Chapter 19

◎Hairpin◎

Jiang He did not spend the night in the courtyard, firstly because it was against the rules, and secondly because she felt that Xue Lingyu did not want to see her.

Even though their marriage wasn't over yet, she thought it was okay to do nothing. But whenever Xue Lingyu saw her, he either looked frightened or had a very hesitant look in his eyes.

He cherished that wedding dress so much, but the person he thought of when he put on the needle was definitely not her.

Before leaving, she stroked Xue Lingyu's hair and sighed almost imperceptibly.

Yang Le reported Jiang He's visit to the courtyard to see Xue Lingyu that evening to her father, and even Xue Lingyu's reaction was described in detail.

Yang Le was originally someone close to Jiang's father. She was sent to Xue Lingyu's side to monitor him and urge him to conceive a child as soon as possible.

Father Jiang had originally intended to give Xue Lingyu another warning, but upon hearing that Xue Lingyu dared to offend Jiang He, he realized that such a bold act was not befitting of a concubine. If she continued to rely on Jiang He's favor, she might end up making a mess of the Jiang family.

The next morning, he ordered someone to summon Xue Lingyu to the main courtyard.

Since entering the manor, Xue Lingyu has only visited the main courtyard once. Jiang's father is not very particular about rules and does not like a concubine always hanging around him. He only instructed Xue Lingyu to take good care of Jiang He and try to conceive a child.

This made things much easier for him. During his short stay at the Jiang residence, if it weren't for the difference in status, his treatment was actually similar to that he received at the Xue family. In fact, the Jiang family's food, clothing, and daily necessities were all top-notch.

As soon as Xue Lingyu entered, she was ordered to kneel in the main hall.

Seeing the puzzled look on his face, Father Jiang said in a deep voice, "I didn't want to see you today, but there are some things I must remind you. Now that you have become He'er's concubine, you should behave yourself. You must always remember the etiquette that Ruiming taught you before you entered the Jiang family. Put away your former arrogant temperament. Being humble and subservient is too mild. In short, you must put He'er first in everything."

"I think you should understand that if He'er hadn't liked you before, the Jiang family wouldn't have been willing to get involved in the Xue family's affairs. The Jiang family has spent a lot of money just for you and your father."

Ultimately, Father Jiang didn't care much about money. The Jiang family had no shortage of money. There were countless men like Xue Lingyu in Qingxiufang, and he could buy ten of them for Jiang He right now.

The reason Xue Lingyu was chosen was simply because he valued Jiang He's past feelings for him. Whether Jiang He doted on him or held a grudge against him for the humiliation he suffered in the past and tormented him in every way, Xue Lingyu should endure it.

However, Xue Lingyu had to pay the corresponding price and fulfill the duties of a concubine.

Xue Lingyu knew that if it weren't for the Jiang family, he and his father would have been humiliated long ago, and becoming slaves or maids would have been the best outcome. Moreover, he had voluntarily agreed to the deal with Jiang's father.

"I understand. I will bear children for my mistress as soon as possible." Xue Lingyu bit her lip and looked at her father, who was sitting in the main seat. "I hope that Lord Jiang can remember the promise he made to me. Once the child is born, he will let my father and me leave."

"Don't worry, you should know what you did to He'er. Neither the Jiang family nor He'er has any reason to force you to stay."

Yes, he once mocked Jiang He's infatuation with him in front of all the young ladies from prominent families in the capital. Jiang He hated him too much to ask, let alone want him to stay in the Jiang family.

Xue Lingyu remained silent, which Jiang's father took as a sign that he had taken it to heart. However, recalling what Yang Le had reported to him, Jiang's father felt that verbal reprimands and warnings were not enough, so he ordered Xue Lingyu to kneel in the main courtyard to make him remember everything that had been said that day.

Xue Lingyu had no choice but to obey. Fortunately, Jiang's father had someone prepare a cushion for him.

The servants assumed that the newly acquired concubine had displeased the master and was therefore punished. There were bound to be whispers among them, but Xue Lingyu closed her eyes and pretended not to hear them.

Looking at Xue Lingyu kneeling in the courtyard, Jiang's father couldn't help but ask Ruiming, "Do you think it was right or wrong for me to arrange for He'er to take Xue Lingyu as a concubine?"

Ruiming said respectfully, "You are genuinely concerned for Miss's sake, and Miss will understand your good intentions." He also glanced at Xue Lingyu from afar. Even kneeling, she did not show the slightest dishevelment, but was as stubborn as a plum blossom in the snow.

"Besides, it's actually a good thing that Miss dotes on Young Master Xue, so that he can carry on the Jiang family line as soon as possible."

“I’m afraid He’er still won’t be able to get over it. Oh well, let her handle it herself.” Father Jiang was a little tired. He waved his hand and decided not to let Xue Lingyu suffer too much. “Go and send him back.”

Jiang He was unaware that Xue Lingyu had been punished by kneeling. There were many things in Beifang that required her personal attention, so she took Yuange out before dawn.

Yuan Ge also had some martial arts skills, though not as good as Ji Xue, but better than nothing. As for the Jiang family's guards, Jiang He was not used to having them protect her closely.

Yuan Ge was still a little worried. Merchants face many dangers when they walk in the marketplace.

“Miss, after Ji Xue finishes the task you assigned, why don’t you call him back as soon as possible?”

To be honest, I don't know what Ji Xue was sent to do. Miss has never let Ji Xue do things alone before, after all, he is still just a child at heart.

The assassination attempt on Xue Lingyi in the eastern suburbs was handled by Ji Xue. To prevent anyone from tracing the clues and finding out that the Jiang family had rescued her, Jiang He asked Ji Xue to lay low outside the city for a few days.

There are many people who want Xue Lingyi to shut up completely. After all, the matter of selling smuggled salt involves a wide range of people, and coupled with the murder case whose authenticity is still unknown, Jiang He can vaguely sense that there is a hand behind the scenes trying to drag the Xue family down with them.

The Xue family is very likely just a scapegoat.

Su Yawan sent word that Xue Lingyi had been the target of constant assassination attempts along the way. If she hadn't spent a large sum of money hiring martial arts figures to protect her, Xue Lingyi would probably have been dead long ago.

Jiang He was thinking about the Xue family's affairs and unconsciously drifted off into thought. She stopped in front of a shop and suddenly felt that the signboard looked familiar.

To her even greater surprise, she encountered someone who shouldn't be there.

A man also stopped in front of the jewelry shop, followed by guards and servants. His raised eyebrows were full of smiles as he looked at Jiang He.

As a member of the royal family, he exuded an air of nobility. Jiang He's eyes flashed with curiosity; this fifth prince actually had the interest to come to Beifang.

It looks like they're after her.

The Fifth Prince entered the shop first. He glanced around and said to Jiang He with some regret, "The finest hairpins are the red jade and agate hairpins from Nandong County. However, I heard that Nandong County no longer produces agate. I wonder if the Jiang family has any left?"

"I didn't know the Fifth Prince left the palace today for this hairpin." Jiang He smiled faintly. "Unfortunately, the Jiang family doesn't have one."

The Fifth Prince looked somewhat regretful: "That's a pity. If the Jiang family doesn't have it, then other businesses in the capital certainly won't be able to find it either."

Jiang He narrowed her eyes, though she didn't know why the Fifth Prince wanted the red jade and agate hairpin.

But she couldn't possibly tell the truth.

A note from the author:

Happy New Year!

Jiang He: [Thinking] Even if I had it, I wouldn't tell you. It's not for you!

◎Latest Comments:

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Although the male lead is somewhat ungrateful—even if you can't let go of your pride and don't like the female lead, shouldn't you at least have some professional ethics? The female lead took the blame for you; shouldn't you at least fulfill your duties as a concubine?

[Author's note... Such an adorable tsundere!]

[I won't give it to him, it's all Xiao Xue's, haha]

[Are you not updating again today?]

Why isn't there an update yet? Aren't you updating today?

【nice】

【come on】

【Hmm, I've already forgotten about this? I mean, I don't think I remember it very clearly】

[Interesting! Interesting!]

A tiger fallen into the plains is bullied by dogs.

[Sprinkling flowers]

[The hairpin that Xiao Jiang has is probably the one that Xiao Xue sold to buy medicine for her father.]

[Sprinkling flowers! Sp ...

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