Chapter 59 It Really Was Jiang Xiushu

A flicker of genuine astonishment crossed Jiang Lingyao’s face as she stared fixedly at Pei Xingzhi. Beneath that surface, however, her heart remained as still and cold as stagnant water.

He was always like this. Just when she thought all hope was lost, he would suddenly utter some ambiguous phrase, making her believe that their hearts beat as one.

At the thought, her gaze unconsciously grew chilly.

Pei Xingzhi had expected her to be startled, perhaps even suspicious, but he never imagined that Jiang Lingyao would simply look back at him with an icy expression, completely devoid of any reaction.

The displeasure he had tried so hard to suppress all day flared up once more. If she did not want to marry him, whom on earth did she want to marry?

Was she intending to marry that man from earlier today?

A coward who fled at the first sign of trouble, a man he could dismiss with just a few casual words—what on earth did she see in him?

In the heavy silence, Pei Xingzhi’s countenance grew increasingly grim.

"I shall take my leave."

He stood up, unwilling to lose his composure in front of everyone. In a frosty tone, he said, "I will undoubtedly call upon the manor another day. My Lord need not trouble yourself over this matter; I have my own plans."

With a cold look, he departed. Jiang Lingyao said nothing, her gaze trailing after his retreating figure with a trace of complexity.

He had done her a favor today, but his words and actions over the past few days had been far too abnormal, constantly stirring an inexplicable sense of unease within her.

She pressed her lips together, sighed, and then raised her eyes to look at Jiang Xiushu.

Shedding his usual arrogance, Jiang Xiushu now sat quietly in his chair, lowering his gaze while relentlessly twisting his fingers together. Visibly palpable anxiety was written all over his face.

Jiang Lingyao let out a cold, inner scoff, lifted her chin, and asked, "Father, do you have no intention of pursuing what happened today?"

The moment the words left her mouth, Jiang Xiushu shuddered. "Pursue what? You were the one who insisted on going out, and you ended up entangled with Pei Xingzhi for no good reason. We haven't even interrogated you about what you were actually trying to pull!"

It was evident beyond a doubt that Jiang Xiushu was inextricably tied to this scheme.

The Duke of the State sat in deep contemplation, his expression complex as he demanded, "Jiang Lingyao, was today's affair a scheme of yours, or merely a coincidence? Are you truly so determined to force Pei Xingzhi into marrying you?"

Jiang Lingyao found it darkly comical. "Do you honestly believe Pei Xingzhi is someone who can be manipulated by me? Or perhaps, in your eyes, I am simply that kind of unscrupulous person."

The Duke paused. Looking at the bloodstains on her legs, he fell silent.

She was his daughter, too; how could his heart not ache for her?

Yet, how could he possibly disregard the family's honor and reputation for Jiang Lingyao's sake?

A look of profound grief crossed his eyes. As he gazed at the chilling expression on Jiang Lingyao’s face, a brief sense of disorientation washed over him.

He had never once seen such an expression on Jiang Lingyao before. In his memory, she had always been the most sensible child in the estate—considerate and gentle. Even when she occasionally displayed a slight temper, it merely seemed endearing.

Whenever he was exhausted, Jiang Lingyao would invariably appear at the right moment with a cup of warm tea. When he grew furious with his sons, she would brave his wrath to persuade him otherwise, never once getting angry even when she was scolded.

She had once been his most cherished youngest daughter!

At what precise point in time had Jiang Lingyao suddenly changed?

A splitting headache seized the Duke, and he let out a heavy sigh. "Forget it. You are injured; go back to your quarters and rest. Mingzhu, I am your father, and everything I do is for your own good."

For her own good?

Jiang Lingyao felt nauseated just hearing those three words. She turned on her heel and walked away.

Whoever was orchestrating this from the shadows, she would drag them out one by one!

...

Over the next few days, an unusual tranquility settled over the estate.

Jiang Lingyao had not forgotten that she caught sight of the miraculous Physician Li before losing consciousness that day. Consequently, she instructed the matron serving beside her grandmother to send word out, hoping to track down his whereabouts.

She moved directly into the Old Madam’s courtyard, taking up residence in the side chamber, and poured all her concentration into the matter.

"Miss, someone has sent a letter for you."

Jiang Lingyao accepted the letter from the maidservant, her expression pausing momentarily before she softened her tone. "Go and report to my grandmother first; I will be back shortly."

It was a letter from Liao Yun.

In just a few brief lines, he explained how Pei Xingzhi had threatened him that day, while also revealing that he had investigated the incident: it was indeed Jiang Xiushu who had orchestrated it, having bribed the tavern proprietor to drug her.

However, the origins of the two mysterious men remained unknown, and he was still tracking them down.

After reading the letter, a cold sweat broke out across Jiang Lingyao's skin. She penned a reply to Liao Yun, only then managing to steady her racing mind.

The underhanded schemes within this ducal manor were truly repulsive. Fortunately, in half a month's time, she would finally be able to leave.

With this thought, she subconsciously glanced toward her grandmother's chambers, a wave of sorrow tugging at her heart.

Just as she regained her focus and prepared to step outside, Wenqiu rushed to the doorway, panting heavily. "Miss! An imperial decree has arrived at the manor!"

Jiang Lingyao’s heart skipped a beat. "Did they say who it is for?"

"It wasn't specified, but the Duke has ordered everyone to assemble to receive the decree."

"I am coming right now."

Jiang Lingyao rose, hurried next door to support the Old Madam, and walked out with her. Yet with every step she took, her inexplicable unease grew, and her heart hammered wildly against her ribs.

For some reason, the parting words Pei Xingzhi had left her with flashed through her mind, and she instinctively clenched her fists tightly.