The marriage edict issued by Empress Dowager Yide was undeniably precious. Even though Xiao Shao was about to go on campaign, this marriage was settled first. Though Jiang Ruan had not yet completed her mourning period and could not hold the wedding ceremony, she was nominally Xiao Shao’s person.

Common people naturally couldn’t see the complex entanglements in these relationships, only secretly envying the Minister’s residence for their good fortune – having a daughter who could marry into Prince Jinying’s residence. Though Prince Jinying’s reputation wasn’t particularly good, how could ordinary people understand such matters? On the surface, the so-called treacherous Prince Xiao was actually a hot commodity in the court. Xiao Shao was the first to possess such power at such a young age.

Minister Jiang had three daughters, each beautiful as flowers and jade. Though the eldest daughter was raised on an estate from childhood, her own excellence couldn’t be denied. Later, through some stroke of fortune, she became a county princess and could now be considered to have married well. The Minister’s residence would surely rise with the tide.

With Jiang Ruan’s precedent like a precious jade, people couldn’t help but ponder Jiang Susu’s future prospects. Honestly, Jiang Susu had always been called an incomparable beauty in the capital, and her talent was widely known. If Xia Yan hadn’t fallen into disgrace, those coming to propose marriage would have probably worn down the threshold. But having a mother with a bad reputation, Jiang Susu was somewhat implicated. Respectable families looked down on her, while those who coveted her beauty were beneath Jiang Quan’s consideration. Back and forth, her marriage had been delayed.

Regardless, with the Empress Dowager’s edict issued, no matter how frustrated and displeased Jiang Quan felt inside, he had to appear joyful on the surface. Not only that, he had to do it so well that no one could find fault, as Empress Dowager Yide’s people were watching – where could he play any tricks? Fortunately, he still had a considerate beauty in his residence. Hong Ying took on all matters regarding Jiang Ruan’s marriage, handling everything inside and out, with First Aunt assisting her. The propriety wasn’t lacking. Jiang Quan was very satisfied with Hong Ying, and because she was carrying a Jiang family child, he treated Hong Ying even more thoughtfully.

Hong Ying was indeed thoughtful about Jiang Ruan’s affairs. Since the Empress Dowager issued the edict, Xiao Shao had never come to visit the Jiang residence. Speaking of propriety, this wasn’t right, but with no parents above Xiao Shao, it was impossible for parents to act on his behalf. For him to personally make the trip, given Xiao Shao’s temperament, seemed quite impossible. If Xiao Shao truly delayed coming, given Jiang Quan’s rank, he wouldn’t dare easily criticize him.

When Hong Ying brought up this matter, she straightened Jiang Quan’s collar while saying: “Regardless, Prince Xiao will have to come to our residence eventually. I think that whether Prince Xiao comes or not, the proprieties should be complete. Why not send him an invitation, asking him to come to the residence to discuss First Miss’s marriage?”

Just thinking about this marriage made Jiang Quan feel his head throb, yet this marriage absolutely couldn’t be offended. He immediately replied stiffly: “Handle it as you see fit.”

“This should have been Madam’s responsibility,” Hong Ying lowered her head: “But now that Madam is recuperating on the estate, it wouldn’t be good to trouble her further. I only hope Prince Xiao won’t despise my humble birth and think it beneath him.”

“What humble birth?” At the mention of Xia Yan, Jiang Quan thought of those unpleasant matters, his mood becoming even worse. His tone immediately became unpleasant: “Now you are the female head of this residence. If Xiao Shao wants to marry my daughter, since Jiang Ruan still bears the Jiang surname, he must follow our Jiang family rules. Send the invitation freely – if he doesn’t come, it doesn’t matter. What spreads outside is that he doesn’t know propriety. Even if it reaches the Empress Dowager, he would be the one in the wrong.”

“Master, please don’t be angry.” Hong Ying gently persuaded: “I imagine Prince Xiao isn’t someone who doesn’t know propriety. I’ll arrange this immediately. In a few days, if Prince Xiao is willing to visit, I hope to serve him well. After all, First Miss’s marriage cannot be neglected, and the Empress Dowager will personally oversee it.”

“Just trivial matters, don’t worry too much.” Jiang Quan frowned, seeming very unwilling to hear news about Jiang Ruan, then instructed Hong Ying: “If you have spare time, you’d better worry more about Susu’s marriage. Susu is almost of marriageable age, and now you’re the one attending social gatherings in the residence. Make more inquiries about suitable young men in the capital, and find a good marriage for Susu too.”

“Yes, Master.” A smile appeared on Hong Ying’s face, but she sneered inwardly – Jiang Quan’s devoted thoughts would probably be wasted. Jiang Susu wasn’t someone to be trifled with. Those talented young men need not hope – Jiang Susu was now wholeheartedly wanting to climb into her brother-in-law’s bed. But this made it convenient for her to act.

…

When the Jiang residence’s invitation reached Xiao Shao’s hands, Butler Lin paid special attention to Xiao Shao’s expression. Seeing Xiao Shao show no reaction, he couldn’t help but remind: “Young Master, should we accept this invitation or not?”

“What’s the difference?” Xiao Shao sat down at the table, a territorial map of areas outside Great Jin’s cities spread before him, marked with numerous notations. The campaign was imminent, and this mission was complex with potential complications – everything had to be prepared.

“Oh my master, there’s a big difference!” Butler Lin said urgently: “Though the Empress Dowager’s edict has been issued and the young mistress is destined to be our residence’s female head, appearances still can’t be neglected. If Madam were still here, she’d now be going to the Minister’s residence to see the daughter-in-law and chat with the in-laws. But our residence can’t find such a person now, so Young Master, you’d better go personally.”

Seeing Xiao Shao look up at him, Butler Lin spoke even more earnestly: “If you go, what does that show? It shows Young Master values the young mistress! Right now, the young mistress is in the Minister’s residence – others will think more highly of her and won’t dare easily bully her. Young Master, I’ll just say this – women need to be coaxed. If Young Master feels the young mistress isn’t warm enough toward you, that’s Young Master’s fault. Men must always be more proactive. Young Master, if you go this time, wouldn’t that be supporting the young mistress? Seeing you like this, the young mistress will surely be moved. Then Young Master can take the opportunity to say some pleasing words – still afraid the young mistress won’t be devoted to you?”

Butler Lin’s words truly struck Xiao Shao’s heart. He frowned slightly, looking thoughtfully at the map before him, his expression seeming to contemplate something else. After a long silence, he nodded: “Reply to the invitation. In three days, Xiao Shao will visit.”

“Excellent—” Butler Lin’s eloquent words had worked, seeing his young master being so obedient for once filled him with comfort. He silently praised the child’s teachability and hurried out to find beautiful invitation paper.

“Be more proactive?” He lowered his head and muttered to himself, his eyelashes creating an intoxicating arc, his eyes seeming to curve as he smiled.

…

Jiang Ruan was completely unaware of the exchange of invitations between the Minister’s residence and Prince Jinying’s residence. These days had been unusually peaceful in the Jiang residence. Whether Jiang Quan had specifically instructed it or not, the servants seemed to completely ignore the news of her engagement to Xiao Shao. They neither came to congratulate nor inquired, as if deliberately snubbing her.

Whenever Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao mentioned this matter, they were naturally filled with anger. After all, Jiang Ruan was also a Jiang family daughter, yet Jiang Quan had done things to this extent – it was truly despicable. While combing Jiang Ruan’s hair, Lian Qiao said: “I heard that these past few days, Second Miss goes to Fifth Aunt’s courtyard every single day, sitting for an entire afternoon. Who knows when they developed such friendship. That Fifth Aunt is truly someone who burns bridges after crossing – now she’s turned her back and doesn’t recognize people. The Empress Dowager’s edict has been issued for so long, yet she hasn’t come to inquire even once. How the dowry and marriage should be handled – nobody knows now.”

These ceremonial matters for marriage should originally have been handled by the mistress of the house first. If Zhao Mei were alive, she would probably have been busy from dawn to dusk by now. Hong Ying was quite leisurely, having inquired about nothing so far. The bride-to-be couldn’t very well ask about these matters herself.

“What fault does she have? She can say she’s merely a concubine – a legitimate daughter’s marriage isn’t her place to interfere. Speaking of which, she wouldn’t be in the wrong.” Jiang Ruan said coolly: “If there’s really something, the Empress Dowager won’t stand by and watch. She’s seen this clearly, which is why she deliberately doesn’t inquire.”

Anyway, with Empress Dowager Yide managing things, Hong Ying probably wouldn’t want to do thankless tasks. Now that all household management power had fallen to Hong Ying, asking her to spend from the public funds for a dowry would be unwelcome. Having tasted power, how could she easily let go? Hong Ying was accustomed to feeling superior in the residence – facing a legitimate daughter of higher rank than herself, how could she be happy?

“In any case, this Fifth Aunt lacks propriety. She should think about how, without Miss’s help back then, could she have lived peacefully in the residence, let alone enjoy her current lifestyle? She really thinks she’s carrying…”

“Lian Qiao,” Jiang Ruan interrupted her: “You’re saying too much.”

Lian Qiao was startled, realizing her slip, and quickly said: “This servant spoke wrongly.”

Jiang Ruan shook her head: “It’s nothing, just don’t let others hear. Go pick out a few bolts of fabric from those sent by the palace, and embroider some pouches with Bai Zhi later. Many people have been coming from the palace these days – we can’t be negligent with rewards.”

Since the marriage edict was issued, Empress Dowager Yide had been sending things over every few days – mostly jewelry and fabrics, probably thinking that as a daughter was about to marry, these things would be useful. Only Jiang Ruan herself didn’t care much about these things – if not for Bai Zhi and the others frequently mentioning them, they would probably be thrown directly into boxes, never to see daylight.

Lian Qiao stuck out her tongue and went to select fabrics as instructed. Lu Zhu, who was doing embroidery on the side, blinked and asked: “When does Miss plan to start embroidering the wedding dress?”

“Wedding dress?” Jiang Ruan was slightly stunned.

“Naturally the wedding dress,” Lu Zhu rested her chin in her hands, smiling as she looked at her: “Don’t brides embroider wedding dresses before marriage? Even if the wedding is next year, you could start embroidering now. Though Prince Xiao might have someone send one, don’t daughters always like to embroider their own wedding dresses? Prince Xiao and Miss are both so beautiful – just thinking of you both in wedding attire, this servant feels it could dazzle the eyes of everyone in the capital.”

Her words were charming, but they made Jiang Ruan fall into contemplation. In her previous life, being sent into the palace, she naturally had no chance to become a bride. During her maiden years, she had imagined herself in phoenix crown and red bridal robes, but in her previous life, she never waited for that moment. She had never aspired to ordinary people’s happiness. In this life, if not for Xiao Shao obtaining this edict, she had never considered what marriage would be like.

If she were marrying someone else, perhaps she could treat them coolly, but with the object being Xiao Shao, her heart felt strange somehow. Wedding dresses were embroidered for one’s beloved – what position did Xiao Shao hold in her heart? Jiang Ruan had never considered this. Perhaps it exceeded friendship but fell short of lovers – perhaps still lacking that little bit.

But that little bit was separated by her deep-seated psychological barriers, and she didn’t know if there would ever be a time to resolve them in this lifetime. Thinking this, she felt somewhat guilty toward Xiao Shao.

“We’ll talk about it when there’s time.” She shook her head, seeming absent-minded. Lu Zhu noticed her distraction and stopped asking, obediently continuing her needlework.

…

Xiao Shao indeed visited the Jiang residence three days later. Only he and Butler Lin came. Xiao Shao wore a black brocade robe with dark patterns, the collar embroidered with delicate azure bamboo leaf borders. The cuffs still bore a ferocious dark gold qilin, appearing extremely majestic. Upon entering the residence gates, his expression was completely indifferent, his eyes like cold stars, making people dare not meet his gaze. He seemed to carry a piercing chill, his dominance restrained yet subtly assertive in the shadows.

The maid leading the way blushed while not daring to raise her head to look at this young man’s handsome features, keeping her head down and saying nothing throughout. Along the way, all the passing maids and servants looked at him somewhat dazedly. Butler Lin was naturally very proud, straightening his back with obvious pride.

Upon reaching the main hall, they indeed found Hong Ying and First Aunt already waiting. Hong Ying, supported by a maid, curtsied to Xiao Shao, her face bearing a warm smile: “This concubine greets Your Highness. As Madam is not currently in the residence, this lowly concubine helps manage internal affairs. I hope Your Highness doesn’t mind this concubine’s presumption.”

Xiao Shao coolly hummed an acknowledgment and sat in the chair prepared for him. Butler Lin stood to the side, and without waiting for Xiao Shao to speak, was already smiling: “Fifth Aunt need not be polite. Being the young mistress’s family, nothing is excessive. Master doesn’t have so many rules – just be at ease.”

Butler Lin smiled amiably, yet every sentence he spoke wasn’t exactly amiable. He said there were no rules, but actually put on more airs than anything. First Aunt stood silently to the side, while the surrounding maids sensed something was wrong – this Prince Jinying’s residence’s master and servant had come with ill intentions, probably specifically to support First Miss. They immediately lowered their heads even deeper, only wanting not to attract attention.

Hong Ying’s smile stiffened for a moment. Being from common origins, she was more skilled at dealing with people. In just an instant, she recovered her warm and natural smile: “That couldn’t be better. First Miss is our residence’s legitimate daughter, and Master cherishes her dearly. Now seeing Your Highness protecting First Miss so well, Master would be very happy to know.”

Xiao Shao didn’t respond, so Butler Lin said: “Madam speaks too politely. Since the Empress Dowager has issued the edict, the young mistress is our residence’s female head and must naturally receive Master’s protection. Today, besides discussing this matter, Master also had this old servant bring the betrothal gift list. Once the young mistress enters our residence, the betrothal gifts will be delivered to the young mistress along with the dowry. The Empress Dowager has also reviewed this.” He then took a gold silk brocade gift list from his sleeve and handed it to Hong Ying.

Hong Ying’s heart leaped with joy upon hearing Butler Lin’s words, but her face turned pale when she heard the latter half. After opening the betrothal gift list, her face alternated between red and white, quite a spectacular sight. After a moment, she closed the list, took a deep breath, and forced a smile: “Your Highness truly cherishes First Miss. This gift list is extraordinarily lavish – seeing this, this concubine is truly happy for First Miss.”

As she spoke, her hands used great force, almost tearing the gift list apart. In fact, Hong Ying came from a brothel background – brothels were places where money flowed like water, and she had seen all kinds of spendthrifts. She had seen plenty of men throwing fortunes away for beauties, so she wasn’t as shallow regarding gold, silver, and jewels as Second Aunt had been. But now, seeing Prince Jinying’s residence’s betrothal gift list, she couldn’t help but gasp.

Rare treasures, exotic beasts, mansions and shops, gold and silver notes. Endless wealth, countless jewels – just this small betrothal gift list revealed the tip of the iceberg of Prince Jinying’s residence’s immense wealth. Even Hong Ying, who considered herself worldly, couldn’t help but be dazzled by this wealth, secretly becoming jealous of Jiang Ruan.

More importantly, this hot wealth would fly away before reaching her hands. Xiao Shao had made it very clear – these betrothal gifts were to be given to Jiang Ruan, and Empress Dowager Yide knew this. This meant she didn’t even have a chance to interfere. She had originally wanted to profit from Jiang Ruan’s betrothal gifts, but now she had to watch this wealth slip through her fingers. Just this betrothal gift alone was worth several Minister’s residences – how could she be willing?

The more unwilling her heart became, the more Hong Ying resolved to send Jiang Susu into Prince Jinying’s residence. Jiang Ruan was difficult to control, but Jiang Susu could distinguish who was in charge of the Jiang residence now. If she could control Jiang Susu and get her into Prince Jinying’s residence, wouldn’t this wealth flow continuously into the Minister’s residence? Then, wouldn’t the Minister’s residence live more and more comfortably?

With her mind made up, Hong Ying’s smile became more eager. Butler Lin frowned, looking at the gift list somewhat deformed in Hong Ying’s grip: “Aunt, please be careful. Besides the Empress Dowager’s copy, this is the only gift list – damaging it would be very troublesome.”

“This concubine was careless.” Hong Ying smiled awkwardly in apology. She heard Butler Lin continue: “Where is the young mistress? She should come out to meet His Highness.”

Hong Ying smiled slightly: “First Miss will naturally come out, but daughters are always shy – she’s probably dressing up now. This concubine sent someone to inform her, and First Miss will go to the tea pavilion in the garden shortly. You young people always have things to say, and since the Empress Dowager just arranged the marriage, getting acquainted early would be good.” She spoke cleverly and generously, quite different from those rigid noble families. However, Xiao Shao’s expression remained unmoved, still looking at her indifferently.

Facing such an expressionless person, no matter how eloquent you were, you’d feel somewhat powerless. Butler Lin today seemed specifically here to speak for Xiao Shao, immediately smiling again: “That couldn’t be better – please lead the way quickly.” Now Prince Jinying’s residence treated Xiao Shao’s marriage as the top priority. With their master’s courting skills lacking, naturally the subordinates had to help. Butler Lin always wished he could create opportunities for Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan to be alone together at all times. With Hong Ying being so sensible, Butler Lin was very satisfied.

“Butler Lin misunderstands,” Hong Ying covered her lips and smiled: “This concubine still has some wedding matters to discuss with Butler Lin. Seeing that Your Highness has entrusted the marriage to Butler Lin, this concubine would like to discuss things thoroughly with Butler Lin. If Butler Lin doesn’t mind, please stay here to talk with this concubine.” She looked at Xiao Shao, smiling: “As for First Miss and Your Highness, the two of you talking would be more convenient.”

If he didn’t know everyone in this Jiang residence was cunning, Butler Lin would almost praise her as a knowledgeable and reasonable beauty. Having these two alone together was excellent. Butler Lin, having followed the old Prince Jinying in his youth, had learned a dissolute and unrestrained temperament, not caring about worldly laws at all. So those noble families’ concepts of propriety between men and women were nothing in his eyes, especially since Empress Dowager Yide’s edict had been issued – Jiang Ruan was the young mistress. What was there to avoid when the young mistress and young master talked? Men and women being together meant being alone – a few more private meetings could spark flames, maybe even a pregnancy.

“That’s not bad either, Master, what do you think—” Butler Lin looked at Xiao Shao inquiringly, his gaze full of expectation.

Xiao Shao indeed didn’t disappoint Butler Lin’s expectations, nodding coolly: “Good.”

Hong Ying’s smile became more genuine: “Lin Lang, quickly lead His Highness there.”

Lin Lang came forward and curtsied to Xiao Shao: “Your Highness, please follow this servant.”

…

Xiao Shao followed Lin Lang through the Jiang residence’s courtyards and flower terraces, around long corridors, straight to a tea pavilion in the garden. This tea pavilion was nestled in the woods, hidden among secluded trees in a tranquil environment. If one were tired and went in to rest, enjoying some tea and taking a short break, it would be an excellent place. It seemed to be one of the most exquisitely maintained places in the Jiang residence, quite spacious, appearing from afar like some daughter’s residential courtyard.

Lin Lang didn’t speak along the way, just buried her head and led the way, thus missing Xiao Shao’s gaze. His expression was calm, but he had already surveyed the area without revealing anything. This wasn’t Xiao Shao’s first time in the Jiang residence – in previous opportunities to come here, he had already figured out about seventy to eighty percent of the Jiang residence’s details. Moreover, with Jin Er and Jin San watching and presenting maps of the Jiang residence, he naturally knew about this tea pavilion.

This tea pavilion wasn’t usually used to receive guests. On the contrary, though the environment was tranquil, because it was too far from the various female family members’ courtyards, since Xia Yan left, few people came here for tea.

Yet Hong Ying arranged for him to meet Jiang Ruan in this place.