Time flies, and soon it is July.

The summer heat in the capital city had not yet dissipated in July. People's clothes would get soaked if they just walked around the streets, but according to the season, it was already early autumn.

The sky in early autumn is high, the clouds are light and sparse, and all you can see is vast expanses of azure blue and sunshine that is even hotter than in midsummer. People's moods are inexplicably brighter at this time of year.

Jiang Si's mood became heavier day by day.

The death of her second brother in her previous life was like a huge rock pressing on her heart. As that day drew closer, she felt unable to breathe.

After experiencing the death of Yongchang Bo and his wife, she dared not act rashly again.

This was a lesson she learned, which made her realize that an inadvertent change could sometimes bring unpredictable misfortune.

Jiang Si didn't dare to risk his brother's life.

Rather than trying desperately to stop her second brother from swimming in the river on the day he died in her previous life, she would rather follow the trajectory of her previous life and save her second brother at the most critical moment.

She couldn't stay with her second brother all day. Who knew if she stopped him from going on the river trip this time, there would be a next time? Or other unpredictable accidents.

For Jiang Si, at least the time and place of Jiang Zhan's death in his previous life were clear, which was much better than facing the unknown.

However, it is impossible to say that I am not panicking.

It is human nature to be confused when you are concerned.

"Miss, you have become thinner these days. Is it because of the hot weather that you can't eat?" Ah Qiao put a plate of snacks on the table and advised, "I specially made some cold fruit. Please try it."

Ah Qiao is a clever maid with a natural talent for making snacks. A plate of balsam pear with light green powder and covered with finely shredded coconut as fine as frost flowers makes one's appetite increase just by looking at it in such hot weather.

Jiang Si shook his head: "You and Ah Man can eat, just bring me a cup of honey water."

Ah Qiao was about to persuade him again, but seeing that Jiang Si looked serious, she gave up the idea and turned around to get the honey water.

Jiang Si stood up and paced back and forth in the not very spacious room.

This day was the day when my second elder brother and Yang Shengcai, the grandson of the Minister of Rites, went on a river cruise in a painted boat.

Even though he had thought about every detail over and over again and was certain that there was no change in the development of this matter from his previous life, Jiang Si still couldn't let go of his worries until he got any news from Jiang Zhan.

"Girl, girl——" Ah Man ran in from outside, panting.

Just then, Aqiao came over with some honey water. Jiang Si took the honey water and handed it to Aman.

Ah Man drank it all in one gulp, stuffed the empty bowl back into Ah Qiao's hands, and said quickly: "Ah Ji sent a message saying that someone has made an appointment with the Second Young Master to go to Jinshui River for a trip."

Jiang Si bit her lip hard and kicked the small stool at her feet in anger.

She knew that her second brother was the kind of person who only cared about eating and not about being beaten, and sure enough, he got mixed up with Yang Shengcai and his people.

After being angry, I felt a little relieved.

If everything really went as it did in her previous life, then she would have the confidence to save her second brother.

"When will the Second Young Master go?"

"They said they had an appointment for the evening."

Jiang Si pursed her lips. She wanted to go find Jiang Zhan to give him some instructions, but she was worried about causing trouble, so she had to suppress the impulse and told Ah Man to find Lao Qin.

The place where I met Lao Qin was a pavilion connecting the front yard and the back house.

Jiang Si didn't have to wait long before Lao Qin came over, led by Ah Man.

Coming in front of Jiang Si, Lao Qin saluted with his fists and waited for instructions without saying a word.

Lao Qin's attitude made Jiang Si feel at ease.

Sometimes she needs someone as smart as Ah Fei to do things, and sometimes she needs someone like Lao Qin who carries out her orders to the letter.

Since it concerns her brother's life and death, she will not allow any mistakes.

"Old Qin, do you know the Jinshui River?"

Lao Qin shook his head.

He was not from Beijing, and he chose to settle down in Beijing just out of desire. He had never even heard of Jinshui River.

"Then go and find out. I need you to be as familiar with the situation of the Jinshui River as possible and hire a boat to wait for me there." Jiang Si said to Lao Qin.

Lao Qin was not even surprised, and nodded immediately: "Don't worry, girl."

Jiang Si explained some more details, and finally said, "Lao Qin, tonight's matter is very important to me, so please leave it to me."

Lao Qin clasped his fists and said, "I will do my best to complete the task entrusted by the girl."

After separating from Lao Qin, Jiang Si returned to Haitangju and started packing up.

Ah Qiao had a bad feeling and asked tentatively, "Miss, are you going out again?"

Um, why did she use the word "again"?

"Yes, Ah Man and I may be back very late tonight. Ah Qiao, I'll leave the matters in the yard to you. Be especially careful not to let anyone find out that Ah Man and I are not here."

Ah Qiao felt bitter: "Girl——"

This is the third time!

In the end, poor Aqiao did not say a word of persuasion. After sending Jiang Si and Aman away, she silently chanted Amitabha countless times.

If this continues, she will become a Buddhist and a vegetarian.

The banks of the Jinshui River are much quieter during the day. The liveliest time is at night, when the moon is above the treetops, lights are bright, and countless cruise ships and pleasure boats are roaming on the river. The sound of music and laughter can be heard faintly, and the scent of cosmetics is carried to people's noses by the wind.

This is not only the gentle hometown longed for by talented scholars, but also the den of debauchery frequented by the powerful and wealthy. The phrase “the never-sleeping city on the banks of the Jinshui River” is a perfect description of this magnificent scene.

Jiang Si and A Man were both dressed in an inconspicuous manner. They watched quietly as the beautiful pleasure boats docked on the shore gradually lit up their big red lanterns and began to slowly sail into the river.

"Girl." A deep voice sounded, and Lao Qin rocked the boat to the shore.

In addition to the pleasure boats with carved dragons and painted phoenixes, the Jinshui River also has many nimble boats. Some are vendors selling fresh fruits and snacks between the pleasure boats, and others are prostitutes of ordinary looks who are not qualified to board the pleasure boats and use these small boats to do some business of picking up and seeing off people.

It's not just the wealthy who come to Jinshui River for a relaxing stroll.

Lao Qin rowed the boat skillfully, and was inconspicuous among these boats.

Jiang Si and A Man got on the boat.

Ah Man was a little curious: "Lao Qin, I didn't know you could row a boat."

"Yeah." Lao Qin responded simply.

There was a river where he and Ximei grew up as childhood sweethearts. When they were young, they often played in the water with their friends. As for rowing a boat, it was not difficult for him to master it since he had practiced martial arts.

"Girl, what should we do next?" Ah Man was eager to try.

Jiang Si stared straight ahead.

There was a pleasure boat moored there, the most magnificent one in sight.

At this moment, several young men were walking towards the pleasure boat, chatting and laughing. One of them was the one she was most familiar with, and that was her second brother Jiang Zhan.

Ah Man's eyes widened slightly, and he tugged at Jiang Si's sleeves: "Miss, the second young master is here!"

At this point, Jiang Si calmed down and ordered calmly, "Lao Qin, start the boat and follow behind the pleasure boat."

Lao Qin used the oar to clear the waves without saying a word, and the boat quickly merged into the flow of ships coming and going, approaching the pleasure boat.