Chapter 33: Jiang Qingyan Meets Qin Yunmian

Jiang Qingyan arrived at Cuiyun Pavilion with a lingering sense of apprehension.

Her second brother had stormed out with that hulking giant, vowing to beat up a lad named Gu Ting. He had instructed her that if he were taken to the county magistrate's office, she should go to Cuiyun Pavilion to deliver a bottle of floral dew to a certain young lady and inform her of the situation—for that young lady had the power to bail him out!

She would have preferred to seek help from the great scholar Zhongli, as the memory of him gracing her "Anxiang Dew" shop with his presence was still fresh in her mind. However, upon arriving at the Wangchao Pavilion, she was told that the great scholar had left Yunyang County on business, and no one knew when he would return.

With no other choice, she went to Cuiyun Pavilion. After identifying herself to a maid, she was ushered into a courtyard to meet the ethereal beauty her brother had spoken of. Jiang Qingyan recognized her; this was the lady who had visited the shop on its opening day. She was breathtakingly beautiful, like a celestial fairy, rivaling her own appearance. *If only she could become my sister-in-law,* she thought.

"Greetings, sister," Jiang Qingyan said softly.

"Are you... Jiang Han's sister?" Qin Yunmian recognized her, her face lighting up with joy. "Please, sit!"

She had yet to figure out how to win Jiang Han over, but if she could befriend his sister—perhaps even become her close confidante—wouldn't that be the perfect advantage?

"Sister, this is the new floral dew my second brother created. It’s apricot-blossom scented. He asked me to bring it to you." Jiang Qingyan sat down and retrieved a glass bottle from her bodice, handing it over.

Qin Yunmian took the bottle, pulled the wooden stopper, and took a sniff. A burst of apricot fragrance filled the air, making her eyes sparkle. She loved the scent—fresh, elegant, and not overpowering.

"Thank you, sister Qingyan... Where is your brother?" Qin Yunmian asked. *Why didn't he come himself?* she wondered.

Jiang Qingyan bit her lip. "My second brother, he... he's in trouble!"

Qin Yunmian was startled. "What happened?"

"My brother needed wine for his floral dew, so he bought some from the Wu family winery in the East Market. But Gu Ting from the Gu family went there and forbade them from selling to my brother. When Wu Wenhua of the winery refused, he had his sister pushed into the river this morning..."

Qin Yunmian gasped, her eyes widening. "Did she drown?"

"No, my brother arrived just in time to save her."

Qin Yunmian exhaled in relief, tapping her chest. "That's a relief!"

Jiang Qingyan continued, "When my brother found out it was Gu Ting’s doing, he went to confront him and beat him up. Now... now he’s been arrested by the constables and taken to the county magistrate's office... I don't know what to do." She bit her lip, her face etched with anxiety.

***

Upon hearing this, Qin Yunmian felt a weight lift from her heart. So, he was only taken to the magistrate's office.

"Don't worry. It's just the magistrate's office. I'll send someone over to get him out."

Jiang Qingyan’s eyes lit up. The casual tone of her voice suggested this lady’s background was truly extraordinary! She hadn't hesitated to say she would save him—perhaps she really did have feelings for her brother. She might well be her future sister-in-law! Where on earth did her brother find such a powerful and righteous woman? Unlike that Gu Xirou—her brother had treated her so well, yet she broke off their engagement without a second thought and accepted the betrothal gifts from the Yin family!

"Sister, my brother did hit someone... should we pay compensation to settle the matter?" Jiang Qingyan asked.

"No need!" Qin Yunmian waved her hand. "Wait here. I'll have someone fetch him."

"Thank you, sister!"

Qin Yunmian thought this was the perfect opportunity. If she rescued Jiang Han, he would surely be indebted to her, making it much easier to cultivate their relationship. However, she would have to send Shangshang to handle the release.

At the Wangchao Pavilion, the carriage pulled up to the gate. Zhongli You had just returned when the doorman reported, "Master, a young lady came looking for you earlier."

"What young lady?" Zhongli You asked.

"Jiang Qingyan, daughter of the Jiang family."

"Oh? What did she want?"

"She said her second brother, Jiang Han, is in trouble and hopes for your assistance."

As the doorman spoke, he noticed the old master's face darken instantly. He was secretly shocked—the master clearly held this Jiang Han in high regard!

Zhongli You asked in a deep voice, "What happened?"

"It seems his brother hit someone and was taken to the magistrate's office."

"I see... Prepare the carriage. I am going to the magistrate's office!"

***

"Oh? She survived?"

In a private chamber, Princess Zhaoyue, Qin Yunqi, looked up in surprise after hearing the report from Sijian. To think he could actually save her—how many more surprises did this Jiang Han have in store?

"Your Highness, he has been taken to the magistrate's office. Should we rescue him?"

"No rush. Let’s go and see first."

"As you command!"

After Sijian left, she headed straight for the magistrate's office. Upon arrival, she paused. She saw a carriage parked outside, and a great scholar in green robes stepped down—it was none other than Zhongli You. Shortly after, another carriage arrived, and Meng Hongshang stepped out, also entering the office.

*The renowned scholar Zhongli You coming is one thing, but why is Meng Hongshang here? She is a dancer on the surface, but secretly the head of the Xian Sect. Could she be here for Jiang Han as well?* Sijian pondered.

Inside a side hall, Magistrate Pang Yangde paced back and forth, with the clerk Huang Qi by his side.

"That is the situation. Jiang Han and Wu Wenhua committed assault at the restaurant," Huang Qi whispered. "Sir, the Gu family hopes to have Jiang Han charged with murder... The Gu family has recently allied with the Yin family through marriage, and Yin Lianheng, the third master of the Yin family, is a secretary at the Capital Prefecture office with strong ties to the Prefect."

Magistrate Pang mused, "Jiang Han seems to have some connection with Zhongli You, doesn't he?" He had heard about the opening of the "Anxiang Dew" shop. If Jiang Han was close to Zhongli You, he couldn't pass judgment rashly.

Clerk Huang smiled. "Sir, you worry too much. As far as I know, when Jiang Zhensheng went to the capital for the examinations, he received some guidance from the great scholar and is barely considered his student. He only patronized that shop out of respect for Jiang Zhensheng! As for those noble ladies, they likely only went because of Zhongli You as well... Their relationship is nothing special. Surely Zhongli You wouldn't come to the magistrate's office for Jiang Han's sake, would he?"

Magistrate Pang nodded slightly. Giving the Gu family face meant giving the Yin family face. The Yin family held great power in the capital and had people in the imperial court! In contrast, while the main branch of the Jiang family had some influence, Jiang Zhensheng's branch was on the decline, and it was said he and his elder brother were estranged. Furthermore, this was likely the Yin family's scheme—they wanted the "Anxiang Dew" in Jiang Han's hands!

Having been a magistrate for many years, Pang understood the connections immediately.

"Handle the case as you see fit."