Jiang Ancheng insisted on escorting Jiang Si back to Haitang Residence. Upon returning to his study, he took down the sword hanging on the wall, stroking the cold blade repeatedly.
In a few days, he would teach Dou Qitong a harsh lesson. Finding an excuse wouldn’t be difficult, as long as it didn’t involve his daughter.
After walking back, Jiang Si’s feet were cold when she reached Haitang Residence. She removed her shoes and socks and warmed herself with the charcoal brazier.
A’qiao brought a cup of ginger tea.
Jiang Si took it and sipped slowly.
A’man seemed to want to speak several times but held back, seeing Jiang Si silent and fearing to bring up something that might upset her mistress.
“A’man, A’qiao, find a way to inquire about which courtyard Elder Brother Dou is staying in.”
“Miss?” A’man looked at Jiang Si, surprise and hidden joy in her voice.
Could it be that the young miss was preparing to do something exciting again?
Jiang Si held her teacup, smiling faintly, “If conditions allow, we should try not to let grudges last overnight.”
It’s most satisfying to take revenge on the same day. She didn’t believe in the saying that a gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years. Who knows if the enemy would still be around in ten years? What if they were struck by lightning?
A’man nodded eagerly, “Yes!”
A’qiao was confused, “What—”
A’man pulled her outside, “Hurry and go inquire, I’ll tell you on the way…”
As the two maids walked away, the room fell silent.
Jiang Si leaned against the brazier, casually picking up a book to pass the time.
Outside, fine snow was falling, the world a vast expanse of white. But with the windows closed, the light filtering through the translucent paper was dim.
In this light, Jiang Si wasn’t focusing on the book, her mind elsewhere.
Yu Qi hadn’t contacted her for several days. She wondered what mischief he was planning after being thwarted by her father.
It was strange. Previously, she had wanted to stay far away from him, feeling that he appeared too often, to the point of disturbing her. Now, after just a few days without news from him, she found herself thinking of him.
Jiang Si put down the book and leaned against the brazier, the bamboo frame bending slightly under her weight.
She suddenly remembered that night when he had pressed her against the brazier, her clothes nearly singed by the charcoal fire…
Jiang Si couldn’t help but smile as she thought about it.
Being able to openly and justifiably miss someone was a rare thing indeed.
Time passed, and Jiang Si was dozing off against the brazier when A’qiao and A’man hurried back.
A’qiao reported, “Miss, Elder Brother Dou is staying in Luofeng Residence.”
Luofeng Residence? That’s next to Second Brother’s Tingzhu Residence.
Jiang Si felt increasingly uncomfortable at this thought.
Elder Sister Dou appeared to be a quiet woman. Regardless of her true nature, since Father would keep his distance from her due to today’s incident, Jiang Si wouldn’t specifically target her.
But Elder Brother Dou was different.
Jiang Si felt that man might not be quite right in the head. Otherwise, how could he dare to harass a young lady he encountered in someone else’s garden?
If this wasn’t a mental problem, what was it?
She would not allow such a person to remain in the Earl’s mansion.
This home, though lacking in warmth from the elders, was still her long-term residence. Having such a person around constantly would only bring trouble.
Moreover, there were other sisters in the mansion. If they encountered such a person in the garden, it could lead to a major incident.
“Prepare yourselves. Tonight, we’re going to Luofeng Residence.”
A’man was delighted and responded cheerfully.
A’qiao barely raised an eyebrow, seemingly unfazed.
Jiang Si looked at her maids’ reactions and twitched her lips slightly before waving them out.
A good sleep would prepare her for the night’s activities.
As night fell, lanterns throughout the Earl’s mansion were lit early, illuminating the ground with a bright white glow.
The snow had stopped, melting into the cracks between the stone slabs and forming a thin layer of ice.
Two figures carefully made their way along the path, without lanterns, their black cloaks blending into the darkness.
“Miss, there’s not a soul on the road.”
Jiang Si smiled.
On such a cold night, who would be out unless they were up to something nefarious?
At the second gate, A’man quietly unlocked it with a key, feeling a thrill of excitement.
Since the beginning of the year when the young miss had her copy the key to the second gate, life had become much more interesting.
The sky was starless and moonless, with only layers of dark clouds. Fortunately, the lamps along the corridors and eaves prevented total darkness.
The wind was cold, like a knife cutting tender skin. Occasionally, passing under trees, snow would fall on their necks, leaving a chilling sensation.