Rebirth of a Lost Nation: Princess, Please Respect Yourself

Chapter 116 Helping the evildoer

Jiang Lige couldn't tell Empress Dowager Jiang what he was thinking, so he just spoke vaguely.

"Li Ge is also thinking about Princess Jingyu's affairs."

"Have you figured it out?"

Jiang Lige shook his head truthfully and began to analyze it carefully.

"According to Princess Jingyu herself, her main purpose in coming to the capital this time was to discuss a marriage for her legitimate daughter, Xie Xuefu. However, Xie Xuefu has already reached the age of marriage and should have been approached long ago. Why is she so anxious now, having kept her for so long? Furthermore, Princess Jingyu's concubine, Xie Yanhui, was having an affair with someone else. Given Princess Jingyu's temperament, she'd be lucky enough to spare her life, let alone plead for a legitimate wife for her concubine. Both of these things are completely illogical."

Empress Dowager Jiang smiled. "Indeed, Jingyu only has one precious daughter, Xie Xuefu. Tell me, what kind of person would be worthy of Jingyu's attention and her precious daughter?"

"Of course..." Jiang Lige was halfway through his answer when he realized that Empress Dowager Jiang was trying to point the finger at him. He immediately responded, "Princess Jingyu's purpose is probably the same as Empress Xiao's. She's coming to the capital mainly to test Emperor Shengwu's attitude. She wants to imitate the act of surrendering to the next emperor and gain some benefits from it."

"pretty close."

"What about the concubine's daughter?"

Empress Dowager Jiang didn't quite understand this matter, so she shook her head and said.

"Regardless of Jingyu's motives, this has already happened. Since Jingyu entered the palace first, it means she hasn't bothered Lianchu yet. You are close to Lianchu, so find an opportunity to tell her about this and see what she thinks. I can then make the decision for her."

"Grandma." Jiang Lige called out to Empress Dowager Jiang and pondered for a moment before speaking. "If Princess Jingyu doesn't retreat, will you... also make the decision for the Princess's Mansion?"

Jiang Lige asked the question in a tactful way, but Empress Dowager Jiang still understood it. She was silent for a moment and finally nodded.

"Xie Yanhui is also the victim in this matter. If Marquis Wenchang really has feelings for Xie Yanhui and is willing to marry her, can I still intervene to stop him from doing this? Besides, you have seen Jingyu's temper. I cannot let the whole world laugh at the royal family just for Lianchu, and neither will the emperor."

“Why?”

Jiang Lige was furious. "It's clearly the Princess Jingyu Mansion who are shameless! They can't teach their own daughter well, but they want someone else's daughter to give up the position of legitimate wife. Are the girls of the Princess Jingyu Mansion really girls, while the girls of other families are just weeds?"

"Zhaohua!"

Empress Dowager Jiang scolded Jiang Lige loudly, scaring the palace maids around her to kneel down and remain silent.

Ever since Jiang Lige entered the palace, Empress Dowager Jiang had never spoken to her in such a harsh tone.

Jiang Lige also knew that she was too emotional at the moment, but she really couldn't control the helpless sadness in her heart.

It's obviously wrong! This is aiding and abetting evil! Everyone knows it!

But they all chose to sacrifice a woman in exchange for the satisfaction of more people, just for...

The dignity and face of the royal family cannot be affected by anything, and it is even more impossible for the royal family to be humiliated for the daughter of a minister.

Even though Dong Lianchu's father once fought for Sheng Ling and died on the battlefield, he never came back.

Same thing.

Jiang Lige was so uncomfortable holding his breath that his eyes were a little red, but in the end he still stiffened his neck and made a final effort for Dong Lianchu.

"Then what is my great aunt going to do for Sister Lianchu?"

"At least, I won't ask Xie Yanhui to go over Lian Chu."

The answer was as expected, and Jiang Lige felt a blockage in his heart. He couldn't describe the feeling. After a long silence, he slowly nodded under the gaze of Empress Dowager Jiang.

"I see."

Jiang Lige thought he should have understood the principle of giving up small things for big ones and putting the overall situation first.

Jiang Lige didn't know when Empress Dowager Jiang left Qingge Cottage, nor did he know how long he had been sitting there. He only remembered that the wind was a little cold that night, and it made his heart ache.

No matter what kind of hesitation he had experienced the night before, Jiang Lige still carefully washed up early the next morning and left the palace with the Queen Mother Jiang's card.

The Marquis of Wenchang's Mansion had received the news long ago. When Jiang Lige arrived at the mansion, Dong Lianchu was already waiting at the door. Seeing her, he smiled slightly and said jokingly:

"What brings the Jiangdong family to my mansion?"

Jiang Lige's smile was a bit forced. "Last time when the shop opened, Sister Lianchu came specially to congratulate me. I was busy with other things and didn't have a chance to talk to her properly. I feel really bad about it."

"Why would we, two sisters, care about these empty formalities?" Dong Lianchu waved her hand nonchalantly, took Jiang Lige's hand and walked towards the mansion. "Let's go in first. I knew you were coming, so I prepared a lot of snacks. They're all your favorites from childhood."

Dong Lianchu set up a small banquet in the pavilion. The table was filled with various exquisite snacks. There was also tea brewing in a small stove next to it, and it smelled like the best oolong tea.

"Next time, Sister Lianchu, please don't prepare too much. After so many years, this person's taste has changed day by day. Maybe he likes something different now? Not only would it be a shame to waste these hard-earned grains, but your kindness should not be wasted."

Jiang Lige spoke tactfully, and Dong Lianchu did not hear the implication in his words.

"It's just some snacks. If you don't like them, you can change them next time."

"The pastries can be exchanged, but what about the people?"

"people?"

Obviously, Dong Lianchu had no idea that Wenchang Hou and Xie Yanhui had feelings for each other. When he heard Jiang Lige's words, he was stunned for a long time and couldn't understand it.

"Sister Lianchu, I came here today because I have something to tell you, I..."

"Madam! Lord! The Lord's car is back!"

When the truth was about to be revealed, the excited voice of the servants came from outside. Hearing this, Dong Lianchu no longer cared about Jiang Lige and patted her hands gently.

"Sister Li Ge, the Marquis has returned home. I'll go greet him first. Please sit for a while and I'll come back to see you later. Please forgive me for any inadequacy in my hospitality."

After saying this, Dong Lianchu hurriedly left, picking up her skirt.

When Dong Lianchu arrived, he saw the carriage parked at the gate of the marquis's mansion. The servants quickly set up a stool to welcome the Marquis of Wenchang to get off the carriage.

When Wenchang Marquis Zhou Jianbi got out of the carriage, he saw his wife looking at him with red eyes and called out softly:

"Husband."

Zhou Jianbi turned his head away awkwardly, a hint of embarrassment flashed in his eyes, and got off the carriage in a few steps. Then a woman followed him down from the carriage.

Dong Lianchu, who was full of joy just now, suddenly felt a chill in his heart. The joy on his face disappeared instantly, and a strong sense of unease arose in his heart.

"Husband, who is this?"