Chapter 82 Gu Yiting Seeks Marriage

Chapter 82: Gu Yiting Seeks Her Hand in Marriage

Seeing that he did not take the matter seriously, Jiang Yaozhen's anxiety only grew.

"Your Highness mustn't underestimate the enemy! Now, both the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince obey my sister's every word. If she is determined to harm Your Highness, she will surely find accomplices!"

"With just them?" Xiao Xiuzhan's brows were filled with disdain. "Even if they join forces, they won't be able to harm me in the slightest during this bandit-suppression operation!"

Seeing him so confident, Jiang Yaozhen instead felt a twinge of doubt.

"Your Highness, I have heard that the bandits in Xiyu are not ordinary thieves but remnants of defeated soldiers from Xizhou, each fierce and brutal. Aren't you afraid of the dangers of this journey?"

Xiyu, located at the border between Daye and Xizhou, is a crucial frontier town that has long suffered from Xizhou's military incursions, causing immense hardship for the people.

Xizhou's terrain is treacherous, easy to defend but hard to attack. Although Daye has repeatedly mounted expeditions, it has never succeeded in conquering it.

Later, it was rumored that many Xizhou soldiers took advantage of the chaos to infiltrate Xiyu, becoming bandits, gathering in the mountains and forests, and becoming a major scourge in the area.

Hearing this, Xiao Xiuzhan chuckled softly, his fingertips gently tracing her fair, jade-like face. "If this prince were the kind of coward who fears death, would Second Miss Jiang still be so fond of me?"

Jiang Yaozhen pretended to be shy, lowering her eyes. "I naturally know that Your Highness is brilliant and powerful, unafraid of that ragtag mob. But as your betrothed, how can I not worry about your safety?"

"What exactly are you afraid of?" Xiao Xiuzhan's fingers wandered suggestively over her cheek, his tone carrying a hint of teasing. "Are you afraid that this prince might die in the bandits' lair, leaving you a young widow?"

"Your Highness, be careful with your words!" Jiang Yaozhen hurriedly covered his mouth with her hand, her beautiful eyes wide with a mix of reproach and anger.

The smile at the corner of Xiao Xiuzhan's lips deepened. He caught her wrist, gently kissing her slender fingers while coaxing, "If you're truly afraid, why not bear this prince a child? Then, even if something were to happen to me, with a child in your womb, you would forever be the rightful Third Prince's Consort!"

Although Jiang Yaozhen felt his words made some sense, upon second thought, remembering she was still poisoned by Xiao Lingchuan and fearing it might harm any potential offspring, she pretended to be coyly annoyed and pushed him away, chiding, "Your Highness, don't be so frivolous! I am not such a casual person!"

Xiao Xiuzhan, accustomed to women throwing themselves at him, found her feigned resistance all the more tantalizing.

He couldn't help but plant a kiss on her delicate cheek, saying softly, "Don't worry, Zhen. I will surely return triumphant, letting Father see with his own eyes who is his most capable son!"

Jiang Yaozhen took the opportunity to wrap her arms around his lean waist, burying her head in his solid chest, and whispered softly, "Zhen will wait for Your Highness's return. Fame and fortune are but fleeting clouds; Zhen only wishes for Your Highness to return safely!"

—

Ever since the Third Prince took the initiative to lead the bandit-suppression mission, Jiang Shuning had been counting down the days until his departure.

Counting down the days until her enemy walks towards the Yellow Springs—nothing could be more delightful!

In this life, without someone as fiercely brave as A Meng to take the blow for him, Xiao Xiuzhan is fated to perish in the Xiyu bandits' lair, his bones lost to the wilds!

However, before she could wait for Xiao Xiuzhan to set off, Jiang Shuning received news that both shocked and disgusted her—Censor Gu personally visited, proposing marriage on behalf of his only son, Gu Ting, explicitly asking to marry her.

This disgusted both her and Chancellor Jiang immensely.

If not for consideration of Censor Gu's power in the Censorate and his silver tongue that could twist black into white, Chancellor Jiang would have loved to throw him out of the ministerial residence immediately.

The two families had long been at odds. Censor Gu was well aware of this, yet he still came to propose marriage—utterly shameless.

Jiang Shuning was summoned to the main hall to meet the current Crown Prince's maternal uncle.

She got straight to the point: "Lord Gu, are you certain your son wishes to marry me?"

Censor Gu replied with a smile, "Of course! Isn't your younger sister already betrothed to the Third Prince? Now, the ministerial residence has only you, Jiang Shuning, left as an unmarried daughter. Naturally, Ting'er wishes to marry you!"

Jiang Shuning's voice turned icy cold: "Lord Gu, forgive my bluntness, but I truly cannot see any affection your son holds for me. If this is your idea, I advise you not to force this mismatched union. It would be best to ask for his opinion first."

"Miss Jiang, rest assured, this is indeed Ting'er's wish. He specifically asked this old man to bring you a gift. See if you like it." As he spoke, Censor Gu began to retrieve the gift from his wide sleeve.

"I don't like it!" Jiang Shuning's tone was stiff and resolute.

"This old man hasn't even taken out the gift yet..."

"Lord Gu, my meaning is clear. I do not like your son, Gu Ting. No matter what gift he sends me, I will absolutely not accept this marriage proposal. Please, return! Forgive me for not seeing you out!" With those words, Jiang Shuning stood up and left the hall without looking back.

Censor Gu was taken aback, sighing repeatedly, "Ah, young lady, how can you..."

Chancellor Jiang, who had remained silent until now, spoke up: "Lord Gu, as you can see, my daughter has no feelings for your son. Since that is the case, marriage cannot be forced. Please, return."

"Lord Jiang, you are mistaken! In forming a marriage alliance, the least important thing is romantic affection between a man and a woman—it is the most unreliable thing!" Censor Gu said meaningfully. "Marriage alliances are about interests, connections, and the prosperity of the family! Let me speak plainly. Previously, you staunchly supported the Third Prince. But if not for his relentless pressure, how would your son have been killed? Does Lord Jiang truly intend to stay on this dark path, continuing to support his rise to power?

My Gu family wishes to form a marriage alliance with your Jiang family for two reasons. On one hand, we feel the two children are of similar age and could be considered a match made in heaven. On the other hand, if this marriage succeeds, the Crown Prince can rightfully become the ministerial residence's solid backing, sheltering the Jiang family from wind and rain. Surely, Lord Jiang must feel somewhat tempted by this?"

Hearing this, Chancellor Jiang's expression finally showed a flicker of indecision.

In the past, he had been the most steadfast supporter of the Third Prince in court. When the Emperor proposed the shocking move of "deposing the eldest and establishing the worthy," he was the first to stand up in support.

He had always placed high hopes on Xiao Xiuzhan, believing that whether in terms of talent, strategy, military prowess, or the power of his maternal clan, he fully met the standards and requirements of a wise and sagacious ruler.

But who could have imagined that his only son would die tragically at the hands of this Third Prince he had so vigorously supported!

The depth of his past support for Xiao Xiuzhan was now matched by the depth of his hatred.

If he wanted to oppose him, the wisest choice was indeed to switch allegiance to the Crown Prince.

After a moment's hesitation, Chancellor Jiang said, "However, Ning holds the imperial edict personally bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Her marriage is a matter she can decide for herself. Not to mention outsiders, even I, as her father, can hardly interfere."

"Lord Jiang, you are mistaken again! If your daughter is unwilling, you can patiently persuade her! After all, you are father and daughter, blood is thicker than water. You can surely reason with her!" Censor Gu said with a beaming smile. "This old man has conveyed the Crown Prince's intention. How to choose next is entirely up to Lord Jiang! I believe you have your own decision in mind.

The two of us have been rivals in court for most of our lives. It is time to shake hands, make peace, and turn hostility into friendship! Believe me, once this marriage alliance is formed, it will bring a hundred benefits and not a single harm to both the Jiang and Gu families!"

—

On her way back to the Cuizhu Courtyard, Jiang Shuning came face-to-face with Jiang Yaozhen.

With a gloating smile, Jiang Yaozhen said sarcastically, "Elder Sister is truly captivating. Not only are the Fourth Prince and Fifth Prince infatuated with you, but even Young Master Gu Ting is rushing to propose marriage. Sister, what kind of bewitching methods have you employed to make all these men revolve around you?"

Jiang Shuning shot her a cold glance. "Was it your doing behind the scenes? Young Master Gu Ting clearly has feelings for you. Why would he suddenly come to propose to me?"

"That's hard to say. Perhaps it's because you, Sister, are not yet betrothed, giving him hope that he can propose? Speaking of which, when you insisted on asking the Empress Dowager for that edict granting autonomy over marriage, did you already have the intention to watch men fight bloody battles to win your hand, while you sat on the sidelines enjoying the feeling of being the center of attention? Such vanity must be quite thrilling for you, Sister?"

Before Jiang Shuning could retort, a clear young voice rang out not far away: "Elder Sister is intelligent, virtuous, and possesses peerless beauty and exquisite culinary skills. Naturally, countless men would admire and pursue her. How, in Second Sister's words, does it become so unsavory? Second Sister's thoughts are so preposterous. Could it be that you are judging others by your own standards?"

"You..." Seeing Jiang Tianze defending Jiang Shuning at every turn, Jiang Yaozhen gritted her teeth in anger, stamping her foot resentfully. "I can't be bothered to argue with you! What a waste of my time!"

With that, she turned and stormed away angrily.

Jiang Tianze stepped forward to comfort Jiang Shuning. "Elder Sister, don't bother with her."

Jiang Shuning was unfazed. "It's just some sarcastic remarks. Don't worry, her little tricks can't hurt me."

"And what about the Gu family's marriage proposal today..."

"I have already clearly refused. Father won't agree to this marriage either."

The mere thought of Gu Ting's usual fawning demeanor following behind Jiang Yaozhen made Jiang Shuning feel waves of disgust.

What deep-seated grudge does he hold against me, to have Censor Gu come to the Chancellor's residence to propose marriage? It's truly revolting.

Hearing her response, Jiang Tianze finally let out a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "That's good. That Gu guy is simply unworthy of you, Big Sister."

Just then, Chancellor Jiang approached, looking conflicted.

"Father, has Censor Gu already left?" Jiang Shuning stepped forward and asked.

Chancellor Jiang looked at her, pondered for a moment, and then slowly said, "Ning'er, regarding your marriage with the Gu family's young master, your father hopes that you... will think it over very carefully."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuning's expression shifted dramatically.

—

Jiang Tianze hurried back to the West Courtyard.

He pushed open the door to Third Madam Jiang's room and urgently said, "Mother, please give me a powerful poison—one nobody knows about, that kills silently in agony!"

Third Madam Jiang was stunned. "Tianze, what do you need such poison for?"

On Jiang Tianze's majestic, alluring face, an expression of gloom and eeriness appeared, utterly incongruent with his age. "I intend... to send that Gu family's Master Gu straight to hell!"