The greatest stroke of luck was that her maternal grandfather could still be saved. As long as he received proper care, took his medicine on time and underwent regular acupuncture sessions, this was already the best possible outcome amid all the misfortune.
It was a good thing that the original owner had pored over medical texts since childhood, could identify medicinal herbs, understood their properties, and even knew a bit of acupuncture. Otherwise, she would not have had a proper way to step in and save a life.
"Miss, shall we head back to Bamboo Sound Courtyard now? Dinner should be all prepared. You just woke up and your body is still weak, would you like to return to your courtyard to rest first and have some food?"
Chuntao followed behind Jiang Yanyan, her steps light and her voice soft and gentle, brimming with concern.
Jiang Yanyan nodded. The evening breeze brushed against her plain-coloured ruqun, and the simple silver hairpin at her temple swayed slightly. She lifted her eyes to glance in the direction of the main courtyard, where candlelight was still burning brightly. Her mother was surely still by her grandfather's side, and had no time to spare for anything else.
"Let's head back to the courtyard. First, go over to Chunxi Hall to pick up Xiao'er, then have the servants gather his clothes and daily necessities, and tidy up the east wing in my courtyard so that Xiao'er can stay there for the time being."
Chuntao quickly responded, "Yes, Miss, this servant will go take care of it right away."
She knew that the entire residence was in chaos now. After what had happened to Auntie Liu and Doctor Wang, the young master was still so young, it was truly not safe for him to live alone. The eldest young mistress's arrangement was clearly meant to protect the little boy.
Jiang Yanyan waved Chuntao off to get busy, then walked slowly towards her own courtyard with Chunxing by her side.
Once back in the courtyard, Jiang Yanyan sat down on the pearwood chair. Chunxing hurried over to pour her a cup of warm water, then gently massaged her shoulders quietly, not daring to say a word.
Holding the warm teacup in her hand, Jiang Yanyan's mind was racing with thoughts.
Her maternal grandfather had temporarily pulled through the danger, but the severe poison in his body had not yet been fully purged. There was a traitor in the army, her father had died in battle, the Jing Kingdom's forces were pressing in at the border, and Prince Yong Murong Xun was eyeing them covetously. The City Lord's Manor was now beset with troubles internally and externally, every step was fraught with peril.
The original owner and her younger brother were the only remaining younger generation of the Jiang family, which naturally made them the easiest targets for others to exploit. Only by keeping Xiao'er close by her side could she ensure his absolute safety.
Before long, soft footsteps were heard outside the courtyard. Chunxing looked up, bowed and said, "Miss, the people from the small kitchen are here to ask, dinner is all ready, shall we serve it now?"
Jiang Yanyan raised her eyes and said calmly, "Wait a little longer. Xiao'er will be here soon."
"Yes." Chunxing acknowledged the order and stepped back to pass the message to the servants.
In less than half an incense stick's burning time, Chuntao's voice came from outside the courtyard gate, mixed with a soft, childish voice.
Jiang Yanyan looked up and saw Chuntao leading Jiang Xiao in. The six-year-old was dressed in plain clothing, his hair tied up with a simple jade hairpin.
His round little face still carried traces of baby fat, and his features bore a strong resemblance to Jiang Yanyan's. But the pair of eyes that should have been lively and bright now looked listless, devoid of their usual cheer.
After all, he had just gone through the successive shocks of his father's death in battle and his grandfather falling unconscious. Even a child could tell that something terrible had happened in the manor, and the fear had drained the light out of him.
When Jiang Xiao saw Jiang Yanyan, he paused in his steps and called out softly, "Sister."
Jiang Yanyan had no resistance to such a cute little boy. She waved him over, her tone softening noticeably, "Xiao'er, come here, to your sister."
Jiang Xiao walked over to her in small steps. Jiang Yanyan reached out and stroked his head, her fingers brushing against his soft hair. She could feel the child's body trembling slightly, he had clearly been badly frightened. "Don't be afraid. Sister is here."
Her voice was not particularly soft, yet it carried an inexplicable, calming power. Jiang Xiao looked up at her, nodded, and gently curled his small hand around the sleeve of her dress.
Just at that moment, Chunxing walked in with several young maids carrying dinner. All the dishes were vegetarian, as the entire household was observing mourning customs.
Several plates of freshly stir-fried seasonal vegetables, a bowl of multigrain rice, and a pot of light mushroom soup were laid out one by one on the dining table in the main hall. The meal was simple, yet exquisitely prepared.
"Sister, eat," Jiang Xiao said softly, tilting his little face up toward her.
Jiang Yanyan led him over to the dining table, pressed his shoulder gently to get him to sit down, and said, "Alright, Xiao'er, go ahead and eat first. Eat more, so you'll have strength."
Jiang Xiao picked up the small wooden chopsticks, lowered his head to nibble at the multigrain rice in his bowl, eating in tiny little bites. Occasionally he would pick up a mouthful of green vegetables, but he looked rather listless, a far cry from the rambunctious, chattering little boy in the original owner's memories.
Jiang Yanyan sat beside him, watching him eat while she herself ate a little casually. Her gaze never left him, and seeing that his complexion was still rosy, she felt a little relieved.
The entire dinner passed quietly, with only the faint clink of chopsticks and bowls breaking the silence.
After they finished their meal, the maids stepped forward to clear away the dishes and chopsticks. Chunxing brought over warm water for the two of them to wash their hands, then Jiang Yanyan led Jiang Xiao over to the soft couch at the side and had him sit down. "Xiao'er, stretch out your hand, let Sister take your pulse."
Jiang Xiao looked a little confused, but he still obediently held out his small hand, his chubby wrist resting on the armrest of the soft couch, his little body sitting perfectly straight.
Jiang Yanyan placed her fingertips on his pulse, feeling the steady, strong beat under her pads. His pulse was even and calm, showing no signs of poisoning or any other discomfort at all. It was then that she finally relaxed completely.
She had long expected this result. Auntie Liu and Doctor Wang had joined forces to poison her maternal grandfather, and had administered a slow-acting poison to the original owner, all for the sake of Lord Mo Yun's military power.
As for Xiao'er, this six-year-old child, in their eyes he was nothing more than a fish on the chopping block. Once the original owner and her grandfather were dead, and Jiang Yanyan's mother, who already had a weak constitution, was dealt with too, they could just make a few minor arrangements, and no one would suspect a thing.
By then, no one would be there to protect a six-year-old child, and it would be all too easy for "accidents" to happen to him.
It is easy to fend off a spear attack in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow shot from the shadows. Right now, this residence is full of hidden rot, no one knows how many eyes and ears belonging to others are lurking around. They could not afford to be the slightest bit careless.
Jiang Yanyan withdrew her hand, ruffled Jiang Xiao's hair gently, and smiled. "It's nothing, Xiao'er, your body is in pretty good shape."
Jiang Xiao nodded as if he half-understood what she meant, his small hand still clinging tightly to her sleeve, refusing to let go.
Just then, Chuntao and Chunxing walked in together, bowed, and reported to Jiang Yanyan:
"Miss, the East Side Chamber has been fully tidied up. The bedding and all the furnishings have been replaced with new ones. The young master's clothing and all his daily necessities have been moved there too. We have also arranged two quick, deft young maids to take turns standing guard outside the outer room, ready to wait on him at any time."
Jiang Yanyan nodded, turned her gaze to Jiang Xiao, and said gently, "Xiao'er, these next few days you will stay in the East Side Chamber. Chuntao will stay with you. If anything happens at night, just call Chuntao, or send someone to fetch Sister, okay?"
Jiang Xiao glanced in the direction of the East Side Chamber, then looked back at Jiang Yanyan, and said in a small voice, "Sister, can I sleep with you? I'm scared."
The child's voice held a hint of grievance and timidness, tugging right at people's heartstrings.
Jiang Yanyan reached out, pulled him into her embrace, and patted his back gently.
"There, there. The east side chamber is just next door, and I'll be in the main hall right nearby. Chuntao will stay with you too, so there's nothing to be afraid of."
Jiang Xiao was a little reluctant, but he knew his older sister had her own matters to attend to. He could only nod and reply softly, "Alright."
Chuntao stepped forward and took Jiang Xiao's hand. "Young Master, let me lead you to rest. Hot water is all ready for you."
Jiang Xiao glanced back at Jiang Yanyan, then followed Chuntao toward the east side chamber. His small, slight figure looked exceptionally frail under the glow of the plain paper lantern.
