On this windless night, the sound of tapping on the window was exceptionally clear.
Jiang Zhan’s expression changed slightly as he stood up abruptly.
A-Man suddenly rushed forward. “Second Young Master, let this servant fetch you some tea!”
“Move aside.” Jiang Zhan pushed A-Man away with a serious expression and strode toward the window.
He hadn’t misheard—someone was knocking on the window!
It was already dark, and this was Fourth Sister’s chamber. How dare someone be outside the window at this hour!
Jiang Zhan rushed to the window with an ashen face, completely ignoring even Jiang Si’s call of “Second Brother.”
The window was yanked open, letting in a blast of cold air.
Jiang Si remained relatively composed, but A-Man and A-Qiao couldn’t help covering their mouths.
They’re done for! Young Miss’s secret meeting with Young Master Yu was about to be discovered by the Second Young Master! What would happen? Would Second Young Master have them drowned in pig cages?
These were A-Qiao’s thoughts.
A-Man squeezed her eyes shut, unable to watch.
Would there be a bloody battle between Second Young Master and Young Master Yu? If they fought, should she help Second Young Master or Young Master Yu?
A-Man opened her eyes uncertainly and glanced outside, immediately becoming dumbfounded.
Even more surprised than A-Man was Jiang Zhan.
He found himself staring at a large dog outside the window, thinking his eyes were playing tricks on him. He rubbed them vigorously.
It was indeed Er Niu!
Er Niu, with its front paws on the windowsill, twitched its nose.
Jiang Zhan’s face darkened completely as he furiously declared, “Er Niu, today young master will slaughter you for meat!”
Er Niu raised one front paw and waved it, seemingly either greeting Jiang Si or taunting the enraged Second Young Master Jiang, before turning and darting into the cold night.
Jiang Zhan braced his hands on the windowsill and nimbly jumped over it, quickly disappearing.
The window remained wide open, letting in cold air, while the three people inside stood frozen in shock.
A figure leaped in through the window with graceful movements, landing silently.
The newcomer wore a dark cloak and calmly turned to close the window after entering. He shook off his cloak, removing the frost, before handing it to the stunned A-Qiao.
His actions were so familiar and at ease, as if returning home.
A-Qiao naturally took the cloak and hung it on the rack.
Jiang Si looked at the approaching man, then glanced at the window. “Er Niu—”
Yu Jin walked over and took Jiang Si’s hand, saying casually, “That dog probably missed you and insisted on coming along. It worked out well, taking the blame for me.”
Jiang Si’s mouth twitched.
Only this scoundrel would so readily let his dog take the fall.
“It’s still early, why did you come now?” Jiang Si asked.
If he had come later, they wouldn’t have been caught by Second Brother.
Yu Jin winked and smiled. “Are you complaining that I came too early? If I came later, I might not want to leave…”
A-Qiao heard this and lowered her head with reddened cheeks, while A-Man remained vigilantly guarding the window.
Jiang Si gave Yu Jin a light smack. “Stop joking around, tell me what’s important!”
His hasty visit indicated he had serious matters to discuss.
Yu Jin raised his eyebrows and glanced at the two maids.
Jiang Si sighed. “We need someone watching the window in case Second Brother returns.”
Being accidentally discovered was one thing, but if possible, she didn’t want her brother to suffer such a shock.
Yu Jin smiled. “He won’t return. I know Er Niu well—with that dog around, your Second Brother won’t be able to come back.”
At this point, Seventh Prince Yu’s expression soured.
At such a late hour, why was Jiang Zhan in A-Si’s chambers?
Jiang Si silently rolled her eyes.
Er Niu had learned bad habits from Seventh Prince Yu—it used to be such a well-behaved dog.
“You may withdraw,” Jiang Si naturally trusted Yu Jin’s words and waved for A-Qiao and A-Man to leave.
Once the maids had withdrawn, Yu Jin immediately pulled Jiang Si into his embrace, complaining, “Why was Jiang Second here?”
Caught off guard by the sudden closeness, Jiang Si instinctively pushed back slightly and explained, “Today is the Winter Solstice. I made some dumplings for Second Brother since he’s been on duty. He came specially to thank me.”
Yu Jin’s brows drew together in deepening displeasure. “You even made dumplings for him?”
“He’s my Second Brother!” Jiang Si said helplessly.
Yu Jin gritted his teeth. “I know he’s your brother, otherwise I would have broken his legs already.”