Ji Li stood in place, his heart trembling slightly.

This news… was very difficult for him to digest.

Jing Yi looked at his face and smiled secretly, planning to strike while the iron was hot. “This prince even risked having my imperial mother petition Father Emperor for this marriage decree. I originally thought this prince’s actions would earn Minister Ji’s approval, but unexpectedly, it has led to your misunderstanding. So what if this prince wants to win you over? Don’t this prince’s actions deserve you working for this prince?”

Ji Li, “…”

Jing Yi’s lips curled upward slightly. “Minister Ji, you have no choice. You can only stand on this prince’s side. From now on, if this prince wins, then your Ji family wins. If this prince loses, then your Ji family loses.”

If this prince wins, then your Ji family wins. If this prince loses, then your Ji family loses.

These words were branded into Ji Li’s mind.

His mouth opened and closed, but ultimately he couldn’t speak a single word.

He didn’t even know how he returned to the General’s Manor.

Seeing him return, Ji Huan, who had been waiting at the manor early on, hurried forward to ask, “Elder Brother, where did you go?”

He received no response.

“Elder Brother…” Ji Huan felt worried. Seeing Ji Li’s distracted appearance, he continued pressing beside him, “Elder Brother, did you… go to Prince Yi’s Manor?”

No response.

“What did Prince Yi say to you? What did you say to him?”

No response.

“Elder Brother.”

“Enough.” Ji Li interrupted him. “Don’t ask anymore.”

Ji Huan closed his mouth.

Realizing something was wrong, he didn’t dare ask further.

Ji Li then walked toward Ji Muqing’s courtyard.

The celebratory gifts from the palace had already arrived, piled throughout the entire courtyard. To marry a prince’s consort naturally couldn’t be a small affair, and even those gifts had been carefully selected and sent over—each one was a fine treasure.

Cloisonné jade, silk brocade shawls, jade combs, ivory round mirrors, jade pillows with green threading, red gold pine-crane long hairpins, gold-coin jade hair ornaments, red jeweled ornaments, flying swallow earrings, jade-studded pearl phoenix ornaments…

A dazzling array!

The eunuchs who delivered the celebratory gifts from the palace were checking them carefully.

“Everything is complete!” The eunuch bowed to Ji Muqing at the doorway. “Prince Yi’s Consort, all these celebratory gifts are complete.”

“Thank you, Gonggong.” She turned her head and gave Cailan a look.

Cailan then took out silver pieces and rewarded each one.

Taking their silver, the eunuchs left.

Ji Li entered, had everyone in the courtyard withdraw, and pulled Ji Muqing into the room.

“Elder Brother, that’s enough.” Ji Muqing rebuked. “What more do you want? The imperial edict has been issued, the celebratory gifts from the palace have been delivered. Either kill me, or I must marry—there’s no other option.”

Her attitude was extremely resolute!

Ji Li then pulled her arm over. Before she could react, her sleeve was pulled up.

On that smooth, fair arm, where was there any virginity mark?

Not a single trace.

Ji Li was stunned, though he had been mentally prepared.

“As expected, Prince Yi was right. You really have already…”

Hah.

He felt his head buzzing.

At the same moment when Ji Li pulled up her sleeve, Ji Muqing’s eyes widened. She wanted to break free, but her strength was insufficient.

She stood there soft and powerless, her face instantly turning deathly pale.

“I…”

She couldn’t speak a single word.

Having her secret discovered, and such a humiliating matter at that, she truly felt like dying. Her eyes reddened, and tears began falling drop by drop.

“How could you do such a thing?” Ji Li sternly rebuked and questioned.

“Elder Brother, I… I didn’t want to either.” With tears streaming down her face, she clutched Ji Li’s sleeve. “I don’t know why such a thing happened. Elder Brother, believe me.”

“How can I believe you? The facts are right before my eyes.”

“I truly don’t know. That day I was knocked unconscious, and when I woke up it was already… Elder Brother, believe me, I know what I should and shouldn’t do. Such shameful conduct that would disgrace our family—I would never do it. That beast did it.” She defended herself with desperate intensity.

Ji Li pushed her away forcefully.

Ji Muqing fell to the ground with a thud, crying like rain on pear blossoms.

“Elder Brother, I beg you, you must keep this secret for me. If others find out, I’ll die.”

“Now you know to be afraid?” Ji Li stared at her with bloodshot eyes.

“Yes, I am afraid. From the moment I woke up in that bed, I’ve been afraid. During this time, I wake up frightened every night. I worry—if someone finds out, what will I do? What will our Ji family do? Fortunately, Consort Xiao promised to keep my secret, and Prince Yi is willing to marry me as his consort. Even that man surnamed Gao is dead—no one will ever know about that matter again. Elder Brother, I’m your own sister! Please think of me, please help me. It’s all in the past now. Marrying Prince Yi is my only choice, Elder Brother.” She begged through her tears.

Ji Li let out a long sigh.

What could he do now? He could only accept it!

“Get up.”

“Elder Brother?”

“What’s done is done. This thing you’ve done cannot be undone.” He pulled her up from the ground.

Ji Muqing’s nose was red, looking pitiful. “Elder Brother, do you agree?”

“What else can I do if I don’t agree?” he said helplessly. “I can’t let you bear such a ruined reputation, can I? It’s not that I don’t want you to marry Prince Yi—it’s just that it involves so much, including factional struggles and military authority. But now, under these circumstances, Elder Brother can only agree. I hope that after you marry into Prince Yi’s Manor, everything can be put behind you.”

“Yes.”

“Stop crying.” He let out a long breath. “Prepare well. Father and Wanxin will soon arrive in the capital. I’ll keep this secret for you.”

“Thank you, Elder Brother.”

Ji Li then went out.

Just as he exited the courtyard gate, he ran into Ji Huan.

“Elder Brother, you…”

“It’s nothing. Muqing is getting married, so you should also make arrangements. Have all the necessary items prepared—don’t leave anything out. Our Ji family has status and reputation.”

Having said this, he walked away.

Good grief, that attitude changed far too quickly!

Ji Huan stood stunned in place, completely unable to understand. He then lifted his steps and went inside to see Ji Muqing.

The woman had just finished crying, her eyes red and swollen, sitting there wiping her tears.

“Muqing? What’s wrong with you?”

Hearing the voice, she quickly lowered her head and shook it, saying, “I’m fine.”

“What did Elder Brother say to you? Why did he suddenly change his attitude?”

“I… I don’t know either. Perhaps Elder Brother thought it through. Second Brother, please go out first. I want to be alone for a while—I’m a bit tired.”

“Oh.” He responded dully and scratched his head as he went out.

A rough man is just a rough man!

Not a bit of perception.

Ji Muqing wiped away her tears and looked at herself in the mirror—her face had turned completely pale. Hearing the serving girls coming in from outside, she quickly grabbed some rouge and applied it to her face.

At least it would give her some color.

The serving girls came in and continued busying themselves with those celebratory gifts, not noticing anything unusual about her.