Chapter 230: What made him so desperate that he wanted to marry into the family?

Wei Dongchen angrily flicked his sleeves and left, leaving Zou Qi to stand in the cold wind in the dark night.

Zou Qi was naturally furious. Closing down Yichunlou meant that the Zou family's annual tribute to the Wei family wouldn't be reduced by a single penny, and the Wei family wouldn't suffer any loss. But what he lost was real money; Yichunlou was his private property.

Zou Qi turned back, and Xu Manniang was still kneeling on the ground. Zou Qi was so angry that he raised his hand and slapped her across the face. "Yichun Pavilion has been under your management for more than a day or two. Don't you know what you can say and what you can't say?"

"I had no idea those little hussies would say such things!" Xu Manniang felt wronged.

Zou Qi looked at her with a cold gaze, "Pull out the tongues of those tongue-tied people. Yichun Pavilion...close down."

Zou Qi stormed off, and Xu Manniang collapsed to the ground once more. She never imagined that a casual remark would have such consequences.

........

The next day was the Lantern Festival, and the palace was holding a banquet, so there was no need to go on duty. However, Jiang Yu still got up early. Just as she finished washing up, Steward Li delivered a letter from Prince An. Jiang Yu tore it open and read that it had been found that the person who spread the rumors to Yichun Tower was Jiang Lihui.

Jiang Yu frowned after reading it. She and Jiang Lihui did have some disagreements, but that shouldn't be enough for Jiang Lihui to spread such a rumor, right? But it wasn't impossible, though.

Let alone in feudal society where women had no status, even in modern society that constantly advocates for gender equality, when a woman achieves some success, many people will think of her in a romantic way.

Although she didn't have much contact with Jiang Lihui, she could tell that he was an inflexible and arrogant person. It's possible that he said those things in a fit of emotion after she kicked him out that day.

However, it is also possible that he was used as a pawn.

"Investigate Jiang Lihui and send secret guards to keep a close eye on him," Jiang Yu said to Steward Li.

Butler Li acknowledged and left, while Jiang Yu went to the dining room for breakfast. Halfway through her meal, Granny Feng, who served Lu Yifang, arrived and said that the Lady of Anyuan Marquis would be coming to the mansion soon, and Lu Yifang asked her to finish her breakfast before going over.

It seems that my maternal grandmother also heard the rumors and was worried.

After finishing her meal, Jiang Yu led Xia He and Dong Shuang to Lu Yifang's courtyard. Upon arrival, they found Jiang Jiamu and his wife there as well. As soon as Jiang Yu entered the hall, everyone's eyes turned to her face. Seeing that she looked well, they all seemed relieved.

Jiang Yu felt helpless; she wasn't really that fragile. But it was all her family's concern that warmed her heart.

After sitting down, Lu Yifang said, "Your maternal grandmother must be worried about you. She sent someone last night to say that she wants to come over today."

Jiang Yu nodded, and Lu Yifang then mentioned attending the Lantern Festival banquet. It was the first time for both Jiang Yu and Wu Zhengyan to attend such a banquet. Jiang Yu would likely be among the male guests, and Marquis Anyuan would accompany her. Lu Yifang didn't have any specific instructions. She did, however, give Wu Zhengyan some advice on what to be mindful of at the banquet.

Lu Yifang is intentionally grooming Wu Zhengyan to take charge of the household.

After a while, a servant came to report that Marquis Anyuan and his wife had arrived. Jiang Yu and the others hurriedly went out to greet them. This time, Marquis Anyuan went with them to Lu Yifang's courtyard. He wanted to talk to Jiang Yu about the rumors, so it was best to avoid the old Duke of Chu.

Jiang Yu didn't hide anything from him, telling him everything that Prince An had found out, as well as the discord between her and Jiang Lihui. After listening, Marquis Anyuan pondered for a moment and said, "It's highly likely that Jiang Lihui was used as a pawn. The Jiang family has been officials for generations, and they have long cultivated a cautious family tradition. Even if Jiang Lihui is brainless, he wouldn't spread such rumors."

Jiang Yu nodded. "I've already had someone investigate him."

“The most crucial thing now is today’s banquet,” Marquis Anyuan said with a frown. “I expect someone will make trouble for you tonight.”

"I'll adapt to the situation," Jiang Yu could only say, as she was currently in a passive position.

“What I fear is…” Marquis Anyuan looked at her with concern and said, “Someone might take this opportunity to get the Emperor to take you into the palace. I can’t guess what the Emperor will do.”

Jiang Yu was undoubtedly special among women. The emperor was not a foolish ruler, but he was still a man.

“I don’t think the Emperor would,” Jiang Yu said.

Marquis Anyuan: "What you are doing now is something you could do even if you entered the harem. You are a woman who inherited a title and entered the court as an official. Can't you have another identity?"

For example, the emperor's concubines.

Don't say it's against the rules; there are plenty of things that are against the rules in the world. Besides, even if the emperor didn't initially have this idea, wouldn't others have brought it up? Wouldn't the emperor have been tempted?

"The purpose of the rumor-monger is not to bring you into the harem," said Marquis Anyuan.

Jiang Yu: "They want me to break with the emperor."

Whether the emperor wanted to take her into the palace or make her an ambiguous mistress, as long as the emperor had this idea and brought it up with her, given her personality, she would absolutely not agree.

Would an emperor tolerate such a refusal?

The answer is definitely no!

The room fell silent, and Lu Yifang and the others wore expressions of worry. After a while, Lady Anyuan said, "If it really comes to that, just say you're already engaged."

“This…” Jiang Yu said, both amused and exasperated, “The Emperor won’t believe it, and besides, I have no intention of getting married right now.”

Lady Anyuan sighed: "Besides this, is there any other solution? If you have someone you like right now, tell us and we'll discuss it with him. If not, then let Xiao Wu marry into your Chu State Duke's mansion."

Jiang Yu's eyes widened in shock. The "Little Fifth" that Lady Anyuan Marquis mentioned was the second son of the current Marquis of Anyuan's heir, who was three years younger than Jiang Yu.

Lady Anyuan added, "Don't worry, if it really comes to that, your title of Duke of Chu will still be inherited by Yun Kang."

"Grandmother...Does my cousin agree?" Jiang Yu was truly at a loss for words, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Lady Anyuan: "He... is very happy."

Her voice held an indescribable complexity. This morning, she had discussed with Marquis Anyuan the rumors surrounding Jiang Yu. She suggested that if the emperor wanted to take Jiang Yu into the palace, they should say that Jiang Yu was already engaged.

Marquis Anyuan asked where they could find a suitable candidate in such a short time. Moreover, what if the emperor didn't intend to marry her? What would they do if they found someone to be Jiang Yu's fiancé?

Just then, Lu Xiaowu rushed into the room, pointed at himself and said, "Me, me, me, I'm going to be my cousin's fiancé."

At that time, Marquis Anyuan and his wife were both shocked. Marquis Anyuan's wife said, "Your grandfather and I are worried about your cousin's matter, so don't cause trouble."

"I'm not causing trouble, I'm telling the truth," Lu Xiaowu said shyly. "I'm willing to marry my cousin."

Lady Anyuan snorted, "Your cousin won't get married; her husband will have to move in with her family."

Lady Anyuan said this partly to discourage Lu Xiaowu. But Lu Xiaowu knelt down and said, "Grandfather, Grandmother, I am willing to marry into your family."

Marquis Anyuan and his wife exchanged a glance. Marquis Anyuan said, "Have you thought this through? Being a live-in son-in-law isn't so easy."

Lu Xiaowu nodded heavily, "My cousin won't bully me."

Marquis Anyuan and his wife: "......."

However, after careful consideration, the two felt that it would be quite good for Lu Xiaowu to marry Jiang Yu. Lu Xiaowu was somewhat naive, and as the second son, he didn't need to inherit the title or bring glory to the family. He himself didn't have great ambitions, which complemented Jiang Yu perfectly.

Normally, they wouldn't agree. But the matter is urgent now. If the emperor proposes to take Jiang Yu into the palace, then Lu Xiaowu and Jiang Yu will marry. If the emperor doesn't have that intention, then the matter will be dropped.

Jiang Yu was speechless. She didn't remember ever having any contact with this younger cousin! How could he have been so foolish as to want to marry into the family?