Chapter 23: Set off at Daybreak (IV)

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The governor was not dumb. If the girls’ reputations were to remain pure, they would need to confirm that the girls had not been harmed in front of everyone.

Jiang Pengji seemed to have exaggerated her capabilities, but her story was not impossible. After describing the whole incident again, people began to believe her. No one could doubt her after they saw all the young ladies standing there, tired but unharmed.

The governor was relieved and had a high opinion of Jiang Pengji now, for she had saved his career and his life. If anything had happened to the girls, their families likely would have demanded severe punishment; they might even have had him killed for his failure. After all, what had taken place was the worst thing that could have happened under an official’s administration.

His eyes flickered when he noticed that Jiang Pengji was left behind after all the ladies had gotten on their handheld carts to set off for home.

“Liu Xi, my good nephew, will you leave with me? One is prone to get lost in the deep forest without a guide.”

He called her “nephew,” hoping to gain her trust. After a quick consideration, Jiang Pengji nodded at his invitation, accepting him as her new “uncle.”

Feng Jin and his group had secretly left after the ladies’ departure. Now all she needed to worry about was herself. How could her family not send a single servant to look for their langjun?

Due to the steep slopes, they had to leave the mountain first in handheld carts and then change to carriages when they reached flat roads.

Jiang Pengji was bored during the ride and asked the System to start a livestream. She hoped to chat with the audience. However, there were no viewers that day, which was normal for a new channel. In fact, she had been lucky to gain a few points of popularity the day before.

The ride in the governor’s personal carriage was way better than the one with the bandits. Apart from some occasional jolts, the journey was comfortable.

Although the official was not as observant as Jiang Pengji, he had become very wise in the ways of the world after dealing with bureaucrats for years. As he watched her sitting quietly, he was reminded of her solitude in the bandit village.

“My good nephew, are you wondering why no servants came for you?”

Jiang Pengji collected her thoughts and then searched through Liu Lanting’s memories, frowning. “Maybe they are too busy preparing for my father’s return.”

She was, in fact, annoyed at Liu Lanting’s household affairs. If someone disliked Lanting, this could be a great opportunity to let “him” go missing forever while her father, Master Liu was away.

Liu Lanting’s mother was from an esteemed house in Langye Province and had always been dear to Master Liu. She had given birth to a legitimate son in their second year of their marriage, but the child died before two years passed. In their fourth year of marriage, the lady gave birth to Liu Lanting and his twin sister, and the two were deemed as blissful gifts.

After the death of their first son, the couple took care of their twin son and daughter with all their attention. Unfortunately, the son died when he was four because a careless servant had failed to notice that he was drowning. The parents then switched the identities of the children and claimed that it was their daughter who had drowned, not their son.

After that, the mother’s health deteriorated quickly, and she passed away within half a year.

Jiang Pengji thought what had happened next was incomprehensible: To take care of Liu Lanting and to maintain a close relationship with his deceased wife’s family, Master Liu had married his deceased wife’s illegitimate sister.

But what was the logic behind that decision? Why would he want to marry his sister-in-law? Was the phrase now “Your brother’s wife is your best lay and so is your wife’s sister”?

To be fair to the stepmother, she was fairly kind to Liu Lanting. She was anxious about the wellbeing of her “stepson” and treated “him” as if were her own child. Even Jiang Pengji, as an outsider, could tell that her caring heart was not fake.

She was an impeccable mother according to the standards of that time. When Liu Lanting studied, she supported him but also gave him enough personal space. Sometimes she made him nourishing meals and instructed the attendants to satisfy his needs whenever possible. When the weather became cooler, she made arrangements to keep Lanting healthy.

The tiresome one in the household was a concubine called Madam Hu.

As Master Liu’s cousin, Madam Hu had also been born in a respectable household. Her decision to become a mistress was scorned and opposed because she could have married another man as a proper wife.

The stepmother had always been weak, however, and her condition had worsened since last winter. Since she showed no sign of recovery and she was seldom conscious, the power to manage the household was handed over to the imperious Madam Hu.

After considering the facts, Jiang Pengji was not surprised that no one came for her. Maybe later she would even see a coffin they had prepared for her. Nothing was impossible. Jiang Pengji touched her forehead.

The governor, after seeing her reaction, now understood that things were complicated in her family.

The flabby official smiled warmly, as if they were close acquaintances. “Would you mind if I accompanied you home? My housekeeper has declined all visitors today because of the kidnapping, but since the case is settled now, I have nothing to do on my day off.”

“I thank you for it,” she said, bowing. His company would save her much trouble.

Meanwhile, the System was getting more and more excited. “My host, before entering the court, you can try out house intrigue! Make a good start, and you will win half the battle!”

It hoped that competing in the family would change Jiang Pengji’s distaste for court intrigue. Her opponents could vary at different stages. They could range from illegal children and their parents to the concubine’s family or to problematic relatives, if she had a bad luck. She could even help her stepmother confront Madam Hu.

The System guessed that its host would resort to violence at some point.

“Tedious.”

Her response irked the computer, but it refrained itself by taking deep breaths. “Tell me, then, what you think is interesting.”

“The lady and Madam Hu…” She stopped for a second. “They are both pretties.”

“…”

Got it.

Oh my god, Master Liu! Your “son” is coming for your women!