This is something that two younger people who only know how to cause trouble all day long cannot handle. The best choice they could have made was to inform their elders as soon as they got home.
And what was the result?
They kept it from both of them.
It's alright with the Jing'an Marquis's residence. Although Jiang Xuelin didn't tell her family directly, her parents found out. At least the Jing'an Marquis and his wife knew about it. But what about the Ping Prince's residence?
I really didn't know anything about it.
So when they heard the rumors outside, Prince Ping and Princess Ping were completely stunned.
After finally getting the full story from Fu Hanlai, he was so angry that he wanted to beat the unfilial son.
After sending an invitation to the Marquis of Jing'an's residence, Princess Ping watched as Prince Ping dealt with his son.
In the past, they had always been reluctant to hit him. Even when he caused trouble, the couple felt sorry for him because he had been in poor health since childhood. They would at most scold him a couple of times, but they would almost never actually hit him. Otherwise, he would not have developed such a personality. But this time, they had no choice but to hit him.
After drinking a cup of tea, Princess Ping left. She needed to prepare for her visit to the Marquis of Jing'an's residence the next day. It was not suitable for Prince Ping to appear in person at the moment, so Princess Ping had to go by herself.
Moreover, this matter itself is unusual and is very likely related to the struggle for succession. Both families are well aware of this, so they need to be even more cautious.
Regardless of tomorrow's outcome, they will investigate the truth behind this.
Early the next morning, Princess Ping arranged for people to go to the Jing'an Marquis's residence with gifts prepared the day before.
The wealthy families in the capital were all located in the east. Although the Jing'an Marquis's mansion had fallen into decline, as a founding hero, the mansion was naturally located in the east of the capital, not far from the Ping Prince's mansion.
Jiang Xuelin was in her courtyard when Lady Jing'an Marquis sent a message in advance, instructing her to make sure she dressed neatly and not to be impolite.
Today, Princess Ping's visit is related to her, so she definitely has to show up. She can't be as casual as usual, so she was woken up early in the morning by her maid, Green Ivy.
She had four head maids: Green Luo was meticulous and the best at taking care of people; Green Luo was good at embroidery and gentle; Red Luo knew martial arts and was also good at medicine; and Purple Luo was a good housekeeper. She was in charge of most of Jiang Xuelin's courtyard. Each of the four was good at something different.
Just as Green Ivy finished tidying up the person, someone from the main courtyard came to deliver a message, saying that the Lady of Jing'an Marquis wanted her to come over.
Jiang Xuelin glanced at herself in the carved dressing mirror, then got up and walked out.
Green Ivy glanced outside, quickly grabbed a cloak, and followed.
It's still a bit chilly this spring morning, and the young lady is dressed lightly; she mustn't catch a cold.
Princess Ping was already seated and chatting politely with Lady Jing'an, but they hadn't gotten to the main topic yet.
Upon hearing the report from below that the eldest daughter had arrived, he immediately looked up.
The girl who walked in was wearing a high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress). The upper body was light pink, with only the collar and hem of the dress being begonia red. The skirt was the same red, and the hem was embroidered with inconspicuous peach blossoms in gold thread. As she walked, it was as if peach blossoms were quietly blooming at her feet.
Jiang Xuelin wasn't wearing any hair ornaments today. On one side was a gold-threaded openwork hairpin with plum blossoms and magpies perched on plum blossoms, and on the other side was a gold-inlaid jade butterfly hairpin. Openwork gourd pendants hung by her ears. She walked slowly with bright eyes, and the red begonia flower ornament between her eyebrows was the finishing touch, making her look bright and lively.
—She wasn't the dignified and proper type to begin with, and if she were forced to conform to that, it would just look out of place. Green Ivy knows her very well, and the hair accessories she chose made her look lively like a young girl without being too reserved.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Princess."
Princess Ping looked at Jiang Xuelin, who was bowing to her, and thought of how this girl had gone down to save her son even though she knew it was inappropriate for her. A smile appeared on her face. "Good child, get up quickly."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Jiang Xuelin rose and then greeted the Lady of Jing'an Marquis. "Did you rest well last night, Mother?"
Lady Jing'an put down her teacup, her face calm and composed. "I couldn't sleep last night, tossing and turning. I had something on my mind and couldn't find peace of mind."
Jiang Xuelin: "..."
I know what you're talking about, but you don't need to say it out loud in front of Princess Ping, do you?
"...It's my fault for causing you worry, Mother," Jiang Xuelin said honestly, feeling guilty.
At this point, Princess Ping had no choice but to speak up, since they all knew that this matter was related to Fu Hanlai, and that all this trouble was because Jiang Xuelin had saved Fu Hanlai.
"Madam, why say that? Such a kind daughter, I would love to take her home. It was not my intention to cause trouble. If others were in the same situation, they would probably not get involved at all to avoid trouble."
This is the attitude of the Prince Ping's mansion towards Jiang Xuelin.
This is actually why Princess Ping was so grateful to Jiang Xuelin.
The entire Prince Ping's mansion was grateful to her.
If a proper lady from a respectable family were to encounter a man drowning, she would never risk her chastity to save him. Even if he drowned, she would not blame him; at most, she would simply stand by and watch without helping. In most cases, she would wait for a servant to come and go down to rescue him.
However, after learning about the scene at the time, Princess Ping knew that Fu Hanlai would not be able to wait for Jiang Xuelin's guards to arrive.
Jiang Xue went down to save people, truly risking her innocence and reputation.
A clean reputation is extremely important for a woman, especially an unmarried woman who is seeking marriage. Losing her reputation not only makes it difficult to find a husband, but some families may even send her to a temple.
Even if she did it to save someone.
When Jiang Xue was about to enter the water, she truly took on many risks that were not hers to bear. Therefore, Princess Ping did not use the distant self-reference, but directly used "I".
She came here today to discuss how to handle this matter, but she couldn't say anything in front of Jiang Xuelin, an unmarried girl, and could only hint at it.
Jiang Xuelin sat there listening to the Lady of Jing'an Marquis and Princess Ping exchange pleasantries, feeling extremely uncomfortable. She had met Princess Ping before, but this time the situation was different.
After a while, Lady Jing'an felt that it was about time, and seeing the nails on Jiang Xuelin's chair, she simply let her go back first, as the following discussion was not suitable for Jiang Xuelin to hear.
As soon as Jiang Xuelin left, Princess Ping's face showed apology. "This matter is something that the Ping Prince's Mansion owes to the Jiang family and the eldest daughter. I wonder what the Marquis's Mansion thinks about it?"
Princess Ping had previously thought that she and Lady Jing'an Marquis would definitely have a lot to talk about, since they both had a restless child, one a daughter and the other a son.
Unexpectedly, just a few days later, they had to discuss the matter of the two children face-to-face.
"I have heard that the Prince of Ping's residence is discussing marriage with the Marquis of Yongchang's residence?"
"That's right. The two families have already exchanged betrothal gifts, but the final agreement hasn't been made yet."
Upon hearing this, Princess Ping understood what the Lady of Jing'an Marquis meant and felt relieved.
There's no preliminary agreement yet, meaning the formal procedures haven't started.
It hasn't been officially settled yet, which means that if the Marquis's family is willing, the Prince Ping's family will formally propose marriage.
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