While Gu Songhan was trapped in the palace and unable to leave, Jiang Segu had already quietly returned to his residence.
She had just lain down when the maidservant beside Granny Jiang arrived.
"Miss, Juanniang is back, and the young master of the Yin family has come with her."
"What? My cousin's here! What's he doing here?"
Jiang Segu's hoarse voice was urgent and sharp.
My cousin is the only son of my maternal uncle. In his previous life, several of his uncles were either imprisoned or died in accidents, leaving the Yin family with only my cousin, who was only seventeen years old at the time, to support the family.
My cousin was born into a family with a bright and intelligent mind. With the support of his grandmother and aunt, the Yin family managed to weather the storms despite their difficulties.
However... later, because of her stupidity and ignorance, she was exploited by the ambitious Liang Shaojie, who tricked her cousin into a carefully crafted trap, resulting in the death of her high-spirited cousin.
The thought of her cousin's tragic death made Jiang Segu feel as if someone was holding and kneading her heart. The dull pain was so intense that she could only relieve it by curling up her body!
"Miss..." Qiaolian noticed that Jiang Segu was not feeling well and quickly stepped forward to support her. "Are you feeling unwell? Let me help you lie down!"
Jiang Segu waved her hand, forcing down the pain in her heart, and asked the maid, "Where is my cousin now?"
"In reply to you, young lady, it's in the old lady's courtyard."
Yes, my grandfather isn't home, my two uncles are on duty at the yamen, and my father is... My cousin has arrived, so naturally we should go and greet my grandmother; that's the proper way to be a guest!
"Do my hair and makeup!"
Today's wind, perhaps sensing Jiang Segu's heavy heart, blew extremely gently, as if comforting her and telling her not to be afraid!
But after arriving at the main gate of Zhaotaiyuan, Jiang Segu dared not take another step forward!
She couldn't face her cousin, who had died because of her in her previous life.
A clear, resonant voice came from inside, speaking calmly and expressing the apology that his third uncle was unable to come due to family matters.
Even though the sunlight wasn't scorching, Jiang Segu felt a burning pain in his eyes.
A gust of wind blew by, causing her skirt to flutter wildly, which caught the eye of Old Madam Jiang inside the house. "Which little rascal is hiding outside?"
Jiang Segu had no choice but to go inside.
She lowered her head, not daring to look at anyone in the room, and then greeted them one by one.
Straight Road —
"……cousin."
The way he called out "cousin" was hoarse and weary, his tone so bittersweet and sorrowful that it made everyone worry for him.
What happened to my cousin's voice?
Those few words were like arrows hitting the bullseye, piercing Jiang Segu's eyes, and suddenly, she couldn't hold back her tears.
Jiang Segu knew she had lost her composure, so she lowered her head even further, forcing herself to calm down.
"I caught a cold a couple of days ago, but after taking medicine for two days, I feel much better!" Grandma Jiang replied.
"Alright, you two can go and have some private conversations. I'm tired too, and I want to rest for a while!"
Although Old Madam Jiang didn't say it aloud, she knew perfectly well that Jiang Segu had come for her cousin, and there was no need to keep everyone here!
After the three took their leave, they went to Grandma Jiang's courtyard.
Along the way, Jiang Segu walked at the very back, looking down at the white clothes in front of him fluttering in the wind, and tears of sorrow welled up in his heart.
Even after arriving at Grandma Jiang's courtyard, she remained silent with her head down.
Yin Muheng was surprised by her unusual quietness and wondered if the little girl was resentful because her third uncle hadn't come.
"Azi, I've only just arrived, why are you like this? Have you grown tired of your cousin? Or is it that you only have eyes for that Liang family boy now, and your cousin, such a vulgar person, is not worthy of your attention?"
Jiang Segu wanted to say no, but it felt like she was swallowing a stone, making it impossible for her to speak!
Seeing that she still didn't speak, Grandma Jiang was both worried and annoyed, but she couldn't lash out in front of her nephew, so she could only suppress her emotions for the time being.
"Aheng, don't mind your cousin, she's just that eccentric! You must be tired after traveling so far, why don't you go to the front yard to rest first? Your aunt will host a welcome feast for you at noon."
Yin Muheng followed the maid to the front yard.
As soon as he left, Grandma Jiang scolded, "Azi, what are you doing throwing a tantrum like this? Are you trying to embarrass your cousin, or your mother!"
Jiang Segu then dared to raise his head, his eyes filled with mist, and looked at Grandma Jiang.
"What's wrong now? I only said a few words to you, and you're already crying?" Grandma Jiang choked with anger. "Could it be that you're feeling sorry for your cousin, and you're sad because your third uncle really didn't come!"
At first, she was quite happy to hear that her daughter was becoming estranged from the surname Liang, thinking that her daughter had finally come to her senses.
But he was also afraid that his daughter was just throwing a tantrum at that man surnamed Liang, and that one day she might get confused and be tricked by that boy again.
It wasn't that she was prejudiced against that man surnamed Liang, it was just that no matter how she looked at him, he didn't seem like he really liked his daughter!
Later, the man surnamed Liang was shot blind. She was very worried that her daughter, who was not in a good enough mind, would end up giving him money again, just like before!
Fortunately, this time my daughter didn't make a fuss and didn't pester her third uncle to come over, or give me advice.
But what's wrong with this little rascal now!
Jiang Segu quickly shook his head, "I just saw my cousin and missed my uncle!"
Grandma Jiang's anger vanished instantly, replaced by a sorrowful expression and a melancholy gaze.
How could she not miss her brother!
Recalling her brother, Grandma Jiang was overwhelmed with emotion and lost her spirits. She sadly told Jiang Segu to return to her own courtyard first…
Jiang Segu did not go directly back to his own courtyard, but instead wandered aimlessly in the backyard.
Every time I reached the second gate, I would stop there for a while, then continue walking around the backyard...
Qiaohe came searching all the way here. "Miss, my brother just came to report that the one from Canghua Pavilion has gone to look for Third Master again!"
Jiang Segu remained silent. These past few days, Shaoyao had gone to see her father countless times, but she could not find him each time. Not only that, her father always did something unexpected to humiliate Shaoyao!
If it were an ordinary woman, she wouldn't come looking for him again after just one humiliation, let alone several times. But Peony is different! She is, after all, a courtesan who can be ridden by anyone. What is this little humiliation to her!
"Have your brother keep an eye on things!"
Qiaohe was about to leave when Jiang Segu called her back.
"Go to the front yard and ask around, why is Young Master Biao here?"
Given the current situation of the Yin family, my cousin shouldn't have the leisure to go to the capital!
When Qiaohe heard that she was asked to find out information, her round eyes lit up and she walked away happily!
Jiang Segu believed in Qiaohe's abilities, so he returned to the courtyard.
At lunchtime, Jiang Segu excused himself by saying he was feeling unwell and ate in his own courtyard.
She really wasn't ready to meet her cousin yet.
After lunch, Jiang Segu sat quietly on the couch, like an old monk in deep meditation.
Until Qiaohe brought a shocking piece of news, which startled Jiang Segu, who thought he hadn't heard it clearly.
Say what you just said again!
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