Chapter 65 He grabbed her by the neck: Tell me…

In the past few days, a rumor has suddenly spread in Suyang: the adults in Silver Moon Jade Garden are getting married!

The news spread like wildfire, and soon it reached the ears of the Jiang family.

The others breathed a sigh of relief; this meant they had no further connection with the Jiang family, and they could finally relax.

To be honest, ever since that incident, although Old Man Jiang gets angry when he talks about it, he is still afraid inside.

This isn't the capital, so Jiang Sheng has no jurisdiction here. If that beast in human form takes a liking to Fu'er, it would probably cause a lot of trouble if he were driven away.

Fortunately, Governor Zhu did not take a liking to Fu'er.

However, he already had a wife in the capital. This time, it was probably not a marriage, but a concubine. Most men are philanderers, and this was just a concubine of Su Yang.

Only Jiang Shuifu sensed something unusual. The corrupt official awaiting execution in the Silver Moon Jade Garden was unusual, the vanished He Beiqing was unusual, Shen Jizhao's "marriage" was unusual, nothing was unusual.

During this period, He Beiqing disappeared without a trace, and Jige'er's words resurfaced. Now the rumors have spread that he embezzled the court's money and grain, is being imprisoned and tortured, and is about to be executed.

Although He Beiqing would definitely not do such a thing, and Shen Jizhao probably wouldn't dare to really pin this crime on him, given the He family's status, what if he did?

Shen Jizhao is extremely arrogant. What if he goes crazy in a fit of anger?

After much deliberation, Jiang Shuifu finally decided to take the risk and venture into the Silver Moon Jade Garden at night.

She sent someone to stake out the place, and finally they found that Shen Jizhao had gone out. He had been extremely busy these past few days and was rarely home. Even when he was home, he would only get half a night's rest before going out again.

She acted immediately, entering the hanging flower gate of the Silver Moon Jade Garden with an upright and honorable air, claiming that the Treasure Pavilion had come to deliver the wedding dress.

She had already found out that the Treasure Pavilion was providing the wedding dress, while the Yuantingfang was providing the headdress.

She's a long-time customer of the Treasure Pavilion, so she can naturally take on this job.

This Silver Moon Jade Garden is truly enormous. Last time I toured the lake, I only saw the tip of the iceberg. Now, walking through this vast expanse, I'm completely bewildered.

However, it seemed as if Shen Jizhao was really getting married, as the whole garden was covered with red silk cloths, and even the lanterns on the eaves were festive red.

At first glance, it was a sea of ​​red, but the red looked somewhat terrifying in the night, accompanied by the sound of a hammer striking and piercing through.

"The first watch has begun; be careful with fire!"

It turned out to be the night watchman's voice, reminding everyone that it was already 7 PM.

Jiang Shuifu didn't pay much attention; her eyes darted around, searching for He Beiqing's possible location.

The person leading the way led her to the new house with a smile, chatting and laughing with her along the way, as if trying to distract her.

But she still noticed that the sound of the hammer and chisel was dull and muffled, not like hitting something, but more like hitting a person's skull!

The thought startled her. She swallowed nervously and in shock. The voice in her ear seemed to be amplified infinitely, growing louder and more terrifying.

The maid beside her seemed not to hear, still smiling brightly. Under such circumstances, Jiang Shuifu felt that something was wrong with her the more she looked at her, and directly knocked her unconscious by the back of the neck.

Headed towards that sound.

He Beiqing, it absolutely cannot be him.

She approached a courtyard step by step. The courtyard was very closed off, with a solemn atmosphere. A cool breeze blew through her, and the gate was locked. This must be it.

However, the fact that a sound could be heard coming from such a confined space suggests that a great deal of torture had been used.

Jiang Shuifu didn't care about anything else and climbed over the wall. Luckily, she was quite mischievous when she was young, so this kind of thing was a piece of cake for her.

She tiptoed to the window, dug a hole with her finger, and the scene inside was instantly revealed to her.

However, it was unclear; apart from the muffled shouts that were difficult to hear, there was only a silhouette.

The figure was so broad and imposing that she could only see a small part of his shoulder blades, yet his powerful and intimidating aura was palpable, enveloping her completely.

Jiang Shuifu held her breath, no longer daring to dig, and silently moved her eyes, trying to see more of the scene.

She tried her best, changing her posture several times, and finally found two people in a corner.

One was an executioner with a fierce expression, holding instruments of torture; the other was a man with disheveled black hair, his body stained with sweat and blood, who was being hung up and tortured repeatedly. The nails pierced him with a clanging sound, and he was so tormented that he was completely devastated and unrecognizable.

In this situation, Jiang Shuifu couldn't recognize the person's identity, but she recognized the robes he was wearing.

It was He Beiqing's favorite bamboo-green round-necked robe.

The executioner scoffed:

"His Highness has already warned you. We have worked together for many years, yet you have betrayed us. Don't blame me. Just enjoy the fruits of your labor!"

Jiang Shuifu's eyes widened, her hands and feet went numb, and her heart turned completely cold. To treat a high-ranking official like this for his own selfish reasons, to treat a loyal subordinate who had served him for many years like this, and to treat an innocent man like this.

He's too powerful and controlling!

She didn't care about anything else; she lifted her foot and rushed in to save the person, pushing hard with both hands, using almost all her strength.

The figure inside twitched its ears but remained silent.

Unexpectedly, the door was not pushed open, and there was no one outside.

At the last second, Jiang Shuifu was pulled away. She looked at the man in front of her, shocked and confused. Finally, her heart calmed down, and she angrily questioned him:

Where have you been these past few days?

He suddenly disappeared, making her think he was in jail because of her, and that his life was in danger.

That's right, the person who pulled her away was He Beiqing.

He Beiqing covered her lips to prevent her from making a sound, then scanned her entire body. Seeing that she was unharmed, he frowned slightly.

She kept protesting with muffled noises, but this scene was not suitable for speaking, explaining, or even breathing!

He still covered her lips and shook his head at her, but the next moment, he had no energy left to care about her.

Because a vast, sturdy net was cast down, and they were caught precisely like pigs and sheep waiting to be slaughtered on a chopping board.

He Beiqing fought back fiercely, trying to push Jiang Shuifu out so she wouldn't be arrested with him. However, the net was surrounded by four or five people, and no matter how strong he was, he couldn't hold out for long.

Before long, he was tightly bound, stacked on top of each other like a human pyramid. They showed no mercy, beating him until his body was covered in bruises, old wounds not yet healed and new ones added.

Jiang Shuifu fared much better, except that her hands were tied.

Seeing this, she quickly shouted to stop them: "Stop! You're going to beat someone to death!"

But the next instant, a furious shout, almost a roar, suddenly rang out:

"I'll see who dares!"

He descended the steps step by step, his every movement still possessing that refined demeanor, yet utterly cold and furious. He stood before Jiang Shuifu, gripped her chin, and said with near-ruthlessness:

"Who do you think you are? What are you without me? Don't you want to explain why you're here? Tell me!"

Jiang Shuifu didn't speak, but glared at him fiercely. Seeing her expression of hatred towards him, he bit his lip hard, but then let go.

He was furious and resentful, but he couldn't resist the hatred in her eyes.

Then, in front of everyone, he clapped his hands in a self-deprecating manner:

"Very good, very good! You two are truly devoted to each other! I didn't know you'd gone this far! One of you has been unfaithful, and the other has betrayed me and tried to steal my man. How impressive! I'm deeply moved!"

He then listed their sins:

"My only woman, the woman I chased after from afar, for another man, she who never wanted to set foot within three feet of me, actually broke in in the middle of the night! Risking being discovered by me, she still wanted to save him!"

He then looked around at the festive red silk, spread his arms, and laughed, a laugh that made people tremble with fear and unease.

"And my good subordinate, the person I trust most, fearing that I would really force myself to marry my former woman, actually disobeyed my orders and ran back to stop me!"

He staggered a few steps while maintaining that posture, his eyes reddening with laughter, before returning to normal. His face was frighteningly cold, and his eyes were extremely sharp.

"You two! You're truly admirable! I was wrong; I broke up this loving couple!"

Jiang Shuifu understood everything; it was all a scheme by Shen Jizhao to stage the "catching adulterers" drama.

Shen Jizhao suddenly ran up to her, grabbed her waist, and lifted her neck: "I want to hear what you have to say. Tell me, you didn't!"

I haven't fallen for anyone!

He didn't develop feelings for his closest subordinate!

Jiang Shuifu knew him. She glanced furtively at He Beiqing, who was badly injured not far away, and sighed resignedly, "I didn't! You're overthinking it!"

Shen Jizhao, however, did not believe it:

"Shui Fu, you're afraid I'll hurt him, aren't you? If you didn't, why did you come to save him? If you didn't, why did you care if he was hurt? If you didn't, why did you risk your life to protect him? Do you think I'm blind? Tell me, is this what you mean by 'not'?"

Jiang Shuifu, in a fit of desperation, said, "If I don't tell you, you're forcing me; if I do, you won't believe me. What exactly do you want from me, Shen Jizhao!"

Shen Jizhao laughed instead: "I really wanted to do something to you, but since you've done such a thing, I won't show you any more mercy! And him..."

He walked slowly towards him, step by step, lowering his noble head slightly, not looking directly at him:

"I'm about to leave for a while. You know, I believe you'll give me a satisfactory answer in a few days! This time, I'm only doing this for the sake of the He family. From now on, we, master and servant, will no longer be friends fighting side by side on the battlefield! I've done everything I could!"

He Beiqing's eyes flickered and then narrowed. Although he was standing, he could no longer lift his neck.

Shen Jizhao gave the order: "Let's go!"

The Silver Moon Jade Garden was instantly empty, leaving only the two of them.

Jiang Shuifu numbly lifted her feet and approached him, taking in his desolate expression. Only then did she realize that her feelings for Shen Jizhao were not simply those of a master and servant; perhaps…

Her voice rang out:

"You treated him as a friend and confidant, and now you regret it, right? It's my fault; I shouldn't have asked you for help. From now on, let's never see each other again."

After saying that, she tried to leave, but before she could take a single step, he grabbed her:

"Wouldn't leaving now mean all our previous efforts were wasted? My He family is loyal to him, and even more so to Da Bei. As long as the He family is capable, and as long as I am capable, one day he will use me again! I'm not afraid, and he's not the kind of incompetent, wicked, and vengeful person he is!"

She looked at him questioningly, but He Beiqing suddenly laughed crisply:

"A grand wedding! Don't you think all this red silk in the garden is beautiful?"

Jiang Shuifu was horrified; he was going to make this a reality and marry her!

.

The Jiang residence was bustling with activity because General He Beiqing, a third-rank official, had come to propose marriage.

This news was kept secret from the Jiang family, as they knew Shen Jizhao's true identity and Jiang Shuifu had revealed everything.

Jiang Zongnan had no choice but to agree. They were willing to go against the Crown Prince to protect his Fu'er, so what could he possibly disagree with? Besides, only a powerful and influential man could protect Fu'er.

However, he still had to warn him:

"Alright, although our Fu'er has been married before, she was unlucky in love. She is a good person. If Lord He is not sincere, he should not ask for her hand in marriage. Otherwise, our Jiang family will not let you off the hook. Our Fu'er will never want a husband who only neglects her again!"

He Beiqing clasped his hands in a fist and said, "If I am fortunate enough to be chosen, I will certainly not let her down!"

"And what about your parents and family..."

After all, it was her second marriage, and she had once been a wife of the emperor, so most people wouldn't dare to ask for her hand in marriage.

He Beiqing said firmly, "They can't make decisions for me, and I won't let them bully my bride!"

Jiang Zongnan felt relieved upon hearing this and nodded. The old woman and Jiang family members beside him also breathed a sigh of relief. In the blink of an eye, their worries vanished, replaced by joy.

Meibao was also very happy, rushing over to hug He Beiqing's leg and calling to him with a grin:

“Brother-in-law, I knew you would be our brother-in-law. Grandpa and Grandma, you’re really good at massaging shoulders. He’s the one who massaged your shoulders the last few times! I saw it all clearly. You’re so smart!”

The two ancestors of the Jiang family were not in good health and often had aches and pains. Since the first time He Beiqing massaged them, he would come from time to time, but he always wore a curtain.

These words added a subtle tension to the atmosphere, but also put the Jiang family at ease.

The only person who didn't say a word throughout the entire event was Jiang Shuifu. Her feelings were complicated, and she didn't know what her feelings were for He Beiqing. She just felt dazed. How quickly had it happened? She was getting married again!

She saw him off at the gate, and He Beiqing noticed her absent-mindedness. He stopped and didn't move, and she almost bumped into him, but luckily he caught her in time.

"If you don't want to, it's not too late."

Jiang Shuifu pondered for a moment, then shook her head. "I have no objection, but what about you?"

This is asking him if he's really thought it through to marry her. Once the arrow is released, there's no turning back. Has he truly considered this marriage?

He Beiqing smiled gently and looked at her solemnly: "If possible, I really want to marry you. I'm not lying to you."

Jiang Shuifu blushed slightly and stopped being coy. Since she was going to get married, she wouldn't fake it. Anyway, she was going to have children, so she had to find a man to settle down with.

She looked at him with a hint of shyness and made a pact with him: "Then, let's live a good life together. You can't take a concubine, you can't treat me coldly, and you can't expect me to be a virtuous wife."

.

Because Shen Jizhao was away for the past few days, they didn't go through any of the wedding procedures. They only decorated the bridal chamber. The formalities, such as matching birth dates and horoscopes, would be done later.

Because the wedding was to be held in Suyang, Jiang Shuifu went with He Beiqing to choose a house. Although she would not live in Suyang forever, the wedding could not be taken lightly.

He Beiqing chose a house with three courtyards and three entrances, which showed her great importance. This way, her younger sister Bao Hu and her brother could come and keep her company sometimes, and she smiled with satisfaction.

The night before the wedding.

Jiang Shuifu opened the window and saw the man climbing the wall.

"Aren't we not supposed to meet before marriage? Why did you come all this way? Aren't you afraid our relationship will sour later? Or do you simply not care?"

He Beiqing was stunned. In the past few days, due to the change in their relationship, she had suddenly become more dependent on him and acted coquettishly. He had never experienced anything like this before, so much so that when he saw the look in her eyes, he was dumbfounded.

Seeing that he didn't speak, she angrily slammed the window shut.

"I don't care if you care, I won't treat you like royalty. If you treat me badly, I'll divorce you!"

Jiang Shuifu is no longer deterred from marriage because of her past experiences. She still has the ability to love, but she will never lose her self-respect again.

He Beiqing nodded: "Okay, but tonight, I want to stay with you."

Jiang Shuifu ignored him; let him keep his ways if he wants.

That night, He Beiqing sat by her boudoir all night long, becoming happier and happier as he sat, and he laughed. Such days were truly wonderful.

.

On the day of the wedding, the Jiang family sent off a granddaughter, but it was unknown which granddaughter it was, and the outside world was unaware of it.

Although the identity of the bride was unknown, the wedding was extremely grand, with the wedding procession stretching across the long street.

He Beiqing smiled broadly, his eyes sparkling. Of the three great joys in life, he had experienced the happiest one.

"Anyone who offers congratulations will be rewarded!"

Suddenly, the streets and alleys were filled with blessings such as "May you have a long and happy marriage" and "May you have a son soon."

Golden beans were scattered all over the ground.

This wedding was unprecedented in its grandeur, scale, and joy.

It's time to pay respects to heaven and earth.

Jiang Shuifu held one end of the red ribbon, the other end of which was her future husband.

He led her step by step toward the lobby.

"First bow to Heaven and Earth! Second bow to your parents!"

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

Jiang Shuifu prayed devoutly. She truly hoped to live a good life and wanted an equal and loving marriage.

As she bowed to him through her veil, a sliver of light shone through, and she saw his red, gilded wedding boots.

I must say, he looks good in red too.

"The ceremony is complete; escort them to the bridal chamber!"

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Author's Note: The next chapter will officially begin the chapter on forced love.