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“You brat, it seems I haven’t spoiled you for nothing all these years.”

Towards the end of his words, Emperor Qi Ming’s gaze on Xiao Nanye softened. Xiao Nanye rose from his chair, finishing the tea in front of him with a swift gulp. He then addressed Emperor Qi Ming, “If my imperial brother feels guilty, he can always give me more jewels.”

“You brat still dare to say! You’re on the verge of emptying my private treasury.”

“I don’t care. I take it as consent from my imperial brother.”

With a casual wave to Emperor Qi Ming, Xiao Nanye strode towards the exit. Watching his retreating figure, a helpless look flashed in Emperor Qi Ming’s eyes. Shortly after, the Empress approached and sat beside him.

Watching the Empress take her seat, Emperor Qi Ming murmured, “Let’s drop the idea of bringing the eldest daughter of the Jiang family to the palace.” “This… Why would Your Majesty suddenly change his mind?”

Hearing Emperor Qi Ming’s words, the Empress appeared startled.

The Emperor uttered a few words and then calmly declared, “I’ve decided to grant Jiang Hong’s eldest daughter to Nanye as his principal wife.”

“Following Your Majesty’s words, we ought to prepare a generous wedding gift for the young man.”

Emperor Qi Ming acted quickly.

That very night, the Jiang residence received a decree from the palace.

Wang Kun personally delivered and announced the decree.

Surveying the Jiang family members kneeling on the floor, he unfurled the decree, “It’s known that the General’s eldest daughter is exceptionally wise, a model among young ladies. Hence, today, Jiang Peihuan, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, is bestowed to King Cheng as his principal wife. The wedding is to be held in three months’ time.”

Upon hearing the words ‘bestowed to King Cheng as the principal wife,’ Jiang Peihuan’s heart began to pound wildly. Jiang Hong and his wife, Xue Yan, however, breathed a sigh of relief.

Apart from those of the First Branch, everyone in the Jiang family displayed surprise initially, but then their faces lit up with smiles.

However, among them, Zhou Rongfang was an exception. Seeing the imperial messenger beaming at the members of the First Branch, jealousy flashed in her eyes.

“Eunuch Wang, thank you for taking the trouble to come here. You must be tired, please come inside for some tea.”

Jiang Hong approached Wang Kun, a smile gracing his lips.

“The Great General is too kind. The Emperor is awaiting my return to report back.”

“Then, please allow me to send you off.”

As he spoke, Jiang Hong moved forward, his hand closing around Wang Kun’s. In a seamless movement, he slid a small pouch into Wang Kun’s hand.

Wang Kun weighed the pouch. It was nearly weightless. Clearly, it contained banknotes.

He stuffed the pouch into his sleeve and the smile in his eyes became even brighter.” Great General. I’ll return to the palace now.””

Once the palace members departed, Jiang Hong turned to his wife and said,” Yan Er, you can rest assured now. The imperial decree has been issued. Huan Er won’t be entering the palace.”

“Enter the palace? What palace?”

Jiang Hong’s voice was barely a whisper, yet Zhou Rongfang managed to catch it. She started mumbling to herself, voicing her confusion.

Jiang Hong frowned upon hearing this. Seeing his two younger brothers’ eyes on him, he decided to clarify the situation. The revelation left everyone present with looks of surprise.

Only Liu Xiu, looking at Xue Yan with a full-faced smile, said, “Sister-in-law, judging by all this, King Cheng genuinely cherishes Huan Er. If Huan Er truly becomes part of King Chen household in the future, I’m sure King Cheng will treat her kindly.”

Hearing Liu Xiu’s words cased some of the worry from Xue Yan’s heart. But before she could respond, Zhou Rongfang interjected, “King Cheng is the Emperor’s uncle, and Huan Huan’s marriage was called off by Huainan Mansion. Moreover, Huan Huan’s future childbirth will be difficult, this…”

“Shut up!” Jiang Yuan snapped, interrupting Zhou Rongfang, his eyes filled with icy disdain.

Jiang Hong had always been tolerant of his sister-in-law for his brother Jiang Yuan’s sake. But Zhou Rongfang’s words caused an unpleasant expression to creep onto his face. Finding it inappropriate to lash out at a woman, he directed his ire towards his younger brother, “Jiang Yuan, if you can’t control your wife, you’d better resign from your position and come home before you bring misfortune upon the Jiang family.”

“Big brother, I’m sorry,” Jiang Yuan said, his eyes filled with remorse. Zhou Rongfang, on the other hand, looked resentful. Ignoring Jiang Yuan’s attempts to restrain her, she retorted, “Uncle, there’s no need to defend Jiang Yuan. Everything I’ve said is true. If you don’t believe me… Ah…”

A crisp slap echoed through the room.

Jiang Peihuan’s eyes brimmed with a cold fury. However, she held her tongue in front of the family elders. As she struggled to contain her anger, she saw her mother stride forward and deliver a sharp slap to Zhou Rongfang’s face.

Despite their private disputes, physical altercations were unheard of among the Jiang family.

Zhou Rongfang, her hand on her reddening cheek, stood there stunned. Coming back to her senses, she lunged at Xue Yan. “You, Xue, dare to hit me? Who do you think you are?”

“You have the audacity to harm my Huan Er? I’ll make you pay for it today,” retorted Xue Yan.

Having been trained in martial arts since her childhood, Xue Yan found Zhou Rongfang an easy opponent. She firmly grasped Zhou Rongfang’s hand, striking her several more times with her free hand.

Before long, the vivid imprint of five fingers appeared on Zhou Rongfang’s face.

Xue Yan, with a forceful push, sent Zhou Rongfang sprawling to the ground. Driven to the brink of madness, Zhou Rongfang picked herself up from the floor, her eyes wild with rage as she lunged at Xue Yan.

Witnessing this scene, Jiang Peihuan could hold back no longer. She stepped forward, placing herself between Zhou Rongfang and Xue Yan. “Second Aunt, isn’t this too much?” she protested.

“Too much?” Zhou Rongfang retorted, her voice heavy with sarcasm. “Jiang Peihuan, didn’t you see it was your mother who threw the first blow? Or have you become so arrogant, now that you’re to be a queen, that you think you can disregard your elders?”

Her eyes filled with derision, Zhou Rongfang’s last words stung Jiang Peihuan. Looking at Zhou Rongfang, Jiang Peihuan’s already darkened expression became even more severe. She said coldly, “Second Aunt, I didn’t intend to expose your plot against me to Second Uncle. But now, there’s no point in hiding it anymore.”

Meeting her gaze, Jian Peihuan’s already ugly expression turned even uglier. She looked at Zhou Rongfang and said coldly,” Second Aunt, I didn’t plan to tell Second Uncle that you framed me. Now it seems that there’s no need to hide it for you.””

“Plot? What plot?” Jiang Yuan interjected, his face showing confusion and concern.

When he heard Jiang Peihuan mention a plot, he spoke out. Turning to him, Jiang Peihuan laid out the whole story of the past rumours and added, “So, it was Second Aunt’s scheming that led the Huainan Mansion to dissolve their engagement with me.”

Looking at Jiang Yuan, Jian Peihuan directly told him about the rumors and then continued,” So, the reason why the Huainan Mansion came to break off the engagement was planned by Second Aunt.”

“Zhou Rongfang, is what Peihuan said true?” Jiang Yuan’s voice was thick with disbelief and shock. He’d always known Zhou Rongfang to be somewhat difficult, but he’d never imagined she could be so malicious – especially towards her own niece.

Anger burned in Jiang Yuan’s eyes. Facing his gaze, Zhou Rongfang showed a flicker of panic.. However, considering Jiang Yuan’s usual concessions towards her, she hardened her stance and retorted defiantly, “So what if it’s true? If it weren’t for me, could she have married King Cheng today?”