Chapter 150: Sudden Surge of Affection

"Good, I agree to this matter. Let Jin marry the Su family's daughter as a Secondary Consort. Fourth Prince, do not forget your promise to me today." Consort Rong's tone was calm, yet a glimmer of anticipation flickered in her eyes.

Xiao Lingchuan rose and bowed solemnly: "Thank you, Consort Rong, for your trust! Rest assured, a gentleman's word is his bond—a promise made is a promise kept. When I ascend the throne one day, I will surely fulfill today's promise! Tomorrow, I will bring Master Su into the palace so you can discuss the marriage arrangements in detail, so we can soon inform His Majesty and pick an auspicious day for Fifth Brother and Miss Su to get married!"

Consort Rong was slightly taken aback: "This... isn't this too rushed?"

"Not at all—" Xiao Lingchuan's smile deepened. "Consort Rong, that eighteen-year-old Miss Su from the Su family is in high demand right now. If we drag our feet, someone else might snatch her up first!"

He wasn't wrong.

Ever since news of his meeting with Master Su to discuss the marriage got to Xiao Xiuzhan, the Third Prince and Consort Xi had been busy getting ready to propose to the Su family.

When Jiang Yaozhen heard of this, she flew into a rage and made a scene at the Lin'ge Palace: "We've only been married a few months, and you're already in a hurry to take a Secondary Consort? Do you still have any respect for me, your Principal Consort?"

Xiao Xiuzhan's face was full of impatience as he replied coldly: "According to Daye law, a prince can take a Secondary Consort one month after marriage. You're both jealous and shrewish—I'd be justified in divorcing you, let alone just taking a Secondary Consort!"

"You..." Jiang Yaozhen was so angry she said whatever came to mind. "What a prince you are! You're not so eager to accomplish great deeds, but you're quicker than anyone at taking wives and concubines! Is the only thing you've learned from the imperial craft how to expand the harem?"

That hit a nerve with Xiao Xiuzhan. Enraged, he raised his hand and slapped her across the face with a loud crack.

"If you hadn't insisted on a grand wedding and expensive betrothal gifts, I wouldn't be so strapped for cash right now!" Xiao Xiuzhan shot her a glare. "My mother's palace accounts are still not balanced. Marrying the Su girl as a Secondary Consort is just to cover the shortfalls you left behind!"

Jiang Yaozhen covered her face, scared by his ferocious demeanor.

When she came to her senses, she felt something was off.

How could a wedding banquet and seemingly lavish betrothal gifts make Consort Xi's palace accounts unbalanced?

That couldn't be right.

Clearly, mother and son had moved the money elsewhere and were blaming her!

All this talk about marrying the Su girl to fill the gaps was just an excuse!

Seeing her silent with her hand on her cheek, her bright eyes staring at him resentfully, Xiao Xiuzhan felt a strange pang of guilt.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing." Jiang Yaozhen's voice was low. "I was just remembering that this is the second time you've slapped me since we got married."

Knowing he was in the wrong, Xiao Xiuzhan's tone got colder: "Who told you to be so disrespectful, constantly contradicting me!"

"So I'm the one at fault." Jiang Yaozhen sneered. "Yes, I shouldn't have objected to you taking a Secondary Consort. Not only should I not oppose it, I should congratulate you and your future Secondary Consort on a hundred years of harmony and many children!"

She bowed to him with a sneer, then turned and left.

This was the first time she had taken a loss without retaliating on the spot.

Watching her retreating figure, Xiao Xiuzhan felt a mix of emotions stir within him.

Had he gone overboard just now?

Since the last time she caused Jiang Lian's miscarriage, she seemed to have held back, no longer stirring up trouble.

She was, after all, the Principal Consort. It was only natural she'd be angry when her husband suddenly wanted to take a Secondary Consort.

At that thought, a wave of guilt washed over Xiao Xiuzhan.

He hesitated for a moment, then headed toward the bedchamber to find her.

Jiang Yaozhen was sitting in front of a bronze mirror, while Chun Hua was removing the red hairpins from her hair.

Seeing him enter, Chun Hua was so scared she fell to her knees with a thud and trembled as she bowed: "This servant greets the Prince!"

Ever since she saw him order Nanny Song beaten to death, Chun Hua had lived in fear of him.

Sensing Chun Hua's fear of Xiao Xiuzhan, Jiang Yaozhen said softly, "Chun Hua, you may leave now."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Chun Hua, relieved, hastily withdrew.

Xiao Xiuzhan's face darkened a little: "Am I that terrifying?"

"Chun Hua was raised by Nanny Song. You had Nanny Song beaten to death—how could she not be scared?" Jiang Yaozhen's tone was calm, tinged with distance.

He gazed at her radiant face and asked tentatively, "And you? Are you afraid of me too?"

"Of course, your concubine is afraid of you." Jiang Yaozhen's words were sarcastic, but her bright features lent them a hint of coquettish reproach. "You slap me at the slightest provocation—how could I not be afraid?"

Though meant as a taunt, to Xiao Xiuzhan's ears, it sounded like she was being coy.

His heart softened, and he reached out to gently stroke her cheek: "Did it hurt? Let me see."

Strangely, her cheek was still as delicate as a flower, with no trace of redness or swelling.

"That slap didn't leave a mark on your face?" he asked involuntarily, surprise in his eyes.

Jiang Yaozhen sneered: "If you think there's no mark, why not give me another slap?"

"Silly girl, how could I bear to hit you again?" Xiao Xiuzhan chuckled softly, pulling her into his arms, his tone softening. "This time, taking a Secondary Consort was indeed too hasty of me. I should have discussed it with you first. Actually, I hadn't planned to take a concubine so soon, but I heard Fourth Brother was privately meeting with Master Su to discuss marriage, and I was afraid he'd beat me to it."

"Fourth Prince?" Jiang Yaozhen raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Isn't he infatuated with my elder sister? How could he set his sights on another woman?"

Xiao Xiuzhan snorted: "Infatuation? In a man's eyes, what's more important than profit? The Su family's businesses are spread across the capital, and Miss Su is Master Su's precious daughter—her dowry is bound to be substantial. Marrying your sister would only bring some support from the literati, but how does that compare to the Su family's real gold and silver?"

"I see. No wonder you're so eager to marry Miss Su!" Jiang Yaozhen said with sarcasm. "Are you complaining that my family's support is insufficient?"

"How can you compare to her?" Xiao Xiuzhan gazed at her, finding her more breathtakingly beautiful the longer he looked. "Zhen, I married you as my Principal Consort because I like you. That's a different matter entirely."

"Zhen, give me a child. Once we have a child, you won't be angry about me taking a concubine. No one can shake your position as Principal Consort!"

Jiang Yaozhen sneered inwardly. This promise came too late.

She could no longer bear children now, and this vow was nothing but empty words to her.

"Your Highness, I was immature before, causing Concubine Jiang's miscarriage." She lowered her eyes, her tone calm. "From now on, if you or any concubine in the household has a child, I will treat them as my own."

"Really?" Xiao Xiuzhan's eyes lit up. He cupped her face and gently kissed her cheek. "Zhen, I was wrong before. From now on, I will make it up to you."

With that, he scooped her up and carried her toward the large bed...

The couple's feelings suddenly heated up, and they were inseparable for several days.

Unexpectedly, news suddenly came from the palace: Miss Su had been betrothed by the Emperor to Fifth Prince Xiao Huaijin as his Secondary Consort.

The news hit like a thunderbolt, and Xiao Xiuzhan was stunned for a long moment before coming to his senses.

"How did Fifth Brother suddenly get involved?"

Wasn't Xiao Lingchuan the one competing with him for Miss Su?

Could it be that Xiao Lingchuan and Xiao Huaijin had joined forces?