Refining the Mountains and Rivers

He had a calm expression and a calm gaze. Even though this calmness represented his sincerity, it also showed how he felt about her.

Jiang Zhiyue had been a smart girl ever since she was young, so of course she realized this. A hint of realization appeared in her eyes, and she immediately wrinkled her nose and said softly, “I only wanted to know what your name was, I have no other intentions!”

Qin Yu cupped his hands, “It is my honor that you wish to know my name, I do not dare to ask for anything more.” 

The lady had lowered herself for him, so of course he had to treat her feelings with care. One could not expect him to really discuss with others about how to treat this lady. Of course, he needed to be a gentleman.

Jiang Zhiyue felt slightly better now, though she also still felt wronged. We have only met three times and exchanged a few words with each other. Why did you so quickly decide that you do not like me?

After asking for his name and receiving the indication that he was not interested, it was very clear that it was time for her to leave. However, she did not know why but she felt like her feet were rooted to the ground. No matter how much she tried to move them, they would not budge.

Rourou suddenly spoke, “If you don’t wish to leave, then sit down and have some tea with us. Do you feel very comfortable standing with everyone watching you?”

Jiang Zhiyue regained her composure and her face reddened. However, she really decided to sit down comfortably, and she looked at Yang Fanshan and said, “Thank you.”

Yang Fanshan was starting to admire this Lady Jiang. He smiled as he poured a cup of tea for her and said softly, “Lady Jiang, you have a great personality.”

Opposite him, Rourou glanced at him. After seeing the admiration in Yang Fanshan’s eyes, she lowered her head and continued drinking her tea. If she had detected any other expression she would have gotten up and left. Even though it was slightly troublesome, she had to finish doing what she promised. At most, she would resort to using some schemes.

Yang Qianren’s face turned cold as he watched the man sitting opposite Yang Fanshan. However, at this moment, his face changed as he suddenly thought of something.

Qin Yu…Qin Yu…this name sounded slightly familiar. Yang Qianren looked at the three of them, frowned, and his body suddenly started to shiver.

The name ‘Ning Qin’ was very renowned in the West Desolate. Even at Songtao Pavilion, many people had heard of this name. To say that people were filled with admiration and respect whenever this name was mentioned was not an exaggeration at all.

However, the name ‘Qin Yu’, on the other hand, was very ordinary. No one had any reaction to these two words at all. This was also why Qin Yu said his real name to Jiang Zhiyue.

However, he did not think that someone in Songtao Pavilion would be able to see through his true identity…like father, like son. Even though it was hard for Yang Qianren to live up to his father’s reputation, he was very informed. Additionally, there was a high probability that one would have to go through the East Border Army when traveling to the Central Desolate Divine Area. As such, it was logical for the East Marshal Yang Wudi to have gotten some reports.

As Yang Wudi’s legitimate son, Yang Qianren had previously overheard his father having a discussion with his close aides in the marshal tent and he remembered what they were talking about.

There were three of them, and one of them was called Qin Yu…it seemed that everything was clicking together!

Yang Qianren’s face paled slightly. As the East Marshal’s legitimate son, he had the position of a general in the army and it was not wrong to say that he was arrogant and self-important.

With his status, he also had the right to look down on everyone in Songtao Pavilion. This was why he dared to show his emotions when he saw through that woman’s schemes.

He could take whatever he pleased, and be as unscrupulous as he wished.

However, at the same time, according to this logic, someone with a higher status than him could treat him in this way as well.

It was scarier the more he thought about it.

This legitimate son of the East Marshal lowered his head and his face became even paler. Beads of sweat started to form on his forehead.

Yet, while Yang Qianren was engulfed in deep fear, someone else thought differently about the situation.

The expression on Aunt Jiang’s face could not look more forced, to the point where she was having a hard time maintaining it. At this moment, this lady, who was known for her good dancing skills in the county, protecting her family, and being so smart that even the men in her family relied on her, was on the verge of collapse.

Previously, she thought that her niece was the most outstanding person in the next generation of her family. She was not only pretty enough, she also had a clear mind and handled things energetically. This was why Aunt Jiang had high hopes for her.

However, tonight, she had fallen short of her expectations greatly by making many wrong moves. It was a very dangerous game they were playing from the start, but now it seemed like the game had turned into one that was life-threatening. 

As she looked at Yang Qianren who lowered his head in silence and was shivering slightly, Aunt Jiang realized that he had indeed reached his limit.

If he had an outburst, it would be earth-shaking. Just a member of the Yang Family’s side branch was enough to oppress the whole county and make even the County Lord lower his head in resignation.

Furthermore, he was from the military…if a conflict happened, the Jiang Family would lose all their support instantly. 

They would sink to the bottom of the well. The Yang Family would try their best to get rid of whatever entanglement they had with the Jiang Family.

If that happened, a catastrophe would unfold and the once noble Jiang Family would end up in a miserable state in the blink of an eye.

Aunt Jiang had herself witnessed something similar happen not just once or twice, and it was precisely because she was knowledgeable that she felt so afraid. She gave up all the happiness in her life for the survival of her family, and rushed around busily every day. She gave everything in order to become the County Lord’s mistress, which was not a very glorified status to have.

“Zhiyue!” Aunt Jiang got up, trying her best to remain calm. Then, she said softly, “Something has happened in the family. We have to go now.”

Jiang Zhiyue looked hesitant as she glanced over at Qin Yu. However, before she could say anything, her aunt called for her again.

“Zhiyue, we really have to go now.”

Search bit.ly/3iBfjkV for the original.

Because Jiang Zhiyue was familiar with her aunt’s mannerisms, she could detect the nervousness below her aunt’s calm exterior. Jiang Zhiyue was about to nod when another voice rang out in Songtao Pavilion, “Lady Jiang does not need to leave. Whatever is happening to the Jiang Family, I assure you that everything will be fine.”

Aunt Jiang’s face turned pale. Her legs turned to jelly and she stretched her arms to hold onto the table. In the process, she knocked over a tea cup. ‘Pa!’ It fell to the floor and smashed into a few pieces.

“Aunt!” Jiang Zhiyue could not care about anything else as she rushed over to support her aunt.

The other ladies at the table widened their eyes one by one. Their faces were full of shock and disbelief. Only that lady who had the word ‘Rong’ in her name looked like she was deep in thought. She looked at the two ladies from the Jiang Family and a gloating expression formed on her face, as if she was trying to say ‘Who asked you two to act smart? Now you’ve shot yourself in the foot. How delightful!’ 

Yang Qianren did not care if he was being presumptuous. If he really let these two women from the Jiang Family leave this place in shock because of him, he would be committing a huge sin that could not be absolved.

What would he do then? It was useless even if he was the son of the East Marshal. His father only cared for beauties for his whole life and had plenty of children. No one needed to do anything; as long as word about this spread to the marshal tent, his father would be the first to chop off his head and send it personally to express his apologies.

And his brothers who were in the military would also be very happy to do something like that…there was indeed an established rule by his father that members of the Yang Family could not sabotage each other. This was a rather heartwarming family rule to have. However, if they wanted someone dead, they did not have to kill him themselves. They could make use of someone else to do it, and it was the better option.

Yang Qianren, whose face was pale and forehead covered in sweat, quickly walked to the window and cupped his hands, “Lord Qin Yu, I was a bit short-sighted earlier. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me.”

At this moment, silence fell in Songtao Pavilion.