Chapter 63: Inappropriate

"Little Uncle~"

Jiang Lan felt the dampness on her shoulder grow layer upon layer. She turned her head to look at the child curled up at her neck, crying even harder, utterly inconsolable. The poor thing had certainly been frightened.

"Don’t worry, it was just an accident this time—it won’t happen again." As she thought of the one lurking behind the scenes who had caused her harm, Jiang Lan’s eyes grew cold. Mercy was not something she would show.

She would have to find another way to deal with the injury on her arm—there was someone she needed to handle!

She had been careful before, worried about the heavenly burn on her arm, but now she realized that such hesitation and softness had given others an opening to attack her. Once was enough for that sort of mistake.

“Be good. Tell Little Uncle, who brought you here?” She glanced around; apart from an extra food box and two elderly, dependable maids standing outside the cell, there were no elder family members accompanying the child.

Her expression darkened. How could they let a child come to a place like this alone? The air was so heavy with gloom—who knew what he might have seen? What if it left a scar on him?

From time to time, faint screams drifted from the dark chambers nearby. Yesterday, Tutu had told her that’s where the most dangerous mortals were held, as well as the fiercest evil spirits.

Jiang Lan looked at the child clinging tightly to her arm and pulled him into her embrace, covering his eyes.

This child had the ability to see spirits—he was especially susceptible to attracting unclean things. Who knew if he’d already been frightened by something living here?

She shot a glance at Tutu, who was squatting by the food box, throat working as he swallowed. Understanding, Tutu immediately led the little ghosts scattered around to leave, not daring to get any closer.

Seeing nothing amiss around them, Jiang Lan let go with her right hand and set the child on the bedding, rising to her feet.

The matrons outside hurried in to attend her.

Jiang Lan didn’t fuss—she simply washed up quickly, then brought Ming to the small table where a meal had already been set. She waved the maids away, sending them to wait outside the cell.

“Can you tell Little Uncle now? How did you end up coming here?”

Jiang Ruoming looked at the food in his bowl—Little Uncle had just picked it out for him himself, which made him very happy. But this question…

Jiang Lan watched as Ming’s small face scrunched up in distress. All right, she thought, the child clearly knew how to get his way with her.

She ruffled his hair. “Fine, I won’t press you this time. But next time will be different—if I find out who brought you here, I won’t go easy on them.”

Ming snuggled into Jiang Lan’s palm affectionately. “I understand, Little Uncle.”

“Ai~” This child only acted spoiled in front of her, and he was still so young—she could indulge him a little longer.

Still, it seemed Jiang Si didn’t know the boy had come to see her. For him to slip past Jiang Si’s watchful eyes in the household and appear here—he was clearly quite clever.

Glancing at the sunlight outside the window, she saw it was still half an hour earlier than when her sister usually brought her meals; clearly, the boy had chosen this time on purpose to avoid running into her.

She placed a small bun in his bowl. “Today isn’t a rest day at school—you must have informed your teacher?”

Ming nodded. “I sent a reliable servant to ask Mr. Pei for leave.”

Jiang Lan nodded, and, seeing Ming eating with relish, took a bite of the bun herself. “Mmm, this is quite good.”

Ming’s eyes brightened. “If you like it, Little Uncle, I’ll bring you more tomorrow!”

Jiang Lan shook her head. Seeing Ming’s disappointment, she ruffled his hair again.

“Little Uncle won’t be staying here much longer, silly boy.”

Ming was overjoyed. “Then when are you coming home, Little Uncle?”

Jiang Lan thought back over what Xue Er had said the day before, and considered the constable who had stayed at Xue Dafu’s house that night. They had probably already found the corpse beneath the uncle’s house. By tomorrow at the latest, the truth of the matter would come out.

“In the next day or two. If you want to show your respect, wait until I’m home, then you can bring your gifts.”

Watching the child nod with enthusiasm, Jiang Lan found him adorable.

Realizing the hour was getting late, she urged, “It’s about time. You’d better head back.”

Ming was reluctant to go, but when he heard that Jiang Li would be testing him on his studies in two days, he left, clenching his little fists with renewed determination.

After Ming left, the little ghost Tutu slipped out from the wall and plopped down on the floor, making himself right at home.

“Great Demon, did you know your little one has the gift of sight?”

Jiang Lan nodded, took the waterskin by her side, and sipped from it.

She packed up the untouched food and handed the box to Tutu.

“You’re not much taller than him yourself.”

Tutu grabbed the food box with one hand and put the other on his hip, protesting indignantly, “I’ve lived for several centuries, at least!”

Jiang Lan pursed her lips, unimpressed.

“Now, tell me: where was that Xie fellow held before? Tell me, and I’ll save you some food next time.”

...This was starting to feel like luring a child with sweets on the street.

~~

Outside the prison gate, Jiang Cheng paced anxiously beside a carriage.

Compared to the leisurely coachman above, Jiang Cheng was a picture of misery—rubbing his hands, pacing back and forth, sometimes stomping his feet, sometimes sighing, nearly ready to break down in tears.

When he saw Young Master Ming come out, Jiang Cheng, who had been about to sit despondently on the steps, hurried over.

“Ming, is your uncle all right?” He asked, voice tinged with regret—his father had already scolded him once at home. It must have been his loose tongue while organizing the manor’s affairs that let word slip to the wrong ears.

Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that they ran into Xue Dafu’s gang—and then a fight broke out, and then Xue died just like that?

The more Jiang Cheng thought about it, the more terrified he became. If only he’d been a little more careful at the start, maybe none of this would have happened.

And if he’d stopped his little cousin yesterday, perhaps things would be different too.

Seeing Jiang Cheng’s genuine, unselfish concern, Ming’s original anger faded considerably.

Still, he knew it was Jiang Cheng’s carelessness that had put his Little Uncle in danger. Even if it wasn’t intentional, in Ming’s mind Jiang Cheng was now branded as someone who ruined more than he accomplished—a reputation that would never be erased.

“Little Uncle is fine. He’ll be out in a day or two. That matter had nothing to do with him.”

Jiang Cheng clapped his hands in delight. “That’s wonderful!”

Ming eyed this cheerful fool, wondering why Little Uncle had chosen such a person to manage the estate. He didn’t believe Little Uncle was stupid—it must be that there was simply no one else to use, so he’d had to make do with these... defective goods.

Clenching his fists, Ming vowed to study hard—whether it was managing national policy or business, as long as his Little Uncle had him, he would never have to rely on such idiots again.

His gaze grew reserved, distant; he was once more the solemn, aloof Jiang scion raised at the heir’s knee.

“Ming, get in the carriage; your grand-uncle will take you home.”

Jiang Cheng fetched the stepstool himself and helped Ming into the carriage. The matrons behind them were impeccable—their hair not a strand out of place.

Just now, while Ming spoke with his grand-uncle, the matrons had stood respectfully ten paces away—neither too near nor too far—close enough to see but not hear, so they could shield him at the first sign of trouble.

These matrons had all been handpicked by Jiang Lan to protect Ming.

Among them, Nurse Liu was of the highest rank—a former palace stewardess. Once Ming grew more accustomed, Jiang Lan planned to prepare a courtyard for him in the eastern wing, and Nurse Liu would be the chief stewardess in charge there.

A palace matron was a titled attendant—a reward Jiang Lan had personally sought from the Empress Dowager for Ming.

Jiang Lan didn’t truly understand all the rules of etiquette and household management. With her status as the legitimate heir of a noble house, no one dared to criticize her openly—and even if they did, she was indifferent. She didn’t care for reputation; her journey through the mortal realm was for her own satisfaction, and to fulfill the wishes and uncover the cause of death of her predecessor, as entrusted in dreams. Once everything was in order, every debt of enmity would be repaid, one by one—none who had harmed or killed her would escape.

None would escape.

But Ming was different. He was to become the master of the Duke of Wei's household, perhaps even the pillar of the Jiang clan. Before he could act as he pleased, every word and deed had to be beyond reproach.

Nurse Liu was the first step Jiang Lan had laid for him; Mr. Pei would be the second…

Within the time left to her, Jiang Lan wanted to give Ming the best of everything. Compared to her own fate, these arrangements were insignificant.

With Jiang Lan’s trust and promise, Nurse Liu devoted herself wholeheartedly to her young master. At first it was out of loyal duty and respect, but as time passed, she grew fond of this diligent, earnest, and ambitious boy.

She could see he was truly exceptional—bright, very bright!

That was why she’d originally opposed this outing, but the young master had been insistent, and she’d had to give in. She knew he always had a plan and a mind of his own.

Still, she kept an eye on the Jiang clansman who had "lured" the young master out.

Foolish, she thought. Who brings a six- or seven-year-old child to a prison? What if he picked up something evil or had nightmares?

Nightmares could be minor or serious—if the child lost his soul, it could become a grave matter.

Children’s yang energy was weak, making them especially vulnerable to unclean things. Prisons had always been places of heavy blood and evil, breeding grounds for monsters and spirits. If anything happened to the young master, she would deal with that ignorant kinsman herself, even if the heir did nothing.

Nurse Liu climbed into the carriage. Ming raised his hand, “Nurse, sit here.”

He gestured to the left seat, the place of highest honor. All young masters knew this, but for him to offer it to her so sincerely meant he truly cared for her.

Nurse Liu’s eyes reddened, though she showed nothing on the outside.

“That wouldn’t be proper, young master. I’ll sit here.” She took the seat on the right, near the door, where she could easily lift the curtain.

The other maids waited around the carriage, following on both sides.

“Young master, there’s something I’d like to say, if I may?”

Ming looked at the nurse seated at the back, her every movement prim and proper, and nodded for her to continue.