Chapter 40: Assistance

In the following days, Jiang Jin intentionally, yet subtly, quickened their pace.

There was no other reason—Bu Yu was a significant asset by Ning Wang’s side. The later he returned to the capital, the longer Ning Wang would be without his aid.

She believed in Ning Wang’s capabilities, but the situation in the capital was treacherous and unpredictable. No matter how capable one person might be, the strength of many was always greater.

Soon, the carriage crossed into the borders of Jingzhou.

Even before entering the city, they saw servants of the Shen Residence, dressed in uniform attire, waiting outside the city gates.

As the carriage came to a halt, the people from the Shen Residence approached.

Jiang Jin appropriately lifted the curtain. The man who approached first gave her a simple bow, then said, “Cousin, the master and mistress are already waiting for you at the residence.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Uncle Mu,” Jiang Jin replied with a gentle nod, her tone warm.

The man before her was the chief steward of the Shen Residence, Shen Mu.

Though his appearance seemed ordinary, his reputation in Jingzhou was widely known.

He was a strategist who had retired from the battlefield and had once been sought after by many noble families and princes for his counsel.

Later, for reasons unknown, he came to Jingzhou and entered the service of the Shen Residence.

From then on, he took the surname Shen.

Over the years, the sharpness in his eyes had softened, replaced more by the weight of time.

Yet, it was this very restraint that made him appear even more mysterious.

…

Upon entering the Shen Residence, Jiang Jin went to meet Shen Laoye and Lady Shen—her maternal grandparents!

Even before Jiang Jin arrived in Jingzhou, they had already received a letter from Lady Shen and were aware of the current situation in the capital.

Lady Shen closely observed Jiang Jin’s demeanor. Though she answered questions obediently and appeared normal, Lady Shen, with her deeper life experience, quickly realized that her granddaughter did not want them to worry.

However, knowing this in her heart, Lady Shen did not hastily expose Jiang Jin’s little secret.

“Jin’er, you must be tired from the journey. Why not go to your room and rest for a while?” Lady Shen said affectionately.

Jiang Jin naturally did not refuse her kindness. She gave them a slight bow and went to the room she had always stayed in before.

Although she was a cousin, the entire Shen Residence treated Jiang Jin as if she were a daughter of the main family.

She had her own independent courtyard, fully equipped with maidservants.

The courtyard Jiang Jin now returned to was the one Old Madam had prepared for her—Tanhua Courtyard.

Upon entering the courtyard, the apricot blossom tree immediately caught her eye, just like the one at the Jiang family home.

Everything she had in the capital, the Shen Residence in Jingzhou also provided.

She had only just sat down to rest when she heard Song Li knocking at the door.

After calling her in, she saw that Bu Yu, disguised, had followed her inside.

Seeing him dressed as a physician, Jiang Jin’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, she was quite surprised.

Not to mention how seamlessly his appearance had changed, even his demeanor and aura were such that unless one was particularly familiar with him, it would be nearly impossible to recognize him.

“Your disguise is quite good,” Jiang Jin praised him, then added, “Do you plan to maintain this appearance all the way to the capital?”

Bu Yu nodded. “Third Young Lady, to be honest with you, my coming along has yielded unexpected gains!”

His explanation was clever—it absolved Ning Wang of any involvement while explaining the reason for his disguise.

“In that case, when do you plan to return?” Jiang Jin asked.

“Tomorrow at Chen hour, I will depart with a merchant caravan.”

Jiang Jin nodded, already forming a plan in her mind.

“If you ever need any help, just send someone to the Shen Residence.” Jiang Jin gave her promise, then had Song Li see Bu Yu out.

After all, this was Jingzhou, not the capital. If Bu Yu needed to do anything, perhaps using the Shen Residence’s influence would be more convenient.

She said this because she trusted Bu Yu.

She believed he would not use the Shen Residence’s power to do anything harmful to the family, which was why she dared to make such a promise.

“Thank you, Third Young Lady.” Bu Yu bowed, then picked up his medicine chest and left the room.

Song Li followed by his side, accompanying him all the way to the main gate.

As Bu Yu stepped out of the gate, he waved to Song Li. “You can go back now.”

Song Li lifted her lips, shaking her head. “I’ll wait for you to leave first.”

Bu Yu looked at her for a few moments, finally unable to hold back a soft sigh. He shook his head and turned to leave.

Watching Bu Yu’s figure grow farther and farther away, Song Li could no longer resist and ran forward.

Bu Yu also heard the sound from behind and slowly stopped in his tracks.

Song Li ran for a long time before catching up to Bu Yu. Standing before him, she lowered her head in silence for a moment, then took a pouch from her pocket and handed it to him.

She slowly raised her head, seeing the puzzled look on Bu Yu’s face. Her heart was filled with both shyness and frustration, but she still forced the pouch into his hands.

Before Bu Yu could speak, she quickly glanced at him and ran back toward the Shen Residence.

Bu Yu, holding the pouch, turned and watched the direction Song Li had run for a long time.

Only when Song Li was about to reach the main gate of the Shen Residence did he turn and continue on his way.

Song Li returned to the gate and did not leave until Bu Yu had completely disappeared from sight.

Returning to Tanhua Courtyard, she saw Jiang Jin standing beneath the apricot blossom tree, with someone nearby setting up a ladder.

“Young Lady.” Song Li hurried over, carefully watching Jiang Jin.

“I’m not going up, don’t worry.” Jiang Jin turned her head and gave Song Li a gentle smile, then continued directing the person to set up the ladder.

Hearing this, the tension in Song Li’s heart eased slightly.

Her young lady had once fallen from a tree long ago, and ever since, Song Li had never dared to let her climb trees or use ladders again.

This apricot blossom tree was very tall. If Jiang Jin, delicate as she was, were to fall, the consequences were something Songli dared not imagine.

“Young Lady, what are you doing?” Although she knew Jiang Jin wasn’t going up the tree, Song Li was still somewhat puzzled by her actions.

Now that the apricot blossoms had already withered, and this tree bore no fruit, why was the young lady having someone set up a ladder to climb it?

Jiang Jin did not answer her immediately. Instead, she waited until the servant who had climbed the tree came down with something before explaining to Song Li:

“Look. This bird’s nest was something I happened to see. Now, the little birds inside have all hatched, shed their shells, and flown away.”

Song Li blinked, still not understanding Jiang Jin’s meaning.

“All things have spirits. They pursue what they desire, so why leave behind attachments?” Jiang Jin said, her voice gradually softening.

She looked up. Above her head, a flock of birds flew past.

Occasionally, one would fall behind the group, then strive with all its might to catch up.

They had their kind, and she had her family.

Now in Jingzhou, having escaped the troubles of the capital, her heart was still filled with deep longing.

But she also understood her own capabilities. Even if she were reborn, it wasn’t as if she possessed an army of thousands. She had done what she could, and what came next perhaps depended on fate!

“Young Lady, it’s getting cold. Let’s go inside. Once the door is closed, the wind won’t blow in.”

Song Li gave Jiang Jin a deep look, sighing softly in her heart.

As Jiang Jin stepped forward, she followed her into the room.

Once inside, Jiang Jin removed the wide sleeves she was wearing.

Casually, she remarked, “There’s no wind inside the room, but it’s a shame we can’t see the scenery outside.”

“Miss, everything is fine. Don’t overthink it.”