Chapter 167: Paying Respects
Nowadays, grain prices in Lingnan are already unstable. If this shipment is taken away, Lingnan’s grain prices will inevitably rise.
What is the Jiang Family trying to do? Do they want to cause chaos in Lingnan?
“Are there any other granaries nearby?”
“Your Highness, there is one in Lizhou, but it is at least a month away from Lingnan.”
A month?
The Crown Prince frowned; the time was too long.
“Have the Prefect come see me.” Wei Chang had no thoughts of consummation at this moment and directly turned and went to the study room.
Hearing the shouting outside and thinking that Wei Chang was the Crown Prince, the now-calmed Jiang Ruanxi felt a bit guilty in her heart and stood up intending to let him in.
She had just taken a few steps when there was no more movement at the door.
Jiang Ruanxi’s brows furrowed slightly. She went forward to open the door and found no one outside.
Only a gentle breeze drifted by.
Jiang Ruanxi immediately pulled down her face.
“Miss, why did you come out?”
Hong Ye walked over from not far away. Seeing Jiang Ruanxi not in the wedding chamber but at the door, she strode forward and asked doubtfully.
“Nothing, just coming out for some air.”
“Miss, today is your wedding day. You should still wait in the room for the Second Master. I just saw him; he should be back soon.”
“You saw him? Where?” Jiang Ruanxi asked urgently.
She hadn’t even noticed that her tone carried a bit of urgency.
Hong Ye looked puzzled. Jiang Ruanxi knew the groom had been switched, yet she wasn’t angry.
Seeing her so anxious, Hong Ye said, “It seems he went toward the study room.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a light smile appeared at the corners of Jiang Ruanxi’s mouth.
So he hadn’t left angrily; it was because he had matters to handle.
“Hong Ye, I’m hungry. Go find some food for me?”
Jiang Ruanxi turned and returned to the room.
Such a big change left Hong Ye a bit stunned, but hearing her say she was hungry, she immediately went to prepare food for her.
Upon returning to the room, Jiang Ruanxi looked at the room full of red decorations and only then realized that she had truly married Wei Chang.
Her heart felt very complex.
But somehow, there was joy mixed in her heart.
**
The next day, she got up early. Yushui, who had been missing last night, now appeared before her.
After seeing her, Yushui’s eyes immediately reddened. “Eldest Daughter…”
Realizing she had already married Wei Chang, she changed her address. “Madam, I’m sorry. Yesterday this servant noticed something wrong and wanted to tell you, but this servant was directly knocked unconscious.”
Jiang Ruanxi knew Wei Chang had come prepared, and plus Yushui was originally his person sent to her. Even if she told her nothing, Jiang Ruanxi understood.
“I know. This matter isn’t your fault.”
“Thank you, Madam.”
Yushui was nearly weeping with joy and quickly came forward. “Let me serve you today. In a bit, Madam, you still need to offer tea to the Old Madam.”
“Good.” Jiang Ruanxi said.
Jiang Ruanxi had just finished dressing when Wei Chang entered the room.
As if yesterday’s events hadn’t happened, a smile hung at the corners of his mouth as he said, “Did Madam sleep well last night?”
After calming down last night, Jiang Ruanxi had accepted the fact of marrying Wei Chang. Though she had a bit of resentment, facing his identity, she gave him a way out.
“Thank you for your care, Second Master. I slept very well last night.”
This distant attitude caused the smile at the corners of Wei Chang’s mouth to stall.
He could tell Jiang Ruanxi hadn’t fully calmed down yet, but thinking it was his fault first, he quickly let it go.
He put the smile back on his face. “Since that’s the case, Mother is still waiting for us. Let’s go earlier.”
“Good.”
Jiang Ruanxi stood up.
On the way, the doubt that had always existed in her heart could no longer be held back upon seeing there seemed to be no one around. “Second Master, this concubine has some matters I don’t quite understand. I wonder if I should ask.”
“Is it about my identity?”
Wei Chang slowed his steps.
Wei Chang was a head taller than Jiang Ruanxi. She looked up at him, and just then a beam of sunlight shone down.
In the hazy light, his face wasn’t very clear, but the halo above his head emitted a gentle aura. Plus, with his head slightly lowered, she could smell the scent of sandalwood on him with each breath.
Jiang Ruanxi was momentarily stunned watching him.
Her heart pounded chaotically.
It turned out that she had always felt fondness in her heart for his help toward her over time, but now looking closely, Wei Chang was actually so handsome.
Compared to Lin Ningkun’s pretty boy looks, he was more rugged, full of masculine charm.
Plus with him so close now, Jiang Ruanxi could smell the faint sandalwood on him, which was very pleasant.
Her heart was pounding up to her throat.
“Hm?”
A low, deep voice was even more captivating and brought Jiang Ruanxi back to her senses.
Blushing as she met his eyes full of doubt, thinking of how she had just been staring dazedly, her face reddened even more.
She turned her face slightly to the side and strode forward. “Let’s first go pay respects to Mother, then talk after we return.”
Wei Chang narrowed his eyes slightly, unsure if it was his imagination, but Jiang Ruanxi seemed to be fleeing in disarray.
Wei Chang didn’t think much of it and quickened his steps to catch up with Jiang Ruanxi.
When they arrived, Madam Yu was already waiting for them in the living room.
“You’re here. Quick, sit.” Madam Yu saw them and smiled warmly, raising her hand and patting it, her face full of kindness.
Jiang Ruanxi went to the lower seat and sat down.
She sat with her back straight.
While Wei Chang, with a cold face, went forward and sat beside her.
“Little Xi, did you sleep well last night?” Madam Yu looked at her expectantly.
Jiang Ruanxi knew what she meant, and her face immediately reddened.
Thinking of how Wei Chang had handled official business in the study room all night last night and hadn’t appeared in the room.
Wei Chang knew what she wanted to ask and spoke up to help her out. “Mother, last night I handled official business and had already instructed the servants to take good care of Xi Xi. She won’t be unaccustomed since it’s her first time here.”
The smile at the corners of Madam Yu’s mouth stalled.
She glanced at her son.
Was that what she meant?
But seeing how protective he was of Jiang Ruanxi, and that his birthday was only two days away, they should consummate then, so she didn’t ask more.
“That’s good. I was still worried Little Xi might be unaccustomed since it’s her first time here.”
Unexpectedly, Wei Chang had helped her out. A warm current flowed through Jiang Ruanxi’s heart, and she couldn’t help looking at him more.
Wei Chang looked back at her.
Jiang Ruanxi’s heart skipped slightly, her face instantly reddened, and she turned her head back. “Thank you for your care, Mother. This concubine is very accustomed here.”
Wei Chang’s brows raised slightly; he had just seen Jiang Ruanxi blush.
Thinking of the scene just now, a bit of smile involuntarily spilled from the corners of his mouth.
Jiang Ruanxi didn’t notice Wei Chang’s smile.
A servant brought tea water before her. She gracefully stood, took the teacup with her slender white hand, and offered it before Madam Yu.
“Mother, please drink tea.”
