On the way to the side courtyard, Huo Ci suddenly understood his mother’s change in attitude.
Jiang Xingyan had been spoiled since childhood, while his mother was a stickler for propriety.
It must have been Jiang Xingyan’s repeated defiance over the past two years—while he was away—that had worn his mother’s patience thin.
Even a clay figurine has a temper, let alone a mother who was now a first-rank noblewoman.
Jiang Xingyan’s usual disregard for decorum alone would have been grounds for divorce, not to mention her selfish retreat to the side courtyard to “live in luxury.”
Given that, his mother’s mere glares—without even subjecting her to any real hardship—were downright merciful.
Now that he was in Jiang Xingyan’s body, he resolved to be filial to his mother.
At least that would help offset some of Jiang Xingyan’s unfilial sins.
With this decision made, Huo Ci no longer felt lost. He straightened up with newfound confidence.
Behind him, Xia Feng watched her mistress suddenly square her shoulders and grew even more suspicious.
They still didn’t know what had happened to Xiao Ya—how could her mistress not be worried at all?
What was there to be so pleased about?
Unaware of Xia Feng’s scrutiny, Huo Ci spent the walk planning how to win his mother’s favor.
He took a measured step forward—only to nearly trip over his own skirt.
“Mistress, be careful!”
Xia Feng rushed to steady him.
Huo Ci’s ears reddened as he coughed lightly to mask his embarrassment.
Only then did he notice the desolation around him.
The cracked stone path was overgrown with weeds on both sides.
A short distance ahead stood a few ramshackle tile-roofed houses.
So… where exactly was the “luxurious” side courtyard Jiang Xingyan had supposedly been indulging in?
Had they taken the wrong path?
Gurgle.
Huo Ci’s stomach betrayed him with an untimely growl.
It was already past noon, and he hadn’t eaten a single grain of rice.
“You must be hungry, Mistress. Let’s hurry back—I’ll prepare a meal.”
Xia Feng’s words dispelled Huo Ci’s doubts.
So, there was a private kitchen. He hadn’t wronged her after all.
The side courtyard probably just looked shabby on the outside—inside, it was surely lavish.
A mere illusion. It couldn’t fool him.
Huo Ci’s temper flared.
Jiang Xingyan had been living comfortably all along, yet she paraded around in coarse linen, making it seem like his mother had mistreated her.
What kind of person was she?
Had he known this earlier, he would never have married her.
Grumbling inwardly, Huo Ci let Xia Feng lead him into the main room of the side courtyard.
His eyes landed on an old bamboo bed topped with a thin cotton quilt.
Chunxue, one of the maids, was rummaging through a small wooden chest in the corner, pulling out simple children’s clothes—nothing made of fine fabric.
The entire main room, furnished with only a square table and a few stools, was smaller and shabbier than the guest rooms in the main estate.
Huo Ci’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Xia Feng watched his reaction closely, her own eyes narrowing.
She didn’t know what was going on, but one thing was certain—the person before her was not her mistress.
“Xia Feng, come out here!”
Qiu Yan’s voice called from outside.
Leaving the dazed “Jiang Xingyan” behind, Xia Feng hurried into the courtyard.
Qiu Yan carried a lacquered bamboo tube, glancing furtively toward the house to ensure their mistress hadn’t noticed before handing it to Xia Feng.
She leaned in, whispering: “The young master sent this for you.”
Xia Feng was stunned. “What?”
“He said not to mention it yet. Only give it to her when she asks for it herself.”
Xia Feng’s heart pounded.
“He also said that once Dongyang returns, she should go see him.”
Qiu Yan looked puzzled. “What’s gotten into the young master? Since when does he care so much about our courtyard? Could it be… our mistress’s fortunes are finally turning?”
Xia Feng bit her lip, deep in thought.
Today, their mistress, the young master, even Xiao Ya—none of them were acting normally.
She decided to test the waters herself.
“You go ahead and cook for the mistress. I’ll report back to the young master later.”
Qiu Yan nodded and rolled up her sleeves, heading to the kitchen.
After stashing the bamboo tube in a cleverly hidden spot, Xia Feng turned to see Dongyang trudging back, dejected.
“Dongyang, how did it go at the shop?”
Dongyang sighed. “Same as always—all the silver went straight into that old hag’s purse.”
Xia Feng clapped a hand over her mouth. “Hush! From now on, don’t let the mistress hear you badmouthing the old hag.”
Dongyang looked confused, but Xia Feng patted her shoulder solemnly. “It’s complicated. I’m going to the main estate—wait for my news.”
Among Jiang Xingyan’s four personal maids, Qiu Yan was diligent, Dongyang cautious, Chunxue meticulous, and Xia Feng sharp.
She had assigned Xia Feng and Dongyang to Huo Ci precisely because she trusted them to notice something amiss and play along.
After informing the still-stunned “Jiang Xingyan” inside, Xia Feng left with Chunxue—who had packed a small bundle—and headed for the main estate.
…..
Meanwhile, in the main estate…
“General, I’ve brought the medicine!”
Xin Zhui barged into the main room without waiting for permission, startling Jiang Xingyan, who had just removed her armor and was dressed in simple training clothes.
Even though this was Huo Ci’s body, the sudden appearance of an unrelated man made her instinctively turn away.
Xin Zhui blinked. “General?”
Jiang Xingyan kept her voice low. “Did you escort Imperial Physician Sun back to the palace properly?”
Xin Zhui thumped his chest. “Have I ever let you down, General? I even gave him a hundred taels of silver as thanks.”
Jiang Xingyan nodded. Rough around the edges, but not reckless.
“You’ve been a great help today. What reward would you like?”
Xin Zhui’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.
Since when did their general reward people?
Not punishing him for his impulsiveness was mercy enough—now there were rewards?
For all the general’s brilliance on the battlefield, in private, he was a stickler for rules.
He constantly drilled into them that every action must follow propriety.
Xin Zhui, being free-spirited by nature, often forgot this—and had been punished more times than he could count.
For a breach of decorum like today’s, twenty lashes would’ve been lenient.
He could hardly believe his ears. “General… you’re really rewarding me?”
Jiang Xingyan rolled her eyes internally.
Just how stingy was Huo Ci? The boy was practically vibrating over the prospect of a simple reward.
Before she could respond, Xia Feng’s voice came from outside: “General, Xia Feng is here to report.”
Jiang Xingyan smirked. Just as expected of the girl she had handpicked.
“Enter.”
Xia Feng stepped in, head slightly bowed, Chunxue trailing behind her with equal restraint.
Jiang Xingyan deftly picked up Xiao Ya—now changed out of her wet clothes and wrapped in a quilt—and instinctively nuzzled the child’s soft cheek with her nose.
Xin Zhui felt the hairs on his neck stand on end.
In broad daylight… had their general been possessed?