Jiang Yourning's Plan

*[No way, no way! He wasn't going to order a fourth bowl, was he?*

*Didn't he say he'd already had breakfast and wasn't hungry? Was he a reincarnated rice-bucket spirit or something? How could he eat so much...]*

Mindful of his image, Xie Ciyan swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue and addressed his young guard with measured composure:

"Go clear these bowls away and get Sixth Miss Jiang another bowl. While you're at it, see whether anyone from the Jiang Residence has arrived."

[Oh, I misjudged him. He's actually pretty thoughtful. He could tell I wasn't full yet. He and my sister would make a pretty good match.]

Jiang Yourning set down her chopsticks like a proper lady and nodded to Xie Ciyan's young guard. "Sorry for the trouble."

"No trouble at all, no trouble! Just a moment, Miss Jiang!"

Shuo Feng hurried off with the bowls in his arms.

His Young Marquis's fate was now in the hands of this Sixth Miss Jiang. For the sake of his master's happiness, it was only right that he put in a little extra effort.

Soon, Shuo Feng returned, still carrying the empty bowls.

"Master, Miss Jiang, the Jiang family is here."

"Got it!"

Jiang Yourning quickly got up and lay down on the bed. Once she had tucked herself under the covers, she swallowed a One-Second Sleep Pill while Xie Ciyan wasn't looking.

Now it was up to Xie Ciyan to put on a show.

"Ningning! My precious daughter!"

Lin Xiangyin pushed the door open and rushed inside. Looking around, she spotted Jiang Yourning on the bed and immediately threw herself at her, wailing like howling ghosts and wolves.

Jiang Huai'an and Jiang Heng also hurried to Jiang Yourning's side.

Jiang Wanrong had wanted to rush over too, but Xie Ciyan caught her in time.

"Little... Fifth Miss Jiang."

Xie Ciyan winked at Jiang Wanrong, then glanced toward the bed.

Jiang Wanrong immediately understood.

Once her reason returned, she noticed the drops of soup and vegetable leaves on the table, along with the rather enticing aroma lingering in the air.

"Wanrong greets you, Young Lord Xie. May I ask how my younger sister is doing?"

Jiang Wanrong's question instantly brought Jiang Huai'an back to his senses.

He turned and cupped his hands toward Xie Ciyan as well.

"I heard that you rescued my daughter, Young Marquis. Please accept this humble official's thanks."

"You're too kind."

Xie Ciyan smiled at Jiang Huai'an before continuing:

"The physician has already examined her. Sixth Miss Jiang is unharmed. She merely suffered a fright and needs a little quiet rest."

"That's wonderful! Wonderful!"

Jiang Wanrong and Jiang Huai'an finally relaxed completely.

"By the way, Young Marquis, could you tell us where you found my daughter?"

Xie Ciyan paused for two seconds, then slowly said:

"In a City God temple. Someone had tied her up there as a prank.

"When I came across her, she was calling for help, so I brought her back.

"But... I was useless. I failed to catch those villains."

Xie Ciyan earnestly recited the words Jiang Yourning had taught him.

"Then you have my thanks, Young Marquis Xie. Once my daughter wakes, I will personally bring her to your residence to express our gratitude."

Hearing this, Jiang Huai'an looked at Xie Ciyan with a little more gratitude in his eyes.

The dissatisfaction he had felt toward Xie Ciyan yesterday vanished without a trace at that moment.

"You're too kind, Uncle Jiang. It was only what I ought to do."

Xie Ciyan couldn't help smiling.

His little sister-in-law really was something. After all these maneuvers, his future father-in-law and mother-in-law's anger should at least have mostly subsided.

The National Preceptor's Residence.

After waking, Qing Qianxue sat at the bedside, an icy aura surrounding him.

When he awoke, the mask on his face was gone, and a faint fragrance lingered on the bed and among the covers.

Although he couldn't identify the exact scent, he was certain it was the sweet fragrance found only on a woman.

"Qian Yan. Explain."

With frost lodged deep between his brows, Qing Qianxue coolly uttered the command.

"Master, explain what?"

Qian Yan's eyes were full of confusion.

Qing Qianxue spoke coolly again.

"A woman."

"Huh? What woman? Master, our National Preceptor's Residence is practically a monastery. I don't have a woman either!

"Or have you taken a fancy to some family's daughter?"

As he spoke, Qian Yan couldn't help rubbing his head.

Beside him, Qian Miao was equally baffled.

Qing Qianxue's gaze settled on Qian Yan like an icy blade poised to pierce straight through him.

Seeing Qing Qianxue's expression grow colder and colder, Qian Miao hurried to speak.

"Master, after you returned yesterday and had your medicinal bath, Divine Doctor Ye came to take your pulse. Your symptoms were no different from usual.

"Then you fell asleep. No one entered the residence during that time, much less a woman."

Despite those words, Qian Yan privately agreed with his younger brother's suggestion that their master might be possessed.

Their master had behaved strangely yesterday, and now the very first thing he did upon waking was ask about a woman. It was far too odd.

Qian Miao didn't appear to be lying, and Qian Yan looked genuinely clueless as well.

Qing Qianxue couldn't help knitting his brows.

"Is that really so?"

"Yes! Master, could you be longing for a woman? Should I go buy you one from a respectable family?"

Qian Yan looked at Qing Qianxue as he ventured the suggestion.

Qing Qianxue shot him a dagger-sharp glare.

His survival instincts kicking in, Qian Yan shut his mouth.

Beside him, Qian Miao considered for a moment before speaking slowly:

"However, you did act a little strangely yesterday, Master. Qian Yan said he heard some odd sounds on the way as well.

"And when you got out of the carriage yesterday, your mask was already gone. Your arms were loosely curved, as though you were holding a child.

"If I may venture a guess, perhaps some evil spirit or demon has set its sights on you. Shall I invite a master to come take a look?"

"Yes, exactly! I've heard that Perfected One Xuyang has extraordinary abilities and rarely leaves his mountain.

"Master, should I go kidnap... invite him here for you right now?"

Qian Yan immediately nodded in agreement.

"Absurd!"

Qing Qianxue snapped the word.

Qian Yan and Qian Miao instantly fell silent and lowered their heads.

The Jiang Residence.

After returning to her own warm bed, Jiang Yourning was forced to wake up.

She wanted to sleep a little longer too, but the One-Second Sleep Pill only lasted ten minutes. She had escaped Lin Xiangyin's first round of ghost-and-wolf wailing, but her mother's tears flowed as though they cost nothing.

Lin Xiangyin had cried the entire way home, and Jiang Yourning felt as though her head was about to explode.

"Mother, why are you crying?"

Jiang Yourning's voice was very soft. Reaching out, she carefully dabbed at the tears on Lin Xiangyin's face with the sleeve of her filthy coarse linen clothes.