Chapter 28

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“If you don’t marry her, do you think Qing Er can still marry young ladies from other families?”

“Father, what do you mean by that?”

Zhao Fuqing had been sitting quietly in a lower seat. When he heard the King of Huainan’s words, he couldn’t help but feel anxious.

Zhao Yang looked at him with a complicated expression when he heard Zhao Fuqing voice.

If only he could have a few more sons.

However, he only had one son, Zhao Fuqing, so he had to invest all his efforts in him. Unfortunately, this son’s aptitude was quite mediocre.

“Father, I know I was wrong.”

Seeing the King of Huainan looking at him without speaking, Zhao Fuqing hurriedly knelt on the ground.

Zhao Yang’s eyes showed disappointment and helplessness. He looked at him and said, “Qing Er, get up.”

“Now, the news of Xu Er has already spread. It’s too late for me to stop it. This matter has already reached the Emperor’s ears. The best solution now is for you to marry the Second Young Lady of the Jiang Family.”

“Father, but I’ve already sent the divorce papers. Will the Jiang family agree to the marriage at this time?”

Zhao Fuqing didn’t have strong feelings about marrying Jiang Ruyun. He could marry her or not.

It was Chu Rou’s idea to send the divorce papers. Seeing his mother’s insistence, Zhao Fuqing did as she said.

“I heard that the Second Young Lady of the Jiang family is quite fond of you. If you go and speak with her personally, I believe she will agree.”

“Yes, I’ll go now.”

Hearing the King of Huainan’s words, Zhao Fuqing didn’t say anything and went straight to the Jiang family.

Zhou Rongfang knew her daughter would eventually marry into the Huainan Mansion, so she didn’t make things difficult for Zhao Fuqing, allowing him to enter Jiang Ruyun’s room.

Seeing the pale-faced Jiang Ruyun, Zhao Fuqing’s heart ached. He quickly stepped forward, “Yun Er, I was wrong in the mansion. I…”

“Why did you send the divorce paper? It was written by you. Do you really not love me anymore?”

This was what angered Jiang Ruyun the most. She couldn’t believe that Zhao Fuqing truly had no feelings for her.

Hearing Jiang Ruyun’s words, Zhao Fuqing hurriedly hugged her. “Yun Er, the queen forced me to write it. She’s my mother, so I had no choice.”

“Is it the queen?”

“Then why are you here today?””

“Yun Er, I’ve already thought it through. No matter what, I’m going to marry you. So, I’ll take back the divorce papers from before. Can we continue our engagement?”

“Brother Zhao, I…”

“Prince, are you assuming you can simply summon the Jiang family’s daughter whenever you please?”

Before Jiang Ruyun could finish her words, the door was pushed open. She glanced towards the entrance and saw Old Madam Jiang leading the way.

Unaware of Zhao Fuqing’s arrival, Old Madam Jiang was furious when she heard Nanny Xu’s account, and she wanted to beat Zhou Rongfang up.

“Mother, what brings you here?”

Zhou Rongfang’s eyes flashed with guilt upon seeing the old madam. She quickly glanced at Jiang Peihuan, her eyes pleading for help.

Jiang Peihuan ignored Zhou Rongfang, and instead, gently held the old madam’s hand. “Grandmother, since Ruyun and Second Aunt desire this, why don’t we invite the prince to the living room to discuss further?”

Hearing this, the old madam sighed but said nothing. She held Nanny Xu’s hand and proceeded to the living room.

Jiang Peihuan then turned to Zhao Fuqing, “Prince, please follow me.”

Seeing Jiang Peihuan reminded Zhao Fuqing of Xiao Nanye, King Cheng. As he thought of Xiao Nanye, his secret guards came to mind.

Daring not to oppose Xiao Nanye, Zhao Fuqing chose to blame Jiang Peihuan instead.

Giving Jiang Peihuan a cold smile, Zhao Fuqing strode towards the living room.

Seated on the mahogany chair, Zhao Fuqing addressed the old madam directly, “Old Madam, I’m here today to pursue my marriage with Yun Er. I hope you will grant my request.”

“Huan Er, I’m tired. Please handle this matter.”

The old madam didn’t even glance at Zhao Fuqing, her gaze fixed on Jiang Peihuan.

Jiang Peihuan nodded and softly replied, “Grandmother, rest assured. I will handle it properly.”

“Mother, let me escort you back.”

Zhou Rongfang attempted to curry favor with the old madam as she stood up, but the old madam waved her hand away, turning to Liu Xiu instead. “Third Madam, please take me back.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Liu Xiu revealed a hint of surprise but quickly stepped forward upon hearing the old madam’s request.

Zhou Rongfang’s eyes filled with anger at the sight.

Jiang Peihuan, observing the scene, addressed Zhou Rongfang, “Second Aunt, let’s focus on Ruyun’s marriage first.”

“Yes, yes… let’s discuss Yun Er’s marriage first.”

“Huainan Prince, it’s not impossible for your Huainan Mansion to proceed with Ruyun’s marriage, but we have a condition.”

“What is it that you want now?”

Hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words, Zhao Fuqing thought of the 100,000 carriages of gold. If the Huainan Prince’s Mansion were to offer another 100,000 carriages of gold, they would be left with nothing.

Thus, Zhao Fuqing’s eyes were filled with caution as he looked at Jiang Peihuan.

Unfazed by his wary gaze, Jiang Peihuan softly said, “The prince must send Lan Zhi away!”

“Send Lan Zhi away? That’s impossible! She’s Xu Er’s biological mother, and she has taken care of him since childhood. Without Lan Zhi, he…”

“If that’s the case, there’s no need to discuss this marriage any further. Prince, kindly take your leave.”

Without waiting for Zhao Fuqing to finish his words, Jiang Peihuan directly interrupted him. Seeing Jiang Peihuan suddenly turn hostile, Zhao Fuqing was stunned.

“Miss Jiang, our Huainan Mansion can accommodate your request.”

At this moment, a man beside Zhao Fuqing spoke up. Jiang Peihuan recognized him; his name was Zhao Yong, the attendant of the King of Huainan.

“Alright, I promise you, I will send Lan Zhi away.”

Upon hearing Zhao Yong’s voice, Zhao Fuqing nodded in agreement. Jiang Peihuan sat down again, saying, “Truthfully, someone like Lan Zhi deserves severe punishment, even death. However, considering she is the young master’s birth mother, I will spare her life.”

“Miss Jiang is kind-hearted. If our Huainan Mansion can agree to your request, we hope you can also agree to ours.”

As Jiang Peihuan’s voice trailed off, Zhao Yong, who had spoken earlier, added in a low tone.

“What do the Huainan Mansion want?”

Zhou Rongfang posed this question. When Jiang Peihuan was talking, she hadn’t dared to interrupt. Now, hearing Zhao Yong’s words, she finally interjected.

Zhao Yong bowed to the Second Mistress and replied softly, “Our King and Queen hope that the Second Miss can marry sooner rather than later.”

“Many people are aware of the Second Miss’s miscarriage. If word spreads, it could harm the reputation of both families. It would be best to hold the wedding as soon as possible. What do the Second Mistress and Miss Jiang think?”

Without waiting for Zhao Fuqing to finish speaking, Jiang Peihuan interrupted him directly. Seeing Jiang Peihuan’s sudden change in demeanor, Zhao Fuqing was taken aback.

“Miss Jiang, our Royal Residence can accommodate your request.”

At this moment, a man beside Zhao Fuqing spoke up. Jiang Peihuan recognized him; his name was Zhao Yong, an attendant of the King of Huainan.

“Alright, I promise you, I will send Lan Zhi away.”

Upon hearing Zhao Yong’s voice, Zhao Fuqing nodded in agreement. Jiang Peihuan sat down again, saying, “Truthfully, someone like Lan Zhi deserves severe punishment, even death. However, considering she is the young master’s birth mother, I will spare her life.”

“Miss Jiang is kind-hearted. If our Royal Residence can agree to your request, we hope you can also agree to ours.”

As Jiang Peihuan’s voice trailed off, Zhao Yong, who had spoken earlier, added in a low tone.

“What are your Royal Residence’s requirements?”

Zhou Rongfang posed this question. When Jiang Peihuan was talking, she hadn’t dared to interrupt. Now, hearing Zhao Yong’s words, she finally interjected.

Zhao Yong bowed to the Second Mistress and replied softly, “Our Prince and Princess hope that the Second Miss can marry sooner rather than later.”

“Many people are aware of the Second Miss’s miscarriage. If word spreads, it could harm the reputation of both families. It would be best to hold the wedding as soon as possible. What do the Second Mistress and Miss Jiang think?”

“Indeed, the wedding should be held sooner. We can agree to this.”

Before Jiang Peihuan could respond, Zhou Rongfang quickly agreed..