Chapter 5

Jiang Si wrung her hair dry and drank the sweetened ginger soup delivered by Ah-Qiao. She felt warm all over and fell asleep shortly after lying on the bed.

Jumping into the water to save people was exhaustive.

While Count Dongping Mansion is calmly shrouded in darkness, Duke Anguo Mansion, which was two blocks away, is crowded with people and brightly lit up.

Duchess Wei-shì, leaning against the bedrail, was hysterically crying and clutching Duke An Guo’s hand.

[T/N: shì- clan name; maiden name]

The Duke’s face was gloomy. He was distraught by Madam Wei-shi’s cry but he barely comforted her: “Do not cry, the eldest has rushed over, our third son will be fine.”

The third son’s disappearance had already turned the mansion into a complete mess. When he unexpectedly heard that his third son fell into the water at nighttime, he could only ask if nothing dangerous happened to him, and hurriedly ordered his eldest son to rush over. Now he does not know how exactly the third son drowned.

Duke Anguo’s mind was in a mess. At this time, the servant speedily came in and announced: “Master, Madam, the eldest son is back with the third son.”

“Let them in!” Before the Master could even speak, Madam Wei-shì suddenly stood up.

Soon there were footsteps outside the door. A servant came in and parted the bead curtains when the three people stepped inside.

Madam Wei-shi crossed over the eldest son, Ji Chongli, and at a glance, saw the bloodless face of her third son, Ji Chongyi. So, she worriedly rushed over: “Third son, what happened to you? Is there anything wrong with your body? Let your mother see!”

“Mother, I am fine.” Ji Chongyi showed a weak smile.

“How come you’re okay?” Madam Wei-shi’s tears rustled down while stroking Ji Chongyi’s cheek. “Your hair is all wet. How can you say you’re okay when you fall into the water!”

Cough-cough.

When the cough resounded, the madam could not help but look at her husband.

Lord An Guo’s sight fell behind Ji Chongyi.

Half a foot away from Ji Chongyi stood a petite woman, who was now lowering her head and anxiously touching the hem of her clothes.

Madam Wei-shi’s face changed immediately, and she could not help but raise her voice: “Who is she?”

Upon seeing this, Ji Chongyi stretched out his hand to pull Qiao Niang to his side and looked directly into his mother’s eyes: “Mother, she is the woman your son favored, her name is Qiao Niang.”

Madam Wei-shi’s face could not help but freeze and stared deeply into Qiao Niang’s eyes: “So you are Qiao Niang. I heard that you saved our third son before. I have not thanked you yet.”

Qiao Niang glanced at the Duchess in surprise, then lowered her head and said nervously: “No, thank you but I dare not, Madam——”

“Hanfang, take Miss Qiao Niang for a good rest.” she lightly interrupted Qiao Niang.

Hanfang, the maidservant next to Wei -shi, walked towards Qiao Niang and smiled: “Miss Qiao Niang, please come with this servant.”

Qiao Niang couldn’t help but glance at Ji Chongyi.

Ji Chongyi thought for a while and gently nodded to Qiao Niang: “Go and take a rest. I will see you tomorrow.”

Qiao Niang eased her mind and went out with the servant.

A cold light flickered under Madam Wei-shi’s eyes.

She is an imprudent girl who does not understand the rules. Let us not mention her family background. Just say that when she left, she didn’t even know how to salute the people present. You can see how her education was.

“Chuangrui, bring the ginger tea and give it to the third son.”

Soon a servant in the same clothes as Hanfang walked in with a cup of ginger tea.

Lord An Guo looked coldly at his younger son drinking the ginger tea and then asked, “What the hell is going on?”

The question asked is intended for the eldest son, Ji Chongli.

Ji Chongli took a glance at Ji Chongyi. Knowing that it was impossible to hide it, he summoned up his courage and said: “Third brother… the third brother jumped into the lake with that woman…”

“Shameful!” Duke Anguo raised his foot and kicked a chair

Ji Chongyi thumped and knelt on the ground.

The Wife looked at her husband rebukingly: “What can you do with such a big fire? The third son fell into the water. We should first ask the physician to come and take a look at him and prescribe some anti-cold medicine.”

“What would the physician do? Who can stop him if he wants to die?” Duke Anguo looked at Ji Chongyi, who was kneeling on the ground. He feels angrier for not being able to beat his son. He instead cursed, pointing at him, “A little beast really is capable. He can die and live for a woman!”

Ji Chongyi kowtowed his head and said: “Father, mother, please grant your son his wish. Please help this son at once.”

Hey, it seems like he’s asking for a beating!

Lord An Guo was furious: “Do not think about it. As long as I live, I will not allow it. You will marry the Fourth Miss from Count Dongping Mansion!”

Madam Wei-shi did not persuade him. Her expression was equally repulsive.

She had initially looked down on Count Dong Ping Mansion. Back then, to repay his sworn brother Dong Ping Bo for saving his life, Lord An Guo insisted on this marriage arrangement between the two families. So, she’s been having trouble a few times.

But no matter how bad the Count Dongping Mansion is, it is still better than a commoner family.

Ji Chongyi knelt upright and said in a firm tone: “Father, your son only likes Qiao Niang. I do not like the Fourth Miss from Count Dongping Mansion. Your son had never even seen her before, so I cannot marry her!”

“Third son, I have inquired about her. The Fourth Miss of Count Dongping Mansion is a well-known beauty among the noblewomen in the capital.” His father persuaded him patiently.

“Yes, your mother also had a chance to see her. Your father isn’t just coaxing you.” Wei-shi followed.

“In your son’s eyes, Qiao Niang is the most beautiful!” Ji Chongyi raised his head and looked at the Duke. “Father, you can marry Count Dongping Mansion to repay their kindness. But why can you not understand your son? This son would have been long gone if hadn’t been for Qiao Niang. ——”

“Shut up! You cannot make trouble in this marriage. We will not let you do as you please. If you do not understand, I will order someone to drive Qiao Niang out!”

“This son should also be driven out if the father drives Qiao Niang away. “Ji Chongyi bluntly said and stood up.

“You–” Duke Anguo was shivering with anger, turned his head, and shouted at the old woman standing at the door, “Take someone to beat that Qiao Niang out!”

“No!” Seeing that the old woman was going out, Ji Chongyi raised his foot to chase.

The Lord yelled: “Eldest, stop your third brother!”

Ji Chongli grabbed Ji Chongyi’s arm and persuaded: “Third Brother, do not provoke our father anymore.”

“Big brother, let go!” Ji Chongyi wanted to push Ji Chonli away, but he could not do it. Seeing that the old servant was about to go out, he spouted a mouthful of blood in anger and then fell on Ji Chongli.

Madam Wei-shi was so shocked that her face turned pale, then she cried: “Hurry up and call the physician.”

Soon the doctor diagnosed and treated Ji Chongyi. He said that the vomiting of blood and unconsciousness was due to his anxious heart and the cold energy entered his body. He also reminded them to take good care of the patient and to let him avoid getting too emotional.

When the doctor went out to designate the prescription, Wei-shi could not help but complain: “Husband is so quick-tempered, is he forcing the third son to die?”

“I am forcing him to die? He ended up like this due to his thoughtlessness, and you are to blame because you always spoil him!” Even though Duke Anguo said this, when he thought of Ji Chongyi vomiting blood, he could not help but feel somewhat afraid.

Madam Wei-shi held the handkerchief and wiped her tears: “What is the use of talking about these now? Don’t you and the eldest son care about the third son’s well being? It is an important matter, I mean, let us talk and think about what we should do decently.”

“The marriage arrangement with Count Dongping Mansion must not be canceled, regardless of whatever happens!”

“But dear, if you forcefully separate our third son from Qiao Niang, the third son might really not want to live anymore.”

Seeing Lord An Guo sneering, Wei-shi cried and said: “My dear husband, think about it, our third son and Qiao Niang have both tried to kill themselves because of their love for each other. This instance is the first time, and for sure, there will be a second time. If the third son really does something stupid, then it will be too late for us to regret it.

“Then what do you say?”

Madam Wei-shi stopped sobbing and took a glance at the inner room and considered: “Either way, our relationship with Count Dongping Mansion will not change. As for Qiao Niang, let our third son take her as a Good Concubine.”