Chapter Nine: The Daughter of King Xian

While trimming the plum blossoms in the vase, Madam Zhao spoke with Nurse Wang.

“Do you think Xuanheng is a bit too concerned about that Jiang You’an? He even went to fetch a doctor for her in the middle of the night.”

Nurse Wang pondered for a moment. “After all, Jiang You’an is staying in our household. If she really fell ill and died, the eldest young master couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.”

“But yesterday at the Rongshou Hall, Xuanheng seemed very favorably inclined toward that girl.”

“I think the eldest young master simply cannot tolerate any slight. It was clearly the second young lady’s fault, and his strict handling of the matter was to uphold the Lu family’s dignity.”

Madam Zhao felt it was not so simple and worried aloud, “They are young people close in age, and that girl is quite beautiful. She is always hanging around Xuanheng. Who knows if he might have truly taken a fancy to her?”

“That’s unlikely. Back when they were at the Jiang family, the eldest young master was constantly bullied by Jiang You’an; he despised her utterly. How could he possibly like her now?”

Madam Zhao snorted coldly. “I hope not. She is the daughter of that Bai woman—how could she be worthy of my son? Jiang You’an and her mother are both dangerously seductive and cunning, base and contemptible.”

At first, she had agreed to take Jiang You’an in to earn a reputation for kindness, but over time, seeing the daughter of an old acquaintance constantly before her eyes, she had grown impatient.

She had hoped to use yesterday’s incident to cast Jiang You’an out, but Lu Yunzhu was so foolish she ended up messing everything up.

Without her and her son, the Lu family would have surely fallen long ago.

Madam Zhao sighed, “We must keep a closer watch on Jiang You’an. I fear that wretched girl might develop improper thoughts and try to climb into Xuanheng’s bed. He is about to be betrothed to the princess; nothing must go wrong.”

...

Jiang You’an rested indoors for several days, and finally her body was refreshed.

Today, the rare clear sky lifted her spirits, and she planned to go out for some fresh air.

As Qiulan combed her hair, she said, “That night, the eldest young master personally fetched the doctor. He fed you medicine, applied compresses, and looked after you the entire night. You didn’t know, but he looked truly worried. He only left once your fever broke.”

Jiang You’an listened quietly, her gaze falling upon the red agate bracelet on her wrist.

“Miss, I think the eldest young master cares about you quite deeply. That day in Rongshou Hall, he was the one who stepped forward to help you out of trouble. In this Lu household, only the eldest young master protects you.”

Though unwilling to admit it, the truth was undeniable: without Lu Xuanheng, she would have long since been unable to remain in the Lu family.

In her youth, she had resented Lu Xuanheng because of the rumors spread by Madam Zhao and her father. After entering the Lu residence, she had blamed him for forcing her into a compromising position.

She believed she had always hated Lu Xuanheng, yet at times she could sense his kindness toward her, leaving her hatred incomplete.

A bitter smile tugged at the corners of Jiang You’an’s lips.

...

Dressed and ready, she went out for a stroll in the garden.

The day had warmed somewhat, though the snow on the paths had yet to melt. Jiang You’an and Qiulan linked arms, chatting as they walked.

Ahead, the wax plum trees in the orchard bloomed beautifully. Jiang You’an hurried over to pick a branch; just as she reached out to press down a blossom, she caught sight of Lu Xuanheng not far off.

He wore a black fox fur coat, the gray fur collar wrapped around his neck, revealing a handsome, refined face.

Hearing the sound, his dark eyes turned toward her, locking gazes.

At the same time, the woman beside him also looked over at Jiang You’an.

Jiang You’an stood frozen, staring at the two of them.

The man’s voice, carried by the cold winter breeze, brushed past her ear. “Why are you standing there dazed? Aren’t you coming to greet your guests?”

Jiang You’an came to her senses and slowly approached.

She recognized the woman as well. When the Jiang family was still intact, she had accompanied her mother to the Xian King’s mansion as a guest. This lady was Li Lianzhu, the Princess of Nanhua.

Jiang You’an bowed slightly before the princess. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Li Lianzhu smiled. “No need for such formality. Is this young lady also from the Lu household?”

The princess had no particular memory of Jiang You’an, but Lu Xuanheng answered, “She is a relative on my mother’s side, my cousin You’an.”

Upon hearing the name, Li Lianzhu understood Jiang You’an’s background and gave her a once-over. “I see.”

“She has been ill these past few days, so we didn’t bring her to the hall to receive guests earlier.”

Li Lianzhu frowned lightly. “Are you feeling better now? It’s been cold lately; you must take care to keep warm.”

Jiang You’an forced a polite smile. “I’m well now.”

Lu Xuanheng, seeing the rosy glow on her pale cheeks, knew she had recovered.

Yet she was eager to rush outside as soon as she was well—had she heard about the betrothal between him and Princess Nanhua and was unsettled?

His mood brightened somewhat, no longer annoyed by Jiang You’an treating him as a stranger.

He chuckled softly and said to Jiang You’an, “She’s just delicate.”

Jiang You’an lowered her eyes, saying nothing.

...

“At this age, girls are more fragile, not like you men who are strong and robust,” Li Lianzhu said, stepping forward to gently grasp Jiang You’an’s wrist and pat it. “You must take care to keep warm.”

Jiang You’an met the gentle, smiling face, suddenly at a loss for words.

This woman, beautiful and well-born, was destined to be Lu Xuanheng’s wife—they truly looked well matched.

Jiang You’an pressed her lips together and tactfully said, “I won’t disturb Your Highness and the eldest young master’s stroll any longer. I’ll take my leave.”

Li Lianzhu nodded. Lu Xuanheng watched Jiang You’an walk away without comment, then continued walking with Li Lianzhu.

After a while, it was time for Li Lianzhu to depart. She boarded her carriage and thoughtfully instructed her maid, “Find out more about that Jiang You’an. I want to know exactly what her relationship with Lu Xuanheng is.”

The maid replied, “Isn’t she just a poor orphan, living in the Lu household after her family’s ruin? She seemed quite distant from the eldest young master just now. What is Your Highness worried about?”

“At the hall earlier, neither Madam Lu nor the lady of the house ever mentioned her. She must be quite insignificant here, likely unwelcome. Her clothes are shabby, so she probably has neither wealth nor backing.”

Li Lianzhu narrowed her eyes. “But I noticed the red agate bracelet on her wrist. That bracelet isn’t cheap. I wonder who gave it to her.”

...

In the afternoon, Qiulan went elsewhere to inquire about the princess and learned that the Xian King’s mansion indeed intended to form an alliance with the Lu family; Madam Lu was very pleased.

After Qiulan relayed the news to Jiang You’an, she said nothing, but her mood seemed troubled, and she appeared distracted at dinner.

Qiulan thought perhaps the young lady still cared somewhat for the eldest young master.

That evening, Jiang You’an retired early.

The hour had passed midnight; the night was deep and silent.

Suddenly, the creak of a door opening broke the stillness.

Jiang You’an, already awake, thought it was Qiulan and remained still.

But in the next moment, a man’s breath enveloped her. She was embraced from behind, her back pressed tightly against a solid chest.

Her breath caught in her throat.