Chapter Seventy-Six: Entangled in Love

Jiang Lan jumped down from the front of the carriage and walked to the horse’s head.

The arrow had not sunk deep; the horse would not die, but the pain was unbearable, making it run wildly in terror. The assailants had even killed the coachman—why not finish her off as well, instead of going through all this trouble? Was this a warning, or did they still have some scruples about the Empress Dowager behind her?

Indeed, they would rather err on the side of cruelty than let anyone slip away. Whether she was deliberately seeking trouble with them or not, threats from both sides were the most prudent approach.

Qin Shu had already met the young emperor; whether he lived or died now hardly mattered. Moreover, the agents they sent had been intercepted by Chifeng and slain by Qin Shu’s men. Now it was those behind Qin Shu who interested them most.

As for herself, her identity was clear as day. A useless creature raised in lush flowerbeds, her only backing was being the Empress Dowager’s aunt. She had no power or influence, only a bit of money. Unlearned, unskilled, fond of making trouble and fighting.

Whether these traits were mere surface or carved into her bones, they didn’t need to investigate further; a warning would suffice.

She really was the easy target, as expected.

Jiang Lan stroked the horse’s mane, soothing it, “Be good. When we get back, I’ll have them make something tasty for you. If those people shoot you again, bite them to death.”

The horse let out a long, aggrieved neigh.

“Good boy, I know your teeth aren’t strong—I’ll bite them for you.”

The horse nuzzled Jiang Lan’s hand affectionately, and then another series of long neighs sounded as a group of soldiers in matching uniforms dismounted.

“Mu Changfeng, Captain of the Five City Guards, arrives late. Greetings, Young Lord.”

Jiang Lan looked at the leader saluting before her. His features were delicate, and the armor lent him an air of solemnity. A flush of red rested between his brows—a fine fate, not quite the purple aura of the east, but his fortune was among the best, and he bore hints of peach blossom luck.

He only greeted her, so apparently he didn’t know her sister was inside.

Jiang Lan merely nodded, “Find a few reliable men, prepare a carriage and a clean cloak, and send for a physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau specializing in external injuries. My sister is hurt.”

“The County Mistress is in the carriage?” Mu Changfeng frowned. Seeing Jiang Lan nod, he said, “I will see to it at once.”

Mu Changfeng ordered his men to guard the carriage from afar, forbidding anyone from disturbing it, and issued strict orders that news of the County Mistress must not leak.

He then rode off toward the palace.

After Mu Changfeng departed, several bailiffs from the Capital Prefecture arrived belatedly.

Jiang Lan could tell from their expressions that the illusion Qing Li created last night had struck their minds, some more than others. Especially those illusions that seemed to immerse them in the grief of the dead—it had dulled them somewhat.

Fortunately, Qing Li’s people had held back; after a few hearty meals, they would soon be lively again.

Jiang Lan thanked them, knowing their office was busy, and sent them back, urging them to rest well and eat plenty.

A few noble youths arrived shortly after, escorting the maids and servants who had been left behind the carriage.

Everyone was disheveled; the incident had come suddenly, leaving them frantic, chasing and seeking help. Several maids had twisted their ankles, and chaos reigned.

The servants at the rear carried Uncle Zhong, the loyal coachman, on a stretcher. Some others had been hit by arrows, though none in vital spots, and the maids trailing behind were weeping.

When Jiang Lan approached, their tears flowed all the more.

“Young Master, are you and the Mistress alright?”

Jiang Lan nodded, “We’re fine. How are you?”

A servant’s eyes reddened, unable to hold back, “Young Master, Uncle Zhong…”

Jiang Lan patted their shoulders, then went to the elderly maid still carrying a bundle, “Do you have my outer robe?”

The maid nodded.

“Bring it out.”

Jiang Lan took the robe, walked over to Uncle Zhong, and draped it over him.

Mu Changfeng’s prepared carriage and cloak had arrived; Jiang Lan took the cloak into the carriage and handed it to Chun Ming, “Put this on my sister, make sure the hood covers her.”

“Alright.” Chun Ming quickly wiped her tears and wrapped the cloak around her mistress.

“Hiss—” Jiang Si clutched her ankle, the pain making her gasp.

“Sister, what’s wrong? Don’t scare Chun Ming.”

Jiang Si, bearing the pain, hurriedly covered Chun Ming’s mouth, whispering, “Don’t cry out, Brother is still outside. If he hears, it’ll break his heart.”

Chun Ming nodded, tears streaming down her face. She gently lifted Jiang Si’s skirt and removed her shoe and sock, revealing a pale leg swollen and bruised, a large lump rising.

“Sister—”

Chun Ming’s heart ached terribly. Jiang Si, determined not to show her pain, pressed harder and whispered in her ear, “Brother is already troubled by this. Don’t let him worry more. I don’t hurt, really.”

“Sister—”

Chun Ming hugged her mistress tightly.

Meanwhile, Xi Chi jumped down from the carriage.

Chun Ming pulled the cloak’s hood over Jiang Si’s head, “All done, Young Master.”

Jiang Lan walked up, looking at her little sister; she didn’t know what to make of her. After being thrown behind the carriage and still in pain, the girl hadn’t uttered a complaint. Where had her usual cleverness gone?

Unable to help herself, Jiang Lan flicked Jiang Si’s forehead, which immediately flushed red.

“Such a silly girl—how could you be hurt and not tell your brother?”

At last, Jiang Si couldn’t hold back. Seeing Jiang Lan open his arms, she threw herself into them, “Brother—”

Jiang Lan held her, comforting her—she was just a child.

Uncle Zhong had collapsed earlier; she must have seen it. After such a traumatic event and seeing death, she had seemed calm, but now, in tears, she was clearly terrified.

“Don’t be afraid, your brother’s here.”

Mu Changfeng arrived with the imperial physician just then, hearing muffled sobs from inside the carriage. His mind wandered, and his grip loosened, almost letting the physician fall from the horse.

Luckily, Mu Changfeng was quick to catch him, steadying the old man—his frail body could not withstand such rough treatment.

Jiang Lan straightened the cloak. “Brother will carry you out; the physician is here. We’ll go home now, don’t think about anything, just trust me.”

Jiang Si nodded, shrinking into her brother’s embrace beneath the cloak.

Chun Ming lifted the carriage curtain, and Jiang Lan carried Jiang Si out.

Mu Changfeng approached, “Young Lord, this is Physician Meng from the Imperial Medical Bureau, a specialist in treating external injuries.”

“Thank you.” Jiang Lan nodded in gratitude, then carried Jiang Si to another carriage.

Xi Chi pulled Chun Ming up as well; both were placed at Jiang Si’s side to care for her, not to leave her for a moment.

Jiang Lan dismounted, helped the physician up, and sat outside the carriage.

“Thank you for today, Captain Mu. Please send a few more carriages to return my household staff. And I entrust the horse to you.”

Mu Changfeng bowed. “No need for thanks, Young Lord. This is my duty. Such an incident will be fully investigated, and justice will be served for you and the County Mistress.”