In less than the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, Old Madam Jiang, Jiang Wenxiang, Shen Ruoliu, and a crowd of matrons and guards came hurrying over.
Qinghe kicked the door open with one swift motion.
“Yue’er! Yue’er!” Jiang Wenxiang was the first to rush inside.
The sudden commotion startled Jing Mofeng so badly that he froze in panic. Without even bothering to put on his clothes, he grabbed a quilt and wrapped himself and Jiang Qingyue in it.
“Yue…” The people who rushed in were struck dumb by the scene before them, as though they had been hit by lightning.
For a long moment, no one could say a word.
Then Shen Ruoliu let out a wail. “Yue’er! You foolish girl! What are you doing?”
Crying as she spoke, she raised her hand as if to strike Jiang Qingyue.
Old Madam Jiang closed her eyes and cried out toward the heavens. “What a sin! What a terrible sin!”
Jiang Wenxiang was equally furious, his face flushed red. Taking a wooden staff from one of the guards, he roared, “What thief dares break into my Prime Minister’s Residence in the dead of night and ruin my daughter’s chastity? I will have him cut into a thousand pieces!”
His precious daughter was destined to be a true phoenix among women. The man she married had to be the next emperor. If any other man dared touch her, there would be only one outcome: Death.
At that moment, Jing Mofeng turned his head, clearly displeased. “It is I.”
“Third Prince?” Jiang Wenxiang was stunned for a moment. Then delight surged through him. Although he had arranged for Jiang Qingran to marry into the Seventh Prince’s Manor in Jiang Qingyue’s place, it was ultimately nothing more than a clever scheme.
Now that the Third Prince had been caught in Jiang Qingyue’s bed in the middle of the night, he not only had a perfectly legitimate excuse, but could also use this opportunity to pressure His Majesty into arranging a marriage between Jiang Qingyue and the Third Prince.
Immediately, he cupped his hands in salute. “This minister pays his respects to Your Highness, Prince Third. I was unaware that Your Highness had honored us with your presence. Please forgive our offense.”
Shen Ruoliu also stopped what she was doing. “This humble subject’s wife greets Your Highness, Prince Third. May Your Highness live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand upon ten thousand years!”
“All of you may leave. I need to dress.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
A short while later, Jing Mofeng was seated in the place of honor.
Standing before him, Jiang Wenxiang wore a troubled expression. “Although Yue’er has always loved Your Highness alone, and I have long wished to support Your Highness, the imperial decree has already been issued. Yue’er is about to marry into the Seventh Prince’s Manor. After what happened tonight, if word gets out, people will say she is no longer chaste before marriage. Wouldn’t that be the same as driving her to her death?”
Before Jiang Qingran was sent to marry into the Seventh Prince’s Manor in her place, everyone had assumed that Jiang Qingyue was the future Seventh Prince Consort.
No matter how powerless the Seventh Prince might be, he was still an imperial prince. If tonight’s events became public, it would mean the Jiang family was trampling on the dignity of the royal house.
Not only would the daughter he had painstakingly groomed have her future ruined, but his own position at court would also become increasingly difficult.
Therefore, no matter what, Jiang Qingyue had to marry into the Third Prince’s Manor.
Jing Mofeng looked up and said, “Prime Minister Jiang, put your mind at ease. I will take responsibility. While we were dressing, Yue’er told me that she has a younger sister, Jiang Qingran, born in the same year, month, and day as she was. The princess consort Father Emperor intended for Old Seventh to marry must be her. Tomorrow morning, I shall petition Father Emperor to allow Yue’er to marry into my manor as soon as possible.”
Whether it was Jiang Qingyue’s beauty or her background, she possessed qualities he desired. Had Noble Consort Xu not interfered, his original intention had been to marry Jiang Qingyue in the first place. At worst, he would merely have to endure a little punishment from the Emperor.
Jiang Wenxiang was overjoyed inside, though he didn’t show it on his face. “It seems there is no other choice.”
As soon as Jing Mofeng left, Jiang Wenxiang glanced up toward the rooftop. “Jiang Qingran, you despicable schemer! Get down here!”
Since she had sent Qinghe to summon everyone, Jiang Qingran had never intended to hide. She leaped down from the roof and covered her mouth, laughing lightly.
“Prime Minister Jiang certainly spared no effort in training Fourth Sister. Her talents are truly well-rounded. She was putting on quite a performance in there. No wonder she has Prince Third utterly captivated.”