Chapter 160: But How Can I Betray Her?
Seeing Jiang Ruanxi come out, he was a bit surprised, even muttering, “So fast?”
Jiang Ruanxi blushed, cleared her throat, “Daoist Priest, I’m afraid I can’t complete your method, so I can only trouble you to think of another way.”
After Jiang Ruanxi left, the Nameless Daoist realized belatedly that these two clearly had not consummated.
He was somewhat angry and went in to see Second Master wearing a silver mask, his complexion not looking too good.
“Second Master, how could you miss this opportunity?” the Nameless Daoist persuaded, “I see that Miss Jiang isn’t unwilling either…”
“But how could I let her down?”
Not long after, the silver mask fell off Second Master’s face, revealing a stunningly beautiful face, but the forbearance and pain in his expression made his face look somewhat distorted.
“Second Master, you also have unavoidable difficulties…”
“If I can’t give her proper status, even if we marry, what would be the point?”
“But Madam…”
“Go tell her that if she just wants to force me into submission with such tactics, I advise her to give up on that idea as soon as possible.”
The Nameless Daoist said helplessly, “Second Master, Madam is doing this all for your own good.”
“If she really cared about me, she should understand what I’m thinking.”
Seeing how stubborn he was, the Nameless Daoist didn’t know how to persuade him.
Not long after, a servant hurried over, “Daoist Priest, Madam requests your presence.”
After Jiang Ruanxi went out, the noblewomen of Lingnan had already gone inside. Seeing that it was getting late, she naturally followed them in.
“This is the Eldest Daughter of the Zhong Family?”
The leading woman exuded nobility. Jiang Ruanxi looked up and smelled a faint fragrance.
Jiang Ruanxi’s mind blurred for a moment, instantly recalling the scene outside Guangming Temple that day.
It was her, that beautiful woman.
Judging by her expression, she must have recognized her too.
Jiang Ruanxi walked over, and Madam Yu took her hand, “What a fortunate child, I like you just looking at you. This is my meeting gift to you.”
With that, Madam Yu took a bracelet from her wrist and put it in her hand, just like a mother-in-law giving a meeting gift to her daughter-in-law.
Envious gazes came from all around, but Jiang Ruanxi felt uneasy inside.
Madam Yu clearly knew her identity, yet she didn’t expose it. Did she know about her fate, or was there another reason?
“Thank you, Madam.” Regardless, Jiang Ruanxi lowered her head and shyly accepted the bracelet.
“I’m not feeling well, accompany me for a walk in the back courtyard.” After saying that, Madam Yu had the matron by her side greet those noblewomen and took Jiang Ruanxi to the back courtyard.
The Yu Family courtyard had unique scenery, but Jiang Ruanxi had no mind to appreciate it; the further they walked, the more grave her expression became.
Madam Yu stopped and said faintly, “Miss Jiang, you’ve met her, haven’t you?”
Jiang Ruanxi was stunned.
She didn’t call her Miss Zhong, but Miss Jiang, so it seemed Madam Yu knew her identity.
Jiang Ruanxi said seriously, “Madam Yu, calling me out alone like this, there must be something you want to discuss with me?”
Jiang Ruanxi also got straight to the point.
“Miss Jiang really is straightforward. Since that’s the case, I won’t beat around the bush. You just met him, right?”
Jiang Ruanxi wasn’t surprised that she knew she’d been called to see Second Master just now and didn’t hide it, nodding.
“After so long, haven’t you ever suspected Second Master’s identity?”
Jiang Ruanxi frowned slightly, full of confusion, “What do you mean, Madam Yu?”
“The Crown Prince went south, and now he’s staying in my manor. He’s been here for some time. Whether in the past or now, have you ever seen them appear in the same place at the same time? Do you really naively think that during the feigned death at Guangming Temple, you could play the cicada shedding its carapace under the Crown Prince’s nose?”
These words made Jiang Ruanxi’s mind explode.
The doubts in her heart all this time seemed to gradually surface.
Back in West of the City, when she went to Jiang Linlei’s granary, he had left.
At that time, she thought he was familiar with the terrain and personally took Wei Chang to the granary, without thinking much of it.
“Madam Yu means they are the same person.” Jiang Ruanxi still couldn’t quite believe it.
“What do you think?”
Her attitude left Jiang Ruanxi a bit confused.
“But you are Second Master’s mother, and Second Master is the Crown P”
“The Empress and I are blood sisters. I have plenty of time to see the Emperor; it’s not surprising to conceive a prince.” Madam Yu directly interrupted her.
Jiang Ruanxi’s mind went blank; what did this have to do with anything.
Madam Yu said solemnly, “There are some things I can’t explain too clearly to you yet, or he’ll resent me. But in a few days it will be Chang’er’s birthday. If you don’t consummate, he’ll sudden death. Today I drugged him, but he would rather harm himself than touch you—not because he dislikes you, but because he’s resisting me.”
Madam Yu became increasingly dejected.
“Miss Jiang, to be honest, I minded your past before, but you are his destined person. No matter how dissatisfied I am, there’s nothing I can do. But as long as you truly care for him and can save his life, your identity isn’t that important anymore.”
Jiang Ruanxi hadn’t expected her to be so candid.
“No matter how much betrothal gifts you need or what status, I won’t quibble; I’ll agree to everything, alright?”
Jiang Ruanxi hadn’t yet recovered from Second Master’s identity revelation when Madam Yu’s words scared her, and she also understood why Second Master had wavered back and forth so many times.
“Madam Yu, I’ve never refused this from beginning to end. This matter actually depends on Second Master’s own wishes; no one can force him if he’s unwilling.”
Though Jiang Ruanxi somewhat understood that man’s thoughts, she still felt heartbroken deep down.
He had helped her so much; actually, if he had exploited the kindness to repay, even without giving her status, she wouldn’t have refused to repay his kindness.
But she had never imagined that for the sake of so-called status, he would do so much for her.
For him to stay alive, she was willing too.
Madam Yu saw through her thoughts and breathed a sigh of relief.
“Miss Jiang, I have a method, though it might wrong you. I wonder if you can agree.”
Jiang Ruanxi was astonished, “Madam Yu, tell me.”
“That is…” Madam Yu whispered a few words in Jiang Ruanxi’s ear, “You just need to do as I say.”
Jiang Ruanxi was stunned, “Madam Yu, will this work? What if it backfires?”
“I know my son’s personality very well. This will definitely succeed.”
After a moment of silence, Jiang Ruanxi still agreed.
