Speaking of this, Chu Ruolan lowered her head. "What else could it be? It's all because that dead fish is from a military family... You know, there aren't many men left in their family. Now, my eldest brother-in-law—his third brother—has led troops to the front. My mother is afraid that one day I might end up like the women in his family, waiting for a husband who never returns... Ugh, I don't mean my eldest brother-in-law! What I mean is—"
She racked her brains but couldn't find the right words, finally saying, "Elder Sister, don't blame me for being clumsy with words. My eldest brother-in-law is heroic and mighty; he will surely return triumphantly!"
Chu Ruoyan thought of the Yan Family.
Of five sons, only two had returned. The Grand General and his wife had died on the battlefield.
Putting herself in their shoes, if she had a daughter, she wouldn't want her to marry into such a family either...
That wasn't just hardship; it was torment, a constant, day-and-night anxiety.
"Third Sister, Auntie hopes you can find a stable family, so you don't have to live in constant fear. You..."
"What good is a stable family if I don't like him? We'd just end up resenting the sight of each other!" Chu Ruolan said earnestly. "Elder Sister, I know you and my mother mean well for me, but only I truly know what's good for me! I've thought it through clearly. If that dead fish goes to the battlefield and, like his brothers, serves the country..."
Her voice choked slightly, unable to utter that inauspicious word.
A smile then bloomed on the young girl's face. "When that time comes, I'll go to his grave and keep him company! If we have a child, I'll raise the child. If not, I'll adopt one. With you here, Elder Sister, I won't have to worry. And if one day I stop liking him and fancy someone else, well, we'll cross that bridge then. We only live once; I refuse to constrain myself!"
Seeing her so open-minded, Chu Ruoyan felt relieved and said, "Alright, I'll think of a way to handle this matter later. You should go see Sixth Brother now; he's probably waiting for you too."
A blush flew to Chu Ruolan's cheeks. "Thank you, Elder Sister!"
The girl finished speaking and hopped off the carriage, her impulsive manner making Chu Ruoyan shake her head.
Jiang Residence.
Having heard she was coming, Old Master Jiang had been waiting early in the main hall. "Yan'er is here? Your mother was most worried about your illness before she passed. Looking at your complexion now, you should be fine, right?"
Chu Ruoyan first curtsied, then said, "Thank you for your concern, Grandfather. After marrying Yan Zheng, some things happened, and now it can be considered a blessing in disguise."
Hearing this, Old Master Jiang grinned from ear to ear. "Good, good. It's good that you're fine. Your mother can rest in peace now."
After the grandfather and granddaughter chatted for a while, Chu Ruoyan, seeing he was in a good mood, cautiously broached the subject. "By the way, Grandfather, how is Cousin Huaian doing now?"
The old master's face darkened. "Don't mention that rascal! I had already relented, but then the scoundrel turned around and moved out, chasing after your second sister to some female accountant's house. Because of this, your eldest uncle and your second aunt haven't stopped nagging in my ear; I've got calluses from listening!"
"Grandfather, please don't blame Yan'er for speaking out of turn, but you handled Cousin Huaian's matter a bit too... decisively..."
Old Master Jiang shot her a glance. "You mean 'arbitrarily,' not 'decisively,' don't you? Yan'er, Grandfather knows you're also here to plead for your sister and cousin. But I can indulge you in anything else, except anything related to the Murong Family!" He gave a cold, low laugh. "The sins their family has committed are far more than just this one. And you are the one who should most—"
He abruptly stopped speaking. Chu Ruoyan's heart gave a violent thump.
Should most what?
Should most be the one who doesn't forgive their family?
She had a feeling her grandfather probably also knew something about what happened back then. Just as she was about to ask further, she saw the old man wave his hand. "Alright, I'm tired. In short, anything else is negotiable, but this matter is not up for discussion. You may go."
With things put so bluntly, there was no room for maneuver.
Chu Ruoyan had no choice but to leave the Jiang Residence first and go to find her second sister at the location Chu Ruolan mentioned.
By the time she arrived, it was already evening. The courtyard gate wasn't locked, and she could see inside at a glance.
"Heavens, how can this place be so small? And this fishy smell, how can Second Young Lady stand it?" Yulu exclaimed in a low voice.
Chu Ruoyan glanced at her, left her outside, and walked in alone.
In the main room, Chu Ruoyin, dressed in plain clothes with her hair simply tied up, sat beside a candle, swiftly flicking the beads on an abacus, calculating something.
Her gaze was focused, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously lifted.
It seemed to be the first time in many days she had smiled so lightly and freely.
Chu Ruoyan felt reassured and patiently waited for her to finish the book in her hands before clearing her throat softly.
"Elder Sister? How did you get here!" Chu Ruoyin was both surprised and delighted, hurriedly coming forward. "Please sit, let me pour you some tea!"
She turned to pick up the teapot, but upon touching it, found the water was already cold.
So she called outside, "Cousin Huaian! Could you please boil another pot of hot water?"
Jiang Huaian acknowledged. Not long after, he came in carrying a water kettle.
He was also dressed in coarse linen, his hands and face dirty, as if he had just done heavy labor...
When he saw Chu Ruoyan, the corners of his lips curved. Only within his gentle smile could one faintly glimpse a trace of his former elegance. "Cousin Ruoyan, please excuse the mess. We just moved here not long ago, and there are many chores. In a couple of days, once things are settled, I'll go out to find work. I definitely won't let Ruoyin work so hard."
Before Chu Ruoyan could say anything, Chu Ruoyin spoke first. "Cousin, you jest. These past few days, you've been busy helping me. Once this busy period is over, you should return. The Jiang family's vast business cannot manage without you."
The smile on Jiang Huaian's face stiffened. Chu Ruoyan quickly said, "Cousin Huaian, I have something to discuss. Could you come outside for a moment?"
He took a deep look at Chu Ruoyin and walked into the courtyard. Chu Ruoyan then repeated what Madam Jiang had told her during the day.
Jiang Huaian was overjoyed. "Is this true? As long as the Prince of Qin severs ties with Ruoyin, Grandfather... Grandfather will agree to let Ruoyin enter the residence?"
"You know Grandfather's temper, don't you? He always keeps his word and has never gone back on it. So..."
"Don't worry. I will return to the Jiang Residence tomorrow and will definitely perform well in front of Grandfather, making him willingly accept Ruoyin!"
Seeing his determined and hopeful expression, Chu Ruoyan couldn't bring herself to voice her concerns.
Grandfather's condition was for Ruoyin to draw a clear line with the Prince of Qin. But when the Prince of Qin returns, will things still be the same as now?
She shook her head and went back inside, keeping her second sister company for a while before leaving.
When she left, she quietly left some silver behind. Yulu couldn't help but say, "Miss, Second Young Lady and the young master cousin have it so hard. Not only do they live in a place like this, they don't even have a single servant to attend to them!"
Chu Ruoyan reached out and poked her forehead. "You've really been in the Duke's Mansion for too long. Having no servants counts as hardship?"
Yulu pouted, then heard her own mistress sigh deeply. "But one thing you said isn't wrong. Second Sister has suffered too much these years. I only hope she, the Prince of Qin, and Cousin can have a good outcome and stop tormenting each other."
Late at night, on the official road.
The troops marching south were still pressing on.
Yan Zheng was riding on horseback when Meng Yang suddenly handed over a secret letter. "Young Master, an urgent dispatch, eight hundred li express!"
He opened it, and his expression changed drastically. "Someone! Deliver this secret letter to the Duke of Chu with all haste! Quickly!"
Old Xu leaned in for a look and remarked, "Hah, the methods of those southern barbarians are truly vicious! But the Duke of Chu alone may not be enough; we'll likely need to ask the Madam for her assistance, won't we?"
