Ch 65: The Regent’s Farmer Husband

Jiang Ji was listening with great interest when he suddenly felt a gaze fixed on him from the side.

He turned his head and met Jiang Yan’s deep, thoughtful look, tinged with puzzlement.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Jiang Ji felt a chill run up his spine.

Lu Jiu, standing nearby, also looked over and found the prince casting him another faint, unreadable glance.

Lu Jiu: ?

Had he done something wrong?

Jiang Yan looked at him and said calmly, “If you want to bathe, go fetch the water yourself.”

Lu Jiu had grown up following the prince. Even though the prince had lost his memory, his way of thinking had not changed. He instantly understood what that meant. This was his cue to disappear.

He rubbed his nose. “Alright. I’ll go carry water now.”

Jiang Ji: ?

“Hey, wait a minute. You haven’t finished yet,” Jiang Ji called after his retreating back. “Finish talking before you go.”

Lu Jiu fled at top speed. “I’ve been on the road for days. I stink all over. I need to wash right away. I’ll tell you another time.”

Jiang Ji: …

Jiang Ji sighed, turned back, and glared at Jiang Yan. “I wasn’t done listening.”

Jiang Yan stood up. “It’s time for you to wipe down. I’ll wash my hands and get water.”

He went to the kitchen, washed his hands clean, and brought back a basin of warm water.

The weather was hot. Jiang Ji was not wearing an outer shirt, only a thin garment draped over his upper body. Jiang Yan lifted the cloth and supported him as he slowly sat up.

The movement tugged at his wounds, and Jiang Ji sucked in a breath, paused to recover, and said, “You really can endure.”

Back then, Jiang Yan’s body had also been covered in injuries, yet he had not uttered a single complaint. Now that Jiang Ji was experiencing it himself, he understood even more clearly how intense the pain and helplessness must have been, and admired Jiang Yan’s willpower and endurance all the more.

Jiang Yan glanced at him and said, “Maybe it’s because I trained in martial arts from a young age. I’m used to bumps and injuries.”

“Your pain tolerance is really high,” Jiang Ji said with feeling.

Jiang Yan wrung out the cloth and wiped Jiang Ji’s face and neck.

Jiang Ji tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and let him do it. He was wrapped in layers of bandages, so only the exposed areas could be cleaned.

After finishing his face and neck, Jiang Yan held his left wrist and wiped his arm, stroke by stroke, carefully cleaning it.

Jiang Yan had two knife wounds on his left arm, painful enough that he could not lift it.

His right arm had no knife wounds, only some abrasions at the elbow. He had applied medicine but not bandaged it. He could endure it and move, could wipe the front himself, could eat on his own, but Jiang Ji simply did not want to keep enduring.

This was not his previous life, where no one cared if he was sick and he could only grit his teeth alone.

Now, his family was all around him, all concerned for him. He enjoyed their care, felt warmth and support.

A life where someone asked after you and tended to you was very happy.

Watching Jiang Yan carefully wipe him down and take care of him made him feel quietly content.

After finishing his arms and washing the cloth clean, Jiang Yan switched to a bathing cloth and continued to wipe his legs.

Jiang Ji had a wound on the side of his right thigh. “Good thing this injury is on the side. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to sleep lying down, and sleeping face down would be uncomfortable too.”

“I won’t let you get hurt again,” Jiang Yan said.

Jiang Ji looked at him and smiled, his eyes curving.

“Lift your hips a bit.”

Jiang Yan untied his waistband and helped him remove his outer trousers. Jiang Ji lifted one side, then the other. The trousers finally came off, revealing pale legs above and darker fabric below.

Jiang Yan glanced once, then turned away to rinse the cloth again. After wringing it out, he looked back at Jiang Ji. “Do you want the inside wiped too?”

Jiang Ji looked down. “I’ll do that myself.”

This part really was too awkward to have Jiang Yan handle.

Jiang Yan handed him the cloth and turned his head away.

Jiang Ji shot him a sideways glance, pulled his trousers aside, and began wiping himself. Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind. Had he misunderstood why Jiang Yan had turned away?

Previously, every time Jiang Ji changed clothes, or when Jiang Yan changed clothes, Jiang Yan would always avoid him.

Jiang Ji liked Jiang Yan himself, and honestly wished he could openly admire Jiang Yan’s muscular build to his heart’s content.

But Jiang Yan was an ancient person.

Ancient people probably believed in “do not look at what is improper”?

Jiang Ji was a little confused about whether that rule also applied between men.

As he mulled it over, he glanced up at Jiang Yan. Jiang Yan’s face was usually expressionless, and Jiang Ji could not tell whether this was out of courtesy, shyness, or rejection.

Sigh. Ancient people were really hard to read, so reserved, even liking someone without saying it directly.

Jiang Ji sighed. He had never been good at reading expressions or intentions, and could not figure out what Jiang Yan was thinking.

He finished wiping himself clean. “Alright.”

Jiang Yan turned back, took the cloth, rinsed it clean, and continued wiping Jiang Ji’s legs.

Jiang Ji looked at his lowered head and called out, “Jiang Yan.”

“Mm?” Jiang Yan lifted his head to look at him, then continued wiping.

“Tell me, why is it that you’re already twenty-six or twenty-seven, and you still haven’t married?” Jiang Ji had been thinking about this for quite a while. “With your family background and status, there should be plenty of people lining up to marry you. Lu Jiu and the others also said you’re very popular. So why haven’t you married?”

Jiang Yan held his ankle, his movements steady. “I don’t know. According to Lu Jiu, probably because I haven’t met anyone I like.”

Jiang Ji stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Don’t you all usually go by parental arrangements and matchmakers’ decisions? Isn’t it usually enough as long as the families match and the conditions line up?”

In ancient times, there was not much dating before marriage. It was usually marriage first, feelings later, or even no feelings at all, just responsibility carrying people through life.

“You all?” Jiang Yan looked at him in confusion.

Jiang Ji blinked. “I mean you big households, especially officials’ families. The interests involved are much more complicated. You pay more attention to matching families than common folk like us.”

Jiang Yan finished wiping one leg, rinsed the cloth again, and said, “I don’t know. I don’t have my memories.”

Jiang Ji: “…Alright. I’ll ask Lu Jiu later.”

Jiang Yan said, “After wiping and washing your feet, you should sleep. Rest more so your wounds heal faster.”

Jiang Ji: “……”

When Lu Jiu returned carrying water, he happened to see the prince carrying a basin out. He immediately set the bucket down. “Young master, I’ll do it.”

Jiang Yan dodged his reaching hand. “No need.”

Lu Jiu watched as the prince walked past him, poured out the water, fetched another basin, washed one cloth and hung it up, then washed another and hung it up as well.

After that, the prince changed basins again, filled it with warm water, and carried it into the room.

Lu Jiu followed and took a look. The prince placed the basin on a small stool, and Jiang Ji was using it to wash his feet.

Lu Jiu: !

Lu Jiu was too shocked to speak. The prince was actually bringing Jiang Ji foot-washing water?!

Then that earlier basin must have been Jiang Ji’s face-washing water?

Lu Jiu: ……

It felt like after losing his memory, the prince had become a completely different person.

Lu Jiu carried the water back to the kitchen. Over there, Jiang Ji finished washing his feet, and Jiang Yan carried the basin out.

That was not even the most shocking part. After a while, Lu Jiu saw his prince carrying a chamber pot out.

“Young master!”

Lu Jiu rushed over and snatched the chamber pot away. “This, I’ll do it.”

He did not give Jiang Yan a chance to refuse and ran off with it.

Jiang Yan could only remind him, “After pouring it out, rinse it clean with water.”

“Got it.”

After Lu Jiu finished and washed his hands, he saw Jiang Yan standing at the doorway of the main hall, wiping the hair of Jiang Bei, who had just finished bathing.

Lu Jiu walked over and said, “Young master, from now on, let me handle things like carrying water and emptying chamber pots.”

“No need. I’ll do it,” Jiang Yan said calmly.

“But, young master—”

“Brother Lu Jiu,” Jiang Bei looked up at him and said, “Before, when Brother Jiang Yan was injured, my brother took care of him too. I’ve emptied chamber pots before as well. It’s no big deal.”

Lu Jiu: …You don’t know what kind of status your Brother Jiang Yan has. If you did, you wouldn’t say that.

He wiped his face and sat down at the doorway, questioning life.

Jiang Nan came out after bathing and saw him spacing out. “What are you doing?”

Lu Jiu looked up at the sky. “Admiring the moon.”

Jiang Nan looked at the pitch-black night sky. “Where’s the moon?”

Lu Jiu: ……

Not understanding what these grown-ups were doing, Jiang Nan carried a small stool and sat next to Jiang Bei, lining up to have his hair wiped by Jiang Yan.

Lu Jiu turned back and said, “Come on, I’ll wipe it for you.”

Jiang Yan spoke up. “Go help Auntie pour out the bathwater.”

“Yes.” Lu Jiu immediately got up and went.

Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei watched his retreating back. Jiang Nan turned and leaned against Jiang Yan’s knee, asking, “Brother Jiang Yan, is he really from your family?”

“Mm.” Jiang Yan wiped Jiang Bei’s hair dry, then used a wooden comb to comb it smooth before ruffling it loose again. “All done.”

Jiang Bei got up, and Jiang Nan immediately sat down. Jiang Yan picked up the cloth and started wiping Jiang Nan’s hair.

Jiang Bei whispered to Jiang Yan, “I think he doesn’t seem very smart.”

Jiang Yan said, “Mm. Not as smart as you.”

Jiang Bei immediately beamed.

Nearby, Lu Jiu, whose hearing was very good and who was just coming out to pour water: “……”

Because there were several extra guards in the house, Jiang Ji and the others did not go sleep in the new house that night.

After Zhao Ru and her family finished bathing, Lu Jiu and the others took turns washing.

In the sweltering heat, Lu Jiu originally planned to wash with cold water. Before going to bed, Zhao Ru told them, “There’s hot water in the pot. Even though it’s hot, mix in some hot water when you wash. Don’t catch a chill.”

Lu Jiu lifted the pot lid. A large pot of hot water, fully boiled, enough for several of them to mix warm water.

“Alright. Thank you, madam.”

Zhao Ru said apologetically, “I’m really sorry. We haven’t moved yet, and there isn’t much space in the house. We can only ask you to make do with sleeping on floor bedding for a few days.”

Lu Jiu and the other two guards quickly shook their heads.

Lu Jiu said, “It’s fine, madam. We’re often on the road. Going several days without bathing is normal for us. We often sleep out in the wild, just leaning against a wall. Having floor bedding at all is already very good.”

“You’ve worked hard. Once we move in a few days, it’ll be better.”

“Not hard at all, madam. You should go rest. Don’t worry about us. We’ll find places to sleep ourselves.”

…

When Jiang Yan lay down, Jiang Ji stirred slightly. “Everything arranged?”

“Mm. Sleep easy. I’m here.”

Jiang Ji drifted back into sleep. His body was weak and needed a lot of rest to recover.

With Jiang Yan there, he truly felt at ease.

The night passed without incident.

…

Early the next morning, Lu Wu returned.

Lu Jiu asked him, “All taken care of?”

“Taken care of,” Lu Wu replied, then looked at the farmer’s clothes Lu Jiu was wearing. “Where did you get those?”

“The young master gave them to me.”

Lu Wu took a bundle off his horse. “I even bought you two sets.”

“Give them here. Looks like we’ll be staying a while. The young master only gave me one set.” Lu Jiu took the bundle. “Come on. You need to see the young master.”

Lu Jiu brought Lu Wu to Jiang Ji’s room. The door was open. Inside, Jiang Yan was feeding Jiang Ji breakfast. Lu Jiu knocked lightly.

“Young master, Lu Wu is back.”

Jiang Yan glanced over. “Come in.”

This was the first time Lu Wu had seen his prince since everything happened. He was visibly emotional. “Young master!”

“Mm.” Jiang Yan looked at him. “Lu Jiu said you went to pass the message back.”

Lu Wu glanced at Jiang Ji on the bed and recalled Chen Feng’s instructions that the prince never avoided Jiang Ji when discussing matters. He answered, “Someone was sent back in person to report.”

“Mm. You’ve worked hard. Go rest,” Jiang Yan said, feeding Jiang Ji another spoonful of lean-meat porridge. Jiang Ji swallowed it obediently.

Lu Wu stared at the bowl and spoon in Jiang Yan’s hands. That feeding motion was far too practiced.

He stood there dumbfounded. Lu Jiu pulled him back out.

Once outside, Lu Wu asked in disbelief, “I didn’t imagine that just now, did I? The young master was feeding someone porridge?”

Lu Jiu patted his shoulder and looked at him with sympathy. “The young master also fetches Jiang Ji’s foot-washing water and empties the chamber pot.”

“!” Lu Wu froze as if struck by lightning.

“Foot-washing water? And… chamber pot?”

Lu Jiu nodded with the weariness of one who had seen too much. “Yes. And he won’t even let me help.”

Lu Wu fell silent.

The two looked at each other, both feeling utterly incredulous.

Their young master had been pampered since childhood. Even though he trained in martial arts and endured hardship, he had never done things like carrying foot-washing water or emptying chamber pots for anyone.

Even Lord Lu had never received such treatment.

Zhao Ru noticed another person had arrived, presumably the Lu Wu Jiang Yan had mentioned. She asked, “You’re Lu Wu, right? Have you eaten breakfast? There’s still food in the pot.”

Lu Jiu introduced him, “This is Jiang Ji’s mother.”

Lu Wu hurriedly said, “Oh, madam, hello. I’ve already eaten. Thank you, madam.”

After Jiang Ji finished eating, Jiang Yan carried the dishes out, washed his hands, and fetched a basin of warm water.

Zhao Ru asked, “Is it time to change Xiao Ji’s medicine?”

“Yes.” Jiang Yan carried the basin over. “Auntie, please pour him a cup of water. He needs to take his medicine.”

“Alright.” Zhao Ru poured a cup of warm water and followed him in. She wanted to check on her son’s injuries.

Jiang Ji was still sitting up, sorting his pills. When Zhao Ru brought the water over, he tossed all the tablets into his mouth in one go, took the cup, and swallowed them.

Once Jiang Ji finished his medicine, Jiang Yan put on disposable gloves and removed the bandages, taking off the dressings.

Jiang Ji couldn’t see his back and asked, “How is it? Is it healing?”

“Mm. Much better,” Jiang Yan said, looking at the four- to five-inch-long knife wound, frowning slightly. It was an eyesore.

Jiang Ji wanted to see his back himself and casually produced two mirrors. “Mom, hold this mirror and aim it at my wound. I want to take a look.”

Zhao Ru took the book-sized mirror. The reflection was extremely clear.

“Ah!” Zhao Ru exclaimed. “This is a mirror?”

“Yes. Isn’t it very clear?” Jiang Ji nodded. “After we’re done, you can take it back and put it on the dressing table.”

“This is far too clear,” Zhao Ru said in amazement, then aimed the mirror at her son’s back. “Can you see it?”

“That surface is made of glass. It’s originally transparent. Something was applied to the back to turn it into a mirror,” Jiang Ji explained, holding the other mirror and adjusting angles to catch the reflection from Zhao Ru’s mirror.

“Mom, tilt it a bit toward me. I can’t see.”

Zhao Ru adjusted the angle. Jiang Ji tweaked his mirror again. “Alright.”

He looked at his wound. “Mm, it’s healing fairly well, but it seems a bit swollen.”

Zhao Ru asked anxiously, “Is that serious?”

“No. The inflammation just hasn’t fully subsided yet,” Jiang Ji said. He had learned how to assess wounds from a surgeon in the past. “There’s no pus, no yellow discharge. That means it’s fine. It’ll be better in a couple of days.”

Only then did Zhao Ru relax and put the mirror down.

Jiang Yan disinfected the wound, applied medicine, replaced the dressing, and rewrapped it.

After all five wounds were treated, Jiang Yan disinfected Jiang Ji’s elbow as well and applied some medicine.

When Jiang Ji’s injuries were taken care of, Jiang Ji lifted his chin. “Let me see your injuries.”

Jiang Yan had two wounds: one on his left shoulder and one on his left leg, both shallow cuts from blade tips, two to three centimeters long.

When Zhao Ru had been sewing Jiang Ji’s wounds, she had originally wanted to stitch his as well, but Jiang Yan refused. He only applied wound medicine and bandaged them, wanting to save the remaining thread for emergencies later.

“Almost healed,” Jiang Yan said.

Jiang Ji insisted, “Let me see.”

“Alright then, you two look. I’ll go check the fields and pick some vegetables,” Zhao Ru said as she went out, closing the door behind her.

Jiang Yan sighed helplessly, took off his outer robe, and untied the bandages.

Jiang Ji looked over the wounds. They really were not serious and were already healing. He checked the injury on Jiang Yan’s leg as well. Only after confirming there was no problem did he finally relax.

Jiang Yan packed away the medical kit. Outside, Lu Jiu called out, “Young Master Jiang Ji, a Master Zheng has come. He says he’s looking for you.”

“Oh, please invite him in.”

Master Zheng entered the room. Seeing Jiang Ji wrapped in bandages, he asked with concern, “Boss, are you feeling better?”

They were all working in the village, so they knew about what had happened to Jiang Ji.

“Much better.”

“That’s good.” Master Zheng sat down and said, “I came to tell you that we should be able to finish over here tomorrow. We’ll clean up the day after, and the day after that you’ll be able to move in.”

Jiang Ji’s eyes lit up. “That fast?”

“Yes. Your household has quite a few people now and really can’t fit here anymore, so we rushed the work and got it done for you.”

“Thank you, Master Zheng.”

“No need to be polite.” Master Zheng continued, “Also, the workshop you mentioned earlier, are you still building it?”

“Yes!” Jiang Ji said. “I already drew up the plans. If not for what happened, I would’ve discussed it with you earlier.”

He called out, “Jiang Yan, help me get the drawings.”

Jiang Yan went to wash his hands, then found the workshop plans on the table in the main hall.

Jiang Ji put on his robe and discussed things with Master Zheng for quite a while, explaining his ideas and requirements in detail.

Master Zheng nodded. “Alright. I’ll go take a look at the land. I’ll give you proper drawings tomorrow.”

“Okay. Thank you for the trouble.”

“No trouble at all. This is our work.” Master Zheng stood up with the drawings Jiang Ji had made and said with a smile, “Once we finish building your workshop, Li Dagu from your village also wants us to build a house. Says it’s for his son’s marriage.”

Jiang Ji laughed. “Sounds like you’ll be busy.”

“Having work to do is a good thing.” Master Zheng waved. “I’ll be going.”

“Alright.”

Jiang Ji lay back down and said to Jiang Yan, “We’ll be moving the day after tomorrow. Seems like we don’t have that many things to move anyway.”

Because of the planned move, Jiang Ji had not bought many new things for the house, just making do with what they had.

They only had three beds, three clothes chests, two tables, kitchen utensils, timber and spare parts in the main hall, the threshing machine, the winnowing machine, plus the ox, horse, and ducks.

“But once we move over, the house will be bigger. Guarding it might actually be harder.” Jiang Ji thought for a moment. “Should we wait until the bandits are dealt with before moving?”

Jiang Yan shook his head. “No need. Eight guards are enough.”

“Alright then. We’ll move the day after tomorrow. Once we’re there, we’ll add furniture. By then I should be able to walk.” Jiang Ji looked at him. “Go tell Mother. Also, check the fields. The tomatoes and watermelons should be about ripe. See if the tomatoes have turned red.”

“As for the watermelons, look for ones whose skin looks shiny from the sun and whose stripes are clear. Pick it up, hold it by your ear, and pat it. If the sound is crisp and hollow, it’s ripe. If it’s dull and heavy, it’s not ready yet. If you can’t tell, just use a dagger to cut out a small triangular piece and check. Only cut one, don’t cut too many. If it’s not ripe, stuff the rind back in. If it is ripe, pick one and bring it back for me to see.”

Jiang Yan nodded and went out. He took a basket from the woodshed, grabbed a small knife from the kitchen, and headed out of the courtyard.

Lu Jiu and Lu Wu were guarding the gate. Seeing the prince heading out, they immediately followed.

Lu Jiu asked, “Young master, where are you going?”

“The fields.” Jiang Yan glanced at him. “Leave one person at home.”

Lu Jiu shook his head. “That won’t do. We have to protect you.”

Jiang Yan simply looked at him calmly. “I’ll be back shortly.”

Lu Jiu rubbed his nose. “Oh. Then Lu Wu, you go.”

Lu Wu, whose skills were a bit better than Lu Jiu’s, followed Jiang Yan.

While Jiang Yan was out, Jiang Ji had Jiang Nan call Lu Jiu inside.

“Young Master Jiang Ji, you wanted to see me?” Lu Jiu asked as he entered.

“Sit quickly. I have something to ask you,” Jiang Ji said quietly. “Why hasn’t your prince married yet, even though he’s already twenty-six or twenty-seven?”

Lu Jiu scratched his head. “The prince is busy every day. He doesn’t have time to think about such things.”

“If your prince doesn’t think about it, don’t his parents worry? Didn’t they arrange matches for him?” Jiang Ji didn’t believe there were parents who didn’t urge marriage, especially in ancient times.

“They did.” Lu Jiu said. “Madam asked matchmakers to bring many portraits of marriageable noble ladies for the prince to look at.”

Jiang Ji asked urgently, “And?”

Lu Jiu shook his head. “The prince said he wouldn’t consider marriage before thirty.”

“Huh? Why?” Jiang Ji blinked. The excuse sounded strangely familiar.

Lu Jiu shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Jiang Ji fell silent for a moment, then asked, “With so many beautiful noble ladies, he didn’t fancy a single one?”

Lu Jiu sighed. “No. Lord and Madam are both anxious. But the prince puts all his heart into state affairs. He really has no mind for anything else.”

“Oh…” Jiang Ji nodded thoughtfully.

Lu Jiu looked at him and suddenly asked, “Young Master Jiang Ji, you’re not thinking of introducing a wife to the prince, are you?”

“Huh?” Jiang Ji blinked and rubbed his nose. “No. Why would you think that?”

Lu Jiu eyed him suspiciously. “Then why are you so interested in the prince’s marriage?”

“…Just curious.”

Lu Jiu thought for a moment. “You’re not planning to marry your younger sister to the prince, are you?”

Jiang Ji glared at him. “What are you thinking? My sister is only thirteen. Are you a beast or something?”

“…,” Lu Jiu also got flustered. “No, how did I become a beast? Wasn’t that a reasonable guess?”

“Don’t guess!” Jiang Ji warned him. “You’re not allowed to set your sights on my Xia’er. Got it?”

Lu Jiu laughed helplessly. “I’m not setting my sights on your sister. I just thought you wanted to marry a girl into the prince’s household.”

“You’re overthinking it!” Jiang Ji said proudly. “My Xia’er’s dream is to be a shopkeeper. She’s not interested in marrying into wealth.”

Lu Jiu: “……”

He looked surprised. “Your sister wants to be a shopkeeper?”

“Yeah. Is that not allowed?” Jiang Ji shot back.

“…It is.” Lu Jiu looked at Jiang Ji, feeling that this person was really different from others. What family actually encouraged a girl to go out and run businesses? And why was he so proud of it?

Jiang Ji paused, then asked, “Is your prince’s family easy to get along with?”

Lu Jiu looked at him suspiciously again. “You sure you’re not trying to marry off your sister?”

“I already said no!” Jiang Ji glared at him.

“Then why are you asking about my lord and madam’s personalities?” Lu Jiu was genuinely puzzled. “This is exactly like parents who are about to marry off their daughter, asking in detail about the other family’s character.”

“Ahem,” Jiang Ji rubbed his nose. “I’m just curious.”

“Really?”

Jiang Ji’s mind turned quickly. “Of course. I was thinking, Lord Lu holds such a high office, and Madam is the eldest daughter of a marquis’s household. What kind of people must they be to raise such an outstanding son like your prince?”

Hearing this, Lu Jiu smiled. “My lord and madam are naturally both very good people.”

“Oh.” If servants liked them, their character was probably decent. Jiang Ji thought about it, then asked again, “Do they have any particular preferences? Like things they enjoy?”

Lu Jiu fell silent again, staring at Jiang Ji up and down.

“What are you staring at?” Jiang Ji felt uneasy under his gaze.

Lu Jiu stroked his chin. “You’re very strange.”

Jiang Ji: “…Just tell me.”

“No. This I can’t tell you.”

Jiang Ji: “…Then what did your prince like before?”

“Ask him yourself.”

“He’s lost his memory.”

“Oh, right.” Lu Jiu nodded. “Then ask again after he recovers his memory.”

Jiang Ji: “……”

Lu Jiu smiled apologetically. “Sorry, Young Master Jiang Ji. Some things can be said, some things can’t. We have rules.”

What he had told him were all things everyone in the capital knew, or could find out with a bit of inquiry. As for more private matters, those could not be spoken of.

Jiang Ji sighed. “Alright then. Continue telling me about that ‘ideal son-in-law ranking’ you didn’t finish yesterday.”

“Aren’t you resting?”

“No. I can’t sleep right now.”

“Alright, then I’ll continue—”

So when Jiang Yan came back carrying a watermelon on his back, he heard Lu Jiu once again talking to Jiang Ji about that ranking.

Jiang Yan: “……”

He set the basket down, stood at the doorway, and knocked lightly. “Lu Jiu, don’t disturb Jiang Ji’s rest. He needs to recover.”

“Yes, young master.” Lu Jiu immediately got up and left.

Jiang Ji: “……”

He glared at Jiang Yan. “I wasn’t done listening. I only got to thirteenth place.”

Jiang Yan carried the watermelon inside. “Why are you asking about so many ideal son-in-law candidates?”

Jiang Ji blinked. “Curiosity.”

Jiang Yan glanced at him and handed the melon over. “Check the melon.”

Jiang Ji pressed his ear to it and patted it.

A crisp, hollow thumping sound.

“It seems ripe!” Jiang Ji said happily.

He showed Jiang Yan the small triangular piece he had cut out. “I checked. It’s red inside.”

The flesh in that little triangle was indeed red. Jiang Ji smiled. “Wash it and cut it up. If it’s ripe, go pick a few more so everyone can have a taste.”

Jiang Yan took the melon and went out. Lu Jiu was waiting under the eaves. Seeing him come out, he pulled Jiang Yan aside into the courtyard and whispered, “Young master, there’s something a bit off about Young Master Jiang Ji.”

“What’s off?”

Lu Jiu frowned. “He’s not just asking about your marriage. He’s also asking about my lord and madam’s preferences, and about your preferences.”

Jiang Yan was momentarily stunned, then the corner of his lips curved slightly. “Did you tell him?”

“No,” Lu Jiu replied. “I only told him things everyone in the capital knows. I didn’t say anything else.”

Jiang Yan said calmly, “If there’s anything he wants to know, you can tell him.”

Lu Jiu was startled. “Is… is that alright?”

“Mm.” Jiang Yan paused, then added, “I don’t know those things myself anyway. Later, come in and tell us together.”

“Yes.” Lu Jiu scratched his head, still not understanding why Jiang Ji was asking about these things.

Could it be he wanted to prepare gifts for Lord Lu and Madam?

But they had saved the prince’s life. If anyone was to give gifts, it should be the prince’s household and the Lu household giving gifts to the Jiang family.

He couldn’t figure it out.

What he really couldn’t figure out was why the prince would actually allow him to share such private matters with Jiang Ji.

Hadn’t the prince always strictly forbidden the household from revealing anything about the masters to outsiders?

How did losing his memory change him this much?

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