Chapter 29: I Arrived Too Late

"The trusted confidant of General Meng is named Jia. Now that I’ve said this much, do you still suspect me of lying?"

Meng Yingying’s eyes widened in shock. The matter of Uncle Jia was known only to those closest to him! She had no choice but to believe Jiang Nian.

Reaching out, she tore the black blindfold from Jiang Nian’s eyes and demanded, "How on earth did you find out? How can you make me believe that the Jiang family is truly innocent?"

"The Jiang family’s dealings are simple; with your resources, you can easily verify our innocence." Pausing for a moment, Jiang Nian offered a reason that sounded plausible enough. "Seven years ago, my cousin and I accompanied our grandmother to offer incense at Wanguo Temple. My cousin and I had a falling out, and when Grandmother sided with her, I stormed off to a meditation room in the back courtyard in a fit of pique. I had intended to hide there so that Grandmother would worry, but I inadvertently overheard two high-ranking officials plotting. Everything I know, I heard from them."

In the original novel, this was exactly where Meng Yingying discovered the clues. If she believed her and went to Wanguo Temple to investigate, she would find the trail.

"Who were they?"

"How would I know? I was just a child then; I didn't recognize any court officials. But I knew General Meng. In all of Bianjing, who hasn't heard of General Meng?"

"What did they discuss?"

"They spoke of General Meng’s final testament. It bore his personal seal, so they couldn't swap it or open it privately, which is why they devised that plan involving the rain. They also mentioned the General’s confidant, Jia... I’ve forgotten his first name, but his surname was Jia."

"What else?"

"Heh, you want to keep listening?"

Meng Yingying glared at Jiang Nian through gritted teeth. "Fine! I agree to your bargain! Tell me everything you know, and I will let you go!"

Jiang Nian blinked, remaining silent. If she confessed everything, would Meng Yingying really let her go? She didn't believe it for a second. Some things didn't need to be spoken aloud; both of them understood the unspoken truth.

After a few moments of silence, Meng Yingying compromised, albeit reluctantly. "Then tell me, what do you want?"

"Once I return to the manor, I will write down everything I know in a letter for you." Seeing Meng Yingying frown, Jiang Nian added, "You can have a trusted maid follow me. With your person there, I won't dare to leave anything out."

Meng Yingying pondered for a long time before turning to her subordinates. "You two, follow her back to the Jiang manor. Retrieve the letter immediately. If she tries anything, kill her."

With that, Meng Yingying waved her hand in visible agony, and the two maids grabbed Jiang Nian by the arms, escorting her out.

Jiang Nian felt completely exhausted. She had finally escaped Meng Yingying’s clutches. This time, no one covered her eyes, and she struggled to memorize everything she could see. However, the two women beside her moved with steady, agile steps—both of Meng Yingying’s maids were skilled in martial arts.

Once they exited through the back gate, Jiang Nian frowned. She had never noticed such secluded alleyways near Riyue Lake before.

"Where is the carriage? Xiao Xi, go call for it," the long-faced maid ordered haughtily.

The round-faced maid didn't move. "Why don't you go?"

"I’ve been serving the Young Mistress since I was ten; you only arrived last year. Do you think you can compare yourself to me in everything?"

As they argued, both maids loosened their grip on Jiang Nian. They began to bicker, and Jiang Nian retreated in alarm—they were just as hot-tempered as Meng Yingying!

The argument escalated, and after a tense standoff, they began to fight. After a few exchanges, the round-faced maid knocked the long-faced one unconscious.

Jiang Nian didn't care about the details—one less guard was better. She whispered, "I’m injured, I can’t walk."

"I apologize for the hardship you’ve endured, Miss Jiang," the round-faced maid said while untying the ropes from Jiang Nian’s wrists. "The carriage will be here shortly. Please, bear the pain a little longer."

Jiang Nian looked at her suspiciously. "What kind of game is Meng Yingying playing now?"

"I am merely a servant by Miss Meng’s side; my true master is Young Master Bo. It was he who ordered me to rescue you."

"Then, when Young Master Bo visited earlier..."

"It was I who sent word to him. I am taking you to see him."

"Very well." Jiang Nian flexed her limbs and nodded slightly. She had heard Meng Yingying’s lies from behind the screen, and she had heard Bo Yijin’s cloying, nauseating words, but she hadn't realized he was testing Meng Yingying...

That Bo Yijin had planted a maid by Meng Yingying’s side to report to him was understandable. That he had designs on her and thus wanted to "rescue" her was also understandable. But this maid hadn't "rescued" her at all! She had only escaped because of the deal she struck with Meng Yingying!

To think she could kill this martial-arts-trained maid was a fantasy. Now, Bo Yijin would soon know that she held the truth about General Meng’s death.

Leave Meng Yingying’s estate only to enter Bo Yijin’s? The heroine of the original novel was a killing machine, and the hero was a master of obsessive imprisonment—she would have to be a fool to jump from one fire pit into another.

Jiang Nian scanned her surroundings casually and said in a relaxed tone, "The carriage hasn't arrived yet. Let’s walk a bit; my limbs are numb and my chest feels tight."

"As you wish." The round-faced maid bowed respectfully and followed.

Jiang Nian walked slowly toward the riverbank. "I never knew there was a river around Riyue Lake. Where does it flow?"

"It likely joins the Bian River."

"Is there a bridge to cross it?"

"Yes, but it is quite a distance away."

"Who is that?" Jiang Nian suddenly pointed behind the maid. The moment the woman turned around, Jiang Nian leaped into the river.

"Miss Jiang!"

Jiang Nian ignored the maid’s panic on the shore. The bone-chilling water seeped into her, but she swam with all her might. She was gambling that the round-faced maid couldn't swim.

The river wasn't very wide, and fortunately, the current wasn't strong. Jiang Nian swam to the opposite bank in one burst, only daring to look back once she had scrambled ashore, bedraggled and shivering. She saw the maid sprinting along the riverbank.

Jiang Nian had won the gamble. She immediately ran in the opposite direction, desperate to get away before the maid could cross the bridge.

Although she had grown up in Bianjing, she wasn't familiar with every street and alley. She took several turns until she was hopelessly lost, with no idea how to get home. More importantly, the cold wind made her shudder. Her wet clothes clung to her, and the pain in her chest intensified.

Slowly, her steps faltered; she knew she was completely spent from the swim.

"Help..." Jiang Nian leaned against a wall, calling out blindly.

She didn't know how much time had passed when she heard a familiar voice. "Jiang Nian!"

Her heart jolted. Only when she looked up and saw Pei Jiuru did she finally let out a breath of relief. As he approached, she smiled weakly. "Even if no one had come to save me, I would have escaped anyway..."

"I am late."