Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Pet Sister

Jiang Lan instructed Jiang Si and the others to tidy up their clothes, then led them downstairs. Walking ahead, Jiang Lan’s gaze swept across the surroundings, and people immediately scattered; none dared approach or cause trouble.

Ming, the little boy, followed behind, gripping Jiang Si’s hand as he shielded his little grandaunt, chin raised and chest out, his expression stern and forbidding.

Jiang Lan strode in front, her gold-embroidered robe with cloud patterns and red cranes swaying as she fanned herself with a small golden fan, her manner bold and ostentatious. She slowed her pace, slipping beside Jiang Si and her companion, patting her chest. “Though some petty folk tried to spoil the day, your business was settled, sister. That’s worth celebrating.”

She had worried that the wealthy merchant might bear resentment or fear after today’s events, planning to warn him privately. Unexpectedly, the merchant had made his stance clear: he admired her sister’s honesty in commerce and would not waver.

Jiang Lan ordered that he be escorted to the medical clinic and arranged for covert protection.

“How about I treat everyone tonight?”

Seeing her sister reach out, Jiang Lan obediently produced a stack of silver notes from her bosom. Though she felt a pang of regret, her hands moved swiftly. Without favoritism, she even handed a gold ingot to the little Ming. “Ming, you did well today. This is your reward—buy whatever you like.”

“Buy! Buy! Buy!” Ming cried as Jiang Lan led the way, humming under her breath.

The crowd in Taibai Pavilion looked on, clicking their tongues.

“So the young lord is a sister-spoiler!”

Jiang Lan’s heart brimmed with joy as she swept through the streets with her sister and little apprentice, putting on a show as she bought things. She even spent extravagantly to purchase a suite for Jiang Si, raising the bar throughout Jiankang city for doting on a sister.

By the time they returned to the manor, evening had fallen. At the gate, constables dressed in vibrant blue feathered robes stood waiting.

As Jiang Si alighted from the carriage, she clutched her brother’s hand tightly.

Jiang Lan was about to lift Ming down when her wide sleeve was tugged. Following her sister’s gesture, she saw several constables with blades standing at the entrance.

“They’re Feiyu Guards under the Court of Justice, but now they serve Prince Anping. They’re likely here because of today’s affair with Fang Yi. They’re not here in goodwill, brother—be careful.”

Jiang Lan patted her sister’s hand in reassurance.

After setting Ming down, Jiang Lan ruffled his hair. “How about I give you a task?”

Ming nodded solemnly, though he looked anxiously at his young uncle.

Knowing the child was precocious and sensitive, Jiang Lan gave him a reassuring glance.

Taking Ming by the hand, Jiang Lan continued forward, fanning herself grandly, acting oblivious.

As they passed the gate, the constables saluted.

“Lord Jiang, Miss Jiang, the Court of Justice and the capital magistrate request your presence.”

Jiang Lan turned, sizing them up. Though they appeared as constables, their attire was far superior, and though they served the Court of Justice, they weren’t under the chief’s command.

They held privileges to inquire into all cases in the realm of Chen—truly arrogant!

“Is this about the Fang family affair this morning?” Jiang Lan arched a brow, snapping her fan closed a few times.

The Fang family were imperial tutors, and no matter their private dealings, publicly they were staunchly loyal to the throne. Though the Empress Dowager and the young emperor were often at odds, as mother and son, their interests ultimately aligned.

For the second daughter of the imperial tutor’s family to trouble the Empress Dowager’s maternal kin—was Fang Yi out of her mind?

Or was there something deeper at play?

Jiang Lan glanced at her own sister. Was it jealousy of beauty, or rivalry for affection?

After all, she’d witnessed plenty of such squabbles before—two female immortals fighting over a single deity was hardly rare in her experience.

She’d sent Fang Yi to the magistrate as a warning. If the Fang family wished to escalate the matter, Jiang Lan wasn’t afraid; Fang Yi had made the first move after all.

And if things went badly, the Empress Dowager’s maternal aunt would shield them—it was her kin, after all. If they were bullied now, what next?

Fang Yi’s actions might not have grave consequences for Jiang Si, but for Jiang Lan, it was different. Everyone knew Jiang Lan was the Empress Dowager’s cherished darling, a snow child she feared would melt if she held too tightly, whom she couldn’t bear to scold.

To strike Jiang Lan was to slap the Empress Dowager’s face!

So Jiang Lan, standing on principle, wasn’t afraid of the Fang family—should the matter blow up, it would only harm their daughter’s reputation.

However, with Prince Anping barging in, things took a different turn.

His intentions were obvious—to win over the imperial tutor’s family and bolster his own standing. Would the Empress Dowager abandon Jiang Lan to keep the imperial tutor appeased? Jiang Lan wasn’t sure.

Still, when the time comes, the bridge will cross itself. She was never one to fear trouble!

“It is indeed about this matter, Lord Jiang. Please accompany us with your sister.”

Jiang Lan helped the handsome young constable to his feet, a playful smile on her lips.

“I’m a rough fellow; I don’t mind attending the court. But my sister is delicate—how can she be summoned to a place of litigation? She’s still young, easily frightened. I dote on her most dearly~”

“Er…” The Feiyu Guards hesitated. They weren’t dispatched by the prince today; this was the most pampered young lord in the capital, rumored to be addicted to spoiling his sister.

For her sake, he would abandon all gentlemanly principles and play the madman!

Though they held authority, they weren’t fools.

Jiang Lan raised a brow, seeing their reluctance and recognizing there was room for negotiation.

“I won’t trouble you, brothers. My sister certainly cannot go to court; if you wish to take someone, you’ll have to step over me first. But my young grand-nephew and a few maidservants can go as witnesses.”

Jiang Lan lifted her chin, displaying an air of unyielding reason.

“…As you wish, Lord Jiang.”

Jiang Lan slyly reached behind her and gave a thumbs up, casting a sidelong glance at the pair, brow raised as if to say: Praise me, don’t be shy!

The Feiyu Guards had arrived on horseback and would naturally return the same way.

Jiang Lan had ridden divine steeds and mystical beasts; these mortal horses posed no difficulty. She first lifted Ming onto the saddle, then leapt up herself.

Everyone watched as Jiang Lan patted the horse’s neck, and the animal obediently began to walk.

Ming: Why does this look so different from what I’ve seen before?

Feiyu Guards: This horse really knows how to curry favor.

Jiang Lan would never allow her own to suffer the slightest grievance; the Feiyu Guards escorted their charges directly, as they were not ordinary folk.

“Bring out the manor’s carriages. Let’s parade over—besides, Miss Fang’s strength was hardly gentle. Some of us are still wounded and not fit for walking.”

The servants: Truly, the young lord is a peerless genius at brazenly bending the truth—applause~~~

Feiyu Guards: We heard you spent the entire day shopping~

Everyone cheered and clapped, moving quickly as two carriages were brought from the side gate. These were simple blue-cloth carriages, less ornate than Jiang Lan’s own, but far finer than the norm.