Chapter 298: Caught Off Guard

Chapter 298: Chapter 298: Caught Off Guard

Guo Ling had rarely returned to the village since becoming a maid for the Bai Family. It hadn’t been long since her last visit home, so when she came back again, everyone was thrilled—everyone except her mother, Mrs. Guo, who knew the real reason.

"What exactly is the problem between you and Ji Huan?"

When Mrs. Guo saw her daughter Guo Ling go to the Song family home that night, she assumed she had developed feelings for Song Jing.

Song Jing was handsome and talented, and now he had become a Scholar. She would be more than satisfied with such a son-in-law.

What she didn’t know was that Guo Ling was solely focused on accompanying her mistress to the Capital City as part of her dowry to rise above her station. She couldn’t be bothered with a mere poor scholar.

Guo Ling insisted she went to the Song family home to run an errand for the Academic Administrator’s daughter. A mother knows her daughter best, so Mrs. Guo believed her. However, from their conversation, she sensed her daughter’s veiled animosity towards Ji Huan.

Guo Ling used to tell Mrs. Guo everything, but lately, for some reason, she seemed to have a lot on her mind and refused to speak openly.

This time was no exception.

After sending off a slightly disappointed Mrs. Guo, Guo Ling lay in bed, thinking things over.

’She and Ji Huan don’t really have any grudges, nor are they in any competition.’

’The Fourth Miss has already agreed to take me to the Capital City. Ji Huan and I are no longer in the same league.’

’The reason I was so eager to play matchmaker for Miss Fang this time, aside from the generous reward, was mainly because of that subtle, uncomfortable feeling in my heart.’

’It’s fine when I’m not facing Ji Huan, but the moment I do, that discomfort magnifies.’

’Last year, around the time of Ji Huan’s accident, my family asked out of curiosity if I had ever seen Ji Huan at the Bai Mansion or knew any of the inside details.’

’I said no.’

’But in truth, Ji Huan and I had met at the Bai Mansion.’

’It was when Ji Huan was sold to the Bai Mansion for the second time. Because she had run into a pillar, she was still unconscious when she was brought in.’

’The auspicious time chosen by the fortune teller was three days later, so she was locked in the woodshed.’

’I went to take a look out of curiosity, and just then, Ji Huan, who was on the verge of death, happened to wake up.’

’At first, her gaze toward me was unfamiliar. Then, as if she slowly remembered, she rasped out a plea for me to help her.’

’How could I possibly offend my masters for someone from the same village I barely knew? Especially when Ji Huan’s bloody hand grabbed and dirtied the hem of my new dress.’

’Disgusted and contemptuous, I kicked her away, spat some sarcastic words, and left without a second glance.’

’I am determined to be a respectable person. Even though I look down on the poor, shabby villagers, I always act like a real young lady whenever I return, treating everyone with grace and courtesy.’

’The only reason I was so brazen in front of Ji Huan, revealing my true self, was simply because I thought she was about to die.’

’Who would have thought she’d be so lucky to survive?’

’I was worried that Ji Huan would badmouth me all over the village after returning. In the past year, I’ve visited my family as many times as I had in several years prior. Each time, I would subtly probe for information, only relaxing after getting a negative answer.’

’Ji Huan knows what’s good for her.’

’If she had just stayed put in Dafeng Village and lived her life quietly, I couldn’t be bothered to waste any energy on her.’

’If Song Jing hadn’t passed the exam to become a Scholar, I wouldn’t have interfered in their affairs.’

’But Song Jing *did* pass, and now he is destined for a brilliant future.’

’That means Ji Huan’s status will also rise with the tide, and she might even go to the Capital City with Song Jing.’

’The Capital City is supposed to be a new beginning for me. I don’t want to see Ji Huan there—the one person who has seen my ugly side. It’s as simple as that.’

That night, Guo Ling had a pleasant dream.

Mrs. Meng, however, was sleepless all night, her eyes open until dawn.

Ji Huan had also heard the news.

Song Jing had said the qualifying examination would be in mid-September, with the results posted on the twentieth. Five days had passed since then. She wondered if he would return to the village or if he would stay at the academy until the provincial examination.

Ji Huan walked on, lost in thought, planning to go to Shi Yong’s house to borrow some tools.

As she reached a street corner, she saw a woman at the entrance of a nearby alley who seemed to have twisted her ankle. The woman was bent over, leaning against the wall, completely still.

Since she was passing right by, she couldn’t just ignore her, so she walked over and asked if she needed help.

The woman looked up, and Ji Huan froze.

She never would have expected such a coincidence. The woman was Mrs. Meng.

On the day the results were announced, when the crowd of onlookers moved from the Ji Family’s home to Song Jing’s, she had followed along. So, she had seen Mrs. Meng before.

Only now, seeing her up close, could she finally match the real Mrs. Meng with the person she had imagined.

Mrs. Meng had a very different air about her than the other village women.

Her hair was combed back immaculately, and her old clothes were starched and spotless. One look was enough to tell she was a meticulous person. Although years of hard labor had left clear lines on her forehead and at the corners of her eyes, you could still see traces of her youthful beauty in her features.

Song Jing probably inherited about seventy percent of his delicate features from Mrs. Meng. The difference was that Mrs. Meng had fine brows and slender eyes, while Song Jing’s long brows and star-like eyes must have come from his father...

Ji Huan realized her thoughts were straying and quickly pulled them back.

But for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

It was always a little awkward to unexpectedly run into the mother of the person you liked.

Besides, just by looking at Mrs. Meng’s face, you could tell she was the type of person who was strict with both herself and others.

Unexpectedly, it was Mrs. Meng who spoke first, and her tone could even be described as gentle.

"You’re Wuan from the Ji family, aren’t you?"

Ji Huan was a little surprised that she recognized her and answered that she was.

"But I’ve already separated from the Ji Family."

"I have heard about that. Most girls wouldn’t do such a thing. You’re a girl with her own mind..."

It was hard to tell if this was a compliment or a criticism. Mrs. Meng didn’t dwell on the topic, instead saying, "I accidentally twisted my ankle. Could I trouble you to help me home? My house isn’t far, just down this alley."

Ji Huan wouldn’t have ignored such a request even from a stranger, let alone from Song Jing’s mother.

She slung the vegetable basket Mrs. Meng had placed on the ground over her arm, looped her other arm through Mrs. Meng’s, and supported her as they walked forward. At the same time, she carefully observed Mrs. Meng’s gait, prepared to carry her on her back if the situation was serious.

Fortunately, Mrs. Meng didn’t seem to be in too much difficulty.

When they reached the house, Mrs. Meng opened the door and invited Ji Huan inside to sit for a while.

Ji Huan figured that since Mrs. Meng had twisted her ankle, it wouldn’t be right to just leave her at the door, so she didn’t refuse.

The residence belonged to Village Chief Meng. The main hall and kitchen looked rather old, but the east and west rooms were newer in comparison, likely built when he brought the mother and son back to live with him.

The environment couldn’t be called crude, but it wasn’t particularly nice either. However, everything inside and out was tidy and well-organized. Against the southern courtyard wall, a small vegetable patch had been cleared.

’Though this isn’t the place where Song Jing grew up, it is his current home. To be visiting his residence without him even knowing gives me a secret thrill. Even every blade of grass and every tree in the courtyard seems strangely familiar and dear.’

’But it’s also true that I feel awkward. This is basically a meeting with a potential mother-in-law; it would be a miracle if I could feel at ease.’

Ji Huan had intended to help Mrs. Meng to the main hall, but Mrs. Meng pointed to the west room. "Let’s go in there. That’s Jing’er’s room."

Ji Huan’s heart skipped a beat. ’Does Mrs. Meng know something?’

But seeing Mrs. Meng’s expression was as normal as ever, she figured she was just overthinking it.

She breathed a sigh of relief and did as she was told, helping Mrs. Meng into the west room.

However, it was clear she had breathed that sigh of relief too soon.