bestfiction Chapter 472
Chapter 472
"We're here?" Jiang Yuanrang scrambled to his feet.The capital!
In the past, he had longed to visit the capital.
But now that he truly arrived, he felt somewhat uneasy.
He gazed at the imposing city wall outside the capital gate.
Yet Jiang Yuanrang no longer felt the excitement he once had.
"Master Jiang, we have arrived," Qingsong said. Thinking that Li Zhiwei must be eager to see Jiang Yuanrang immediately, without a second thought, he led the man straight to the Li residence.
Inside the carriage, Jiang Yuanrang's heart was in turmoil.
However, his mind held no memories of the capital at all.
Jiang Yuanrang had many questions in his heart, but at that moment, he wanted to ask them yet dared not.
He even thought to himself, wondering if that woman would recognize him at first sight.
Would she regret having abandoned him back then?
If she saw him and the prince refused to marry her because of it, would she blame everything on him?
At that thought, Jiang Yuanrang let out a bitter laugh.
Li Zhiwei had just escorted Wen Xiu out of the mansion.
Lately, because of Shangguan Mu, she rarely left the residence.
Today, it was only because Wen Xiu said she had run into Zhang Yanchu the other day that Li Zhiwei insisted on seeing her out, afraid she might encounter that madman again.
Though, from what she heard, Zhang Yanchu had been caught and dragged back by Xia Wenshuang.
For that, Zhang Zifu had even swindled a hundred taels of silver out of Xia Wenshuang.
"Sister Li, I'm fine. You should go back inside," Wen Xiu said, waving goodbye to Li Zhiwei as she prepared to leave.
"Miss Li!" Qingsong called out, delighted to see her.
After all, bringing an unfamiliar man into the Li residence suddenly was rather odd, but with Li Zhiwei here, things were different.
Inside the carriage, Jiang Yuanrang stiffened at Qingsong's call of "Miss Li." Was he about to meet her so soon?
"Qingsong?" Li Zhiwei was startled. She looked at the carriage behind him, puzzled. When had Xu Heming started taking a carriage?
Or was Xu Qingshi inside?
"Miss Li, what a stroke of luck finding you here," Qingsong said with a smile as he approached.
"Is Qingshi in the carriage?" Li Zhiwei wondered if that little rascal Xu Qingshi had come looking for her again. Lately, because of Shangguan Mu, she hadn't seen him.
Was he throwing a tantrum to see her again?
"No, Miss Li. The prince ordered me to deliver Master Jiang here," Qingsong said, thinking to himself that his master must have meant for him to bring the man to Li Zhiwei.
Master Jiang?
Li Zhiwei was taken aback at first, then she recalled the portrait.
For a moment, she couldn't believe her eyes as she stared at the carriage.
Wen Xiu, who was about to leave, saw Li Zhiwei's expression and grew worried.
Li Zhiwei stood silently, watching the carriage.
Was that really her brother, lost in childhood?
At the thought, her heart felt heavy.
She had only recently learned she had a brother.
At first, she hadn't held out much hope.
But now, he was right before her?
Inside the carriage, Jiang Yuanrang seemed to sense that someone outside was staring intently at the vehicle.
His own heart felt equally complicated.
Was he finally going to meet her?
Jiang Yuanrang reached out to lift the curtain, curious to see what that heartless woman looked like.
But when his hand touched the curtain, he lacked the courage to pull it open.
Li Zhiwei walked step by step toward the carriage.
She stretched out her hand, wanting to lift the curtain and see if the man inside was truly her brother.
Though she knew Xu Heming wouldn't lie to her.
But what if the portrait had been exaggerated?
Taking a deep breath, she mustered her strength and lifted the curtain.
Jiang Yuanrang, who had been struggling inside, was caught off guard as the curtain suddenly flew open.
He had expected to see an aged, faded middle-aged woman, but instead found a young, beautiful girl staring back at him.
This was nothing like what he had imagined.
This girl looked younger than him.
She couldn't possibly be his birth mother.
At that thought, Jiang Yuanrang frowned.
But Li Zhiwei stood there, frozen, staring at Jiang Yuanrang inside the carriage.
For a moment, she forgot to react.
So similar!
Too similar!
Looking at the face that mirrored her father's features so perfectly—the brows, the eyes— Li Zhiwei had no doubt. This man was undoubtedly her brother.
"Mi... Miss?" Jiang Yuanrang called out awkwardly, then looked around for Qingsong.
He spotted Wen Xiu standing not far away and was stunned.
That day, Wen Xiu wore a light pink silk skirt, standing there like a radiant peach blossom.
Jiang Yuanrang had never seen such a beautiful girl. For a moment, he was completely captivated.
Li Zhiwei watched her brother, then noticed he seemed to be staring in a certain direction.
She followed his gaze toward Qingsong and Wen Xiu.
For a moment, she couldn't tell if Jiang Yuanrang was looking to Qingsong for help or gazing at Wen Xiu.
Not far away, Wen Xiu also saw the man in the carriage.
She paused, taken aback by how much his face resembled Li Zhiwei's—seven out of ten features were similar.
Wen Xiu was puzzled. She had never heard of any other children in the Li family.
Given the strong resemblance, she guessed he must be a cousin or a relative.
Noticing the man staring at her, Wen Xiu nodded awkwardly in return.
Jiang Yuanrang then realized he had been rude to the young lady.
"Brother!" Li Zhiwei called out softly, gathering her courage as she looked at Jiang Yuanrang, who had withdrawn his gaze.
How had her brother fared all these years outside?
Their parents had raised her like a precious gem.
Would her brother resent her?
Her heart was filled with anxiety.
Brother?
Jiang Yuanrang was startled by the address, then reasoned it made sense.
Besides, looking at Li Zhiwei's face, he had already guessed she might be a younger sister that woman had given him after remarrying.
At that thought, Jiang Yuanrang frowned. If she already had a daughter this grown, why was she still thinking of getting married?
Even if she didn't care for herself, she should think about this sister.
Strangely, the moment he saw Li Zhiwei, Jiang Yuanrang felt an urge to protect her. Perhaps it was the bond of blood.
Even though they had never met, he couldn't stand to see this sister wronged.
"Master Jiang, please step down from the carriage," Qingsong urged gently, noticing the pair had been silent for a while.
Watching their tender exchange, Qingsong couldn't help but wonder if bringing Jiang Yuanrang to the Li residence had been the right decision.
"Someone! Help the eldest young master down from the carriage!" Li Zhiwei quickly called out.
Upon hearing the young lady's order, a servant rushed over.
When he saw Jiang Yuanrang, the servant was shocked.
Had the master suddenly turned so young?