Chapter 4 It's normal for men to have three wives and four concubines.

Madam Jiang looked at her and said, "Speak freely."

"After returning home, my granddaughter wants to practice calligraphy again. I heard that Grandmother has a great knowledge of calligraphy. In the future, my granddaughter would like to come to Xuantang Hall every now and then to ask Grandmother for her comments. I hope Grandmother will not be disgusted by it."

“I remember that your mother personally taught you calligraphy when you were young, but you stopped practicing after she passed away,” Madam Jiang said with a rare smile. “It’s a good thing that you are eager to improve and want to practice calligraphy again. How could I dislike you?”

"Thank you, Grandmother."

The grandfather and grandson had a vegetarian meal at Puzhao Temple and listened to the abbot preach. Afterwards, they set off down the mountain to return to the Jiang residence.

After escorting Madam Jiang back to Xuantang, Jiang Zhi had just returned to her residence, Chuntang Garden, when a servant came to invite her, saying that the master wanted her to speak in the front hall.

So Jiang Zhi could only quickly tidy her clothes and head to the front hall with Qingxing.

In the hall, the father, Jiang Zhengting, sat upright, his face square and dignified. Beside him, his stepmother, Wang Yuru, though of age, was well-maintained and still appeared beautiful and dignified.

Meanwhile, her stepsister Jiang Yunqian sat at the lower end of the table drinking tea. When she saw Jiang Zhi enter, a hint of schadenfreude appeared on her face.

Jiang Zhi bowed to the two people at the head of the table, and then heard Wang Yuru say with a smile, "I called you here today because I have some good news to tell you."

“You’ve reached the age for marriage proposals. A few days ago, the First Madam of the Earl of Zhongqin’s family spoke to me privately, saying that she was interested in arranging a marriage between Young Master Yan and our Jiang family. So I came to ask for your opinion.”

Jiang Zhi raised an eyebrow, showing no surprise at all.

Wang Yuru is Jiang Zhengting's second wife and also a close friend of his mother.

She had taken advantage of Jiang Zhengting's drunkenness to climb into his bed and became pregnant, and could have been taken into the Jiang family as a concubine.

But Wang Yuru's ambitions didn't stop there. She cried and threatened to kill herself and her unborn child. Jiang Zhengting was about to be promoted at the time and was afraid that the incident would escalate and affect his career, so he could only temporarily place Wang Yuru outside.

It wasn't until her mother passed away from illness that Wang Yuru officially became the mistress of the Jiang family.

It was only after Wang Yuru entered the household that Jiang Zhi learned that her father had already had an affair with Wang Yuru and had a daughter who was only two years younger than her.

Jiang Zhi became estranged from Jiang Zhengting, and the relationship between the father and daughter deteriorated further under Wang Yuru's instigation.

In her previous life, Wang Yuru also brought up this matter today. She had long heard about Yan Wenkang's character and was naturally extremely unwilling.

As a result, her father angrily rebuked her for being short-sighted, disregarding the big picture, and not thinking about the future of the Jiang family.

Faced with her resistance, he directly ordered her to be beaten more than a dozen times in public and made her stay at home to reflect on her mistakes.

When Jiang Zhi came to her senses, she realized that this was a trap set by Wang Yuru.

If she accepts the marriage proposal, she will have to marry Yan Wenkang and sacrifice the rest of her life.

If she refuses, she will be disrespecting her father's orders and violating traditional female virtues, and she will lose her reputation.

It's a dead end where we're caught in a dilemma.

Now that she has been given a second chance at life, she will naturally not sit idly by and wait for her death.

"Father, I do not agree to this marriage. Please reconsider." Her voice was soft but firm.

Jiang Zhengting's brows furrowed immediately.

"Marriage is a major life event, decided by parents and matchmakers. How can you have the choice?"

Wang Yuru had mentioned to him that as long as the Zhongqin Earl's Mansion could form a marriage alliance with the Jiang family, they could give the Jiang family a place in the Lanting Academy without taking the entrance exam.

Jiang Ningzheng, the son, is of school age. If he could study at Lanting Academy, the largest academy in the capital, it would greatly benefit the entire Jiang family.

Moreover, in terms of family background and status, the Earl's family is far superior to the Jiang family.

She still dares to complain?

When Wang Yuru saw that Jiang Zhi had indeed refused as she had expected, she was secretly delighted, but on the surface, she earnestly advised Jiang Zhi:

“Miss, Master and I are doing this for your own good. Although Young Master Yan is dissolute, it is normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines and be a bit promiscuous. You must not let us down.”

Jiang Zhengting was busy with court affairs and was unwilling to meddle in the affairs of the inner quarters. He waved his hand impatiently and said, "No need to say more. You are the mistress of the Jiang family. You can decide on Zhi'er's marriage."

“Father, you absolutely mustn’t…” Jiang Zhi had just started to speak when Wang Yuru interrupted her.

“Miss, please don’t be stubborn. The Earl of Zhongqin’s family is a prestigious and noble family. Many families want to marry into their family,” she said, her words full of consideration for Jiang Zhi. “The second young master of the Yan family is also a handsome man, and he fell in love with you at first sight. As long as you marry into the family, he will definitely live a good life with you. Once you have a son or daughter, you will be able to gain a foothold in the Earl’s family.”

Even Jiang Yunqian, who was sitting and watching the show, couldn't help but interject, "Sister, such a good marriage is hard to find even with a lantern. If I weren't two years younger than you, it wouldn't be your turn. Yet you're still making excuses. Are you dissatisfied with Father and Mother's arrangements?"

Jiang Zhi couldn't help but sneer.

If it were truly a good marriage, how could Wang Yuru possibly let her have it so easily?

“Father, your daughter disagrees with this marriage not out of selfishness, but for the sake of our Jiang family.”

"What do you mean?" Jiang Zhengting asked, frowning.

Jiang Zhi spoke respectfully and softly, “Father should already know that last night, my grandmother and I encountered the Embroidered Uniform Guard searching for assassins at Puzhao Temple. The Crown Prince is still unconscious, and His Majesty has ordered a thorough investigation. Now, everyone in the capital is on edge, and one wrong move could result in the execution of their entire family.”

"With my father holding a high position in the imperial court, how could he not know that the Earl of Zhongqin's mansion is closer to the Third Prince? If the Jiang family were to arrange a marriage with the Earl's mansion at this critical juncture, it might arouse the Emperor's suspicion..."

Jiang Zhengting was startled.

He almost forgot that the Earl of Zhongqin's mansion was the Third Prince's wife's maternal family. Before the Crown Prince was named heir apparent, the Third Prince was also one of the most popular candidates. Now that the Crown Prince is still in a coma and his life hangs in the balance, and the assassin has not yet been apprehended, many people secretly speculate that the Third Prince is involved.

If the Jiang family were to arrange a marriage with the Earl of Zhongqin's mansion during such a sensitive period, wouldn't that be blatantly telling everyone that the Jiang family is siding with the Third Prince?

What's more, His Majesty is currently in a fit of anger, and it's hard to guarantee that he won't suspect that the Jiang family believes the Crown Prince is doomed and has no chance of succeeding to the throne, which is why they are so eager to curry favor with the Third Prince.

The Jiang family has always maintained neutrality in the court, remaining loyal only to the Emperor. If this arouses the Emperor's suspicion, the Jiang family will truly be in grave danger.

Jiang Zhengting became increasingly alarmed as he thought about it, and broke out in a cold sweat.

“Father, the marriage is a small matter, but these are turbulent times, and it concerns the Jiang family’s century-old foundation. I think it’s best to wait and see. Once the matter of the Crown Prince is settled, I will definitely follow your arrangements without any further objection.”

She spoke with genuine sincerity, and every word she uttered was for the sake of the Jiang family.

Jiang Zhengting pondered for a few moments, countless thoughts flashing through his mind.

His daughter seemed gentle and reserved, but he never expected her to have such insightful views.

He made a decision immediately.

“Zhi’er is right. This matter should not be rushed. We need to plan it carefully.” He glared at Wang Yuru beside him. “Look at the terrible idea you came up with. It almost ruined the entire Jiang family!”