Chapter 154: With Me Here, He Has No Chance
“So what if we marry?” Old Madam Zhong didn’t care, “Since Sir Jiang invited you, just go ahead.”
Knowing full well that the most she could get was to become a concubine in the Jiang Family, yet Old Madam Zhong insisted on rushing into it—wasn’t this just degrading herself?
Moreover, given Jiang Linlei’s personality, he would never take a liking to Zhong Xintong, who offered him no benefit.
Jiang Ruanxi felt a heaviness in her heart; it seemed Jiang Linlei suspected her identity, but due to his relationship with the Yu Family, he hadn’t made a move against her yet.
Did he want to use the Zhong Family’s hand to probe her identity?
Then she certainly wouldn’t let him down!
The next morning, Jiang Linlei and Second Master Yu came to the Zhong Family to pick up the people.
Seeing Jiang Linlei, Second Master Yu was a bit surprised, “I didn’t expect Sir Jiang to have the leisure to come to the Zhong Family.”
“A graceful lady is a gentleman’s dream.”
When Zhong Xintong came out, she heard Jiang Linlei’s words, and a blush of girlish shyness appeared on her face.
When Jiang Ruanxi came out wearing her veil hat, she happened to witness this scene and instinctively frowned.
How could Jiang Linlei possibly be here for Zhong Xintong? He most likely already knew there was something off about her identity.
But she still wasn’t sure whether Jiang Linlei already knew her identity or merely suspected it.
“Miss Zhong, let’s go.” Second Master Yu’s words interrupted her thoughts.
Jiang Ruanxi nodded slightly, but Jiang Linlei had no intention of letting her off, “Miss Zhong, we’re all acquaintances now. It’s just a trip out to play—why still wear the veil hat? Could it be that Eldest Daughter Zhong’s face can’t be seen by people?”
“Sir Jiang doesn’t know, my sister grew up in the countryside since childhood and hasn’t seen much of the world. She’s very shy.” Zhong Xintong had seen Jiang Ruanxi’s true appearance, which could truly be called a heavenly beauty.
Privately, Zhong Xintong didn’t want her to show her true face either, or else she would be outshone.
“Sir Jiang, a scholar adorns himself for those who appreciate him. Today, though I’m also going to West of the City to play, it’s not for you.”
The meaning was clear: her own fiancé was here, and she hadn’t even demanded to see her true face—your demand was truly excessive.
Jiang Linlei frowned; he actually only knew that Jiang Ruanxi had fled to Lingnan, but he still wasn’t certain if the Eldest Daughter of the Zhong Family was her.
If he really saw her face, he could confirm it, but the more she acted coy like this, the greater her suspicion.
“Second Master, let’s go, don’t waste such fine weather.”
“Alright.”
Second Master Yu’s tone didn’t fluctuate much, but one could clearly sense his pleasure.
The two looked intimate and seamless, truly like a perfect match.
“Careful.” Second Master Yu was also very careful in his words as he helped her into the carriage.
Jiang Ruanxi felt as if a current of electricity passed through her heart; in panic, she raised her hand and quickly got into the carriage.
Whether in this life or the previous one, she rarely had such intimate contact with men.
Disappointment flashed in Second Master Yu’s eyes, but it quickly vanished.
Zhong Xintong watched with red eyes—this was nowhere near the fierce, bad-tempered Second Master Yu she knew.
This was clearly utmost gentleness; if one ignored his wife-cursing fate, he would be the perfect man.
She wouldn’t disdain him like this, and this treatment would be hers to enjoy.
Thinking of everything that should have been hers being enjoyed by Jiang Ruanxi, Zhong Xintong felt endless jealousy.
“Miss Zhong, let’s go too.”
As she sank into jealousy, Jiang Linlei’s voice came; only then did she realize there were other men around her.
Thinking that the man by her side now was even better than Second Master Yu made her feel much better.
She also wanted to show off affection by Jiang Ruanxi’s side; she slowly raised her hand, wanting Jiang Linlei to help her too, but when she turned her head, she found Jiang Linlei already seated on the horse.
It made her face turn green with anger.
Thinking of his dignified bearing—though not as gentle as Second Master Yu, he was still handsome, and plus she would live—she felt much better.
“Alright.”
The group got into the carriage and headed to the peach blossom grove.
The scenery in West of the City was a famous place in Lingnan; when Jiang Ruanxi and Second Master Yu arrived, there were already quite a few people.
“There are too many people here; how about we go boating instead?” Second Master Yu said.
“Alright.”
When Jiang Ruanxi got on the boat, she discovered that Jiang Linlei and Zhong Xintong had followed over too.
A smile tugged at her lips, “Second Master, do you think he already knows my identity?”
Following Jiang Ruanxi’s gaze, he saw Jiang Linlei’s face grave.
Second Master Yu smiled, “Probably not certain yet.”
“What do you think his expression will be if he finds out?”
“What does Miss Jiang plan to do?”
“Nothing, just thinking that Jiang Linlei definitely won’t miss this chance to see my true face.” Jiang Ruanxi sat at the bow, gazing at the distant scenery as she spoke softly.
Lingnan should have abundant water, but now the lake’s depth was less than half of previous years.
“Don’t worry, with me here, he won’t have the chance.”
“I heard this year’s drought in Lingnan is very severe,” Jiang Ruanxi said. “But the Jiang Family is still buying up grain and land at high prices. When the Crown Prince comes to Lingnan, he won’t come away empty-handed, will he?”
“The Crown Prince came for the grand plan of people’s livelihood. Now that Lingnan lacks water, they can only build channels to divert water…”
“Building channels can certainly divert water and solve the problem at its root, but it’s too slow. If the people of Lingnan all flee, what’s the point of the channels?”
Jiang Ruanxi remembered it was just like this in her previous life.
Wei Chang built channels to divert water from the Lingqu into Lingnan, ensuring not only this year’s water but also Lingnan’s future needs.
The problem was, the Jiang Family’s actions made it impossible for the surrounding people to stay through this year.
If before the big rains came and after the Lingqu was repaired, all the people here had left.
Even if the weather turned favorable here, what would be the point?
Second Master Yu frowned, and Jiang Ruanxi continued, “I heard the Jiang Family is massively acquiring grain; I think they want to buy up the seeds too.”
By then, even if people remained in Lingnan, the high-priced grain and seeds would be enough for the Jiang Family to make a fortune.
Second Master Yu’s face darkened, and Jiang Ruanxi’s lips curved slightly, “The Jiang Family wants to profit from Lingnan’s national disaster. Second Master, if you let such people leave Lingnan alive, wouldn’t that slap the Yu Family’s face?”
The wind blew across the lake, lifting Jiang Ruanxi’s veil and revealing her smooth chin.
From Jiang Linlei’s angle, he could clearly see her chin.
It matched perfectly with the chin in his memory, without the slightest difference.
Sure enough, she really was Jiang Ruanxi.
So she was hiding in the Zhong Family—truly making him search hard!
Jiang Ruanxi sensed Jiang Linlei’s gaze and met his eyes with a meaningful smile.
This was clearly a provocation—how could Jiang Linlei endure it?
The force of rowing involuntarily increased.
“What do you want to do?” Second Master Yu’s face turned grave.
