Chapter 125 Serving Tea
Jiang Wanru has no choice but to eat it now.
The Grand Princess watched as she ate the smiling spider before waving her hand and saying, "You may leave."
"The wedding is tomorrow, and I will have people make proper arrangements."
She's his adopted daughter, after all; he still has to maintain appearances.
"Thank you, Grand Princess." Jiang Wanru knelt on the ground.
The next day.
The marriage between Pei Anqing and Jiang Wanru was arranged because Pei Yanchuan and the Grand Princess were behind them.
The wedding day was quite lively.
Although the Grand Princess's dowry was respectable, it was only eighteen loads, which was far more meager than Jiang Wan Ning's ten-mile-long red bridal procession.
Shen Ruzhi arrived at the Prince's Mansion early, appearing even happier than on Jiang Wan Ning's wedding day.
"Miss Chen, what are you so happy about?"
Shen Ruzhi said mysteriously to Shaoyao, "You'll find out in a moment."
Because Jiang Wanru was a concubine, she could only wear a pink wedding dress and enter through the side gate of the Prince's Mansion.
The guests all put their gift lists under the name of the Prince's Mansion, not under Pei Anqing's name.
Jiang Wan Ning was very happy, as she had made an extra sum of money, while these corrupt officials kept complaining about being poor.
When it comes to currying favor, they are all incredibly generous.
Jiang Wan Ning was so moved that she wanted to get married again.
After all, they can collect a lot of money in gifts, which will allow the refugee camp to expand further.
Now, with the locust plague and drought, the situation is even worse than Jiang Wan Ning knew in her previous life. As soon as Emperor Xiao Yu spoke, all the ministers cried poverty.
Not only did they plead poverty, but they also used various reasons to get the emperor to approve silver from the national treasury.
What do you mean, "Today the bridge is broken and needs repairing, tomorrow the well is dry and needs to be dug again"?
These people are simply taking the opportunity to empty the national treasury, so that the people will feel resentful and gradually curse the emperor as a tyrant.
This was to cause Xiao Yu to lose the support of the people.
If it weren't for Jiang Wanning and Pei Yanchuan keeping an eye on things these past few days, Xiao Yu would have been in a real bind.
Xiao Yu, who was in a terrible predicament, was also staring at the officials who were coming and going to give gifts.
"Summon those who gave the most valuable gifts to the palace. I want to have a good talk with them."
Wu Panpan nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, the wedding proceeded as planned.
Shen Ruzhi became increasingly excited.
Everyone who saw it was completely baffled.
"You'll see why I'm so happy soon enough," Shen Ruzhi said mysteriously.
When it came time for the tea ceremony, Shen Ruzhi burst into laughter, making a goose-like sound.
Even Jiang Wan Ning, sitting in the high hall, couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips into a smile.
Pei Anqing and Jiang Wanru, carrying tea, first respectfully addressed Pei Yanchuan.
"Father, have some tea."
Pei Yanchuan calmly accepted the tea and took a sip.
Then it was time to serve tea to Jiang Wan Ning.
Pei Anqing's face was ashen. Despite her status and the presence of so many people, she had no choice but to respectfully offer tea to her mother.
Jiang Wan Ning took the tea and sipped it lightly.
He turned and looked at Jiang Wanru with a calm yet provocative expression.
Jiang Wanru was seething with anger. Originally, becoming a concubine didn't require such a grand wedding.
There's no need to call them father or mother.
But she was conferred the title of county princess, making her a favored concubine.
The Emperor granted her permission to be treated the same as the Empress Dowager, except that she addressed others the same way the Empress Dowager did; nothing else changed.
She was still a concubine, still wearing a pink wedding dress, and still entering through the side door.
If she had been a young lady from a noble family before, it might not have mattered if she hadn't called her "mother".
Unfortunately, it is now common knowledge that she has absolutely no connection with the Marquis's mansion.
From now on, regardless of whether Jiang Wan Ning is older or younger than him, he must call Jiang Wan Ning 'Mother' whenever they meet.
"Go ahead and call out! Why aren't you calling out? Do you have some kind of dissatisfaction with the Emperor's bestowal of this marriage?"
Seeing that Jiang Wanru hadn't called out yet, Shen Ruzhi asked, "Or is there something you're unhappy about with this princess?"
Pei Anqing glared fiercely at Jiang Wanru, now filled with deep regret.
If I hadn't been seduced by her back then, none of this would have happened.
Besides, he already called her that, so why is she being so coy?
Suppressing her grievances, Jiang Wanru softly called out, "Mother, have some tea."
Shen Ruzhi said loudly, "You must be filial to your mother in the future. If it weren't for your mother's kind heart, you wouldn't be where you are today."
The crabapple and peony also covered their mouths and chuckled.
Those in the lobby who knew the inside story couldn't help but laugh.
Jiang Wanning made Jiang Wanru hold the teacup for a while before finally taking it. "Since I drank this tea today, I'll consider you my daughter-in-law."
"Although the Emperor has granted you the same treatment as the principal wife, you must always remember that you are a concubine."
"Just like your own mother."
Jiang Wanru held back her tears and murmured, "Yes, I will remember."
At this moment, she wished she were a lowly concubine rather than a noble one.
Even if they only bring in a small sedan chair, it's better than being humiliated in public.
Jiang Wan Ning then picked up her teacup and took a small sip.
at night.
Pei Anqing, drunk, pushed open the door and entered.
He ripped off Jiang Wanru's veil.
Jiang Wanru lowered her head shyly, "Your Highness..."
"Slap!" Pei Anqing slapped Jiang Wanru hard across the face. "Did you do that on purpose?"
Jiang Wanru then came to her senses; Pei Anqing had already been stripped of his title as heir apparent.
Now he is just an ordinary citizen, but he is still Pei Yanchuan's adopted son.
"It was my fault for forgetting," Jiang Wanru immediately replied. "But in my heart, you will always be the Crown Prince."
"He will definitely become the next King of Langya in the future."
These words struck a chord with Pei Anqing. The reason he was able to endure it was that he wouldn't leave the palace as long as Pei Yanchuan didn't say anything to him.
It was all so that one day they could reclaim the position of Prince of Langya.
So what if he's stripped of his title as crown prince? As long as he helps that person seize the throne, he'll have rendered meritorious service in supporting the emperor.
At that time, I will be second only to the emperor.
"Jiang Wanning, I will definitely make you regret not following me," Pei Anqing said viciously.
Hearing this made Jiang Wanru feel a pang of sadness.
He had truly loved Pei Anqing, even though Pei Anqing later refused to see him.
"Alright, go to sleep." Pei Anqing tossed the wine jug aside.
Overwhelmed by the smell of alcohol, Jiang Wanru, completely unprepared, called out sweetly, "Husband, shall we... take a bath first?"
"I...I haven't eaten all day."
Pei Anqing wouldn't listen to any of that; what did it matter to him if she didn't eat?
Since you've married him and become his concubine, you must put him first in everything.
Now that he wants it, she can't refuse.
Pei Anqing haphazardly tore at Jiang Wanru's clothes, the force in his hands seeming like a form of venting.
Jiang Wanru cried out in pain as she was caught. She had been pricked with needles just yesterday, and her body was so sensitive that it hurt at the slightest touch.
She subconsciously pushed Pei Anqing hard.
"Husband...I...I didn't mean to." Jiang Wanru's eyes were filled with panic as she looked at Pei Anqing, whom she had pushed off the bed.
He quickly reached out to help.
"What a spoilsport." Pei Anqing flung Jiang Wanru's hand away.
“If you don’t give it, someone else will.” Pei Anqing said as he stood up.
She pulled the maid who was keeping watch outside into the house.
This maid was given to me by the Grand Princess, ostensibly for her care, but in reality, she was there to monitor me.
Four were given in total.
Two ruthless old women who were skilled at using torture and two young and beautiful maids.
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