Jiang Xingyan initially thought to bring Dongyang along to the shop.
But then it occurred to her: after their souls returned to their rightful bodies, she would need to manage the shop diligently. Why not use Huo Ci’s status now to establish her own authority?
That would save a lot of trouble later.
When the carriage stopped in front of the Huo residence, the servant at the gate relayed the message to the main courtyard. Old Lady Huo shot up from her reclining couch in shock.
“What did you say?! Ci’er is taking that merchant’s daughter out?”
The servant bowed his head and respectfully repeated “Huo Ci’s” words.
After all, this was General Huo’s estate, and they had to obey the young general.
Old Lady Huo’s face flushed red, then pale with rage. She bitterly regretted that her niece wouldn’t arrive until evening—otherwise, that wretched girl wouldn’t have stood a chance.
She thought of sending Yuzhu to gauge the situation, but then remembered Baozhu’s miserable state this morning.
After weighing her options, she gave up on the idea.
With a resigned wave, she instructed the servant to notify the inner courtyard and bring “Jiang Xingyan” out.
Yuzhu considerately stepped forward, soothing the old lady’s chest to calm her. “Don’t worry, madam. That merchant’s daughter wouldn’t dare say much in front of the young general.”
“Even if those wretched girls Chunqiu gained favor and were sent to the separate residence, Xia and Dong are still in the side courtyard. If we tie them up and bring them before Jiang, she’ll know what to do.”
Old Lady Huo nodded in satisfaction. “Well said. You’re the only one who truly understands my thoughts.”
No one dared delay matters arranged by the young general—Jinzhu, Yinzhu, and Baozhu were all cautionary tales.
In less than fifteen minutes, maids and servants escorted a completely transformed “Jiang Xingyan” to the main courtyard.
After Jiang Xingyan’s harsh words last night, Huo Ci felt as if his heart had been crushed over and over by a wagon wheel.
While working this morning, the maids and servants were all discussing how the young general had chopped off Baozhu’s hands.
Huo Ci’s first thought was: Baozhu must have done something unforgivable—that’s why A-Yan would…
This realization stunned him for a long time.
Just two days ago, he had still believed everything was her fault.
How could he have been so foolish?
Thud!
A bundle of wet clothes was thrown right in front of him, landing squarely in the wash basin.
Dirty water mixed with soapberry splashed across his face.
The matron across from him yelled, “Get to work! Don’t just stand there daydreaming! Did you think you’re still the young mistress?!”
Yesterday, the matron who had struck him over the mysterious injuries on his face had her hands broken and was thrown out of the Huo estate.
This made the other matrons afraid to lay hands on him now.
He smiled bitterly.
Just as he wiped the grime from his face, a group of maids and servants hurried over, grabbed him, and took him to the main courtyard to change clothes and do his makeup.
They dressed him in a tender yellow fish tooth silk stand collar and double-breasted pipa sleeves top paired with a blue swallow-feather skirt with peony and butterfly patterns, and styled his hair in a updo, accessorized with just a few decent pieces of jewelry.
Even without seeing his face, his noble and elegant demeanor was already striking.
Huo Ci stood there in a daze. Old Lady Huo turned away in disgust.
This seductress—no matter how much she was worn down, no matter how sallow and thin she became—still had a figure and appearance that were second to none.
Yuzhu waved her hand, and Xiafeng and Dongyang, bound tightly, were brought forward.
Huo Ci was horrified. “Mother, what are you doing?”
Old Lady Huo smiled coldly. “In front of Ci’er, you’d better keep your seductive tricks to yourself.”
“If you charm him into falling for you again and he says a few kind words on your behalf…”
“I can’t guarantee where these two might end up.”
Huo Ci knelt on the ground, agreeing in despair.
The current Jiang Xingyan would consider it a tremendous mercy even to see him—why would she speak kindly on his behalf?
His mother’s methods were truly pushing him toward utter ruin.
He kept his head bowed the entire way, allowing the servants to lead him to a carriage.
From inside, he could hear cheerful conversation and laughter. When the carriage curtain was lifted, the laughter stopped abruptly.
Huo Ci froze on the spot.
Yun Chunfeng?!
Why was he sharing a carriage with A-Yan?
And why was he holding Xiao Ya?
Back when Huo Ci had merely touched Xiao Ya’s little finger, she had burst into tears.
The smile had yet to fade from Jiang Xingyan’s lips.
If you ignored the fact that it was his body, the three of them looked like a happy family…
Huo Ci was furious.
Just as he was about to speak, Yun Chunfeng cut in first: “Is this your esteemed wife?”
“I have long heard of her virtue, wisdom, and kindness.”
“To offer timely help during Western Zhou’s most critical moment of survival—she truly deserves to be called a heroine among women!”
“It is only a pity that I divined a glimpse of heaven’s will yesterday and suffered backlash today, temporarily losing my sight. I regret that I cannot see her now.”
Only then did Jiang Xingyan realize that the soft smoke gauze covering his eyes wasn’t just an accessory. But his movements were so natural she hadn’t paid it much attention.
His praise made her cheeks flush, and she hurriedly said he was too kind: “Grand Astrologer, you’ve shown great kindness to Xiao Ya. Once you’ve recovered, I will host a banquet to thank you properly.”
Huo Ci was full of questions.
Was this really Yun Chunfeng?
The same Yun Chunfeng who, at their first meeting, had sarcastically mocked him for half an hour? Who had urged the censors to impeach him daily? Who had even scolded him for ordering one extra dish, accusing him of forgetting his roots and becoming extravagantly wasteful? Who had waited for him every day on his way back from court just to ridicule him?
Huo Ci was deeply shaken: Am I sick, or is he sick?
Yun Chunfeng’s gentle, flattering tone made Huo Ci’s hair stand on end.
“Why are you just standing there? Get in here now!”
The more Jiang Xingyan looked at Huo Ci, the angrier she became.
Occupying her body, looking so foolish—it was utterly infuriating.
Huo Ci felt wronged: A-Yan was so warm and friendly with him, but she’s so harsh with me…
He got into the carriage and sat to the side, sulking with his face turned away.
Jiang Xingyan couldn’t be bothered with him. She simply adjusted her sitting position to face Yun Chunfeng directly.
Huo Ci’s heart grew even more stifled.
Yun Chunfeng kept his eyes lowered, hesitating several times before finally speaking.
“General Huo, there is something I feel I must say, though I hesitate to presume.”
“Please, Grand Astrologer, speak freely.”
“There’s no need for reservations between us.”
Huo Ci: Great. Since when are you two so familiar?