Chapter 21

The daughters of the Jiang family were skilled in using whips as weapons. Jiang Ruyun, having practiced for a few years, had mastered the basics of martial art. Upon hearing the coachman’s words, she coldly warned, “If you dare to say more, beware of my whip.”

The coachman didn’t dare to say another word and drove the carriage straight to the Huainan King Mansion.

Beside the moat.

Seeing that there were more and more people in front of them, Jiang Peihuan and Xiao Nanye pulled the reins at the same time.

“Your horsemanship is truly exceptional, Miss. I am humbled by my own inadequacy,” Xiao Nanye complimented with a smile, observing the rider on the horse.

It had been quite some time since she had enjoyed riding so freely. Her heart swelled with happiness, and her previous frustration seemed to have disappeared. Hearing the man’s words, she humbly replied, “Your Highness is too kind. I’ve used all my strength, while you’ve merely exerted a fraction of yours.”

Xiao Nanye smiled in response, not offering any further comment.

Han Feng trailed far behind them and only caught up now. Upon seeing his master, he hurriedly approached, “Master, the Eldest Princess’ birthday is in a few days. Have you chosen a gift yet?”

“When did I say that I wouldn’t go? Quit being meddlesome” he coldly retorted, glancing at Han Feng. Turning to Jiang Peihuan, his eyes softened. “The Eldest Princess’ birthday is approaching, and I am unsure of what women like. I hope to ask for your assistance, Miss.”

“Your Highness, do you mean selecting a gift for the Eldest Princess?”

“Precisely.”

Jiang Peihuan suspected this was merely an excuse but couldn’t determine what Xiao Nanye could gain from her. She followed him to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in the city.

Before stepping inside, she heard Jiang Sijin’s voice. “Eldest Sister?”

Turning around, Jiang Peihuan saw Jiang Sijin riding towards her, accompanied by Ye Xiao.

“Sijin?”

“Eldest Sister, Second Sister went to the Huainan Mansion alone. When Nanny Xu informed Grandmother, she was so furious she nearly fainted. Third Aunt sent me to find you.”

Jiang Peihuan’s eyes turned cold upon hearing the news.

Jiang Ruyun truly didn’t care about the Jiang family’s reputation.

“Your Highness, I’m afraid I cannot assist you today.”

“No matter, we can choose a gift another day.”

“I have urgent matters to attend to. Please excuse me.”

With that, Jiang Peihuan mounted her horse, Lie Feng. “Your Highness, farewell.” Seeing this, Jiang Sijin quickly followed.

“Protect her. If there’s anything you can’t handle, notify me,” Xiao Nanye ordered Ye Xiao sternly.

Ye Xiao nodded and pursued them.

Watching the trio depart, Han Feng turned to his master. “Master, are we still going to choose the gift?”

“What do you think?”

Glancing at him coldly, the man mounted his horse and chased after Jiang Peihuan.

“Master has indeed fallen under Miss Jiang’s spell,” Han Feng muttered, watching Xiao Nanye’s receding figure, and reluctantly followed.

Huainan Mansion

“What are you doing here?”

Queen Chu Rou of Huainan sat in the main seat, her expression indifferent as she looked at Jiang Ruyun

Chu Rou was not pleased with Jiang Peihuan, who was only skilled in weaponry. However, she was even more dissatisfied with the daughter of a fifth-grade military general.

Especially since Zhao Fuqing had lost 200,000 gold carts due to the change in marriage arrangements, both King Zhao Yang of Huainan and Queen Chu Rou were displeased.

100,000 carts given to Jiang Peihuan were provided by the royal mansion, but the other 100,000 carts given to Xiao Nanye came from Chu Rou’s dowry.

Unable to blame her own son, so she blamed it on Jiang Peihuan and Jiang Ruyun.

As Jiang Peihuan no longer had any connection to the Huainan Royal Mansion, Chu Rou could only blame Jiang Ruyun.

“Queen, I, I want to see Brother Zhao.”

Upon arrival, Jiang Ruyun’s eyes were filled with anger but as she entered the Huainan Mansion, her anger gradually faded. When facing Chu Rou, she dared not show the slightest trace of anger.

“You still dare to mention Qing Er. Do you know that because of you, he is still being punished by his father, forced to kneel in the ancestral hall?”

Zhao Yang punished Zhao Fuqing mainly because he was worried about angering Xiao Nanye. After sending out the 100,000 gold carts, he immediately ordered Zhao Fuqing to kneel in the ancestral hall.

Unable to see Zhao Fuqing, she couldn’t discuss the matter of Lan Zhi and her son.

Just as Jiang Ruyun was considering whether to tell Chu Rou, she saw a nanny tearfully kneeling before Chu Rou. “Princess, please save my Lan Zhi.”

Seeing the person on the ground, Chu Rou asked with confusion, “Granny Wei, what happened to Lan Zhi?”

“Lan Zhi hanged herself.”

“Hanged herself? Why would she do that without any reason?”

“This?”

At that moment, Nanny Wei looked straight at Jiang Ruyun. Following her gaze, Chu Rou’s eyes revealed a hint of surprise. “Second Miss Jiang, is this matter related to you?”

When Jiang Ruyun heard the news of Lan Zhi hanging herself, she was stunned.

In just a moment, she reacted. “That wretched servant did it on purpose. She…”

“Shut up!”

Before Jiang Ruyun could finish, Chu Rou scolded her with a cold glare.

“Queen, you are…?”

Upon seeing the gloom in Chu Rou’s eyes, Jiang Ruyun was filled with disbelief. She had believed that the Huainan Queen would support her since the Huainan Mansion had been the unreasonable party in this matter.

She even thought that the Queen didn’t know about the child at all.

“Lan Zhi is the biological mother of my eldest grandson,” said Chu Rou. “You keep calling her a lowly servant. Do you have any respect for me, the Queen?”

“I originally planned to tell you about Xu Er after you married him,” she continued. “Since you already know, I can tell you now. Nanny Wei is my personal attendant, and Lan Zhi is her daughter who gave birth to Qing Er’s eldest son. So, after you join our family, I’ll have Qing Er take Lan Zhi as his concubine.”

“But she’s just a servant girl,” objected Jiang Ruyun. “She became pregnant before her mistress. She should have been punished severely. How could she be…”

“Second Miss Jiang,” interrupted Chu Rou coldly, “didn’t you also have a child before marriage? Why can’t you tolerate Lan Zhi? True, she’s a servant girl, but you’re from a noble family.”

Jiang Ruyun’s face turned pale with anger upon hearing this. After a long silence, she looked at Chu Rou and said, “Queen, my uncle and father will return soon. If this matter reaches my uncle’s ears, I’m afraid it won’t end well.”

Upon thinking of Jiang Hong, Chu Rou’s eyes flashed with hesitation.

At that moment, a figure suddenly rushed in front of Jiang Ruyun. “Second Miss, this is all Lan Zhi’s fault. Please don’t tell the general about this. I beg you.”

“If you are angry, you can hit and scold me. It’s all Lan Zhi’s fault…”

“Lan Zhi?”