Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Jiang Wanru and my brother met at the Qixi Lantern Festival.

I had followed my brother out to see the lanterns when we stumbled upon Jiang Wanru being jeered at and mocked. She had snuck out with her maid for some fun, but someone had accidentally torn off her veil.

A group of children surrounded her, shouting “yaksha” and “monster.”

Jiang Wanru was crying until her eyes were bloodshot, her face covered in snot and tears, making her appearance even more frightening.

My brother couldn’t bear to watch and dispersed the children surrounding her. Seeing that the lantern in Jiang Wanru’s hand had been trampled, he gave her his own.

Both my brother and I thought this was merely a chance encounter under the moonlight. We never imagined it would become a lifelong obsession for Jiang Wanru.

From that moment on, her love for my brother took deep root, confusing her mind and driving her to madness.

“Ah Qing, don’t be afraid. Your brother is here.”

I held my brother tightly. Though he was just a young boy trembling slightly from fear, he was trying his best to shoulder all the danger and responsibility.

After much hesitation, I decided not to speak of Jiang Wanru yet. The Jiang Family was immensely wealthy, and Jiang Wanru herself was deeply calculating. My brother was only fifteen; if he acted on impulse and alerted the enemy now, it would only make things worse.

The next day was the start of my brother’s imperial examinations. I meticulously checked the items he needed to bring several times before accompanying him out the door, my heart in my throat.

Lu Yuan brought a group of young beggars to follow us at a short distance. As expected, trouble cropped up constantly along the way.

There were vendors carrying goods who tried to slam into us. There were people pouring water down from balconies. There was even a spooked carriage horse that charged straight at us.

If Lu Yuan hadn’t grabbed my brother and rolled to the side, my brother might have ended up a cripple.

By the time my brother arrived at the examination hall entrance unscathed, the young beggars were all covered in injuries. I looked at Lu Yuan, who was soaked to the bone with half his face swollen, and I was so overwhelmed with gratitude that I didn’t know what to do.

I had only given him three taels of silver, yet he was protecting us with his very life.

After my brother entered the examination hall, I pulled out a handkerchief to wipe Lu Yuan’s face. He blushed and took a step back, then forced a nonchalant grin.

“Well? The silver you gave this young master wasn’t wasted, was it?”

I smiled through my tears. “Not at all. You truly are the best escort in South City!”

Lu Yuan scratched his head and gave an embarrassed laugh. A hint of boyishness appeared on his usually defiant face.

“Is this lady… Miss Song Qing?”

A familiar, raspy voice reached my ears, making me shudder involuntarily.

The woman wore a veil and was so gaunt she looked like a human skeleton. Who else could it be but Jiang Wanru?