Chapter 367 Hatred
"She probably doesn't even know a few words. What can she possibly know? She's just putting on an act to win your favor. You've all been fooled by her."
Liu Zijun became increasingly angry as she spoke. It was all because of Jiang Mi that Huo Ran couldn't see her good qualities. If it weren't for Jiang Mi, she would be standing next to Huo Ran now, and they would have been married long ago. Why had it been so long?
Huo Ran gave a cold laugh: "I think what your aunt said is one-sided. Jiang Mi's goodness is not limited to those things. She is a person who is completely without flaws."
No flaws whatsoever? Liu Zijun looked at Huo Ran in disbelief, never expecting that Jiang Mi would be so highly regarded in Huo Ran's eyes.
"Brother Huo Ran, are you bewitched by her? She is indeed quite good-looking, but you can't ignore her flaws just because of her appearance. When choosing a wife, you should choose a virtuous one, not just one who is pretty."
As she spoke, she decided to back down and said in a conciliatory tone, "Fine, I admit she is beautiful, but someone so beautiful yet of such low status can only be your concubine at most. I can make her your mistress for the sake of Brother Huo Ran. This is the biggest concession I can offer."
Huo Ran found it amusing, and Jiang Mi, who was listening nearby, also found it amusing. Huo Ran then asked the same question that Jiang Mi wanted to ask: "By what right do you say this? What does it matter to you whether Jiang Mi becomes a concubine or not? What gives you the right to determine her status?"
Liu Zijun felt extremely embarrassed after being spoken to like that by Huo Ran, but considering that there was no one around, she forced herself to say, "Brother Huo Ran, I know you're unhappy. It's all because of Jiang Mi. If it weren't for her, we would already be married. Even with her, the Emperor would still want us to get married, since we are a good match. So your objection is useless. But I can promise you, once Jiang Mi is brought into the family, you won't hold a grudge against the Emperor, okay?"
Huo Ran sneered, finding Liu Zijun laughable.
"Alright, stop dreaming. I know what you and your father are thinking, but I've told you before, there's absolutely no possibility between us. I hope you won't hold onto any more hope, and don't blame Jiang Mi for this. It has nothing to do with her. Even without her, I wouldn't just marry any woman. I will only marry a woman I love."
Liu Zijun retorted indignantly, "You used to like me, but Jiang Mi stole you away. Without her, you wouldn't be like this now, so all of this is because of her."
Huo Ran didn't want to pay attention to her anymore. At this moment, Jiang Mi walked over and mocked her mercilessly: "Miss Liu, are you indirectly praising me? I feel quite embarrassed. Miss Liu has already said that I am beautiful several times. I thought you wouldn't admit it."
Liu Zijun was stunned for a moment, then turned around and glared at her angrily: "You actually eavesdropped on my conversation? Jiang Mi, you're really something."
Jiang Mi laughed and said, "I didn't. It was Miss Liu who invited me to your flower viewing party. I just came to stroll around. How can you say I eavesdropped? That's not fair."
Liu Zijun snorted: "Don't try to talk your way out of this. I'm not buying it. Jiang Mi, this is the Liu family mansion. Don't be too arrogant. Otherwise, if my aunt and father get angry, who knows what they might do to you."
"What's wrong with me? What do you think the Prime Minister and Consort Jing are going to do to me?" Jiang Mi looked at Liu Zijun as if she were a child making a fuss. Her methods were too weak, and she relied entirely on the people around her, while she herself had no fighting power at all.
"Ginger honey!"
Liu Zijun had just shouted when he was abruptly interrupted.
"That's enough. If Miss Liu doesn't welcome us, we'll just leave. Why be so aggressive here?"
Upon hearing Huo Ran's words, Liu Zijun's eyes immediately turned red, and she felt extremely aggrieved.
"Brother Huo Ran, I didn't mean that. How could you think of me like that? We used to play together a lot when we were little. Have you forgotten?"
Huo Ran seemed to have thought of something and sneered: "Playing? In your eyes it's playing, but in my eyes it's torture. You know in your hearts how you treated me. Because I didn't have a biological mother, you all bullied me. I was young then and had no ability to fight back. But I'm different now."
Liu Zijun bit her lip: "That's them, not me..."
If she had known Huo Ran would be so handsome and talented, she would never have bullied him when she was a child. Now she regrets it so much.
"I have nothing more to say to you, and I have nothing more to say to Jiang Mi either. Since you've already figured it out, I can tell you frankly that I, Huo Ran, will never marry anyone but Jiang Mi in my life. So just give up on that idea."
"Speaking of me," Huo Ran said, and in front of Liu Zijun, he took Jiang Mi's hand and left. Liu Zijun stared at their hands in shock, then revealed a jealous and resentful look.
"Huo Ran, Jiang Mi, you just wait! Even if I can't have you, you won't live a comfortable life either!"
After Liu Zijun finished speaking, she went to Consort Jing's room. Consort Jing was talking with the Prime Minister and his wife when she saw Liu Zijun running over with tears streaming down her face.
"Oh, what's going on? Wasn't today your flower viewing party? Why are you here? Don't you need to greet your little guests?"
Liu Zijun threw herself into the Prime Minister's wife's arms and cried, "Mother, you must stand up for me! I can't let Huo Ran and Jiang Mi get away with this!"
Consort Jing frowned upon hearing this. She advised Liu Zijun not to provoke Jiang Mi, as she was no match for Jiang Mi. However, Liu Zijun was persistent and went anyway.
"What's wrong? Who are you talking about? What happened to Huo Ran? Don't you like him? Did he bully you?"
Liu Zijun sobbed, "Huo Ran told me that he doesn't like me at all and wants to marry Jiang Mi. He also said that I am far inferior to Jiang Mi. Mother, I can't swallow this!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Liu slammed her hand on the table in anger: "How dare they humiliate my daughter like this? Are they bullying us because we have few men in the Liu family? I'm going to go and meet that Jiang Mi and see what kind of vixen she is."
Consort Jing stopped her, saying, "Sister-in-law, don't be anxious. This is just a childish dispute. If you go, things will escalate. It won't sound good if word gets out. People will think that our Liu family is bullying others. Let's calm down."
Hearing Consort Jing trying to persuade her again, Liu Zijun felt even more uncomfortable: "Aunt, whose side are you on? You've helped that Jiang Mi time and time again. Did she give you some favor to curry favor with you? How can you not even care about your own family?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Jing's face darkened immediately. The Prime Minister saw this and scolded, "Zijun, shut up! How dare you speak ill of your aunt? No matter what, your aunt has her own reasons. Don't speak recklessly."
Liu Zijun snorted defiantly and shut her mouth, no longer speaking. Madam Liu looked at her daughter's red and swollen eyes from crying and felt very distressed.
"Speaking of which, I haven't met Jiang Mi yet. I've heard her name for a long time. It would be good to meet her. You've met Consort Jing, haven't you?"
Consort Jing nodded: "She is indeed very beautiful. Not only is she good-looking, but she also has a very good temperament. She is also very intelligent in her speech. Zijun is no match for her at all."
Hearing this, Liu Zijun was very excited: "How can I not be her match? Even if I am not as good-looking as her, my family background is much better than hers. I have been learning music, chess, calligraphy and painting over the years. I am better than her in every aspect. What is so good about her? My aunt always belittles me and makes others feel inferior."
Seeing that she was unyielding, Consort Jing became a little angry: "Brother, sister-in-law, it's not that I'm trying to boost others' morale, but Ziju is acting too childishly. She can't stay under our wings forever; sooner or later she'll have to stand on her own. So we can't let her have her way in this matter. We have to let her know that there are always people more capable than you."
Liu Zijun was still unconvinced, and Madam Liu also didn't take it seriously. Only Prime Minister Liu felt that Consort Jing's words made a lot of sense.
"Your Majesty is right, Zijun. You should listen to your aunt more and learn from her. Look at your aunt, she's amazing to have reached this position. You don't cherish such a remarkable person as your aunt and learn from her. You're really ungrateful."
Liu Zijun was very dissatisfied, but she dared not talk back to her father.
"Yes, I understand. I'll bear with it."
Consort Jing sighed: "It's not about enduring it, but about accumulating strength for a future breakthrough. It's fine if you don't marry Huo Ran. Your aunt will find you someone better. It's just that you need to change your personality."
Liu Zijun listened quietly with her head down, but the hatred in her eyes grew stronger. Now, anyone who stopped her from taking revenge on Huo Ran and Jiang Mi was her enemy, not even her own aunt.
Jiang Mi was suddenly pulled to another secluded spot.
"It wouldn't be good if we were seen here."
Huo Ran said generously, "What are you afraid of? I've already spoken with the Emperor. I plan to go to your house to propose marriage in a few days. Honey, you won't be able to run away then. You'll be mine for life."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Mi blushed and lowered her head.
"Really? I thought I'd have to wait a while longer." Although she knew it was inevitable, Jiang Mi was still a little surprised when she heard this. Her heart was racing. Was she really getting married?
Is she really going to marry Huo Ran? This was something she would never have imagined just a few months ago.
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