Chapter 322: When are you getting married?

When Mu Youyu and Mu Xin came over, what they saw was this especially harmonious scene.

Song Huaixian slung an arm over Jiang Liangjin's shoulder in a carefree manner, looking like close brothers.

The other brothers looked natural, nothing unusual compared to usual.

Mu Youyu's heart softened.

Time seemed to have come full circle, returning to its original state.

Jiang Liangjin immediately noticed her gaze, quickly slipped the item into his pocket, and strode forward to meet her.

His voice, which had been steady with the brothers, instantly turned extraordinarily gentle: "You came over so quickly?"

"Yes, yes, I just went over to greet the elders with my brothers, and as soon as I was done I came to find you."

Mu Youyu lifted her pale, soft little face; the plush hat on her head had been taken off, and her pink‑gold princess‑cut bangs were blown by the cold wind to stick to her cheeks, slightly messy.

She felt no chill herself, but it made others feel cold.

Mu Xin stood silently at the side, his blue eyes sweeping over the crowd without saying much.

Seeing their sister arrive, the brothers forgot about Jiang Liangjin and gathered around, asking after her warmth and comfort.

Mu Youyu patiently agreed, gently soothing everyone before speaking: "Grandmother asked me to call you over; she said she has something to say."

Hearing this, everyone had no hesitation, agreed, and before leaving repeatedly reminded Jiang Liangjin to look after his sister well.

Mu Xianqi lifted his eyes and calmly said, "If she's unhappy, we'll hold you responsible."

Mu Yichen spoke in a low voice, entrusting: "Don't let her stay in the cold wind too long."

Mu Yichi nodded and said bluntly, "Your territory—don't let anyone bully her."

"We must follow her lead," Song LuXiao added.

Such words used to be a warning, but now saying them means the duty to protect her has been split, half falling on him.

If anything comes up, call brother. Song Huaixian waved his hand.

Seeing Jiang Liangjin agree, the few people turned and left; Mu Xin hesitated for two seconds, then ultimately followed behind Mu Xi.

In the vast courtyard, only Jiang Liangjin and Mu Youyu remained shortly after.

Now no one disturbed them; the other brothers and younger cousins didn't know where they had gone.

Jiang Liangjin saw Mu Youyu put her hands in her pockets, didn't reach out, and only asked, "Want to see the rear courtyard? We can go out together this afternoon."

The Jiang family has a rule: on New Year's Eve everyone must gather at the ancestral home early, and only after the Spring Festival passes is it considered complete.

Now the elders are in the main hall discussing affairs, while the extended relatives mostly gather in the main courtyard; the rear hall side chambers are few, making it pleasantly quiet.

Mu Youyu understood his meaning; with many elders around, it's still morning—better to stroll slowly in the old residence and only set out when others suggest going out this afternoon.

"All right," she said, reaching out to take hold of his sleeve, "I haven't properly walked around here in a long time."

Jiang Liangjin naturally took her hand and said, "This way."

The two walked side by side toward the rear courtyard.

Today the temperature was extremely low, only four degrees; the sky was bright, but a cold wind carrying winter's sharpness swept over the courtyard, with no sunshine at all.

After walking a stretch, they reached a series of several side‑hall courtyards in succession.

This old residence, passed down through generations, is enormous—courtyard after courtyard, hall after hall connected, with winding corridors; anyone unfamiliar can easily get lost.

Compared to the bustling main hall, this place is much quieter, yet it is not completely empty.

Grandfather Jiang has many siblings, and his extended relatives are scattered everywhere; today, on New Year's Eve, many of his peers' younger kin are strolling in the side‑hall area of the ancestral home.

When Jiang Liangjin appeared holding Mu Youyu's hand, everyone instinctively stopped what they were doing.

Gazes flicked over, but no one dared stare openly; they lowered their voices to whisper.

"Wow, Mu‑sister and Kin‑brother dyed their whole hair, and my grandfather praised them—last time I only highlighted a strand and he scolded me as a world‑troubling demon!"

A boy couldn't help muttering under his breath.

"Keep it down—can it be the same? Who in the Jiang family would dare say Mu‑sister is anything less than perfect?"

"Mu‑sister is the most beloved daughter of the Four Great Families, and also a princess ennobled by Y Guo—we simply can't compare."

"Even if she wanted to dye her hair rainbow‑colored, the elders would only praise how beautiful it looked."

"And what kind of person is Kin‑brother? He's the sole heir of the Jiang and Shen families—how could the elders possibly speak ill of him when they dote on him so much?"

"Haven't you seen those Mu and Song brothers just now? Earlier I felt they were hostile toward Kin‑brother… but now my grandfather sounds like he's discussing their engagement."

"That's only natural—in this circle, only Kin‑brother is worthy of Mu‑sister."

The discussion was kept extremely low, for fear of disturbing the two.

Mu Youyu faintly caught a few sentences, but she showed no reaction and moved slightly closer.

Jiang Liangjin lowered his gaze to her, his fingertips gently tightening, pulling her closer as he walked slowly toward the peers gathered by the fish pond.

Boys and girls were seated around the fish pond; seeing the Jiang family's most formidable young master approach, someone instinctively made room, saying, "Kin‑brother, sit here!"

Jiang Liangjin usually commands great authority among his peers, rarely giving anyone a pleasant expression.

Now, however, he restrained his tone and softened his expression: "Please sit, you don't need to mind us."

The younger ones, flattered and startled, hurriedly replied.

Heavens, who said Kin‑brother is hard to get along with!

Servants stepped forward, carrying two stools from elsewhere, and placed them in a sheltered spot.

Mu Youyu glanced over and quickly spotted two familiar figures; she walked up smiling, "Yizhu, Yining."

Jiang Yizhu had already noticed the two; seeing this, he waved and called, "Elder sister Youyu, come over here!"

The boy beside her also rose with a smile and politely greeted, "Elder sister Youyu, cousin."

Jiang Liangjin glanced at the two and recalled they were the dragon‑and‑phoenix twins of his fourth uncle.

Jiang Yizhu and Jiang Yining used to cling to him as children, but he had always been indifferent toward them.

Mu Youyu pulled him forward and said, "You've both grown tall."

Jiang Yizhu blinked, "I'm sitting here—how did you tell, sis?"

"That's how I could tell—you're in eighth grade now, right?"

"Exactly!"

Jiang Yizhu nodded vigorously, unable to resist her curiosity as she glanced at their clasped hands, a smile she couldn't hide in her eyes, "Sis, cousin, are you guys getting engaged? I heard Dad say that."

As soon as she said that, the younger ones nearby instantly perked up their ears.

Mu Youyu's cheeks warmed slightly; embarrassed to respond, she only subtly shifted closer to Jiang Liangjin.

Jiang Liangjin raised his hand, naturally pulling her to sit beside him, "Adults are discussing things—just enjoy the New Year."

"All right..." Jiang Yizhu felt a little disappointed but still wouldn't give up, tilting her head to ask again, "So when are you getting married?"

Brother Jiang Yining hurriedly gave a light cough, constantly giving her looks, signaling her to tone it down a bit, don't make Sister Youyu shy.

Jiang Yizhu, however, brushed off his hand without a care, determined not to rest until she got an answer.

Mu Youyu watched the two siblings interact, a fleeting hint of some emotion crossing her eyes as she lightly pressed her lips together.

If my cousin hadn't been taken abroad, he would also stay in the country with her and grow up together.

Jiang Liangjin immediately noticed the subtle shift in her mood, silently squeezing her hand.

Then he pulled out two red envelopes he'd prepared beforehand for the kids and handed them to the two.