Visiting Fourth Sister
Jiang Jin glared at Zhou Cong with red eyes, "Zhou Cong, don't you believe me?" Blood trickled down Jiang Jin's lips, "I'm going to find Song Zhimin!"
Jiang Jin threw back the covers and grabbed the sword Wei Shu had placed aside. "Abei, prepare the horses!"
Abei didn't move, but stepped forward and took Jiang Jin's hand. "My lady, you should rest first. We can leave after the imperial physician arrives and finds you're alright!" Seeing that Jiang Jin wouldn't listen, Abei had no choice but to kneel down and hug her legs.
"My lady, you once said that a small act of impatience can ruin a great plan. If you get so agitated without concrete information, won't you fall into the trap of a villain?" Under Abei's repeated admonitions, Jiang Jin calmed down and finally collapsed to the ground.
"Ah Jin!" Zhai Wan's voice rang out from outside. Jiang Jin, as if seeing a savior, buried her face in Zhai Wan's chest and wept.
"Awan, Ziyuan, she..." Jiang Jin took out a note and stuffed it into Zhai Wan's hand, "Awan, I'm going to kill Song Zhimin, I'm going to tear him to pieces!"
Zhai Wan stared at the note in her palm, her eyes red. Four dots were drawn in an inconspicuous corner. Zhai Wan's heart skipped a beat; seeing those four dots, her hand began to tremble.
"It's alright, maybe it was just a mistake or something dirty. Ziyuan is so clever, how could she die there?" Zhai Wan said repeatedly, seemingly comforting Jiang Jin, but actually also comforting herself.
“It’s alright, I’ll make Song Zhimin and the people behind it go to hell to apologize to Ziyuan.” Jiang Jin’s gloomy voice rang out from Zhai Wan’s arms. “Awan, I won’t let them off easily.”
Jiang Jin pulled herself away and looked at Zhai Wan's face. "Don't cry, it's time to start the operation." Zhai Wan's face was also covered in tears at some point.
"Let's go to the other courtyard." Jiang Jin's eyes were filled with loneliness as she let Abei help her up.
"Ah Jin." Wei Shu was about to step forward when he saw Jiang Jin raise her hand to stop him. "Wei Shu, don't come over. Your task is to investigate which family in Da Yan had 367 members when they were wiped out over the years, and list out all the people who meet the criteria."
Wei Shu nodded, and the three figures disappeared into the darkness. Just as Wei Shu emerged, Jiang Jin coughed up a mouthful of blood; the moonlight shone on her face, making her look like a demon from hell.
"It's nothing, let's go." The three hurried to the other courtyard and followed a secret passage to another small courtyard.
"Speak your mind. What can't be said at the Wei residence? Why do you have to come here?" Zhai Wan cautiously looked around to make sure no one was watching before closing the door.
"Where is Song Zhimin now?" Jiang Jin made no attempt to conceal her purpose, looking directly at Zhai Wan.
"If I tell you, will you go after him for revenge?" Zhai Wan pressed down on Jiang Jin's wrist. "Let me check your pulse first. Your body can't continue like this."
"No, I want to marry him." Zhai Wan's hand, which had been taking her pulse, slipped and fell onto the table, causing her to gasp in pain.
"Are you crazy? Using yourself as bait to lure out Song Zhimin?" Zhai Wan was extremely glad she hadn't told Jiang Jin Song Zhimin's location; who knew what stupid thing she might do?
"There's a type of Gu worm in the Southern Frontier. Anyone implanted with a child Gu will forever love the person who possesses the mother Gu." Jiang Jin's face appeared particularly somber in the darkness.
"Those are just rumors. Besides, Gu worms are difficult to refine and are mostly used to kill people," Zhai Wan shook her head, interrupting Jiang Jin.
"No, it's necessary. I need to get Song Zhimin to use this medicine to implant my seed. I want him to die by my hand when he's at the height of his success." Jiang Jin's eyes gleamed; the flames of revenge had completely consumed her reason.
“No, not only is this extremely risky, but Song Zhimin is also very meticulous and wouldn’t act so emotionally.” Zhai Wan sighed as she looked at Jiang Jin. “If he were really that crazy, you would have been the one kidnapped back then.”
“He will. As long as I hate him and push him, even the most rational person will have moments of impulsiveness.” Jiang Jin said coldly, “As long as someone offers him this Gu worm, he will use it when there is no other way.”
"I agree, but not yet. Song Zhimin doesn't know we've discovered his identity, so we have to keep quiet about it." Zhai Wan nodded at Jiang Jin, then hugged her tightly.
"Ah Jin, promise me you'll live well, okay?" Zhai Wan understood Jiang Jin's feelings, but she really didn't want to lose anyone else.
"Okay, don't worry." Jiang Jin slowly closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, her expression was calm. "Song Zhimin hasn't sent me a message yet. I guess his plans have been disrupted by Ziyuan's matter, so he's having someone make some noise to remind him."
Jiang Jin spoke calmly, as if nothing had happened, but only Zhai Wan noticed the suppressed hatred in her eyes.
"How is the situation in Bianzhou? Have the Dou and Liu families made any moves?" Zhai Wan shook her head. "His Highness is handling these matters personally. There is no bad news yet. However, the Dou family will probably be more lenient because of blood ties. At worst, they can spread the word that Princess Zhaoyang is the Crown Prince's older sister. The Crown Prince's kindness to those from humble backgrounds can still win over some people."
“The fabric of Ziyuan’s dress is a specialty of Sangzhou. They should be in Sangzhou.” Zhai Wan glanced at Jiang Jin and smiled helplessly. “I can’t hide it from you. There are disloyal people in Sangzhou, but without evidence, no one can start a war.”
"Have someone bring my elder sister back first." Jiang Jin frowned as soon as she finished speaking. "Never mind, let her choose whether to stay or return to the capital."
“I thought you would insist on bringing your sister back.” Jiang Jin looked at the moonlight streaming in through the window. “She is a person with her own thoughts. Who knows, she might want to stay there.”
"Should we let Wei Shu know about this?" Zhai Wan asked, noticing Jiang Jin's lowered eyes, her eyelashes obscuring her thoughts.
"I haven't decided yet. Let's take it one step at a time and see what happens." Jiang Jin didn't rush to give Zhai Wan an answer; she hadn't yet decided whether to tell Wei Shu.
“Let’s rest here tonight.” Zhai Wan lay down on the bed fully clothed. “It’s been a long time since we’ve slept together. I wonder if you still sleep the same way you did when you were a child.”
Jiang Jin lay down next to Zhai Wan, who was firmly protected between A Bei and Zhai Wan. "She's much better now, otherwise Wei Shu's face would be covered in bruises."
Jiang Jin looked at the roof beam and heard Zhai Wan humming a tune softly in her ear. "Ah Jin, you'll be fine after a good night's sleep."
Smelling the medicinal fragrance emanating from Zhai Wan and listening to the music, Jiang Jin actually fell asleep. When she woke up again, the bed beside her was already cold. Abei came in carrying a copper basin.
"Madam Zhai left early this morning on business, specifically instructing me to keep some steamed buns warm for you. I saw you were sleeping soundly, so I didn't wake you." Jiang Jin took the slightly damp cotton handkerchief and wiped her face.
"Has there been any news from the clothing store?" Jiang Jin didn't know what Lou Xuan was thinking and could only hope to see her soon.
"Not yet, but there has been a letter from Young Master Song." Abei wasn't sure how to address Song Zhimin, so he simply stuck to his usual form.
Jiang Jin took a deep breath to suppress the urge to tear the letter to shreds. She gritted her teeth and opened the letter, which contained only a few lines: "Greetings, I have heard that something unusual has happened in the capital. Your Highness has personally inquired about it. I wonder who is injured?"
“He took the bait quickly, and he even has the audacity to say that Zhan Xin’an is safe.” Jiang Jin threw the letter into the charcoal brazier. “Let’s go back to the manor and invite a female tutor for the fourth daughter of the Gu family.”
"Madam, shall we ask your master to come out again?" Ah Bei was naturally referring to the female teacher who had taught several students, but she was in poor health and no longer taught any disciples.
"No need, let's observe Lady Gu's resilience and aptitude before making a decision." Jiang Jin put on her veil and went around to the house from the back of the Wei residence. Wei Shu had been waiting in the room and only felt relieved after seeing Jiang Jin return unharmed.
"Don't worry, I won't try to kill myself. I'll avenge Ziyuan myself." Jiang Jin took off her cloak, Wei Shushun took it and hung it on the rack. The two moved in one smooth motion, just like an ordinary couple.
"Song Zhimin has written a letter, and I need to reply now." Wei Shu consciously sat to one side and stopped looking at Jiang Jin.
"I checked the case files from previous years, and the only one that matches is the Fu family tragedy. His Majesty has also sent secret guards to investigate in various prefectures and counties. I'll let you know if I have any news." Jiang Jin was concentrating on writing when he heard this, so he simply nodded and said no more.
After a short while, Jiang Jin put the letter in the envelope and stared blankly at the burning charcoal brazier.
"Ah Jin, have you had breakfast?" Wei Shu noticed that Jiang Jin was lost in thought and quickly woke her up.
"I've already eaten a steamed bun. I want to go see Fourth Sister. You don't need to wait for me for lunch." Jiang Jin changed into her riding clothes and walked outside. Abei simply handed her the prepared bundle.
"It's full of pastries and money. Fourth Sister lives a frugal life at the temple, so I always bring her something when I visit her." Jiang Jin rode his horse at full speed towards the city gate, and once outside the city, he rode towards the outskirts, arriving at the temple before noon.
"Madam," the young servant stopped Jiang Jin, "the back courtyard is the residence of officials' wives. Are you also looking for someone?"
"I am Jiang Jin. My fourth sister, Jiang Su, is praying for our family at the temple. I miss her, so I've come to see her." Jiang Jin placed a few copper coins in the young monk's palm.
"Come with me." The young master led Jiang Jin to Jiang Su's house. "Fourth Miss, your sister has come to see you."
Jiang Su was looking towards the Buddhist scriptures when she heard the young monk's voice outside. Startled, she opened the door.
"Second Sister, what brings you here?" Jiang Su asked, somewhat puzzled. Aside from her aunt occasionally visiting and Jiang Ru sending things over, no outsiders had ever come to her place.
"It's New Year's Day. I was worried you'd be lonely at the temple, so I came to see you. Thank you, young monk, for showing me the way." Jiang Jin slightly curtsied, causing the young monk to blush.
"That young lady was an abandoned baby, left at the temple entrance where she was picked up and raised by the nun. She hasn't officially become a nun yet; she still has hair on her head." Jiang Su took the bundle from Jiang Jin's shoulder.
"Second Sister, was the palace banquet on New Year's Day lively?" Jiang Su picked up a piece of chestnut cake, put it in her mouth, and smiled contentedly.
"It's lively. Has Father said when he'll take you back?" Jiang Su is fifteen this year, just turned fifteen. It's not a big deal if she wastes a few years after that, but it wouldn't be good if she wasted her whole life in the temple.
"I don't know, but we'll definitely have to wait until things calm down in the capital before we can talk about it." Jiang Su sat at the table and continued copying Buddhist scriptures. "It will be less dangerous to go out after things have settled down."
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