Chapter 273

Chapter 273: What a Good Miss

Jiang Liu Shuang did not understand why his foolish brother targeted someone who did not matter, and he also did not understand why his big brother and sister accepted a stranger so easily. It did not matter to him anyway. He did not plan to deal with that girl. No matter how pretty she might be, she was his sister, and a sister he did not know well.

Before long, Aunt Chen and Chen Xin Yue arrived. Seeing Chen Xin Yue, the guests sighed again.

Someone murmured: “What a pity about Miss Chen. She is very talented, and for years she has taken care of the second madam with all her heart. Sadly, she is not the Jiang clan’s daughter.”

Chen Xin Yue was pretty, gentle, and gifted. Many young heroes dreamed about her. But her birth was not good enough; she was not fit to be a great sect’s mistress.

As soon as Chen Xin Yue entered, many boys and girls surrounded her. They chatted and laughed, forming a little world of their own.

A girl comforted her: “Xin Yue, do not be sad. In our hearts, you will always be our good friend.”

Another snorted: “We do not care about that so-called second miss.”

A red-faced boy even blurted out: “Xin Yue, you will always be the most important person to me. I will not let anyone bully you!”

Chen Xin Yue gave a gentle, strained smile and said in a small voice: “Sister… she did not bully me.”

Everyone fell silent. Her smile looked so forced that they were sure she had been bullied.

The red-faced boy grew furious: “She is just a wild girl who grew up outside. She just came back and dares to throw her weight around! Xin Yue, don’t be afraid. I will get justice for you!”

Startled, Chen Xin Yue said fast: “Young Master Fang, please do not be impulsive.”

Young Master Fang stepped back, looked at her with firm eyes, and declared: “Xin Yue, you are so good. I will not allow anyone to bully you! Leave it to me. I will make that wild girl learn a lesson she will never forget, so she knows what happens when she covets what is not hers.”

With that, he dashed off.

Chen Xin Yue wanted to chase him, but the boys and girls beside her stopped her. One said: “Let him go, Xin Yue. At most he will just make that wild girl lose face. He will not go too far.”

Another added: “Yes, it is good for that wild girl to see her place, or later she might rely on Second Master Jiang and order you around.”

A third said: “We know you are kind, but think of your mother. If you cannot stand firm, will your mother still have any standing in the Martial Alliance?”

When they mentioned her mother, Chen Xin Yue quieted down. At last she said, a bit unwillingly: “Fine… okay.” Then she added: “But please do not go too far. She is Second Master Jiang’s daughter. If she gets hurt, he will be heartbroken.”

She did not mention what would happen to Yu Zhi Yi if Young Master Fang really succeeded and made her a laughingstock in public. How would Yu Zhi Yi live after that?

Yu Zhi Yi walked toward the Chivalry Hall with the Jiang father and sons. She supported the Xiao Qing Xuan. The woman’s beautiful face was usually blank, but now it showed a gentle smile.

Aunt Yin watched with a sigh and said: “It is truly a bond between mother and daughter. Even though madam’s soul has not yet been found, she has already begun to accept Miss in her heart.”

It was true. Miss Chen came every few days to show up in front of madam, but madam would not even spare her a glance. Besides, Miss Chen’s purpose was too strong. Even madam, who had now become simple and clear-sighted, could see it, and Aunt Yin could feel how urgently Miss Chen wanted to join their family.

Jiang Yu Chuan smiled warmly and said: “Yes. Xuan’er has not smiled like this for a long time.”

Yu Zhi Yi’s mouth twitched. She suddenly remembered Red Luan’s teasing. In a faraway land, there was a popular kind of story called a web novel, and in it a genre named the domineering CEO. Every CEO had a steward, and every steward liked to repeat one line: “I have not seen the president smile like this for a long time.” [So it is that cliché line again.]

Finally, the group reached the Chivalry Hall. The hall was full of noise. From far away, Yu Zhi Yi could hear the clamor. This was very different from palace banquets. Those who attended court banquets kept their manners. Even when they spoke, they stayed within a proper volume, and it never felt noisy. People of the Martial World, by contrast, had few taboos. When happy, they shouted. When upset, they drew their blades. They had not even gotten close to the hall, yet the noise made her head buzz.

The Xiao Qing Xuan’s face also changed when she heard the clamor. Her calm smile broke. Panic rose in her eyes, and her hand squeezed Yu Zhi Yi’s tighter and tighter.

The Jiang father and sons tensed up and said at once: “This is bad. Your mother seems to be having an episode.”

Yu Zhi Yi patted the Xiao Qing Xuan’s back gently and said: “It is okay, Mother. I am here. Jin’er is here.” She sent a thread of spiritual energy into the Xiao Qing Xuan’s back. As she did, the woman’s panic slowly faded. The Xiao Qing Xuan tilted her head and looked at Yu Zhi Yi: “Jin’er?”

Yu Zhi Yi answered softly: “I am here.”

The Xiao Qing Xuan beamed: “My Jin’er is here.”

Yu Zhi Yi said: “Yes, I am here. Mother, do not worry and do not be afraid. No matter what happens, I will protect you.” It was just like seventeen years ago, when her mother gave birth to her safely in a desperate place.

“Yi’er…” Jiang Yu Chuan’s eyes grew hot. The two brothers were also deeply moved.

After a moment, Yu Zhi Yi said: “When we introduce me later, please announce that my name is Jiang Si Jin.” Her mother could still understand other people’s words. If she heard “Yu Zhi Yi” instead of “Jiang Si Jin,” her emotions might collapse.

The Jiang father and sons all brightened and answered together: “Good.”

Their daughter was so thoughtful. Jiang Yu Chuan and Jiang Liu Yun, who knew just how highly the emperor valued Yu Zhi Yi, felt this even more strongly. The name “Yu Zhi Yi” stood for a third-rank official of the Imperial Court, for the emperor’s favor, and for high authority. No matter how strong people of the Martial World were, they were always a step lower in the Imperial Court. For example, the Commandery Governor of Tian’an Commandery. Since the new Commandery Governor took office three years ago, he could not truly control the Martial Alliance, yet the Alliance could no longer act as freely as before either. This showed that when the Imperial Court gave face to the Martial World, the Martial World had face. When the Imperial Court did not, well… the destroyed Wanderer Sect was the “example.”

Their daughter’s choice to accept the name Jiang Si Jin meant she did not look down on the rough ways of the Martial World. [She is so good.]

Jiang Liu Yi, on the other hand, did not know how valued Yu Zhi Yi was, and he did not know the identities of the Marquis Wu’an heir apparent and those nineteen guards. Time had been too short, and Yu Zhi Yi had not had a chance to explain. He only had a sharp sense for people, and he could feel that Yu Zhi Yi did not care much for the Martial Alliance and did not feel close even to Jiang Yu Chuan, her father. So if she accepted the name Jiang Si Jin, it was entirely for her mother’s sake.

What a good miss.