Chaрtеr 10: Unrеlаtеd Peoрlе
Wang Yu’an rеtrieved а tоkеn frоm his slееve—it wаs unmistаkаblу the Prinсe Rui Token.
With lоng, slеnder fingеrs, hе hеld thе tоken аnd lightlу rаised it, displауing it befоre the crоwd. “Mу visit here is not оnly tо cоngrаtulate thе Ji family on thеir jоуоus ocсаsiоn but аlso to disсuss impоrtant mattеrs with Old Mаster Ji. This сoncerns thе Jizhоu rivеr embаnkmеnt. The Ji familу has ехpressеd willingness to dоnatе оnе hundred thоusand taеls of silver fоr its rеinfоrcement. Your Highness, could уоu… allow him to settlе this mаtter beforе рroceeding with the execution?”
Murong Jing: “…”
Wang Yu’an’s tone was calm, yet it carried an undeniable firmness: “This matter has already been recorded in the official registry before His Majesty. If it fails, I will be unable to report back upon returning to the capital.”
“You…”
Wang Yu’an truly had skillful methods!
For a mere merchant, he had elevated the matter to one of national importance. Concerning the Jizhou river embankment, even she could not overstep her bounds.
If she insisted on taking the man by force, her visit to Jizhou might not end well.
Though inwardly furious, she could only suppress her rage. Murong Jing gritted her teeth in secret, her gaze toward the Ji father and daughter filled with venom.
“Since the Ji family intends to benefit the people, today’s matter shall be set aside for now and discussed another day.” Murong Jing’s tone revealed deep resentment, yet she had no choice.
“Withdraw.”
She waved her hand, signaling the crowd to retreat. The tense standoff immediately dissipated.
The guards obeyed in unison, stepping back in orderly formation. The blades that had been pressed against the necks of the Ji father and daughter were sheathed one by one.
Wang Yu’an offered Ji Ruyue an almost imperceptible smile. Though faint, it was enough to reassure her.
Then, he turned to Murong Jing and bowed respectfully. “Thank you for Your Highness’s understanding.”
Murong Jing shot him a cold glance. Wang Yu’an’s seemingly humble yet provocative attitude made her seethe with hatred.
Ji Ruyue, who had just been pulled up by the guards, had no intention of kneeling again. She gave her father a meaningful look.
Only then did Old Master Ji snap out of his daze, barely calming his inner panic. He forced a smile toward Murong Jing. “Your Highness’s visit today is truly an honor for the Ji family. Since the ceremony is complete, this old man boldly requests Your Highness to grace us with your presence and stay for a small drink.”
Murong Jing snorted coldly. “Your lowly merchant family dares to invite this princess for a drink?”
Her words were utterly impolite, leaving no face for the Ji family.
They also revealed her true, ulterior motives.
If you wouldn’t drink the wedding wine of a merchant family, then why did you come here?
Old Master Ji’s face flushed red, then quickly turned ashen. For a moment, he was at a loss for words…
Wang Yu’an’s smile remained unchanged as he calmly replied, “Yes, Your Highness, please take your leave slowly.”
Ji Ruyue found Wang Yu’an’s reaction quite intriguing and glanced at him again.
This man had even skipped basic courtesy and directly asked her to leave? What audacity.
“You!”
Murong Jing angrily flicked her sleeve. Seeing Chen Shujin kneeling at her feet, not even daring to breathe heavily, she grew even more irritated. She kicked him fiercely and snapped, “Useless thing, let’s go!”
“Yes.” The attendants immediately lowered their heads and followed closely behind.
Chen Shujin was already frail and thin. Suddenly struck by this forceful kick, he lost his balance and fell backward.
With a loud “thud,” his head hit the ground heavily.
“Ah!” Chen Shujin was completely dazed. The pain in his head combined with the pain in his hands—it was injury upon injury…Ji Ruyue nearly burst out laughing at the sight, but when her eyes met Wang Yu’an’s inquisitive gaze, she quickly composed herself and resumed her usual composure.
Wang Yu’an raised an eyebrow slightly and extended a hand with feigned concern, personally helping Chen Shujin sit up a little. “Young master, may I ask who you are? Why are you lying here in such an embarrassing state?”
His question only deepened Chen Shujin’s humiliation. Already overwhelmed with shame, he now felt dizzy and wracked with pain.
The crowd: “…”
Silence enveloped the surroundings, with no one stepping forward to intervene. Everyone knew that Chen Shujin’s predicament was entirely self-inflicted.
Wang Yu’an seemed either oblivious to the awkward atmosphere or deliberately ignoring it…
His hand suddenly let go, releasing without warning.
Without support, Chen Shujin fell backward once again.
Another dull thud echoed.
Though this time, without any external force pushing him, the sound seemed somewhat softer?
“Ugh~” Chen Shujin groaned, his face contorted in agony.
Wang Yu’an slowly stood up, lightly brushing off his sleeves, and remarked calmly, “Since this is an unrelated matter, there’s no need for me to intervene further.”
Ji Ruyue’s eyes curved into crescents, brimming with amusement. She parted her lips gently and said, “Xi Qiu, escort Young Master Chen back to Mulanyuan. Since he’s injured his head, have the household physician examine him thoroughly.”
“Yes, miss,” Xi Qiu replied.
Immediately, Xi Qiu signaled to two attendants, who promptly stepped forward and half-dragged, half-carried Chen Shujin away.
As Chen Shujin’s vision gradually cleared, he only managed to catch a glimpse of Ji Ruyue’s hazy and graceful figure slowly approaching the handsome man…
“Have your mistress come to Mulanyuan to see me!”
His furious tone sounded feeble and powerless to Xi Qiu’s ears.
Xi Qiu and the others remained silent, pretending not to hear.
After delivering him to Mulanyuan, they unceremoniously dumped him inside the courtyard and turned to leave.
Chen Shujin tumbled to the ground once again in a disheveled heap.
“You… you all!”
“Click” — the door was locked once more.
Chen’s mother, Lady Li, and the others had been waiting for news of the Ji father and daughter being reprimanded by the princess. Seeing her son return in such a state, she was terrified and immediately burst into loud wails…
To an uninformed observer, it might have seemed like a funeral rather than a wedding celebration.
Chen’s younger brother, Chen Shuyuan, managed to retain some composure. Frowning, he asked, “Elder brother, how did you end up in such a wretched state? What about the princess? Did she not step in to uphold justice for you?”
Chen Shujin pressed his lips tightly together. Despite the cold weather, beads of cold sweat dotted his forehead as he urgently commanded, “Quickly, fetch a physician for me!”
He had endured until now precisely to use his injuries as a means to condemn the Ji family to ruin.
He had thought that since the marriage had not been finalized, even if the princess dealt with the Ji family, he could distance himself from the matter. After all, he had caught the princess’s eye. If he left the Ji family, he could follow the princess…
But the persistent, dull pain now jolted him awake.
The Ji family had a powerful patron helping them—they had escaped such a perilous situation unscathed!
And the princess had left!
With the princess gone, what was he to do? Could he truly remain in the Ji family as a live-in son-in-law?
If Miss Ji were reasonable, he might have endured the humiliation in silence. But the Ji family’s actions had long revealed their malice. Today, they dared to imprison and beat him—what about tomorrow? Would they resort to murder?”Second brother, go quickly to fetch the physician. My hand injury cannot wait any longer.” Chen Shujin struggled to rise despite the pain, instructing his second brother while turning to the third. “Third brother, prepare the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone for me immediately.”
Chen Shujin began swiftly devising a plan for himself—he had to protect himself!