ATPnovel Chapter 15 Appeasing Caiyun and Wang Xifeng
Chapter 15 Appeasing Caiyun and Wang Xifeng
After calming Aunt Zhao down, Jia Huan got up to go find Caiyun.
Caiyun was working in Madam Wang's courtyard when Jia Huan stopped her at the corner of the corridor.
"Third Master Huan?"
When Caiyun saw Jia Huan, a look of surprise appeared on her face, and she then curtsied.
"Where have you been? Why are you only coming back now?"
Jia Huan looked at her, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes.
He took out a Suzhou-embroidered sachet and several boxes of exquisite face powder from his pocket and handed them to Caiyun.
"Caiyun, thank you for taking care of me in the past. This is something I bought especially for you. See if you like it."
Caiyun looked at the gifts in Jia Huan's hands, especially the sachet, with its fine stitches and delicate embroidery of a few elegant orchids, clearly a carefully chosen item.
She felt a warmth in her heart, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Third Master, you're too kind. This is all I should do."
Caiyun quickly declined.
"These cosmetics are too expensive, how could I possibly accept them?"
"Take it."
Without saying a word, Jia Huan shoved the things into her hands.
"This is a small token of my appreciation. Please take good care of yourself while you are working in your wife's quarters."
Looking at the sachet and cosmetics in her hands, Caiyun felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey.
She knew that although Jia Huan didn't show off his abilities usually, he remembered her kindness in his heart.
This sentiment touched her more than any expensive gift.
"Thank you, Third Master."
Caiyun said softly, her eyes filled with gratitude and tenderness.
"This servant will definitely keep it safe."
Jia Huan looked at her blushing cheeks and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
He knew that the money was well spent.
In this cold and indifferent Jia family, having people like Aunt Zhao and Caiyun who genuinely care for him is his greatest comfort.
……
After bidding farewell to Caiyun, Jia Huan felt somewhat at ease and headed towards Wang Xifeng's courtyard.
Before even entering the door, one could hear the sounds of things being smashed and broken, with the maids and servants holding their breath and keeping their heads down, not daring to make a sound, just standing far away, for fear of offending their master.
Jia Huan understood that Wang Xifeng must have learned about Jia Lian's impending demotion and transfer to a remote area through special channels.
He straightened his robes and stepped into the house.
The room was in a mess. Wang Xifeng leaned against the couch, her face pale and her eyes dark, clearly exhausted.
When Jia Huan entered, her usually bright and beautiful phoenix eyes were now bloodshot, and she glared at him fiercely, as if she wanted to devour him alive.
"Oh, who do we have here? It's Brother Huan."
Wang Xifeng's voice was hoarse, filled with sarcasm.
"You're really something! As soon as you got back, you gave your second brother Lian a 'big gift,' not only causing him to lose his official position, but also getting him exiled to that godforsaken, impoverished backwater!"
Our Jia family has truly produced such a worthy son as you, bringing honor to our ancestors!
Jia Huan remained expressionless, stepped forward, and cupped his hands in greeting:
"Second Sister-in-law Lian, please calm down. Huan'er is also deeply saddened by what happened to Second Brother Lian."
"Heartbreaking? You still have the nerve to say you're heartbroken!"
Wang Xifeng suddenly sat up and pointed at Jia Huan's nose, cursing.
"If you hadn't joined that damned Embroidered Uniform Guard and taken on this unfortunate job, how could your Second Brother Lian have been implicated like this?"
You've done well, about to be promoted and riding high, but have you thought about us? Have you thought about your brother Lian's future? You're a jinx, a nemesis!
Jia Huan let her vent her anger until she had finished cursing, then slowly spoke, his voice calm yet powerful.
"Sister-in-law, you're wronging Huan'er. Do you know that if someone else had handled this case, Lian Erge's fate today would probably be far more serious than just being demoted and exiled?"
Wang Xifeng was taken aback, and her anger subsided slightly.
"What do you mean by that?"
Jia Huan sighed and lowered his voice:
"The Blood Shadow Cult is such a dangerous force that it is an undeniable fact that Brother Lian has business dealings with them, whether he knew it or not."
If it were any other Imperial Guard, they would have dug deep and attacked him relentlessly, either to curry favor or to clear their name, and to destroy Lian Erge.
At that time, once the charge of "colluding with a cult" is pinned on them, it's not impossible that they will be demoted, imprisoned, or even have their property confiscated and their entire family exterminated!
He paused, his gaze fixed intently on Wang Xifeng.
"Huan'er took over the case and asked herself if she had done her best to deal with it. I explained the pros and cons to my superiors and proved that Lian'er and his wife knew nothing about the matter and were simply deceived and used by villains."
In the end, the higher-ups showed leniency, only sentencing Lian Erge to a minor dereliction of duty and demoting him to a post in a remote area—a stroke of good fortune amidst misfortune.
Wang Xifeng was dumbfounded. Although she was shrewd, she was far less knowledgeable about the workings of the imperial court and the Embroidered Uniform Guard than Jia Huan.
Hearing Jia Huan say this, they were shocked to realize the danger involved.
She recalled Jia Lian's usual unreliable behavior; if he were truly labeled as "colluding with a cult," the entire Jia family would likely suffer.
"Are you... are you telling the truth?"
Wang Xifeng's voice trembled slightly, and the anger in her eyes was gradually replaced by surprise and doubt.
"How could Huan'er dare to lie to her sister-in-law about this?"
Jia Huan said solemnly.
"Although Huan'er and Brother Lian have some disagreements, blood is thicker than water. They share the same fate, and how could Huan'er just stand by and watch Brother Lian be imprisoned?"
Wang Xifeng fell silent.
Looking at her usually unremarkable half-brother, she suddenly felt a sense of unfamiliarity.
He is no longer the timid and submissive "little frozen kitten" who was bullied by others, but a responsible, resourceful man who can even turn the tide at critical moments.
Seeing that her expression had softened, Jia Huan took out the packet of borneol and musk from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Sister-in-law, the matter of Brother Lian is a done deal. No matter how angry you are, it won't help and will only harm your health."
This bit of borneol and musk was specially found by Huan'er; they are cold in nature and clear away heat, making them excellent for calming the mind and relieving depression.
You work so hard taking care of the household chores, I hope you take good care of yourself.
Looking at the things Jia Huan handed over, and recalling his words just now, Wang Xifeng felt a mix of emotions.
She took the packet of spices, and as her fingertips touched Jia Huan's warm palm, the last trace of resentment in her heart vanished.
"That's enough."
Wang Xifeng sighed deeply, her tone softening.
"You did your best, it's just that your second brother Lian was useless and caused this trouble. You... you've put your heart into it."
Jia Huan smiled slightly.
"Sister-in-law, you're too kind. We're all family, it's only right. If you ever need Huan'er's help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."
After saying this, Jia Huan took his leave, leaving Wang Xifeng alone on the couch, staring at the camphor and musk in her hand, speechless for a long time.
The house remained in a mess, but the storm in her heart had gradually subsided.
She knew that from now on, the Jia family would likely have one more person they could rely on.