Chapter 28: Why Court Such Humiliation?

"Yanzhi, you've worked hard."

Cheng Yuan saw Jiang He sitting in the corner of the room, crying silently through the gap in the door, and handed a paper parcel to him.

"What is this?"

Xie Yanzhi had a sharp nose and had long since smelled the aroma of meat in the air, yet he still pretended to be reserved and puzzled.

Cheng Yuan replied, "Breakfast. Eat fewer sunflower seeds; they are too salty."

"Oh, breakfast, is it? Actually, I wasn't even that hungry, but I suppose you’re observant enough..."

Xie Yanzhi took the paper parcel, his nose twitching and his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. However, inhibited by Cheng Yuan's presence, he remained rooted to the spot.

Cheng Yuan found it somewhat amusing. "I'm going out for a while. Keep a good watch on her and don't let her run away. By the way, there is already a portion for your father; you can just eat this one yourself."

Xie Yanzhi had long since stopped listening to the rest of her words, his mind fixated on "steamed buns" and "there is another portion for Father."

"Why are you looking at me? These are my meat buns! Even if you keep staring, I... I’ll only give you a little bit of the bun skin!"

—

"Mother, please rest easy. I will settle accounts with the Jiang family for what they have done."

After repeatedly assuring her that she would bring Xie Changzhi back safe and sound, Cheng Yuan was finally able to leave.

"Sister Yuan, where are we going now?" Xie Changzhi asked, having followed her halfway.

Cheng Yuan turned her head. Perhaps due to her special care, Xie Changzhi’s back was much straighter now, and his eyes no longer looked as dim and lifeless as they had when he first arrived.

"Hmm, a mountain hermit has their own clever tricks." Cheng Yuan pondered for a moment. Unable to think of a way to make a long story short, she simply decided to be mysterious and gave a playful wink at Xie Changzhi.

"Very well. If there is anything dangerous, let me do it."

Xie Changzhi did not know what kind of agreement she had reached with the young mistress of the Zhu residence, but since the die was cast, he could only hope that he would be of some use.

When the two arrived at the Jiang house, it was unexpectedly quiet.

However, no sooner had this thought crossed their minds than a cacophony of crashing and banging erupted from the main hall.

"She’s just a girl! If she’s lost, she’s lost! The priority is finding that wretch. After managing to get her into the manor, she still managed to slip away! If we can't produce the person in three days, we’ll have to return all the silver!"

"It must be that boy from the Huang family! He drugged us yesterday and stole my He'er, along with that bowl of braised pork! I'm going to find him!"

The shrill, desperate voice of the eldest Jiang aunt reached them.

"Knock, knock."

The courtyard fell silent for a moment. "Who is it!"

Cheng Yuan replied, "It’s me, Cheng Yuan."

A few seconds later, the courtyard gate opened from the inside, revealing a ferocious face. When she saw Cheng Yuan, it was like a starving wolf seeing meat.

"Oh, it's Yuan'er. Come in and sit."

Cheng Yuan smiled and accepted, but Xie Changzhi was blocked at the door.

"We don't host outsiders." The eldest Jiang aunt’s expression changed instantly.

Cheng Yuan smiled and reached out to comfort Xie Changzhi. The next second, she raised her foot and kicked the courtyard gate.

"Boom!"

The dilapidated wooden door collapsed to the ground in a single blow, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Cheng Yuan said lightly, "Since I can't go in, we'll talk at the entrance."

The eldest Jiang aunt’s face turned panicked, and she turned around, shouting, "Mother! This little wench has come to tear the house down!"

"Jiang Yuan!"

Grandma Jiang, in a fit of rage, grabbed her new cane and descended from her high seat, thumping towards the door.

"Aunt Jiang, you wouldn't want me to report this to the magistrate, would you? I recall that Brother Yun still needs to take the imperial examinations. If a family member has a criminal record at the county office..."

The eldest Jiang aunt’s face turned deathly pale.

Cheng Yuan continued with a smile, "Aunt Jiang, do you know how I escaped last night? Well, it just so happens that this matter allowed me to become close with the magistrate’s daughter. She said that if I were willing, she would have the magistrate open a case for me immediately."

"Lies! How you escaped last night has nothing to do with us!"

Grandma Jiang pounded her cane on the floor, her face full of fury, though a flicker of guilt could be seen if one looked closely.

"Whether it does or not, I believe the two of you know in your hearts. If you have nothing to hide, then consider what I said today as words spoken to ghosts."

She turned to leave.

"Mother! Brother Yun!" Seeing this, the eldest Jiang aunt collapsed onto the ground.

Grandma Jiang was so angry she nearly shattered the few teeth she had left. "Jiang Yuan! Enough is enough!"

Cheng Yuan did not stop walking.

"Jiang Yuan! What exactly did you come here for? Speak plainly!"

Cheng Yuan turned around smoothly, a smile returning to her face. "Wouldn't it have been better to be this way from the start? I only have one request."

After Cheng Yuan finished speaking, the three of them stared at each other.

She added a little more weight, "Oh, by the way, I have placed He'er in the county town to stay. Once this matter is resolved, she will be returned."

Seeing that Grandma Jiang seemed to disagree and was about to say something, the eldest Jiang aunt finally snapped.

"Mother! How much longer are you going to keep making a scene!"

—

"Sister Yuan, I don't think they are reliable." Xie Changzhi's mind raced, and he couldn't help but speak up.

Cheng Yuan nodded slightly, her tone light as she said something shocking, "I know. I never intended for them to stay alive."

Xie Changzhi’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly looked around to ensure they were alone before breathing a sigh of relief.

"Sister Yuan, let’s discuss such things indoors; it must not be spread. By the way, how will you... communicate with me..."

Halfway there, the two bumped into someone familiar.

"Sister Yuan."

Huang Xuqiu’s eyes were filled with smiles, and the sunlight shone upon him, radiating a gentle glow.

Xie Changzhi stepped forward slightly, shielding Cheng Yuan. "What are you doing here? My cold has already recovered."

"I just remembered there was an item I hadn't given to Sister Yuan yet." Huang Xuqiu remained smiling. "Sister Yuan and I have over a decade of friendship; surely you aren't afraid I would harm her?"

With that, he handed the jade pendant in his hand to Cheng Yuan and tilted his head, revealing his small canine teeth. "Sister Yuan, Brother Xie is too fierce. If I were him, I would never be so unruly; I would certainly be obedient and considerate toward you."

"You!" A surge of irritability rose in Xie Changzhi’s heart, which he forcibly suppressed.

He turned his head, lowering his somber eyes, his expression revealing a trace of brokenness. "Sister Yuan, did Changzhi do something wrong?"

Cheng Yuan: She felt like something was wrong somewhere. It seemed like both of them were acting strangely, or perhaps she was the one who was off?

With her head buzzing, she took the jade pendant. "Thank you, Xuqiu. Please also thank Uncle Huang for me. I have accepted the ginseng on the table, and I will come to express my gratitude later."

After saying that, she gripped Xie Changzhi’s wrist and turned to walk forward, pressing ahead without hesitation.

Seeing Cheng Yuan thank Huang Xuqiu, jealousy rose in Xie Changzhi’s heart. However, all his grievances dissipated the moment those warm, small hands gripped his own.

*Sister Yuan, do you actually like me too?*

Xie Changzhi wanted to ask this, but when he met those clear, limpid eyes, he suddenly felt timid and inferior.

Since he had clearly already heard her refusal, why bother to humiliate himself again? It was merely a pretense for the sake of others.

The light in Xie Changzhi’s eyes dimmed. Cheng Yuan did not notice, and because of this, when they returned home, she was left in a state of bewilderment when her hand was suddenly let go.