Yu Jin smiled and left, closing the door behind him. Jiang Si sat on the bed and rubbed her face.
How embarrassing!
It was all that scoundrel’s fault. If he was going to serve her food, he should just do it. Why did he have to wink? It made her overthink things.
As night fell, Jiang Si got ready and asked A-Man, “How do I look?”
“You look even more like her than when you were in the carriage,” A-Man said, bringing over a veiled hat. She asked excitedly, “Miss, when are we leaving?”
Jiang Si glanced at the water clock and grabbed the hat, “You stay here. Two people are enough.”
A-Man felt a pang in her heart.
She was being left behind after all!
There was a gentle knock on the door. A-Man stood still.
“Go open it,” Jiang Si said.
The little maid walked over angrily, opened the door, shot a fierce glare at the person outside, then turned and walked away.
Jiang Si put on the veiled hat and walked out.
Yu Jin pointed at the hat, “It’s cumbersome and eye-catching. Better not to wear it.”
Jiang Si shook her head, “If I don’t wear it, someone might try to exchange me for silver.”
Yu Jin rarely looked confused.
Jiang Si raised her hand and lifted the veil, revealing a face both familiar and strange.
Yu Jin frowned, “Why did you make yourself less attractive?”
Jiang Si’s mouth twitched, “This way, I look seven or eight-tenths like Miss Chi.”
Yu Jin rubbed his nose and helped Jiang Si lower the veil, “Let’s go.”
On this dark and windy night, Yu Jin, familiar with the route, led Jiang Si directly to the Chi residence.
In this small town, the Chi residence looked quite impressive with its green-tiled gray walls and large red lanterns bearing the character “Chi” swaying gently in the wind.
This kind of mansion wasn’t as easy to enter as the tofu seller’s home.
Jiang Si glanced at Yu Jin.
“Don’t worry, follow me,” he said.
Yu Jin led Jiang Si around to the back of the compound wall, where there was a deserted alley that looked cold and eerie without moonlight.
Yu Jin stepped back a few paces, then ran and leaped onto the top of the wall. He then bent down and extended his hand.
Jiang Si hesitated for a moment before reaching out.
His large, warm, dry hand grasped hers, applying slight force. Before she knew it, she was standing on top of the wall.
Before she could steady herself, Yu Jin had wrapped an arm around her waist. Being so close, his voice seemed to reverberate in her heart, “Don’t make a sound. I’ll take you down.”
As they jumped from the high wall, Jiang Si felt no fear at all at that moment, only aware of his familiar scent enveloping her.
It was a scent she had known and loved in her previous life.
Jiang Si’s heart suddenly became confused, her mind blank.
Could she shake off this persistent man in this lifetime?
“What are you thinking about?” Yu Jin asked softly.
Jiang Si came back to her senses, “Nothing. Did you find out where Master Chi is resting?”
“He’s in the front courtyard study.” Yu Jin led Jiang Si toward the study. Suddenly, dog barks rang out, followed by cursing.
“Damn it! Ever since the master announced a reward for finding the young miss, it’s been nothing but con men and thieves. We haven’t had a good night’s sleep!”
“Enough complaining. Let’s beat these thieves out first.”
Jiang Si looked at Yu Jin.
Had they been discovered?
Yu Jin shook his head, signaling her not to panic.
The two hid behind some flowers and trees. Soon, they saw several servants chasing several vicious dogs in one direction.
Just then, the last dog in the pack suddenly turned and ran towards where Jiang Si and Yu Jin were hiding.
Before Jiang Si could react, Yu Jin flicked his finger, sending a small stone he had been holding flying, hitting the dog between its eyes.
The dog shook its head and collapsed with a thud.
The servants were busy chasing the thieves and didn’t notice what happened there.
“Let’s go,” Yu Jin gripped Jiang Si’s wrist and led her to the window of the study.
The window was open, and there was no night light inside, making it impossible to see clearly in the darkness.
Yu Jin silently jumped in first, then helped Jiang Si in. As their eyes adjusted to the darkness, they saw a low couch against the right wall with someone lying on it.
The person was lying on their side, motionless, as if sound asleep.