Seeing that Jiang Si didn’t seem to be joking, Jiang Ancheng clutched his chest. “Si’er, you’re young and naive. Being a good person doesn’t mean they’re suitable for lifelong commitment!”
Moreover, young Yu was far from an honest man. How else could he have deceived him first, and then his daughter?
There was no one more detestable than young Yu.
“But daughter believes Young Master Yu is worthy of lifelong commitment,” Jiang Si said with a smile.
“But that’s the royal family, a place that devours people without spitting out the bones—”
Jiang Si laughed and interjected, “Without the ability to protect oneself, any place can be perilous. After all, life is what you make of it.”
“Si’er, are you so sure that Prince Yan won’t let you down? He’s a prince. If he favors other women in the future, no matter how much you protest, it won’t matter. By then, you won’t even have the chance to divorce,” Jiang Ancheng advised earnestly.
Jiang Si chuckled, “Father, the imperial edict for the marriage has already been issued. Even if I were unwilling, what could be done?”
Jiang Ancheng, as if he had long thought about this, replied without hesitation, “Then claim illness. Report your death before the wedding, and I’ll secretly send you away. You can marry into a reliable family or travel the world. The most important thing is to live freely.”
The royal family was a place where one could easily lose their life with a single misstep. He just wanted his daughter to live well.
Jiang Si shook her head, “Father, I don’t want to spend my life in hiding, unable to be my true self.”
Being someone else was enough in her previous life. In this life, she would only be Jiang Si.
“Father, don’t worry about me. If Prince Yan dares to mistreat me in the future—” She casually picked up a pair of scissors from the embroidery basket and placed them in front of Jiang Ancheng.
Jiang Ancheng was stunned.
Jiang Si smiled, “Rest assured, Father, he wouldn’t dare.”
Even as he left Haitang Residence, the old master Jiang was still puzzled: What did Si’er mean by taking out those scissors?
No, it certainly couldn’t be what he was thinking!
Regardless, since his daughter showed happiness and determination about this marriage, as a father, he seemed to have no choice but to give his blessings.
Jiang Ancheng unconsciously walked to Minghua Hall.
This was where he had lived after his grand wedding. Since his wife’s death from illness, he rarely came here, spending most of his time in the study in the front courtyard.
Minghua Hall was the most spacious courtyard in the Earl’s mansion. Jiang Ancheng walked in, pacing with his hands behind his back, finally stopping in front of a row of flower trellises.
In a few more days, the mandarin duck vines would be lush and green again.
He raised his hand to touch the mottled crossbar, murmuring, “Ah Ke, five years ago, I came to tell you about Yi’er’s marriage. Last year, when Yi’er returned to her maiden home, I was afraid you’d worry, so I didn’t say anything. This time, I’ve come to tell you that our Si’er is also getting married. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye…”
Jiang Ancheng stood by the dilapidated flower trellis for a long time before leaving.
Another group of palace eunuchs finished reading the imperial edict at the Marquis of Shouchun’s mansion. The mansion was filled with joy, and they tried their best to persuade the eunuchs to stay for tea.
The eunuch smiled and declined, “No need for such courtesy, Marquis. We must hurry back to report. If we return later than those who went to deliver the edict to the East Peace Earl’s mansion, it wouldn’t look good.”
“East Peace Earl’s mansion?” The Marquis of Shouchun was confused.
“Yes, the Fourth Miss of the East Peace Earl’s mansion has been betrothed to Prince Yan as his consort.”
The Marquis of Shouchun was even more shocked by this news than hearing about his own daughter’s betrothal to the Prince of Shu. His mouth remained agape even after the eunuchs had left.
The news of the Fourth Miss of the East Peace Earl’s mansion becoming Prince Yan’s consort spread like wildfire.
The entire capital was in an uproar.
When Chen Huifu, daughter of Princess Ninglo, heard this news, she jumped up, “How is this possible? How could that bitch Jiang Si become Prince Yan’s consort? There must be a mistake!”
“Shut up! The imperial edict has been announced, how could there be a mistake? Huifu, control your impetuous temper. Wasn’t it embarrassing enough to be thrown out of the plum blossom viewing party?” Princess Ninglo, who usually doted on her daughter, now found her irritating.
At one plum blossom viewing party, a girl of low birth and poor reputation became a prince’s consort, while her daughter was thrown out. How could the difference be so great?
Chen Huifu couldn’t calm down at all.
It was all because of that little bitch surnamed Jiang who forced her to perform at the plum blossom viewing party, causing her to lose face so badly. She absolutely couldn’t swallow this!
“Mother, she’s been engaged before, she can’t possibly become a prince’s consort!”
Princess Ninglo remained calm, “When it comes to royal affairs, nothing is impossible.”
If we’re talking about breaking rules, the royal family is the most unruly of all.
“Is it… is it not a mistake?” Chen Huifu gradually accepted reality and started walking towards the door. “Mother, I’m going out for a while.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to find Mingyue—”
“Stop right there!” Princess Ninglo looked at her daughter, exasperated. “Stay at home obediently. Your face is still bruised, what Mingyue are you looking for!”
With such a scandalous reputation, how could the noble ladies in the palace not know about Cui Mingyue? This foolish girl was still trying to associate with her.
Cui Mingyue, who missed the plum blossom viewing party, also received the news from her brother.
“How can Jiang Zhan be so lucky? I was still planning to teach him a lesson. Now it’s troublesome, he’s become a prince’s brother-in-law. It won’t be convenient to settle scores with him in the future…”
Cui Mingyue listened to Cui Yi’s endless complaints and said flatly, “Big brother, if you’re done talking, please leave. I’m tired.”
“You—” Cui Yi was about to lament how his sister wasn’t ambitious enough, thinking that if she had gone to the plum blossom viewing party, Jiang Zhan’s sister might not have had a chance. But meeting Cui Mingyue’s deep, pool-like eyes, he suddenly didn’t dare to speak.
For some reason, he had always been a bit afraid of this sister since childhood.
After Cui Yi left, Cui Mingyue expressionlessly went to the back of the house and viciously whipped a sika deer with a long whip.
The half-grown deer fell to the ground, its mouth bleeding as it convulsed silently.
Boring!
Cui Mingyue threw the whip aside and suddenly glanced at the maid who tended to the deer.
The maid didn’t dare to raise her head, her stomach trembling.
This was already the ninth deer that the young miss had beaten to death recently. She had a feeling that the young miss might soon tire of venting her anger on deer.
What would happen then?
The maid dared not think further. Hearing the footsteps gradually fade away, she collapsed on the cold ground.
Zhen Shicheng called Zhen Heng over as soon as he heard the news.
“Heng’er, I have something to tell you.”
Zhen Heng was silent for a moment, then smiled, “If it’s about Miss Jiang being betrothed to Prince Yan, Father needn’t say more. I already know.”
Who in the capital doesn’t know about the East Peace Earl’s daughter’s rags-to-riches story?
“Then you—”
Zhen Heng continued smiling, “I’m fine, son is doing well.”
“If you’re fine, then go back to your studies. The spring imperial examination is approaching.”
Zhen Heng’s mouth twitched.
Isn’t this consolation a bit too brief?
“Heng’er—”
Zhen Heng stopped at the door.
Zhen Shicheng nervously stroked his beard, “Ahem, there are beauties to be found in books…”
Zhen Heng clenched his fist.
His mood was already bad enough, if he were to punch his old man now, he’d probably be forgiven, right?