"In another half month, several generals will return to the capital to report on their duties, and the Empress Dowager will also hold a flower appreciation banquet before the New Year. Qingwan will then truly step into the public eye."
"My father holds a high position, and countless people want to curry favor with the Jiang family. Rather than having those with ulterior motives knocking down our door, it's better for my mother to make plans for Qingwan early on."
Jiang Yanwan rested her head on Lin's lap, being extremely obedient. "It's not that Yanwan has any selfish motives. It's just that Qingwan is so beautiful, but she has some misunderstandings with us since she came back. If she listens to others' malicious attempts to sow discord, it will be troublesome."
Her words were sincere and heartfelt, and after careful consideration, Madam Lin listened attentively.
Two days later, Jiang Zhenlin was released from confinement. He first went to the Xiaoji Camp to report for duty, and when he came out, he was surrounded by Gao Peng and several young masters from aristocratic families.
"Ah Lin, I heard you were punished by the Prime Minister. Are you alright?" Gao Peng was most familiar with him and wasn't afraid of him throwing a tantrum. He went straight to Jiang Zhenlin's sore spot.
Jiang Zhenlin glared at him, ultimately losing face. "My father dotes on me; he was just trying to scare me."
Gao Peng knew he cared about his reputation, but he was genuinely curious. "Tell me what trouble you caused at home? Even Madam and Miss couldn't plead for you?"
“I passed by your house a couple of days ago and the roof didn’t look like it had been torn off.”
Jiang Zhenlin felt guilty, knowing he had misunderstood Lin Qingwan last time and spoken too harshly. He blamed Lin Qingwan for not clarifying things sooner! Besides, she always had a confrontational attitude, which only provoked him to lose his temper.
Upon further reflection, I realized that my recent impulsive actions were all related to Lin Qingwan.
His father also told him to go back to the study later to apologize!
"Yes, we are also curious about what terrible mistake Young Master Jiang has made that made the Prime Minister so heartless as to confine him to his quarters."
"Could it be related to the second young lady who just returned from the Prime Minister's residence?"
Someone mentioned Lin Qingwan, and the conversation immediately revolved around her.
"Young Master Jiang, tell us, is the Second Miss really many times more beautiful than the Eldest Miss?"
"By the way, does Prince Jing prefer the Second Miss?"
None of these words pleased Jiang Zhenlin. He said impatiently, "She doesn't know the rules, she's not pretty, and she has a strange temper. The prince was just... being polite."
Finally, he gave a vicious look around and said, "Don't even think about her."
His description of Lin Qingwan remained unchanged from beginning to end, which only fueled people's curiosity.
Gao Peng clicked his tongue. "Why do you get so angry when the Second Miss is mentioned?"
"You know that, why don't you shut up!" Jiang Zhenlin quickened his pace, trying to get rid of the voices, but unexpectedly ran into Prince Jing.
"I am also very curious. Miss Jiang is clearly beautiful and well-behaved, so why do you say she is not worth mentioning?"
Everyone hurriedly knelt down and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Zhao Yan seemed to be in a good mood and walked up to Jiang Zhenlin with a smile. "What did she do to offend you that made you not say a single nice word to her outside?"
Jiang Zhenlin was stumped by the question, and after thinking about it carefully, he realized that none of his accusations against Lin Qingwan had any real evidence.
In a moment of panic, she thought, "She's just temperamental; she's only pretending in front of the prince."
Zhao Yan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh? You mean..."
Before he could finish speaking, a deep voice interrupted him, "If I remember correctly, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family is engaged to the seventh brother. Why don't you care about her? You're always thinking about the second daughter of the Jiang family."
The voice was like that of an iron general on the battlefield, solemn and imposing, carrying a weight that inspired awe and made one afraid to look directly at it.
Zhao Yan's expression changed, and when he turned around, he saw Crown Prince Zhao Cong arriving in a single-dragon palanquin. He was wearing a pearl crown and a golden robe, with a five-clawed golden dragon coiled on his chest. With his sharp, chiseled face, he looked more like a king commanding the three armies than the current Crown Prince who was navigating the ups and downs of the court.
"Fourth Brother." Zhao Yan's refusal to address the Crown Prince was enough to demonstrate his equal strength.
Because it doesn't sound intimate; instead, it carries a sense of flippancy and disdain.
The Crown Prince gave a faint "hmm" and then withdrew his gaze. "Miss Jiang is not like those women outside. Seventh Brother, you should restrain yourself a bit."
Zhao Yan couldn't stand his condescending attitude of instructing him, but because of his status as the Crown Prince, he had no choice but to lower his head and say, "Fourth Brother, what you're saying is ridiculous. Your subject has clearly done nothing."
"What else do you want to do?" Zhao Cong's face was half-hidden in the shadow of the falling canopy, his downturned lips revealing a hint of displeasure. "Propose marriage to Miss Jiang and bring her back to your manor to be your princess?"
"No way!" Jiang Zhenlin exclaimed anxiously.
The Crown Prince said meaningfully, "Look, Young Master Jiang is the first to disagree."
Jiang Zhenlin realized he had misspoke and subconsciously glanced at Prince Jing. "I... I meant that my second sister grew up outside and is not worthy of Your Highness."
When Jiang Yanwan was mentioned, Jiang Zhenlin was more rational. After all, Prince Jing had never explicitly said that he wanted to marry his sister, and he couldn't let his sister lose face.
Fortunately, the Crown Prince didn't press the matter. However, Jiang Zhenlin knew that the Crown Prince was different from Prince Jing; he wouldn't stoop to arguing with him.
Zhao Yan replied, "My brother's marriage is entirely up to Father Emperor, so there's no need for Fourth Brother to worry about it. Speaking of which, Fourth Brother is already quite old and hasn't married a proper wife yet, so how could I dare to marry first?"
These words made Gao Peng and his companions tremble with fear. When gods fight, ordinary people suffer. They didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
It's unclear when the two immortals left, but Jiang Zhenlin kicked Gao Peng and said, "Get up, you'll wet your pants if you keep kneeling."
Gao Peng wiped his sweat, not feeling embarrassed at all, and said, "You should have helped me up, you scared me to death."
Jiang Zhenlin was amused by him, but then he thought about going back to see his father and became dejected again.
The Eastern Palace.
After reading the letter in his hand, Zhao Cong set it on fire. He only let go when the flames were almost touching his slender fingers.
"He doesn't love his own daughter, but insists on protecting the bloodline of a maid."
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