Half in the river wind, half in the clouds

Just after the hour of Si on the second day, Aunt Gao hurried into the mansion. She first checked Jiang Feng's condition and said a few words of comfort. Jiang's mother saw that Aunt Gao had other intentions and sent her two daughters away.

"What? Ahui wants to marry the girl from the governor's family!" Jiang's mother has been having bad luck these days.

"Sister, I... I don't know how to explain it to you. Last time I told you that Ah Hui had feelings for Ah Feng, I just thought it was just a child's behavior. But after watching him these days, I can see that he is really..."

Mother Gao thought about her words and continued, "That day, when Ah Feng was in trouble, he went to Qiu Mountain to seek a famous doctor. When this bastard found out, he rode away without saying a word. I was worried so I sent two servants to follow him. The servants came back and said that Qiu Mountain was... guarded by the prince's men. This boy insisted on going up the mountain, and the two of them couldn't stop him. He was beaten black and blue by the prince's guards but he refused to give up... He just rushed up the mountain."

Thinking of her son's scar, Gao's mother burst into tears. "Later... Ah Hui was too stubborn, and fearing something might happen, he reported it to the prince. The prince came, but I don't know what he said to Ah Hui, and the boy left the mountain in a daze."

Jiang's mother was stunned and started to cry for a while. She watched Gao Hui and Jiang Feng grow up together and liked them, but she didn't expect that it would end up like this. More importantly, the Gao family's attitude towards Jiang Feng indirectly reflected the attitude of the local officials' families towards Jiang Feng.

After this incident, even if Jiang Feng and Li Longye were innocent, it would be impossible for them to find a good family in Liangzhou. The Wen family's marriage also encountered problems, and Jiang's mother was in a dilemma.

"Ahui came back and didn't talk, eat or take medicine. I only have this one son, whom I have loved so dearly since he was young. How could I, as a mother, bear to see him say that? I promised him at the time that even if I had to kneel down and beg my sister, I would still ask you to marry Afeng to that evil creature of mine..." Mother Gao cried even louder.

"But when Ah Hui heard what I said, he suddenly sat up and said... that he would not marry Jiang Feng, and would never marry Jiang Fei!" Gao's mother thought of her son's red face and his determination, and she thought that he had lost all hope.

Jiang's mother finally understood Gao Hui's infatuation and felt regret, but it was too late. The passionate young man had such a heart. Since he couldn't get what he wanted, he completely gave up the idea, even her sister.

"At this point, as a mother, I have to follow his wishes no matter what. I was thinking about how to propose marriage, and yesterday the governor's wife came to our house in person." Seeing that Jiang's mother did not show any resentment, Gao's mother was relieved. The capable son of Jiang's son-in-law had a bright career, and he was about to produce a princess. If there was no marriage, he would become an enemy.

"Although Ah Hui and Ah Fei's marriage has not been completed, after all... our family is really sorry for your family. I hope my sister will consider my mother's heart..."

Jiang's mother also stopped sobbing, and took Gao's mother's hand and said, "Sister-in-law, please stop talking like that. Marriage should be based on mutual consent. Not to mention that the marriages of the two children have not been decided yet, just looking at Gao Hui's heart, I have nothing to complain about. I can only blame my daughter for not being blessed."

After saying this, she thought of Jiang Fei's unfulfilled wishes and Jiang Feng's uncertain future, and she started crying again. The two women in their forties held hands and looked at each other with tears in their eyes, and neither of them had the intention to comfort the other.

After Gao's mother left with red eyes, Jiang's mother called Jiang Fei away with a sad look. Jiang Feng then knew that something went wrong in their marriage.

Jiang Fei's heart was frying in oil at this moment. Her eyes were bloodshot and her face was covered with tears. She grabbed Jiang's mother's hands with her pale hands and said hoarsely, "Mother! Mother! Why?! How am I inferior to Afeng! Why do you treat me like this! I... I don't accept it! I don't accept it! I'm going to ask him!"

Her voice became louder and louder, and she turned to leave. Jiang's mother quickly grabbed her and said, "My son, why do you have to degrade yourself like this? Ah Hui just wants to marry the daughter of the governor, why do you involve your sister?"

Jiang's mother knew that Jiang Fei had a strong personality, so she could only suppress everything and comfort her.

Jiang Fei had long been blinded by resentment and shame. Upon hearing this, she turned around and said fiercely to Jiang's mother: "Mother, are you still going to make excuses for Jiang Feng? It was her! She seduced Gao Hui! Now that she has hooked up with the prince, she doesn't want Gao Hui anymore. Ah Hui married Qin Ru because he was angry. It was for her..."

"Snapped"!

Jiang's mother was anxious and slapped Jiang Fei hard on the face, leaving a bright red fingerprint at the corner of the girl's mouth. Jiang Fei covered her cheek and looked at Jiang's mother in disbelief: "Okay! Okay! Only now do I see my mother's heart clearly! All of you like Jiang Feng! I don't accept it!"

After saying that, he ran out crying.

This was the first time that Jiang's mother hit Jiang Fei. Jiang's mother looked at her hands and fell into deep self-blame. When she married into the Jiang family, Jiang Fei was just a baby crying for food, and she poured all her heart and soul into him. Until now, she sometimes even felt dazed and felt that Jiang Fei was more like her own child than Jiang Feng.

A girl's thoughts are the most difficult math problem in the world, the most complicated maze. She regretted that she didn't have more patience to persuade and guide her.

But she never thought that she had never had any patience with Jiang Feng.

The atmosphere in the Jiang residence was extremely low. Jiang's father and mother looked gloomy, and Jiang Fei's face was frighteningly pale. Even the wooden-like You Erge felt something was wrong and said no more. A few days later, the news of Gao Hui and Qin Ru's engagement came out. It was said that they had passed the minor engagement and were going to get married before the New Year.

That night, the shouting and cursing in Mrs. Jiang's courtyard became louder and louder. "Deaf and dumb old man," "Blind bastard," "Black-hearted vicious woman," "Biased stepmother"...

For the first time, Jiang Feng truly experienced the supreme authority of his mother-in-law. Jiang's mother was completely suppressed and was charged with a lot of crimes.

The rich son-in-law that fell into Mrs. Jiang's heart ran away, so of course the responsibility has to be borne by Mrs. Jiang.

What surprised Jiang Feng even more was yet to come: Old Lady Jiang personally came forward and actually arranged the marriage between Jiang Fei and Dou Ding. Aunt Yun secretly told Jiang Feng that when the governor's wife came to propose marriage, Jiang's father and mother refused. But Jiang Fei kowtowed and begged her parents to come, saying that she would not marry anyone but Dou Ding.

"The Madam refused to agree, so the Second Young Lady wanted to cut off her hair and become a nun. The Madam cried so hard that she fainted, and the Old Lady scolded her, and only then did the Master agree!"

Aunt Yun said with a regretful tone.

Jiang Feng's mind was in a mess after hearing this. No matter how smart Jiang Fei was, she was only a girl of fifteen or sixteen years old. She was inexperienced, conceited, arrogant, persistent and extreme. Mature people will never rush into the next relationship when they encounter setbacks in a relationship. Instead, they will reorganize themselves and enter the next one rationally. Jiang Fei was crushed by Gao Hui's lack of love at this moment. She was eager to prove herself, but she completely forgot that life is like drinking water, and only you know whether it is hot or cold. Whether life is happy or not, you are the only one who bears the consequences. Jiang Feng couldn't bear to see her make a hasty decision because of anger.

But Old Lady Jiang was short-sighted and greedy for wealth and fame. After seeing the power of the Dou family, she ignored everything else.

Jiang Feng returned to the room and saw Jiang Fei still sitting in front of the mirror in a daze. The girl's eyes were empty, as if her soul had drifted away.

Jiang Feng gently stroked her shoulders and said softly, "Second sister, this is a lifelong event, have you...really thought it through?"

Jiang Fei regained her composure, looked at Jiang Feng, and said with a sneer on her face: "Why? Sister, have you also determined that Dou Ding is not as good as the prince or Gao Hui, and is not someone you can trust?"

Jiang Feng thought it was just the little girl's angry words and ignored it. He took her hand and advised: "Sister, Dou Ding grew up with us. We all know that he is indeed a little naughty, but no one dares to say that he is a bad person. What Dou Ding is like is indeed important, but what is more important is your heart. Sister, don't act on impulse. In the end..."

"Enough!" Jiang Fei interrupted Jiang Feng harshly and said bitterly: "My heart! My heart has been crushed by him a long time ago. Sister, you don't have to say these words in front of me. If you don't like the Prince of Zhongshan at this moment, you have to follow your heart!"

"How are they the same!" Jiang Feng argued with a red face. When the city gate is on fire, the innocent people are affected. The blow of Jiang Fei's broken heart is indeed quite big.

"How are they different! Gao Hui is fine, but what about Shen Guxing? At the farewell dinner that day, he told you affectionately outside the southeast gate to wait for him. Although you didn't respond at that time, what are you doing now!" Jiang Fei stood up suddenly, walked to the table that Jiang Feng often used, took out a stack of apricot blossom paper from the drawer, and threw it on the desk.

On each page of the letter paper, there were dried apricot blossom specimens, or essays or cartoon characters written in small calligraphy, but in the center of each page, there were eye-catching numbers. Aren’t those strange symbols the Arabic numerals her sister always talked about? "Why? Before the two-year agreement is up, sister, don’t you ask yourself, have you hooked up with the prince?"

Jiang Fei didn't necessarily love Jiang Feng much in the past, but now she hates him so much!

Jiang's mother said it had nothing to do with Jiang Feng, and Gao Hui said with bloodshot eyes: "You only hate me, what does it have to do with Ah Feng!"

Why can she get everyone's love and care, but still take it for granted and trample on it at will! Why can't she get the person she doesn't want even after she has tried her best and even used those shady means?

She doesn't agree!

Jiang Feng was furious and anxious when he saw that his secret was discovered. He snatched it away and shouted, "Who asked you to see it?"

Where is this woman's bottom line?

"Are you also furious? Haha...hahaha." Jiang Fei felt relieved when she saw Jiang Feng angry. She laughed again, "Sister, don't lecture me. Take care of yourself first! Gao Hui has married Guo Qinru. How can father fall in love with Shen Guxing if he knows the prince's intention? And the prince..."

Jiang Fei tapped the stack of letters with his fingers and said sarcastically, "If the prince knew that you were hesitating because of Shen Guxing, what do you think would happen?"

Ten thousand mythical beasts were galloping in Jiang Feng's mind. As for Shen Guxing, perhaps because she felt guilty, she never dared to say a word in front of Li Longye.

She looked at the frantic Jiang Fei, took a few steps forward, and made a steady, accurate and ruthless move, grabbing Jiang Fei's wrist. She stared at the other party's surprised eyes, gritted her teeth and asked back: "Second sister, if you do too many things that hurt others and benefit yourself, guess what will happen?"

Jiang Feng's coldness and cruelty at this moment were something Jiang Fei had never seen before. She felt a little panicked, but she still pretended to be calm and asked, "Are you threatening me?"

Jiang Feng increased the strength of his hands and said without giving in: "Very good. Sister has seen it!"

Jiang Fei's wrist hurt, but she couldn't break free. How could this little girl have such great strength? She laughed at him, "You? Do you think you can lord it over the family just because you marry the prince?"

Jiang Feng threw Jiang Fei hard, and Jiang Fei fell down on the kang. Jiang Feng smiled condescendingly, "I advise you to keep your mouth shut. If Shen Guxing is implicated again because of these unfounded things in our family, the blame will only be on you. You know how close your brother is to Shen Guxing, and he was favored by the Shen family during the imperial examination. Your brother is a man who distinguishes between gratitude and resentment and is upright. If he shows up, you might as well guess how grandma and father will react."

Jiang Fei fell on the kang and laughed until she cried. She wiped her tears with her hand, stood up and said word by word: "I feel so sorry for Gao Hui! Although you look gentle and kind, you are always hiding your true intentions and pretending to be nice to others. It's rare for a cold-hearted and self-protective person like you to move out your brother and grandmother for Shen Guxing."

Jiang Feng heard that Jiang Fei was still not giving up, and he was moved. He threatened her: "Although my sister despises me for pretending to be someone else, I have never thought of harming anyone or doing those shady things. Why was I poisoned for no reason a few days ago? Although I don't care, do you really think I know nothing? Although the plate of candied fruit has been destroyed, who got it? Is there anyone who interfered? Besides, the Aconitum used to make poison is rare and expensive. Who bought it? What was it for? Do you think if you really want to investigate, can you catch the person who poisoned me?"

Facing Jiang Feng's series of questions, Jiang Fei's heart "skipped". Although she had already dealt with the evidence and Dou Ding had promised to keep the secret for her, there is no such thing as a wall without airtight doors. Jiang Feng knew it was Aconitum poison and guessed it was her. If he continued to investigate, he would inevitably reveal his true colors.

She was panicking inside but pretended to be calm on the outside and said, "Why? Are you going to blame me for your drinking and eating without thinking?"

Seeing that she was still stubborn, Jiang Feng smiled and said coldly: "I said that sister is very smart. She knows that it will take some time to get the evidence after the passage of time. Maybe my eldest brother will step in, or even my brother-in-law will be bothered. But if you really force people into a desperate situation, I will just put the blame on you without any trouble. Anyway, you are not wronged."

Jiang Feng smiled and looked at Jiang Fei. If the person who poisoned was really Jiang Fei, how could the investigation go on? Not only Old Lady Jiang, but also Jiang's mother couldn't get past it. This was also the reason why she tried her best to stop Li Longye from investigating further.

But now the chain of evidence is closed. The candied fruit contained aconite poison, and Jiang Fei bought it specifically for Jiang Feng, with the diagnosis of the miracle doctor and the evidence of Li Longye. The key is whether Jiang Fei knew that the candied fruit was poisonous. But if Jiang Feng insisted that it was Jiang Fei who poisoned it, even without evidence, Jiang Fei's reputation as a boudoir would be ruined.

But then again, how could the three elders of the Jiang family allow Jiang Feng to "frame" his sister? ! Jiang Feng was just betting on Jiang Fei's "guilty conscience".

As expected, Jiang Fei showed fear on her face. She didn't dare to confront Jiang Feng, so she had to call it a day, but she still said arrogantly: "It's only now that I know that my sister is such a powerful person. You showed your claws and contradicted your sister today, isn't it because you are worried that Li Longye will turn his gun against Shen Guxing? Shen Guxing is already exhausted from dealing with Princess Cheng'an alone, why should I add insult to injury."

Jiang Feng didn't care about Jiang Fei's ridicule at all. After getting an answer that satisfied him, he felt relieved.

Although the two sisters have been quarreling constantly since they were young, they were all trivial matters that did not matter to them. Jiang Feng would just give in and let it go. This was the first time they had such a confrontation like today!

After this incident, Jiang Fei knew that Jiang Feng was a powerful person who played the fool and ate the tiger, and she would never underestimate him again. Jiang Feng was even more certain that Jiang Fei must have been involved in his poisoning.

The idyllic days when the two sisters were in harmony were gone forever. Jiang Feng expected that the rift between the two would be difficult to bridge, so he smiled and said, "I said that the second sister is not that kind of person."

Jiang Fei saw Jiang Feng smiling brightly, innocently and harmlessly, without any of the aggressive and sharp-tongued look he had during the confrontation. She was so angry that she didn't say anything more.

He pushed the drawer door shut hard and walked out.