Jiang Yu took the initiative to speak his name, and a flicker of surprise crossed Xiao Yan’s eyes.
"You know me?"
This question was a probe; he likely suspected she had come here specifically to find him. Jiang Yu felt a touch of helplessness, but upon recalling the aristocratic young ladies in the Capital who were infatuated with Xiao Yan, she realized his suspicion was quite reasonable.
"Replying to the Heir, I was sent to a villa for a few years due to poor health, but even out there, Heir Xiao’s reputation was legendary. I have never seen anyone with such extraordinary talent and brilliance, and seeing your appearance and bearing, I dared to guess... that you were..."
As she reached the end, Jiang Yu feigned a stutter, her face flushing as she trailed off. Since Xiao Yan suspected her, she might as well lean into it and make him annoyed enough to send her back to the Capital immediately. After all, playing the part of a foolish, lovestruck girl was safer than being perceived as a woman with deep, calculating motives.
Before Xiao Yan could respond, the man who had been playing chess with him burst into laughter.
"Hahaha... you brat, you’ve turned another young girl’s head."
The young man stood up, walked slowly to Xiao Yan’s side, and stared at the flustered Jiang Yu. Being scrutinized by two pairs of eyes—one overt and one subtle—Jiang Yu felt no fear. Having already died once, what was left to fear? Besides, she had faced such scenes many times in the past.
However, she still had to put on an appearance of being terrified; after all, she was just a country girl about to return to the Capital, still nursing a schoolgirl crush on the Heir.
"Master Uncle, please don't mock me," Xiao Yan said helplessly to the smiling middle-aged man.
"Very well, I won't tease you..."
The middle-aged man finished his sentence, then shifted his gaze to Jiang Yu. "Is your father Marquis Pingchang?"
Under his sharp gaze, Jiang Yu didn't dare let her mind wander. She replied immediately, "Yes, my father is Marquis Pingchang."
After hearing her answer, the man studied her for a few more moments before saying, "I happen to be returning to the Capital tomorrow. I shall take you with me. It has been a long time since I paid a visit to your father, in any case."
Jiang Yu hadn't expected things to go so smoothly and felt a wave of relief. This Master Uncle of the Heir was no ordinary man; he was Lord Zhou, Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Having him escort her back and explain the situation to her father would be the most appropriate arrangement possible.
On the surface, however, she offered the man a look of profound gratitude and asked innocently, "May I ask, sir—how should I address you? I will keep your kindness in my heart."
"Hahaha, little girl, you know him, but you don't know me?"
The middle-aged man wasn't offended; instead, he asked with a teasing tone.
Jiang Yu shook her head quickly and said, "I have been away from the Capital for a long time, so... so I do not know you, sir."
"Hahahaha, it is just a small favor to bring you back to the Capital, nothing worth mentioning. Well, it is getting late. Yanzhi, I am going to rest." The man yawned appropriately as he spoke.
Xiao Yan: "..."
After the man left, Xiao Yan spoke to his guard: "Make arrangements. Have her leave with my Master Uncle tomorrow."
Without sparing Jiang Yu another glance, Xiao Yan turned to leave. Such indifference and the clear desire to distance himself from her confirmed why the aristocratic ladies considered him the most inaccessible man in the city.
Fine. As long as she could avoid the fate of being slandered upon her return as she had in her previous life, she didn't want any connection with Xiao Yan either. After all, this Heir had too much notoriety—he was far more conspicuous than she was.
"Thank you, Heir Xiao," Jiang Yu said hurriedly.
Xiao Yan did not reply, disappearing quickly into the courtyard. Only then did Jiang Yu finally let out a breath. She had gambled correctly!
What Jiang Yu didn't know was that as soon as Xiao Yan rounded the corner of the courtyard wall, he wore a meaningful smile. "The Jiang Family?" he murmured to himself.
...
The next day, after finishing breakfast, Jiang Yu departed for the Capital with Lord Zhou. She did not see Xiao Yan again during the journey. They traveled in two carriages—Jiang Yu and her two maids in one, and Lord Zhou in the other. They were escorted by a large group of sturdy men who clearly possessed extraordinary skills, ensuring a safe and uneventful trip.
Not until they were near the Capital did Jiang Yu request an audience with Lord Zhou. The man was not surprised by her request.
"Speak. What is it?" Lord Zhou picked up a teacup, took a leisurely sip, and looked entirely at ease.
"Sir, after you escort me to the Marquis Manor, would you be willing to clarify something for me? Could you tell them that when I was accosted by bandits, I was saved by you?" Jiang Yu didn't hesitate; she stated her request directly.
She didn't care how he viewed her; in this life, she would not endure the shame she had suffered in the last. Even with a man of status escorting her home, Madam Zhao could still find ways to spread rumors that she had lost her virtue while in the hands of the bandits. But if Lord Zhou clarified things first, Madam Zhao’s scheme would fall apart.
The man’s expression remained unchanged, though a faint smile touched his lips. Finally, he looked up at Jiang Yu and asked, "Oh? You want me to help you lie?"
Jiang Yu’s face paled, and she immediately knelt on the ground.
"Sir, please do not be angry. The servants who escorted me back all met with misfortune; only I and my two personal maids remain. A woman's reputation is of the utmost importance. Without someone of your standing to clarify the truth, I fear... I fear my reputation will be ruined." As she spoke, tears fell from her eyes.
Facing this, the man couldn't help but rub his temples in annoyance. No wonder Xiao Yan had said to him in that meaningful tone before they left, "I'll leave the trouble to you, Master Uncle." He had wondered why the boy was being so polite, even saying "no trouble at all" with such a cheerful expression. Dealing with these internal household matters was indeed the most troublesome thing. He blamed his own loose tongue from the night before; he would certainly make the Marquis owe him a favor later.
"Fine. Since I have helped this far, I will see it through. I will clarify it for you when the time comes. Off you go."
The man stopped paying attention to her. After returning to her carriage, Jiang Yu reminded Qing’er and Wan’er once more how to describe the events of the journey if asked. Seeing her solemn face, the two maids immediately nodded.
"Yes, we understand."
Jiang Yu watched the swaying tassels on the carriage window, recalling the scene when she had first arrived at the Marquis Manor in her previous life. Seeing the increasingly familiar streets, Jiang Yu—who had spent years in a dark, lightless prison—finally felt the reality of her return.
When they reached the Marquis Manor, the guards at the gate saw the large procession stop and stepped forward. "May I ask which official is visiting? I need to report this to the Marquis."
The lead guard replied, "My master is Lord Zhou, Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. He has important matters to discuss with the Marquis."