Suspect
When the two arrived at the general's mansion, panting, they found the gate tightly closed, and the shadows of the two large red lanterns hanging from the beams swayed slightly.
Because she had run too fast, Xia Zhi asked in a low voice, panting, "Miss, what should we do now? It's already curfew."
Jiang Yi used her palm as a fan to calm her breathing, and looked up at the dark gate. "Don't panic, there must be a way to get in. We can always climb over the wall."
After saying that, she told Xia Zhi to wait where she was, and then she tiptoed up the steps. First, she put her ear to the door to listen for any movement inside, and then she gently knocked on the door knocker twice. After waiting for a while without any response, she pushed the door open as if by some strange impulse. Originally, she just wanted to peek inside through the crack in the door, but who would have thought that she would push it open like that.
The door wasn't locked!
Jiang Yi was overjoyed and immediately turned around to wave frantically at Xia Zhi, signaling her to come up quickly. The two tiptoed through the corridor, carefully avoiding the servants patrolling in the middle of the night, and ran all the way to Luoying Courtyard.
When Jiang Yi saw the courtyard gate, she finally felt relieved. Thank goodness, she wouldn't have to be punished.
After the wooden door was pushed open, a scream rang out in the yard.
Xia Zhi, who was following behind, didn't know what was happening. With her eyes closed and mouth wide open, she also let out a howl.
He Lin's eyelids twitched several times. He strode over, covered Jiang Yi's mouth, and whispered, "Shut up! Do you want to call someone over?"
Jiang Yi blinked and nodded vigorously, and He Lin slowly released her.
Xia Zhi was still in shock when she saw who it was, and quickly bowed: "Young Master."
"He Lin, what are you doing standing at the door in the middle of the night? You scared me to death!"
As Jiang Yi spoke, she put her arm behind her back and gestured to Xia Zhi to go first. Xia Zhi looked at the two of them and saw that He Lin did not show any displeasure, so she took a few steps and jogged back to her room.
"Where have you been? Why are you so late?"
"I...I went to the night market."
He Lin stared at her intently for a few seconds, then let out a soft snort, clearly not believing her nonsense, and turned to leave without hesitation.
Jiang Yi quickly caught up with him, and said with a shameless grin, "You still haven't answered me! What are you doing here in the middle of the night? Did you wait for me to come back?"
He Lin turned around abruptly, and Jiang Yi almost bumped into him. She quickly stood up straight and took a small step back.
"How did you get in if I wasn't here?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Why do you think the guards at the gate weren't here tonight? Do you know how long Ziyu waited to open the gate for you?"
"I..." Jiang Yi knew she was in the wrong, so she could only retort softly, "Who told your General's Mansion to break so many rules!"
The night market on the long street was brightly lit and bustling with activity. The fun and interesting things were just beginning, while the General's Mansion was about to close its doors and go to sleep under curfew. Just in this respect, you probably couldn't find many places like this in the capital!
He Lin narrowed his eyes. "What did you say?"
"Haha, it's nothing, it's nothing. In that case, I'll thank Gu Ziyu properly tomorrow?"
He Lin felt a sudden surge of displeasure and frowned as he asked, "Why are you thanking him?"
Jiang Yi appeared innocent, but deliberately said, "You said he waited a long time to open the door for me, so it's only right that I thank him."
He Lin pursed his lips, and after a second or two, he managed to squeeze out three words: "Whatever."
He turned and left after saying that. Jiang Yi suppressed a laugh and followed behind, adding, "I thank you too!"
Ever since that night when she confessed her feelings to He Lin, whenever they met or were in the same space, Jiang Yi felt that something had subtly changed. She could sense this change, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. It wasn't awkwardness or anything like that, so she would intentionally or unintentionally try to probe his true feelings. However, He Lin's defenses were too strong, and she hadn't found an opportunity until tonight. Was she finally able to catch a glimpse of it? Progress! Keep it up!
Little brat, she'll win you over sooner or later!
Back in the room, He Lin saw her take off her hairband and spoke first: "You went to a brothel dressed like this?"
"Huh? How did you know?"
Jiang Yi had mentioned "Mirror Flower Water Moon" to He Lin more than once or twice, knowing that she was very curious about that place. Judging from her men's attire, she could guess what it was about, but she didn't expect that Jiang Yi was so bold as to actually go in and wander around.
He Lin didn't answer the question, but simply said, "Why would a woman like you want to go to a place like that?"
Jiang Yi combed her smooth, long hair and replied, "I'm curious, aren't you curious?"
"Not curious."
"Oh, have you been there?"
He Lin countered, "What do you think?"
Jiang Yi nodded with great satisfaction, a big smile curving her lips: "So you haven't been there, what a pity! There's a flying performance inside. But keep it up in the future, don't go to those brothels. A good man is one who can resist temptation! You're different from those scumbags, I believe in you!"
He Lin: "..."
This person's rambling on was just to warn him against going to brothels. From what she's saying, he can't go, but she can go if she changes into men's clothing? What kind of twisted logic is that…
·
The weather has been getting colder and colder lately, and the autumn wind stings my face.
Everything in the General's Mansion was managed by the First Madam. After a period of getting along without offending each other, Jiang Yi felt that He Lin was right. Qi Shuangyun was still a conscientious person. Charcoal, clothing, food and other necessities were distributed according to the rules, and they were not deducted at all.
Aside from the time He Wei was at home and his disagreements with Su Tong, he didn't make things difficult for her otherwise, and would act as if she didn't exist whenever they met.
To be fair, Qi Shuangyun definitely harbored resentment towards Su Tong, but she also possessed the pride of the eldest princess of Liang and the first wife of the general's mansion. She disdained to resort to the underhanded tricks of the inner quarters. Moreover, having grown up in the palace, she was accustomed to the ways women vied for favor. If she were to truly target Su Tong, He Lin and his mother would certainly not have an easy time.
Aside from her arrogant and sarcastic manner, which made her somewhat annoying, Qi Shuangyun was not a bad person at heart; she was not a wicked woman with a belly full of evil intentions.
With the winter solstice approaching, Su Tong had two thick outfits made for Jiang Yixin, one light purple and the other light pink. They were extremely beautiful, and Jiang Yixin loved them dearly. She had been wearing them for the past few days and didn't even want to take off her outer cloak.
Su Tong is a good mother-in-law in every way, except for one thing: she sends people to Luoying Courtyard every day to deliver all kinds of nourishing soups, which Jiang Yi and He Lin both want to drink. She even has her personal maid, Qinglian, watch over them to make sure they finish drinking them. It's not hard to see what she's thinking; she can't wait to hold her grandson...
Unfortunately, even though they shared a room, they slept in separate beds. Even if they ate ginseng as their main food, nothing would cross the line.
Jiang Yi couldn't help but sigh, "Wealthy families are different. All kinds of ginseng soup are delivered to us like they're free, every day at the same time, without fail."
However, even the strongest body would eventually give out if this method of supplementation were followed.
Once, after drinking a nourishing soup, Jiang Yi suddenly had a nosebleed. It was the first time in her life that she had such a nosebleed; it was no exaggeration to say that the blood flowed like a fountain. Her newly made clothes were covered in blood, which terrified her. Later, after the doctor took her pulse, he found out that she was too weak to tolerate the tonics and had overdone it!
After learning about this, Su Tong felt extremely guilty and remorseful. She consulted the doctor about nutritional balance and finally changed her daily ginseng soup to only drink it every few days.
Jiang Yi was quite happy. Her appetite had become rather spoiled lately. She loved things like donkey-hide gelatin and red date black chicken soup, yam and poria pigeon soup, and the Ten-Ingredient Tonic Soup. If they were really gone, she would definitely miss the taste. Fortunately, she could still enjoy them every few days! What's a few drops of blood? It's not a loss at all!
When He Lin came out of the study to get some fresh air, he bumped into Jiang Yi tiptoeing out of the house. She couldn't stay still again. Seeing that she had changed into men's clothing, he knew without asking where she was going.
"If the First Madam catches you, do you know what the consequences will be?"
Jiang Yi quickly ran over, put her index finger to her lips: "Shh, keep your voice down! You told me it was just getting a beating, I know."
He Lin raised an eyebrow: "Then are you still going?"
"Don't worry, I heard that the First Madam went to the palace today and will probably stay for a meal, so I should be fine if I go and come back quickly."
He Lin stared at her without saying a word, making Jiang Yi feel uneasy all over. What kind of look was that? It was full of inquiry, like he was looking at a monster.
Jiang Yi looked herself up and down. Thankfully, she hadn't put her clothes on backwards; it was just an ordinary men's outfit.
"I'm leaving?"
He Lin remained silent, staring intently at her as if he wanted to see right through her.
Jiang Yi was completely baffled. Had she provoked him today? Had he taken the wrong medicine? Time was of the essence, and it was getting dark. She didn't dwell on He Lin's strange behavior, called out to Xia Zhi, and the two of them headed towards the courtyard gate.
Halfway there, Jiang Yi suddenly turned to him and said, "Hey He Lin, if I come back late, could you please—no, could you please have Gu Ziyu open the door for me? Thank you!"
After saying that, he disappeared without a trace.
He Lin stood there, watching her disappearing figure, lost in thought. Gu Ziyu walked up from behind and called out softly, "Young Master."
"You said her personality has changed."
Gu Ziyu composed himself, frowning as he replied, "Yes, I went to the Jiang residence to confirm, and I also asked the servants. They all said that Miss Jiang was born to a concubine in the household, and that she has always been gentle and weak-willed, and has never been favored by Master Jiang, and has hardly ever left the Jiang residence..."
He paused here, seemingly hesitant about whether to continue.
He Lin's eyelashes trembled slightly, and he said coldly, "Continue."
“Young master, I feel that the young mistress is not quite the Miss Jiang they are talking about.”
He Lin snorted lightly. It wasn't just different; they were practically two different people.
He Lin couldn't remember when he first noticed that Jiang Yi was acting strangely. At first, he just felt a little odd. This person's behavior was too bold, unlike that of an ordinary woman, especially a concubine's daughter who was suppressed at home.
Later, Jiang Yi's unintentional remark awakened He Lin, who froze as if struck by lightning. However, Jiang Yi had already run away and did not notice his abnormality.
On the night Jiang Yi confessed her feelings to him, she said "where we are." What exactly did she mean by "where"? "Pursuing" means liking someone and wanting to be together. What kind of rule or code is this?
Unheard of.
She could say to the Crown Prince that Qi Junxu wanted to harm him. Without any evidence, how did she know?
Or to put it another way, who exactly is she?
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