Ninghe County Office.
Xu Hengyan hurried back from outside, estimating that Xie Jiang had arrived by now. He went straight to the back quarters to change out of his official robes, and then to Xie Jiang's place for dinner.
Guang Bai specifically inquired before coming in to report, "Young Master Yi also came to Ninghe with Young Master Xie. The Third Young Master, Fifth Prince, and Marquis Ruan met them outside the city. They just returned to the house on the back street and hadn't had a chance to speak with Young Master Xie yet, when Young Master Yi, using the excuse of travel fatigue and Xie Gongzi needing rest, sent everyone away."
Xu Hengyan paused as he unbuttoned his robe, "Is Young Master Yi still with her?"
It was right to send those three away; the three of them together could rival a thousand ducks.
He was just a bit surprised that Yi Yanguan hadn't returned to the capital yet. Perhaps he was worried about her, fearing that she might encounter another accident on her way back to Ninghe.
Guang Bai said, "Young Master Yi will depart for the capital early tomorrow morning, and he will most likely stay at Young Master Xie's place today."
Xu Hengyan nodded, "How is Young Master Xie's health?"
He couldn't help but worry if Yi Yanguan's words were just an excuse, or if her injuries had worsened along the way.
After all, it had been some time since he had seen her, and he didn't know how she was doing now.
Guang Bai thought for a moment, "I haven't heard of anything amiss. Otherwise, Young Master Xie wouldn't be in such a hurry to return to Ninghe."
Young Master Xie's only venture in Ninghe was the glass factory, but the matters of the glass factory were handled perfectly well by Tian Kangtai, requiring no effort from Young Master Xie.
However, Xu Hengyan couldn't help but think that the reason she was ambushed at Nanlong Slope earlier was because she rushed back to Ninghe for him. Who knew if she had acted recklessly again this time?
Xu Hengyan clutched his button, unsure whether to continue unbuttoning or...
Xu Hengyan said again, "Are you sure she's alright?"
Guang Bai was taken aback by the question, "She should be alright, shouldn't she?" Did something happen?
"The Doctor Lou by her side has excellent medical skills as well."
Xu Hengyan re-buttoned the two buttons he had just undone.
He wouldn't go over today.
To avoid Yi Yanguan using her need for rest as a reason to dismiss him again.
Although Yi Yanguan was a bit overbearing, it was ultimately for her own good.
Let her rest well first.
Guang Bai nodded in full agreement, "Young Master Xie is a poison doctor, after all. Doctor Lou, who can be by a poison doctor's side, must not be simple either."
Doctor Lou's medical skills were truly beyond reproach. He had been using the medicine prepared by Doctor Lou these days, and the young master's injuries were healing very quickly.
Therefore, with Doctor Lou accompanying her and Yi Yanguan keeping a close eye, she would surely be fine.
Xu Hengyan took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, then hurried to the front to attend to his work.
~
The next morning.
Xie Jiang came out of the room and looked at the three people in the courtyard, "Everyone is so early?"
Xu Hengyi's spirits lifted upon seeing her. He pushed aside Ruan Zijian, who was blocking his way, and ran towards her joyfully, "Oh, you're finally up! We've been waiting for so long, let's eat quickly!"
Ruan Zijian stumbled as Xu Hengyi pushed him, "Xu the Third! Are you a glutton, only knowing how to eat!"
Xie Jiang was used to this. She glanced at the empty side room. The side room was already vacated; Yi Yanguan had left before dawn. She then turned and walked towards the dining hall.
Ruan Zijian noticed Xie Jiang's gaze and guessed that Yi Yanguan had stayed here last night.
She actually stayed in the same courtyard as Young Master Xie!
She actually stayed in Young Master Xie's courtyard!
Ruan Zijian was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred!
Xu Hengyi called out to the servants in the courtyard, "Hurry and serve the meal, your young master is starving."
Yueyue glared fiercely at him, "Don't curse my young master! Or I won't give you food!"
The little girl was fierce, which angered Xu Hengyi, but he couldn't do anything to her.
Who would dare to touch anyone from Xie the Demon's faction?
Seeing that Ruan Zijian had already occupied the seat to Xie Jiang's left, Xu Hengyi quickly ran over and took the seat to Xie Jiang's right.
Xia Zeshi had no intention of competing with them.
These two were too boring!
Did they think he was only two and a half years old this year?
Even if he was a few steps behind them, he wouldn't eat any less than them later.
The three of them squeezed together when entering the door side by side. This was just a small residence in a county town, not a mansion of a duke or marquis.
Xie Jiang glanced at the two people beside her.
Their eyes met, and neither was willing to yield an inch.
Xie Jiang kicked one and then the other, bringing peace.
Xia Zeshi leisurely followed Xie Jiang into the dining hall.
Why bother so early in the morning?
Getting covered in mud.
It had rained last night, and the ground was still wet.
Xia Zeshi sat down obediently in the seat opposite Xie Jiang.
In any situation with Xie Jiang, Xie Jiang would naturally take the main seat; he had become accustomed to it.
In front of Xie Jiang, he would temporarily forget that he was a prince.
One must have the self-awareness of a freeloader.
Soon, Ruan Zijian and Xu Hengyi came in. Both had taken off their outer robes. As for their trousers, there was nothing they could do; they couldn't take them off in front of Xie Jiang.
Ruan Zijian wanted to, but he was afraid that what would fly out would be his three legs.
Xu Hengyi asked Aunt He to get him a pair of Xie Jiang's trousers to wear.
Ruan Zijian's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he also looked pleadingly at Aunt He.
Aunt He directly replied with two words: "No."
Too cold, too heartless!
Ruan Zijian and Xu Hengyi each occupied a seat next to Xie Jiang.
Xu Hengyi even dragged a stool closer to Xie Jiang.
When Xie Jiang's gaze swept over him, he silently retreated.
Ruan Zijian dared not move. He decided to be good.
Didn't the Fifth Prince act innocent and get the advantage?
"Xie Jiang, are your injuries all healed? I heard that you and my second brother were shot and fell from the suspension bridge. Below the suspension bridge was a bottomless abyss. I was so scared I froze!"
"My grandmother and my aunt fainted on the spot when they heard the news... Fortunately, you and my second brother are blessed with great fortune!"
"My injuries are no longer serious. Aren't you here to eat? Do you even care about my injuries?"
"I'm here to see you and have a meal by the way. Xu Hengyi still knew what was more important. "You have no idea how anxious I was; I rushed over from the capital that day."
Xu Hengyi examined Xie Jiang from head to toe. Her complexion was rosy, and her movements were not inconvenient. "Where were you injured? Have you recovered completely?"
When Ruan Zijian first heard the news, he was also extremely worried and restless. Even after learning from Xu Hengyan that Xie Jiang's injuries were not serious, he was like an ant on a hot pan.
Only after seeing Xie Jiang safe and sound did he believe Xu Hengyan's words.
They had specifically gone to see that suspension bridge. Falling from such a height, with the river below so turbulent, and yet both of them managed to survive?
People like Young Master Xie were indeed favored even by heaven.
Young Master Xu was merely favored incidentally.
"I heard that Lu Xuan and Lu Baohong, father and son, who escaped earlier, were among the Huanglan Mountain bandits at that time. Was it Lu Xuan who shot arrows at Young Master Xie and Young Master Xu?"
Xie Jiang nodded, "It was them."
Ruan Zijian clenched his fists, making cracking sounds, "I'll kill them one day!"
"Let's catch them first. I heard they escaped again."
Did Xu Hengyi not want to kill the Lu father and son? His second brother and his meal ticket almost died at Lu Xuan's hands.
Revenge for his brother's death, hatred for killing his meal ticket!
Even though his second brother and Xie the meal ticket were still alive.