Chapter 885 – Northern Domineer (22)
The Broidered Robe Young Man responded and was about to step forward to help Jiang Pengji mount the horse.
However, Jiang Pengji didn’t need his assistance at all!
After easily getting on the horse, the Broidered Robe Young Man returned to his own mount, awkwardly struggling to climb onto its back.
Seeing this, Jiang Pengji found it quite amusing and said, “Aren’t you skilled at horseback riding?”
The Broidered Robe Young Man shook his head shyly, “Riding is too tiring; my legs hurt, and my back does too.”
Jiang Pengji replied, “You really should learn to ride well. You can’t just give up because you’re afraid of pain and fatigue.”
The Broidered Robe Young Man smiled and said, “What you say makes sense, Sister. I’ll study hard in the future.”
Jiang Pengji rode alongside him and, noticing the constant smile on the young man’s face, couldn’t help but ask, “Although we’re sister and brother living under the same roof, we haven’t met for many years, and our feelings have been quite distant. But looking at you, it seems you really like me?”
She asked quite directly, and the Broidered Robe Young Man was momentarily stunned.
After all, even if their sibling relationship wasn’t great, one should still put on a facade in front of outsiders—who would just poke holes in that illusion?
After contemplating, the Broidered Robe Young Man answered honestly, “Although Sister hasn’t met me, I’ve often heard the servants talk about you, and I’ve long admired you. Moreover, if you hadn’t mentioned me to Father, he wouldn’t have brought me from our old home in Hejian to raise me here. Though you might not believe it, I truly appreciate it and wish to thank you in person.”
Liu Zhi seldom inquired about the affairs of the concubines and lesser siblings, so before this, the Broidered Robe Young Man had only seen Liu Zhi a few times.
To now be favored by Father, educated closely, and monitored daily—it was something he could only dream of before.
Jiang Pengji smiled lightly and said, “You are Father’s son; blood ties cannot be severed. Even if I hadn’t brought it up, you would have to consider marriage. He can’t just neglect you. Honestly, I haven’t put much effort into this matter.”
The Broidered Robe Young Man said, “No matter what, I still really like Sister. Father often says that if I had even a third of Sister’s wit, he’d be satisfied. But I think life is short, and one should enjoy it while they can. Wisdom is innate and cannot be forced. No matter how hard one tries, it’s often not good enough. It’s better just to let it go; anyway, Father and Sister wouldn’t let me starve on the streets.”
Jiang Pengji couldn’t help but chuckle, saying, “Life is short and must be enjoyed? That phrase often escapes Zi Shi’s lips too. If you met him, you might share a common tongue. However, as a man in the family, thinking on such terms isn’t what Father would allow.”
The Broidered Robe Young Man said, “Zi Shi? Is that the strategic planner Feng Zhen under Sister? Hearing you say this, I’m a bit curious. However, he’s someone Sister relies on, so I shouldn’t lead him astray in seeking fun; I won’t spoil him.”
At this, Jiang Pengji found the Broidered Robe Young Man truly amusing.
Feng Zhen was a seasoned player in the romance scene; if anyone were to lead someone astray, it would surely be Feng Zhen doing the leading!
The Broidered Robe Young Man was quite talkative, though his appearance was slightly shy, his personality was very bright—there was hardly a dull moment.
As they were nearing the city, Jiang Pengji asked, “You’ll be fifteen soon, right?”
The Broidered Robe Young Man responded, “I’ll be fifteen right after the twelfth month.”
“Has Father decided on what name to give you?”
Although a courtesy name is taken after adulthood, both fathers and elders can decide on a name in advance.
With Liu Zhi’s status and Jiang Pengji’s reputation, the Broidered Robe Young Man had a quite formidable background, and he was entirely qualified to be named early.
The Broidered Robe Young Man said, “Father mentioned it recently; he still wants to think it over. Once he has it, I can meet the right match.”
When it came to his marriage, the Broidered Robe Young Man wasn’t shy at all; instead, he spoke quite openly, with a hint of curiosity about the unknown.
“It’s indeed wise to consider carefully.”
Once they entered the city, the streets were sparsely populated.
However, judging from the commoners’ attire and expressions, they seemed to be living quite well.
Though Liu Zhi decided to step back from the spotlight, he still resided in his old estate, which was considerably larger than the ones in Hejian.
The Old Steward was anxiously looking out from the gate, craning his neck.
Upon spotting their target at the end of the long street, a smile spread across the Old Steward’s wrinkled face, his eyes sparkling with joy.
“Old servant greets the Eldest Lady.”
Jiang Pengji dismounted and handed Xiao Bai’s reins to the stableman. “Is Father home?”
The Old Steward nodded vigorously, “Yes, yes! The Lord has been waiting for you at home all day!”
Jiang Pengji instructed Fu Wang to set up camp outside the city for the ten thousand soldiers while following the Old Steward into the residence.
“Daughter greets Father.”
As Jiang Pengji paid her respects, she was promptly lifted up by Liu Zhi, who was quite eager.
“Lan Ting lost a lot of weight, and you appear taller than before.”
Not to mention, Jiang Pengji was only half a head shorter than Liu Zhi, and she stood half a head taller than her younger brother.
This height, even among men, wouldn’t be considered short; let alone for a woman, she truly stood out among the crowd.
Both Jiang Pengji and Liu Zhi weren’t the type to indulge in overly sentimental emotions.
The Broidered Robe Young Man said, “Father, I see that Sister is tired from traveling. Why don’t we prepare some warm soup for her and let her change first?”
Liu Zhi said, “Zhao’er is right; I was thoughtless.”
After saying that, he called for a maidservant.
Jiang Pengji closed her live stream and followed the maidservant to take a warm bath and freshen up.
“This room doesn’t seem like it was just tidied up recently.”
The Maidservant replied, “It’s always been here. Since the Lord came here, he has prepared it for the Eldest Lady.”
Jiang Pengji lowered her eyes and said, “Father is thoughtful.”
After enjoying a proper bath, the maidservant brought out several luxurious women’s garments and tortoiseshell ornaments.
After getting her makeup done and dressed up, she looked at the elegant woman in the bronze mirror, her lips stiffly curling into a smile.
Since her transmigration, this was her first time dressing up so formally as a woman.
Applying cosmetics and dressing in splendid attire.
Just looking at her appearance, she and the Broidered Robe Young Man indeed had a sibling resemblance, as if they were born from the same womb.
Jiang Pengji lowered her eyes, picked up a sandalwood brocade fan from the tray held by the maidservant.
“Let’s go.”
As Jiang Pengji entered the main hall, she found several unfamiliar faces—each dressed in dignified robes.
Liu Zhi was talking with them when he noticed Jiang Pengji’s arrival and quickly stood up from his seat.
“Lan Ting, come over here by Father’s side.”
Jiang Pengji walked over, and the middle-aged men all examined her with scrutinizing eyes.
Their gazes conveyed a single unspoken question—this woman, is she the one chosen by Liu Zhi?
Some snickered dismissively, some appeared contemplative, while others closed their eyes, embodying the role of an outsider.
Without Liu Zhi needing to introduce her, Jiang Pengji could already tell that these scholarly men must be connected to the aristocracy of Chongzhou.
Since Liu Zhi was stepping back and handing over power to her, he naturally needed to introduce them.
