Chapter 7: Lifesaving Benefactor

“Thud.”

Jiang Jin stepped out of the private room just as the door diagonally opposite closed.

Holding her sleeve, she turned to say something to Furong.

“Third Miss.”

Jiang Jin looked back and saw Prince Ning’s Zhangshi calling her.

He approached, stopping before Jiang Jin. “Third Miss, His Highness requests your presence.”

Jiang Jin was momentarily stunned. She had thought… the outcome wouldn’t come so quickly.

Thinking this, Jiang Jin smiled and nodded at the Zhangshi.

Perhaps the Zhangshi had mediated on her behalf.

After all, her request wasn’t particularly difficult to fulfill.

Jiang Jin followed the Zhangshi upstairs, arriving shortly before the “Water Moon Pavilion.”

Huaihe Tower had four floors. Anyone with money could sit on the first three floors.

But every private room on the fourth floor required consideration of one’s status and position.

Even her father, the Bingbu Shangshu, couldn’t enter as he pleased!

Even the small door plaque was made of rosewood.

Jiang Jin averted her gaze, waiting for the Zhangshi to push the door open before following him inside.

Furong had intended to follow but was stopped before reaching the threshold.

Hearing the sound, Jiang Jin turned and exchanged glances with Furong. She nodded to signal her understanding, and Furong stopped trying to enter.

Jiang Jin followed the Zhangshi around a screen and saw Prince Ning Xie Chengzhi seated in a chair, a Go board laid out before him.

Holding a black stone, his eyes were fixed intently on the board as if unaware of anyone approaching.

“Your Highness, Third Miss is here,” the Zhangshi stepped forward to remind him.

Xie Chengzhi responded casually with an “Mm,” then said, “Have her come over.”

Jiang Jin approached and performed a curtsy.

“Your subject’s daughter, Jiang Jin, pays respects to Your Highness, Prince Ning.”

Jiang Jin’s voice was soft and melodious, carrying a unique accent reminiscent of the Jiangnan region.

Xie Chengzhi’s hand, holding the Go stone, paused briefly before placing the black piece on the board.

He turned his head, his gaze appraising Jiang Jin.

She wore a water-colored dress, her appearance elegant and gentle, with warm, moist eyes—clearly a young lady raised in a noble household.

Coming from the Shangshu Mansion, she could indeed be considered wealthy and distinguished.

Yet when she lifted her gaze, her eyes held traces of sorrow and bitterness.

Observing this, Xie Chengzhi’s brow furrowed slightly.

“So it was you who wrote to the Zhangshi, seeking an audience with this prince,” Xie Chengzhi’s voice was clear and cold, carrying a hint of aloofness.

Jiang Jin nodded. “Yes.”

“Your subject’s daughter wishes to ask Your Highness for a favor.”

Xie Chengzhi raised an eyebrow, surprised that Jiang Jin was so direct.

He looked up at the Zhangshi.

The Zhangshi took the hint and left, closing the door behind him.

Once the door was shut, Jiang Jin continued, “To be frank with Your Highness, my parents have already arranged a marriage for me.”

“I am aware that due to my health condition, discussing marriage is more challenging for me than for others, and I shouldn’t be so particular.”

“But that person was originally my brother-in-law. I truly do not wish to marry him, yet I cannot defy my parents’ orders. Having no other choice, I have come to beg Your Highness.”

After speaking, Jiang Jin bit her lip tightly, her eyes fixed intently on Xie Chengzhi as she awaited his response.

“This prince recalls that the family marrying into yours is the Yong’an Marquis Mansion’s Heir, correct?” Xie Chengzhi asked.

Jiang Jin nodded. “Yes.”

“Then is it that you are unwilling to marry into the marquis estate, or that you are unwilling to become someone’s successor wife?”

Xie Chengzhi looked at her, his gaze still sharp.

Without hesitation, Jiang Jin replied directly, “Your subject’s daughter is unwilling on both counts.”

“Your subject seeks an audience with Your Highness today, hoping that Your Highness can help her refuse this marriage arrangement and assist in arranging a match for her.”

After Jiang Jin finished speaking, she slightly raised her eyelashes and, seeing that Xie Chengzhi did not show any impatience, added, “Your subject does not ask for much—only that the other party comes from a simple family and has good character.”

As her words fell, Xie Chengzhi fell silent.

This was the first time someone had come before him not seeking fame or fortune, but merely to choose a husband!

Treating him as a matchmaker was truly…

“You are quite bold!” Xie Chengzhi slowly spoke.

Jiang Jin tightly gripped her sleeve, gritting her teeth. “Your subject knows this matter is difficult, but she promises that this will be the only time. She will never disturb Your Highness again in the future.”

She knew that yesterday’s incident meant nothing to Xie Chengzhi.

Compared to that absurdity, Xie Chengzhi was likely more concerned about her repeatedly using the matter to disturb him.

And she was self-aware—striking while the iron was hot, seizing the opportunity to negotiate terms without hoping for anything afterward.

“Then, do you intend to use the promise the Zhangshi gave you, or—”

As Xie Chengzhi spoke, his gaze suddenly shifted downward, landing on the jade pendant hanging at Jiang Jin’s waist.

“—this prince’s jade pendant as an exchange?”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jin’s expression froze momentarily.

That jade pendant was indeed important!

It could even match the favor owed by the Zhangshi of Prince Ning’s Mansion!

She lowered her eyes and bowed once more. “When the time comes, your subject will respectfully present the jade pendant with both hands.”

“Your Highness may also rest assured that your subject will certainly keep yesterday’s matter sealed tight!”

Xie Chengzhi did not speak.

He stood up and walked step by step toward Jiang Jin.

With each footstep, Jiang Jin’s heart slowly tightened.

Nervously clutching her palms, she lowered her gaze to her skirt, doing her utmost to control her breathing.

“This prince does not eat people!” Xie Chengzhi’s voice suddenly sounded above her head.

Jiang Jin abruptly looked up, meeting Xie Chengzhi’s deep, clear phoenix eyes.

Her pupils trembled slightly, and she had to dig her fingertips in to barely steady her composure.

“Yesterday, you could be said to have saved this prince’s life. When it comes to this prince’s savior, this prince is not so cold-blooded and heartless!”

Xie Chengzhi raised his sword-like brows slightly, his tone relaxed.

Yet Jiang Jin found no comfort in his words.

Instead, his statement sparked countless speculations in her mind.

Seeing her eyelashes lower, concealing the thoughts in her eyes, Xie Chengzhi could tell she was pondering something.

“Think carefully—you have only this one chance. Given what you have done for this prince, you could demand much better terms. This prince… might not refuse!” Xie Chengzhi tempted her, his voice entering Jiang Jin’s ears and quickly disrupting her thoughts.

She hesitated.

Indeed, Xie Chengzhi was a prince. She had “done him a favor,” so she could certainly ask for something better.

But…

After a moment of silence, Jiang Jin’s gaze grew even more resolute.

Greed knows no bounds, and the snake that tries to swallow an elephant will burst.

From the very beginning, she had come up the mountain solely to escape the fate of her previous life.

As long as she did not marry into the Yong’an Marquis Mansion or become her brother-in-law’s successor wife, that alone would be enough to change her destiny!

If she were to demand excessively, it might not lead to a better outcome.

Better to remain steadfast and hold to her original choice!

Jiang Jin looked up, her expression unusually solemn this time. “Thank you for Your Highness’s kindness. But your subject has made her decision and will not change it.”

“May Your Highness—”

“help your subject this once!”

As her words fell, Xie Chengzhi looked at her and suddenly let out a light laugh.

“Hah.”

He turned his head, stepped away, and returned to the chair he had been sitting in earlier.

Jiang Jin watched nervously, feeling both worried and expectant.

She believed that this request of hers was nothing significant to Xie Chengzhi.

But until Xie Chengzhi agreed, she dared not relax for a moment.