The people on the cart never stopped talking. Although they tried their best to suppress their excited voices, the space in the oxcart was cramped, and Jiang Ling could always hear some of the slightest noise.
Jiang Ling was so embarrassed listening to everyone's chatter that she almost scratched her toes on the ground. She could only pretend to sleep while sitting in the innermost seat.
The swaying oxcart finally stopped at the gate of Guangping County. Jiang Ling stood up abruptly, rushed down the cart, and left the "place of trouble" without looking back.
After many twists and turns, Jiang Ling arrived at Xiufang in Guangping County.
"Shopkeeper, do you have sachets like these?" Jiang Ling took out the sachet made by Granny Ju and waved it in front of the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper stroked his chin, his eyes darting around in their sockets, before replying, "Oh dear, what bad luck! The last one was bought by Young Master Zhao!"
"Young Master Zhao? Zhao Qianyu?" For some reason, upon hearing the words "Young Master Zhao," the face of Zhao Qianyu popped into Jiang Ling's mind.
The shopkeeper nodded. "Yes, it is the magistrate's son, Young Master Zhao Qianyu!"
"Then... how long ago did Young Master Zhao buy it?" Jiang Ling continued to press.
“He…” The shopkeeper’s eyes darted around again, and his fingers began to tap incessantly on the counter.
However, the shopkeeper's brows furrowed quickly, and she looked at Jiang Ling with a serious expression, asking, "Who are you? Why are you asking about these things?"
Seeing the shopkeeper's slightly furrowed brows, Jiang Ling bit her lip and pretended to be selecting items, replying, "Just asking, I just think these sachets are nice, and I was thinking of buying a few to take home!"
Upon hearing that he had secured a large order, the shopkeeper immediately softened his attitude and smiled obsequiously, saying, "Of course, of course. The item that Young Master Zhao has taken a liking to must be of high quality. However, I'm truly sorry, the materials used in this sachet are all top-grade, and we dare not stock too many! We primarily cater to ordinary people!"
Jiang Ling nodded after hearing this, and then casually asked, pretending to pick out items, "Besides Young Master Zhao, has anyone else bought from here?"
"That's all. We've only made this one in the last three months. We were thinking it would be a dud, but Young Master Zhao picked it up!" the shopkeeper continued.
"It's probably a match!" Jiang Ling suppressed her joy, picked out a few items, and turned to leave the embroidery workshop.
Looking at what she was holding, Jiang Ling wanted to go find Zhao Qianyu immediately to ask him for an explanation, but then she remembered that he and her younger brother Jiang Zhishan had already gone to Qingzhou to take the imperial examination. So, for now, she could only wait silently.
But this is for the best. At least this brat can't see his precious daughter, and he can keep an eye on her while she's by his side.
Thinking of this, Jiang Ling felt much better. She went to the largest restaurant in Guangping County and ordered two small dishes to enjoy her rare time alone.
After returning home, Jiang Ling threw all the sachets she had bought into the system shop's savings compartment to avoid Jiang Suihe from overthinking. In her mind, only by placing them there could she avoid being discovered.
As Jiang Ling had expected, Jiang Suihe's gaze kept drifting towards her during this time. Seeing her restless state, Jiang Ling had many times wanted to talk to her about this matter in person.
But Jiang Ling knows Jiang Suihe well. If she really takes the initiative to reveal her true feelings, then Jiang Suihe will probably become even more taciturn in the future.
However, seeing how difficult it was for Jiang Suihe, Jiang Ling felt helpless.
This morning, Jiang Ling was woken up early by the sound of gongs and drums outside her door.
Jiang Ling yawned widely and rubbed her sleepy eyes. Just as she was wondering why she hadn't heard of any weddings in Lujia Village recently, there was a knock on her door.
Jiang Ling frowned and pushed open the door with a puzzled look on her face.
The scene outside the door startled even the usually composed Jiang Ling.
"Why did you come back here!" Jiang Ling said unhappily to Su Shunhe, who had a mischievous grin on his face.
"Congratulations, Madam! This is a momentous occasion!" Su Shunhe, abandoning his usual carefree attitude, bowed solemnly and said.
Seeing the malicious smile in Su Shunhe's eyes and brows, Jiang Ling's heart immediately went on high alert.
She feigned composure and looked at Su Shunhe, asking, "What is it about to congratulate me?"
Su Shunhe clapped his hands with a smile, signaling the drumming and gonging team to stop, and then took out an imperial edict from his sleeve.
Upon seeing the bright yellow silk, Jiang Ling immediately knelt on the ground.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have heard that Lady Jiang is of dignified appearance and has repeatedly performed extraordinary feats. Now, Yuan Zhiming, the governor of Zhongzhou, is compassionate towards the people, incorruptible in his official duties, and of good character. Therefore, I hereby decree that an auspicious day be chosen for their wedding."
So be it!
Each word struck Jiang Ling like a thunderbolt. She felt her heart pounding violently in her chest and her mind reeling. Su Shunhe seemed to say something else, but Jiang Ling heard nothing. She felt that Su Shunhe was not human, but a demon from hell, ready to kill her.
Bloodshot eyes, tears welling in them, Jiang Ling trembled as she gritted her teeth and cursed at Su Shunhe, "Despicable! Su Shunhe! You are truly despicable!"
"How dare you speak to the Third Prince like that! Aren't you afraid of being punished by him?" Before Su Shunhe could say anything, the eunuch next to him shouted in a high-pitched voice.
Su Shunhe still smiled, looking down at Jiang Ling kneeling on the ground with disdain, and said sarcastically, "Congratulations, An'an! You are a woman with four children, and His Majesty, understanding your difficulties, has specially granted you this marriage. Such a joyous occasion is truly rare!"
At this point, Su Shunhe's tone turned cold, and the corners of his mouth drooped. "What, have you gone mad with joy? You're even refusing to accept the imperial edict?"
Jiang Ling glared at Su Shunhe with resentment, her whole body trembling. But what could she do? He was the Third Prince, the Emperor's own son, while she was just a sixth-rank concubine. If she were to be accused of disobeying the imperial decree, she wouldn't care. The key was that her children and the elderly and children of Lujia Village would probably suffer this calamity.
Thinking of this, Jiang Ling could only accept the glaring imperial edict with trembling hands, and against her will, shout loudly, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Su Shunhe was very satisfied with everything he saw. He gave a wink to the eunuch beside him, who then led everyone away.
Su Shunhe looked at Jiang Ling with disdain as she slowly squatted down beside her and clicked her tongue: "Tsk tsk tsk, Jiang family, you think you're worthy to fight with me? I've said Nianci is my child! You must give her to me!"
Jiang Ling suddenly looked up, her eyes bloodshot and filled with anger as she stared at Su Shunhe for a long time without saying a word.
Su Shunhe swallowed hard, trying to appear calm. To be honest, Jiang Ling's gaze had indeed frightened him, but he still smiled mockingly at her, "You don't need to look at me like that. Eyes can't kill!"
"Yes! If looks could kill, you would have been torn to pieces long ago!" Jiang Ling angrily slammed the door shut with the imperial edict, shaking off a lot of dust.
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