Chapter 82 Before the wedding, she sent people to the Second Prince's residence in Luoyang...
She sent people to keep an eye on the residences of the Second Prince and the Third Prince in Luoyang, and also sent someone out of the city to check on Qi Fan's villa.
Let's see if we can glean any clues from this...
*
The Second Prince's Residence, Zhiwei Pavilion
Chu Yixin stood before the desk, bowed, and reported, "Your wisdom is truly remarkable. Miss Jiang indeed sent someone to the other courtyard."
"That guy's skills were really lacking, and our people discovered him very easily."
Qi Fan buried himself in the mountain of memorials, his voice calm: "The people around her may be less skilled, but they are loyal."
"Of course! Last night, the guard had his leg broken, but he didn't say a single bad word about Miss Jiang."
The man slowly raised his eyes, his gaze almost tangible, and Chu Yixin looked embarrassed.
"An accident...it was truly an accident..."
The man looked away, put down the wolf-hair brush in his hand, clenched and unclenched his large, bony hand several times, and then suddenly spoke.
"Have someone take something back with them." He paused slightly. "Tomorrow morning at court, the crimes committed by the Imperial Concubine will be made public."
His voice was indifferent, yet it easily made Chu Yixin, who was standing in front of the table, change her expression.
The latter stiffly twitched his lips. When it came to matters concerning Jiang, this man had absolutely no principles…
When he first learned that the person was still alive, he was so angry that he couldn't sleep all night. He even used incense that day and was very worried about Jiang.
When the old man came out of the room, his eyebrows and eyes were relaxed, and he seemed to be in a very good mood.
Then came the incident with Lord Xiao, who said he would lock the person in the courtyard until the wedding date, which made people think deeply.
But only one night passed, and once a person falls ill, they can't remember anything.
The intention was to scare them, to make them uneasy until their wedding night, but...
It had only been one night.
Chu Yixin flicked his whisk: "Yes, this servant will go right away."
He turned around and took a slight step.
"stop."
Chu Yixin turned around at the opportune moment: "Does Your Excellency have any further instructions?"
Qi Fan frowned slightly, his voice low and hoarse: "How long until the wedding dress is finished?"
Chu Yixin thought for a moment: "The wedding dress originally required thirty embroiderers to work for half a year. Even though the number of embroiderers has been doubled, it will still take at least ten more days to complete."
"Yes, have someone keep a close eye on them, and make sure nothing goes wrong."
Chu Yixin flicked his whisk: "Alright, Master, don't worry. Nowadays, it's really popular for young ladies to sew their own wedding dresses. Maybe Miss Jiang is preparing one too!"
The man was slightly taken aback, and the image of the little girl's past behavior immediately came to mind.
He then gave a light sneer: "It's best not to count on her."
...
That night, the people Jiang Zhuoying sent out returned.
"I squatted for a long time and saw that all the servants in that courtyard were very busy."
"And I also overheard passersby saying that we should hurry up and make preparations for the joyous day, and so on..."
Jiang Zhuoying suddenly interrupted him, her tone rising: "A joyous day? Are you sure you didn't hear me wrong?"
"Ah, this servant is absolutely certain that he heard correctly! Those two are so excited, they've been talking about this over and over again, repeating it several times."
Jiang Zhuoying clenched the handkerchief in her hand; she couldn't describe her feelings at that moment.
Was it a relief? It doesn't seem so.
The tightness in her chest, which had been making her feel like she was suffocating, finally opened up at this moment, allowing warm air to enter and gently envelop her unresolved heart.
That's great, it really is him.
She couldn't help but raise the corners of her lips, her tone becoming light and cheerful: "I understand. You may leave now. It's getting late, go and have some dinner."
The servant quickly retreated, and Xiangyue and Xiangxing, who were standing nearby, immediately rushed over.
"Congratulations, Miss! Congratulations! Your wish has come true!"
Xiangyue, beaming with joy, congratulated Jiang Zhuoying.
Although Xiangxing wasn't as lively as her, she still had a smile on her face, and you could tell from her expression that she was happy too.
Jiang Zhuoying's smile faded slightly, and she glanced at Xiangyue with feigned displeasure: "Don't talk nonsense. How could I have gotten what I wanted?"
Xiangyue and Xiangxing exchanged a glance, then smiled without saying a word.
The two of them had been by Jiang Zhuoying's side since childhood, so they naturally knew her temperament very well.
Since the Second Prince returned from his villa, the two of them had noticed the changes in their young lady.
That's how feelings are; they arise without our knowledge, and we only realize them later.
"Oh dear!" Xiangyue laughed for a while, then suddenly cried out in alarm.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Zhuoying and Xiangxing both looked at her.
"Miss, how do you explain your previous...faking death?"
"You mean, does His Highness the Second Prince already know your identity?"
"The Second Prince has become the Crown Prince, this is a crime of deceiving the Emperor! Miss... Miss, you..."
Xiangyue asked a series of questions, her joy turning to worry.
Jiang Zhuoying glanced at her calmly and said, "It's alright, there's no need to worry too much."
Although she hadn't shown her face to Qi Fan since leaving the villa, based on the previous events, he had most likely guessed her identity.
He might even have orchestrated this marriage himself.
Otherwise, she really couldn't understand how her Duke Rui's mansion, given its current situation, could still secure a marriage with the Crown Prince.
If it's the Third Prince, then it's to get revenge on her.
But if it were him...
The girl patted Xiangyue's hand confidently: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
...
At night, Jiang Zhuoying nestled on the couch, carefully analyzing the current situation.
With the wedding arrangements temporarily settled and Father and Brother on their way back, only Mother's affairs remained.
But now that Zhao is in the Ministry of Justice, Cui Mama and Zhao's trusted maids have disappeared, and even Yueying, who originally found relevant evidence, has disappeared.
She has too few people at her disposal and her strength is limited.
The best course of action now is still Qi Fan.
How did it go around in circles and end up back where it started?
*
From that day on, Jiang Zhuoying felt that life was going by so fast and smoothly that it was almost unreal.
The Consort's crimes were made public, and Zhao was naturally punished as well.
What surprised Jiang Zhuoying was not only the charges against Zhao for conspiring with the Imperial Concubine to harm the imperial heirs and concubines over the years, but also the fact that the first charge on the list was that she murdered her sister-in-law.
Zhao's crimes were made public, and Jiang Zhuoying went to the outskirts to see her mother.
Jiang Zhuoying kowtowed three times before the tombstone, tears streaming down her face...
“Mother, the truth about your death has come to light. Today, A-Zhuo should have come with Father and Brother, but they haven’t arrived in Luojing yet, so A-Zhuo can come to see you alone.”
"But don't worry, Father and Brother are both safe and sound. When they return, A-Zhuo will definitely bring them to see you again."
"...There's one more thing. A-Zhu is getting married. Her husband is the second prince of Da Rong. He is handsome and has feelings for A-Zhu. In the future, A-Zhu and he will surely live in harmony. You can rest assured..."
...
After the worship ceremony, Jiang Zhuoying boarded the carriage to return home.
Now, only my eldest uncle and grandfather remain in the Duke's mansion. My grandfather is old and his strength is limited, and as for my eldest uncle, we haven't seen him for a long time.
She mostly handled her own wedding arrangements.
She has been extremely busy these days, and it is already difficult for her to spare half a day to come here.
Wu Jiu's injuries had basically healed, so he couldn't wait to come with her. Right now, the carriage was being prepared outside the door.
Xiangyue chattered incessantly beside her, asking what hairstyle she should have on her big day and what makeup she should wear...
Xiangxing chimed in occasionally, the warm sunlight streaming through the car window making her feel completely at ease, and a gentle breeze occasionally ruffling the hairs at her temples...
Mother, A-Zhuo will always remember you and live a good life from now on.
The carriage suddenly accelerated, and she was caught off guard and leaned back. Xiangyue caught her quickly.
This sudden accident immediately reminded her of the day the road was blocked by the crowd and the horse that had broken free of its reins.
Her heart sank, and Jiang Zhuoying called out, "Wujiu? What happened?"
But when she looked out the car window, she couldn't see anything unusual.
“Miss, there are two groups of people fighting in the woods on the right. We are outnumbered, so we’d better hurry and pass by.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhuoying leaned out of the window on the right and looked over, and indeed noticed something unusual.
The sound of clashing weapons could always be heard in the forest, and the tree trunks and green bamboos swayed from time to time. You could also vaguely see a figure flashing by through the gaps.
Wu Jiu is right; they'd better leave quickly...
*
Chu Yixin raised his foot and stepped on the man in black's chest. He controlled the force perfectly, so that the man was not in danger of losing his life, but was also unable to break free.
His usual amiable demeanor vanished, replaced by a chillingly cold gaze.
"Go back and tell your master that if he wants to harm Miss Jiang, he is going against him. Let him think twice about how many bargaining chips he has left."
Her voice was shrill, yet it revealed a ruthless edge that sent chills down one's spine.
"Yes, I understand, I understand," the man on the ground said, his voice trembling.
Chu Yixin glanced at someone's expression before finally lifting her foot.
"Thank you so much, Eunuch Chu, for your great mercy in sparing my life."
The man in black kowtowed several times, trembling as he begged for mercy. As he got up, he glanced at the "one of his own" lying around him.
Sensing the increasingly chilling aura emanating from the person in front of him, he dared not look any longer, bowed again, and turned to flee as fast as he could...
Seeing the dark figure disappear, Chu Yixin took a few steps back and stopped in front of Qi Fan.
"Sir, shall we go back too?"
The man glanced at him and said, "Well done."
He paused for a moment: "Have someone keep an eye on her. If she leaves the manor again, make sure to send someone to protect her."
"Yes, I understand."
Chu Yixin agreed with a smile. He had already arranged this matter long ago, so there was no need for his master to speak up personally.
...
Before long, the sun had set, and before long, it was August 16th, the day of Jiang Zhuoying's wedding.
Jiang Ying returned to the mansion a day early and personally handed her a delicate little box made of rosewood.
"Given the current situation in the manor, there's probably no one to teach you these things. As your cousin, I'll take the liberty of doing it myself."
Jiang Zhuoying looked somewhat puzzled. Judging from Jiang Ying's radiant appearance, she must be a loving and harmonious wife after marriage, and must be living a very good life.
She opened the box in front of Jiang Ying. Jiang Ying was stunned for a moment. She wanted to stop her, but it was too late. Two strange red clouds rose on her cheeks.
Jiang Zhuoying picked up a few booklets from the box, flipped through them casually, and then put them back into the box without changing her expression.
She placed the box back in Jiang Ying's arms, who looked astonished: "A-Zhuo?"
What kind of expression is that? An ordinary young lady, upon seeing this booklet, would at least feel some embarrassment, if not avoid it like the plague.
But Ah Zhuo remained so calm...
Jiang Zhuoying's gaze held a hint of deeper meaning: "Aying may not know, but the palace has specially sent several governesses to the manor. I already know about these things in this booklet."
Jiang Ying opened her lips: "..."
Jiang Zhuoying took the initiative and raised an eyebrow at her: "I have more booklets here than you do. They were all specially brought to me by the nannies. Come and take a look?"
Jiang Ying: "..."
Her cheeks flushed even redder instantly. She glared at Jiang Zhuoying feigning anger, then closed the box and prepared to leave.
Jiang Zhuoying quickly grabbed her arm: "Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Didn't you come here specifically to see me off on my wedding day?"
Jiang Ying turned her head and deliberately raised her eyebrows: "Could it be that Prince Fu can't be without you for even a moment?"
Jiang Ying was at a loss for words and sighed softly, "You do look a bit like you did when you were little."
Jiang Zhuoying pulled her arm and led her inside: "Alright, since you're here, stay here with me. The old lady said the things in that book are important. There are many things I don't understand. Could you explain them to me again?"
...
As the night passed, in the early morning, while Jiang Zhuoying was getting ready, Jiang Ying took out a pair of auspicious locks.
She dismissed everyone and placed the jade lock on the dressing table: "A-Zhuo, I wonder if you still remember that this jade lock was made for the two of us by your mother."
Jiang Ying spoke gently: "When you were little, you were playful and accidentally left this lock in the flower bushes. Later, I picked it up and put it back, and by some twist of fate, it has been there for so many years."
Jiang Zhuoying was taken aback when she saw the lock; she naturally remembered it.
Jiang Ying watched the change in her expression, then lowered her eyes slightly: "A-Zhuo, it's my mother who has wronged you. Even though she has confessed, I have no face to see you, but..."
She also suffered and hesitated, knowing the mistakes her mother had made, and felt pain and remorse every day.
She had tried to persuade her mother, but her mother was already stubbornly unrepentant.
That's why she stepped in to save Ah Zhuo.
Ultimately, she also had her own selfish motives; she only hoped that her mother could make fewer mistakes so that she could have a way back in the future.
Jiang Zhuoying stroked the jade lock that belonged to her...
Ultimately, it was Jiang Ying who saved her first at the Third Prince's villa. Although she later learned that it was Zhao Shi who harmed her mother, Jiang Ying was also a pawn in the scheme.
She hated the ruthless Zhao Shi and her incompetent and lecherous uncle, but she did not feel such deep hatred for Jiang Ying.
Upon closer reflection, Zhao was taken away by the Ministry of Justice, which Jiang Ying considered unrelated to her, hence her feeling guilty towards her…
Even if this hadn't happened, she would have found out everything sooner or later and made Zhao confess.
If it were then, would Jiang Ying still feel so guilty towards her?
"Do you want to keep this lock?"
A gentle question interrupted her thoughts.
Jiang Zhuoying snapped out of her daze, her eyes regaining focus. She lowered her gaze to the jade lock in her palm and slowly nodded.
"good."
It was easy to hear the relief in Jiang Ying's voice.
...
Jiang Zhuoying's wedding dress was also sent from the palace, and its specifications and ceremony were even more outstanding than Jiang Ying's.
The girl in the bronze mirror had bright eyes and white teeth; she was a beauty of unparalleled grace.
"If your uncle and Chengyun were still alive, they would be happy for you today."
Jiang Zhuoying's heart stirred slightly, but she only nodded gently and did not respond to her words.
“I know you have a connection with the current Crown Prince, A-Zhuo, you must make the most of it.”
Jiang Ying looked into Jiang Zhuoying's eyes in the bronze mirror, a smile playing on her lips.
Yes, not two days after the imperial decree of marriage was issued, the imperial concubine fell from power, and the edict establishing the crown prince was announced to the world.
As everyone knows, the Emperor's second son, Qi Fan, has been made Crown Prince.
The imperial edict granting the marriage and the edict establishing the heir apparent were reversed, which must be suspicious. Jiang Zhuoying had a feeling about this, but she was not entirely sure.
"Um."
Jiang Zhuoying met the gentle eyes reflected in the bronze mirror and nodded earnestly.
She had her own plans.
My father and younger brother will arrive in Luoyang soon, which will surely cause a stir in the court.
My grandfather has been away from court for a long time due to illness, and all the noble families who used to be on good terms with the Duke's mansion are now opportunists.
At that time, she would need someone who could speak up for her father in the court.
Moreover, this person should ideally have considerable influence in the Emperor's eyes.
No one is more suitable than Qi Fan.
Even though he, as the crown prince, could not directly plead for her father, his presence prevented those with ulterior motives from succeeding.
She had her own desires, but aside from those, she also had to admit that this marriage suited her tastes.
She will learn from her mother and strive to fulfill one of her mother's wishes: to live a harmonious and happy life.
-----------------------
Author's Note: I'll work as hard as I can today, because tomorrow is my wedding night!!!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
