Chapter 6

Mrs. Jiang went out with great joy, but returned with deep sorrow.

Upon entering, she asked, “Has Lianzhi returned?”

The gatekeeper replied, “Yes, madam. Master has returned for a while now. He even instructed me to inform you when you returned.”

Mrs. Jiang’s face darkened. “No need to inform him. I’ll go find him myself.”

Jiang Lianzhi preferred tranquility, and his study was located to the north of the peaceful lake in the Jiang residence.

When Mrs. Jiang found him, Jiang Lianzhi was standing by the lake, gazing into the water with a distant look in his eyes.

It was deep autumn, and he was wearing only a thin blue robe, which added a touch of desolation to his figure in the wind.

Mrs. Jiang’s intention to go and question him faded away. Instead, she called a servant to bring him a cloak.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Jiang Lianzhi turned around. “Mother, today…”

“I know what you want to ask,” Mrs. Jiang interrupted him. “Let me be clear: that Shen Yu cannot set foot in our Jiang family.”

Jiang Lianzhi frowned. “Why?”

Remembering her anger, Mrs. Jiang couldn’t help but question, “Why didn’t you mention before I went that she’s disabled?”

A loud bang echoed in Jiang Lianzhi’s mind. “Disabled? That’s impossible.”

“How is it impossible?” Mrs. Jiang said indignantly. “She has a lame leg, reportedly injured on the battlefield. I can’t believe a proper young lady like her, always wielding swords and guns.”

Mrs. Jiang looked at him. “Could it be you didn’t know? That girl must have deceived you.”

“That Shen Yu can’t wait to marry into our family. With one lame leg, she even drove me to the doorstep and made me fall.”

“There are plenty of talented and beautiful young ladies in Shengjing. Don’t worry, I’ll find a suitable one for you.”

Mrs. Jiang talked to herself for a while before realizing that Jiang Lianzhi had already lost interest.

“Lianzhi?”

Jiang Lianzhi shifted his gaze back. “I understand.”

Seeing his reaction, Mrs. Jiang relaxed a bit, handed him the cloak, and scolded Jiang Lianzhi’s servant before leaving.

Passing through the Moon Gate, she glanced back and saw Jiang Lianzhi still standing by the lake.

Mrs. Jiang shook her head and muttered as she walked away, “What’s wrong with him? He’s been standing there for days, staring at the lake he’s seen for decades. What’s there to look at?”

In the bustling capital of Shengjing, there is no curfew at this time of year. Even with the moon rising high in the sky, there are still many vendors and pedestrians on the streets.

It seems like a peaceful year, but who would have thought that two days later, the Western Xia army would come to attack.

To the east of the city are tall gates and mansions with green tiles and red bricks. Although the General’s Mansion is situated there, it cannot be considered luxurious.

Just after the second watch bell has rung, a carriage stops at the back gate of the General’s Mansion.

As the carriage comes to a halt, Shen Yu prepares to disembark, but then the coachman says, “Miss, please wait.”

Then, he calls out into the darkness, “Who’s there?”

Shen Yu lifts the curtain to look, and she sees a carriage parked below the back gate of the courtyard. It’s unclear how long it has been there, but the horse is impatiently neighing in place.

Two people are sitting inside the carriage. The slightly shorter person steps out and stands beside the carriage, bowing towards Shen Yu. “Is this the Miss from General Shen’s household?”

The light is dim near the back gate, and two lanterns hanging under the eaves sway in the wind.

“Yes, indeed,” Shen Yu replies. “What business do you have with me?”

“Please wait a moment, Miss Shen.”

A servant turns around to pull the curtain, and a tall young man steps down from the carriage.

Shen Yu is intimately familiar with his figure.

She never expected to encounter Jiang Lianzhi just three days after her rebirth.

Her heart races wildly, and her hand instinctively reaches for the dagger hidden in her boot.

“Miss, what are you doing?” Green Medicine looks at Shen Yu in shock.

Startled, Shen Yu quickly withdraws her hand. In just a moment, Jiang Lianzhi has already approached.

Instinctively, she wants to avoid this person because she cannot be sure whether she might accidentally slit his throat with the knife, which would be a grave crime. Furthermore, she cannot determine whether his involvement in her death from her past life is real.

Jiang Lianzhi walks up to the carriage. “Miss Shen.”

Green Medicine interjects, “Miss, isn’t this—”

Shen Yu covers Green Medicine’s mouth and pushes her into the carriage, pretending not to recognize the person in front of her. “Who are you?”

Jiang Lianzhi remains silent, just gazing directly at her. His eyes, red from the dim light, seem profound.

Finally, he sees her again.

In her previous life, he had witnessed her death right before his eyes.

The lantern at the gate of the courtyard is no longer lit, leaving only darkness. He realized that during those years, she had stood there every day with a lantern, waiting for his return.

With this thought, Jiang Lianzhi closes his eyes in pain. The agony of losing her in his previous life still lingers in this one.

He understood too late. Some people are like that; they only realize the value of something after losing it.

He wants to call her Ah Yu again, but now he can’t.

But everything is still early, isn’t it? Earlier than their encounter in the previous life.

Seeing that she is still looking at him, Jiang Lianzhi smiles faintly. “Miss Shen, my surname is Jiang, and my name is Ji. My courtesy name—”

“Oh,” Shen Yu responds lengthily. “Jiang Ji, the famous courtesan. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The attendant behind Jiang Lianzhi looks solemn. “Our master—”

“It’s all right,” Jiang Lianzhi interrupts, raising his hand. “Two days ago, my mother came to propose marriage. Miss Shen must be aware of this matter.”

Shen Yu calmly responds, “Of course, I’m aware. At that time, Lady Jiang fled from the General’s Mansion, showing her regret for the marriage proposal.”

Jiang Lianzhi looks over, and in the dim light, he can only see half of Shen Yu’s profile. Women always seem more charming under the lamplight, making her already outstanding appearance even more striking.

He had never seen her like this before. Even the strands of hair fluttering in the wind exude vitality. However, there seems to be a hint of hostility in her eyes.

Jiang Lianzhi furrows his brows.

Right, there have been rumors in the capital these past few days that the eldest daughter of the Shen family is crippled. This news was likely spread by his mother, so it’s normal for her to harbor some hostility. He should apologize to her.

“The rumors about Miss Shen in the capital, I apologize on behalf of my mother.”

Shen Yu politely responds, “Lord Jiang is too kind. I haven’t taken this matter to heart.”

Jiang Lianzhi relaxes his brows. “You may call me by my courtesy name, Ji.”

“Sorry, we’re not familiar yet. Does Lord Jiang have any other business?”

Jiang Lianzhi nods. “I came here today to tell you that regardless of how my parents see it, I want to marry you.”

Shen Yu’s heart stirs. She suddenly remembers how determined he was when he wanted to take a concubine.

“Even if I’m crippled, you still want to marry me?” she asks.

Jiang Lianzhi calmly takes another step forward. His handsome face is now visible under the lamplight.

He looks directly into Shen Yu’s eyes and says confidently, “Even if you’re crippled, I still want to marry you.”

Shen Yu meets his gaze, and his face remains the same, exuding elegance and extraordinary charm. But now, this person and this face no longer stir any waves in her heart.

“And what about your childhood sweetheart, Miss Lin?” she asks.

Jiang Lianzhi hesitates for a moment before saying, “I and her—”

Shen Yu interrupts him, “I heard that when the Lin family’s relatives were sent to Chongzhou, Lord Jiang rode his horse to see them off for several dozen miles.”

Jiang Lianzhi’s expression darkens.

Shen Yu bends down to step out of the carriage. Jiang Lianzhi instinctively reaches out to help her, but she has already dodged his hand and jumped down, landing gracefully and lightly. There is no sign of any inconvenience in her movements.

Jiang Lianzhi is quite clever and quickly guesses that her limp is probably just an act.

Shen Yu raises her voice. “I have something to say to you, Lord.”

“I won’t marry you,” she repeats seriously, “even if I’m crippled.”