The man’s voice carried a tone of inquiry, yet his demeanor was as cold as ice. As someone trained in martial arts, his physique was robust, and when he turned cold, it felt like a bone-chilling draft. 

Towering a full head above her, Jiang Qingyue’s petite and slender figure was completely enveloped in his shadow, intensifying the sense of oppression. 

Unable to discern his identity, she responded hesitantly, “Yes, sir.” 

“Get in the carriage.” The man’s voice was curt and economical with words, as if speaking an extra syllable to her was superfluous. 

The guard who had been driving the carriage hastily jumped down and explained the newcomer’s identity: “Miss Qingyue, we are from the Xie family of Yan City. Madam of the Jiang family is a cousin of our madam, and our young master is your cousin. We have just won a battle and are returning to the capital. Entrusted by Madam Jiang, we are here to pick you up and take you to Yan City.” 

Cousin? 

Jiang Qingyue searched her memory and barely recalled such a person. 

Xie Lingyun, the heir of the Xuanping Marquisate in Yan City. 

The Jiang and Xie families were only distant relatives, and this cousin was barely related by blood, which explained his reluctance to pick her up. 

She also recalled overhearing conversations in the quarry: the Great Xia Dynasty had won a brilliant victory, with several generals fighting bravely and repelling the frequent incursions of the northerners, all of whom had been heavily rewarded… 

The renowned young general. 

“Cousin…” Jiang Qingyue started to greet him out of courtesy, but saw the young man’s face turn cold again. 

“Get in the carriage.” 

It was a command, brooking no argument. 

It was as if her calling him “cousin” had offended him. 

Just as Jiang Qingyue lifted the curtain, she saw someone already sitting inside. A young girl bowed respectfully, “Miss! I am Que’er, sent to serve you.” 

After getting into the carriage and asking, she learned that her elder sister had arranged for Que’er to come as soon as she heard about the pardon. Que’er was afraid of Xie Lingyun’s temper and didn’t dare to get out of the carriage to greet her in advance. 

Elder sister, Jiang Wan’yin… 

The eldest daughter of the Jiang family, Jiang Wan’yin, was renowned for her beauty and was the most talented woman in Yan City, skilled in everything from music and chess to calligraphy and painting. Not only was she exceptionally talented, but her appearance was also top-notch. 

For the past three years, she had sent people every year to bring her clothes, food, medicine, and money to ensure that she didn’t live in such hardship. 

Que’er looked at Jiang Qingyue’s hands, which were chapped, swollen, and festering from the cold, with scars left over from years of labor, and couldn’t help but tear up. 

If the Second Madam of the Jiang family hadn’t committed such a sin by secretly switching the children, Miss Qingyue should have been raised with the same care and doting as Miss Guiyu, with all the privileges and love. 

Instead, she had spent over a decade in this quarry, enduring endless torment. 

Que’er felt sad for a while, then busily said, “Miss Guiyu has been promised to Lord Lu. That Lord Lu passed the imperial examination with top honors and is a rising star in the court. We can’t hope for such a good match anymore.” 

“But now that you’ve suffered such a great injustice, the Madam and Master must be heartbroken. 

After returning home, Miss Qingyue, don’t be foolish. Rely on the Madam’s heartache and quickly secure a good marriage with a higher-ranking family, and you’ll have something to rely on for the rest of your life.” 

Hot tears wet Jiang Qingyue’s fingertips, stinging her frostbitten wounds. 

In Que’er’s eyes, a woman’s later life was nothing more than relying on a man, and she hoped that she could find a good marriage and have something to rely on for the rest of her life. 

But Que’er forgot that her status was awkward. Even though she was the Jiang family’s biological daughter, it didn’t change the fact that she had once been a slave. 

She was not a good match in the eyes of the world. 

Jiang Guiyu’s fiancé, Lord Lu, was that famous Lu Tingzhi, right…? 

Although he came from a humble background, he rose to fame at a young age, passing the imperial examination with top honors, and was now in a high position at a young age. 

Jiang Guiyu had grown up pampered and precious since childhood, and now she had an excellent fiancé. 

Her adoptive mother’s wish had come true. Her biological daughter truly had a happy and fulfilling life. 

Snowflakes drifted in through the carriage window. Jiang Qingyue rubbed Que’er’s head, knowing that Que’er was doing her best for her, and didn’t explain further. She had no intention of marrying, and simply replied, “Okay.” 

Outside the carriage, separated by a curtain, Xie Lingyun raised his eyelids. 

What a climber, those powerful and wealthy families. 

Beneath those disgusted and contemptuous eyes, a cold sneer crossed his lips as he forcefully tugged on the reins, moving further away from the carriage.