Chapter 102
Chapter 102
Siran Ming handed a pile of things to Xiyuan Duanmu.
There was ginseng, bird’s nest, and even a gift box from the wildly popular Dafu Zhou Jewelry.
She had heard those were almost impossible to obtain. Still, why did the packaging look so modern, and why did the name sound vaguely familiar? Xiyuan gave it several extra glances.
“Oh, we’re all family here. There was no need for gifts. Come inside, good child.” Holding the presents, Xiyuan smiled until her eyes nearly vanished.
Her attitude was worlds apart from when she had called him a “stranger” with every breath.
Shengsheng Zhou entered the Jiang residence openly and honorably–the kind of arrival for which Madam Jiang had to come out and receive her personally.
“Miss Shengsheng, the Jia family’s betrothal gifts have already arrived…” Madam Jiang’s smile was rather strained.
Though only a palace maid, Shengsheng was the Noble Consort’s greatest favorite. The fact that she had been sent to the Jiang family showed how highly the Noble Consort regarded Zhiyu Jiang.
And why did it show regard for Zhiyu?
Just moments ago, this palace maid had read aloud a marriage proposal delivered by an envoy of the Zhen Kingdom to the Zhu Kingdom. It said the Zhen crown prince had fallen in love at first sight with the Jiang family’s youngest daughter, Zhiyu Jiang, and wished to marry her as his crown princess to foster friendship between the two kingdoms.
The timing was exquisite: it came precisely when the Jia family was delivering its betrothal gifts.
Madam Jiang, who had planned to force Zhiyu into marriage on the spot, went green. The Jiang family’s two legitimate daughters had come to watch the spectacle; even kneeling on the ground, their widened eyes remained full of disbelief.
Shengsheng’s dignified smile did not change, but her voice cooled. “Does Madam Jiang mean to reject the Zhen crown prince’s proposal and deliberately inaugurate hostile relations between our kingdoms?”
Madam Jiang would never dare shoulder such a grave crime. She dropped to her knees. “This subject’s wife has absolutely no such intention!”
Panic filled her young, flowerlike face. Perhaps it was Shengsheng’s imagination, but the woman seemed considerably more haggard than when they last met.
To put it more honestly–
she looked old.
“His Majesty and Her Highness have already agreed. All that remains is Miss Jiang’s wedding. To ensure her personal safety and prepare for the marriage, Her Highness specially sent this servant as a sign of her regard. Does Madam have any objection?”
How could Madam Jiang dare? She agreed repeatedly, refusing to contradict a single thing Shengsheng said.
After all, Shengsheng represented the imperial family.
Madam Jiang would have to be insane to put on airs before her.
Dehuai Jiang was still at the military camp and had no time to return.
The unbelievable news came so suddenly that, before anyone could prepare, Shengsheng–who had been ready for battle long ago–had everyone running in circles at her command.
When one young maid made a mistake, Shengsheng said bluntly, “What use is a maid who cannot even do her work? Throw her out.”
Someone immediately obeyed and dragged away the maid, who burst into frightened tears and begged without cease.
The warning was remarkably effective. Wherever Shengsheng passed, silence fell.
It was not as though she had deliberately gone looking for trouble. The maid she expelled happened to be the one who had spoken ill of Zhiyu last time.
Fine. She admitted it. She had gone looking for trouble.
Shengsheng had assumed Fusheng Duan would find an opportunity to smuggle her over as he had before. For some reason, however, he disliked making her sneak around. Then Weiqing Song, seized by some inexplicable impulse, truly sent the Jiang family a marriage proposal, allowing Fusheng to place Shengsheng here openly.
But why had Weiqing proposed to the Jiang family?
Shengsheng truly could not understand. Though it matched the original novel’s plot, she had long abandoned hope and was waiting for the mission to fail so she could earn redemption elsewhere. Instead, without a word, the man had done something enormous.
Surely he had not truly fallen for Zhiyu Jiang.
Ha. Even a lunatic would not dare think that.
Once Shengsheng Zhou had authority, her first act was to move Xiyuan Duanmu’s entire household into a new courtyard more than five times larger than the old one.
Upon hearing the news, Xiyuan specially brought Zhiyu to thank the palace maid sent to oversee matters.
The moment she saw Shengsheng’s face, Xiyuan froze and blurted, “Holy crap?!”
Her beautiful granny was this powerful?
Shengsheng cleared her throat and signaled the palace servants beside her to withdraw. Once everyone had left, she rose. “Xiaoyu.”
As if receiving a command, Zhiyu launched herself like a cannonball the instant Shengsheng spoke. “Shengsheng!”
Shengsheng embraced Zhiyu, whose build was similar to her own. They held each other for a good while, making Xiyuan’s eyes burn with envy.
She wanted to cuddle a beauty too.
“Shengsheng!” Zhiyu cried excitedly.
“Xiaoyu!” Shengsheng answered with equal passion.
“I’m hungry!” Zhiyu said, eyes curving with her smile.
Shengsheng fell silent.
Wouldn’t “I missed you” have suited the atmosphere better?
“Oh, right, Shengsheng. Let me show you a magic trick.” Under Shengsheng’s influence, Zhiyu firmly believed she had mastered the wondrous art known as “magic.”
Shengsheng looked at her in delighted surprise. Her daughter had grown up.
Had Zhiyu practiced diligently while she was away, waiting to surprise her?
Zhiyu led her back to their old courtyard, then covered her eyes.
“All right, open them!”
Zhiyu pulled her hands away and spoke eagerly.
Shengsheng looked forward in anticipation.
Her gaze abruptly met a pair of eyes reddened with longing.
“Ta-da~ A living person!” Zhiyu’s cheerful voice came from beside her.
Xiyuan watched the two staring at each other as though every other living person nearby were superfluous, her expression complicated.
Good grief. She had thought this was her eldest daughter’s blossoming romance. It turned out to be beautiful granny’s late-life romance.
“Xiaoyu, let me borrow your room.”
Shengsheng spoke as she walked forward.
Zhiyu answered, bewildered, “All right.” Shengsheng seized Siran Ming’s wrist and led him into the room.
Siran obediently allowed her to hold him. His unblinking gaze remained fixed on her, as though afraid to miss a single second.
The door closed.
Shengsheng released his hand and turned to speak, only for the man behind her to seize her and imprison her in his embrace.
“Shengsheng.” His hoarse voice sounded beside her ear, scorching breath washing over it.
Siran knew Shengsheng wanted to ask why he had come.
But after such a tortuous reunion, he did not want to speak. He only wanted to hold her first.
Shengsheng moved her arms, discovered she could not escape, and stretched out to pat him.
“At least let me talk.”
Siran did not answer. He buried his face in the hollow of her neck and nuzzled her, as if drawing in her warmth.
“The journey must have been hard.” Shengsheng’s gentle voice struck the most wounded place in Siran’s heart, instantly bringing tears to his eyes.
“Yes,” he replied.