The Double-Chapter 484 - 151 Accident_7

People revered him, looked up to him, feared him, depended on him. Over time, even he had forgotten that he was merely human.

Aside from the Hidden Guard, over the decades, it seems no one had ever spoken to him about protection, including his own family. What he needed was to grow and become stronger, not to show any weakness.

But... Jiang Li spoke of all this as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Jih Heng closed his fan and ceased to ponder further.

There seemed to be still the warmth of her cloak on him.

...

That night, in the end, it was Zhao Ke who escorted Jiang Li back to the Jiang Residence. Just like when they left, they took the "back door" unnoticed.

The next day, Jiang Li, having been up late at the Duke Residence the night before, got up a bit later than usual. Tonger even joked, "Miss, you slept so long last night, it’s rare for you to sleep so well. There’s been the sound of firecrackers everywhere outside, I woke up at the crow of the rooster and just couldn’t fall back asleep, tossing and turning in bed."

Bai Xue and Tonger were completely unaware that Jiang Li hadn’t been in the residence last night, but at the Duke Residence, even roasting venison with Old General Jih and his group.

However, if she were to tell them, it would truly be astonishing and outrageous. Others might even think she was talking in her sleep. After all, slipping out in the middle of the night to the Duke Residence to drink and feast with a group of people she wasn’t very familiar with, really didn’t seem like something the young lady of a prominent family would do, let alone any girl from a respectable family, who likely wouldn’t have the courage to do so.

Jiang Li shook her head and, for some reason, felt a bit amused. It was strange, now her status was far higher than when she was "Madam Shen," and logically, there should be more rules to observe. Yet, in reality, she felt freer than before, showing that sometimes status isn’t the reason one’s true nature is restrained—it is the people themselves.

This time, she was actually quite glad about it.

Bai Xue said, "Miss, we should go and pay our respects to the old madam."

During the New Year period, paying respects to Madam Jiang the Elder each morning was indispensable. Perhaps she too hoped to take this opportunity to mend her relationship with Jiang Li, and was always kind to Jiang Li, but this excessive kindness made Jiang Li somewhat uncomfortable.

She replied, "Alright."

Upon arriving at Night Wind Hall, they saw Madam Jiang the Elder sitting in the main hall, with Jiang Bingji being coaxed by his wet nurse to sit on a stool and eat peanut candy. Ever since Ji Shuran had left, Madam Jiang the Elder had become much stricter with Jiang Bingji’s upbringing. Jiang Bingji was just a child, and while Ji Shuran had doted on him, he was raised by the old madam’s side most of the time. Hence, although somewhat spoiled, he wasn’t beyond hope like Jiang Youyao. He had become more disciplined these days, at least no longer as lawless as when Jiang Li first arrived at the Jiang Residence.

Seeing Jiang Li come in, Madam Jiang the Elder engaged in the usual conversation with her. Jiang Yuyan was also present, awkwardly sitting aside, mostly silent. That was her nature, and Madam Jiang the Elder was accustomed to it, treating her indifferently. Although not harsh, she wasn’t warmly affectionate either.

Only Jiang Youyao had not yet arrived.

"Why hasn’t the third girl come?" Madam Jiang the Elder asked.

The maid beside her glanced outside and said, "Maybe she overslept, and the servants haven’t reported it either."

Madam Jiang the Elder frowned and said, "She’s becoming less and less disciplined!" She presumably thought Jiang Youyao was still sulking over the incident with the Ye Family the day before and was deliberately not coming to pay respects.

Jiang Li smiled faintly and sipped her tea unhurriedly. How Jiang Youyao was, she couldn’t be bothered to care. If Jiang Youyao didn’t change her ways, even without Jiang Li’s intervention, sooner or later someone would deal with her.

"You, go and have a look," Madam Jiang the Elder instructed Zhenzhu. "Bring her to me."

Anger was already apparent in Madam Jiang the Elder’s voice.

Jiang Yuyan became even more frightened, somewhat at a loss, seemingly wanting to leave but not knowing what reason to give. As she hesitated, Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou arrived as well, not having to study because of the holiday season, with rare freedom. Jiang Jingrui saw Jiang Li and cheerfully said, "Oh, everyone is here."

Lady Lu scanned the area and laughingly said, "It seems not everyone is here, where is Youyao?"

She said this casually, with Lady Yang not around and Ji Shuran gone, no one engaged with her. Lady Lu then started to chat idly with Jiang Li about trivial matters, it was clear she was simply trying to make conversation. Lady Lu was also aware that Madam Jiang the Elder was intending to make amends with Jiang Li, and by getting close to Jiang Li, she could put the old madam at ease. If she could delight the old madam, how difficult could life be?

As they chatted on and off, after a while, Zhenzhu returned. Jiang Li, sharp-eyed, noticed that no one else was behind Zhenzhu—she had not brought back Jiang Youyao.

Furthermore, as she approached, Jiang Li also noticed Zhenzhu’s hurried steps and panic-stricken face. As a servant close to the old madam, she rarely exhibited such alarm. Such an expression likely meant trouble.

Indeed, as Zhenzhu entered Night Wind Hall, she announced, "Old madam, there’s been a problem, the third young miss is missing!"

"What do you mean missing?" Madam Jiang the Elder frowned and asked.

"The third miss is not in the residence, she has left!"

"What do you mean ’has left’?" Lady Lu was skeptical, "Maybe she just went out to play and didn’t inform the gatekeeper, why be so alarmed?"

Zhenzhu turned her head, seemingly just noticing Lady Lu was there as well, her expression growing more uncomfortable. Madam Jiang the Elder said, "You just speak, no need to be concerned about propriety, everyone here is family."

"The third miss definitely didn’t sneak out to play," Zhenzhu said. "I just went to check, all the valuable gold and silver jewelry, as well as the antiques on the shelf and clothes, are gone from the third miss’s room. Moreover, the third miss’s personal maid is still in the residence. If the third miss snuck out, she wouldn’t possibly leave without her maid!"

It was a clear indication of no intent to return.

With a "snap," the teacup in Madam Jiang the Elder’s hand shattered. Lady Lu also gasped in shock.

Jiang Li thought, now a real crisis had occurred.