In the early morning of the next day.
Jiang Li was still in his room, silently reciting the Purifying Heart Mantra several times before pushing the door open and walking out.
Someone knocked on the door of his courtyard, and a voice outside shouted that Jiang Yan, the eldest legitimate son, was about to return to the mansion.
Jiang Li's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't had much contact with this elder brother. When he was a child, he had only caught a few glimpses of him and hadn't even spoken more than a few words to him.
However, he had also heard quite a number of stories about him. Jiang Yan had always been decisive in his actions and had made remarkable achievements in many affairs outside the mansion, and was deeply valued by his father, Jiang Zhenting.
In an instant, the previously rather calm Jiang Mansion seemed to have a huge boulder thrown into it, causing ripples one after another. Everyone became busy preparing to welcome this young master who hadn't returned to the mansion for a long time.
Before long, the sound of horse hooves came from outside the mansion gate.
A jet-black steed galloped over. Jiang Yan on the horse's back had a vigorous figure. He was dressed in a black fitted outfit made of extraordinary fabric. The black leather belt around his waist was inlaid with silver accessories, and the long sword on his back had a cold glint.
Jiang Yan had a cold and handsome face, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. He looked exactly like Jiang Zhenting, as if carved from the same mold. His eyes were majestic and sharp. His long hair was tied up with a black silk ribbon, showing a free and unrestrained air.
The steed stopped in front of the mansion gate. Jiang Yan dismounted neatly, looked around the gate of the Jiang Mansion, a touch of warmth flashing in his eyes, and then strode into the mansion.
The servants saluted respectfully, and Jiang Yan nodded in acknowledgement before walking straight towards Jiang Zhenting's study, his steps steady and powerful, exuding a powerful aura.
When he arrived outside the study, he tidied up his clothes and hair, knocked on the door, and then entered.
Inside the study, Jiang Zhenting was reviewing official documents. When he saw Jiang Yan come in, there was a look of gratification in his eyes. He got up and greeted,"Yan'er is back. Sit down first."
After Jiang Yan took his seat, he reported,"Father, during this time outside, I discovered that many troublemakers were secretly plotting. That newly promoted Concubine Jin Yi in the palace whom you asked me to keep an eye on seems rather unusual. Not long ago, I sensed a very obvious demonic beast's aura. Although it only appeared for a moment, I suspect there are evil creatures around her. Father, you've always been at odds with demons. This woman was also brought back by you. I'm afraid she's targeting you, Father. You must be on guard."
"It's alright. She can't cause much trouble, and she won't last long. However, you bear the important responsibility of safeguarding the imperial city. You can't slack off. Also, keep an eye on the movements of the demonic beasts in the Canglong Mountains. Recently, the auras of the demonic beasts in the Canglong Mountains have increased significantly, and each of them is quite powerful. I predict that within two years, when the emperor goes on a hunting trip, they will riot and even attack the imperial city." Jiang Zhenting said calmly.
"Those evil creatures dare to attack the imperial city!"
Jiang Yan's eyes widened suddenly, and a murderous look flashed in his eyes.
"How's your martial arts training going?" Jiang Zhenting didn't continue talking about that but asked instead.
"Father's 'True Art of Heavenly Gang's Thunder Control', I've already mastered it to eighty percent. I'll break through soon and enter the Martial King Realm. It'll be enough to deal with those mere evil creatures."
"Don't be careless either," Jiang Zhenting said."The 'True Art of Heavenly Gang's Thunder Control' was also synthesized by me by referring to the secret methods of the Great Xiangguo Temple and the Xuandu Taoist Temple. When you can transform your spiritual power into a domain, our father and son joining hands, why should we worry about not being able to wipe out these evil creatures completely?"
Jiang Yan complied and then asked,"I've heard about Jiang Li's affairs. I could even occasionally hear some discussions about it while I was in the army. How is he now?"
Jiang Zhenting's face darkened."Hmph! Don't bother about him. Let him behave himself."
Although Jiang Yan was puzzled, he didn't ask further and just nodded in agreement.
"I heard that someone came to assassinate Mother yesterday. I wonder if Mother was injured?" A look of worry appeared on Jiang Yan's face.
"It's okay. She was just a bit frightened. If there's nothing else, go to her courtyard and see her!" Jiang Zhenting waved his hand to indicate.
"Yes, I'll take my leave, Father!"
After leaving the study, he walked straight towards the courtyard where his mother was.
Along the way, the servants saluted him respectfully one after another. Jiang Yan just nodded slightly in acknowledgement, while his thoughts had already drifted to his mother whom he was about to see.
When he arrived at the entrance of his mother's courtyard, he heard some voices coming from inside.
Jiang Yan stepped into the courtyard and immediately saw his mother sitting on the stone bench in the courtyard, and Jiang Cheng was also standing beside her, talking about something.
"Mother, I'm back!" Jiang Yan quickened his pace, walked up to Lady Wang, and saluted her respectfully, his eyes full of concern and tenderness.
"Yan'er, you're finally back. Let Mother have a look and see if you've lost weight!" When Lady Wang saw Jiang Yan, a delighted smile immediately appeared on her face. She quickly stood up, took Jiang Yan's hand and looked him up and down, with faint tears glistening in her eyes.
"Mother, what was going on with yesterday's assassination attempt? Were you injured?"
Thinking of the assassins from last night, Lady Wang's face darkened. These useless fools! They could make such a big blunder just to silence someone!
She couldn't let Jiang Yan know about the things she had done. Soon, her expression returned to normal and she said softly:
"It's okay. They were all captured on the spot by the guards!"
"Do you know who they were? Why would they try to assassinate you?"
"They were just some petty thieves. They took a wrong turn and accidentally barged into my place. You don't need to worry."
"On the contrary, you've been so busy with official duties outside. Are you tired?" Not wanting him to continue with this topic, Lady Wang changed the subject.
Although Jiang Yan didn't quite believe that a few petty thieves would have the guts to break into the Duke of An's Mansion, seeing that his mother was fine, he didn't pursue the matter further!
The mother and son then began chatting with each other, asking about each other's situation during this period of time, full of concern.
Jiang Cheng, who was standing aside, was left out in the cold at this moment, and the smile on his face gradually became a bit stiff.
It was always like this. Whenever his good elder brother came back, his mother would forget all about him!
Seeing that Jiang Cheng's face was getting darker and darker, the two people beside him finally noticed him.
Jiang Yan turned his head to look at Jiang Cheng and frowned slightly."Has Ah Cheng been studying and cultivating hard during this period? Don't be lazy and slack off all day long and waste your good time!"
Hearing these words, Jiang Cheng, who was already feeling aggrieved, became even more unhappy.
"Oh! As soon as Big Brother comes back, he starts lecturing people. How am I being lazy and slack? I also do my homework according to Father's requirements every day. Big Brother, don't accuse me randomly." Jiang Cheng stuck his neck out and said with a look of defiance on his face.
"Chenger! How can you talk to your elder brother like that!" Lady Wang frowned with dissatisfaction.
Seeing Jiang Cheng in such a state, Jiang Yan was also a bit displeased in his heart. His original intention was also for the good of his younger brother, hoping that he could be more motivated, but he hadn't expected that Jiang Cheng would contradict him like this.
"I'm doing this for your own good. Look at what you're like now. You don't have the slightest appearance that a descendant of our Jiang Mansion should have. Don't think I don't know that you've been hanging out with your cronies all day long. Now you're not even as good as that Jiang Li! And you still dare to talk back to me!" Jiang Yan's voice also became serious.
At the mention of Jiang Li, Jiang Cheng became even more furious.
"Yes! I'm good for nothing! Only you are capable and good at everything. Is that okay!" With a flick of his sleeves, he turned around and walked out of the courtyard.
"Chenger! Chenger!!" Lady Wang couldn't even stop him!
Afraid that Jiang Yan would be angry with him, she quickly smoothed things over."Oh my, what are you two doing? It's not easy for you to meet, and yet you still quarreled!
Yan'er, your younger brother is still young. Don't be too harsh on him. He's actually quite sensible usually. When you weren't here, he often made Mother happy!"
Jiang Yan sighed slightly and nodded."Mother is right. It was I who was too impatient and shouldn't have said those things to him."
Lady Wang smiled, took Jiang Yan by the hand and sat down on the stone bench again, and then started chatting about daily life.
After chatting for a while, Jiang Yan suddenly noticed that Nanny Chen, who always stayed by his mother's side, was not there. So he casually asked,"Mother, why didn't I see Nanny Chen serving by your side today?"
Hearing this, the smile on Lady Wang's face froze slightly. After hesitating for a moment, she still slowly said,"Alas, Nanny Chen... something happened to her. Yan'er, you also know about that Jiang Li, right? Recently, the mansion has been in turmoil because of him.
A few days ago, Nanny Chen accidentally noticed that the behavior of that Jiang Li was a bit strange. It seemed that he was secretly doing something behind our backs.
I became suspicious and asked Nanny Chen to pay more attention to him. Who would have thought that something went wrong later. Nanny Chen... she disappeared and there's been no news of her until now. I suspect that this matter is probably related to Jiang Li."
Speaking of this, Lady Wang's face darkened a bit, and a flash of hatred appeared in her eyes. She then continued,"That Jiang Li has always been restless in the mansion. I don't know what tricks he used, but he even received an imperial reward last time. Your father, too. Instead of punishing him, he seemed to treat him differently. It really makes me angry."
Hearing this, Jiang Yan frowned slightly and said,"Mother, are you saying that the boy Jiang Li might have done something to Nanny Chen? This matter can't be taken lightly. We need to find out the truth. Mother, shall I help you investigate him thoroughly?"
Lady Wang quickly waved her hand and advised,"Forget it, Yan'er. Don't bother with this matter. You now bear the important responsibility of safeguarding the imperial city. You should focus all your attention on your own job and don't be distracted by such trifles.
Even if that Jiang Li has some little schemes, in this Jiang Mansion, he can't cause much trouble. Moreover, if your father finds out that you're targeting your own brother, it won't be good after all."
After listening to his mother's words, Jiang Yan thought for a moment and felt that what his mother said was reasonable. Besides, he also thought that even if Jiang Li could really obtain some kind of official position through the imperial examinations, in this Jiang Mansion and the capital city, he wouldn't be able to do much and couldn't stir up too big a storm.
"Mother is right. I'll remember that. Then I'll leave him alone for now. I just hope that he can behave himself and not cause any more trouble." Jiang Yan nodded in response.
Jiang Yan stayed in his mother's courtyard for a while longer. After having lunch with his mother, he got up, took his leave, and left.
He still had many affairs outside that needed to be dealt with and couldn't stay in the mansion for long.
"Jiang Li!"
On his way out of the mansion, Jiang Yan happened to run into Jiang Li who was returning to the mansion and called out to stop him.