Chapter 90 The Feast at Hongmen

Inside the study, Jiang Zhengting frowned as he looked at his eldest daughter, who was sitting leisurely in a rosewood chair, sipping tea.

"Zhi'er, when can we bring back the deeds to your mother's dowry and land?" Jiang Zhengting asked. "It's not safe for a young lady like you to be living alone. I'll keep them for you for now, and then I'll add to your dowry when you get married."

Jiang Zhi simply smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Father. I didn't bring those house deeds with me. I'll give them to you next time I come."

Jiang Zhengting's expression was not good. "Your Chuntang Garden needs repairs. If there isn't enough money to start the work, are you planning to stay outside and never come home?"

“Speaking of Chuntang Garden, Father has reminded me,” Jiang Zhi said, not responding to his words, but instead asking, “Has the person behind the arson been found out? My daughter’s residence has suffered such heavy losses, he must pay the price.”

"Well, I haven't found any evidence yet." Jiang Zhengting's face stiffened slightly when he mentioned this. He really couldn't tell her that the arsonist was actually Wang Yuru, but for the sake of his son, he couldn't punish her openly, let alone make her pay compensation.

Jiang Zhi knew that her father would not make a big deal out of this, so she sighed and said, "I hope my father can stand up for me after I have been so humiliated."

"No problem, no problem."

Jiang Zhengting temporarily lost face and no longer dared to bring up the matter.

He changed to a kind and benevolent expression and revealed his true purpose, "I called you here today not just for Chuntang Garden, but because I have some very exciting news to tell you."

Jiang Zhi looked curious. "What good news is it, Father?"

“You’re not young anymore, it’s time to settle your marriage. I want to give you a grand wedding so that I can face your mother’s spirit in heaven.”

"Oh? Father agreed to Mr. Bai's marriage proposal?" Jiang Zhi asked him.

Jiang Zhengting was startled and choked on his tea, coughing repeatedly. After clearing his throat, he said, "Of course it's not Bai Rongcai. He's so old and now he's a prisoner. If Father were to marry you off to him, wouldn't that be pushing you into a fire pit?"

Jiang Zhi inwardly scoffed, but outwardly maintained a curious yet shy expression, "If it's not Bai Rongcai, then who could it be?"

Jiang Zhengting smiled and said, "You know that person too. He is Shen Ci'an, who once stayed at my residence and is now the top scholar and a favorite of the Emperor."

"Master Shen?" Jiang Zhi feigned surprise at the opportune moment. "Why would he ask to marry a daughter?"

"Naturally, it's because he's grateful and wants to forge a lasting friendship with my Jiang family."

Jiang Zhengting didn't care whether she agreed or not, and said with satisfaction, "Don't look down on him just because he's only a minor compiler in the Hanlin Academy now. His future is limitless. Father accepted his betrothal gifts yesterday, so you can go back and wait to get married."

It turns out that calling her over this time was just to inform her, not to discuss it.

"Your daughter will obey your orders, Father," Jiang Zhi said, knowing his temperament well and not taking it to heart. She simply pretended to be hesitant and said, "Your daughter has something she would like to ask your father for permission to do."

Tell me about it.

"The matter of my daughter's engagement should only be known within the family; please do not spread it around."

Jiang Zhengting asked in surprise, "How come you said the same thing as Lord Shen? He also mentioned this to me. Could it be that you two had discussed it before?"

"Of course not. It's just that my daughter's engagement to Mr. Bai caused quite a stir. If he were to be imprisoned, we would immediately turn our backs on him. We're afraid outsiders would think that the Jiang family is opportunistic and favoring the powerful while belittling the weak, which would be bad for my father's reputation."

Jiang Zhengting thought about it and realized that this was indeed the case.

"Alright, since both you and Lord Shen have this request, then let's keep this matter private for now and talk about it again once things have calmed down."

"Thank you for your understanding, Father."

She had also mentioned this to Shen Ci'an.

But only she knows the real reason why she hasn't made it public yet.

The matter of Yan Wenhong has not yet been settled. If the news of her engagement to Shen Ci'an gets out, Yan Wenhong will definitely no longer believe in her relationship with Lu Yuan, and then her plan will be impossible to implement.

*

As soon as Jiang Zhi returned to her residence, Qing Xing told her that she had received a message from Yan Wen Hong.

The Third Prince invited her to the Prince Su's residence to attend the birthday banquet of the Third Prince's wife, Yan Liqin.

The Third Prince, Xiao Chengjin, was born to Consort Chen, who was deeply favored by the Emperor. Not long after he came of age, he was granted the title of Prince Su. He was the only one among all the Emperor's adult princes who could rival the Crown Prince, Xiao Xuanyou.

Jiang Zhi guessed that Xiao Chengjin's invitation to the banquet was likely because of the matter she had mentioned to Yan Wenhong about the western suburbs of Kyoto that day.

This trip was a trap.

But she had no choice but to go.

"I understand. Please pass on the message to Lord Yan. I will definitely attend the banquet on time."

The birthday banquet arrived quickly, and Jiang Zhi prepared birthday gifts and went to the banquet.

Yan Liqin's attitude towards her was completely different from that at the prayer banquet last time.

Not only was she extremely warm towards him, but he also took her around to meet familiar officials' wives and noblewomen, treating her as if she were a close relative.

Jiang Zhi's expression remained calm, but she remained extremely vigilant.

Since it's a banquet, toasting and drinking are essential.

Jiang Zhi couldn't hold her liquor and dared not drink much, but she couldn't resist Yan Liqin's insistence that everyone toast her cup after cup.

Jiang Zhi couldn't refuse, so she drank several cups in a row.

After putting down her wine glass, she felt dizzy and unsteady on her feet, as if she were walking on clouds.

She then excused herself, saying she wasn't feeling well, and went to her room to rest.

"Miss Jiang, you can rest here in peace. This is the backyard of Prince Su's mansion, quiet and elegant, and no one will disturb you." The maid led her to the side room and then took her leave.

The moment the maid closed the door, Jiang Zhi's previously hazy and confused eyes suddenly became clear.

The moisture that had been floating in his eyes vanished instantly, leaving only a sharp light.

She had already experienced these methods of domestic affairs countless times; they were just the same old tricks over and over again.

She had secretly spat out most of the wine she had drunk in front of everyone onto her handkerchief; she had only actually drunk a few mouthfuls.

She wanted to see what Yan Liqin and Xiao Chengjin were really up to.

Jiang Zhi turned the ring Xie Qi had given her on her hand.

She wasn't worried that Xiao Chengjin would harm her life, since she was still useful to him.

She was simply very curious as to why they weren't in a hurry to check on the situation in the western suburbs, but instead were holding a birthday banquet here.

Sure enough, Jiang Zhi had only been in the room for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea when footsteps came from outside the door.

The footsteps were light yet powerful, neither hurried nor slow, and carried an invisible, oppressive force within their steadiness; the person must be a martial artist.

"Sir, you may change your clothes in this side room. I will take my leave now."

The footsteps stopped in front of the side room door.

Jiang Zhi's heart also jumped.