The Zhenguo Mansion, proud of its noble status, could not swallow this insult. The news of the Crown Prince being kicked out by Nian Li had spread like wildfire throughout the capital, undoubtedly a resounding slap in the face for the Zhenguo Mansion. However, they did not give up. Instead, they became obsessed with marrying Nian Li into the family to save some face. So, the Zhenguo Mansion specially asked the most prestigious matchmaker in the city to go to the Jiang family again to propose marriage.
The matchmaker, dressed in a gorgeous silk gown, a delicate pearl and jade hair ornament, and clutching a folding fan painted with floral and bird motifs, entered the Jiang family's gate with delicate and graceful steps. She smiled broadly and offered the most flattering words, praising the family background of the Zhenguo Mansion and the talent and virtue of the Crown Prince to the skies, attempting to impress the Jiang family.
However, Nian Li had already made up her mind and showed no interest in the marriage. She didn't even show her face, but simply sent a reply letter. The matchmaker unfolded the letter, which read: "This girl will not marry unless the prince can defeat the toy knife in my hand." The matchmaker looked at the letter, feeling both amused and embarrassed, and thought to herself: This girl from the Jiang family is truly different. How can she explain such a reply to the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion?
After Jiang Yan learned about this, he remained calm on the surface, but in his heart he admired his daughter's determination. He knew very well that his daughter had a strong character and was unwilling to compromise, so he naturally would not force her. But as a father, he couldn't help but worry that his daughter would suffer outside. So, he secretly found the best blacksmith in the capital and carefully made a small knife made of fine steel. This knife has a long and narrow blade, flashing with cold light, and an extremely sharp edge. With a light wave, you can feel the cold murderous aura. Jiang Yan handed the knife to Nianli and whispered: "Use it for self-defense, don't really hurt anyone. After all, the Zhenguogong Mansion is not easy to mess with." Nianli took the knife, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, she played with the knife, nodded and replied: "Dad, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
At the same time, Si Yan heard about the prince's frequent visits, and he started to calculate another account in his mind. He sat in the study, with an account book spread out in front of him, and the brush in his hand kept recording on the paper. After a careful calculation, he calculated the loss caused by the prince's visit to the family. He ran to Jiang Yan excitedly and said, "Dad, every time the prince comes, our family has to waste five taels of silver on tea and snacks alone. Why not give him a bill? Let him know that coming to our house is not in vain." Jiang Yan was slightly stunned after hearing this, and then smiled and said, "Good idea, let him know the price of messing with our Jiang family's daughter."
Su Jinli, who was listening to the conversation between the father and son, couldn't help but brighten up. She gave him a thumbs up and said, "Si Yan's idea is really good. Let's do it this way. Let's see if the prince dares to come to our house easily."
Just as everyone was deliberating, the prince arrived once again, full of vigor and energy. This time, he had dressed in a light, athletic outfit, black leather boots, a golden hair crown, and a sword at his waist, looking quite heroic. He thought to himself, I was careless last time, this time I must show Nianli how powerful I am.
When Nian Li heard that the prince was coming, she held the fine steel knife Jiang Yan had given her and went out to fight with her head held high. However, when she reached the door, she found Si Yan had set up a stall at the door. There were a few tables and chairs on the stall, and a sign next to it that read: "Prince's challenge, the viewing fee is ten taels." Si Yan was sitting behind the table, holding an abacus in his hand, fiddling with it. Seeing the prince coming, he looked up and said with a smile: "Prince, please pay the viewing fee of ten taels before the challenge!"
Seeing this, the prince was so angry that he trembled all over, his face turning red and white. He pointed at Si Yan and shouted angrily, "How dare you take this opportunity to blackmail me!" But Si Yan didn't care at all. He still said with a smile on his face, "Prince, every time you come, our family spends a lot of tea and snacks to entertain you. This viewing fee is just a small compensation. Besides, if you beat my sister, this little money will be a piece of cake for you, right?"
Although the prince was furious, he knew that he could not beat Nian Li. If he did not pay the fee, he would be humiliated by Nian Li again, just like last time. In desperation, he had to grit his teeth, took out ten taels of silver from his pocket, and slammed it on the table. Si Yan was quick to put the silver in his pocket, smiled, and said, "Thank you for your support, Prince!"
Jiang Yan stood aside, watching this scene, shaking his head and smiling bitterly. He turned to Su Jinli and said, "How come our lives are like a play? Proposals, challenges, and even the idea of a spectator fee." Su Jinli leaned on his shoulder, her eyes curved as she smiled, "Isn't it good to play a play? At least every day is sweet as honey. Look, the children are so lively and interesting, and the family is so lively and cheerful. How wonderful."
The afterglow of the setting sun, like a layer of golden gauze, gently sprinkled on the courtyard of the Jiang family. Nianli chased Siyan, shouting for a share of the silver. The fine steel knife in her hand gleamed in the sun, as if adding a bit of vitality to this joyful scene. Siyan ran while shouting: "Sister, you beat the prince, I will treat you to delicious food!" Jiang Yan chased after her, shouting: "Don't run too fast, be careful not to fall!" At this time, Su Qingyao came out of the house with the newly developed rouge and shouted: "Nianli, try my new rouge, I guarantee it will make you more beautiful!" The whole Jiang Mansion was filled with laughter and joy, and the sound seemed to break through the sky and spread far away.
In this warm afterglow, the silhouettes of the Jiang family members were stretched out. The grievances of past lives seemed enveloped by this golden light, gradually dissipating, washed away without a trace by the sweetness of this life. All that remained were blissful days of being pampered by the entire family. And Nianli, in this overflowing love, blossomed like a flower bathed in sunlight, radiating her most dazzling light, living her most beautiful life.
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