Chapter 36

Jiang Mian was locked up for two whole days. During that time, apart from a strange maid who brought some food, no one else came. She sat on the bed with her knees drawn up to her chest, feeling uneasy.

She didn't know what Jiang and that woman had discussed, nor did she know that she would be getting married in a few days. She only hoped that her cousin would come back soon, otherwise... Her fingertips, hidden in her sleeve, clenched slightly.

She didn't want to risk a complete breakdown in relations unless absolutely necessary.

Besides, her maternal grandmother hasn't returned yet. If she were here, she would surely stand up for her.

Jiang Mian didn't know how many more days she would be locked up. She looked at the food on the table and decided to fill her stomach first. Fortunately, the Jiang family hadn't mistreated her and had sent her food that she liked. Jiang Mian served herself a bowl of porridge and drank a little bit. Suddenly, she felt a wave of drowsiness wash over her.

She vaguely realized something, but the next moment, she lost her senses.

Hearing the commotion, the old woman guarding outside quickly unlocked the door and saw the unconscious, delicate woman. She then instructed several other women to strip the woman of her clothes.

The lady said that in order to avoid any unforeseen complications, the marriage should be arranged as soon as possible. It would be perfect to send the Fifth Miss over tonight. I wonder when that person in Qinghui Hall will return. If that person comes back and wants to investigate this matter, by then the deed will be done, and he won't be able to interfere.

"Hurry up and be quick. The lady said that if this succeeds, there will be a generous reward."

Upon hearing this, the old women became even more attentive, not only helping Jiang Mian change into her wedding dress but also combing her hair. Before long, Jiang Mian was helped into a small sedan chair.

At the back gate of the Shen residence, the old woman gave the sedan chair carriers a few taels of silver and instructed them to deliver Jiang Mian to the Feng family safely. Although the sedan chair carriers did not understand why the wedding was to take place at night, they received the silver and, despite their many doubts, they would not ask any more questions at this moment.

As soon as the sedan chair drove away, the old woman hurried back to the peony garden to tell Madam Jiang the good news.

"Did she really faint?" Madam Jiang was half-believing and half-doubting. The matter had been handled so smoothly that she could hardly believe it.

Originally, the wedding was supposed to be tomorrow, but Madam Feng suddenly sent a letter saying that she could send the person over tonight. Madam Jiang knew that Jiang Mian was unwilling to marry, and if she insisted on resisting, something might go wrong. It would be better to send her away quietly with a bowl of sleeping potion.

Tomorrow, we'll send another maid to stand in for her and have her marry Young Master Feng.

The plan was flawless, but Jiang still felt uneasy.

She fiddled with the Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist, murmuring, "I hope everything goes well."

Although she didn't know why the Feng family had taken a liking to Jiang Mian, Madam Feng promised that marrying Jiang Mian into the family would ensure her husband's smooth career. Moreover, this matter was not only discussed with the old lady, which was somewhat audacious. However, thinking of Qi Yu's absent-minded attitude a few days ago, she sighed and thought that this girl was a menace and could not be kept.

As the night deepened and the fog thickened, the sedan chair carrier yawned, rubbing his eyelids wearily.

The next moment, a cold wind suddenly blew in.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves filled the once empty street. The cold moon hung high in the sky, and the sedan chair carriers, after rubbing their eyes, were suddenly shocked and widened their eyes.

Shen Ji, covered in frost, appeared in front of the sedan chair at some unknown time.

He wore a black robe, his tall and imposing figure seated on his horse, his eyes as unfathomable as ice in winter.

"roll."

He did not draw his sword, but the sedan chair bearers scattered in panic as if they had seen a ghost.

Getting married so late at night is really unlucky. Encountering a cold-faced devil on the way is just bad luck.

All the bystanders had left. Shen Ji dismounted and used the hilt of his sword to lift the curtain. The person inside was fast asleep, with a rough hemp rope tied around her wrist. The rope rubbed against her originally delicate and soft skin, leaving red marks.

"Mianniang, I'm late." Shen Ji gently pulled the girl into his arms, reached out to feel her pulse, and realized that she was only unconscious. He breathed a sigh of relief, then coldly ordered, "Return to the manor."

“Young Master…” Yun Qing was somewhat worried.

“Send someone to present the evidence of Feng Yi’s rebellion to the emperor.”

"Yes." Yun Qing sighed. The young master hadn't originally planned to take action against the Feng family so soon. The strange thing was that the Feng family was ignorant of their own limitations and actually set their sights on the Fifth Miss.

Fortunately, the fifth young lady is alright.

Otherwise, Yun Qing dared not imagine that if they were to get married tonight, the young master's return would likely bring another bloodbath.

Shen Ji gently tied his cloak around Jiang Mian's neck. He touched the girl's forehead with his lips, as if he had found her again. He held her tightly in his arms. She was almost going to marry someone else. Just thinking about her getting married to someone else made him feel jealous. It almost burned him.

"Mianniang, you are mine."

No one can separate us.

It was past midnight in the peony garden.

Jiang was suddenly awakened from her sleep. She sat up, her heart beating rapidly.

"Someone come here."

"Madam, what's wrong?" The old woman rolled up the curtain and asked with concern.

"You saw Jiang Mian get into the sedan chair with your own eyes?"

"Yes," said Zhang Mama. "Madam, please rest assured. This was Madam Feng's personal request. If anything happens, it won't be your fault."

"Inside Qinghui Hall..."

"The eldest young master hasn't returned yet..." Before she could finish speaking, a maid rushed in from outside, her face full of anxiety: "Madam, something terrible has happened! The eldest young master has returned carrying the fifth young lady!"

With a "crash," the Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist fell to the ground with a clattering sound. Jiang's vision went black, and she almost fainted.

**

The Shen family mansion is exceptionally lively tonight.

Shen Yuan put on an outer robe and was led by a servant to the flower hall. When she saw the person dressed in black, she felt a sense of fear for some reason.

His elder brother died early, leaving behind such an orphan. Although he was his junior, when those eyes looked at him, he always felt a little nervous for no reason. For example, at this moment, he just slightly lifted his eyelids and looked over, and all the sleepiness in Shen Yuan's mind disappeared.

A smile crept across his wrinkled eyes as he asked solicitously, "What's wrong, Ji'er? When did you get back? Why didn't you tell your second uncle? Your second uncle sent someone over..."

"Second Uncle." Shen Ji slowly put down the steaming teacup in his hand, his long, dark pupils showing no extra emotion.

But Shen Yuan felt a chill run down his spine. Shen Ji rarely spoke to him. He always felt that Shen Ji had an innate sense of nobility about him, just like his older brother, which made him dislike him just as much.

But he had no choice but to submit to it.

Because nowadays, seven or eight tenths of all the private property in the Shen family belongs to Shen Ji personally. His nephew is too capable for him to handle, but he is not so stupid as to provoke him.

But tonight's situation clearly indicates that there's something to say.

Just as he was about to ask what had happened, Granny Zhang, supporting Madam Jiang, arrived.

Upon seeing this situation, Jiang knew that things were about to end.

Although she didn't know what was going on between Shen Ji and Jiang Mian, he came to question her right after she sent Jiang Mian away, which meant he was there to embarrass her.

Jiang gave a stiff smile. For now, she could only pretend to be stupid. Anyway, she hadn't handled this matter alone. If he really wanted to blame her, he should go and make trouble at the Feng family.

"Ji'er, it's so late, is there something you need?"

Shen Ji didn't look at her, but continued to focus his gaze on Shen Yuan: "Over the years, Second Uncle has privately made friends with many powerful and influential people. Does Second Uncle know what the punishment would be if these actions were presented to the Emperor?"

Shen Yuan's heart suddenly tightened. How did he know?

"Using his children's marriages to pave the way for his career, Second Uncle is truly cunning. I hope today's events are the last time."

Even in his confusion, Shen Yuan realized something. He turned to look at Madam Jiang, probably because of her greed again. He quickly turned back to apologize: "Of course, of course, we are all family. Your father passed away early, and your second uncle watched you grow up. Don't make such jokes again."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a servant rushed over and whispered a few words in his ear. Shen Yuan was startled and immediately looked at the person sitting in the seat of honor.

Shen Ji calmly straightened his cuffs.

"If there's a next time, it won't just be those gardens that will be destroyed. I heard Second Uncle is about to be promoted. If someone finds out he's done something wrong, I'm afraid it will be..."

“Nephew, please calm down. Let’s talk this out. Tonight’s incident was an accident. I assure you, it will never happen again. I will definitely teach her a lesson later.”

Shen Ji got up, finished tapping, and didn't linger there.

Jiang was still immersed in the oppressive aura from before when, caught off guard, Shen Yuan suddenly slapped her hard. She felt a sharp pain, covered her face, and looked at him in disbelief.

"My lord, I'm only doing this for your own good!"

The servant had just made it clear to him, and he now realized that he had almost fallen into a trap because of this woman. The Feng family had already pledged allegiance to the Crown Prince, and by forming a marriage alliance with the Feng family, wouldn't it be a sign that he was also on the Crown Prince's side?

His Majesty detests forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices. If the matter is exposed, there will be no one to protect him, and all his years of planning will likely be in vain.

But ironically, this woman's mind was filled with nothing but climbing the social ladder.

"Foolish woman!"

Shen Yuan coldly flicked her sleeves and went straight to Liu'an Lane.

Jiang clenched his fists tightly. He was going to find that bitch again!

After finishing his business, Shen Ji went to the Begonia Courtyard, where Jiang Mian was still asleep.

She lay thin and frail on the bed, the warm candlelight illuminating her bright and aloof brow, making her appear even more endearing.

In the quiet inner room, there were only the two of them.

Shen Ji brushed aside the stray hairs on the girl's forehead, bent down and kissed her forehead. His eyes were a little bloodshot; he had been traveling all night and was afraid that the chill on his body would be passed on to her, so he had taken a bath just now.

He stared at her, as if he could never get enough of looking at her.

He longed to keep her by his side forever, or better yet, to lock her away completely so that no one else would covet her.

Mianniang's beauty belongs only to him.

After kissing her forehead, Shen Ji lowered his gaze, which naturally fell on her rosy and delicate lips. He gently caressed them with his fingertips, and without any hesitation, he lowered his head and covered them with his own.

So soft.

Like a certain addictive drug, once you're hooked, you can't bear to leave.

He kissed her deeply, his fingertips gripping her wrist, then slowly moving upwards until their fingers intertwined without any gap.

At the same time, he almost completely covered her with his body, and with his other hand he held her chin so that he could kiss her more deeply.

He wanted to completely integrate her into his very being, to have his presence in every inch of her.

The bloodshot in his eyes was gradually covered by lust, and he vaguely sensed that something seemed to be reacting again.

"Mian Niang..." Shen Ji called softly, taking her hand and slowly lowering it.