Chapter 73 Trouble: Just two short sentences left Jiang Zhuoying a little confused...
These two short sentences left Jiang Zhuoying somewhat dazed, not because she was slow to react, but because they were so different from her preconceived notions of Jiang Ying.
According to this logic, she had seen everything Fu Ce had done, and it's possible that she had even been involved in pushing him along.
"A-Zhuo? Are you startled?"
Jiang Ying held the handkerchief in her hand and waved it in front of Jiang Zhuoying's eyes several times.
"...Yes, so Fu Ce was doing all this behind your back?"
"Isn't it because he's stupid?" the girl suddenly chuckled.
Jiang Zhuoying: "..."
"After years of military training, I've become much stronger, but my mind is still blank."
Jiang Zhuoying: "..."
She suddenly realized, belatedly, that all her fears and endless thoughts had been nothing but wishful thinking and wasted effort.
"You already knew about the Third Prince's character?"
Jiang Ying nodded in agreement: "Ever since I learned that my mother intended to marry me off to the Third Prince, I have begun to investigate his character."
"Marriage is a major event, so it should not be taken so lightly."
Jiang Zhuoying took a deep breath: "What about Fu Ce going to the Emperor to request an imperial decree?"
"He made all of these decisions himself, but they're exactly what I wanted."
Jiang Zhuoying: "..."
"So that's how it is."
Shocked, Jiang Zhuoying also breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that she could understand; she didn't really want to face the day when Jiang Ying would turn against her.
The two talked until midnight, when Jiang Ying, dressed as a maid, hurriedly left.
Jiang Zhuoying watched her disappearing figure into the darkness and slowly exhaled. Xiangyue beside her was a little anxious and couldn't wait to ask, "Miss, you've talked with the eldest young lady for so long, have you managed to persuade her?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhuoying glanced at her sideways and said, "Why would I need to persuade her? She's very perceptive."
"ah?"
"Alright, it's getting late, let's get some rest."
She waved her hand, and Xiangxing responded by helping her into the house to prepare, leaving Xiangyue standing there, her heart pounding with curiosity...
The next day, Fu Ce's personal attendant came to report that after the Duke of Zhenguo entered the palace, he didn't know what he had said to the Emperor, but the Emperor actually agreed to let the Jiang family choose this marriage.
Jiang Zhuoying immediately frowned: "Our residence?"
The servant nodded: "Yes, they said they would let Miss Jiang make the decision herself, and they even sent Eunuch Liu from their side."
Jiang Zhuoying thought to herself that this was bad. She said that Jiang Ying should make her own choice, but wasn't she just following her uncle's wishes?
"What did Fu Ce say?"
The servant paused for a moment, then said, "The young master said he still wanted to go to the palace to meet the emperor, but the Duke locked him up."
Jiang Zhuoying: "..."
"Won't he escape?"
The servant's expression turned somewhat strange: "Second Miss is joking. Those thirty strokes of the cane were delivered squarely to the Duke's body, and the Duke has plenty of methods to deal with them."
Jiang Zhuoying's heart sank. She quickly dismissed the servant and turned to ask, "Go and find out if my uncle and aunt are at the manor now?"
Xiangyue nodded and hurriedly took her leave. Xiangxing stepped forward and took Jiang Zhuoying's arm: "Miss, are you worried about Miss Jiang?"
Jiang Zhuoying glanced at her sideways: "Let's go see Jiang Ying openly and honestly now."
...
The next day, Jiang Ying saw her again, looking somewhat shocked. Before she could even welcome her into the house, Jiang Zhuoying grabbed her wrist first: "Leave with me quickly."
Jiang Ying was taken aback, but didn't ask any questions. She simply nodded to her personal maid and followed Jiang Zhuoying outside.
Before the two had even stepped out of Jiang Ying's courtyard, they were stopped by two sturdy old women.
"Where are you headed, young lady? This old servant has not yet received Madam's instructions."
Jiang Zhuoying was slightly taken aback, her expression immediately turning displeased. Her brows furrowed, and her tone became arrogant: "Get out of my way! Who dares to block my path these days?"
"Even if I'm down on my luck, I'm still a young lady of the Duke's mansion!"
The two old women exchanged a glance, their tone becoming more respectful than before.
"Second Miss, please don't be offended. How could we old servants dare to block your way? It's just that our Madam has instructed us that wherever the Eldest Miss wants to go, she must have Madam's permission."
“Our young lady is very strict with family rules; how could she come and go as freely as the second young lady?”
Jiang Zhuoying's face darkened, and she gave Xiangxing a look. The latter immediately stepped forward and slapped the old woman who had said those words.
"Ouch! Why are you hitting me?"
The old woman covered her face and took two steps back, her voice rising slightly, tinged with anger.
"I'll hit you then!"
Jiang Zhuoying was slightly taken aback, and suddenly turned her head. She hadn't even had a chance to reprimand her yet, so it was clear that only Jiang Ying could have said those words.
“You’ve always been very respectful in my courtyard, but now that A-Zhuo is here, you’re so unrestrained and dare to offend your master with your nonsense. If Grandfather finds out, do you think you’ll be alive?”
The two old women were then frightened and knelt down on the ground, begging for the second young lady's forgiveness.
The old Duke is still alive and well, and these days he has indeed been very fond of his second daughter, who has just returned from outside the city.
Furthermore, if their words were examined more closely, they did indeed appear to be disrespectful and gossipy, mocking the second young lady for losing her parents.
If the case were brought before the Duke, they would likely be severely punished to appease the Second Miss, as a warning to others.
The two of them didn't doubt Jiang Ying's words at all, only believing that she was saving them and showing them the way, so they quickly apologized and begged for forgiveness.
Jiang Zhuoying snorted. If it weren't for the urgency, she would have definitely taught them a lesson.
"Get out of my way!"
"...Yes, yes, yes, Second Miss, please calm down, Second Miss, please calm down..."
Jiang Zhuoying led Jiang Ying out of the courtyard safely, and behind them, a faint plea could still be heard, urging Jiang Ying to come back quickly.
The girl couldn't help but laugh, turning to the girl beside her and asking, "If the Zhao family finds out you left without permission, will they be severely punished?"
Jiang Ying nodded: "Those two are used to showing off their power, we don't need to pay them any attention."
"But why have you suddenly come to see me?"
Jiang Ying wasn't stupid; last night, Jiang Zhuoying had sent her a message informing her to sneak out.
But the fact that it happened so suddenly today means that something extremely important must be involved, and she thinks it must be related to Fu Ce.
Jiang Zhuoying nodded and told her everything about Fu Ce.
During their conversation, the two arrived at the Osmanthus Courtyard.
Xiangyue was already waiting in the courtyard. Upon seeing Jiang Zhuoying, she hurriedly went to greet her.
"Miss, the master went to the Hanlin Academy this morning, and Madam Zhao is still in the mansion."
Jiang Zhuoying pondered for a moment: "Fu Ce's message has arrived, so the Consort's message shouldn't be much later. You..."
Jiang Ying was silent for a few moments, then said, "I understand, thank you."
If A-Zhuo had arrived any later, she might have been secretly placed under house arrest.
Whether she was sick or fainted, her mother would never give her the chance to meet the people sent by the emperor.
"So what exactly are your plans?"
Jiang Ying looked at her and said, "Let me change my clothes here. You don't need to bother with the rest."
Jiang Zhuoying gave her a deep look: "Okay."
Jiang Ying immediately turned her head and called to her maid, "Xiao Yue, let's go."
She went into Jiang Zhuoying's bedroom, changed into a maid's outfit, and immediately took Xiaoyue out.
Jiang Zhuoying was standing at the door waiting for her.
"A-Zhuo?"
Jiang Zhuoying gestured to Xiangxing beside her to slip some loose silver coins to Xiaoyue: "Now that you're out the door, any amount of silver will be useful."
Jiang Ying frowned, reached out and took her hand, looking into her eyes: "You reap what you sow. I know about cause and effect."
After saying that, she nodded slightly to Jiang Zhuoying and led Xiaoyue out of the courtyard.
Xiangyue glanced in the direction the two had disappeared, then turned to look at Jiang Zhuoying: "Miss, what does this mean?"
Jiang Zhuoying sighed softly and turned to look at Xiangyue: "She has already guessed what will happen in the future."
Last night, he clearly said that compared to her, he was fortunate.
But if you really stand in Jiang Ying's position, it's also unbearable.
Xiangxing thought a bit too much and asked if they should close the courtyard gate.
Or perhaps they could seek the Duke's protection; Zhao might come demanding them soon.
Jiang Zhuoying raised an eyebrow: "No need. With people coming from the palace, how could they possibly get away?"
"Have someone go and keep an eye out for any activity, and report back when appropriate."
Xiangxing nodded and walked away quickly...
Sure enough, not long after, Jiang Jun accompanied Eunuch Liu back to the Duke's Mansion. The two went to Ninghui Hall first to greet the old Duke.
At the same time, Jiang Zhuoying was also summoned to Ninghui Hall. When she arrived, everyone was already there.
Jiang Zhuoying spotted Eunuch Liu at a glance. Come to think of it, she had met Eunuch Liu Li before when she was a carp.
After exchanging greetings with everyone, Liu Li unexpectedly brought up her name.
"The second young lady of the Duke of Rui's mansion is truly a beauty, radiant and rare."
He wasn't just being polite; having served in the palace for decades, he had seen concubines of all shapes and sizes, each with their own unique charm.
Even he couldn't help but be captivated when he saw the second young lady of the Duke's mansion.
This woman truly deserves the title of "peerless beauty".
Jiang Zhuoying did not want to show off at this time, so she lowered her eyes and timidly replied, "Thank you for your kind words, Father-in-law."
Liu Li frowned almost imperceptibly and looked away.
Her appearance is indeed eye-catching, but her personality is not suitable for refined occasions.
He looked at Jiang Jun and his wife and changed the subject: "Since this young lady is not in the manor, then we will wait here. Please don't stand on ceremony."
Zhao smiled somewhat stiffly: "Eunuch Liu, our Ah Ying and His Highness the Third Prince are childhood sweethearts, so this marriage is naturally something she likes."
"Besides, since ancient times, haven't daughters' marriages always been arranged by their parents and matchmakers? How can there be any reason for girls to make their own decisions?"
Liu Li chuckled in a sharp voice: "According to Madam's wishes, you favor His Highness the Third Prince?"
"Of course, of course!" Zhao immediately agreed with a smile.
The smile in Liu Li's eyes faded slightly: "Madam, please don't be anxious. Since we are acting on His Majesty's orders, we must do our job well."
Upon hearing this, Zhao's lips stiffened slightly. After a few moments of contemplation, she took another step forward and lowered her voice, saying, "The Imperial Concubine is also happy to see this marriage happen."
As she thought, the Imperial Concubine was currently enjoying the Emperor's favor, and her third son had a high reputation in the court, so she could be considered to be at the height of her power.
This eunuch had no choice but to give the imperial concubine face and report back to the emperor, thus facilitating the marriage. This was entirely beneficial to Eunuch Liu.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Jun pulled Zhao Shi hard from behind.
Zhao staggered backward, feeling embarrassed and humiliated. She immediately glared at Jiang Jun.
The latter, however, was completely different from his usual timid self in front of her. His face turned ashen, and he grabbed her with a fierce look, saying, "Get out of here right now!"
This was the first time Zhao had ever seen Jiang Jun with such a look on her face, and she was momentarily stunned. Seeing Jiang Jun fawningly apologizing, she opened her mouth, but in the end, she reluctantly shrank behind Jiang Jun.
Jiang Zhuoying sipped her tea, enjoying the farce unfold, without uttering a single word from beginning to end.
...
We sat there for almost two hours, and the sky gradually darkened.
Liu Li glanced at Jiang Jun: "Since this Miss Jiang is ill, she can still go out of the manor to play for so long. She must be in good health normally."
"Hehe, yes, yes, it is indeed as Eunuch Liu said..."
Jiang Zhuoying suppressed a laugh and lowered her head, realizing that this must have been her uncle and his wife's idea.
Originally, having heard rumors, he planned to confine Jiang Ying in her room, falsely claiming she was ill, and then devise a way to convince Eunuch Liu that Jiang Ying's beloved was the Third Prince.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Ying had already run out first, and this Eunuch Liu was not easy to fool.
After sitting for a short while, the nanny next to Zhao came in and quietly reported a few things. Seeing the change in Zhao's expression, the nanny looked at her with increasing ferocity.
Jiang Zhuoying pursed her lips slightly.
It looks like she's in for some trouble.
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