After Saving The Disabled Villain, I Was Attacked In Return! - Chapter 51

Shen Yun had figured out why Qi An had come, and she nodded knowingly. Qi An had no intention of staying longer, so she slowly turned her wheelchair and began to leave, her expression gradually softening.

Watching Qi An’s retreating figure, Shen Yun seemed to want to say something, her red lips parting slightly. But in the end, she said nothing. Only after Qi An had gone did Shen Yun emerge from the Side Hall. She beckoned to Lülüo, who hurried over. “Madam, what are your orders?”

Shen Yun instructed Lülüo to bring the little girl from the East Wing—the one who had returned to the manor yesterday after receiving porridge. Then, frowning, she returned to the Main Hall to review the account books. The banquet was tomorrow, and the invitations needed to be sent out before sunset today.

In the East Wing, Jiang Yu was just beginning to wake up. She reached out tentatively to the pillow beside her, but the bed was already cold. Disappointed, she sat up and looked outside. The sky was overcast today, but thankfully, it wasn’t snowing.

Jiang Yu was still recovering from last night’s scare. Outside her room, Lu Wu, carrying a wooden basin for washing, heard a noise and quickly asked, “Miss, are you awake?” After a long pause, Jiang Yu finally replied with a soft “Mm.” Relieved, Lu Wu led the maidservants inside.

The maids filed in one by one, each taking up their assigned tasks. Several of them stood by the bed with Jiang Yu’s clothes for the day, waiting for her to rise. Jiang Yu glanced at the garments—a pale purple pleated skirt embroidered with golden thread. Though not as vibrant as yesterday’s outfit, it exuded a refined elegance, perfectly suited to her age.

Next year, she would come of age and be eligible for marriage. She wondered if she could escape the fate of most ancient women. Qi An, a year older, could have married this year. Did she already have someone she liked before leaving her maiden’s quarters? Jiang Yu’s thoughts drifted, so much so that the maid standing by the bed couldn’t help but wave her hand. “Miss, Miss, it’s time to get up.”

Jiang Yu snapped back to reality. She sat up and held out her arms for the maid to help her into the pale purple skirt. As she sat before the bronze mirror, Jiang Yu stared intently at the face reflected there, with its lively eyes, and gently touched her cheeks.

Back in modern times, Jiang Yu never considered herself particularly beautiful. She’d never paid much attention to skincare. But now, seeing the radiant beauty that had been nurtured by gold and silver, she felt a strange sense of unease. Gazing at her face, she seemed to vaguely recall the idea of marriage, and the thought didn’t fill her with joy.

Jiang Yu sighed softly. Lu Wu, who had just finished applying her intricate yet understated makeup, adding a refined elegance to her already exquisite features, noticed her troubled expression and was about to ask what was wrong.

Just then, Qi An silently maneuvered her wheelchair into the courtyard of Shaoyue Pavilion. The Red Silk Charcoal, which had burned throughout the night, needed replenishing, and as the maid entered to refresh it, she opened the window.

Qi An happened to be passing by the window at that moment and heard Jiang Yu’s voice, tinged with a sigh: “I was just thinking… if Qi An were to marry someday, would her husband’s family treat her well? She’s already had such a difficult life. If they mistreat her, could I bring her back?”

Lu Wu listened to Jiang Yu’s words as if they were some fantastic tale. Qi An watched as Lu Wu finished applying Jiang Yu’s makeup and said, “Even if it’s not possible, if Miss is worried Qi An will be mistreated after marriage, why not help her get an official position? Who would dare mistreat someone who’s the head of a household and marrying a husband?”

Qi An’s words struck a chord with Lu Wu, though she hadn’t intended them that way. Qi An felt Lu Wu was mocking her slave status. Her family had been punished and their assets confiscated, reducing her to slave status. How could someone like her ever become an official?

Inside the room, Jiang Yu seemed to realize this as well and gently scolded Lu Wu, “Qi An has already suffered due to her father and brothers. Must you still speak like this?”

Lu Wu lowered her head, looking hurt, and then pinned a hairpin into Jiang Yu’s coiled hair. “Miss, please don’t be angry. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

Though Lu Wu’s words were somewhat unpleasant, they did serve as a reminder to Jiang Yu. Qi An’s status as a slave meant that even if she were to roam freely across mountains and seas, she would never truly be free.

“I will help Qi An escape her slave status,” Jiang Yu declared firmly. “She was never meant to be a slave.” Qi An, listening outside the window, heard every word clearly. She felt a surge of emotion, wondering what merit or virtue she possessed to deserve such kindness.

Qi An no longer hesitated, directly maneuvering her wheelchair into the room. As she stopped at the doorway, she looked at Jiang Yu and said, “Jiang Yu, thank you. Qi An will never betray your kindness.”

Jiang Yu was momentarily stunned. How had Qi An heard that? She still needed one last white jade hairpin. Qi An wheeled over and took the white jade hairpin from Lu Wu, then slowly pinned it into Jiang Yu’s long black hair.

Jiang Yu felt a stinging in her eyes, unable to find the words. She could only smile faintly. If Qi An had heard that conversation, she must have also heard what Lu Wu said earlier.

Just as Jiang Yu was about to comfort Qi An, she noticed the rare calmness on Qi An’s beautiful face. Qi An spoke first: “This morning, Madam ordered that the girl brought back yesterday be summoned. I went and explained the situation in Fengmen Village. The General should receive his orders and depart with his troops today.”

Jiang Yu was bewildered. How had things progressed so quickly just after a single night’s sleep? Qi An was remarkably efficient.

Jiang Yu felt a pang of guilt at the thought of taking the little girl to Shen Yun, knowing she would likely be interrogated. Just as this thought crossed her mind, the girl’s wailing filled the East Wing.

“Lu Wu! What’s happening outside?” Jiang Yu knew the girl was being taken away, but she still wanted Lu Wu to check. Although the girl had worn Lu Wu ragged yesterday, the maid had grown somewhat attached to her during her care. Lu Wu walked to the window and looked out. “Miss, the girl seems to be resisting the people who came to take her away. She’s making a scene!”

Lu Wu seemed torn, but she knew the Madam’s orders couldn’t be questioned. A flicker of reluctance passed through her eyes, but she didn’t rush out to intervene. Instead, she steeled herself, closed her eyes, and turned back to face the room, refusing to watch any further.

Qi An noticed the tension between the mistress and her maid. She opened her mouth to say something, but hesitated. Just then, Jiang Yu stood up and walked out. Qi An followed closely, eager to see if Jiang Yu would show any mercy.

Jiang Yu pushed open the wooden door of Shaoyue Pavilion. As expected, the servants outside immediately stopped what they were doing and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Eldest Miss.”

Jiang Yu waved wearily, then glanced at the little girl still rolling on the ground. A flicker of sympathy stirred within her. But when I came to this novel, who ever showed any sympathy for me?

Jiang Yu knew better than to show weakness. When the girl saw her and reached out for a hug, Jiang Yu approached slowly. “May I speak to her?”

Who would dare defy Jiang Yu’s authority? The servants nodded repeatedly, clearing a path for her.

As the girl watched Jiang Yu approach, her face lit up with joy, thinking Jiang Yu had come to rescue her. But when Jiang Yu bent down and whispered in her ear, “I know you’re here to meet up with them as an inside ally. But I’ve never mistreated you. Just go with them and stay safe. The Bone Tribe’s spells are dangerous—don’t let power corrupt your heart…”

As Jiang Yu finished speaking, she noticed a shadow darken the girl’s innocent face.

The little girl realized she couldn’t hide anymore, yet she couldn’t bring herself to harm herself to protect the secret. She paused, then said, “I’ll behave,” and after a moment’s hesitation, added, “If I make it back alive, I’ll make you keep me company.”

Having no other choice, she obediently followed the servant away. Jiang Yu stood rooted to the spot, watching the girl’s retreating figure. After a dazed moment, she intended to simply sigh, but then the girl turned back, casting a sinister glance and making a throat-slitting gesture at Jiang Yu.

Qi An emerged with Jiang Yu. Noticing her pale complexion, he instinctively followed her gaze. He didn’t miss the girl’s malicious look, as if she were certain she could kill both of them.

“Just a child,” Qi An scoffed, stepping protectively in front of Jiang Yu to block the girl’s gaze. Jiang Yu nodded, but felt a lingering sense of unease.

Was there a hidden meaning in the girl’s words? she wondered. If I let her return alive, will she drag me to hell?

Jiang Yu looked up and saw Qi An’s slender back. Her mind filled with thoughts of Qi An’s remarkable intelligence, and she suddenly felt there was nothing to worry about. She reached around from behind and wrapped her arms around Qi An’s neck.

Leaning slightly forward, she pressed her cheek tightly against Qi An’s. After being outside for so long, her face felt cold.

Qi An was a little taken aback by Jiang Yu’s closeness. This was the first time Jiang Yu had been so intimate with her. Feeling the warmth of Jiang Yu’s cheek, Qi An reached out and gently took her hand.

“Your hands are a little cold,” Qi An said, concerned. She led Jiang Yu back into Shaoyue Pavilion, unwilling to let her catch a cold again.

As they walked inside, Qi An, who had just been so tender and sisterly, switched to a completely different demeanor when Lu Wu entered.

Jiang Yu found holding Qi An’s hand quite amusing.

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