Jin Weilan couldn’t shake her suspicions, so she went to the storeroom to keep an eye on Jin Jingxiu. Was he really preparing a proper gift— or was he stuffing the box with snakes and rats under the noble excuse of “gratitude”?
Jin Jingxiu held deep affection for Jiang Mengyue. After her expulsion from the Marquis residence, he laid the blame squarely on Jiang Ning— and once caused a stir at the gates in protest.
Knowing him, it wouldn’t be surprising if he used snakes and rats to frighten Jiang Ning.
Troubled by a sense of unease, Jin Weilan promptly went to the storeroom to observe Jin Jingxiu’s actions.
To her surprise, Jin Jingxiu was indeed preparing a substantial gift.
He scratched his head, clearly troubled. He was uncertain what to present— and entirely unaware of Miss Jiang Ning’s preferences.
Ultimately, he assembled all the rare items in his possession. He reasoned that among the collection, at least one would suit her preferences.
Jin Weilan stared in disbelief. Was this truly her elder brother? His sudden change in demeanor was nothing short of astonishing.
Jin Jingxiu turned to face Jin Weilan. “Let’s go,” he said quietly. “I’m ready.”
"..." Jin Weilan was speechless for a long time.
As the carriage set off toward the Marquis residence, a thought struck Jin Jingxiu. He jumped out at once, hurried inside, and returned with the whip that hung on his wall.
Jin Weilan’s expression tightened. “Why are you taking the whip?”
He remained silent, fingers curling around the whip. A quiet resolve settled over him.
Marquis Mansion.
Jiang Ning yawned, visibly fatigued and lacking vigor.
Shuangyue observed her mistress from behind, her expression composed. Then, unexpectedly, she asked, “Miss, where did you go last night?”
Jiang Ning’s posture stiffened. “I merely went out for a walk,” she said evenly.
Shuangyue acknowledged with a soft “Oh.” “A casual walk… that ended at the master's residence, no less.”
Shuangyue felt her spirits lift. She’d thought Miss Jiang Ning might have taken a liking to the Fourth Prince, especially after agreeing to treat him— but now, it seemed her own master still held the upper hand.
After Jiang Ning came back quietly at night, she tossed and turned all night, worrying about the journey to He Province.
Fully aware of the potential landslides en route to He Province, Chu Yunli remained unwavering in his decision to proceed.
The exact timing of the collapse remains uncertain. Had the date been known, it could have been avoided.
She’d only heard fragments of what happened in her past life—never the full story. By the time the incident became widely known, more than half a month had already passed.
Jiang Ning frowned.
At that moment, Chunlan approached quickly to report. “Miss, Young Master Jin and Miss Jin have arrived.”
“Weilan?” Jiang Ning stirred from her reverie, raising her gaze with quiet surprise.
She changed her attire and proceeded to the flower hall to meet with her guests.
Jin Weilan approached Jiang Ning and gently took her hand. “A'Ning, I truly owe you thanks. Had you not intervened, my brother might not have survived.”
“The street was quite noisy last time, and I wasn’t able to convey my thanks properly. I’ve come today specifically to offer my gratitude.”
Jiang Ning shook her head calmly. “It was a simple act of assistance. There’s no need for gratitude.”
“That won’t do.” Jin Weilan turned to Jin Jingxiu, subtly gesturing with a raised brow and narrowed eyes—urging him, as the one directly involved, to offer his gratitude.
Jin Jingxiu stood stunned. Upon seeing Jiang Ning, he grew visibly flustered, unsure of what to say or do. His anxiety was palpable.
He finally murmured, barely audible— “Thank you.”
Jin Weilan stomped in anger. Is this supposed to be a thank you? A'ning had saved his life, and the way he thanked her was so perfunctory!
After a long inner struggle, Jin Jingxiu found his voice. “I brought gifts—many. I didn’t know what you liked… so I brought them all.”
“Thank you… for saving me.” The final words dissolved into a whisper, soft as breath.
Jiang Ning observed the numerous boxes—filled with jewelry, premium fabrics, and even a refined glass goblet. It appeared the Jin family had brought forth the entirety of their storeroom.
Jiang Ning cast a cursory glance at the gifts before addressing Jin Weilan. “There’s truly no need to offer such things.”
"But..." Jin Weilan wanted to say something.
Jiang Ning said calmly, “If you truly want to thank me, then treat me to Dingfeng Pavilion next time.”
Jin Weilan nodded. “Alright then.”
She knew A'Ning’s temperament well— A'Ning never cared for material things. And with her mind, starting a business would be effortless. If she wanted these things, she could buy them herself.
“Next time, I’m treating you to Dingfeng Pavilion— and you’d better not hold back.”
The two women exchanged a glance— and smiled.
Standing off to the side, Jin Jingxiu felt his heart sink. Jiang Ning had refused his lavish gifts— Was she still angry? After all, what he’d done… had crossed the line.
From the moment she stepped into the flower hall, Jiang Ning spared him only a single glance— then looked away. Her demeanor was cold, distant.
Jin Jingxiu reached into one of the nearby boxes and pulled out a whip.
Jin Weilan noticed at once and swiftly stepped in front of Jiang Ning, shielding her. “Brother, what are you doing?”
Is there going to be trouble again?
Jiang Ning’s brows drew together as she glanced at Jin Jingxiu. He had already caused a disturbance at the Marquis’s residence not long ago.
"I……"
Jin Jingxiu tightened his grip on the whip, lifted his face, and looked past Jin Weilan to Jiang Ning. “Miss Jiang… I know I was wrong for what happened last time.”
“I nearly hurt you last time… If you’re still angry, then hit me. Hit me until the anger fades.”
With those words, he held the whip out before Jiang Ning with both hands— offering it solemnly.
Jin Weilan was stunned.
Jin Jingxiu’s expression was solemn. He’d come today with resolve— if it could ease Jiang Ning’s anger, if she could forgive him, he was willing to do anything.
He’d spent the entire night in torment, a thorn lodged deep in his heart. Every time he thought of the foolish things he’d done, he wanted to slap himself.
Jiang Ning’s expression remained calm, utterly unreadable.
Jin Jingxiu had come to stir up trouble on Jiang Mengyue’s behalf— but Jiang Ning hadn’t taken it to heart.
She had lived through it more than once in her past life— by now, nothing surprised her anymore.
Besides, she now saw him as nothing more than a passerby— a stranger. How could he possibly affect her state of mind?
She had saved Jin Jingshu’s life. Without accepting his gesture of gratitude, the matter could not be properly concluded.
She said calmly, "Do you want to repay the favor of saving your life?"
Jin Jingxiu was stunned and nodded.
Jiang Ning spoke with quiet finality. “Then let the whip in your hand be the gift of gratitude.”
As it happened, Shuangyue was quite fond of the whip. Accepting it as a token of gratitude would be more fitting.
Jin Jingxiu was overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, his heart steadily sinking. To him, Jiang Ning’s acceptance of the whip seemed perfunctory— a gesture meant to end things cleanly, without further entanglement.
He held the whip in both hands.
Jiang Ning accepted the whip and examined it thoroughly. Satisfied, she acknowledged its quality—well-crafted and comfortable in hand.
“That’s settled, then. You don’t need to dwell on it any longer.”
After Jin Jingxiu heard this, he felt a little bitter.
Elsewhere, Jiang Mengyue waited for a long time— but Jin Jingxiu never came.
With a furrowed brow, she summoned the maid. “I instructed you to deliver the message. Was it sent?”
The maid nodded respectfully. “I delivered the letter to the Jin residence early this morning.” Observing her mistress’s expression, she asked with care, “Would you like me to make some inquiries?”
Jiang Mengyue felt a surge of irritation. She had lowered herself to send Jin Jingxiu a message— and yet he hadn’t rushed over. He was clearly taking her gesture for granted.
She let out a cold snort. “Go.”
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Runa's Nonsense Corner/ Translator's World
She coldly snorted. “Go.”
Maid (bowed and turned to leave, then paused.) “Should I bring a whip?”
Jiang Mengyue (blinking) “What whip?”
Maid (pointing to the table.) “Its similar to the one Miss Jiang Ning accepted as a thank-you gift. It’s very popular now. Everyone’s talking about it.”
Maid (hesitating) “They say… it’s a symbol. Of emotional detachment. And excellent craftsmanship.”
Jiang Mengyue (staring at the whip like it had personally betrayed her.) “So she took the whip and dismissed him. And now he’s too heartbroken to show up?”
Maid (nodding solemnly) “It’s trending.”
Jiang Mengyue (sighed, sat down, and picked up the whip. She gave it a few experimental flicks.) “Fine. If he won’t come to me, I’ll go to him. With this.”
Maid (blinking). “To fight him?”
Jiang Mengyue To remind him I was the indifferent one.
Maid (hesitated.) “Should I also bring a second whip? In case he tries to run?”
Jiang Mengyue "....."
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