Chapter 469

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍Emperor was a rather petty man, always seeming to have it out for the Seventh Prince, as if he couldn't stand seeing him too comfortable. He often went out of his way to make the prince cry.

Consort Shu, Consort Liang, and Noble Consort Ye hurried over, only to be shocked by the mess in the courtyard.

“How could this happen?”

Consort Liang was the type who couldn’t even figure out the simplest of gossip, so there was no hope of her piecing together what had transpired.

Jiang Xinyue’s gaze was distant, her voice cold and eerie: “Someone wants my child dead. I’ll dig three feet into the ground if I have to, but I will find them.”

Back when Noble Consort Jin had merely swapped the Crown Prince’s walnut oil, causing him to have a severe allergic reaction, Jiang Xinyue had already deemed her unforgivable and orchestrated her death. Now, this person had crossed an even more serious line.

Jiang Yankun and the Cavalry General stood outside the door, listening to the commotion inside. Once they confirmed everything was fine, they let out a sigh of relief.

“Scholar Jiang!”

The General had just returned to the capital and hadn’t yet had the chance to pay a visit. Running into Jiang Yankun here, he decided to seize the opportunity. “On an auspicious day soon, our Yan Family will come to propose a marriage alliance. If you have any requests, Scholar Jiang, we can discuss them privately.”

This was his way of making it clear that, from now on, the Yan and Jiang families would be on the same side.

With the support of the Cavalry General’s residence, the Crown Prince’s position became even more secure.

On the surface, it seemed that way, but in reality, the Yan Family stood to gain more than they would lose from this marriage alliance.

Since ancient times, Emperors have always been wary of those whose achievements overshadowed their own.

The General was a straightforward man, dedicated to serving Great Yan. But outsiders could see clearly that the more the people praised the Cavalry Army, the more the Emperor disliked it.

Once the General reached a point where he could no longer be rewarded, it would be time for the Emperor to dispose of him.

Great Yan was teeming with talent, and now there were two young generals, Meng Qingyu and Shi Ruojun, whose fierce combat skills surpassed even those of the General in his prime.

The Emperor would only grow more displeased with the General.

If the General didn’t seek a way out, the Emperor, in his mercy, might let him retire and return to the countryside.

But if the Emperor was not feeling merciful, whether the Yan Family could end well would remain uncertain.

Now, however, things were different!

With the General’s residence forming a marriage alliance with the Empress’s family, the Cavalry Army would become the Crown Prince’s men. The Emperor, wanting to pave the way for the Crown Prince, would see the General as a favorable wind.

The General might seem simple, but he was shrewd.

Jiang Yankun smiled. “On another day, I’ll host a banquet at my home. Please do me the honor of bringing your wife.”

Imperial Garden—

Many noble ladies were still admiring the flowers, completely unaware of what had happened at Kunning Palace.

They huddled together in groups, their conversations centered around Third Yan and Shi Ruojun.

“I think they’re such a perfect match. Third Yan is elegant and handsome, with the grace of the moon and the posture of bamboo. Truly, a gentleman like no other.”

“General Shi is radiant and spirited, with such a commanding presence. She’s so skilled in battle too, and she complements Third Yan, the strategist, so well!”

“Ahhh! I heard Mr. Chunjing’s new book next month is based on them. I can’t wait to get my hands on some new mental nourishment.”

“Hmm… I seem to recall that Third Yan was engaged to someone. Am I remembering wrong?”

“Was he? I don’t think so. Oh well! As long as he’s not married yet, anything can change. Who’s to say Third Yan won’t fall in love with General Shi and break off his engagement?”

“Exactly! Didn’t Mr. Chunjing’s story have a broken engagement plot too?”

Jiang Xinyan stood in the pavilion, listening to the girls by the lake chatter away. In their story of three, her name wasn’t even mentioned.

A wave of sadness washed over her, and tears welled up in her eyes, rolling down her cheeks.

Third Yan… was such an excellent match. She liked him too, but…

She sniffled and lowered her head. “Xi Que, what exactly does my sister want with me? She…”

Suddenly, a pair of men’s court boots appeared in her line of sight. A familiar scent wafted over with the breeze. She looked up abruptly and met a pair of dazzling, gentle eyes.

Third Yan’s beauty was ethereal, so much so that even dressed as a woman, he would be a rare beauty. This led many to assume his personality was equally mild.

“Why are you avoiding me?”

He pulled her into his arms, pressing her against a pillar. “If you have questions, why not ask me directly instead of listening to others here?”

Jiang Xinyan was mesmerized by his deer-like, pure eyes. By the time she regained her senses, Third Yan’s handsome face was already very close to hers.

Just as she thought he was about to kiss her, he suddenly stopped and chuckled affectionately. “Little pervert, what are you thinking?”

Jiang Xinyan opened her eyes, feeling his breath on her face. Her cheeks flushed crimson. “You… you…”

Third Yan’s expression turned serious as he cupped the back of her head. “Look into my eyes. Do I need to tell you again that the only one I love is you?”

Jiang Xinyan’s nose tingled with emotion. “But General Shi shares so much in common with you. I don’t understand any of it. They’re right—you two are so well-matched…”

“What does ‘well-matched’ even mean?”

Third Yan was exasperated. “I’ve had enough of talking about bloodshed on the battlefield. When I come home, all I want is to enjoy flowers and wine with my beautiful, gentle wife. If I wanted someone to discuss war strategies with, why would I get married? I’d just move into the barracks and talk to my father and Eldest Yan. They could chat with me for three days and nights without sleeping.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The Cavalry General and Eldest Yan: Who wants to talk to you for three days and nights? We have beautiful, gentle wives at home to enjoy flowers and wine with!

Jiang Xinyan felt a warmth in her heart, torn between laughing and crying.

Third Yan held her tightly. “My little darling, don’t be upset. I’m the one who’s been wronged here! Out of nowhere, you started ignoring me. If it weren’t for the Empress wanting us to clear up this misunderstanding, you’d still be avoiding me, wouldn’t you?”

That was true!

“Huh? Third Yan?”

One of the noble ladies let out a startled cry, drawing everyone’s attention in the Imperial Garden.

“Why is Third Yan with Third Miss Jiang?”

“Shouldn’t he be with General Shi? Is he cheating?”

“What’s going on? General Shi is a heroine. How could Third Yan abandon her like this?”

“Even if she’s the Empress’s sister, she can’t just steal someone else’s lover in broad daylight, can she? General Shi risked her life for the people of Great Yan. How could you treat her like this? Third Yan, you’re letting beauty cloud your judgment!”

The naive but morally upright young ladies were quick to defend Shi Ruojun.

Jiang Xinyan hung her head, looking as if she had done something wrong.

Third Yan firmly held her hand and walked toward the crowd, his gaze unwavering. “I admire General Shi’s actions as much as you do. But you’re slandering me and my fiancée without knowing the truth, and that makes me very unhappy.”