The Gusu Mistake - Chapter 56

With Wu Yunfei dead and the Wu family patriarch chronically ill, it was a shaky position for the family to hold. So, the Wu family simply let go of the grudge and kept to themselves from then on, maintaining a clear separation from the Han family.

Whether the Wu family truly gave up on revenge or were just biding their time, for now, the families had some peace.

It was the fifth day after the battle. At the Han family home, Yuan Ruo arrived with a bowl of medicine. Just as she was about to push the door open, she heard Jiang Ze’s voice from inside: “Sister, come back to the Jiang family with me. This is an outsider’s home, and you shouldn’t stay here for long.”

“The Han family is Yi Lan’s home. She can stay as long as she wants!” Yuan Ruo pushed the door open, saying this as she entered. She took Jiang Ze’s place and sat beside Jiang Yilan. Her tone softened as she turned to Jiang Yilan: “How are you? Feeling a little better today?”

Jiang Yilan forced a weak smile. “Much better. You don’t have to worry.”

“Here, drink your medicine.” Yuan Ruo carefully helped Jiang Yilan sit up, propped her up, and then fed her the medicine spoon by spoon.

“It’s so bitter…” Jiang Yilan endured the medicine, then frowned. “Is there any water?”

“Yes!” Yuan Ruo brought water for Jiang Yilan to rinse her mouth.

After rinsing her mouth, Jiang Yilan seemed to finally notice Jiang Ze’s presence. She looked up at him. “Big brother, the Jiang family needs to be rebuilt. You should go back. I… I won’t go.”

“What?” Jiang Ze was incredulous. “You’re not coming back to the Jiang family?”

“No,” Jiang Yilan closed her eyes. “I’m tired.”

“You…” The words Jiang Ze almost blurted out stayed in his throat. He switched to a gentler tone. “Big brother knows that you still remember the Jiang family’s betrayal, how they… but now they are all gone, and so is Father!”

“Don’t say it!” Jiang Yilan interrupted Jiang Ze. “I don’t want to hear it.”

“Sister!”

“You should go,” Jiang Ze was about to say more, but Yuan Ruo cut him off. “It is Yi Lan’s wish to stay here. If you truly care about your sibling relationship, you should respect her.”

“I… Sigh!” Jiang Ze sighed. “Ultimately, the Jiang family failed you. It’s normal that you don’t want to be involved in the family’s affairs anymore. But no matter what, the Jiang family will always be your home, and you’re welcome back anytime!”

Jiang Yilan didn’t respond. After Jiang Ze left, she slowly opened her eyes, looked at the doorway, and let out a soft sigh.

“Why are you sighing?” Yuan Ruo asked gently. “If you want to go back, you can just go back after you’ve recovered.”

But Jiang Yilan gently shook her head. “I said I’m not going back, so I’m not.”

Yuan Ruo gently held Jiang Yilan’s hand. “Your feelings for the Jiang family must be complicated, right?”

Jiang Yilan didn’t deny it, but she didn’t want to talk about it either. “It’s all in the past.”

“Okay,” Yuan Ruo nodded lightly. “You’ve been talking for a while; you must be tired. Lie down and get some more rest.”

Jiang Yilan gave a small smile. “I’ve been sleeping for days. I just woke up, and you want me to sleep again?”

“That… is true,” Yuan Ruo awkwardly pursed her lips. “Then is there anything you’d like to eat? I’ll have someone make it.”

“I don’t want to eat. I want to go for a walk,” Jiang Yilan shook the hand Yuan Ruo was holding. “I don’t have the strength. Help me.”

“Okay,” Yuan Ruo agreed. After helping Jiang Yilan get dressed, she carried her out and settled her on a stone bench. “You sit here for a while. I’ll get some tea and snacks.”

“No…”

“Sister, Yi Lan!” Just as Jiang Yilan was about to say no, Han Yi suddenly appeared, holding a tray and walking over with a smile.

“Second Brother,” Yuan Ruo called out to Han Yi in a flat tone. He had a hand in Han Ming’s death, but because of their kinship, she chose to keep it a secret from Han Qing and his wife. Still, she couldn’t help but feel a certain disgust when facing him.

Han Yi was completely unaware that Yuan Ruo knew his secret, and his thoughts weren’t on her anyway, so he didn’t notice her unusual behavior. He was focused on Jiang Yilan, placing the tray in front of her. “You woke up this morning, and I heard you haven’t eaten much, so I brought some fruits and pastries. See if you have an appetite for them.”

“No need,” Jiang Yilan didn’t even look at the food. “Yuan Ruo already prepared some for me earlier, but I just don’t have an appetite.”

“You didn’t have an appetite before, but now is a good time!” Han Yi pushed the tray closer to Jiang Yilan. “Eat a little bit, and you’ll recover faster.”

Jiang Yilan still didn’t eat. Han Yi was about to persuade her further when Yuan Ruo, unable to bear it anymore, said, “Second Brother, Yi Lan has already said she doesn’t want to eat. When she does, I’ll prepare something myself.”

Yuan Ruo’s sudden outburst startled Han Yi, but he quickly smiled. “Are you getting jealous, Sister, because you see Second Brother being so nice to Yi Lan?”

“You…”

“Second Young Master Han,” Jiang Yilan cut in before Yuan Ruo could erupt. “Don’t say such meaningless things when there’s nothing to talk about.”

“I… How is this meaningless?” Han Yi became agitated. “Yi Lan, can you truly not see my feelings for you?”

Jiang Yilan frowned. “What feelings?”

“I like you. I want you to be my wife!” Han Yi said, and tried to grab Jiang Yilan’s hand, but Yuan Ruo intercepted him.

“What are you trying to do, Second Brother?”

“Sister, don’t stop me. Let me talk to Yi Lan!” Han Yi tried to break free from Yuan Ruo’s grip but couldn’t. “Sister?”

“Second Young Master Han, you’d better not say anything else,” Jiang Yilan took Yuan Ruo’s other hand. “I don’t want to be in the sun anymore. Take me back inside.”

“Okay,” Yuan Ruo finally let go of Han Yi, picked Jiang Yilan up again, and carried her back into the house.

“Sister…” Han Yi watched helplessly as Jiang Yilan was carried away. He stood there dazed for a long time until Han Qing came up and patted his shoulder. “Do you like that girl from the Jiang family, Yi’er?”

“Father,” Han Yi snapped out of his daze, called out to Han Qing, then nodded dejectedly. “Yes.”

“The Jiang family girl is a good one. She was meant for your elder brother, but alas… Sigh.” Han Qing sighed with regret, then continued, “But she is still young. You two would make a good match.”

Han Yi’s spirits lifted. “Father, you agree to me marrying her?”

Han Qing nodded. “Of course I agree.”

But Han Yi’s smile gradually faded. “But she doesn’t seem to like me.”

“Doesn’t like you?” Han Qing put his hands behind his back. “She will eventually.”

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