Chapter 23 Mingqing, are you alright!

“Someone, seize this man who tried to harm the young lady!”

Jiao Junzhe was even more ruthless than Jiao Mingqing, immediately ordering the arrest.

Fearful whispers broke out all around.

Jiang Yan looked at the siblings in disbelief. “On what grounds do you arrest people?”

Jiang Nian remained calm, her clear voice measured and unhurried.

“Is there truly no one left in the capital who can command the Jiao family? Recklessly harming others and making arrests—does Jiao Young Master intend to send me to the Court of Justice or the Ministry of Punishments? Has the Jiao family already infiltrated all six ministries to the extent that they can wield unchecked power, unafraid of impeachment from the censors or the emperor’s wrath?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

Jiao Junzhe did not expect such words from a mere lady of the inner courtyard.

Jiang Nian’s voice was cool. “Nonsense? Jiao Young Master dares to act with such arrogance. Why fear criticism?”

“You—”

A girl from a humble background would never speak so boldly.

Seeing the Jiao siblings flustered, Jiang Yan smiled. “The Jiao family’s scions are so overbearing, holding no one in regard. Could it be that the Second Prince is set to inherit the throne tomorrow, giving you such audacity?”

Hearing this, Jiao Junzhe broke out in a cold sweat. Trouble was brewing.

Jiang Nian noticed his hesitation, sneered, and signaled to Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan understood the cue to retreat gracefully. “Third sister, let’s first see to this little beggar’s injuries. Lingering longer might cost the child his life.”

Jiang Nian nodded and prepared to leave with Jiang Yan and the boy, but Jiao Mingqing was not willing to relent.

She stepped forward, blocking their path, staring at Jiang Nian. “Third sister? Could you be Jiang Nian, the one who stole my cousin’s rightful identity? How dare you! Don’t forget, you still have to call me ‘aunt’!”

Jiang Nian chuckled lightly. “Yes, my mother is now Lady Jiang Qiao, a member of the Jiang family. If my grandmother knew my mother was turning her back on her own family to side with her maternal relatives, she would be most displeased.”

“You—!”

The day before, Lady Jiao had visited her natal home and complained at length about Lady Jiang’s meddlesome nature, with Jiao Mingqing present.

Hearing Jiang Nian’s words, Jiao Mingqing dared not invoke her aunt’s name again. If her aunt knew she had caused trouble, she would be the first to suffer.

Still, without mentioning her aunt, she refused to let Jiang Nian go and raised her hand to slap her, intending to teach her a lesson.

Jiang Nian made no move to block her and instead waited until Jiao Mingqing approached, then fearfully grabbed her and pulled hard aside.

Jiao Mingqing lost her footing, stepping on her own foot, and fell with a thud.

The crowd around her stifled their laughter, unable to believe that such a fierce attack had ended in her own stumble.

“Mingqing!” Jiao Junzhe rushed to her fallen sister. “Are you alright?”

Jiao Mingqing’s face was pressed to the ground, mouth full of dirt, dust covering her face, and from her throat came a choked sob of anger and humiliation.

She was utterly humiliated today.

When had anyone dared to make her, Jiao Mingqing, so embarrassed?

“You! I swear your entire family will be wiped out without a trace!”

“Ah, your entire family?” Jiang Nian clutched her chest, frowning with innocent seriousness. “You mean... the nine clans?”

Jiao Mingqing’s former arrogance vanished, replaced by fury, her finger nearly piercing Jiang Nian’s face as she hissed through clenched teeth, “Just you wait!”

Jiang Nian glanced at Jiao Junzhe, puzzled. “Young Master Jiao, isn’t it only the emperor who can order the annihilation of the nine clans? Could it be that the Jiao family harbors treasonous intentions?”

“Silence!” Jiao Junzhe, usually refined and gentle, was now visibly enraged, veins bulging.

“Why so flustered, Young Master Jiao? Could it be that I hit a nerve?”

Jiao Junzhe’s face darkened.

Any keen observer could tell that today’s affair was just a sharp-tongued girl’s antics. The court was no place for simple truths; noble families were rife with suspicion and schemes. If this were exploited, it would spell great trouble.

Moreover, for these ignorant commoners, rumors could only cause harm.

He could not afford to keep entangling himself with her.

“Mingqing, let’s go!”

As he moved to leave with his sister, the sound of carriage wheels and the clinking of golden bells suddenly rang out behind the crowd.

Soon, a group of guards clad in black armor and wielding silver blades parted the spectators.

“Who dares to cause a disturbance here?” The guards’ faces were stern and disciplined, their armor radiating an imposing aura.

The onlookers instinctively stepped back.

Moments later, four exceptionally tall and robust black-maned horses appeared. Their bright eyes and proud bearing marked them as extraordinary steeds.

Such magnificent horses hinted at the unusual status of the carriage’s occupant.

The golden bell chimed once before falling silent, drawing everyone’s gaze to the carriage.

Jiao Junzhe’s eyes flickered. Of course, he recognized the owner of the carriage. He hurriedly pulled Jiao Mingqing forward to bow respectfully, “Master Guoshi.”

Jiang Nian touched her nose, wondering how she kept running into him.

The carriage door opened, and Lu Moran inside turned his head slightly to look over.

Backlit, Jiang Nian saw his usual serene and composed face, his fingers slender and clean as they held a jade-green porcelain tea saucer, as gentle as spring water reflecting pear blossoms.

His expression reminded Jiang Nian of the earlier description Jiang Yan had given.

“Such an aura makes one feel that he is unique, unmatched by any other man. Every gesture, every movement, like a deity, naturally commanding reverence.”

Lu Moran caught Jiang Nian’s gaze and glanced her way, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.

This bold girl was truly a troublemaker.

The crowd had long been dispersed by the guards, leaving only the Jiao siblings and Jiang Nian.

Jiao Mingqing sneaked a fearful look at Lu Moran, her previous arrogance reduced to smoke.

Lu Moran squinted at the bloodied beggar nearby.

Jiao Junzhe quickly spoke, “Master Guoshi, my sister accidentally injured this beggar. We have already arranged for him to receive proper medical care. We hope you can forgive her waywardness.”

Jiao Mingqing looked extremely displeased but dared not utter another word.

Lu Moran ignored the siblings entirely and signaled to leave.

Fuming, Jiao Mingqing stomped her foot but dared not defy the Master Guoshi. Instead, she grabbed a whip and lashed it harshly on a nearby guard, sharply commanding, “Take this little bastard to the clinic at once!”

Jiang Nian’s eyes swept over them. These vile siblings would perish by her hands sooner or later.

“Fifth sister, we should go too.”

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