Chapter 183: New Identity
As soon as she swallowed it, she felt a cool sensation in her throat, and a refreshing feeling spread throughout her body.
She coughed lightly.
She discovered that her previously crisp voice had now become somewhat hoarse.
It was like deliberately lowering her voice, yet very natural.
It made her feel very fresh.
She wanted to see her appearance. Before she could go to the side room, Wei Chang had already prepared it for her. He gave a look to Yushui, and Yushui immediately handed her the mirror.
Compared to her previous dignified appearance, Jiang Ruanxi now looked even more bright and alluring.
Such a passionate and bright Jiang Ruanxi truly made it impossible to look away.
“Will this really work?” Jiang Ruanxi was still very worried deep down. A legitimate daughter of Ling Yu who appeared out of nowhere, looking so similar to the late Marquis of Dingning’s Wife, would definitely cause a huge uproar.
After all, half a year ago, the matter of the Lin Family was something that people in the Capital were passing around as gossip.
The sudden appearance of someone who looked so similar, how could it not make others think wildly.
Wei Chang comforted her, “Don’t worry, I’ve got everything under control.”
Wei Chang stepped forward, took her hand, and comforted her.
His words made Jiang Ruanxi relax quite a bit.
Suddenly, she thought of Jiang Yuan, who had separated from her to ride in another carriage before they entered the Capital. She had been in the manor for so long but hadn’t seen him, so she couldn’t help asking, “Where is Little Yuan?”
“It’s not convenient for him to be with us right now. I’ve already found a place for him. You’ll see him naturally when the time comes. Xi Xi, don’t overthink it. I arranged this identity for you just so that we can be together openly in the future, without hiding.”
Wei Chang’s kindness to her, Jiang Ruanxi also knew what was on his mind.
Thinking of how he had been displeased with her politeness in front of the temple, Jiang Ruanxi cast aside her shyness and gripped his hand back. “Husband, I understand everything.”
After saying that, her face flushed red.
In fact, didn’t she want this too?
Although it was a bit risky now, it was also her chance to see the light again.
This “husband” was like a current flowing through his organs, but he also knew it wasn’t the time for flirting. They still had many matters to face.
Enduring the impulse to stay, after giving a few instructions, Wei Chang left, leaving Jiang Ruanxi alone in the Ling Manor.
Although the Ling Manor looked very large, it exuded simplicity and solemnity everywhere.
Jiang Ruanxi recalled the rumors she had heard about the Grand Tutor’s Manor when she was in the Capital before.
Grand Tutor Ling had been upright and incorruptible his whole life, with only one daughter.
After Miss Ling was sent to the countryside, he missed his daughter and wept every day, soon dying of depression.
Over these years, Grand Tutor Ling had not remarried, and aside from the maids serving him, there were no miscellaneous people in the household.
At the time, she had thought that Grand Tutor Ling was truly different from other men, and she respected him greatly.
She never expected to become Grand Tutor Ling’s daughter now.
Jiang Ruanxi settled down peacefully in the Grand Tutor’s Manor, living a temporarily calm life, but what she didn’t know was that her appearance had already caused a huge uproar in the Imperial Court.
“Please grant the marriage, Your Majesty. This old minister’s daughter has been recuperating in the countryside these past years. Now that her illness is cured and she has returned to the Capital, please fulfill the engagement between my daughter and the Crown Prince.”
The Emperor sat high above, looking at Ling Yu kneeling below, and angrily hurled the teacup in his hand at him.
“Ling Yu, are you forcing Us?”
Wei Chang was the one who would inherit the throne in the future. How could he marry a woman who returned from the countryside? That would make the entire world laugh at the Royal Family.
“This minister dares not, but please fulfill Your Majesty’s promise.”
Ling Yu knelt straight, without any evasion even as the teacup hit him.
“Ling Yu, you really have some courage. Didn’t your daughter go mad and cancel the engagement with the Crown Prince? Now you’re coming to beg again. Do you think you can go back on your word whenever you want?”
Ling Yu said, “Your Majesty, do you still remember the kindness You promised this old minister? Now this old minister only hopes that my daughter can rekindle her bond with the Crown Prince.”
The Emperor recalled that when the engagement was broken off, he had felt guilty toward this minister and promised him a kindness, but he hadn’t expected Ling Yu to claim it here.
His chest heaved with anger.
If not for his many years of diligent service, he would have kicked him to death.
Seeing this, the Empress smiled and spoke, “Your Majesty, Chang’er is also one of the parties involved. Why not ask his opinion?”
Hearing this, the Emperor suddenly saw the light and sat down.
“We are the Emperor. Since We made the promise, it will naturally count. But after all, it is the Crown Prince taking a wife, so his opinion must be sought. When he returns, We will ask him. If the Crown Prince has no objection, then this marriage will stand.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor was very efficient. That very afternoon, when Wei Chang returned to the Capital, he was summoned into the Imperial Palace.
After repeating Ling Yu’s words, he feigned concern. “If you are unwilling to marry Miss Ling, you need not force yourself.”
“This son is willing.”
Wei Chang naturally understood the Emperor’s meaning, but he pretended not to.
The Emperor was still a bit angry. This child seemed quite clever usually, but today he just didn’t understand his meaning?
He had already reminded him very clearly.
“Crown Prince, have you thought it through? Ling Yu’s daughter came back from the countryside after recuperating from illness. Marrying such a woman as your principal wife means you will face much opposition in the future.” The Emperor reminded him again.
“Father Emperor is well aware of this son’s health condition. For someone to be willing to marry this son is already this son’s honor. How could this son have the fate to be choosy.”
The Emperor frowned, but the Empress said, “Your Majesty, in ten days it will be the imperial son’s twentieth birthday. Since the marriage is decided, why not set the wedding date for that day.”
Since the Empress had spoken, the Emperor naturally had no objection. “Very well, then do as the Empress says.”
“This son thanks Father Emperor and Mother Empress.”
After Wei Chang left, the Emperor frowned slightly. “Does the Empress truly favor that girl from Ling Yu’s family?”
“Your Majesty knows Chang’er’s fate. We originally planned to wait until after his twentieth birthday to marry him off for good luck. Since someone is willing to come forward as a test, why not try? If what the Imperial Advisor said is true, and Chang’er truly has the Seven Killings Solitary Fate and won’t live past twenty, then even if Miss Ling marries Chang’er, she would only be widowed for him. But if Chang’er survives, It is a fate that brings misfortune to wives.. If Miss Ling really dies then, it can only be blamed on her bad fate.”
The Emperor felt she was right and smiled. “The Empress thinks thoroughly. Let’s do it that way.”
After the Emperor left, the Empress’s gaze became complicated.
Others might not know, but she was very clear in her heart.
