In the evening, a dinner to welcome Concubine Jiang was set up on the stage of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.

As soon as Jiang Zhixu and Jiang Shuyan returned home, they went straight to Xiayueju, the courtyard where Concubine Jiang used to live, to pay their respects without even having time to change into their official uniforms.

Through the screen, Concubine Jiang wanted to chat with her two younger brothers, but the two brothers behaved very well, did not say a single outrageous word, and left respectfully.

Concubine Jiang was so angry that she gritted her teeth and her chest heaved up and down.

After the two brothers came out of Xiayueju, the servant Babao hurried forward and told them everything that had happened that day.

Jiang Zhixu and Jiang Shuyan walked back to the study in the front yard while listening to what happened today.

Babao helped Jiang Zhixu change into his casual clothes, then ran to make tea for the two masters.

A Ming brought Jiang Shuyan's casual clothes over breathlessly and asked him to change into them.

The two brothers sat in the study and said seriously:

"With so many things happening in the palace today, the Queen must still be upset about the Emperor canceling the engagement and is deliberately trying to make things difficult for us."

Jiang Shuyan nodded, his eyes firm: "Brother is right, but I don't know if the emperor is involved."

At this time, Babao came in with tea and said softly, "My lords, I heard that all officials above the third rank were given beauties today, but none of them are as formal as ours, with an imperial decree."

Jiang Shuyan frowned and said, "It seems that the Queen is deliberately making things difficult for our family and wants to embarrass us."

Jiang Zhixu picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said in a deep voice, "I wonder if any of those beauties have spies?"

Jiang Shuyan's expression changed slightly:

"Brother, we have to check it out. I don't want to be exhausted every day and come home to a mess."

Jiang Zhixu's eyes turned cold, "Well, I'll go check their background."

Jiang Shuyan stretched lazily:

"I have to go back to my room to check on Jiaojiao before the dinner starts. I promised her that she is the only woman in my life. Don't make her jealous, or I will be the one in trouble." After saying that, he waved his hand and slipped away.

Jiang Zhixu tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, but in his heart he was thinking about Jin Linlin.

Through the time he spent with her, he realized that she was a very opinionated and intelligent woman, very different from the women of their time.

Her knowledge was no less than his, her head full of novel ideas, she was independent and didn't rely on anyone, and she had a magical world up her sleeve, like a fairy who had fallen from the sky into his arms.

He bet that if he let her down, she would never have anything to do with him again.

Three bedrooms

Jiang Shuyan returned to their room and looked at his wife with a sly look in his eyes, thinking about how to make her happy.

"Come in when you're back. I won't eat you."

When Jiang Shuyan heard this, he hurried to Cao Jiao to express his loyalty.

"Jiaojiao, don't worry. I will never touch any other woman except you in my life." He even stretched out his finger to swear.

Cao Jiao put his hand down and touched her belly:

"I know, we just need to live our own lives well. There is no way to avoid what the emperor has bestowed upon us."

Jiang Shuyan nodded quickly: "Yes, but it's not just in our mansion that we have it, officials above the third rank have it too."

"Really? The emperor uses women to reward his ministers?" Cao Jiao felt a little nauseous. The status of women in this era was too low. They were just given away as rewards.

"Oh, by the way, my brother suspects that there are spies among these people. You should pay more attention to them."

"Well, I will keep an eye on them and prevent them from doing anything stupid." Cao Jiao wanted to see what they were trying to do.

At this time, the maid brought in some snacks. Jiang Shuyan quickly picked up a piece and fed it to Jiaojiao: "My lady, try it. This is your favorite."

Jiaojiao burst into laughter at his amusement and took a bite of the dessert. Jiang Shuyan breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she was in a better mood.

The dinner at the Zhenguogong Mansion began with the sound of stringed instruments. Concubine Jiang was dressed in gorgeous clothes, with a dignified demeanor and a smile on her face, but deep in her eyes lay a subtle calculation.

Jiang Zhixu and Jiang Shuyan each brought their families to the table, and with Jiang Shiwei included, there were really not many masters in the Zhenguo Mansion.

During the banquet, the beauties who had been given gifts stood up one by one and bowed to everyone.

Jiang Concubine stared at Jiang Zhixu and Jiang Shuyan, and said slowly:

"These are beauties bestowed upon you by the Emperor, three each. Our family is not prosperous with offspring, so you must live in harmony and continue to have descendants."

One of the women was named Luzhu, with lively eyes and a charming demeanor. She approached Jiang Zhixu and said softly:

"Your Excellency is so graceful, I have admired you for a long time." Jiang Zhixu frowned slightly and moved aside calmly.

Seeing this, Concubine Jiang raised the corners of her mouth slightly and a hint of pride flashed in her eyes.

At this time, Jiang Shuyan's wife Cao Jiao stood up and said with a smile:

"My sisters are new here, and I'm sure they're not familiar with the rules of the mansion yet. How about I take them there to familiarize them with the rules, so that they can better serve the two masters."

Concubine Jiang was a little unhappy, but she couldn't show it, so she just nodded in agreement.

After Cao Jiao led the beauties away, Concubine Jiang turned her gaze to Jiang Shiwei again and said with a forced smile:

"Second sister, we haven't seen each other for a long time. Come to my place tomorrow and we can catch up."

Jiang Shiwei nodded slightly and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Yes, Madam."

Concubine Jiang was disappointed and her face looked a little gloomy.

Jin Linlin gently tugged at his sleeve and said in a low voice, "Don't worry about these trivial matters." Jiang Zhixu came back to his senses, held her hand tightly, and nodded slightly.

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