Old Madame Jiang looked at her. “Speak freely.”
“After returning to the mansion, Granddaughter wishes to resume practicing calligraphy. I have heard that Grandmother is quite accomplished in the art of calligraphy. In the future, Granddaughter would like to visit Xuantang from time to time to seek Grandmother’s critique, and I hope Grandmother will not grow weary of me.”
“I recall that in your childhood, your calligraphy was personally taught by your mother. After she passed away, you set down your brush and never practiced again,” Old Madame Jiang said, a rare faint smile appearing on her face. “It is a good thing that you have the ambition to take up writing again. How could I possibly disdain you?”
“Thank you, Grandmother.”
The grandmother and granddaughter shared a vegetarian meal at Puzhao Temple, listened to the abbot’s sermon on the Dharma, and then set off down the mountain to return to the Jiang residence.
After escorting Old Madame Jiang back to Xuantang, Jiang Zhi had only just returned to Chuntangyuan, where she resided, when a servant came to summon her, saying that the Master wished to speak with her in the front hall.
Thus, Jiang Zhi could only briefly tidy her attire and, accompanied by Qingxing, made her way to the front hall.
In the hall, her father Jiang Zhengting sat upright with a solemn and imposing countenance. Beside him, her stepmother Wang Yuru, though advanced in years, was well-preserved and still appeared elegant and dignified in appearance.
Her stepsister Jiang Yunqian, meanwhile, sat at the lower seat sipping tea. When she saw Jiang Zhi enter, a hint of gloating flickered across her face.
After Jiang Zhi paid her respects to the two seated at the head of the hall, she heard Wang Yuru speak with a smile: “Today we have summoned Zhi’er because there is a joyous matter to discuss with you.”
“You have also reached the age for marriage negotiations. A few days ago, the principal wife of the Zhongqin Bojue Mansion spoke with me privately, saying that they are interested in having Second Young Master Yan form a marriage alliance with our Jiang family. I have thus called you here to ask for your thoughts.”
Jiang Zhi raised an eyebrow slightly, entirely unsurprised by this.
Wang Yuru was Jiang Zhengting’s second wife and had once been her mother’s close friend.
Back then, she had climbed into Jiang Zhengting’s bed while he was drunk and become pregnant as a result. She could have been taken into the Jiang household as a concubine.
But Wang Yuru’s ambition did not stop there. She cried and made a scene, threatening to kill herself and take the child with her. At that time, Jiang Zhengting was on the verge of a promotion and feared that a scandal would affect his official career, so he could only temporarily settle Wang Yuru outside the household.
It was not until her mother died of illness that Wang Yuru finally entered the household and became the mistress of the Jiang residence.
It was also after Wang Yuru entered the household that Jiang Zhi learned that her father had long been carrying on an affair with Wang Yuru and had fathered a daughter, who had been raised outside and was only two years younger than herself.
From that point on, Jiang Zhi grew distant from Jiang Zhengting, and the father-daughter relationship deteriorated further under Wang Yuru’s covert instigation.
In her previous life, Wang Yuru had also brought up this matter on this very day. Jiang Zhi had long heard of Yan Wenkang’s character and naturally was utterly unwilling.
The result was that her father furiously rebuked her for being short-sighted, disregarding the bigger picture, and failing to consider the future of the Jiang family.
In the face of her resistance, he directly ordered her to be beaten with more than a dozen strokes of the board in public and confined to her room to reflect on her mistakes.
Only after coming to her senses did Jiang Zhi realize that this was a trap laid by Wang Yuru.
If she accepted the marriage, she would have to marry Yan Wenkang and sacrifice the rest of her life.
If she refused, she would be deemed disobedient to her father’s orders and lacking in feminine virtue—her reputation would be ruined either way.
It was a dead end with no way forward or back.
Now that she had been given a second life, she naturally would not sit idly by and wait for death again.
“Father, this marriage—I do not consent. I beg Father to reconsider.” Her voice was soft yet resolute.
Jiang Zhengting’s brows immediately knitted together.
“Matters of marriage are decided by one’s parents and arranged through a matchmaker. How could it be left to your picking and choosing?”
Wang Yuru had mentioned to him that as long as the Zhongqin Bojue Mansion could form a marriage alliance with the Jiang family, it would secure the Jiang family a quota for admission to Lanting Academy without examination.
Her son, Jiang Ningzheng, was just at the age to begin his studies. If he could gain admission to Jingdu’s largest academy, the Lanting Academy, it would greatly benefit the entire Jiang family.
Moreover, in terms of family standing and status, the Bojue Mansion was far above the Jiang family by more than a little.
How dare she still be picky?
Seeing that Jiang Zhi had indeed refused as she had anticipated, Wang Yuru was secretly delighted, yet on the surface she earnestly tried to persuade Jiang Zhi:
“Eldest Miss, your father and I are doing this for your own good. Although Second Young Master Yan is a bit unrestrained in his ways, it’s perfectly normal for a man to have multiple wives and concubines and be a little frivolous. You must not let our good intentions go to waste.”
Jiang Zhengting was busy with court affairs and had never wanted to meddle in household matters. He waved his hand impatiently and said, “No need to say more. You are the matriarch of the Jiang family; Zhi’er’s marriage is yours to decide.”
“Father, you must not—” Jiang Zhi had barely begun when Wang Yuru cut her off.
“Eldest Miss, stop being willful. The Zhongqin Bojue Mansion is a distinguished noble house; countless families would jump at the chance to form a marriage alliance with them,” she said, every word seemingly for Jiang Zhi’s benefit. “Second Young Master Yan is also a fine-looking man, and he fell for you at first sight. Once you marry him, he will surely treat you well. As long as you bear him a child or two, you’ll be able to establish yourself firmly in the Bojue Mansion.”
Even Jiang Yunqian, who had been sitting by watching the show, couldn’t help but interject, “Sister, a marriage this good is something you couldn’t find even with a lantern. If I weren’t two years younger than you, it wouldn’t have fallen to you at all. Yet you’re still making excuses—could it be that you’re dissatisfied with Father and Mother’s arrangements?”
Jiang Zhi couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.
If it were truly such a good match, how could Wang Yuru possibly let her have it?
“Father, I do not refuse this marriage out of selfish motives, but for the sake of our Jiang family.”
“How so?” Jiang Zhengting asked with a frown.
Jiang Zhi maintained a respectful posture and spoke in a gentle tone, “Father should already know that last night, Grandmother and I encountered the Jinyiwei searching for assassins at Puzhao Temple. The Crown Prince remains unconscious to this day, and His Majesty has ordered a thorough investigation. The entire Jingdu is now on edge—one misstep could lead to the execution of one’s entire family.
Father, who serves at court, must surely know that the Zhongqin Bojue Mansion is closer to the Third Prince. If the Jiang family were to formalize a betrothal with the Bojue Mansion at this critical juncture, and it were to arouse His Majesty’s suspicion…”
Jiang Zhengting was startled into a cold sweat.
He had nearly forgotten—the Zhongqin Bojue Mansion was the natal family of the Third Prince’s consort. Before the Crown Prince was named heir apparent, the Third Prince had also been one of the strongest contenders. Now that the Crown Prince lay in a coma, his life hanging in the balance, and the assassin had yet to be captured, many were secretly speculating that the matter was connected to the Third Prince.
If the Jiang family were to formalize a betrothal with the Zhongqin Bojue Mansion during such a sensitive period, wouldn’t that be openly declaring to everyone that the Jiang family was siding with the Third Prince?
Worse still, with His Majesty already in a fury, he might well suspect that the Jiang family believed the Crown Prince had little time left and no chance of succession, and was therefore rushing to curry favor with the Third Prince.
The Jiang family had always remained neutral at court, loyal only to His Majesty. If they were to arouse His Majesty’s suspicion because of this, the Jiang family would truly be in grave peril.
The more Jiang Zhengting thought about it, the more alarmed he became, and cold sweat broke out all over his body.
“Father, a marriage is a small matter, but we are currently in troubled times. This concerns the Jiang family’s century-old legacy. I believe it would be best to wait and see how things unfold. Once the matter of the Crown Prince has been settled, I will certainly follow whatever arrangements Father makes, without a single word of objection.”
Her words were sincere, every sentence spoken for the sake of the Jiang family.
Jiang Zhengting pondered for a few moments, countless thoughts racing through his mind.
His daughter appeared gentle and reserved, yet unexpectedly possessed such insight.
He made his decision on the spot.
“Zhi’er speaks sense—this matter should not be rushed; we must deliberate carefully,” he said, shooting a glare at Wang Yuru beside him. “Look at the terrible idea you came up with—you nearly ruined the entire Jiang family!”