became more genuine.
"Hello, Uncle." Yan Zhenxi greeted Ji Tonghai first, facing the Ji family members.
If it weren't for the veil covering his eyes, Yan Zhenxi's demeanor would not resemble that of a blind person at all.
“Zhenxi is nice,” Ji Tonghai replied.
Looking at Yan Zhenxi, who stood tall and straight in front of her, she felt a pang of regret. What a pity, such a promising young man in the past.
"Let's go inside first," Ji Tonghai said, and everyone entered the mansion together.
Ji Tonghai was chatting with Yan Zhenxi in front, while Jiang Zhiyao was at the back of the crowd. Ji Wanqing came over and took Jiang Zhiyao's hand to chat.
When Ji Wanqing learned that Jiang Zhiyao was alright and had not been wronged, she felt a little relieved.
After chatting for a while, it was time for dinner.
Jiang Zhiyao and Yan Zhenxi sat together, with Ji Wanqing on Jiang Zhiyao's other side.
"Zhenxi, have we Zhiyao caused you any trouble?" Ji Tonghai asked politely.
"No, Madam is fine." Yan Zhenxi had a faint smile on his face.
"Haha, our Zhiyao has always been easy to take care of."
After Yan Zhenxi finished eating the food in his bowl, Jiang Zhiyao turned to him and whispered, "Husband, let me pick some more food for you."
Yan Zhenxi had a servant behind him serving him food, but now that they were at the Ji residence, Jiang Zhiyao thought it would be better if she served him the food herself.
"Thank you for your trouble, Madam."
Jiang Zhiyao switched to a different pair of chopsticks and conventionally picked up some boneless, easy-to-eat vegetables.
Ji Tonghai watched this scene with a smile in his eyes, thinking that his niece probably didn't dislike Yan Zhenxi.
They looked like a loving young couple, and Yan Zhenxi's personality was always praised, so it seemed that Jiang Zhiyao's life after marrying him wasn't so bad.
The slight guilt he had felt completely vanished.
After having the meal, we stayed a little longer before it was time to leave.
Jiang Zhiyao felt a pang of reluctance; she wanted to stay with Sister Ji a little longer.
But it was time to go back, and the people of the Ji family saw Jiang Zhiyao and Yan Zhenxi off.
After Yan Zhenxi helped Jiang Zhiyao into the carriage, he himself was also helped into the carriage by a servant.
The homecoming visit is over.
Inside the carriage, Jiang Zhiyao thanked Yan Zhenxi, saying, "Thank you so much, my husband, for today."
She was genuinely grateful to Yan Zhenxi. She had learned from the servants in the Yan household that Yan Zhenxi rarely went out since he went blind.
Because it was inconvenient for Yan Zhenxi to go out, he usually needed a servant to lead the way when he was in the mansion.
When Jiang Zhiyao went to ask, she thought Yan Zhenxi wouldn't agree.
Yan Zhenxi cooperated very well during today's homecoming visit.
"No need to thank me."
Yan Zhenxi smiled, thinking that she would be bolder today, since she had to pretend to be affectionate with him.
But I never expected that the most I would do was help him pick out some food.
That really suits her personality.
-
After returning to the Yan residence, Jiang Zhiyao stayed in her own courtyard for several weeks, occasionally going out to play with Ji Wanqing and Cheng Mingzhu.
I have never met Yan Zhenxi or anyone else from the Yan family.
Jiang Zhiyao felt as if she had simply moved to a different place, and nothing had changed from before.
I'm actually more relaxed than before.
However, the servants in the mansion often neglected Jiang Zhiyao.
Jiang Zhiyao didn't think much of it, but now that it's winter, the charcoal and clothing the manager distributed today were far too meager.
This is easy to solve; the dowry Jiang Zhiyao brought can last for a long time.
But then she suddenly thought of Yan Zhenxi.
Judging from the attitude of the servants in the mansion, they were not only neglecting her, but also Yan Zhenxi.
Jiang Zhiyao was already used to being alone, and with Nanzhi by her side, the absence of other servants actually made her feel more at ease.
However, before his eye was injured, Yan Zhenxi was always a pampered young nobleman, especially now that he is not very mobile.
She was a little worried about Yan Zhenxi.
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Zhiyao decided to go and see Yan Zhenxi.
She arrived at Yan Zhenxi's room door: "Husband?"
"Come in." Yan Zhenxi was a little curious as to why she had come to see him today.
Jiang Zhiyao is like a little rabbit, usually staying in her burrow and rarely coming out on her own.
Yan Zhenxi already knew that she had been neglected by the servants in the mansion. The servants in the Yan mansion were just like their masters, always liking to fawn over the powerful and flatter the weak.
So this time, she finally couldn't take it anymore and came to him to complain?
As soon as Jiang Zhiyao entered the house, she found that it seemed colder inside than outside.
Yan Zhenxi was the only one in the room.
She looked at Yan Zhenxi's rather thin clothes and felt a pang of sympathy.
Jiang Zhiyao said, "The steward from the manor just came over and distributed some charcoal. I'll have someone bring it over later."
"Hmm?" Didn't the manager only get a small amount of the lowest grade of charcoal? It probably wasn't even enough for her own use.
Yan Zhenxi's tone was somewhat soft, which Jiang Zhiyao mistakenly thought meant he already knew: "Then I'll go first."
Hurry back and have someone buy more charcoal from outside.
-
Yan Zhenxi looked at the silver charcoal that had been delivered and chuckled softly, "You mean she bought this with her dowry?"
"Yes, sir."
Yan Zhenxi chuckled softly; she was still just a soft-hearted little rabbit.
She's completely different from a selfish person like him.
"Sir, should we put it away?" the guard asked.
Adults have never liked using charcoal in winter, so they probably won't use it now either.
"No need, just set it on fire."
The next day, Jiang Zhiyao came to see Yan Zhenxi again.
Upon entering, she was greeted by a warm breeze. Seeing that Yan Zhenxi's once snow-white fingertips now had a touch more rosy color, Jiang Zhiyao felt a subtle sense of satisfaction.
Fortunately, her dowry was enough.
Yan Zhenxi was sitting and drinking tea when Jiang Zhiyao glanced at the bookshelf beside him and asked, "Husband, would you like me to help you with your studies?"
"Then I'll trouble you, Madam." Yan Zhenxi raised an eyebrow slightly.
After asking, Jiang Zhiyao opened a book and began to read aloud in a gentle voice.
The winter sun shone through the window, and the only sound in the room was Jiang Zhiyao's clear and melodious voice as she read aloud.
Before we knew it, half an hour had passed.
Jiang Zhiyao took a sip of tea to moisten her throat.
"Madam's voice is very pleasant," Yan Zhenxi praised.
Her pronunciation and phrasing were very appropriate, and coupled with her gentle voice, she made people unconsciously immerse themselves in the music.
Jiang Zhiyao smiled shyly after being praised, "I used to read to Sister Ji a lot."
Sister Ji also praised her for her beautiful reading voice.
"If my husband wants to hear it in the future, just call me." Jiang Zhiyao felt very comfortable being with Yan Zhenxi.
Like a mountain stream, a gentle, trickling flow.
Jiang Zhiyao also felt a secret joy in her heart; she really liked Yan Zhenxi.
Even if I can only spend a little more time with Yan Zhenxi, it will be good.
“If you encounter any difficulties, Madam, you can come to me at any time.”
This little rabbit has fallen into the wolf's den of the Yan family. Considering the charcoal from yesterday, it's not unreasonable to occasionally protect her.
"Okay," Jiang Zhiyao replied.
Yan Zhenxi waited for a long time, but Jiang Zhiyao didn't say anything more.
Just as Jiang Zhiyao was about to leave, Yan Zhenxi couldn't help but ask, "How have you been doing in the manor lately?"
"It's great." Jiang Zhiyao thought about it and realized she quite liked this kind of life.
Yan Zhenxi was puzzled. Was being cheated out of food and neglected by the servants really a good thing?
Could it be that the Minister's mansion treated her even worse than this?
Yan Zhenxi thought of Ji Tonghai's usual upright demeanor and felt disdain. It seemed that he was just putting on a show.
However, since Jiang Zhiyao wouldn't tell him, Yan Zhenxi naturally wouldn't meddle and didn't ask any further questions.
Jiang Zhiyao returned to her room.
"Wow, they have sweet and sour pork ribs today!" Jiang Zhiyao said happily as she looked at the dishes on the table.
Although the Yan family cut back on food, fortunately there was a small kitchen in the courtyard where Jiang Zhiyao lived, where Nanzhi would usually cook.
When she got married, Ji Wanqing gave Jiang Zhiyao several shops, which were quite profitable. Jiang Zhiyao was very satisfied with them and would often ask Nanzhi to get money to buy her some good food.
"Nanzhi, your cooking is really good."
Jiang Zhiyao really likes the dishes that Nanzhi makes.
Seeing Jiang Zhiyao's happy expression, Nanzhi smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it, Miss."
However, she still didn't try hard enough. Nanzhi's biggest wish was to raise her young lady to be plump and healthy.
In Nam Gyi's hometown, plump and fair-skinned people are considered blessed.
In Nanzhi's heart, Miss is the one who deserves the most happiness.
Therefore, she needs to further improve her cooking skills.
When Nanzhi was ten years old, her parents sold her to a human trafficker.
If it weren't for a young lady buying her, Nan Zhi wouldn't know where she would be now, or even if she would still be alive.
Jiang Zhiyao saw Nanzhi in the market.
At that time, Jiang Zhiyao had just arrived at the Ji family mansion. Because no one paid attention to her, she was always bullied by the servants.
As for the nanny who originally brought Jiang Zhiyao to the Ji residence, she left the capital and returned home after dropping Jiang Zhiyao off. Therefore, Jiang Zhiyao had no familiar faces or anyone to protect her in the Ji residence.
The steward entrusted the monthly allowance to a nanny in the courtyard for safekeeping, but that nanny never gave Jiang Zhiyao any money.
But Granny Yang in the kitchen was very kind to her and would always give her delicious malt candy, so Jiang Zhiyao liked to go to the market with Granny Yang to buy groceries.
The little girl always followed behind Granny Yang, carrying a vegetable basket that was half her body size.
On her way to buy groceries, Jiang Zhiyao saw Nanzhi being brutally beaten by slave traders.
"You're really useless, why doesn't anyone buy you?"
Nan Zhi's small, thin body was squeezed in the corner, and Jiang Zhiyao wanted to rush over to help her when she saw it.
But Granny Yang stopped her.
Granny Yang sighed, "They're pitiful people too."
Then she told Jiang Zhiyao that if she wanted to save her, she could only do so by buying her with money.
The sign above says it costs three taels of silver.
After that day, Jiang Zhiyao diligently helped Granny Yang with her work, earning ten copper coins for each task.
Every time Jiang Zhiyao passed by, she would check to see if Nanzhi had been bought.
Finally, two months later, with the addition of a small bracelet she had sold, Jiang Zhiyao had saved up three taels of silver.
She bought Nanzhi from a slave trader.
After Granny Yang spoke to the head of the household on her behalf, Nan Zhi became Jiang Zhi Yao's personal maid.
Nanzhi didn't have a name at first.
Jiang Zhiyao's mother loved plum blossoms the most. Her mother had told her that plum blossoms also had another name: Nanzhi (Southern Branch).
Jiang Zhiyao thought it sounded great, so she kept remembering it.
"Nanzhi, you shall be called Nanzhi."
The original meaning of "南枝" (Nánzhī) is a branch of a tree that grows southward.
The southern branch faces the sun.
Therefore, in Nanzhi's eyes, Jiang Zhiyao is her sun.
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