Chapter 302 The Jiang Family's Daughter is Very Well Hidden

On the other side, Lin Feng and the others were dumbfounded. He didn't even want to get on his horse anymore. He had ridden those two fine steeds from the Jiang family before, and with his superb riding skills, he probably couldn't catch up.

Jiang Jinyan frowned. Ruan Ruan was becoming increasingly unable to hide her feelings. If His Highness the Crown Prince asked him privately, how should he answer?

There are many things he doesn't actually know, such as why Ruan Ruan prepared for ten years just to marry Xie Shang.

He followed her step by step. Rather than saying he was protecting her, it would be more accurate to say that he was being guided by her to become the person he is today.

Ten years ago, all I wanted to do was study hard, pass the imperial examinations, and serve the court. At that time, I was just a weak scholar.

How did they earn their first sum of money? It was Ruan Ruan who earned it. She was only five years old that year, and she was incredibly lucky. She spent ten taels of silver to buy a raw stone.

From then on, they embarked on the road to wealth and business. Fortunately, their maternal grandparents were in the escort business and knew many wealthy merchants from all over the country. The rough stone sold for a good price. They traveled all over the country and gradually planned to expand and strengthen their business, specializing in doing business with the rich.

The name of Young Master Ruan is well-known outside, but everyone thinks that he is Young Master Ruan. The real Young Master Ruan has never shown his face.

Just as Jiang Fenghua and Xie Shang returned after riding around the horse farm twice, Jiang Jinyan dismounted.

Xie Shang noticed his embarrassment, and Jiang Fenghua also noticed his worry. What was there to worry about? She had never done anything to harm anyone, let alone Xie Shang.

Behind Jiang Fenghua's back, Xie Shang only asked Jiang Jinyan one question, "Your Jiang family has really kept your daughter hidden!"

Jiang Jinyan chuckled awkwardly, "A woman like Ruan Ruan has to be kept hidden, otherwise my Jiang family's gate might be worn down by the crowds."

Xie Shang smiled. "Well hidden."

Jiang Jinyan was stunned. So this was considered a success, and the Crown Prince did not suspect Ruan Ruan's intentions.

"What's hidden so well! What are Your Highness and my elder brother talking about?" Jiang Fenghua tidied herself up before coming over. Even after removing the clothes she was wearing, her overall demeanor was still graceful and gentle, making people feel that she was a completely different person from the one on horseback.

Xie Shang put his arm around her waist. "Let's just talk about some official business."

Jiang Fenghua naturally knew what they were talking about, but since Xie Shang had taken the initiative not to bring it up, she let it go.

In her past life, she was a true lady from a scholarly family. She was obedient, sensible, gentle, well-read, and knowledgeable. The Jiang family protected her very well. The only thing she didn't learn was how to be cunning.

In this life, she did indeed grow up in seclusion; the only thing she wanted to learn was how to manipulate minds.

After her front teeth came in, her teeth grew in, which shows how important it is for a woman to have a good set of teeth.

Xie Shang never imagined that the little girl he had been searching for for so long had already grown into a graceful and beautiful young woman.

Thinking about those two missing front teeth, he could never imagine what the little girl would look like when she grew up, because the lack of front teeth left a deep impression on him. However, one thing he was certain of was that the little girl must be the daughter of an official, otherwise how would she have entered the heavily guarded palace?

Xie Shang had secretly searched all the officials' courtyards, but couldn't find him; it was as if this person had vanished into thin air.

Jiang Fenghua was indeed not in Shengjing during that period.

As time went on, he stopped looking for her. He would only think of her occasionally when he was in a bad mood, and her words were imprinted in his mind as encouragement.

Xiao Jiang Fenghua was thinking that if she wanted to be his empress, he couldn't be decadent. He had to work hard, fight, and cheer up to be the emperor.

At this moment, General Peng came over and said respectfully, "The wine and dishes are ready. Your Highness and Your Highness's Consort, please come in."

Xie Shang nodded, "Ruan Ruan is used to the food in the military camp, right?"

"Whatever Your Highness eats, I will eat too," Jiang Fenghua said.

Xie Shang said calmly, "General Peng, please, Jin Yan, come along too."

Jiang Jinyan nodded in agreement.

General Peng suddenly turned to Jiang Fenghua and said, "My niece Qing'er has now married into the Eastern Palace. I wonder if she has caused any trouble for the Crown Princess."

"Consort Song is innocent and lively, and I like her very much. General Peng, rest assured, the Crown Prince needs a lively and active woman like Consort Song." She said this as a polite remark, but it sounded a bit too formal and old-fashioned.

Xie Shang's words had a double meaning: "The Crown Princess is not yet seventeen, and is at the age where she is lively and active. It would be good to take them out for some entertainment when we get back."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will make sure the Eastern Palace is bustling with activity." Jiang Fenghua's words also had a double meaning; she couldn't bear the thought of such a commotion continuing.

Xie Shang smiled indulgently, "General Peng, please!"

Peng Fei was also very self-aware. He knew that the Crown Prince chose Song Qing to enter the Eastern Palace because he wanted to give him an important position. He would cherish this opportunity and would not have any improper thoughts. Seeing the heroic Crown Princess today, he knew that if Qing'er wanted to compete for the Emperor's favor, she would not be able to win. The only thing she could do was to be smart and behave herself. In the future, the Song and Peng families might be able to improve their status by taking advantage of her glory.

He wanted Qing'er to side with the Crown Princess, so that Song Fengyi would never compete with her for that position in the future.

The Peng and Song families only achieved their current status by siding with the Crown Prince; they will not dig their own graves.

After the meal, Xie Shang didn't rush to take Jiang Fenghua back to the palace. He said, "The moon and stars in the western suburbs are especially bright, and the sunset in Luoxia Valley is absolutely stunning. Would Ruanruan like to take a trip to Luoxia Valley?"

"Aren't you going back to the palace tonight? I'm worried about the children. If I don't go back tonight, will they throw a tantrum because they won't see me?" Jiang Fenghua said.

“Since Ruan Ruan had her children, she has devoted two-thirds of her heart to them. I only occupy less than a third of her heart.” Xie Shang was jealous.

Jiang Fenghua laughed and said, "How could it be less than a third? It's clearly full of His Highnesses."

"I'm lying, maybe less than a third of it. I'm going to have to fight the Jiang family for that third. After that, I'm afraid there won't be a place for me in Ruan Ruan's heart."

Jiang Fenghua was stunned. Was it that obvious?

She said, "I think the sunset at Luoxia Valley must be very beautiful. Is it still possible for us to catch it at this time?"

The western suburban camp was very large, occupying most of the western part of the city.

Xie Shang and Jiang Fenghua each rode a horse and soon arrived at Luoxia Valley.

We finally caught the last rays of the setting sun.

Xie Shang held her in his arms. She thought, "Xie Shang must often bring Su Tingwan to this place!"

Xie Shang said, "I often wanted to bring someone here before, but I never had the chance. Today I brought Ruan Ruan, so I haven't wasted this beautiful scenery."

"A man or a woman?" Jiang Fenghua asked deliberately, wondering if he could bring a man to enjoy the scenery.

Xie Shang blinked in her direction, trying to change the subject. "It's not important anymore. I have Ruan Ruan now, and I'll bring her here often in the future." He didn't know why, but he kept thinking about that blurry figure all day. He couldn't even remember her outline, so why was he thinking about her?

Perhaps it was here that he felt a pang of regret.

His childhood seemed like a dream, or rather, it must have been a dream, otherwise she wouldn't have disappeared for no reason. Or perhaps she wasn't the daughter of some official at all, but a fairy, a little fairy sent by a deity to enlighten him.

Jiang Fenghua was stunned. Did Xie Shang, that scoundrel, still have another woman in his heart?

Seeing her in a daze, Xie Shang explained, "It's not Su Tingwan. She's never been here, nor has she ever been to a military camp."

"oh!"

"Oh what? I grew up in the military camp. All princes have to go to the military camp for training when they are young. This is a rule of the royal family. So our little Hongyou will also be sent here in the future," Xie Shang said.

Jiang Fenghua thought to herself, Nanfeng was also a prince in the previous life, but he never came to the military camp to train. Instead, he was raised in the deep palace and was completely spoiled. He rarely even saw his father. How much did he hate the child she gave birth to that he could even break this rule of the royal family?

"Today is the first time I've brought a woman to the military camp..."

"Um!"

No matter how beautiful the afterglow of the sunset was, she had no interest in it. She wasn't there to talk about love; she needed to keep her mind clear. What she needed was nothing more than the supreme position of Empress.