060

060

Three days have passed, and it's time for the bride to return to her parents' home.

Cui Cui combed Jiang Chaoyu's hair. Now that she was a married woman, she could no longer wear her old clothes. In the bronze mirror, Jiang Chaoyu had her hair styled in a round bun and was wearing a light pink dress with mandarin ducks embroidered on the hem.

"Cui Cui, I didn't expect we'd have to go back again."

Cui Cui was just putting the last hairpin in Jiang Chaoyu's hair when she turned her head and asked, "Is Madam a little unhappy?"

Jiang Chaoyu shook her head, a faint smile appearing on her face, as if to prove that she was not unhappy. She said, "I'm not unhappy, I just have some feelings. These three days have felt like three years."

Seeing her young mistress happy is all that matters. These past few days, she's come to understand that the Second Prince genuinely loves her young mistress. Fortunately, she didn't marry the wrong person, and she didn't follow the wrong person either. Her young mistress is so good to her.

"As long as Madam is happy." When she first arrived, Cui Cui was a little unaccustomed to being addressed as "Miss," but now she's used to it.

"Madam, it's time for us to set off." Yam appeared at the door and gently knocked.

"good."

Jiang Chaoyu didn't know what Zeng Chenhua had prepared for the homecoming gift. He only said that he didn't want her to worry about these things, so she let him prepare it without worry.

When they reached the main gate, they saw two more carriages following behind the one that had returned. Jiang Chaoyu looked at Zeng Chenhua beside her with some confusion and asked, "Is anyone with us?"

In front of outsiders, Zeng Chenhua took out his jade staff again. Seeing Jiang Chaoyu's puzzled look, he just smiled and explained to her, "No, those are gifts I prepared. If the gifts are too few, it would be considered impolite, and I'm afraid people will laugh at me."

However, in Jiang Chaoyu's opinion, this etiquette was far too thorough, with so much prepared.

"This is... far too thoughtful."

After Jiang Chaoyu finished speaking, Zeng Chenhua said, "It's getting late, let's set off now."

Jiang Chaoyu was walking ahead, but seeing Zeng Chenhua acting and limping, she couldn't help but go up to help him. She put her hands on Zeng Chenhua's arms and helped him walk slowly.

"It's alright, I'm fine."

What Jiang Chaoyu was curious about was how he managed to deceive the imperial physicians. She had heard that the emperor had not given up and had sent the best imperial physicians to see Zeng Chenhua every few days, but the result was always the same: the second prince's leg was beyond saving.

Going from a great general to a leisurely prince must be a bitter pill to swallow.

Zeng Chenhua noticed that Jiang Chaoyu's mood was constantly changing and she wasn't paying attention at all, so he pretended to twist his ankle. Caught off guard, Jiang Chaoyu could only hold onto Zeng Chenhua tightly with both hands, her thoughts already wandering far away.

Just as she was worrying, she met Zeng Chenhua's eyes, which were full of cunning. His eyelashes fluttered, and with that smile, Jiang Chaoyu understood that Zeng Chenhua was clearly doing it on purpose.

Jiang Chaoyu let go of her hand and entered the carriage alone. This person was really despicable, actually scaring her when she wasn't paying attention.

Seeing her expression, I knew she was angry, so I quickly got into the carriage.

Jiang Chaoyu lifted the curtain and suddenly noticed Shanyao. She realized that it was not bad to have someone who knew medicine by her side. She would like to have a match with Shanyao in the future. However, she didn't know where Zeng Chenhua had put that bottle of purple medicine. She searched the whole room but couldn't find it.

Only after Zeng Chenhua slowly boarded the carriage did it set off.

Where did you put that bottle of medicine?

Zeng Chenhua, who had just put the jade staff down, was stunned when he heard these words.

Jiang Chaoyu moved closer to Zeng Chenhua, but Zeng Chenhua moved away when he saw this.

This action amused Jiang Chaoyu. Just a few days ago, she was doing this herself, and now she's playing the role of the opposite. "You're hiding something!"

Upon hearing this, Zeng Chenhua looked up and immediately denied it, saying, "No, I gave the medicine back to Shanyao."

Hearing this, something felt off. He frowned and looked at Zeng Chenhua in front of him, directly questioning him, "Something's not right with you. You didn't take Yunqi's sword, but you took the yam medicine. What's in it?"

What else could it be? It was an aphrodisiac used to tease Yun Qi, but by sheer coincidence, Jiang Chaoyu won it back. But how could Jiang Chaoyu possibly know about this? He lied to her repeatedly, saying, "It's a liniment for injuries. Someone in Cheng Zhen's sect was injured these past few days, so I gave this medicine to Shan Yao."

This was half true and half false. The mansion had been peaceful these past few days, but turmoil was brewing outside. Just two days after the wedding, news broke that someone had died outside the city. It was said that someone had harbored rebellious thoughts and sent people to inquire, but they were injured instead.

"All right."

Seemingly having run out of things to say, Jiang Chaoyu lifted the curtain and looked outside, where it was still as lively as ever.

Before long, the carriage arrived at the Jiang residence. Upon alighting from the carriage, one would see the entire Jiang family waiting outside the gate. A quick glance revealed smiles on their faces, but their eyes held unfathomable depths.

Jiang Chaoyu, holding Zeng Chenhua's hand, was surrounded by people as they entered the Jiang residence.

After taking his seat, Zeng Chenhua said, "I hope my father-in-law will forgive the small token of my appreciation."

While Prime Minister Jiang was waiting, he saw two carriages following behind. He was wondering if anyone else was coming along, but he didn't expect that the Second Prince would actually prepare a gift of two carriages. He said it was just a small token of his appreciation, but the level of importance he attached to it was enough to prove everything.

This clearly demonstrates how much he values ​​his second daughter. Previously, he had been secretly mocked, but now, seeing all those gifts, Prime Minister Jiang couldn't stop smiling.

Officials like them usually only receive a modest salary and are not allowed to run shops or businesses in their private lives. Now, the Second Prince is bringing box after box of goods to the Jiang residence, which is a great honor for him and has solved his urgent problem.

"Not at all, Your Highness."

He had been somewhat indifferent just moments before, but now, seeing box after box of money, he was overjoyed. Jiang Chaoyu watched from the side, turning away to avoid the sarcastic expression on her face, which would have made others feel even more disgusted and secretly think, "She's really a laughingstock."

With that kind of talent, it would be a shame not to let him become a businessman. He knows best how to use family members to gain profit.

Jiang Chaoyu was only focused on looking at Prime Minister Jiang, her eyes filled with disdain. Zeng Chenhua noticed her emotions, covered the back of her hand, and gently patted away her disgust.

Jiang Chaoyu lowered her eyes to look at the hand covering the back of her hand, a hand that gave her a sense of security, as if it were comforting her. The resentment in her heart lessened a bit.

"As long as my father-in-law is happy."

Zeng Chenhua patted her gently, and with a soothing smile, turned to look at Jiang Chaoyu. He heard her dissatisfaction and comforted her.

If it weren't for Jiang Chaoyu, he wouldn't have bothered talking to these people; they were nothing but wolves in sheep's clothing. Family ties were measured solely by self-interest; if there was benefit, it was family; without benefit, what was the point of family ties? They were merely pawns in his game.

Although they were all smiling, they were all plotting something in their hearts. This homecoming was like attending a trap.

"Second Prince, it's been a long time. What about your leg?" Jiang Yunxin, standing to the side, seemed oblivious to Zeng Chenhua's jade cane, bringing up the old topic again, as if deliberately reopening old wounds. Looking at his seemingly concerned expression, it was truly a joke.

Jiang Chaoyu looked up at the man and found it somewhat amusing to see through his facade. However, she was more interested in seeing what Zeng Chenhua would say next.

Out of the corner of his eye, Zeng Chenhua caught sight of someone who was preparing to watch the show. He curled his lips and said nonchalantly, "It's probably been a while since you've been to the city, so it's normal that you don't know about this. My leg is just like this. In the future, the country will still need General Jiang to guard it."

What a clever trick to elevate someone! By putting them on a pedestal, they can be easily swayed if they become complacent, or left alone if they don't. But this is General Jiang, newly appointed by the Emperor after a triumphant return, and everyone wants to curry favor with him. Hearing Zeng Chenhua's words, he is even more pleased with himself.

"Second Prince, don't worry. Since I am the Grand General personally appointed by His Majesty, I will definitely protect the entire country." He had such a smug look on his face. It seems that this man has become extremely proud of his newfound power and has forgotten who he is in front of.

However, Jiang Chaoyu thought again that Zeng Chenhua was, after all, the emperor's unloved son. How could he gain respect from others if he wasn't valued? These words must have made Jiang Yunxin extremely proud.

"Then I hope that you can also protect my family when the time comes. I will be very grateful." Jiang Chaoyu continued, following his words, "The higher you stand, the harder you will fall."

"Of course, of course." Jiang Yunxin was unaware that the two were setting a trap for him. He was a general personally appointed by the emperor, so these things were no big deal to him.

Having power is a good thing, but if it falls into the hands of someone with ill intentions, it may not be so.

Jiang Chaoyu chuckled as she lowered her eyes, amused that this person was mistaking sarcasm for flattery. Zeng Chenhua noticed the person's actions and gently squeezed her hand again.

However, as long as Jiang Yuyao calmly watched from the sidelines, the money kept Prime Minister Jiang in the dark, and the flattering words amused Jiang Yunxin. But Jiang Yuyao remained an observer.

The two of them seemed quite affectionate, just like a loving couple.

But this wasn't what Jiang Yuyao wanted. What she wanted was for her younger sister to come back to her side, but the person in front of her wasn't her younger sister. There was nothing she could do but watch helplessly.

The day passed in feigned laughter and conversation. Before leaving, Prime Minister Jiang and Jiang Yunxin were extremely enthusiastic, as if they had met kindred spirits and were reluctant to part.

Once inside the carriage, Jiang Chaoyu finally felt relaxed.

The man relaxed, lay down casually, and said, "People, you know, they can fall into traps all the time."

These words actually referred to both Prime Minister Jiang and Jiang Yunxin. As if she had thought of something, Jiang Chaoyu jumped up and looked at Zeng Chenhua in front of her, saying, "You sent so much gold and silver jewelry, are you really willing to part with it? So much money!"

He even gestured as he spoke, seemingly using actions to demonstrate the exaggerated nature of giving away money.

She glanced at it casually and saw that the box was almost overflowing with silver, not to mention all the other boxes that had been carried in. Where did he get so much money? Could it be from the island?!

As they talked, the way she looked at Zeng Chenhua changed.

Zeng Chenhua noticed it too, gently flicked her forehead, and laughed, "How could that be? I only do legitimate livelihood work. Do you think I'm the kind of person who burns, kills, and robs?"

Jiang Chaoyu said casually, "It does look somewhat similar."

Upon hearing this, Zeng Chenhua was somewhat amused and then earnestly explained, "I told you this before we got married."

Hearing this, Jiang Chaoyu finally remembered, and then nodded as if in sudden realization, "Oh~"