Chapter 21

"Does it hurt?"

Little did anyone know what the Fifth Prince said to His Majesty after returning to the palace. His Majesty actually planned to hold a banquet to select a wife for him, inviting outstanding young ladies from noble families to attend. If they could win the Fifth Prince's favor at the banquet, they would be granted a marriage on the spot.

The Fifth Prince is a royal prince who has been carefully raised. Although he is a bit arrogant, he is still His Majesty's younger brother. The advantage of marrying a prince is that it can ensure the continuation of one's lineage. More importantly, it will make one a relative of the royal family. Such a good thing is something that some declining noble families will definitely want to seize.

While some people are eager to participate, others naturally want to stay far away.

His Majesty's move left Jiang Wanyi somewhat bewildered. Although His Majesty favored him greatly, he had not discussed this matter with him beforehand.

Jiang Wanyi checked the banquet invitation list afterward and was relieved to see that Jiang He was not on it.

Taking a cautious approach, Jiang Wanyi still had someone invite Jiang He to the palace.

There was no man in the capital more arrogant than the Fifth Prince. Even in the palace, the Fifth Prince disliked his merchant background from the beginning, but he had won the Emperor's favor. This could not be shown too obviously on the surface, but deep down the Emperor looked down on him.

However, merchants are easy to manipulate. If the Fifth Prince marries into the Jiang family, the Jiang family will inevitably become the Fifth Prince's vassal and will have to obey him in everything.

Jiang Wanyi knew her younger sister's personality; she was free-spirited and unrestrained at heart, and how could she be willing to submit to a man and lose her dignity as a woman?

Upon receiving the news from the palace, Jiang He rushed there. Seeing her travel-worn appearance, Jiang Wanyi couldn't help but ask with concern, "Why do you look so haggard? Have you been working on the business all this time and gotten tired?"

Without Jiang Wanyi saying anything, the servants brought a stool for Jiang He.

Jiang Wanyi beckoned Jiang He to sit next to her, "Come sit here with your brother."

Without the slightest hesitation, Jiang He sat down next to Jiang Wanyi.

She had been close to her brother since childhood, and the siblings shared a deep bond. However, after her brother entered the palace, they had very few opportunities to meet. Now that their statuses were different, it was difficult for her to act coquettishly with her brother as she used to.

Jiang Wanyi looked at Jiang He with a peaceful gaze, her eyes full of tenderness for her younger sister, and her tone was very gentle, "Even if you take over the business, you can't forget to take care of yourself. You must get plenty of rest, otherwise I will worry about you in the palace."

Jiang He felt a pang of sadness at Jiang Wanyi's concern.

Jiang Wanyi seemed to suddenly remember something, and asked the palace servants to bring a box, which she then stuffed into Jiang He's arms. "Now that you're married, you've truly grown up. Your brother has prepared a gift for you, but I haven't had a suitable opportunity to give it to you personally. This is the perfect opportunity."

Jiang Wanyi knew that the Jiang family had arranged for Jiang He to take Xue Lingyu as a concubine, and he was also aware of the past between the two. In fact, if Xue Lingyu had been willing to stay obediently with Jiang He, she might have been able to receive the treatment she deserved.

After all, he had personally witnessed Jiang He nearly going mad for Xue Lingyu.

Instead of torturing each other, two people should live their lives well together.

If someone else had treated Jiang He like this, he, as her older brother, would certainly not have let it go easily. However, Jiang Wanyi knew how important Xue Lingyu was to Jiang He.

Jiang He shook her head and returned the box. "Brother, it's just taking a concubine. She won't be listed in the family genealogy, and there won't be a grand wedding ceremony."

Jiang Wanyi felt heartbroken watching this scene. Holding Jiang He's hand, she said, "He'er, I don't want to see you so sad. If you have any worries, tell me, and I will definitely help you resolve them."

Jiang He smiled with relief, her tone light: "Brother, I've actually already solved it."

Jiang Wanyi was somewhat puzzled.

Jiang He asked, "Do you still remember that red jade agate hairpin?"

Jiang Wanyi began searching her memory, piecing together Ling Xing's memories. "I remember, it was you who asked me to find out Xue Lingyu's preferences, and you painstakingly designed the hairpin. In the end, you even deliberately made him fall in love with it at first sight and buy it back."

He sensed that Jiang He's mood was off and asked, "What's wrong? Does it have anything to do with this hairpin?"

"It's alright, I just won't have any more delusions." Jiang He's tone was wistful. After tidying herself up, she smiled easily at Jiang Wanyi, "Brother, you don't need to worry about me. With the Jiang family's current status, I could marry even a prince, let alone find a soulmate."

"There will be someone who will live a life of mutual respect and harmony with me."

Whether Jiang He's words were sincere or just to comfort herself, her eyes shone with light, but Jiang Wanyi always felt that she was putting on a brave face.

Jiang Wanyi earnestly advised, "You are not on the list of the Fifth Prince's wife selection banquet. Tell your brother how you felt when you saw the Fifth Prince. If you really like him, I will ask His Majesty to add your name. If you don't like him, I will find other noble young men for you. In any case, I will find you a suitable husband."

The implication was that she wanted to completely abandon Xue Lingyu and find a new man.

“I have no interest in any wife-selection banquet. Brother, you should find me a suitable husband. You know me best. If you are satisfied, I will definitely like him too.”

Jiang Wanyi knew that her father had been selecting many candidates for Jiang He these days, but none of them quite met Jiang He's expectations.

Moreover, he had heard about the Zuo family's affair. So many people coveted the Jiang family's assets, so they had to be careful in choosing the future head of the Jiang family, lest someone with ulterior motives marry into the family and bring disaster to the entire Jiang family.

"Leave this to me," Jiang Wanyi said, patting Jiang He's hand.

As soon as Jiang He entered the palace, the news reached the Prince's Palace.

As soon as the list of candidates for the wife selection banquet was released, Jiang He rushed to the palace. The Fifth Prince was very confident that Jiang He had come because she was not on the list. It seems that his provocation had worked.

He only happened to hear that the red jade agate hairpin was designed by Jiang He herself, so he asked Jiang He about it.

Although marrying a merchant would be a loss of status, Jiang He is indeed an interesting person. In addition, given his status as a prince, the Jiang family dares not disobey him and will obey his every command, let alone the fact that the wife wants to take a concubine.

He picked up a glass hairpin, held it up in the mirror, and suddenly asked the servant beside him, "Who do you think is prettier, me or Xue Lingyu?"

The servant replied nervously, "Your Highness's beauty is unmatched in the capital."

Upon hearing this, the Fifth Prince smiled with satisfaction.

He couldn't help but wonder how Xue Lingyu would feel if he knew he would have to share a wife with someone else.

Once he enters the Jiang family mansion, Xue Lingyu will no longer exist in the backyard.

However, the Fifth Prince's joy did not last long. His subordinates reported that after Jiang He left, Jiang Wanyi began to compile a list of eligible young men from various noble families, seemingly preparing to select a husband for Jiang He.

The Fifth Prince's face slowly darkened, and he snapped the hairpin in his hand, which fell to the ground with a thud. The servants beside him were so frightened that they didn't dare to breathe.

The Fifth Prince's tone was extremely cold: "There's nothing I can't get that I want."

The thought that it belonged to Xue Lingyu made him want it even more.

The Fifth Prince instructed his men, "Make preparations, I am going to see His Majesty."

He can add the name Jiang He himself.

Jiang Wanyi's ability to take on Jiang He's marriage put Jiang's father completely at ease. Jiang Wanyi had been in the palace for quite some time and knew as much about the backgrounds of the young masters of the noble families as he did. Moreover, the two siblings had been close since childhood, so Jiang He would probably not object to the marriage Jiang Wanyi had chosen.

Jiang Wanyi was about to discuss Jiang He's marriage with the Emperor, but she was stopped when she arrived at the Imperial Study.

The chief eunuch said excitedly, "Your Excellency, the weather has been cold lately, and His Majesty has long instructed you to rest well. If you catch a chill from walking around, how will your servants explain it to His Majesty?"

Jiang Wanyi glanced at the Imperial Study; there were clearly people inside.

"The Fifth Prince is inside, but since you are such a distinguished guest, I will go and inform him immediately." The eunuch was extremely attentive, but he didn't move an inch.

Jiang Wanyi smiled faintly, using a retreat as a tactic to advance, "No need, the Grand Eunuch is right. It's not anything important. It's freezing cold, and I'm not feeling well, so I'll go back first."

Since she didn't want him to go in and disturb them, it must be related to him. In addition, the recent uproar must be related to the wife selection banquet.

It seems that Jiang He's situation may have changed. Jiang Wanyi wonders what the Fifth Prince is planning. She feels that there is some conspiracy hidden in the wife selection banquet.

It was cold and the road was slippery, so the servant was extremely careful in helping Jiang Wanyi, but Jiang Wanyi still almost slipped.

The servant carefully reminded him, "Please be careful, sir."

Jiang Wanyi waved her hand, clutched her chest, and frowned, saying, "I haven't been feeling well lately, and I've been a little dizzy, but given the current situation, I can't get any proper rest."

A feeling of nausea welled up inside him, but he managed to suppress it.

The most urgent task is to devise a plan as soon as possible on how to deal with the Fifth Prince.

The Jiang family couldn't stand the pampered daughters of the royal family, and the Fifth Prince wasn't exactly a gentle person either.

Xue Lingyu didn't know why Jiang He wanted to return the red jade agate hairpin that had been pawned to him. He had liked the hairpin very much from the beginning, and he would not have exchanged it for silver if he hadn't been forced to do so at the time.

Now that the item has been returned to its rightful owner, it actually represents that Jiang He still cherishes his affection. LJ

Xue Lingyu felt strange, but he knew he had to leave eventually. He couldn't possibly abandon his father and stay in the Jiang family to live what outsiders thought was a good life just because of Jiang He's tiny, insignificant kindness.

Several days after his period ended, Jiang He did not step into the courtyard again, nor did she send anyone to deliver anything, as if she had truly forgotten about him.

Dr. Ji came to check his pulse again and said that the days after his period are when he is most fertile.

He happened to be in this rare period of time, and having no other choice, he had to shamelessly ask someone to send a message to Liushui Xiaozhu.

Upon receiving the message, Yuange immediately went to find Jiang He. "Miss, they said from the courtyard that Young Master Xue wants to see you."

Jiang He was drinking plum wine when she heard that Xue Lingyu wanted to see her. Her hand movements faltered, and she almost knocked over her wine glass.

She was slightly tipsy at the moment. She had originally wanted to drink to relax after looking at the accounts, but she didn't expect to go too far.

Her eyes were also somewhat glazed over, and it was clear that she was genuinely a little drunk.

Jiang He raised her hand to get up, but accidentally knocked the wine cup to the ground, soaking the corner of her clothes with wine.

Yuan Ge wanted to help her up, but Jiang He refused.

She said, still quite drunk, "Let's go to the courtyard."

Even when drunk, he still recognized the way.

Xue Lingyu was surprised that Jiang He stumbled into his room. Although the plum wine didn't smell bad, Jiang He had drunk too much and even got it on her clothes.

Yuan Ge was turned away at the door, so she had no choice but to wait for Jiang He outside. However, Jiang He did not come out all night.

A half-hearted attempt was not what Jiang He wanted. She forcefully pulled Xue Lingyu into her arms, as if she were teasing her own possession, and soon her hair and clothes were all messed up.

Jiang He acted on instinct. She loved the feeling of holding Xue Lingyu; she was soft and had a pleasant fragrance. But while she was enjoying it, she heard continuous crying and the sound of someone trying to shut her out.

She bit her earlobe and asked in a hoarse voice, "Does it hurt?"

Xue Lingyu's answer was buried in her sobs.

Even when the wounds bled, Jiang He remained obstinate.

A note from the author:

Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 19:25:32 on January 4, 2022 and 22:07:18 on January 5, 2022!

Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: Su Chan (1);

Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Troye is so cute Ψ 2 bottles; 55200927 1 bottle;

Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!

◎Latest Comments:

Did you update today? Yes. Did you water it with nutrient solution? Yes.

[How come this male lead is both lesbian and lewd? If he were a woman, wouldn't she be a typical innocent and naive girl?]

[The author is really looking forward to another update!]

Is this a technical issue?

555 is really amazing!

【come on】

[Keep it up! Keep it up!]

[Check-in]

My brother is pregnant; only then will there be a future.

Is my brother pregnant?

[Tsk]

[Is my brother pregnant? Why does he want to enter the palace? The Fifth Prince should just stay away; no matter what, we can't marry someone with that kind of personality.]

I think my brother is getting pregnant.

It seems Xue is pregnant. Will their relationship improve after the baby arrives?

-over-