Chapter 8: The Final Need to See

As Mr. Daling carried the cage and whistled, the birds flew far away. Tong Shi's face fell, and she spat lightly at his back. If she didn't pay attention to everything, relying solely on his behavior, how could the dozen or so people in the main house be so well-fed and well-drinked?

With a heart full of thoughts, she walked towards the West Chamber. Passing by the carp courtyard gate, she saw Miss Jiang Zhi walking in the courtyard with a maid.

She is truly a beauty! The garden is full of flowers, but they can't compare to her graceful and charming figure. Her delicate appearance, as she looked back, made Tong Shi blush and her heart race.

Tong Shi's narrow eyes were fixed on Jiang Zhi, and her mind immediately became active. Her cousin married a wealthy merchant in Nanyang County, and Mr. Wei, the head of the Wei family, was appointed as an official by the court after donating a large sum of money. With the family's wealth, if she could help arrange the marriage between Wei's son and Jiang Zhi, the Wei family would be willing to offer a substantial dowry.

Although the Jiang family is a prestigious family, it is impossible for them to marry into a humble family. However, Jiang Zhi is just a concubine-born and has a weak body, which is not suitable for bearing children. By persuading the old lady and discussing with the Wei family, she could arrange the marriage and also secure a good position for Wei's son. This way, everyone would benefit, and she could also gain favor from the Wei family.

The more Tong Shi thought about it, the more excited she became, and she happily walked back with the box. At this moment, she was in sync with Mr. Daling, wishing to set off immediately and discuss with the old lady.

In the afternoon, the officials of the county government were seeing off the main family at the main gate. The eleventh Miss cried as she held onto Jiang Rou and didn't want to let go.

Jiang Yuan leaned on Mrs. Xu's side, watching Tong Shi's pretentious departure from the slowly moving carriage, and waved goodbye. She gave a faint glance and did not respond.

Tong Shi's deliberate attempt to get close to her made Jiang Rou patiently accompany her in her pretense.

In the evening, the county magistrate returned to the mansion. Instead of going to the concubine's courtyard, he went to see Mrs. Xu in the main house due to some matters.

After dismissing the servants, Mr. Jiang sat close to Mrs. Xu, embracing her shoulders. The warm fragrance on Mrs. Xu's body stirred up some desires in him.

"How are the preparations for the banquet the day after tomorrow? If there are not enough people, you can send for more from the front yard," he said as he removed her hairpin, revealing Mrs. Xu's black hair cascading down. Her short jacket exposed her fair chest, creating a captivating scene.

Blushing, Mrs. Xu, who was not yet thirty, was at the prime of her youth, charming and virtuous, which was why the county magistrate held her in high regard.

"Are the young masters and misses from the mansion going to attend?" Mr. Jiang asked.

The eldest son, Jiang Nan, the second son, Jiang Yu, and the third son, Jiang Guo, were all studying at Xiangshan Academy in the western part of Taolong County. They only returned home for three to five days a month, and at this moment, they were not at home.

If the eldest son returned, several servants would need to be sent to welcome him. Mrs. Xu would have to arrange for someone to go to Xiangshan Academy to bring him back. There were also some other trivial matters that needed to be taken care of by the young misses, all of which had to be arranged in advance.

As Mr. Jiang embraced her, he slowly unfastened his belt and made a decision regarding the quiet nature of the eldest son.

"The eldest son has not announced his return. Although we cannot welcome him with great fanfare, we must be courteous. Tomorrow, go to the academy to bring him back, find an excuse, and do not reveal the eldest son's whereabouts. In addition, the young misses in the family should follow the rules, pay their respects, and then have their meals served in the back hall."

Mrs. Xu nodded and untied his waistband. In the quiet room, a romantic atmosphere filled the air.

The next morning, Jiang Yuan went to the main house to pay her respects to Mrs. Xu. Upon hearing about the arrangements, she couldn't help but feel a flutter in her heart.

"Madam, are the visitors high-ranking officials or inspectors?" she asked.

Taolong County had seven counties under its jurisdiction, and the highest-ranking local officials were the county magistrate, the inspector, and the inspector-general, each responsible for local administration, military affairs, and supervision.

Coincidentally, the inspector-general of Taolong County had been a classmate of Mr. Jiang when he was young. After entering officialdom, he had been stationed in Taolong County, and the two families had frequent interactions and mutual assistance. Both were also under the patronage of the Zongzheng family, and the second branch of the Jiang family had a good relationship with the inspector-general's family.

So Jiang Yuan, filled with hope, had never anticipated the arrival of the inspector-general, even if it was an ordinary official from the county magistrate's mansion.

Mrs. Xu smiled and picked up a crystal ball with her chopsticks, then asked Miaoe to serve a bowl of black-bone chicken soup to the young ladies. Her gaze swept over the seated individuals, revealing a hint of severity.

"The identity of the distinguished guest is not to be taken lightly, even if it is an official. Remember to be cautious in your words and actions, and do not cause any trouble for the county magistrate's mansion."

After reminding Jiang Zhi, Jiang Rou nodded obediently, and Jiang Ran also responded, "Yes," before picking up the bowl of chicken soup and savoring it.

A very distinguished guest... Jiang Yuan's eyes drooped, and her heart beat faster and faster.

When she had just inquired about the guest's identity, the fleeting expression on Mrs. Xu's face was so familiar to her! It was a look of reminiscence.

In the area of Tailong County, those with extraordinary status and unfamiliar to her, who can also leave an impression on the Xus... Recently, the only person who fits this description is the encounter with the passerby at the Cian Temple, which did not go as Jiang Yuan had hoped.

Just now, the Xus admonished her not to cause trouble for the county magistrate's mansion. If they find out that she has already overstepped her bounds, will they punish her by making her kneel in the ancestral hall and be beaten with a board?

For the first time, Jiang Yuan felt a sense of resignation. Since crossing over, she has always been obedient and well-behaved. However, due to her ill-fated encounter, she has stumbled upon a huge trouble.

"Miss, Miss?" Lv Fu gently touched her arm, feeling that the seventh miss seemed absent-minded since returning from the upper room.

"If you're tired, why not rest in the room for a while? The sun is strong right now, and even under the shade of the trees, it's not cool," Lv Fu suggested.

Jiang Yuan leaned back, sitting on the swing under the old locust tree in the southern part of the courtyard, leisurely swinging her legs.

The creaking of the swing made by the hemp rope echoed as it swayed.

The lush old locust tree cast dappled shadows, making her feel comfortably warm. The vines climbing the wall intertwined and spread, providing a canopy of green shade. The flowerbed below was adorned with blooming hydrangeas and the faint fragrance of roses.

What a beautiful season, yet she was filled with worries that she couldn't express.

Well, there's no escaping it, is there? "Fine, I'll go back to the room and rest for a while." Dragging her trailing skirt, the seventh miss of the Jiang family comforted herself: even if her secret is discovered, she'll just consider it as taking on a case, nothing serious...

Perhaps seeing someone tomorrow will bring a sense of relief, like the settling of dust, and she can plan for the future more decisively.