After Saving The Disabled Villain, I Was Attacked In Return! - Chapter 52

Qi An was startled when Jiang Yu took her hand, then felt a little self-conscious. “What is it?”

Jiang Yu shook her head. She just thought Qi An looked so sweet and obedient like this. If she hadn’t read the original book, she would probably think Qi An deserved a happy ending.

The original book… Jiang Yu suddenly remembered that the General’s Residence was hosting a banquet tomorrow. Dowager Consort Zhang definitely wouldn’t let the Shen family’s banquet go without a fight. She would definitely try to regain the dignity she lost earlier.

Shen Yun was handling everything in the residence alone, so she was bound to miss some details. Jiang Yu remembered she was supposed to return to the Shen residence with Shen Yun today.

“Miss, Madam has prepared a carriage at the General’s Residence gate. Please get ready. It’s time to return to the Shen Residence!” Lu Wu said at the perfect moment. Qi An looked conflicted.

Grand Secretary Shen and Shen Yun’s older sisters all spoiled her, but those children all had very different personalities. Could Jiang Yu handle them?

Jiang Yu hadn’t forgotten how Qi An had blurted out that she wanted to accompany her when they first heard they were going to the Shen Residence. She immediately turned to Qi An, her eyes wide and pleading. “Qi An… Qi An, you promised you’d come back with me.”

Jiang Yu tugged at Qi An’s sleeve, her eyes as innocent and expressive as a fawn’s. Qi An gazed back at her quietly. She had already intended to go, but now she nodded even more firmly.

As if under Jiang Yu’s spell, Qi An would willingly brave fire and water for her. Determined to stop using her wheelchair today, she stood up and changed into a respectable maid’s dress.

This dress, however, was unlike any other in the residence. It had once been one of Qi An’s better outfits from the Qi Family. After years of service to them, this was all the compensation she’d received: a few maid’s dresses.

Once, Qi An hadn’t even known what resentment was. She had simply followed her father and brothers’ instructions, doing as she was told. But after living in the General’s Residence for some time and recalling how her sisters and younger sisters had been treated at home, she finally understood that the kind of “parental love” they’d shown wasn’t real love at all.

Qi An couldn’t understand why she had become “The Chosen One,” but now it seemed she finally had someone to protect her.

When Jiang Yu saw Qi An, already changed and waiting for her at the Shaoyue Pavilion entrance, she smiled happily. She hurried over, straightened Qi An’s collar, and sweetly called out, “An An,” leaving Qi An momentarily stunned.

Noticing Qi An’s dazed expression, Jiang Yu tugged at her sleeve, a hint of concern in her voice. “What’s wrong? Do you not like this nickname?”

“An An… it sounds nice…” Qi An shook her head, her voice slightly dreamy. The tips of her ears flushed pink, a change Jiang Yu didn’t miss. With a chuckle, she gently pinched Qi An’s earlobe.

Qi An quickly ducked away, her entire face now flushed crimson, stammering, “Jiang Yu, don’t…”

Jiang Yu glanced up and saw Lu Wu approaching, likely to hurry them along. She stopped teasing Qi An and took her by the hand, steering her toward Lu Wu. Before Lu Wu could speak, she announced, “We’re leaving, we’re leaving!”

Lu Wu choked, her jaw dropping as she stared at Qi An. She pointed at Qi An’s legs. “Your… your legs… How did they… heal overnight?”

Neither Qi An nor Jiang Yu offered an explanation. They hadn’t yet figured out how to explain it. Truthfully, Jiang Yu also found it miraculous, but then again, the Divine Doctor was legendary for his prowess. If he was so formidable in the original story, he could certainly cure Qi An’s legs with a few doses of medicine.

As they exited the General’s Residence, they climbed into a carriage as opulent as the residence itself. The tea and pastries on the small table inside remained perfectly balanced, undisturbed by the carriage’s movement. Shen Yun, seated in the carriage, watched Qi An walk out with perfectly healthy legs and showed no surprise.

Lülüo massaged Shen Yun’s shoulders. Once the carriage began to move slowly, she gradually reported the results of her recent inquiries.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yu leaned against Qi An, her eyes closed. Though she appeared to be catching up on sleep, she was actually sorting through matters concerning the Shen Residence.

Grand Secretary Shen had three daughters and one son. As the youngest daughter, Shen Yun had been pampered since childhood. Eldest Miss Shen Lian had been raised with the refined demeanor of a noble lady. Second Miss Shen Xi, with her sharp tongue and kind heart, also doted on Shen Yun.

Yet fate had cruelly twisted their lives. Shen Lian’s child grew weak-willed and, after marrying into the Princess’s Residence, saw his entire family slaughtered by Qi An, who later usurped the throne.

Shen Xi’s child, cunning and manipulative, angered his parents deeply but managed to survive. As for Jiang Yu herself… the Little Tyrant had directly provoked the villain.

Frowning as she recalled these events, Jiang Yu suddenly felt a cool hand gently press against her forehead. The hand slowly massaged her temples, and her furrowed brow gradually relaxed. Opening her eyes, she gazed at Qi An, who sat beside her, and couldn’t help but smile warmly.

Reaching out, she took Qi An’s cold hand. “Why are your hands so cold? Are you feeling chilly?” Jiang Yu glanced down at Qi An’s white dress, noting how well it complemented her own pale purple gown.

No matter how Jiang Yu looked at Qi An, she didn’t seem warm at all.

Jiang Yu quickly handed her hand warmer to Qi An. The golden brocade hand warmer felt warm and soft in Qi An’s hands, and the sudden warmth softened Qi An’s expression. She asked gently, “Did you have a nightmare? Why were you frowning so deeply?”

Jiang Yu remembered that the original book mentioned Qi An later usurping the throne and slaughtering indiscriminately, even razing the Princess’s Residence to the ground. Now, seeing Qi An’s gentle expression, Jiang Yu felt a stark contrast, yet her heart warmed.

She only told Qi An her concerns about the children at the Shen Residence. Hearing this, Qi An’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. Mimicking Qi An’s gesture, Jiang Yu reached out and gently massaged the space between Qi An’s eyebrows.

The two chatted casually during the ride. Jiang Yu, usually so talkative, seemed unusually subdued. Naturally, Qi An wouldn’t let Jiang Yu be bullied; she would protect her.

The carriage gradually came to a stop, and the jingling bells finally ceased. Lu Wu prepared a wooden step stool for Jiang Yu to descend. The Shen Residence’s entrance was grand and imposing, with a golden plaque hanging above it, bearing the imposing name of Grand Secretary Shen.

Due to the Laba Festival, all the daughters had come to the Shen Residence to accompany Grand Secretary Shen. Shen Yun arrived late, but no one said anything.

Since she hadn’t notified them in advance, the servant waiting at the gate thought someone was visiting. Just as he was about to announce her arrival, he saw the Jiang family crest on the carriage.

In the entire capital, there was only one prominent figure named Jiang—Jiang Shengrong. The servant immediately recognized it was their Third Miss returning and rushed over to welcome her.

The servants and guards gathered at the gate, showing their respect. Though smaller than the General’s Residence, the Shen Residence was compact and well-equipped, like a tiny bird with all its vital organs.

It boasted pavilions, courtyards, a small lake, and a rear garden filled with rare flowers and plants. Jiang Yu followed behind Shen Yun, her head bowed, quietly observing the Shen Residence.

Upon entering, one was greeted by the solemn atmosphere typical of an elderly gentleman’s residence. Though the overall color scheme was dark and somber, closer inspection revealed the unique and thoughtful design elements.

These were the distinctive tastes of Grand Secretary Shen and his family, making it feel as if one had stepped into an ancient painting.

Jiang Yu silently scored the surroundings, even considering going elsewhere to look around. But Shen Yun didn’t give her the chance, leading her directly into the Main Hall. At that moment, Grand Secretary Shen was seated inside, reading while his daughters and grandson playfully teased him. Suddenly, they noticed someone arriving outside.

Assuming it was an important guest, Mama Gao, who attended Madam Grand Secretary, opened the door. But it was only Shen Yun. Tears welled up in Mama Gao’s eyes.

“Third Miss… no, no, no, that’s not right—it’s General’s Madam! You’re here!” Mama Gao’s announcement instantly drew everyone’s attention to the doorway.

Sure enough, Shen Yun entered, radiating an air of nobility. Her skin and features appeared even more delicate than when she was unmarried.

“I imagine Jiang Shengrong must be treating his sister very well!” Shen Lian said, her eyes brimming with envy. Though she was no less beautiful, her own marriage to her husband had remained a mere polite arrangement for years. Seeing her younger sister so blissfully happy stirred a deep-seated jealousy within her.

“Greetings to Father, Mother, and my two elder sisters!”

It had been a long time since the Shen family had been this well-represented. Shen Yun’s eldest brother, Shen Zeming, was currently away investigating a case in Jiangnan and wasn’t in the Capital.

Family reunions were rare, so Shen Yun stepped closer to Madam Grand Secretary, pulling Jiang Yu forward to greet the two elders.

Jiang Yu, ever sensible, quickly bowed to them. Grand Secretary Shen seemed to disapprove of her, snorting coldly at her deference and only asking Shen Yun how she had been lately.

Madam Grand Secretary, however, remained kind and compassionate, holding Jiang Yu’s hand and praising her as a good child. When Grand Secretary Shen turned to speak with Shen Yun, she secretly comforted Jiang Yu: “Don’t mind him. Ningning is a good child…”

Jiang Yu felt a sudden sting in her nose, and Qi An, who was waiting nearby, naturally noticed Grand Secretary Shen’s attitude toward Jiang Yu.

The upright Grand Secretary Shen clearly disapproved of Shen Yun spoiling Jiang Yu. Having likely failed to dissuade her through persuasion, he now treated Jiang Yu with coldness.

Well, that’s understandable, Jiang Yu thought. The elderly naturally dislike people like the original owner. As long as Madam Grand Secretary still smiles at me, I can endure staying in the Shen Residence.

After the customary greetings, Jiang Yu planned to retreat to a corner and try to blend into the background of their chatter.

But then an unwelcome voice cut through the air: “I never thought Eldest Miss Jiang would actually leave the General’s Residence!”

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