Jiang Si suddenly deflated.
Her eldest brother’s greatest virtue was his loyalty to relationships. Even if she tried to stop him, she probably couldn’t.
Never mind, Second Brother was a man. Even if that scoundrel had designs on him, he couldn’t possibly trick Second Brother into becoming his wife.
As for herself—
Jiang Si carefully recalled the scene from earlier.
When Yu Qi saw her, although he looked at her a few extra times, there wasn’t anything particularly special about it. Today she had deliberately spoken harshly, so given his noble status, there likely wouldn’t be any further interactions.
Jiang Si let out a long sigh and smiled at Jiang Zhan, “It was just your sister being too emotional. That person’s dog snatched my pouch, and I couldn’t help but misdirect my anger at the owner.”
Jiang Zhan showed a look of shared resentment, “Fourth Sister, you don’t know, that dog deserves a beating. I’ve been wanting to teach it a lesson for a long time.”
It was just that he had mistaken it for “Horse Face” in a moment of confusion. Every time they met, it looked at him with those contemptuous eyes, which was simply unbearable.
Jiang Si recalled the fighting prowess of the large dog and asked with a smile, “Is Second Brother sure he can beat it?”
The image of the big dog pouncing on him immediately flashed through Jiang Zhan’s mind.
“Heh heh,” Second Young Master Jiang answered his sister’s question with a dry laugh.
The two had already walked to the entrance of the Earl of Dongping’s mansion.
Jiang Si stopped and said, “Second Brother, please help me get that pouch back. It wouldn’t be good if someone else picked it up.”
“Alright, I’ll go find Brother Yu Qi right away. Don’t worry, Fourth Sister. Your Second Brother will get the pouch back for you.”
Jiang Si nodded and entered the mansion with A-Man.
By the time the Jiang siblings finished talking and parted ways, Yu Qi had already returned to the residence with the crooked jujube tree in front of the gate in Que-zi Hutong, which was very close to Yu-qi Hutong where the Earl of Dongping’s mansion was located.
“Er-niu, come out!” Yu Qi called out, standing in the empty courtyard.
The tall and straight silk tree in the yard rustled as a breeze blew through its branches and leaves.
Yu Qi raised an eyebrow expressionlessly and uttered two more words: “Leng Ying.”
Immediately, a person seemed to appear out of thin air, as if jumping out from nowhere.
The person knelt on one knee: “What are your orders, Master?”
“Stand up and speak.”
The person immediately stood up.
This was a young man about twenty years old, with regular features and a respectful expression on his face.
“Er-niu hasn’t returned?”
“No.”
Yu Qi’s eyes grew even darker.
“Master, I’ll go find Er-niu!” Another person jumped down from the tree.
This person had a baby face, looking about the same age as Yu Qi. Unlike the serious and respectful Leng Ying, the baby-faced youth still wore a grin even when facing Yu Qi.
Yu Qi nodded, “Go ahead, Long Dan.”
The baby-faced youth stumbled and nearly fell.
As he steadied himself, he shot a resentful glare at the expressionless Leng Ying.
Why? On what grounds? They were both the Master’s secret guards, so why did this guy get to be called Leng Ying when he was called Long Dan?
Long Dan jumped over the wall with a dejected face. Soon after, a person and a dog came running in through the gate.
As soon as he saw the big dog, Yu Qi immediately frowned, “Come here!”
Er-niu looked at Long Dan innocently.
Long Dan rolled his eyes, “Don’t play dumb, the Master is calling you!”
This dog had become too clever, even knowing how to feign ignorance.
Er-niu’s ears drooped as he shuffled reluctantly to Yu Qi’s side.
Yu Qi stretched out his hand, “Where’s the item?”
The big dog immediately perked up, turned around, and ran out, returning shortly with a pouch in its mouth. It wagged its tail vigorously at Yu Qi, seeking praise.
Yu Qi took the pouch and noticed that the corners of the exquisitely crafted lilac-colored pouch were wet, obviously from Er-niu’s saliva. He couldn’t help but tap the dog’s forehead lightly with his knuckles.
The big dog whimpered pitifully, then began wagging its tail furiously again, while making low whining sounds at the pouch.
“Don’t do this again in the future. What if you scare a young lady?” Yu Qi scolded with a stern face.
The dog seemed to understand human speech. Seeing that not only had it not received praise from its master for snatching the pouch, but was being scolded instead, it immediately lost its spirit and listlessly swept the ground with its large tail.
“Mind your manners.” Yu Qi patted the big dog’s head and tucked the pouch into his bosom.
Er-niu: “…”
Long Dan: “…”
Leng Ying: “…”