When a "Sea King" is Bound to a System [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 28

That night, an “unexpected guest” arrived at Jiang Yan’s courtyard.

She entered silently, but the faint sound of the door closing woke the lightly sleeping Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan turned over, her hand reaching under her pillow to grip her short sword.

The person stood in front of the bed curtains, making no further movements.

After a long time, she finally lifted the curtains and reached out to stroke Jiang Yan’s face.

A familiar cool scent drifted over, and Jiang Yan immediately let go of her short sword, quietly waiting for what she would do next.

“Yan’er, what kind of person are you, really?”

The voice held a sense of confusion, like a lost deer in a forest.

This was the first time Jiang Yan had heard Jiang Zhen speak in such a tone. A mix of emotions churned inside her.

Jiang Zhen had always known what she wanted. She had firm choices and lofty goals. Even when Jiang Yan had confessed to her, she had rejected her so cleanly and said such hurtful things.

So why was she doing this now?

‘Did she drink some bad wine and suddenly feel a pang of guilt?’

‘Is she not used to not having a follower anymore?’

‘Or is she just here to test me?’

Jiang Yan couldn’t figure it out, and she didn’t want to.

She had already given up all hope for Jiang Zhen.

A “sea king” possesses the stars and the ocean. How could she be trapped on the sand because of one fish?

Jiang Zhen stroked Jiang Yan’s face over and over, her eyes filled with a complicated mix of affection, conflict, and a hidden pain. But Jiang Yan kept her eyes closed the entire time and couldn’t see the deep emotions in her eyes.

Lately, Jiang Yan had been suffering from insomnia. Even when she did fall asleep, she would wake up quickly. But now, with Jiang Zhen stroking her head, she felt a sense of drowsiness.

Later, Jiang Zhen seemed to say something else, but Jiang Yan didn’t hear it, as she fell into a deep sleep.

She had a dreamless night. When she woke up, the first flower bud had appeared on the peach tree in the courtyard.

Jiang Yan looked at the empty room, with no trace of that person’s visit. Everything felt like a dream.

After the dream, Jiang Zhen was still the same high and mighty Grand General, and she was nothing more than a little tail that followed her around. When Jiang Zhen was happy, she would give her a glance. When she wasn’t, she would casually toss her away.

In any case, she was inconsequential to Jiang Zhen.

It was only mid-March, but the Prince of Xiangyang’s Manor and the General’s Manor were already bustling with activity.

Every day, Yuan Feng would pull Jiang Yan out of bed to discuss the style of her wedding dress and the number of clothes and accessories.

Seeing her mother so happy, Jiang Yan couldn’t bear to pour cold water on her. She just went along with her. As long as her mother thought it was good, she didn’t care.

Yuan Feng saw through her perfunctory attitude. She put down the gold-inlaid kingfisher feather hair ornament in her hand and sighed.

“Yan’er, are you unhappy about this marriage?”

Jiang Yan put on a perfect smile and replied, “No, I’m very happy, aren’t I?”

“Happy?” Yuan Feng frowned. “Do you think I can’t see you’re putting on a brave face?”

Jiang Yan thought her performance was flawless. ‘How could Mother see through it?’

“Mother, you’re overthinking. Your daughter has absolutely no complaints,” Jiang Yan said solemnly, almost swearing to heaven.

She really had no complaints. If her parents had to give her a destination, Yuan Zhao was the best candidate.

“The Prince of Xiangyang’s Manor is a prestigious family. It’s my good fortune to be able to marry into it. How could I dare to have any complaints?”

Yuan Feng’s frown deepened after hearing her words.

Although it was the truth, it was hard to hear. ‘Where did her charming and cheerful daughter go?’

“Yan’er, I don’t want you to be unhappy. If you still haven’t figured it out, we can postpone the wedding. It wouldn’t be too late to arrange the marriage when you are ready.”

Jiang Yan knew this was the biggest compromise her mother would make. But she still asked, “Mother, can I not get married?”

Yuan Feng slammed the jewelry box shut, her voice stern. “No.”

‘In the past, the marriage could have been slowly discussed, but now, she was afraid of a change happening even if it was delayed for a single day.’

Jiang Yan lowered her head, a silent smile on her lips.

‘I already knew this would be the answer. Why did I even bother to ask?’

At the end of March, the royal hunt was held.

Jiang Yan was taken to the hunting grounds by Jiang Chengsha, supposedly to “broaden her horizons.”

She felt completely out of place in her dress, surrounded by princes, nobles, and young ladies and gentlemen in riding attire.

Jiang Yan had a huge headache from her father’s sudden whim.

‘He should have at least told me earlier so I could have changed into a proper outfit. Now it’s obvious I’m just here to make up the numbers.’

Jiang Chengsha saw her looking unhappy. He excused himself from the colleagues he was happily chatting with and walked up to Jiang Yan, asking, “What’s wrong, Yan’er? Aren’t you happy to come out for a walk and meet some friends?”

Jiang Yan tried to smile, but couldn’t, so she gave up. She pointed at her cumbersome dress and said, “Father, do I look like I’m here for a hunt?”

Jiang Chengsha laughed heartily and patted Jiang Yan’s head. “The important thing is to participate. I didn’t expect you to ride a horse or shoot a bow and go hunting with us. I wasn’t even planning to bring you, but your sister said you’ve been in a bad mood lately and asked me to take you out to get some sun. Look, here she comes. You two sisters can have a chat.”

Jiang Yan looked up and saw that, for the first time, Jiang Zhen was wearing a red riding suit. Her waist was cinched, showing off her figure.

Her face was expressionless, her sharp eyes as calm as a still well. They only softened slightly when they met Jiang Yan’s gaze.

Jiang Yan slowly lowered her head, cursing herself for being so pathetic.

‘It’s been so long, yet my heart still flutters for her.’

‘Oh, Jiang Yan, you are a woman who aspires to be a player. How can you be so easily swayed?’

‘Get it together!’

Jiang Zhen walked over and said a few words to Jiang Chengsha. Jiang Chengsha was eager to entrust Jiang Yan to Jiang Zhen and went to chat with people.

The atmosphere between the two sisters was a little awkward. Jiang Yan was determined to just look at her own feet and not at Jiang Zhen.

After a brief silence, Jiang Zhen spoke first. “Yanyan, what do you… want? I’ll hunt one for you later.”