Frightened by Jiang Yan's sudden scolding, Aunt Liu trembled all over and collapsed to the ground like a puddle of mud. She trembled as she spoke, "It's...it's Princess Pingyang...She said she'd give me a hundred taels of silver if the young lady couldn't leave the house tomorrow..." Aunt Liu's voice trailed off, as if every word she uttered required all her strength.
When Prime Minister Su heard this, he was so angry that his beard trembled and veins popped out on his forehead: "Rebellion! It's really a rebellion!" He turned to the servants beside him and said angrily: "Lock up this old woman and send her to the authorities tomorrow! She dared to stir up trouble on the territory of my Prime Minister's Mansion, she is so audacious!" The servants took the order and quickly stepped forward to drag Liu Ma away.
Jiang Yan walked to Su Jinli, leaned over slightly, and whispered, "It seems they can't wait any longer." His voice was low and magnetic, with a hint of worry and helplessness.
Su Jinli looked at the soup on the ground that was still emitting wisps of white steam. A cunning light flashed in her eyes, and she suddenly smiled gently: "In that case, then we should... take advantage of their strategy?" Her smile was like a flower blooming in spring, beautiful and full of wisdom, which made people fall in love with her.
Su Jinli knew that Princess Pingyang's move was only the beginning of their conspiracy, and that a greater scheme lay behind it. But she wasn't afraid; instead, it fueled her inner fighting spirit. She and Jiang Yan exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with understanding and determination. They resolved not only to completely crush this conspiracy but also to make those with ulterior motives suffer the consequences.
Afterward, Su Jinli, Jiang Yan, and Prime Minister Su sat together to discuss their response. Su Jinli detailed her experiences in her past life and her speculation about Princess Pingyang's next move. Jiang Yan, drawing on his experience at court, analyzed the interplay of interests among various factions and the potential hidden supporters of Princess Pingyang. Prime Minister Su, considering his family's perspective, considered how to maintain the reputation of the Prime Minister's Mansion while striking a decisive blow against the enemy.
After careful consideration, they formulated a meticulous plan. Su Jinli decided to feign ingestion of the drugged soup and feign illness tomorrow, unable to attend the wedding, thereby luring Princess Pingyang into a trap. Jiang Yan would covertly liaise with various factions, gather evidence of Princess Pingyang's crimes, and strike a heavy blow at her at the crucial moment. Prime Minister Su would maintain control of the situation from within the Prime Minister's residence, ensuring everything was under control.
After the discussion, Jiang Yan and Prime Minister Su said their goodbyes and left, leaving Su Jinli alone in the room. Su Jinli sat by the window, gazing at the bright moon outside, her mind racing. She knew this struggle would be incredibly difficult, but for her own happiness, the reputation of the Prime Minister's Mansion, and Jiang Yan's sake, she had to give it her all.
Meanwhile, in another mansion in the capital, Princess Pingyang sat smugly at her dressing table, imagining the scene of Su Jinli's embarrassment tomorrow. She thought her plan was flawless, but she didn't know that Su Jinli and Jiang Yan had already seen through her plot and laid a trap, waiting for her to fall into it.
The following night, Su Jinli lay awake, unable to fall asleep. Her mind replayed every detail of her acquaintance with Jiang Yan, as well as the impending struggle. She knew this struggle wasn't just a feud between her and Princess Pingyang, but a battle with fate. She vowed to herself that no matter how many hardships lay ahead, she would stand by Jiang Yan's side and protect their hard-earned happiness.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Su Jinli's face. As planned, she feigned illness, lying in bed and groaning softly. Lingge frantically bustled around, following Su Jinli's instructions and spreading the news. Soon, the entire Xiangfu knew Su Jinli was unwell and unable to attend the wedding.
Meanwhile, Princess Pingyang, upon hearing the news, was overjoyed. Believing her plan had succeeded, she immediately brought a group of servants and swaggered to the Prime Minister's residence, eager to witness Su Jinli's embarrassment. However, the moment she entered the residence, she discovered she had fallen into a trap meticulously laid by Su Jinli and Jiang Yan...
As soon as Princess Pingyang entered the Prime Minister's residence, she sensed something was amiss. The usually bustling residence was unusually quiet today, a silence so unsettling it made her feel uneasy. A sense of foreboding welled up in her, but she was already in a precarious position and could only grit her teeth and continue forward.
When she arrived at Su Jinli's door, it suddenly creaked open. Su Jinli, dressed in plain clothes, stood at the doorway, his face pale but his eyes determined, meeting her gaze. Princess Pingyang was startled; she hadn't expected Su Jinli to still be there.
"You...what's wrong with you..." Princess Pingyang stuttered, and the pride on her face disappeared without a trace in an instant.
"What? Are you disappointed I'm still standing here?" Su Jinli sneered. "Princess Pingyang, your plan was brilliant. Unfortunately, you underestimated me."
At this moment, Jiang Yan and a group of guards rushed out from all directions, surrounding Princess Pingyang and her servants. Seeing this, Princess Pingyang turned pale. She tried to resist, but found that she had no way to escape.
"Princess Pingyang, you, as a member of the royal family, have committed such a despicable act. It truly insults the dignity of the royal family," Jiang Yan said coldly as he stepped forward. "You bribed the bridesmaid to drug Su Jinli and sabotage our wedding. Your crimes are irrefutable."
As he spoke, Jiang Yan took out the medicinal powder he had searched from Liu Ma, as well as the letters between Princess Pingyang and Liu Ma, and placed them in front of Princess Pingyang. Princess Pingyang looked at the evidence and collapsed to the ground, speechless.
"Come here, bring Princess Pingyang back to the government office to await her fate." Jiang Yan gave the order, and the guards escorted Princess Pingyang away. The servants she had brought with her were also taken away.
The farce sparked by Princess Pingyang ultimately ended in her defeat. Su Jinli and Jiang Yan successfully resolved the crisis, and their love became even more unbreakable through this test. And the Xiangfu, after this turmoil, became more united and more stable.
Despite the turmoil, Su Jinli and Jiang Yan's wedding, though postponed for a few days, was even more grand and lively. Citizens from across the capital flocked to congratulate the newlyweds, wishing them a long and happy marriage. Su Jinli and Jiang Yan walked hand in hand down the red carpet, and amidst the crowd's blessings, they pledged a lifetime of companionship. They knew the road ahead might be filled with challenges, but as long as they loved and supported each other, nothing could stand in their way of happiness.
After their marriage, Su Jinli and Jiang Yan lived a sweet and fulfilling life. Jiang Yan, relying on his talent and wisdom, rose through the ranks at court, becoming the emperor's right-hand man. Su Jinli, meanwhile, managed the household at the prime minister's residence, supporting Jiang Yan and their happy life together. Their story became a beloved legend among the people of the capital, passed down through generations, inspiring others to bravely pursue love and hold on to happiness.
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