Chapter 26

“Mother, during this battle, Uncle Meng and I practically ate and lived together. The only difference was when we returned, I drank water from Uncle Meng’s water bag, but he drank from it too.”

“In that case, Changbai’s poisoning should have nothing to do with Meng Yi.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Hong spoke softly. However, as soon as he finished, Xue Yan retorted, “What if he took an antidote beforehand?”

“Ugh?”

“Whether it’s a misunderstanding or not, both of you need to take this matter seriously.”

“Whether it’s a misunderstanding or not, you and your son have to take this matter to heart.”

Men and women think differently. Although Jiang Peihuan did not explain the reason, Xue Yan knew that her daughter would never wrongly accuse someone for no reason.

Jiang Peihuan wasn’t aware of what was happening within the Northern Region Army. At the moment, she looked at Zhou Rongfang, who was visibly anxious.

“Second Aunt, what brings you here?”

Usually, Zhou Rongfang rarely visited her plum garden.

So, there must be a reason for her visit.

“Huanhuan, please check on Yun Er. Your second aunt is begging you.”

“What happened to her?”

Upon hearing Jiang Ruyun’s name, Jiang Peihuan’s eyes flashed with coldness. If not for Jiang Ruyun’s was her siblings, she wouldn’t care for her at all.

“Ever since the butler from Huainan Mansion left, Yun Er stopped eating and drinking. She has lost a lot of weight and refuses to take the medicine prescribed by Doctor Zhang. If this continues, she won’t make it.”

Zhou Rongfang’s eyes were filled with tears.

This time, she truly cried. She had only one daughter, Jiang Ruyun, and all her hopes rested on her.

If anything were to happen to Jiang Ruyun, she probably doesn’t want to live anymore.

“Second Aunt, don’t worry. I’ll head to Orchid Garden now.”

The Jiang family’s daughters’ gardens were named after plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. As the second oldest, Jiang Ruyun lived in Orchid Garden.

“Take it away. I won’t drink it. Take it away…”

“Miss, please, just have a little.”

As Jiang Peihuan entered Orchid Garden, she heard Jiang Ruyun’s yelling and the sobbing of the young servant girl.

She frowned and pushed the door open.

“Young Miss?”

Jiang Ruyun’s maid, Lan Er, quickly bowed upon seeing Jiang Peihuan

Glancing at the shattered pieces on the floor, Jiang Peihuan instructed, “Go and prepare another bowl of the medicine, Second Miss needs to drink.”

“Yes.”

Lan Er left in a hurry. Jiang Peihuan approached, with Ye Xiao and Lu Er following her.

Jiang Ruyun turned upon hearing the voice, and when she saw Jiang Peihuan, her eyes showed a hint of complexity.

She despised Jiang Peihuan, but during their time in Huainan mansion, she had protected her.

“Why have you come?”

In the end, Jiang Ruyun couldn’t help but look at Jiang Peihuan, who was sitting on a chair, and asked.

“I heard from Second Aunt that you’re not eating or drinking.”

“Jiang Ruyun, do you think you haven’t created enough chaos in this family?”

Upon hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words and seeing the mockery in her eyes, anger surged in Jiang Ruyun’s eyes. “Jiang Peihuan, this is my business, it’s not your concern.”

“Don’t assume that because you helped me in the Huainan mansion, you can boss me around. I…”

“Young miss, the medicine is here.”

Lan Er, who was standing outside the door, overheard the commotion inside and hurried in with the medicine.

However, Lan Er’s actions infuriated Jiang Ruyun. As she watched Lan Er enter, Jiang Ruyun angrily threw the teacup from the bedside at her. “Wretched girl, whose servant are you? Who told you to prepare the medicine? Take it and dump it!”

The teacup hit Lan Er’s body, causing her to gasp in pain

Seeing this, Jiang Peihuan’s eyes turned even colder. She looked at Lan Er and ordered, “Bring the medicine over.”

Trembling, Lan Er approached the bedside. Just as Jiang Ruyun was about to grab the medicine, she heard Jiang Peihuan’s voice, “Dare to smash it, and see what happens.”

Jiang Peihuan’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was chilling enough to make Jiang Ruyun’s outstretched hand freeze in place.

She didn’t smash it, nor did she reach out to take it. Instead, she glared at Jiang Peihuan and retorted, “Whether I drink the medicine or not is my business, and I don’t need you, my big sister, to…”

Before Jiang Ruyun could finish, Jiang Peihuan grabbed her chin.

With her left hand gripping Jiang Ruyun’s chin, Jiang Peihuan used her right hand to pick up the bowl of medicine. Raising her hand, she poured the medicine into Jiang Ruyun’s mouth.

When Lan Er watched this scene, she was stunned.

Ye Xiao and Cui Er, who had followed in, also revealed a surprised expression in their eyes, but neither of them intervene.

“Cough cough…”

After pouring the medicine into Jiang Ruyun’s mouth, Jiang Peihuan released her grip. Lying on the bed, Jiang Ruyun coughed so hard that tears welled up in her eyes.

She stared at Jiang Peihuan, but she did not dare to say a word.

Jiang Peihuan took the handkerchief from Cui Er’s hands, wiped her own hands, and then turned to look at Jiang Ruyun on the bed. “If it weren’t for the fact that we share the Jiang surname, do you think I’d bother with you?”

“Who asked you to meddle? Who do you think you are, Jiang Peihuan? Seeing me like this, you must be very proud and happy, right?”

Jiang Ruyun’s eyes filled with tears as she yelled at Jiang Peihuan, sobbing as she spoke.

Jiang Peihuan, however, was at a loss for words.

Jiang Ruyun continued to scream, but Jiang Peihuan showed no reaction, which only infuriated her more. “Your silence must mean you admit it, right? That’s what you think, isn’t it?”

“Jiang Ruyun, you’ve been educated since childhood. Is your head filled with water?”

“You…”

“I share the same surname with you, Jiang. What benefit would I gain from your misfortune? The Jiang family is united. If you become a laughingstock, how would that benefit my reputation?”

Outside the door.

The old madam initially intended to visit Jiang Ruyun. After all, she was her granddaughter. However, upon hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words, the old madam’s eyes were filled with contentment.

Holding Nanny Xu’s hand, the old madam whispered, “Yuzhen, let’s go.”

“Aren’t you going in to see Second Miss?”

“With Huan Er here, she’ll be fine.”

Nanny Xu didn’t say anything more and helped Old Madam Jiang leave.

Liu Xiu, who was following behind the old madam, saw this and stepped forward to hold the old madam’s other hand. The old madam glanced at her and didn’t refuse her assistance like before.

Inside the room, Jiang Ruyun remained silent upon hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words.

She leaned against the headboard, her eyes weere filled with emptiness.

Jiang Peihuan sat down again, looked at her, and whispered, “Tell me, do you still want to marry into the Huainan’s family?”

“What do you mean by that, Big Sister?”

Upon hearing the words ‘Prince of Huainan’s family,’ Jiang Ruyun couldn’t help but turn her head. Seeing her expression, Jiang Peihuan understood what Jiang Ruyun was thinking.