Chapter 24: Unbelievable World (I)

Even though Hejian County was small, many prestigious families lived there.

Liu Lanting’s family hailed from the Sixteen Kingdoms of Five Non-Han people. Although they were not an illustrious family, they still had a three-hundred-year-old history.

Recently, the number of their family members had dwindled so much that the Liu name was now almost unheard of. Except for Liu Lanting’s father, who was an officer outside of their county, the rest of the family held simple positions. Some of them even went into hiding while other more notorious family members were exiled.

From an outsider’s point of view, the Liu family’s reputation seemed to be going downhill. But Jiang Pengji thought the family was smart. They took things easily and were strict with their children’s education.

Although Liu Lanting’s father was from the main family, he was not the eldest son and was therefore not allowed to inherit the family.

Even without the disorderly relatives, however, the Lius still had many people in their family.

Lanting’s father had spent many years working outside of the county. His second wife, Liu Lanting’s stepmother, had requested to stay behind in Hejian County to care for Lanting. Most scholars were located in Dongqing’s Hejian, Langye, and Qiongning counties, but Lanting’s father did not want to settle down in Heijan County because he had heard that it was a risky place. The place was inhospitable and lacked any knowledgeable tutors.

People wondered why Madam Hu did not follow Lanting’s father. She occasionally gave Lanting some trouble by being sarcastic to her and by giving her a bad attitude, but she never went overboard.

When Lanting’s father left home for work, they moved out of the family’s main home and built a three-in-one house nearby.

The courtyard was not as large as the one in the main house, but the house itself was more spacious.

Liu Lanting’s house was located on San Songshu Street. Jiang Pengji lifted the carriage curtains and saw that the entrance to the Liu mansion was quiet.

“I don’t dare intrude…” The governor smiled as a page boy quickly hopped off the carriage, knocked on the mansion’s doors, and informed the family of their son’s return.

“If you have any problems with your studies, feel free to look for me. I may not be as insightful as your father, but I can still help with some things.”

Jiang Pengji nodded her thanks.

Even though a governor had authority over a county, that still depended on the province.

Hejian County was actually too small to be considered a “county,” but its people just wanted it to be known as one because it was a special place for them. The governors, therefore, were nothing more than low-ranking officers.

In small places like Hejian County, the governor’s job was pretty much set for life. He was trying to be close to Jiang Pengji because her help with the bandits had further secured his position.

Jiang Pengji suddenly heard the Liu servant’s ecstatic voice. “Second Langjun, you’ve returned…”

Jiang Pengji had expected to come home to white banners and maybe even her own coffin. However, there was nothing but the sight of the quiet and empty courtyard… It was highly unusual. “What happened while I was away?”

The servant was elated to see her; in fact, he looked as if he were looking at his savior.

Jiang Pengji swept her gaze over the servant and noticed many things.

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This servant had spent the previous night with a prostitute, and he smelled like alcohol, which meant that he had not gone out to search for Liu Lanting. His fingers were stained with rouge, which showed that he had visited another prostitute… Tsk! This man was not honest.

The servant had no idea that Jiang Pengji knew where he slept last night or that he had just gone to a gambling den and won some money. She was contemplating whether she should change his job or fire him.

“Second Langjun, you’re finally back. The lady and Madam Hu fainted when they received the news that had you been captured by bandits. The physician was by the lady’s side the whole time, but the worst of her illness came last night… Then Madam Hu fell ill right after she woke up, and she sent all the servants into the mountains to look for you. Right now the family lacks a leader, and the master is not in… If something were to happen to you…”

The servant wrung his hands as he spoke. He seemed glad, yet his gaze refused to meet Jiang Pengji’s. It was as though he had something to hide.

Jiang Pengji looked away and dispelled the information she had gathered from her mind.

She interrupted the servant’s ramblings and asked, “All the servants went to look for me yesterday?”

“Yes. Only the maids were left behind to look after the two mistresses,” the servant replied.

Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow. “Including you?”

The servant did not realize that she had set a trap. He smacked his own chest as a show of loyalty and said, “Second Langjun, what are you saying? I’m loyal to you! After hearing that you had been captured, who wouldn’t be worried? Naturally, I…”

“How was the prostitute last night?” Jiang Pengji interrupted. “And remember to hide your face when you decide to gamble.”

The servant crumbled to the floor in shock.

“Go find the head servant for your punishment. If I catch you again, I’ll sell you to the slave trader!”

Jiang Pengji gave a cold hmph. She hated these poor acts. Did he think she was some three-year-old? That servant was shocked and speechless as he knelt there. Just then, the head servant rushed out.

“Second Langjun.”

Master Liu had not returned home for many years, yet the mansion had not run itself into the ground. That was definitely due to this head servant’s hard work.

Jiang Pengji studied the old head servant and decided she liked what she saw. “I’m back. How’s mother?”

When he saw that Jiang Pengji was alive and well, he started tearing up. He was a well-behaved person, but he was so relieved to see Lanting that he ran over to greet her. “The lady’s condition has worsened, I’m afraid…”

Jiang Pengji frowned. “Let’s talk while we walk. Mother’s illness has gotten that bad?”

According to Liu Lanting’s memories, her stepmother had been well the day before, even if she was still sick. At the Flower Festival that took place half a month ago, which was also Liu Lanting’s birthday, she had made Lanting a bowl of longevity noodles.

The head servant’s eyes widened when he realized that Jiang Pengji was wearing the clothes of a stranger, but he did not mention anything. Instead, he buried his doubts.

“Yesterday, a maid-in-training misunderstood the situation and reported that you had died in the bandits’ hands. The lady fainted on the spot and lost her breath quite a few times. Madam Hu was also horrified and sent all the servants to look for you… Not long after that, third Langjun fell and cracked his head in the courtyard while he was playing with the maids…”

The family’s three masters and mistresses had succumbed to sickness or injury in such a short period of time. The head servant needed to keep looking for physicians.

Jiang Pengji stopped in her tracks. She felt as if she were missing something…