Chu Jinjin was really afraid that Zhan Qin would lose control and alarm his family.
She was in a terrible state of mind because she couldn't think of a solution. As for seeking refuge with Black Eagle Mountain Stronghold, that would mean living in constant fear from then on, and her whole family would probably be wanted by the authorities.
She waited for several seconds without receiving a response, then asked bluntly, "You weren't scared, were you?"
"No." The only change in Zhan Qin was that his ears were no longer red and had returned to their normal color. "Go receive the imperial decree first, and I'll figure out the rest."
So-called strength is often just a callus that has to be grown for a certain person or a certain event.
Since her father's accident, Chu Jinjin has been shouldering the burden of the Chu family alone. She has never felt tired, but that doesn't mean she doesn't need a shoulder to lean on.
Similar remarks have been made by others, such as Chu Yan and his own mother.
But she just listened.
Chu Jinjin didn't think Zhan Qin could come up with any solutions; it was probably just psychological, but she felt inexplicably a little more at ease.
The terrible thing Chu Jinjin imagined did not happen. The imperial edict was full of rewards, and the various rewards left even the Chu family, one of the ten richest families in the capital, speechless.
Some things cannot be bought with any amount of money.
They seemed to know about the Chu family's wealth.
Combs made of Annamite rhinoceros horn, lifelike ivory ornaments, spices, and East Sea pearls are not rare; what is rare is the pink color that I have only heard of but never seen.
As for gold and jewelry, they became mere accessories.
Xiao Huai truly understood how to win people's hearts and knew the importance of Chu Jingde. He specially prepared a gift for him—two century-old ginseng roots from Goryeo, a dragon-headed walking stick, and a few words of personal concern from his maternal family.
The completely unaware Chu Jingde was so moved that his eyes welled up with tears.
The eunuch Zhao came personally to announce the decree. He was afraid of wronging Chu Jinjin, so he spoke very quickly. Then he personally helped her up and said in a low voice, "Miss Jinjin, the Emperor has personally reviewed these rewards. Some of them were specially designated."
Chu Jinjin nodded perfunctorily.
That's really generous of them.
Roughly estimated, this should be enough to cover my dowry.
The Chu family all thought that Chu Jinjin deserved it because she had made a great contribution. Although they were a little surprised, they did not think much of it. After Lord Zhao and his family left, they were as happy as if it were New Year's Day.
Especially Liu, she would pick up this and look at it, then pick up that and look at it again, wanting them all and reluctant to part with any of them.
What's wrong with a mother taking a few gifts from her daughter?
Chu Jinjin found an excuse to go to the back garden alone with Zhan Qin, and this time she sighed helplessly: "Aren't you scared?"
That's just how this era is.
Even if she were to marry the emperor, it wouldn't be acceptable, let alone just because she was engaged to the emperor.
To covet the emperor's woman is a capital offense.
Chu Jinjin became more and more frustrated: "If you're scared, then leave the Chu family for now. I can understand. After all, that's the Emperor. Preserving your life is the most important thing. I don't want to implicate you."
She is very open-minded about this.
When disaster strikes, everyone flees for their lives.
If Zhan Qin chooses to leave, she will absolutely not stop him.
Zhan Qin seemed not to hear, his expression blank.
Chu Jinjin was extremely dissatisfied; his woman was being eyed by another man, and he hadn't said a word about it.
It's okay to be a little jealous.
Such a man has no masculinity whatsoever.
Chu Jinjin grew angrier the more she thought about it, just as a patrolling guard walked by.
They probably thought their masters were all looking at the gifts from the palace, and since the sun was out and it wasn't the time to admire flowers, two guards had their shirts open, their beautiful pectoral muscles faintly visible.
Upon seeing Chu Jinjin, he was momentarily stunned.
But he was just stunned.
If it were any other woman, she would have covered up immediately after such an inappropriate behavior, but this is Chu Jinjin.
Which of the guards doesn't know that Miss Chu likes men's pectoral muscles?
When they learned that Zhan Qin had gotten there first, they immediately regarded him as a public enemy. They couldn't stand him no matter what. He was just a schoolteacher, not much better than them.
"Greetings, Miss Chu." The one walking at the front was the one who had been touched. Taking advantage of the opportunity to bow, his clothes slipped down, revealing most of his bright chest muscles.
Chu Jinjin: "......"
Chu Jinjin glanced at Zhan Qin, who was still in a daze.
They've been flirting with you openly, and you still haven't reacted?
He's probably afraid the guards will beat him up.
Chu Jinjin gritted her teeth, put on a smile, and casually patted it, praising, "Not bad, you've gotten even stronger since I last saw you. Keep it up."
The guard looked radiant, his bright eyes extending a warm invitation: Touch me, touch me a few more times.
Go ahead and touch me.
The handsome guy invited her, and she felt she would be doing him a disservice if she didn't touch him. Chu Jinjin's hand had only reached halfway when it was firmly grabbed by a slender hand.
Anger and shock flashed in Zhan Qin's eyes: "What...what are you doing?"
Chu Jinjin spoke frankly: "Touch his pectoral muscles."
Zhan Qin: "......."
Chu Jinjin sensed that he was about to cry, and suddenly felt guilty for bullying him. She said in a bright voice, "I'm not actually that kind of woman. I noticed you haven't said anything."
Seeing that something was wrong, the guard quietly left.
"I'm thinking about how to dissuade the Emperor from his idea." Zhan Qin took a deep breath, as if he had made a major decision. "Jinjin, come with me to the palace. I will ask the Emperor to grant us a marriage."
Chu Jinjin: "......!"
Chu Jinjin touched his forehead: "You don't have a fever, or are you just confused from worry?"
To ask the emperor for a marriage proposal—wouldn't that be courting death?
She's alright, but Zhan Qin definitely won't come back alive.
Zhan Qin said seriously, "Jinjin, my surname is actually Yuan, and my real name is Yuan Qin."
Chu Jinjin blinked: "And then?"
Zhan Qin: "...My father's name is Yuan Youming."
Chu Jinjin was still unsure, and said thoughtfully, "It seems somewhat familiar, as if I've heard it somewhere before."
She never cared about people or things she wasn't interested in; no matter how high-ranking an official was, if it had nothing to do with her, she would forget about it as soon as she heard about it.
Zhan Qin took a deep breath: "The current prime minister, a key minister of the emperor."
Chu Jinjin: "......."
She had considered that Zhan Qin might have come from an unusual background, perhaps as the son of some fallen noble family, but she never thought to ask, since everyone has their own secrets.
But the prime minister's son?
Chu Jinjin felt a little dizzy and asked with difficulty, "What exactly happened? How did you end up like this? Were you kicked out of the house or what?"
Zhan Qin's face was heavy: "My mother died because of him, and I am his son whom he cannot be seen in public. This is a long story, and I will tell Jinjin about it later. Now, before the emperor's decree is issued, you come with me into the palace."
This was the only solution he could think of.
His relationship with Mr. Jinjin was followed by Xiao Huai's. Although that father was a scoundrel, he was, after all, the head of all officials. The emperor's ability to maintain his current position was largely due to his father's contributions.
No matter how hard we search, we won't do anything to him.
They would not let a woman ruin their harmony.
Chu Jinjin was still confused and shook her head, saying, "No, I can't go."
Things aren't that simple.
Chu Jinjin tried to calm herself down and said, word by word, "Zhan Qin, the Emperor has the idea of making me Empress."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
