Chapter 364 Don't Try to Have It All to Yourself

Some wanted her to be a second wife for their nephews and nieces, some wanted to marry her to ward off evil spirits for their good-for-nothing sons, and some even wanted her to bring good luck and have children.

After Jiang Zhi's leg injury healed, she moved from the Shen residence to the mansion next door.

Feng Shaoyuan and Feng Yuan also moved in together.

Jiang Zhengting originally wanted to use his father's influence to get Jiang Zhi back to the Jiang family mansion, so that she wouldn't embarrass herself in public.

However, Jiang Zhi only hung the plaque "Virtuous and Benevolent, Rescuing the World" bestowed by the Emperor upon her return from disaster relief in Sizhou on her own residence, and completely ignored him.

Jiang Zhengting was furious, but there was nothing he could do about it.

After being politely refused by Jiang Zhi at the banquet, the wife of the Vice Minister of Rites was still not giving up. She even specially invited a matchmaker to come to her nephew's house to propose marriage.

The nephew was said to be lame, but quite talented in literature. He was a scholar at a young age and his wife had passed away two years ago, so he had never remarried.

The matchmaker praised him to the skies as soon as she entered the door.

Jiang Zhi, having exhausted all her efforts, could only sigh and say, "Does Granny Wang know why this county princess divorced her husband?"

"Didn't you say you weren't compatible?" Matchmaker Wang asked, looking bewildered.

"No, I'll tell you the truth today," Jiang Zhi shook her head with a wry smile. "Don't laugh at me, but the truth is that I haven't recovered since my injury last time. I've seen many doctors before I was diagnosed with a serious illness that makes me unable to have children."

"What?" Matchmaker Wang exclaimed, jumping up from her chair in surprise. "Is this true?"

“This is a matter of great importance concerning my reputation, how could I dare to lie to anyone?” Jiang Zhi said, feigning distress. “So, Matchmaker Wang, there’s no need to waste your breath.”

Matchmaker Wang repeatedly put down her teacup, no longer daring to drink.

"Thank you for telling me the truth, Princess Qinghe. Granny Wang is grateful for your kindness."

If the Princess of Qinghe County were to reveal this matter after the marriage was finalized, the family of the Vice Minister of Rites would surely come looking for trouble.

The matchmaker broke out in a cold sweat and dared not linger any longer, so she immediately made an excuse to leave.

Qingxing, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it anymore. "Miss, if you don't agree, just refuse. No one can force you. Why bother telling Matchmaker Wang about your health condition?"

Matchmakers are people who travel the streets and alleys and are well-informed. If they were to find out that the young lady is infertile, wouldn't the whole capital know about it?

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "That's exactly what I want everyone to know. That way, I can put an end to any other people's hopes and prevent any ill-intentioned people from trying to use my marriage as a pretext."

"But Miss is being treated so unfairly," Qingxing couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

If you expose your privacy to everyone, wouldn't everyone be able to make sarcastic remarks?

How will this young lady face people after this?

"As long as I don't mind your young lady's frowning face, it's fine." Jiang Zhi couldn't help but flick her nose when she saw her gloomy face.

This method is straightforward and solves the problem once and for all, so why not do it?

“Cousin Zhi’er,” Feng Shaoyuan stepped in at this moment, looking at her with a smile, and said, “It’s not difficult to resolve this matter. If you are afraid of being bothered, you can say that you are engaged to me. The Feng and Jiang families will become even closer, and no one will dare to object.”

Feng Shaoyuan said calmly, "Anyway, since you're all alone now, you're not afraid of damaging your reputation. You can use me as a shield for now, and then talk about it when you have someone you like. There's no need to expose your shortcomings and invite criticism."

He was also extremely surprised when he learned that Jiang Zhi and Shen Ci'an had divorced.

Shen Ci'an seems to have deep feelings for his cousin Zhi'er, and it is said that his current coma due to poisoning was entirely for her sake.

How did things escalate to the point of divorce?

Unfortunately, this is a family matter, and he has no right to interfere.

No sooner had Feng Shaoyuan finished speaking than a cold sneer came from behind him.

"Young Master Feng has really got a good plan; I can hear it even from the Northern Garrison Command."

Lu Yuan stepped in, his expression not very pleasant.

He had previously heard that someone wanted to arrange a marriage for Jiang Zhi.

However, knowing Jiang Zhi's personality, he never took it to heart.

Now, unexpectedly, this clueless Feng Shaoyuan dares to join in the fun.

As her legitimate cousin, he had a significant advantage in terms of status. Coupled with Jiang Zhi's high regard for the Feng family, Lu Yuan had no choice but to be wary.

“I understand what Lord Lu is saying,” Feng Shaoyuan turned to look at him calmly. “I just want to help my cousin out of her current predicament.”

Lu Yuan chuckled briefly, "Young Master Feng knows the answer himself."

"Lord Lu, my cousin is thinking of me, please don't misunderstand him." Jiang Zhi spoke up to explain for Lu Yuan, fearing that he would hold a grudge against Feng Shaoyuan.

This explanation only made Lu Yuan's expression turn even uglier, and he gave Jiang Zhi a cold and threatening look.

Jiang Zhi was horrified by what she saw and immediately stopped talking.

Lu Yuan ground his back molars.

I had been staying at Jiang Zhi’s residence with the Feng siblings for some time, hoping to get closer to her.

But Feng Yuan was constantly pestering Jiang Zhi, even wanting to sleep in the same bed with her at night, so Lu Yuan didn't get a chance at all.

He wished he could just knock Feng Yuan unconscious and send her away.

Jiang Zhi, however, was extremely protective of her own. If he treated Feng Yuan even slightly badly, she would also speak coldly and rudely to him, showing no kindness whatsoever.

If I really knock Feng Yuan unconscious, I don't know how I'll get angry with him.

Lu Yuan, as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had never felt so aggrieved. Even when he returned to the Northern Garrison Command these past two days, he had a stern face and exuded a low-pressure aura, making him unapproachable.

Just then, an annoying sound came from the doorway.

"Zhizhi, I've heard about what's going on outside. Those people are so annoying. Do they think you can't get married?"

Xie Qi was dressed in a neat and tidy outfit that perfectly outlined his tall and lean figure, exuding a sharp and fierce aura honed on the battlefield.

Upon hearing that the Emperor was going to arrange a marriage for him, he rushed to the palace that very night and used his military merits to obtain a blank imperial decree for marriage.

The emperor agreed that he could marry whomever he wanted, as long as she was unmarried and did not violate social ethics.

"Zhizhi, if you want to help, just ask. Just write your name on the imperial edict..."

"Xie Qi, how dare you!" Lu Yuan interrupted him with a cold shout.

Xie Qi glanced at him sideways, his arrogance even more overbearing than if he had won a battle, "Do you think I dare?"

"Lu Yuan, if I didn't want to force Zhizhi, I would have written it long ago. How dare you be so arrogant?"

"But don't even think about taking it all for yourself, or you know what I'll do. You're welcome to try!"

Lu Yuan's eyes turned dark red from the provocation, and he gripped the hilt of the knife tightly.

If this weren't Jiang Zhi's residence, he would have drawn his sword long ago.

"Xie Qi, don't push your luck." He suppressed the anger in his eyes.

Xie Qi, however, was not buying it at all. "What, does Lord Lu intend to fight me here?"

"Alright, that's enough!" Jiang Zhi pinched her brow, her head aching. "I don't want to marry anyone. If you're willing, you can stay for dinner. If you have something to do, please leave."

Lu Yuan naturally wouldn't leave, and Xie Qi also stood still in place.