“Stop right there!”

She shouted sharply.

Immediately after, Ji Muqing directly pulled Ji Wanxin in front of her, then glared at her coldly.

She said angrily: “Ji Wanxin, Father has already betrothed you to the Shen family. You are a member of the Shen family. In life you’re a person of the Shen family, in death you’re a ghost of the Shen family. If you want to marry into the imperial family, it will never be possible!”

She concluded with absolute certainty.

Ji Wanxin’s eyes brimmed with tears as she opened her mouth: “Elder Sister, I…”

“You what? Right now the Shen family’s people are in the front hall. Don’t think about escaping, come with me.”

Ji Wanxin furrowed her delicate brows and quickly stepped back, then said: “Elder Sister, I’m not feeling well, I don’t want to go.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

Saying this, she grabbed Ji Wanxin and forcefully dragged her toward the front hall.

Ji Wanxin’s strength was no match. She was forcibly dragged to the outside of the front hall.

“You’d better behave. If you’re rude when we go in and ruin this marriage arrangement, Father will beat you to death.”

“I won’t go.”

“You have to go whether you want to or not!”

Full of commanding authority!

Ji Muqing directly pushed her into the hall.

Ji Wanxin’s body staggered, but fortunately she steadied herself. She could only tightly clutch her sleeves, grit her teeth, and walk forward a few steps.

In the main hall, Ji Li and Minister Shen sat in the seats of honor drinking tea. Lady Shen and Shen Changqin sat to one side, Ji Huan sat alone to one side—they were chatting enthusiastically!

Ji Muqing walked around Ji Wanxin in front of her and went inside, bowed to the Shen family elders, then obediently sat down to the side.

Ji Wanxin followed behind, with the appearance of a refined young lady, taking small lotus steps, head lowered gracefully, possessing a woman’s gentle delicacy.

Just as she entered, numerous pairs of eyes fixed on her.

Old Master Shen and Lady Shen looked at her with scrutinizing eyes.

This daughter-in-law was truly beautiful.

Satisfactory!

Truly satisfactory!

There was just one bad point—she was often ill.

Thinking of this, Old Master Shen slightly furrowed his brow.

If not for being close friends with Ji Shuhan for many years, he wouldn’t have agreed to this marriage alliance with the Ji family in the first place. Later, learning that his future daughter-in-law was sickly, he was extremely vexed.

But for the sake of face, he didn’t expose it.

He thought that one day his daughter-in-law’s illness would improve. Who knew this medicine jar simply couldn’t be cured.

Just thinking about it made him unhappy.

Meanwhile, Shen Changqin to the side, his refined face showed some satisfaction. With his naturally elegant temperament, seeing the equally elegant Ji Wanxin, clearly she was to his liking.

Inadvertently, the corners of his lips curved up slightly.

This woman, he quite liked her.

Ji Wanxin stood in the center of the hall, curtsied with bent knees, her delicate lips parting: “Wanxin greets Uncle Shen and Auntie Shen.”

The first to come forward was Lady Shen!

She immediately grasped her hand and gently lifted it up, saying warmly: “Your health isn’t good, you should have just stayed in your room. Why did you come out?”

“It was Wanxin’s discourtesy not to come promptly to pay respects.”

“What are you saying? Quickly sit down.”

“Mm.”

Ji Wanxin obediently nodded and sat down in the seat next to Ji Muqing, maintaining on her face the appearance of a gentle and refined young lady.

But throughout, she never raised her eyes even once.

After Lady Shen also sat down, Ji Li turned his gaze toward Minister Shen and spoke: “Minister, my daughter was discourteous today.”

Minister Shen responded with a forced smile: “What are you saying, Magistrate Ji? Wanxin is indeed a good girl. I’m just afraid Changqin is reaching above his station somewhat.”

“Vice Minister Shen is talented and outstanding, intelligent beyond compare, with the bearing of a gentleman. On the contrary, my daughter is the one reaching above her station.”

The two smiled at each other.

However, Ji Huan, being straightforward by nature, how could he adopt the same roundabout tone as Ji Li?

With his rough voice, he said directly: “Minister Shen, don’t look at how Wanxin has been sickly since childhood. Actually, she’s just a bit weak in constitution, it’s not any serious illness. In the future, you’ll definitely have a house full of descendants. Moreover, Wanxin has been proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting since childhood. She can also embroider and dance—she’s full of good qualities. Your Shen Changqin marrying my sister will definitely not be at a disadvantage.”

Looking as if he was patting his chest in guarantee.

A rough man was still a rough man—when he spoke, it was just that direct!

Not only direct, but quite blunt.

Hearing this, Lady Shen naturally couldn’t demean her own son, so she immediately took up Ji Huan’s words, saying: “My Changqin has also been very intelligent since childhood. At four years old he was already well-versed in the Five Classics, extremely proficient in poetry and literary composition. His appointment as Vice Minister of Rites this time was also due to his own abilities. He’s also filial—a good child. Of course he won’t wrong Wanxin.”

“Vice Minister Shen is indeed a talented scholar, very well-matched with my sister.” Ji Huan said.

“Wanxin is also very likable.”

“That’s only natural.”

So the two began speaking back and forth again.

Various praises!

Yet from beginning to end, the two main parties hadn’t said a word, hadn’t even made eye contact.

Until—

Ji Muqing intentionally or unintentionally remarked: “Wanxin isn’t young anymore. Since both families are satisfied, why not hold the wedding sooner rather than later, to avoid complications arising.”

Complications arising!

What complications?

Always speaking in that sarcastically strange way, saying things others couldn’t understand.

Who would have known that before the Shen family could speak, Ji Huan to the side would counter her remark.

He snorted: “Muqing, you say Wanxin is getting old, but what about you? Now that the Crown Prince is dead, your position as Crown Princess has also fallen through.”

It wasn’t at all strange that he would counter Ji Muqing this way!

Ji Huan and Ji Wanxin came from the same womb—by blood and flesh they were much closer. Helping his own younger sister was only proper. Moreover, Ji Huan was someone who dared to hate and dared to love. Plus, Ji Muqing’s sharp and mean nature wasn’t just from the past day or two, so Ji Huan’s dislike of her also wasn’t just from the past day or two.

When at home, the two bickered constantly.

So this confrontation now was within expectations, yet also beyond expectations.

Heaven knows Ji Huan would actually mock Ji Muqing so sarcastically in front of the Shen family!

Ji Muqing’s throat tightened with anger. She glared at him fiercely, yet still maintained the appearance of a refined young lady, gently replying: “Second Brother really knows how to jest.”

“I’m not jesting at all.”

“You…”

She was furious!

Before she could say more, Ji Li promptly cut her off: “Enough, today we’re discussing the matter between Wanxin and Vice Minister Shen. You two, shut your mouths.”

Once Ji Li finished speaking, Ji Huan and Ji Muqing had no choice but to call a truce.

But Ji Muqing was somewhat unwilling. Glaring at Ji Huan, she tossed out sarcastically: “Good intentions truly go unrewarded.”

After saying this, she stood up and bowed.

She said directly: “Uncle Shen and Auntie Shen, Muqing is not feeling well, so I’ll take my leave first.”

Not feeling well indeed!

But it was only her heart that wasn’t feeling well!