Chapter 85
Chapter 85
When the marriage proposal reached the Jiang family, Dehuai Jiang and Madam Jiang were stunned. Madam Jiang’s two unmarried daughters reddened with jealousy.
But the greater humiliation had yet to come.
The emperor of Yong’s proposal had barely arrived when another came from Zhen, expressing the intention to marry the Jiang family’s youngest daughter as Crown Princess.
Now not only the legitimate Jiang daughters, but every unmarried girl in the capital–and even a few young men–suffered collective heartbreak.
Siran Ming, the ultimate eligible bachelor. Weiqing Song, the lover of everyone’s dreams.
Two men of such exalted status had chosen an insignificant illegitimate daughter of the Jiang family. How could anyone avoid jealousy?
The Jiang family was thrust into the center of the storm. Some officials even accused them of suspected treason.
The deliciously satisfying plot made Shengsheng laugh aloud.
Zhiyu was hanging the little goldfish wind chime Shengsheng had brought for her beside the window. She looked over.
“Shengsheng, what made you so happy? Tell me so Meiren and I can be happy too.”
Meiren Liu, supporting Zhiyu in case she fell, also turned.
“Yes, Chief. Were you thinking of me?”
Shengsheng nodded cheerfully. “Of course. I was thinking of our beautiful Meiren.”
At Zhiyu’s displeased stare, she added, “And our dear Xiaoyu, who loves eating most.”
And her little lightning bolt, who loved smiting most.
Meanwhile, in Madam Jiang’s room–
“What did you say? It disappeared?”
The man kneeling before her trembled.
“Madam, it was uncanny. This lowly one checks it every day, including last night. I saw it with my own eyes, but the moment I turned around, it vanished.”
A teacup shattered beside him. Scalding water splashed over his body, but he did not dare dodge.
“Useless! Find it! If you fail, I’ll take the lives of your entire family!”
Though over forty, Madam Jiang still possessed the face of a young woman. Rage twisted those features into something terrifying.
The servant withdrew, trembling.
Madam Jiang sagged against the table, thoughts in chaos.
What could she do?
Without that object, she could not preserve this face.
She refused to grow old.
Crimson-painted nails dug into her palms, though she seemed unable to feel the pain.
Absolutely not.
She had finally defeated that bitch Xiyuan Duanmu with her young face. She could not lose it.
The general’s affection must belong to her and her children alone.
A maid waiting nearby stepped forward.
“Madam, this servant has two matters to report.”
Madam Jiang looked up irritably.
“The person planted in Concubine Duanmu’s courtyard reported an incident.”
After hearing it, Madam Jiang’s face changed completely.
“Is this true?”
The maid nodded.
A cold smile spread across Madam Jiang’s lips.
“A woman hidden in the rear court dares discuss an imperial consort. Spread the story. Make certain everyone hears that Xiyuan Duanmu invented the rumor.”
The maid hesitated. “Could that not bring His Majesty’s anger upon the Jiang family?”
Madam Jiang glared. “Do as I say. Why so much nonsense?”
The maid acknowledged the order, then continued.
“Master Jia also sent a proposal. He wishes to marry the Third Young Miss.”
Madam Jiang raised an eyebrow. “A man with one foot in the grave has the nerve to seek another wife? Still, this is interesting. Reply that I will consider it.”
The maid obeyed.
Following her principle of respecting elders and caring for the young, Xiyuan learned that Shengsheng had nowhere to sleep and generously expelled her own maid from the household’s only servants’ room so Shengsheng could use it.
The young maid had lost her room for no reason. Her grievance could hardly have been greater.
Xiyuan Duanmu pretended not to notice.
Did you think she did not know the girl was a spy?
Bah!
Shengsheng lay down and closed her eyes. Suddenly sensing something, she opened them again.
She sat up and silently counted down from ten.
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six…
Five, four…
Three, two, one!
She whipped her head around.
Unsurprisingly, her gaze met a pair of eyes.
The man plainly had not expected her to be waiting. He froze.
The eyes vanished, and the candle in the room abruptly flared to life.
Shengsheng smiled without warmth at the man before her.
*Well? Didn’t expect that, did you, pretty boy?*
Fusheng fell silent.
He truly had not.
“This servant greets Your Grace.”
Shengsheng rose in a snow-white inner robe. Its collar hung loose, revealing a wide expanse of pale skin across her chest.
Darkness passed almost invisibly through Fusheng’s eyes. He turned his back.
“Dress properly.”
Shengsheng stared.
She must have misunderstood. How could this man possibly like her?
For once, she had attempted a little scheme to test Fusheng’s reaction.
She silently straightened her clothes, then called, “Your Grace?”
Only then did Fusheng turn around.
It was not that he was a gentleman. Shengsheng’s appearance had simply reminded him uncontrollably of the day she sat naked in his lap.
His lips curved at an inappropriate thought.
Fortunately, Shengsheng could not hear his inner voice. Otherwise, heaven knew how she would curse him as a lecher in her heart.
“You have seen Zhiyu. We can leave now,” he said.
Shengsheng realized he had come specifically to collect her.
*But the plot hasn’t reached the right point. I haven’t even figured out how to make Siran Ming and Weiqing Song send marriage proposals to the Jiang family. The story has veered so wildly that it’s practically impossible now.*
For once, Fusheng felt he could answer her question.
The two men truly were unlikely to propose to the Jiang family–unless the woman in question were Shengsheng herself.
“Your Grace, this servant… This servant…”
Shengsheng had no idea how to tell him she did not wish to leave.
What servant accompanied her master outside, then remained behind when he returned?
Even Shengsheng, usually so silver-tongued, could not invent an excuse.
“Do as you please.”
Fusheng idly picked up a cherry tomato from the nearby plate and rolled it between his fingers.
For no reason, Shengsheng found the sight rather seductive.
He set it down and turned to leave.
Shengsheng suddenly rushed forward and caught him.
They had shared closer contact before, yet this time she released him the instant she touched him.
Fusheng’s eyes darkened. He looked back without speaking.
“Well… Your Grace… Have a safe journey.”
Shengsheng retreated two steps, face warm, and bowed.
When she raised her head again, he had vanished.
The candle had gone out as well, leaving the room dark once more.
Shengsheng stood there blankly.
What she had truly wanted to ask was–
Why had he indulged her so much lately?