Chapter 84.1 - Return to the Fu (Part I) (1/2)

The floods and the resulting damage caused much stress and exhaustion for the people in the capital city, especially as the spring rains continued to fall ceaselessly. However, the continual efforts in the past few days of Eighth Prince and Second Young Master of the Grand Councillor’s fu to manage the water level were beginning to show preliminary results. Added to this, more and more people had joined the group distributing congee, so the situation had somewhat stabilised. The capital city gradually resumed its usual sense of order.

For instance, this afternoon, the Guan family troops had returned to the capital in triumph from the border, earlier than expected. The orderly mass of solemn-looking troops covered almost the entire capital; they were led by the daring and energetic, tall and powerful, Guan Liang Han. Riding abreast of him was an extremely handsome young man. Although a military man, he did not appear crude and boorish. On the contrary, he had the air and grace associated with a younger member of the nobility, but he was unfamiliar to many. At the rear of the troops came a horse carriage, but no one knew what manner of person sat within.

The Zhao uncle and nephew, together with Xiao Shao, had already left. Jiang Xin Zhi heeded Jiang Ruan’s advice and rode around the capital. He did not think much of it; he simply thought that Jiang Ruan, being a young girl, just wanted to show off. Jiang Ruan sat in the carriage while Lian Qiao surreptitiously pulled aside a corner of the curtain to peep outside. She exclaimed in surprise, “Eldest Young Master is really awe-inspiring; the people are all looking at him.”

Bai Zhi also smiled as she said, “Now that Eldest Young Master is back, only happy days will follow Miss from now on.”

Lian Qiao rolled her eyes and a crafty expression flashed across her face. “That person in Yan Hua Yuan will be so angry that she’ll kick up a terrific fuss.”

Jiang Ruan smiled faintly but declined to comment. When Xia Yan saw Jiang Xin Zhi returning intact, she would not merely be angry. This matter would not be concluded so easily. However, if she really wanted to scheme against Jiang Xin Zhi, then she should not imagine that she would herself leave this game unscathed. As for Xuan Li and Li An, she had a big gift for them in the future.

At present, Jiang Xin Zhi was a young man who showed great promise. Looking at his bearing as well as that of Guan Liang Han, it was easy for people to guess that he was the Deputy General who had risen internally through the ranks due to his military achievements, but they had never expected him to be so young. Many of the young ladies and married women who were lining the streets blushed as they tossed silk flowers onto his horse. Jiang Xin Zhi concealed a smile. After so many years of experience, his self-control was excellent. At first glance, he looked just like a confident scholar.

Among the onlookers were also furens and young ladies from the families of government officials. When they witnessed this scene, they started making inquiries as to the identity of this Deputy General. It was at this time that some unknown person in the crowd suddenly yelled, “Isn’t he Eldest Young Master from Minister Jiang’s fu? I heard he joined the army five years ago; never imagined that he would return to the capital with military accolades!”

One pebble can stir up a thousand waves. As soon as this remark was uttered, everyone began to comment.

“I was just saying that he looked familiar, and it turns out that he is the eldest son of the Jiang family. Tsk, since there’s been no news of him for so many years, for him to appear today must be cause for great pride and elation.”

“So it turns out that the Jiang family has this eldest young master, but it seems like I’ve never heard the people in the Jiang family talk about him.”

“Eh? What’s there not to understand about this situation? Right now, the stepmother is the one calling the shots in the Jiang family. When all is said and done, he is not her flesh and blood. Wasn’t there also no news about Eldest Jiang Miss for five years or so? On thinking about it, I’m afraid that Eldest Young Master Jiang did not leave home voluntarily at the time.”

“In the end, everything is all good. Eldest Young Master Jiang has achieved military merit, and Eldest Jiang Miss is as precious and beautiful as jade[1]. In comparison with Second Young Master, Eldest Young Master Jiang’s prospects are much better. I have no idea what Minister Jiang was thinking about, favouring that Second Young Master over such an outstanding Eldest Young Master.”

[1] Yu ( 玉 ) – jade symbolises beauty, grace, and purity. According to this article, Confucius said that there are 11 virtues represented in jade – benevolence, justice, propriety, truth, credibility, music, loyalty, heaven, earth, morality, and intelligence.

“You don’t understand the situation. What good is there to say about men always spoiling their mistresses and neglecting their wives. When the former mistress of the household was still around, the current Jiang Furen was just a concubine.”

Tongues were wagging fast and furiously in the crowd and all manner of things were being said. Most of the comments were in praise of Jiang Xin Zhi and his sister, while disparaging Xia Yan’s family. In the carriage, Jiang Ruan smiled faintly to herself. Trampling on those who had fallen while flattering those held in high esteem was always the tendency of the people. At present, Jiang Xin Zhi was a young man who showed great promise, and the prospects of his official career were good. Naturally, the air would ring with praise and accolades. Moreover, the more outstanding he showed himself to be, the more incapable Jiang Chao would seem.

* * *

In Yan Hua Yuan, Xia Yan was slowly sipping her tea as she reclined on the soft couch. Today, she had made arrangements to take care of the one thing that she was concerned about. Given the combined efforts of the Xia and Li families, she had no cause to believe that Jiang Xin Zhi could escape this calamity. She pursed her lips as she swallowed a sip of tea; just like that, Jiang Xin Zhi would die. As for Jiang Ruan, she had nothing to worry about. When she had time, she would tidy up that loose end as well. However, for some unknown reason, when she had woken up early that morning, she had felt a faint sense of unease, which was reflected in the slight fretfulness that tinged her expression without her realising it.

Upon seeing this, Fei Cui said, consolingly, “Furen does not need to be anxious, this endeavour will not fail. We simply have to wait for the good news.”