Chapter 266: Zhuang Second Master's Heart Knot

In a short while, the shop attendant knocked on Jiang Yunchu's door, "Young master, the horse has been fed good fodder, you need not worry."

"This is hot water, young master, wash up first; in half an hour, I'll bring the meal, all right?"

The shop attendant arranged things quite properly, and his inquiring attitude suggests the boss has given some instructions.

"All right." Jiang Yunchu nodded, then stepped aside; the attendant looked straight ahead, quickly brought the items in, and added, "The boss specially instructed that the bathtub is new—both young masters can rest assured; if you need anything, just call me."

It must be said, Jiang Yunchu now has a completely new understanding of the Zhuang Clan.

Leaving aside other matters, just this ability to manage subordinates is not something an ordinary clan can master.

"Good." Jiang Yunchu nodded; the water had already been poured into the bathtub, with a small half‑bucket of hot water set aside, presumably in case she wanted to soak a bit longer, hence this arrangement.

After the door closed, Jiang Yunchu carefully surveyed the room; it was very clean, and a wall‑sized painting of jade bamboo matched her attire nicely.

Facing the door stood a screen; the screen bore no picture, only a line of poetry.

Like a bamboo, the gentleman stands tall and proud.

Just seven characters, written in a hairpin‑style script—clearly a woman's hand; it reminded her of the calligraphy on the envelope written by her great‑aunt, similar in spirit, merely more mature and smooth.

She tested the water temperature, then took out her change of clothes and the towel she had exchanged in the space; when she washed and dried her hair, she still found the towel more absorbent.

When Zi Su used to attend to her, she never had to lift a finger, and she hadn't realized how tiring wringing out her hair was until she did it herself.

She let out a sigh—another day of missing Zi Su.

"Yun, are you done?" A knock sounded, and Han Bing's voice came from outside.

Just as I said I'd bring the meal in an hour, it's now set on the outer table.

Jiang Yunchu sighed, "Here I come."

Then she rose from the water; outside, Han Bing, naturally sharp‑eyed and keen‑eared, heard the movement inside, and for some reason his throat felt a bit dry, so he coughed lightly, "Take your time."

He seemed to flee, leaving the doorway and reaching the flower rack in the courtyard, where he felt the faint breeze that dispersed his inner heat.

His ears tinged slightly red, like the afterglow of that day's sunset.

After wringing her hair dry, Jiang Yunchu tied it up, applied a firm makeup, then pushed the door open and saw Han Bing waiting to the side, seemingly lost in thought, staring blankly at a flower.

"Tired? You don't have to wait for me—go ahead and eat."

After speaking, she glanced at the table of dishes; especially in the center sat a glutinous‑rice chicken……

Alongside the other dishes, it even seemed somewhat out of place—obviously added specially.

Jiang Yunchu thought of her great‑aunt's letter, and a warm feeling spread through her heart; she realized the family's care shows up in everyday little things—they just aren't good at expressing it, they just don't know how to say it, but the concern they've given her has never lacked in the slightest.

"Not hungry." Han Bing, who spoke little, took her bowl and added rice to it.

Both were people of few words, especially Han Bing, who was pondering something else; he didn't know what was wrong with himself—whenever he saw Yun, he felt happy, wanted to laugh, and became involuntarily excited.

But when he couldn't see her, he would miss her, worry, and look forward to meeting again.

He didn't know what was wrong with himself; perhaps he was ill?

Jiang Yunchu's thoughts were wholly on the glutinous‑rice chicken; she didn't notice Han Bing's oddness at all. The two ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, and the meal ended quickly.

"Finally I can get a good night's sleep!"

Looking at the elegant room, smelling the faint incense, hearing the occasional birdcall outside, in this unfamiliar place she suddenly felt her heart at peace.

Meanwhile, the boss's steps were hurried as he ran toward the Zhuang Clan; halfway there he realized, "Why didn't I take a carriage?"

Holding the thin letter in his palm, he shook his head helplessly.

That heartless girl merely had someone deliver a letter, and didn't even think to come back and see.

"Second Master, why have you come back?" the gatekeeper stared, eyes wide, looking at his own second master with utter disbelief.

It's just this old man; if another gatekeeper were on duty, likely even family members wouldn't recognize each other.

Since the Eldest Miss married into Jingdu, the Second Elder has been at odds with the Patriarch, and for all these years he hasn't set foot inside the main residence even a single step.

"Call your patriarch over!" the Second Elder's booming voice almost made the gatekeeper's legs buckle, nearly causing him to kneel.

"Second Elder, please go in; the Patriarch and Matriarch have been thinking of you all these years."

The gatekeeper, an old man who knew the temperaments of the masters, therefore offered a few kindly words of advice.

The Second Elder was obsessed with making money; over the years the Zhuang Clan's inns multiplied, yet he never married, treating the Eldest Miss as his own daughter.

Back then, Zhuang Miao met Kang Lian, who had come south; upon first meeting they felt affection, and when Zhuang Miao encountered bandits, it was Kang Lian who sacrificed himself to shield her—though merely a frail scholar, he stood firmly before her, and Zhuang Miao's maiden heart was directly hung upon him.

Their feelings arose from emotion and were bounded by propriety, yet they also confirmed each other.

"When I return to the capital, I will certainly observe the three matchmakers and six betrothals to welcome you into my home." Kang Lian made that promise on the day of his departure.

Zhuang Miao smiled, "I'll only wait you three months; after three months we'll marry, and then have nothing to do with each other."

Born and raised in the Zhuang Clan, having seen many cold‑hearted, unrighteous people in the world, she would wait, she would, but she gave herself only three months—not for Kang Lian, but to let herself give up hope.

But……

One month later, tall horses and big carriages bearing the betrothal gifts swayed as they filled the whole small town.

Zhuang's father and mother, unable to bear their daughter's pleas, finally nodded.

Zhuang Second Uncle, who had gone out to discuss business, returned full of joy, only to hear the news of Zhuang Miao's marriage; he treasured her, the girl he doted on in his palm, and thought it fine as long as Miaomiao found a good match.

But why must she marry into Jingdu?

After this parting, when will he ever return to Jiangnan again?

Thinking this, his anger flared; he was about to turn and leave, but his hand clutched the letter, and the raised foot stopped dead: "Have your patriarch come out."

"If he won't come out, I'll just leave."

Zhuang Second Master wore a fierce expression, as if someone owed him a great deal of money—utterly unlike the kindly old man he had shown before Jiang Yunchu.