Chapter 126: You can’t bully the big brother!
After the court session that day, the emperor came to the queen's palace and talked about Changle's marriage.
"I've been thinking about this for the past few days. The eldest son of the Cui family is both talented in literature and martial arts. He and Changle have known each other since childhood, so they can be considered childhood sweethearts. What do you think?"
The Queen also agreed to the marriage, "Everything is up to Your Majesty to decide."
Afterwards, the queen asked someone to call Changle and told her about the marriage. Changle seemed a little resistant.
"Mother, I have always considered Brother Cui my brother. How could I marry him?"
The Queen was a little surprised. She had thought that since they were childhood sweethearts, their relationship would be natural. She patiently asked, "Then can you tell me, Queen Mother, whether you don't want to get married, or whether you already have someone in mind?"
Changle wrung her handkerchief shyly and replied with downcast eyes, "If I had a crush on someone, would my father and mother agree?"
The queen asked lovingly, "Whose husband is this?"
Changle raised her hand to her mouth and whispered it to the queen, then ran away shyly.
After thinking about it, the Queen asked Yun'er to go and see if the Emperor was in the Imperial Study. After Yun'er came back, she reported that the Emperor had gone to Concubine Zhen's Palace. The Queen lowered her eyes sadly and asked Yun'er to go down first.
When it was time for dinner, the emperor came over and had dinner with the queen.
"Your Majesty, I have asked Changle..." The queen paused here, seeming to stop talking.
The emperor asked, "She doesn't want to?"
The Queen shook his hand, looking a little uneasy. She asked tentatively, "Your Majesty, what do you think of the Jiang family's eldest son?"
The emperor laughed and said, "Does she want to marry the number one scholar?"
The queen nodded slightly.
"I heard that the eldest son of the Jiang family is engaged to the daughter of the Wu family. I can't just go and break them up," the emperor said half-jokingly.
The Queen shook his hand again, her demeanor becoming more awkward. "Your Majesty is right. I will try to persuade Changle again."
The emperor picked up some food for the queen and said, "This child has been well-behaved and sensible since childhood, and has never caused me any worries. Although I am the emperor, my parental care is the same as that of all parents in the world."
The Queen said with guilt, "It is because I have been too pampering to my child that I have caused Your Majesty so much trouble."
The emperor patted the queen's hand and said soothingly, "You have borne me children and raised the crown prince well. What else do I need to worry about?"
Hearing about the Crown Prince, the Queen felt a little uneasy about the recent gossip circulating in the palace. The Queen knew that the Crown Prince would never do such a thing, but she still wanted to explain a few things on his behalf. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince told me a few days ago that he has no intention of taking a concubine."
"There is no need to explain this matter, I know it in my mind." said the emperor.
The queen felt a little relieved.
After breakfast the next day, Changle came over. The queen tried to persuade her first, but Changle still refused to marry him. The queen could only tell her that Jiang Shen was already engaged to another girl. Changle asked which girl it was, but the queen did not tell her.
"If the Queen Mother won't tell me, then I'll go ask the Emperor Father."
Changle ran away in a hurry, and the queen couldn't stop her.
The emperor was still in the morning court, so Changle hid behind a palace pillar and waited. When the court ended and all the civil and military officials came out of the palace, she walked straight up to Jiang Shen and asked, "Which girl are you engaged to?"
Suddenly, everyone's attention was focused on Jiang Shen. Lord Zheng, who was standing next to Jiang Cheng, congratulated him, "Congratulations, Lord Jiang! This is a double blessing." Jiang Cheng politely replied, "Lord Zheng, you're joking."
Jiang Shen was stunned for a moment, then bowed. Changle asked again, and Jiang Shen looked embarrassed, not knowing how to answer.
"Then are you willing to be my prince consort?" Changle asked straight to the point.
Jiang Shen was shocked, and before he could react, a figure suddenly rushed over and knocked Jiang Shen down with a punch.
The people around were stunned. Cui Hai hurried over to grab Cui Yan, and Jiang Cheng also hurried over to help Jiang Shen up and walk away to avoid being beaten again.
Changle stomped her feet and snorted angrily at Cui Yan, then turned and ran away. Cui Yan tried to chase her but was stopped by Cui Hai. Cui Hai asked him to go and apologize to Jiang Shen, but he refused and left angrily.
"I will bring my son to apologize to you some other day." Cui Hai went to apologize to Jiang Shen and Jiang Cheng, and then went after Cui Yan, fearing that he would do something out of line again under impulse.
Seeing that Jiang Shen's mouth was bleeding, Jiang Cheng took him home first.
When the news reached Jiang Lan, she immediately asked Butler Shi to prepare a carriage to go to the Shangshu Mansion.
Jiang Cheng had just asked the housekeeper to invite Doctor Liu over when Jiang Lan arrived.
When the servant came hurriedly to report, Jiang Cheng asked someone to take Jiang Lan to the hall first, and he came over later. As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Lan rushed over.
Seeing that the corner of Jiang Shen's mouth was broken, Jiang Lan was so angry that she wanted to go to the general's mansion to settle the score with Cui Yan, but was stopped by Jiang Cheng, who brought her out to talk.
"Calm down. What good will it do if you make things worse now?" Jiang Cheng advised earnestly.
Jiang Lan asked in return, "Father, don't you think this incident is big enough? So many people have seen it, and I'm sure His Majesty knows about it too. Do you still want to make a big deal out of a small matter?"
Jiang Cheng said unhappily, "Then what do you want?"
Jiang Lan replied, "Don't worry, father. I will have someone from my own house beat him up. I won't implicate you."
Jiang Cheng said angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about? You're just a girl, and you keep shouting about fighting and killing. If this gets out, people will laugh at you." He lowered his voice and said, "Besides, your master has been demoted. Don't let anyone use you against him again."
Jiang Lan smiled and said, "Don't worry, father. I'll have someone put a sack over him. Naturally, no one will know who hit him."
"Don't cause me any more trouble!" Jiang Cheng warned her sternly, adding, "Your husband is a domineering person. He has offended countless people in the past. After you married him, why didn't you persuade him to be more restrained? When the emperor demoted him to guard the imperial mausoleum, who dared to speak up for him? I think you don't know what's good for you now. You have to make things worse, don't you?"
Jiang Lan replied calmly, "My husband has been stationed on the border for over ten years, killing countless enemies and bearing many scars. So what if he's a bit flamboyant?" Her eyes reddened slightly as she smiled, "He's not like some people who only have a good mouth, but spend their days scheming and doing evil things that bring disaster to the country and the people."
Jiang Cheng was so angry that his face turned blue. "I'm telling you, you're not allowed to make trouble. If you're not afraid of getting into trouble, don't hurt your big brother!"
At this time, Doctor Liu came out. Jiang Cheng restrained his expression and asked about the situation. Doctor Liu replied that it was nothing serious and it would be fine after applying ointment for two days. Jiang Lan went into the house to see people first. Jiang Cheng gave Doctor Liu a few instructions and asked the housekeeper to send Doctor Liu away.
"Brother, does it still hurt?" Jiang Lan asked with concern.
Jiang Shen shook his head and replied, "It doesn't hurt anymore."
Jiang Lan did not ask about the specific situation at that time. She had her own way to investigate the matter clearly, and there was no need to ask again and embarrass her elder brother.
"Have you ever offended the eldest son of the Cui family before?" Jiang Cheng asked this question after entering the room.
Jiang Lan's expression turned cold instantly. She didn't know whether her father really didn't know or was just pretending to be stupid. Wasn't the reason obvious?
"Before, in the academy, he was always competing with my eldest brother, but my eldest brother never made a fuss with him. My eldest brother was already very tolerant. Now he was the one who started the fight. Does father still think that my eldest brother was wrong first?"
Jiang Cheng looked unhappy. "Does your father have to question them without knowing the truth?"
"Father must be tired after attending court. Go and have a rest first. I'm fine now." Jiang Shen eased the atmosphere.
Jiang Cheng softened his tone, told him to have a good rest, looked at Jiang Lan with some concern, and then left. After coming out, he asked the housekeeper to keep an eye on her to prevent Jiang Lan from acting impulsively.
"My injury is nothing serious." Jiang Shen soothed in a gentle tone.
Jiang Lan's nose felt sore, and she turned her head and blinked, saying, "No matter who it is, bullying my brother is not allowed!"
Jiang Shen said gently, "Then I should stand up for you. If I ask you to stand up for me, then I'd be a terrible big brother. Promise me you won't put yourself in danger, okay?"
"Okay." Jiang Lan agreed.
After coming out of the house, Jiang Lan saw the housekeeper still waiting in the yard. Presumably, her father was afraid that she would cause trouble, so she told the housekeeper that she would go back today and come back tomorrow. The housekeeper sent her away.
On the way, the housekeeper inquired about Jiang Rui's situation, "Master, I want to ask if the Fourth Young Master is doing well in the palace?"
"Very good." Jiang Lan replied.
The housekeeper mentioned another thing. Aunt Liu's daughter Zhu'er was getting married, and the housekeeper told Jiang Lan the good news. He wondered if Jiang Lan was free to attend the wedding for a drink. Jiang Lan said she would send a gift.
In the carriage on the way back, Jiang Lan was thinking about something.
Did Princess Changle go to find her elder brother intentionally or was there some other reason?
After returning home, she asked the Black Armor Guards to find out what had happened at that time, and then sent someone to Aunt Liu's house to deliver a dowry. This was what she had promised at the beginning. If Zhu'er got married in the future, she would give the other party a backup dowry.
In the evening, the Black Armor Guard returned and found out everything.
After the court session, Princess Changle came to find Jiang Shen. She first asked him which girl he was engaged to, and then asked him if he was willing to be a prince consort. Then Cui Yan rushed over and punched Jiang Shen.
Jiang Lan pondered silently. Princess Changle had never asked about her elder brother in front of her before. If she liked her elder brother, she would probably ask him indirectly. Although Princess Changle acted lively and cheerful in front of her, it was a bit strange that she kept talking about her husband. It also made her feel a little uncomfortable. She didn't know whether she did it intentionally or unintentionally.
It's not that she always thinks the worst of people, but she should always be more vigilant about some abnormal things. It is better than getting cheated and regretting it later.
Suppose Princess Changle already knew that Cui Yan liked her, and she asked her elder brother in front of Cui Yan, was it just to provoke Cui Yan to attack her elder brother?
Suppose Princess Changle really likes her elder brother, but the emperor wants to arrange a marriage between her and Cui Yan, so she wants Cui Yan to give up completely?
No matter which assumption it is, the other party should not take advantage of her elder brother.
In front of so many people, the nicest way of spreading the word was that her elder brother was very talented and favored by the princess. The worst way of spreading the word was that her elder brother was trying to curry favor with the rich and powerful, was vain, and had secretly tried to curry favor with the princess in order to become a princess consort.
As the saying goes, good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels a thousand miles. Unpleasant words always spread faster than nice words.
Sure enough, within two days, gossip started spreading outside.
It is said that Cui Yan and Jiang Shen were jealous of each other and fought for the princess.
Before Jiang Lan went to cause trouble at the General's Mansion, Cui Jingshu came first.
As soon as she saw Jiang Lan, Cui Jingshu started to blame her and put all the blame on Jiang Shen.
"If your eldest brother hadn't gone to curry favor with the princess, my eldest brother wouldn't have been embarrassed as well."
Jiang Lan sneered, "How could my brother know what kind of people would like the princess? He just happened to meet the most unreasonable one."
Cui Jingshu sneered, "Everyone in the capital knows that my brother and the princess are childhood sweethearts and have a close relationship. Your brother is really shameless to steal her away."
"My eldest brother knows that as a big brother, he doesn't need to let his younger sister stand up for him. Your eldest brother is really shameless." Jiang Lan sneered.
Cui Jingshu's eyes turned cold, and she raised her hand to slap someone, but Jiang Lan grabbed her wrist and slapped her first.
"You shot me with an arrow."
Cui Jingshu was stunned. There was a snap, and then another crisp sound.
"This is from the box of rouge."
Cui Jingshu was stunned for a few seconds before she reacted. She covered her face and looked at Jiang Lan in disbelief, "You dare to hit me?"
"Did I hit you? Did anyone see it?" Jiang Lan asked back as if nothing had happened.
Cui Jingshu was so angry that she roared hysterically: "I will fight you!"
Jiang Lan pulled out the hairpin on her head and pointed it at her, "I can't let you leave this door today."
Cui Jingshu became timid and her momentum suddenly weakened.
"Don't think that everyone is weak and can be bullied. Some people are willing to take risks and gamble their lives. You can't afford to offend those people." Jiang Lan warned coldly.
Cui Jingshu took two steps back and sneered, "Don't think that no one can help you. Do you think that box of rouge is a gift from me? You'll cry when the time comes." She was about to leave when Jiang Lan rushed over and grabbed her arm, pressing the hairpin against her neck, "Don't even think about leaving if you don't make things clear today."
......
When Cui Jingshu ran out of the house, she hurried away with Qiu Tong and the maid as if they were escaping.
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