When a "Sea King" is Bound to a System [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 7

Jiang Yan brainstormed for a moment and decided that the geographical location of the Ningbo Courtyard was not suitable for a “detour.”

But the words had already been said, and it was impossible to take them back.

She straightened her back, her expression unchanging. “Yes, it was a detour. I just take a couple of turns and I’ll be at the latrine, won’t I?”

Piao Xu was a bit old-fashioned and, hearing her say this, reminded her, “Second Miss, please mind your manners.”

Jiang Yan stuck out her tongue and made a face at her.

This is why ancient times are so bad—too many rules that suppress a person’s nature.

A ten-year-old child can be a little outspoken, can’t they? Otherwise, why would there be a saying like “what a child says is not a sin”?

Jiang Zhen obviously didn’t believe Jiang Yan’s words. After all, she had too many previous offenses, and it wasn’t strange for her to do something like this.

However, she did not refuse Yuan Feng’s “kindness” and accepted the clothes Piao Xu brought.

With her task complete, Piao Xu didn’t linger. She curtsied and took her leave. Xia He escorted her out, leaving only the two sisters in the room.

Jiang Zhen’s gaze lingered on Jiang Yan, and Jiang Yan pretended not to notice.

She knew Jiang Zhen was waiting for her to leave, but she wanted to see what Jiang Zhen would look like in that dress, if she was as beautiful as she imagined.

Jiang Zhen withdrew her gaze and pursed her lips.

‘How could I have forgotten? My “sister” here is the most thick-skinned. How could she care about such a subtle hint?’

Just as she was about to speak, Jiang Yan beat her to it.

“Elder Sister, try on the clothes to see if they fit. If they don’t, I can take them to Mother to be altered.”

After saying this, Jiang Yan anxiously awaited Jiang Zhen’s response.

She imagined that Jiang Zhen might sneer at her or simply ignore her, then tell her to leave.

Jiang Zhen stood up, took the clothes, and walked towards the inner room. Just as her figure was about to disappear, a cold voice came:

“If I try on the clothes, will you leave?”

Jiang Yan nodded vigorously: “Yes, yes, yes. I’ll leave as soon as you try them on and absolutely won’t stay in front of you for a second longer!”

Jiang Zhen disappeared behind the curtain, and then the rustling sound of changing clothes could be heard.

Jiang Yan rubbed her hands in anticipation, ready to be amazed.

After a moment, Jiang Zhen emerged from behind the curtain. Even though she was mentally prepared, Jiang Yan was still struck by the beauty before her and was left speechless for a long time.

“The clothes fit. There’s nothing to alter. You can go back now.”

Jiang Yan was pulled back to reality by Jiang Zhen’s cold voice.

No matter how much she tried to please her, she was still a flower on a mountaintop, and it was unknown when a mortal like her would be able to pluck it.

Jiang Yan left dispiritedly and ran into Xia He, who was walking in.

Xia He had become close with Qiu Yue these days, and perhaps influenced by her, her attitude towards Jiang Yan had improved. She no longer greeted her with a cold face.

“Second Miss, why don’t you stay and play for a while?”

Jiang Yan had a sullen expression, as if her body had been hollowed out.

“Xia He, take good care of your Young Miss. Smile more in front of her. Use your smile to influence her and tell her not to be so cold anymore. She treats me like a penguin every day. I’m so sad.”

Xia He did not understand what a “penguin” was, but she nodded in a dazed manner.

Jiang Yan went back, collapsed on her bed, and fell asleep. In the evening, she started coughing and her head began to ache again.

Yuan Feng was heartbroken and called for three doctors to examine her. She was given three bowls of medicine that night.

The next morning, Xi Liu came to ask if she felt better. If not, she could stay at home to recover while the Madam took the Young Miss to Minister Liu’s manor.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan immediately panicked!

She immediately sat up, as if a dying patient had suddenly come back to life, suppressing the itch in her throat and said to Xi Liu:

“Auntie Xi Liu, please tell Mother that I am already much better and will go with her to Minister Liu’s manor today.”

Xi Liu, seeing the flushed look on her face, still added one more question, “Second Miss, are you really okay?”

Jiang Yan covered her mouth and waved her hand, indicating that she was fine.

After Xi Liu left, she started to cough with a gut-wrenching force. Dong Xue and Qiu Yue were heartbroken and took turns persuading her to rest at home. They said they could go to Minister Liu’s manor anytime and that there was no need to rush.

Jiang Yan: “You are still too young.”

‘Do you think I’m going there just to have fun?’

‘Of course not.’

‘If Jiang Zhen goes out with Mother, Mother will definitely not protect her. If someone bullies her, won’t she be all alone?’

‘She will absolutely not allow such a thing to happen!’

Unable to dissuade her, the two maids gave up. After helping her get dressed, they helped her into the carriage.

The two sisters shared one carriage. When Jiang Yan got in, Jiang Zhen was already sitting upright inside.

As Jiang Yan entered, she didn’t even lift an eyelid.

It was a very hot July day, and the sun was high in the sky, but Jiang Yan still felt a chill on her body. She couldn’t help but lean towards Jiang Zhen, trying to get some warmth.

“Elder Sister, let me lean on you for a bit, just for a moment.”

Jiang Zhen’s expression finally changed. After some internal struggle, she reached out and placed her hand on Jiang Yan’s forehead.

Her palm felt scalding, and Jiang Zhen’s brow furrowed.

‘Doesn’t this piece of sticky candy know she’s sick? She’s in this state and still came. Just how much does she like excitement?’

Jiang Zhen poured a cup of water and held it to Jiang Yan’s lips. “Open your mouth and drink some water.”

Jiang Yan groggily opened her mouth. After drinking the water, she felt a little better.

Sickness emboldens people.

Jiang Yan snuggled into Jiang Zhen’s arms, hugging her arm and saying, “Elder Sister, don’t hate me.”

Jiang Zhen didn’t know if she was delirious or just being deliberate, but the current situation didn’t allow her to push the person away.

The journey from the General’s Manor to the Minister’s Manor was not far, only a quarter of an hour. Jiang Yan slept in Jiang Zhen’s arms, and her head was a little clearer when they got out of the carriage.

Jiang Zhen was the first to step out, standing behind Yuan Feng with her back straight. The moon-white, wide-sleeved qiluo dress made her appear elegant and ethereal, like a goddess from the moon.

Jiang Yan forced herself to enter the Minister’s Manor. She stayed obediently behind Yuan Feng, never leaving Jiang Zhen’s side.

When they entered, many other young ladies were already in the courtyard, gathered in groups of three or five to admire flowers. Seeing them come in, they all stopped talking and looked their way.

Jiang Yan knew their attention was mainly on Jiang Zhen.

She had been at the General’s Manor for half a year, and this was her first public appearance. Previously, there had been many rumors that she had not been brought out for so long because she was ugly and unpresentable. Now, many people’s faces were probably being slapped.

Jiang Yan loved “face-slapping” and “abusing scumbags” plots the most. She took in the expressions of those people and continued to walk forward calmly.

A graceful and noble lady stepped forward and said kindly to Yuan Feng, “These must be your two young ladies. They are indeed beautiful. No wonder you’ve been hiding them and were reluctant to let me see them.”

Yuan Feng was a little vain. She was happy that her daughters were being praised and smiled warmly.

“Look at you, it’s not that I was deliberately hiding them from you. It’s just that these two children are shy and weren’t willing to come out to meet people. Today, since the weather is nice, I brought them out to see the world.”

The beautiful lady took Yuan Feng’s arm and said to the young girl standing next to her, “Rong’er, go play with your two younger sisters. You young people have things to talk about. The General’s Madam and I will go sit over there.”

The girl named Rong’er was about fourteen years old. She had an oval-shaped face, a gentle temperament, and a bright smile.

She walked up to Jiang Zhen and Jiang Yan and said to Yuan Feng, “Madam, don’t you worry. I’ll take care of the two younger sisters.”

Yuan Feng instructed Jiang Zhen to “take good care of your sister” and then left with the beautiful lady. She seemed very confident in this girl named Rong’er.

“I am Tang Rong of the Chengan Marquis Manor. If the two younger sisters don’t mind, you can call me Elder Sister Rong.”

Jiang Yan immediately sweetly called out “Elder Sister Rong.” Jiang Zhen remained indifferent.

Jiang Yan quickly explained for her, “Elder Sister Rong, please don’t mind her. My sister has never left the manor, so she doesn’t know how to interact with people. She’ll be better once she gets used to it.”

Jiang Zhen looked at her, a little annoyed. “You’re meddling!”

After she said this, she walked towards a corner, leaving behind an embarrassed Jiang Yan. Luckily, Tang Rong didn’t mind and pulled Jiang Yan along to follow Jiang Zhen.