Chapter 42: You Are Still Young

The servant, hearing Jiang Jin pause and not continue, felt a sudden tightness in his heart and lowered his head even further.

“Abandoning your master, fleeing on your own, and now instead of thinking of ways to rescue him, you follow the kidnappers’ demands. Such a wicked servant! Someone, take him away to Father’s courtyard and let Father deal with him!”

After saying this, Jiang Jin paid no further attention to the matters in the courtyard and, taking her maidservant with her, headed straight for Ci’an Hall.

Ever since the original host’s hair-pinning ceremony, the original host’s grandmother had handed over all the internal affairs of the mansion to her.

Although this was to help her get up to speed more quickly, it had indeed added quite a bit of trouble for her.

Naturally, Jiang Jin had no desire to manage the various affairs of the mansion. Taking advantage of the Third Young Master’s disappearance, she hurried to pass off this hot potato.

Upon arriving at Ci’an Hall, Jiang Jin paid her respects to the Old Madam and then recounted the day’s events.

After finishing, Jiang Jin looked nervously at the Old Madam, her eyes filled with urgency and concern.

The Old Madam sighed softly and comforted Jiang Jin with a few words: “You needn’t be too anxious about this matter. Since that person has set conditions, they don’t truly intend to take Third Boy’s life. It’s actually a good thing that you didn’t blindly listen to them.”

“What kind of place is Xunfang Pavilion? Since he dared to make trouble, he should be made to understand the cost of causing a scene!”

“But Third Brother…” Jiang Jin timely added another remark but did not continue further.

Seeing that the Old Madam’s emotions were stirred, she quickly changed the subject: “Grandmother, you just entrusted this household to me, yet I…”

“Grandmother, your granddaughter… your granddaughter still needs your guidance!”

Without needing to say much more, the Old Madam understood her meaning.

At present, this household truly wasn’t something her granddaughter could handle alone!

If it weren’t for her foolish son, who remained devoted only to his deceased wife and refused to take a successor wife, why would she have directly handed over the authority of managing the household to a girl who had just had her hair-pinning ceremony!

“Enough, enough. After all, you are still young. Follow me and learn for a few more years, and you won’t have to worry when you marry in the future,” the Old Madam said helplessly.

…

After handing over the management authority, Jiang Jin prepared to return and rest.

After all, what happened next had nothing to do with her.

Although she thought this way, she still had to put on a show. Jiang Jin sent her maidservant to the front courtyard to keep watch for news, instructing her to report immediately if anything happened.

On the way back, Jiang Jin walked alone.

Following the path from her memory, she walked on. After passing through the covered corridor, she suddenly heard footsteps.

Very light, very close. The next second, Jiang Jin’s hand was grabbed, and she was pulled into a dark corner.

Her mouth and nose were covered, but the other person didn’t use much force, clearly not intending to take her life.

Jiang Jin was held by that person, her back to him, able only to judge his age from his voice.

“Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you. Just tell me where the account book is, and I’ll let you go.”

His voice was low, as if deliberately suppressing his natural tone, and it didn’t sound pleasant.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. If you still want to leave the Shangshu Mansion, release me immediately!” Jiang Jin’s tone was cold, showing no panic at being held captive.

The man chuckled softly: “You really have no awareness at all!”

With that, he raised his hand, intending to knock Jiang Jin unconscious.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Jin used his force to break free from his restraint.

Once she escaped, she saw his appearance.

Dressed in black and masked, with a tall and slender figure.

All of this was quite common, but there was something in his gaze that Jiang Jin found strangely familiar.

However, the current situation left her no time to dwell on it. The man looked at her and drew a dagger from his sleeve.

But the dagger remained sheathed, clearly indicating he had no intention of harming her.

“My apologies!” With those words, the man stepped forward.

Just as he was about to act, he saw Jiang Jin collapse right in front of him.

In that moment of fading consciousness, Jiang Jin frowned—a gesture she hadn’t made in a long time.

Seeing Jiang Jin’s “dramatic” fall, the man’s eyes curved slightly, carrying a hint of amusement.

However, when he crouched down to check her breathing, he realized she wasn’t pretending to faint.

He quickly took Jiang Jin’s hand to check her pulse.

After a moment, he frowned lightly, his eyes filled with concern and displeasure.

He looked around, but there was no one in sight.

With no other choice, he picked Jiang Jin up, carefully avoiding any onlookers, and carried her back to her room.

But just as he laid Jiang Jin down on the bed, she suddenly grabbed his sleeve, murmuring something under her breath.

He leaned in closer and faintly heard a familiar name.

“Lu Chengjin!” he silently repeated, his hands involuntarily clenching into fists.

Looking at Jiang Jin, his emotions grew complicated. He gently freed his sleeve from her grasp and, without a second thought, left the Shangshu Mansion.

…

When Jiang Jin woke again, it was already sunset the following day.

She struggled to open her eyes, only to see several people—young and old—standing by her bedside, their expressions a mix of concern and doubt.

“What happened to me…” Jiang Jin began to speak but found her voice hoarse.

Though her gaze was fixed on Old Madam, she was actually communicating with the system.

[Host, because your tasker level is relatively low, you are affected by the original body’s physical condition. As long as you accelerate your mission progress and accumulate enough points to level up, such situations will no longer occur.]

Listening to the system’s explanation, Jiang Jin felt somewhat reassured.

Old Madam didn’t immediately answer her question but instead instructed a maid to bring her a cup of water.

Jiang Jin took a few sips before Old Madam spoke: “Do you remember how your mother passed away?”

“I do,” Jiang Jin nodded, clutching the blanket and looking nervously at Old Madam. “Are you saying…”

Old Madam sat by the bedside, took Jiang Jin’s left hand, and patted it gently. “Ning’er, you are different from your mother. You will be fine, don’t worry.”

…

Since falling ill, Jiang Jin hadn’t left her courtyard for several days.

Her siblings often came to visit her, and a few days later, the rescued Third Young Master Cheng Yuanli also paid a visit on the second day.

Though he resented his sister for not saving him, seeing Jiang Jin in such a weakened state, he couldn’t bring himself to voice any complaints.

During this time, aside from dealing with her siblings, Jiang Jin enjoyed a rare sense of peace.

However, the originally planned list of consort candidates could no longer be submitted.

Jiang Jin was naturally pleased by this turn of events. In her previous life, the original host had been infatuated with the Fifth Prince, Lu Chengjin. If the Sixth Prince hadn’t interfered, given her years as the Ninth Princess’s study companion, Lu Chengjin would most likely have chosen her.

But even after ascending to immortality for many years, Jiang Jin hadn’t entirely forgotten her mortal experiences.

The imperial palace was a place that devoured people without leaving a trace. None of the princes were easy to deal with.

Staying away from them all was the only way to ensure a good outcome!

With the matter of selecting concubines set aside, Jiang Jin felt much more at ease.

She called for her personal maid, Yun’er, to help her walk to the courtyard for a rest.

Just as she stepped out of her room, she saw the Ninth Princess, Lu Yongning, approaching from the opposite direction.