Chapter 40

As soon as Pei Wu finished speaking, Xiao Junhao spat out more blood and fainted again. The entire manor descended into chaos once more.

Time flew by, and soon it was Jiang Ruyun’s wedding day.

The entire Jiang Residence was decorated with joy and celebration.

Jiang Peihuan, accompanied by Jiang Sijin and Ye Xiao, entered the Orchid Garden. When they arrived, Jiang Ruyun was in the middle of getting dressed.

“Quickly bring everything here, and don’t leave anything behind.”

Zhou Rongfang anxiously instructed the maids. When she turned around, she saw Jiang Peihuan and Jiang Sijin.

“Huan Huan, Sijin, what brings you here?”

“We came to see Ruyun.”

Jiang Peihuan bowed to Zhou Rongfang and spoke softly.

“Eldest Sister, Third Sister.”

Hearing the voices, Jiang Ruyun also looked at Jiang Peihuan and Jiang Sijin.

At this time, Jiang Ruyun was still in her confinement period. However, after a few days of rest, her complexion had improved significantly.

Approaching her, Jiang Peihuan handed her a box.

“Big Sister, what’s this?”

Looking at the box presented to her, Jiang Ruyun’s eyes were filled with curiosity.

Jiang Peihuan remained silent, placing the box on the table beside her. “This is my makeup gift for you.”

Hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words, Jiang Ruyun opened the box on the table. Inside was a pair of violet jade bracelets. She recalled asking Jiang Peihuan for these bracelets many times, but her sister never gave them to her.

Seeing the jade bracelets now, Jiang Ruyun’s eyes held a hint of complexity. “Eldest Sister, aren’t these your favorite bracelets?”

“Today, you’re getting married. I remember you liked these bracelets, so I’m giving them to you now. I hope everything goes smoothly for you in the future.”

“Thank you, Big Sister.”

“I don’t have anything particularly nice, just this Eight Treasures Necklace. Second Sister, I’ll give it to you.”

“Thank you, Third Younger Sister.”

Jiang Sijin, who usually quarreled with Jiang Ruyun whenever they met, was unaccustomed to her gentle demeanor. She touched her nose and stood behind Jiang Peihuan.

“Eldest Miss, Third Madam invites you to come.”

At this moment, Liu Xiu’s maid, Jing Er, hurriedly approached them.

“Sijin, stay here with your Second Sister.”

After quietly instructing Jiang Sijin, Jiang Peihuan went outside. Seeing the anxious look in Jing Er’s eyes, she asked softly, “What’s wrong? Is something up with Third Aunt?”

“You’ll find out when you go to the Chrysanthemum Hall, Young Miss.”

Jing Er’s eyes were filled with anger. Seeing this, Jiang Peihuan didn’t say anything else and went straight to the Chrysanthemum Hall.

Before she entered, she heard Old Madam Jiang’s angry voice, “This Zhao family is simply insufferable.”

“Grandmother, who has upset you again?”

Jiang Peihuan walked up to Old Madam Jiang and spoke softly.

Seeing her, the old madam’s anger subsided a bit, but she still looked indignant, “Who else could it be? It’s the Zhao family, of course.”

Jiang Peihuan turned to look at Liu Xiu, who softly said, “The Huainan Mansion just sent a message saying that the prince is feeling unwell due to the wind, so they can only send the butler to welcome the bride today.”

Hearing this, Jiang Peihuan frowned.

Liu Xiu continued, “If the groom doesn’t personally come to welcome the bride, Ruyun might be looked down upon by the Huainan Mansion before even entering their household. I sent someone to discuss this matter with them, but after some investigation, we found out…”

“The prince isn’t actually sick with a cold; he went to Wanxiang Pavilion to drink last night and hasn’t sobered up yet.”

As Liu Xiu spoke the last sentence, her eyes were filled with helplessness.

The Huainan Mansion was clearly making things difficult on purpose, and there was nothing they could do about it.

“Third Aunt, let someone inform Second Aunt about this situation. Let’s see what she thinks.”

“Jing Er, go and tell Second Mistress about this matter. Remember, don’t cause a scene.”

Jing Er’s eyes were filled with anger. Seeing this, Jiang Peihuan didn’t say anything else and went straight to the Chrysanthemum Hall.

Before she entered, she heard Old Madam Jiang’s angry voice, “This Zhao family is simply insufferable.”

“Grandmother, who has upset you again?”

Jiang Peihuan walked up to Old Madam Jiang and spoke softly.

Seeing her, the old madam’s anger subsided a bit, but she still looked indignant, “Who else could it be? It’s the Zhao family, of course.”

Jiang Peihuan turned to look at Liu Xiu, who softly said, “The Huainan King’s Mansion just sent a message saying that the prince is feeling unwell due to the wind, so they can only send the butler to welcome the bride today.”

Hearing this, Jiang Peihuan frowned.

Liu Xiu continued, “If the groom doesn’t personally come to welcome the bride, Ruyun might be looked down upon by the Huainan King’s Mansion before even entering their household. I sent someone to discuss this matter with them, but after some investigation, we found out…”

“The prince isn’t actually sick with a cold; he went to Wanxiang Pavilion to drink last night and hasn’t sobered up yet.”

As Liu Xiu spoke the last sentence, her eyes were filled with helplessness.

The Huainan King’s Mansion was clearly making things difficult on purpose, and there was nothing they could do about it.

“Third Aunt, let someone inform Second Aunt about this situation. Let’s see what she thinks.”

“Jing Er, go and tell Second Mistress about this matter. Remember, don’t cause a scene.”

“Yes.”

Half a cup of tea later, Zhou Rongfang entered the Chrysanthemum Hall with bloodshot eyes, “This Zhao family is going too far.”

“Now you’re angry? Why did you agree so quickly before?”

Old Madam Jiang spoke, her voice filled with irritation.

Seeing that the old madam was about to get angry again, Jiang Peihuan quickly said, “Grandmother, Second Aunt, I have a solution for this problem.”

“What solution?”

Hearing this, they all looked at Jiang Peihuan.

Facing their gazes, she calmly said, “Since the prince can’t come to pick up the bride, let’s postpone the wedding. Whenever the prince can come to get the bride, the wedding will continue.”

“What if the Huainan Mansion changes their mind?”

“Second Aunt, Father and Second Uncle will return to the capital soon. If the Huainan Mansion dares to cancel the engagement, our Jiang family won’t be easily bullied.”

“Yes, Second Sister-in-law, you must be firm now, or how will Ruyun face the people of Huainan Mansion in the future?”

“Alright, you go to the Zhao family now and tell them the wedding is to be…”

“Old Madam, the people from Huainan Mansion have come to welcome the bride.”

Before the old madam could finish speaking, Nanny Xu pushed the door open and walked in. “Who’s here to welcome the bride?”

“It’s the prince.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Peihuan’s eyes flashed with surprise. However, when she saw Zhao Yong beside Zhao Fuqing, she understood why Zhao Fuqing had come.

Zhao Fuqing was led directly to the chrysanthemum hall. Although he was wearing wedding clothes, his face was deathly pale, and a strong smell of alcohol lingered on him.

Upon seeing Zhao Fuqing like this, Zhou Rongfang’s eyes were filled with anger, but she dared not speak up.

The old madam didn’t even want to glance at Zhao Fuqing.

“Old Madam, I’m here to fetch Yun Er,” said Zhao Fuqing, bowing perfunctorily in front of Old Madam Jiang.

If the King of Huainan hadn’t forced him to come, he wouldn’t be here today.

“Old Madam, please forgive me. Second Madam, please forgive me. My son has caught a cold, so…”

“If you have a cold, don’t drink. It will only worsen your condition,” Jiang Peihuan interrupted before Zhao Yong could finish. Hearing this, Zhao Yong’s face stiffened, and Zhao Fuqing’s eyes revealed an ugly expression.

“Alright, Second branch of the Jiang family, take the prince to the Orchid Garden.” said the old madam, addressing Zhou Rongfang, not wanting to say anything more.

Weddings in the Qi Kingdom usually took place at night, though some families opted for daytime ceremonies to save trouble. When Zhao Fuqing was brought to the Orchid Garden, Jiang Ruyun was still getting ready.

When she came out, Zhao Fuqing’s eyes were filled with impatience. Just as he was about to lose his temper, he heard a voice by his ear.

“Young Miss, His Highness King Cheng has arrived.”

Then, Jiang Peihuan saw a man dressed in white striding towards them.

Upon seeing Xiao Nanye, Zhao Fuqing instantly became well-behaved.

“Second Madam, I have come especially today to bring you a gift,” Xiao Nanye said as he glanced at Han Feng. After the items were presented, he took his place beside Jiang Peihuan.