Jiang Si could understand Ah Lan’s mindset to some extent.
In Ah Lan’s heart, the Holy Maiden was an inviolable existence, sacred and untouchable. For this personal maid, the Holy Maiden’s status was even higher than that of the Grand Elder.
Yet someone was now impersonating the Holy Maiden, enjoying the reverence that should belong to her alone.
For Ah Lan, this was utterly intolerable.
Thus, despite the Grand Elder’s guidance, Ah Lan was still eager to teach Jiang Si a lesson, to make this impersonator face reality.
As for Jiang Si’s appearance and voice being identical to the Holy Maiden’s, it didn’t inspire awe in Ah Lan. On the contrary, it made her even more anxious.
This woman, who took pride in being the Holy Maiden’s maid, feared that Jiang Si might truly replace the Holy Maiden.
However, while Jiang Si could understand her mindset, it didn’t mean she would indulge it.
It was better to teach her the reality early on, rather than let her stew in resentment later.
“What’s the matter? Haven’t figured it out yet?” Jiang Si cast a meaningful glance at Ah Lan.
Ah Lan’s heart skipped a beat, but she suppressed her anger and replied, “I understand.”
She thought to herself, that this woman from Da Zhou was so despicable, daring to act high and mighty after coming to Wu Miao.
But the other party was right. The Grand Elder needed her help now. If she angered this person and delayed important matters, the Grand Elder would surely throw her into the Pit of Ten Thousand Snakes.
Thinking of that scenario, Ah Lan shuddered and had to temporarily suppress her irritation.
“Since you understand, go wash your face and bring me a pot of hot tea,” Jiang Si ordered.
Ah Lan bit her lip and quickly turned to leave.
Jiang Si’s expression relaxed, but her heart wasn’t as at ease.
The New Fire Festival mentioned by the Grand Elder was approaching. She didn’t need to worry about anything before then, but figuring out how to escape with her brother after pacifying the Wu Miao people during the festival was what she needed to contemplate.
She knew clearly that Holy Maiden Ah Sang was dead, and Elder Hua’s oath alone didn’t mean much.
The night passed without incident.
Ah Lan first went to Jiang Zhan’s quarters.
“What? You want Ah Hua to take care of you?” Ah Lan’s face looked extremely odd after hearing Jiang Zhan’s request.
Jiang Zhan raised his eyebrows slightly. “Is that not allowed? That elderly lady said yesterday it would be fine.”
Ah Lan’s lips trembled, feeling half-dead with anger.
Why would Elder Hua say such a thing? Did she think her care wasn’t attentive enough?
And this detestable man, she had set aside her status as the Holy Maiden’s maid to take care of him, yet he wanted to change caretakers?
Ah Lan didn’t realize that most of her irritation stemmed from another sentiment quietly taking root in her heart.
Jiang Zhan didn’t care what the young girl before him was angry about. He said carelessly, “It’s not appropriate to always trouble Miss Ah Lan alone. We should take turns.”
Ah Lan’s lips quivered as she asked word by word, “Does the young master want Ah Hua to take care of you?”
“Yes, of course,” Jiang Zhan began to find this girl a bit strange.
Ah Lan stomped her foot. “Fine then, young master. Just wait.”
She turned and left, leaving Jiang Zhan dumbfounded.
She left just like that, and even took his breakfast away? This girl seemed angry – could it be that she had a fetish for serving others?
Ah Lan realized she was still holding the tray only after she had angrily left the room. There was no way she would take it back now. With a black face, she dumped the breakfast into the slop bucket, viciously thinking to herself: Wretched man, it would be best if he starved to death!
Arriving at the Grand Elder’s quarters, Ah Lan relayed Jiang Zhan’s request.
The Grand Elder felt a headache coming on.
Neither of these siblings was easy to deal with.
“Go call Elder Hua,” the Grand Elder instructed a middle-aged woman.
Soon after, Elder Hua hurried over.
“Where’s Ah Hua?” the Grand Elder asked.
Elder Hua was momentarily stunned, her thoughts immediately going to Jiang Si.
What trouble was the Princess Consort of Yan stirring up now?
The Grand Elder seemed to guess what Elder Hua was thinking and said helplessly, “I mean your granddaughter.”
Elder Hua finally realized, “She’s at the inn.”
“Bring her back quietly. That young master specifically asked for Ah Hua to take care of him.”
Elder Hua was somewhat bewildered.
Yesterday, that young master clearly didn’t say this. He even complained that Ah Hua’s name didn’t sound good.
“Go on then.”
Elder Hua quickly agreed and left the Grand Elder’s residence.
She had left her granddaughter at the inn yesterday to be safe, but now that the Princess Consort of Yan had become the Holy Maiden, Ah Hua was supposed to return to the clan anyway.