Chapter 92

◎That Crimson Virgin Blood◎

If the engagement is dissolved on the grounds of Zhou Yu's death, then Zhou Yu's name will inevitably be removed from the register of the imperial clan. If other reasons are used, at least Prince Feng can deceive himself into thinking that Zhou Yu is still alive, so that he can have something to look forward to in the future.

Since the marriage was called off, Jiang He felt it made no difference whatsoever, and said, "I will leave everything to His Highness Prince Feng."

However, finding an explanation that wouldn't damage the reputation of either family was proving difficult. Jiang He wasn't in a hurry, though; she would let Rong Feng Wang think it over slowly and then inform him later.

Now that the matter had been resolved, Jiang He and Prince Feng emerged from the Imperial Study.

Jiang He walked towards the palace gate, while Prince Feng, who lived in the inner palace, followed closely behind her and called out to her.

Jiang He thought to herself, "The real business is about to begin."

She turned around and smiled, "Does Your Highness Prince Feng have anything else to say to this junior?"

“Miss Jiang should know that recently there have been people in the capital who have been using my name to cultivate land.” Prince Feng stared intently at Jiang He’s face so as not to miss her reaction.

Jiang He was neither surprised nor did she express any opinion about Prince Feng. Instead, she smiled and nodded, "Of course I know."

Jiang He didn't know if she really wanted to get a share of the pie from the Jiang family, nor did she know that Zhou Dian was behind all of this. If it were someone else, they would naturally regard her as an enemy and wish they could get rid of her as soon as possible.

But Jiang He was so calm. Even though she wasn't in front of the emperor, she could still perfectly conceal her true emotions. As expected of the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, she was composed, shrewd, and far more cunning than ordinary people.

King Feng breathed a sigh of relief and invited Jiang He to walk and talk.

This place is not far from the Imperial Study. He did not want His Majesty to know what Zhou Dian had done, which made him suspicious of the Prince Feng's Mansion and would tarnish Yu'er's reputation.

The Prince of Feng's voice was heavy with sorrow and a hint of regret. "I have an adopted son named Zhou Dian. Yu'er is sickly and unable to inherit the entire family business of the Prince of Feng. I saw that this adopted son was fond of business, so I entrusted half of the family business to him to manage. However, I could not see his ambition. He used my name to do treacherous things in the capital, trying to infiltrate the capital with his power."

"After I discovered this, I immediately dealt with him. Judging from the time, it was about half a month ago."

After Feng Wang finished speaking, he looked at Jiang He. This was the truth of the matter. The Jiang family's losses were all caused by Zhou Dian, but she would not sit idly by. As long as Jiang He asked, she could make full compensation.

After hearing this, Jiang He asked, "So, the events at Beifang, and those managers who were instigated, were all orchestrated by your adopted son, Zhou Dian?"

Her brows furrowed slightly. This matter was indeed unbelievable, but right after Prince Feng dealt with Zhou Dian, those shopkeepers completely quieted down. Her deterrent measures were effective, but the root cause was cut off, and those pawns involved naturally lost their vitality. The few who were not afraid of death were no longer a threat.

Moreover, Prince Feng had no reason to lie to her.

Zhou Yu was murdered by Zhou Dian. King Feng cherished his son so much that he would never use this as a bargaining chip.

Prince Feng sighed and nodded: "That's right. In the end, it's because I didn't discipline you properly. Whatever compensation you want, even the property of Prince Feng's mansion, I can give it to you."

She was waiting for Jiang He to ask for it.

"What would I do with His Highness Prince Feng's property?" Jiang He suddenly chuckled and bowed to Prince Feng. "Let's be business. Actually, it was because I was not strong enough that I was outmaneuvered and lost. Besides, the management of Beifang was problematic to begin with. The fact that I can learn from this experience is already the greatest compensation."

My mother has been a successful businesswoman for many years, but even she has made mistakes. She is still young and should learn more from these experiences. The sooner she learns these lessons, the better, as they will help her develop a sharper insight in the future.

Moreover, what would she do with the Feng Prince's properties? Most of them are in Fengdi, while the Jiang family's businesses are mainly in the capital.

After the engagement is dissolved, the best thing to do is to have no further connection with the Prince Feng's mansion.

Seeing Jiang He's magnanimity, Prince Feng wished he had another son so that the marriage could continue.

Jiang He didn't completely listen to Prince Feng. After returning, she sent people to investigate and learned that Zhou Dian had indeed recently extended his influence into the capital. Manager Zhao also revealed that the person who had bribed her claimed to be Boss Zhou.

Jiang He then told He Sui the truth.

Upon learning that the person who intended to seize the He family's Lu Fang was actually the adopted son of Prince Feng, He Sui nearly dropped the teacup beside him, his handsome face filled with shock.

Jiang He felt his reaction was a bit too much, so she asked, "Do you know this Zhou Dian?"

He Sui wiped the tea spilled on his sleeve, composed himself, and said, "Yes, I know him."

As men, he and Zhou Dian were among the few who had ventured into the business world. The He family had even done business with Zhou Dian before. He was a handsome but brooding young man who, at only a teenager, had already managed the Feng Prince's estate in an orderly manner, and his subordinates all followed him sincerely.

For a time, He Sui even aspired to become a merchant like Zhou Dian, capable of standing on his own.

After hearing He Sui recount Zhou Dian's situation, Jiang He couldn't help but sigh. He was indeed a business genius, but he had gone astray and ruined his future.

She didn't feel ashamed at almost being outmaneuvered by such a person.

This experience served as a lesson, prompting her to change the business model of Beifang from the very beginning. The worst thing for a merchant is to be inflexible. Beifang had been losing money in recent years, and even without Zhou Dian, it would have been difficult to escape the fate of closing down.

Jiang He put down her teacup, looked at He Sui, and said with a smile, "Young Master He, I have a business deal to discuss with you."

"I would like to hear the details."

"Your Highness, we've found out. The young man you met that day was Xue Lingyu, the eldest son of Prime Minister Xue, and also the grand-nephew of Grand Consort Xue."

Prince Feng had heard of Xue Lingyi's name. After her dramatic rise and fall, she was reinstated to her original position and now enjoys the Emperor's deep trust. Jiang He must have gotten in touch with her, which is why she was able to investigate Prince Feng's mansion.

"I have also discovered some secrets. The Xue family lord and the Wang family lord are related. They were originally from the same family. The Wang family lord is the eldest son of the main family, while the Xue family lord comes from a branch family. After the branch family separated, the Xue family became its own family and has now become a famous and prestigious family."

The confidant was also wondering why there could be two people in the world who looked so alike, so he casually checked on the Xue family lord, and to his surprise, it was indeed unexpected.

She had to go to great lengths to find out that when the Prince of Feng left the capital for Fengdi, he took all his confidants with him, completely abandoning his power in the capital, and showing his loyalty to His Majesty.

For Prince Feng, the capital city now felt like a new place.

"In that case, it really is fate," Prince Feng said with relief and emotion.

After Wang Jun married her, the two lived a life of mutual support and affection for a while. He was a virtuous and gentle man who always put his wife first. He never mentioned his family. Even if he missed them very much, he would only hide in a place where she couldn't see him and secretly shed tears late at night.

Although Fengdi is not far from the capital, it still takes several months to travel there and back. The king is reluctant to leave, and the king of Feng cannot bear the days when they cannot see each other.

"Your Highness, I heard that Young Master Xue gave birth to a daughter yesterday. I'm afraid he won't be out and about for quite some time. Prime Minister Xue was overjoyed when he heard the news, and even took leave from the morning court session."

This made Princess Feng feel very sorry. She had lost Yu'er, and even seeing someone who looked like him could bring her some comfort.

"Send a gift to the Xue residence on my behalf, as a gift to Prime Minister Xue, to congratulate her on the birth of her grandson. Also, send some baby supplies. Whether she accepts it or not, it is a small token of my appreciation."

Prince Feng closed his eyes tightly. "It's a pity that I will never be able to enjoy this kind of family happiness in my life. If Yu'er had a child, I'm afraid I would be very happy."

Seeing that Prince Feng was in such a low mood, his confidant couldn't help but suggest, "Why doesn't Your Highness adopt a child from the imperial clan? That way, the Prince Feng's family will have a successor in the future."

Feng Wang shook her head. She was afraid that another ungrateful child like Zhou Dian would emerge, and besides, she was already old and didn't have the energy to raise another child.

After Jiang He finished dealing with the business, she felt incredibly relieved. With Xue Lingyu confined to the neighborhood for postpartum care, she had more time to spend with her.

When she arrived, she saw Xue Lingyu sitting on the bed with a blank expression. Mian'er was next to him, clenching her little fists and puffing out her cheeks, clearly having eaten her fill.

Seeing that he seemed unhappy, Jiang He noticed his slightly damp clothes and asked with concern, "Are you still feeling unwell?"

Most aristocratic families would hire wet nurses to feed their children after birth, but Xue Lingyu had heard from somewhere that if he didn't feed the child himself, the child wouldn't be affectionate towards him.

So he gritted his teeth and insisted on feeding himself.

I don't know if it's because I drank too much crucian carp milk soup during my pregnancy, but even after I fed the little guy, he always felt uncomfortable.

Xue Lingyu grasped Jiang He's hand, lowered her head, and said aggrievedly, "It still hurts."

The uncomfortable feeling was like having a raging flood suddenly blocked.

He couldn't sleep well at night, but Mian'er was so small that she couldn't eat much.

This put Jiang He in a dilemma. "I don't know what to do in this situation. Should I go ask the doctor?"

Xue Lingyu had become noticeably more voluptuous, a fact that any man who had never given birth could easily tell.

Men with slender, well-proportioned waists and a gait as graceful as a willow are those who have never given birth, while those with full figures, especially well-developed breasts, are generally those who have had children.

"No, don't go. It's embarrassing. Maybe it'll be fine after the confinement period." Xue Lingyu had asked her father, who said that this happens during a boy's second puberty, and it'll be fine once it's expelled. But how to expel the excess...?

Jiang He didn't want him to endure it; what if he ruined his health?

She covered him and said, "Let me help you."

Jiang He now enters the Xue family's house openly and honestly. Occasionally, she might bump into Xue's father, but she would only nod and greet him.

Several times when Xue's father saw her, he looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated. Jiang He waited for him to speak, but in the end, Xue's father swallowed his words and sighed to himself.

The news of her breaking off her engagement with the eldest son of the Prince of Feng has not yet been made public. To outsiders, she is still the Prince of Feng's prospective son-in-law, yet she is associating with the eldest son of the Xue family. If word gets out, people will at most make a few sarcastic remarks about her being a womanizer, but who knows how they will view Xue Lingyu.

His previous lover must have made him suffer a lot. Jiang Heguang couldn't help but want to curse that woman who had started something and then abandoned him when she saw how weak he looked after giving birth.

At the same time, the feelings she had buried deep in her heart began to change without her realizing it.

During Xue Lingyu's postpartum period, she often dreamed of that chubby little boy. He had no interest in painting at all, and was forced to do things he didn't like even though he hadn't learned many characters yet. He was so pitiful.

In her dream, Jiang He would often climb over the wall to play with him. The two of them would release paper dragons together and climb trees together. She would always tease the young master in a mischievous way, almost making him cry several times. In the end, she would bend down and coax him back.

Just when she thought things would continue to go well, the young master's father discovered that she had climbed over the wall into the mansion and immediately ordered the servants to throw her out.

“How can a noble family associate with people from merchant families? Aren’t you afraid of lowering your own status? Even if you want playmates, you can’t belittle yourself like this.”

When the young master heard his father say this about him, he couldn't help but tear up, rubbing his eyes and crying.

He wanted playmates, someone to play with him, but the other sons of noble families in the capital disliked him because he was fat, refused to approach him, and even slandered him.

Jiang He was the only one who treated him well. She wouldn't force him to do things he didn't like, she would help him draw, help him write calligraphy, and play with him.

The young master watched helplessly as Jiang He was driven out. Jiang He wanted to tell him not to cry, because that would only make his face more swollen, but the gates of the Xue residence were quickly closed, and the young master's sobbing could be heard from inside.

This was the last time the two of them saw each other when they were children.

When they met again, the chubby boy from back then had grown into a slender and elegant young master, the most noble young man in the capital, with a refined demeanor and graceful bearing, attracting countless suitors.

Jiang He, however, spent his days hanging out with a bunch of scoundrels, indulging in cockfighting, horse racing, and idleness, earning him the title of the number one playboy.

The girl, with her hair tied in a high ponytail, had just jumped down from the tree. She stretched out her hand to the young master with a bright smile on her face. "Here, this is a paper mandarin duck that I made myself."

These scenes appeared intermittently in Jiang He's dreams, and the grown-up young master looked exactly like Xue Lingyu.

She did know Xue Lingyu before, but she had no recollection of what had happened.

Jiang He decided to ask her best friend Su Yawan. She and Su Yawan had grown up together since childhood. If she really knew Xue Lingyu, Su Yawan would definitely know. However, when faced with her question, Su Yawan denied it outright.

“I told you long ago that you were seriously injured and hit your head. You might have memory problems.” Su Yawan lied through her teeth, as if afraid that Jiang He wouldn’t believe her. She added, “Besides, the Xue family is at least a noble family, and the Jiang family are merchants. It’s okay now, but in the past, how could you possibly know him? You would probably have had a hard time even meeting him.”

This made perfect sense, and Jiang He narrowed her eyes, somewhat skeptical.

"My marriage to the eldest son of the Prince of Feng is canceled," Jiang He suddenly said.

"What? Why was it canceled?"

“I asked His Majesty on my own initiative; I don’t like the eldest son of Prince Feng,” Jiang He said, sounding quite convincing.

"If you don't like the eldest son of the Prince of Feng, do you still like that Xue Lingyu?" Su Yawan was furious. Such a good marriage, just like that, she didn't want it anymore. Could it be that Jiang He's head has really gone wrong?

After a while, she pointed at Jiang He and said with a sudden realization, "Have you remembered everything? So you want to jump into Xue Lingyu's fire pit again?"

"So I really did know Xue Lingyu before," Jiang He confirmed.

Even though everyone around her said they didn't know Xue Lingyu, she still managed to get the truth out of Su Yawan.

Suyawan realized what she had just said and her eyes widened.

"You're lying to me!"

As Su Yawan spoke, she was about to roll up her sleeves, wanting to step forward and teach Jiang He a lesson.

Jiang He just watched Su Yawan like that. Every time she was exposed for lying, Su Yawan wanted to settle things with her by fighting.

Unfortunately, I could never beat her.

It's alright, she'll ask Su Yawan about Xue Lingyu after the winner is decided.

Su Yawan was still wearing her official robes. Even though she was currently inside the Jingzhao government office, she was determined to wake Jiang He up.

A subordinate suddenly came to report, stopping her, "Lady Su, news has come from the palace that Imperial Physician Xue requests your presence."

Su Yawan had to stop; she hadn't even touched Jiang He yet.

She straightened her official robes, pointed at Jiang He, and said, "I forbid you from going to see Xue Lingyu again, do you hear me? Otherwise I'll... I'll..."

She wanted to say something harsh, but found she had no good words to say, so she flicked her sleeves and left Jiang He with her back turned.

Just now, Su Yawan almost got into a conflict with Jiang He because of Xue Lingyu. Now, on the carriage to the palace, she couldn't help but feel nervous. She was an official from outside the palace. Why did the Grand Tutor Xue suddenly summon her to the palace?

She wondered how he was doing after recovering from his serious illness, and whether there had been any changes in him that she was unaware of.

Dressed in a thin, ornate robe, Xue Taifu sat upright in the main hall. He idly stroked the shiny fur of the cat in his arms, his eyes lowered and silent. Because he disliked crowds, only one palace attendant stood beside him.

The Emperor specially sent this cat because he was worried that Wei Di would be bored.

He's a reasonably quiet playmate.

The fingers that caressed the cat were like jade, and a section of fair arm was faintly visible between them. Paired with the man's indifferent affection and charming allure, Su Yawan felt that Xue Taifu's demeanor was even more captivating than before with just one glance.

To avoid being perceived as disrespectful by Xue Taifu, Su Yawan only glanced at it briefly.

She bowed to the prince and said:

"Your subject Su Yawan pays respects to the Grand Master."

Xue Taifu glanced at her and said, "Lady Su, please rise."

The palace attendants who were accompanying Xue Taifu were also called away, leaving only Su Yawan and Xue Taifu in the hall.

Xue Taifu placed the cat on the bed, then got up and walked to Su Yawan.

He raised his eyes and looked at the young powerful minister a few more times, recalling the scene when he first met her.

He was bathing in the palace when a girl, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, accidentally wandered into his palace. Unsure whether the girl had seen anything, the usually cold and ruthless Xue Taifu immediately ordered her execution.

Upon hearing the news, Jiang Wanyi, who had just entered the palace, came to plead for mercy. Out of respect for the late Emperor, the Imperial Physician Xue spared her life.

Even if she was to be executed or pardoned, the girl's gaze remained fixed on him.

There was no shock, no fear, and no greed, only pure appreciation.

He pinched the girl's chin, stared into her clear eyes, and said, "So innocent. I'm really curious about what you'll be like in the future."

Perhaps because he was so close, the girl didn't dare to breathe.

This hasn't changed at all; whenever he gets close, Su Yawan can't help but stop breathing.

Xue Taifu gently curled his lips, "Lord Su is quite different now. In just a few years, you have gone from being a top scholar to a trusted confidant of the emperor. Even I have to marvel at your speed of growth."

He was born with a cool and aloof demeanor, and now, with a smile, he was even more beautiful.

Su Yawan took a deep breath and said in a steady voice, "Thank you for your praise, Your Excellency. I will always keep your teachings in mind."

“I remember telling Lord Su that the most beautiful flower should be in the hands of the most powerful person.” When Xue Taifu turned around, Su Yawan saw that there was a wisteria tattoo on the back of his neck.

She bowed her head and replied, "I remember every word the Imperial Physician said."

Upon hearing this, Xue Taifu suddenly laughed for some reason. He stretched out his finger and touched Su Yawan's lips, like a cold and alluring fox, exuding a faint fragrance. His narrow eyes held a strong hint.

Su Yawan swallowed hard. Over the years, her obsession had only grown stronger and stronger.

Without Xue Taifu's orders, the palace servants in Jiaofang Palace dared not approach, and no one knew what was happening inside the palace.

Su Yawan's obsession erupted, and she tentatively touched Xue Taifu's lips. This act was considered insubordination and treason, but Xue Taifu neither refused nor punished her.

She picked up Xue Taifu and walked towards the inner room.

She bit the man's snow-white neck, fiercely invading the fragrance of the wisteria blossoms.

The bed curtains then slowly fell down.

Foreign officials are generally not allowed to enter the palace without the emperor's summons. However, Su Yawan is different from others. She is not only the emperor's confidante but also the adopted sister of the Empress. The emperor had long ago appointed her to assist the future crown princess.

Since Xue Taifu was also the adoptive mother of Emperor Wei, no one found it inappropriate for him to summon Su Yawan to the palace.

However, the meeting took quite a long time, and the palace gates were already locked. The chief eunuch couldn't help but report this to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, Lord Su has been summoned by the Imperial Physician and has not yet come out."

Emperor Wei pondered for a moment and said, "Perhaps the Empress Dowager had something to ask her, and she forgot the time while talking about it."

It was common for her to have long, intimate conversations with court officials about current affairs that lasted all night. Moreover, since Xue Taifu was an elder, no one dared to speak ill of him. Even the Emperor Wei did not think that his father and empress would do anything absurd.

When the incense in the room burned out, Su Yawan fully regained consciousness.

When she saw the virginity mark on Xue Taifu's arm, she became suspicious. Now, seeing the bright red virgin blood on the bed, she was even more surprised.

Xue Taifu slowly put on his clothes, and his beautiful fox-like eyes regained their normal color.

A note from the author:

Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 19:41:25 on March 9, 2022 and 17:45:31 on March 10, 2022!

Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: 10 bottles of yogurt; 4 bottles of strange conch; 2 bottles of Ciyi; 1 bottle of 35124137;

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

◎Latest Comments:

Goodness, I thought she liked Jiang Wanyi.

[Holy crap, I'm genuinely shocked! Help! The plot is a bit confusing!]

【Press the claw】

Feeling unmotivated to write? Grab a bottle of nutrient solution! Having no inspiration for your writing? Grab a bottle of nutrient solution! Nutrient solution—your deepest love for the author!

Ah, I always thought that Doctor Xue was a kind old man.

[Isn't Xue Taifu in his thirties? Or thirty?]

Wow, amazing!

[Ahhhhh! This couple is absolutely amazing! This couple is so captivating!]

[Su's CP is indeed Xue Taifu]

【dd】

-over-