Chapter 5

“Sparing your life is possible, but…” Xiao Nanye raised the corners of his eyes.

“How do we account for this carriage curtain?”

Zhao Fuqing’s face darkened further.

“Forgive my ignorance, Your Highness. Please enlighten me…”

“Let’s settle this matter for a hundred thousand gold taels,” Xiao Nanye said calmly.

One hundred thousand gold taels!

Hearing this number, Zhao Fuqing almost spat out a mouthful of blood on the spot.

He had just paid Jiang Peihuan 100,000 taels of gold, and now Xiao Nanye was asking for the same amount!

No matter how wealthy the Huainan Mansion was, they couldn’t withstand this kind of loss..

However, survival was the top priority at the moment.

“I will send the gold to the Cheng Mansion as soon as possible…”

Xiao Nanye shook his head.

“No need for that. Just send it to the Jiang Mansion.”

Why should the gold he paid to King Cheng be sent to the Jiang Mansion instead?

Before Zhao Fuqing could figure out what was going on, Xiao Nanye had already walked past him.

The old madam, who was standing at the door, immediately went up to greet Xiao Nanye.

“It’s an honor to meet Your Highness King Cheng,” she said.

The others followed closely behind.

Although they had greeted him, everyone was still muttering in their hearts.

This Jiang Mansion and King Cheng have never had any contact, let alone any friendship.

What kind of wind blew today to invite this distinguished guest over?

“You may rise.” Xiao Nanye said casually as he walked into the front hall.

The others could only follow. In a short while, everyone was back to the front hall, including Zhao Fuqing.

In the front hall, the atmosphere was quiet but strange.

However, although Xiao Nanye’s sudden visit had messed up the situation, the overall dynamics had not changed.

Even though Zhao Fuqing was humiliated in front of Xiao Nanye, Zhou Rongfang from the second branch still had a flushed face and an inexplicable confidence as she stood there.

As for Jiang Ruyun, she was even more so. She was now the rightful princess consort of Huainan’s Prince!

Of the three branches of the Jiang Family, the eldest branch, Jiang Hong, held the rank of a first-class official as a High Rank General. The second branch, Jiang Ruyun’s father, Jiang Yuan, was a mere Rank Five Guard Commander.

Although Jiang Ruyun was also the daughter of the Jiang family, she was inferior to Jiang Peihuan.

Moreover, Jiang Peihuan was young and renowned for her bravery. Everyone outside knew about Jiang Peihuan, but who knew about her, Jiang Ruyun?

Now that Jiang Peihuan had lost her marriage to the Prince of Huainan, she would soon become a laughing stock in the capital.

The tides have shifted. The eldest branch has suppressed the second branch for so many years. It’s time for the second branch to rise and shine!

In the hall, everyone had their own thoughts. After a long pause, Old Madam finally spoke to Xiao Nanye.

“Your Highness, you’ve come at an unfortunate time. The General was ordered to leave a few days ago, and I’m afraid he won’t be back for a while.”

Although no one knew why Xiao Nanye had come, the only person in the entire Jiang family with the right to speak to him was Jiang Hong.

He must be here to find the General.

As for speaking up for Jiang Peihuan just now, it was most likely because of Jiang Hong’s influence.

Hearing that Jiang Hong wouldn’t return for a few more days, Zhao Fuqing breathed a sigh of relief. Even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn’t dare to oppose Jiang Hong.

However, Xiao Nanye shook his head.

“Old Madam is mistaken. I didn’t come today to find General Jiang.”

He wasn’t here to find Jiang Hong?

Just as the audience was confused, Xiao Nanye’s lips curled up slightly.

“I came to propose marriage today.”

The front hall fell silent in an instant.

Propose marriage!

Did King Cheng come here today to propose to one of the Jiang family’s daughters?

So which girl from the Jiang family did he fancy?

Everyone looked at each other. The Jiang family only had three daughters. Jiang Peihuan was engaged before today, and Jiang Sijin was only thirteen.

Only the second branch…

Could it be that King Cheng has taken a fancy to…

Jiang Ruyun!

Zhou Rongfang was overjoyed, and quickly poked Jiang Ruyun with her elbow.

Jiang Ruyun bit her lips and hesitated for a while before walking to Zhao Fuqing’s side righteously.

“Your Highness, I can’t marry you. I already have my fiancé, Brother Zhao.”

Zhao Fuqing knelt on the ground, feeling very touched. He had lost all his face in front of Xiao Nanye just now, but now, he finally found some dignity.

“Haha…”

Xiao Nanye sneered.

If anyone else had done this, they would definitely be called rude, but when it was him, he looked elegant and content.

“Did I ever say that I want to marry you?”

Jiang Ruyun’s face flushed red, and the surroundings became even quieter.

“Your Highness, the one you wish to propose to, could it be our eldest sister?” Jiang Sijin asked directly.

“That’s right.” Xiao Nanye smiled.

With one sentence, the entire place fell silent.