Jiang Mengyue sent a maid out to inquire, and right after, someone from the Jin family arrived—a servant of Jin Jingxiu—returning the letter.
Jiang Mengyue couldn’t believe it—the one who came wasn’t Jin Jingxiu, but a servant. He even came just to return her letter.
The servant scratched his head and said, “Second Miss, our young master hasn’t been feeling well lately. A few days ago, he was nearly trampled by a horse while out—he was badly frightened, and he’s still lying in bed…”
The servant forced out an excuse—he couldn’t very well tell people his young master had gone mad.
“He’s sick?” Jiang Mengyue frowned slightly, her expression full of impatience. Right now, the priority was to support the Crown Prince—why did Jin Jingxiu fall ill at this exact moment?
She frowned deeply and said, “When he’s recovered, tell him to come find me."
The servant saw Jiang Mengyue’s expression—no trace of concern when she heard the young master was ill. He curled his lip, feeling it wasn’t worth it for his young master.
It was all the young master’s wishful thinking—Second Miss Jiang never had him in her heart.
The servant replied, “Yes, this humble one will pass on the message.”
Having said that, he turned and left.
Jiang Mengyue clenched her fist. There was still time—no need to rush. As long as Jin Jingxiu could be used by the Crown Prince before the disaster relief incident, it would be enough.
Thinking this, Jiang Mengyue sat down and poured herself a cup of tea.
At that moment, the maid who had gone out to gather news came hurrying back.
“Miss! This servant has found out…”
Jiang Mengyue didn’t even lift her eyelids, calmly sipping her tea.
The maid looked uneasy. She stole a glance at Jiang Mengyue’s expression and said, “I found out that Young Master Jin went out… but…”
Jiang Mengyue froze, then looked up. “He went out?”
Didn’t the Jin family’s servant just say that Jin Jingxiu was sick and bedridden, unable to go out?
The maid looked at Jiang Mengyue’s expression and said, “Young Master Jin did go out—but he didn’t come here. He went to the Marquis’s estate…”
Snap!
The teacup slipped from Jiang Mengyue’s hand and broke into pieces on the floor.
“What did you just say? Jin Jingxiu went to the Marquis’s estate?”
“Yes.” The maid nodded and answered truthfully.
Jiang Mengyue’s face was full of shock, and she didn’t recover for a long time. Jin Jingxiu hadn’t come to see her—he’d gone to the Marquis’s manor. What was he doing there? Was he proposing to her?
No, that’s not right. If it were a proposal, how could he not have discussed it with her beforehand?
Besides, the letter she sent was returned, and the servant even came to say that Jin Jingxiu was ill…
Jiang Mengyue clenched her fists, unable to understand what was going on.
A sense of unease swelled in her heart. She felt unsettled.
It seemed things were gradually slipping out of her control. Jin Jingxiu was supposed to be just a pawn in her palm.
She gave a cold snort. “Send another message to the Jin household. Tell Jin Jingxiu that if he doesn’t want to see me, I can move out of the residence—I won’t cause him any trouble.”
Once Jin Jingxiu hears those words, he’s bound to come running—flustered and in a hurry.
The maid gave a quick reply and rushed off to pass on the message.
Jin Jingxiu returned to the Jin residence, looking lost and dazed. He didn’t say a word the entire way. He didn’t even know why—his heart just felt unbearably heavy.
He had just stepped down from the carriage.
“Young Master Jin!” a voice called out.
Jin Jingxiu heard the voice and looked up—it was Jiang Mengyue’s maid.
The maid ran up to Jin Jingxiu. “Young Master Jin, my lady asks that you come over.”
Jin Jingxiu showed little reaction on his face. In the past, if Jiang Mengyue wanted to see him, he would’ve rushed over without hesitation. But now, it was as if his heart had died—there was no ripple at all.
The person Jiang Mengyue met privately in the residence was the crown prince, and there was deep affection between them.
It was his foolishness—he hadn’t seen through any of it, and even boasted about marrying her. Of course Jiang Mengyue would reject him. He was just a lowly merchant—how could he compare to the crown prince?
All he could do was stop disturbing her.
“My lady also said that if Young Master Jin doesn’t wish to see her, she’ll move out of the residence and won’t cause him any trouble,” said the maid.
Jin Jingxiu stiffened. After a moment, he said, “I’ll go see her.
The maid nodded and let out a sigh of relief.
If Young Master Jin refuses again, who knows how angry her lady will be.
Jin Jingxiu turned and walked into the Jin residence, gave a few instructions to a servant, and before long, the servant returned with the deed to the estate.
“Young Master, the residence has been purchased. Here is the deed.”
Jin Jingxiu glanced at the deed, folded it neatly, tucked it into his sleeve, and walked out of the house.
He’d rented that house for Jiang Mengyue, thinking it was only temporary—just until he could marry her properly. But in the end, it was all just his own fantasy.
.........
Jiang Mengyue’s residence.
The maid went to report to Jiang Mengyue. “Miss, Young Master Jin is here!”
Jiang Mengyue’s lips curved slightly as she lifted her chin. As expected, Jin Jingxiu was still under her control. See? All she had to do was mention moving out, and he came rushing over.
She glanced at herself in the bronze mirror and said calmly, “How is my makeup?”
“You look beautiful, Miss,” the maid praised.
Only then did Jiang Mengyue slowly rise and head to the hall to meet Jin Jingxiu.
Jin Jingxiu stood by the window, gazing at the pear tree in the courtyard. Large clusters of snow-white blossoms were in full bloom, and a gentle breeze carried their fragrance.
“Jingxiu…” Jiang Mengyue called out.
Hearing the voice, Jin Jingxiu turned around.
Jiang Mengyue wore a white dress, delicate and fragile, like a snow-white pear blossom—evoking a feeling of involuntary pity.
Bitterness welled in Jin Jingxiu’s heart. He had loved Jiang Mengyue, dreamed of marrying her, of treating her with tenderness for the rest of his life. But it had all been wishful thinking.
Jiang Mengyue walked over, lifted her face to look at Jin Jingxiu. “Jingxiu, do you not want to see me anymore? Why haven’t you come to find me these past few days…
“Yue’er…” Jin Jingxiu spoke, his voice slightly hoarse. Only after saying it did he realize the name felt inappropriate.
Jiang Mengyue didn’t notice anything wrong with Jin Jingxiu. She blinked at him and said, “I know—you must have your reasons. I understand.”
“I didn’t ask you here today for anything else—I have something important to tell you. This is a great opportunity for you… If you can seize it, the entire Jin family will benefit."
Jin Jingxiu held back the bitterness in his heart and remained silent.
Jiang Mengyue got straight to the point. “Have you heard about the flooding in He Province? His Highness the Crown Prince wants to provide disaster relief, but he urgently needs funds. If the Jin family can lend a hand, they’ll be able to board the Crown Prince’s ship.”
The Crown Prince…
Jin Jingxiu trembled all over, his heart sinking uncontrollably, a wave of bitterness rising within.
Seeing that Jin Jingxiu didn’t respond, Jiang Mengyue frowned. “Jingxiu, did you understand what I meant? I’m helping you connect with the Crown Prince. If you can attach yourself to him, the Jin family will enjoy endless benefits.”
🐇♡🐇♡🐇♡🐇
“Except why you ghosted me for a week.”
Jin Jingxiu (blinks): “…Is this a date or a disaster briefing?”
Jin Jingxiu (visibly shaken):
(internally) “Ah. So this is how love dies—drowned in flood relief and political networking.”
Jiang Mengyue (frowns at his silence): “Jingxiu, are you even listening? I’m handing you a ladder to the Crown Prince. Climb it. Or at least pretend to be interested.”
Jiang Mengyue (tilting her head):
“Jingxiu, you’re staring at me like I just asked you to sell your kidneys.”
Jin Jingxiu (hoarse):
“No… just my soul. And possibly my family’s entire fortune.”
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