" Eldest Miss, did you call for me?"
" Yes, Uncle Jin, please have a seat."
" Okay, " Tao Jin went forward and took his seat across from Jiang Ying Yue.
" Qiu, pour some tea for Uncle Jin." Jiang Ying Yue instructed Qiu before shifting her gaze to Tao Jin.
" Yes, Miss."
" It's pretty hot today." Jiang Ying Yue took a sip from her cup and commented in a casual tone.
" Yeah, but it's still better than two days ago." Tao Jin also nodded squinting at the sun that was burning hot in the sky.
It was hot but the spot under the tree shade where Jiang Ying Yue and Tao Jin were sitting was still cooler, it relieved them of some heat and it felt comfortable sitting there.
Taking another sip of her bitter tea Jiang Ying Yue continued with her casual talk not looking at all in a mood to talk about serious matters, " Hmm, in a few days we'd be approaching autumn."
Upon hearing her continue like this Tao Jin was confused but still followed her rhythm and replied, " Yes, Eldest Miss is right, the end of the season is coming in a few days, these warm days won't last much longer."
Jiang Ying Yue who was still drinking tea in a leisurely manner suddenly paused hearing him and smiled at him brilliantly with her squinted eyes.
Upon seeing her smile for some reason Tao Jin suddenly had a bad feeling. He had no idea why he had such a feeling, he just felt cold all over his back for no reason.
" Since that's the case then we should start preparing earlier for the winter, right, Uncle Jin?"
" Yes, Eldest Miss." Tao Jin replied suppressing the bad feeling in his heart, " Is that why you called me here, Eldest Miss?"
" Yes, I have a very important task for you--collecting 'forage' for our winter..."
After half an hour Tao Jin left with a big head and countless question marks all over his stoic face.
While Jiang Ying Yue sat behind watching him leave with an evil smirk.
This guy might be rigid but he was good, he had some ability otherwise, there was no way he could have followed her father and been his closest and most trusted subordinate.
However, even so, the guy was just too naggy, so, in the end, Jiang Ying Yue could only....get rid of him, sending him away to do what he was best at doing-- recruiting talents.
And now...Haha, she was finally free, no one could nag her for at least a month from now on!
" Miss, let's go inside, it's hot here, you're skin will burn again if you continued to stay outside." Qiu urged looking anxious at the sight of Jiang Ying Yue's fair skin which was turning red due to the sun and heat.
Eldest Miss had just gained such flawless skin what should she do if it reverted to its previous charred and blackened state again?!
Qiu's felt distressed looking at her.
But Jiang Ying Yue just smiled and said, " Qiu, it's not burning, it's called tan, tan, you know and I think I look more healthy and beautiful like this, don't you think so?"
Jiang Ying Yue didn't seem to care. She just tucked her hands behind her back and walked away swiftly.
She was a teenager and she would experience many teenager's skin problems, especially when continually exposed to such a harsh sun.....But so what?
Hmph, she had the Moon Spring!
Even the highest SPF sunscreens in her homeland market couldn't give her such protection, Jiang Ying Yue had absolute confidence.
Qiu was stunned by Jiang Ying Yue's bizarre sense of beauty, she couldn't understand how could a girl look more beautiful with her skin darker when saw her walking away and hurriedly chased after her.
" Greetings, Master." Yu Hai, the commander of the Yue Mei guards greeted Jiang Ying Yue when he saw her, " Any instruction?"
To which Jiang Ying Yue nodded lightly before giving out orders, " There is a small village not far from the outskirts of the capital, you go there and look for a man with the surname Zhao, he is a carpenter, and he also has some experience in building homes bring him here for me. And remember when you bring him here mustn't let anyone see and cover his eyes tightly."
" Yes, Master." Yu Hai didn't ask anything nor did he speak any nonsense and left to carry out his task instantly.
And Jiang Ying Yue was very satisfied with his obedience...Hmm, this guy was much better than Uncle Jin.
Meanwhile, Jiang Ying Yue called other members of the Yue Mei army and handed them a list to gather.
After receiving their respective tasks all left the mansion through the hidden passage to carry out their given task soon after. Everyone was moving swiftly following Jiang Ying Yue's rhythm.
However, in the meanwhile the whole Jiang Mansion was busy in their own world the rumors about black-clothed riders spread like wildfire in the capital after a night of fermenting.
Now the whole capital was talking about General Jiang's debauchery and his illegitimate daughter who broke into the city forcefully with her ferocious-looking guards.
Everyone was talking and discussing heatedly after somewhat recovering from lingering fear of the previous day's incident and pitying Madam Nangong and her daughter's misfortune.
Their husband and father had not only betrayed the nation but also betrayed them leaving them with nothing to protect themselves. The man would rather leave such a useful bargaining chip to protect his mistress and her daughter instead using it to save his wife and her daughters.
Madam Nangong and her daughters were really too pitiful!
Under this circumstance with deliberate guidance from the holy one, the misunderstanding soon spread throughout the Capital like prairie fire. The rumor grew more and more outrageous as they passed from one to another passerby.
" Mother, mother, father has woken up!" The young man ran out and shouted at the door, looking delighted.
Soon after hurried footsteps were heard in the corridor and an elegant-looking lady stepped into the door.
" Husband, Husband, you are awake! You worried us so much! Chi'er go and call the physician over, let him have a look at your father." Madam Ge also looked excited as she urged her son to call for the physician.
After passing out for an entire night her husband had finally woken up, how could she not be excited?!
The whole family seemed to be shrouded in the gloom as they prayed for their master to wake up soon. Now that their master had finally woken up they they still couldn't relieve until the physician gave his final verdict.
However, just as she had stepped into the door she'd heard her husband's cry, " What did you say?! Who's illegitimate daughter?!"
Madam Ge hurried in and saw her son pressing down on his father, " Father, calm down, you shouldn't move too much!"
However, Commander Zhong wasn't in the mood to listen. He tried to get up so that he could rush into the palace to report to His Majesty.
He had screwed it a big time and he'd definitely lose his job if not his head!
Such an important matter he hadn't reported back to the palace because he had fainted from his injury, now he was dead, he was dead!
What illegitimate daughter?
It was the real legitimate daughter who'd
just changed her face!
Commander Zhong was sure he hadn't made a mistake and recognized the wrong person because no one else other than that brat could imitate such an unruly and headstrong aura in this whole capital.
Although the person had changed her face she didn't change her core at all. She was still unruly as ever, blowing up the city gate to enter the capital.
No, he must report it at this instant, he couldn't help finding the whole matter fishy!
So under his family's worried and anxious urging and cries, Commander Zhong picked himself up and rushed into the palace requesting an audience with the Emperor.
And just as he had expected the Emperor was terribly shocked and enraged by the report and he was heavily reprimanded but fortunately only lost a year's salary in the end. Their Emperor was very benevolent.
" What's going on?! Didn't you say Nangong Ruyi and her daughters were killed in that fire then how come there's another Jiang Ying Yue?! How are you doing your job?! Am I raising you all as rice buckets?! Go look for me what's going on?!" Xiao Jinggou was furious at his people while being completely puzzled by the situation.
However, all of these seemed to have nothing to do with Jiang Ying Yue who was still leisurely sitting under the tree shade in the yard and drinking tea while watching her subordinates digging the ground.
" How does the tea taste?"
" Bitter." Jiang Ying Yue didn't even turn her head as she continued to sip her bitter tea and responded with a scowl.
" You really are too leisurely, Yueyue, do you know what sort of ruckus you have caused outside?" Tian Lan came in and sat down pouring herself a cup of the same bitter tea and said after taking a sip.
" Oh...I don't care." Jiang Ying Yue's expression didn't change nor did her voice show any fluctuation of any curiosity or surprise.
Hearing her nonplussed tone and seeing her expressionless face Tian Lan was speechless, " Can't you at least pretend to be curious?"
After hearing that Jiang Ying Yue immediately copied Elder Mo and Wei Mo's gossipy pretending to be curious, " Oh, tell me then what ruckus did I cause outside."
Looking at her behaving like this Tian Lan couldn't help letting out a defeated sigh before recounting all that she had heard outside.
" What? Illegitimate daughter?!" This time it was Jiang Ying Yue's turn to be stunned and speechless and Tian Lan was finally satisfied.