Chapter 47

Chapter 47: I Will Carry My Mother's Memorial Tablet When I Marry! Even he wasn't very familiar with the steward, after all, he had used every means possible to climb up to the Chu Wangfu. So why was Jia Qingcheng so familiar with the mansion's steward? The familiarity was almost unnatural. Jia Qingcheng naturally wouldn't tell Pei Wuliang the truth about her privately going to rescue Prince Chu. She pursed her lips and said nothing more. "It's getting late. I should go rest." Rest? What's the hurry? Pei Wuliang wanted her to explain clearly, but Jia Qingcheng didn't want to bother with him. "Pei Wuliang, a person needs face like a tree needs bark. It's too late for you to stay at the Jia residence—it's inconvenient. Please see yourself out." Jia Qingcheng's indifference made Pei Wuliang think she was being naive. "Qingcheng, you don't actually think that just because Prince Chu didn't die tonight, you can peacefully become his princess consort, do you?" According to his reliable information, Prince Chu was already in a dying state. The Noble Consort had begged an imperial favor and placed a century-old ginseng in his mouth to keep his last breath hanging. Perhaps by the time Jia Qingcheng married over, Prince Chu would be completely gone, and here she was still dreaming, thinking that Prince Chu was already out of danger. How could that be? Jia Qingcheng didn't want to waste words with Pei Wuliang. The day after tomorrow was her wedding day, and she was in a good mood. She didn't want to argue with him over these useless things. "Let me tell you the truth. Prince Chu hasn't breathed his last yet only because of the century-old ginseng's effects. But you know very well that this ginseng can't save him. In the future, your fate will still be borne by me, Pei Wuliang." Hearing these words, Jia Qingcheng remained silent, and her silence told Pei Wuliang that she was indeed afraid. "No matter what you think in your heart, rest assured—I said I would take care of you, and I won't abandon you. But Qingcheng, a person should know their place. The wedding is the day after tomorrow. Settle all those external debts—you know I don't like owing money." With that said, Pei Wuliang paused. "Alright, I know you've been wronged today. Go back and rest. Tomorrow I need to accompany Jiaojiao to make the Golden Betrothal Deed, so I'm afraid I won't have time to look after you. The day after tomorrow, be careful in everything." What? Golden Betrothal Deed? Hearing this, Jia Qingcheng seemed to recall the large sum of silver she had paid in her previous life. At the time, when settling accounts, she had discovered a very large expenditure—also for making a wedding betrothal deed, crafted from pure gold at an exorbitant price. Back then, she had asked Pei Wuliang who the deed was for, and he had brushed her off, saying it was for his good brother Song Leng. She hadn't suspected anything at the time, after all, she knew who Song Leng was. Song Leng and Pei Wuliang were brothers who had grown up together. Though she had felt some dissatisfaction back then, she let it go, thinking that since he was her husband's good brother, it was fine. Only now did she fully understand—that so-called Golden Betrothal Deed was never made for Song Leng at all. It was Pei Wuliang, behind her back, privately pledging his lifelong commitment to Song Jiaojiao. They had privately made a betrothal deed. Perhaps aside from not being able to show it in public, everything they should have had, should have done, and shouldn't have done—they had already done it all... How laughable that she had been foolishly kept in the dark, serving as a stumbling block to their loving marriage. "I know you want one too, but this is my promise to Jiaojiao. I promised to use a Golden Betrothal Deed to bear witness to our love. So, Qingcheng, I hope you can understand—this betrothal deed is one of a kind. There can't be another." Seeing that Jia Qingcheng said nothing, Pei Wuliang knew she had accepted it. "Alright, don't worry. You won't stay at the Chu Wangfu for long—at most a month, and I'll send someone to bring you into my household as a bride. But let me make myself clear: those things I asked you to do, you must accomplish all of them. Otherwise..." "Otherwise what?" Jia Qingcheng raised her eyes to meet his gaze, wishing she could devour this man who had deceived her in her previous life. How could he deceive her like this? "Otherwise, with your widow's status and that face of yours, you'd only be fit to be my bed warmer." Bed warmer? Jia Qingcheng was almost laughed into anger, but she didn't want to waste words with him. Seeing that she was frightened, Pei Wuliang stopped threatening her. "I know you love me deeply and won't make things difficult for me." With those words, Pei Wuliang flicked his sleeves and strode away with Huba. After they left, Chunyan quickly came up to her. "Miss, what do we do? Is Prince Chu really going to die? Are we really stuck following Pei Wuliang?" If they followed Pei Wuliang, wouldn't that woman Song Jiaojiao bully them to death? Her young lady's fate was truly too bitter. "Who said Prince Chu is going to die?" That night, Jia Qingcheng summoned the big orange cat, wanting to ask about Prince Chu's condition. The big orange cat was as opportunistic as ever, insisting she feed it dried meat strips before it would speak. Big orange cat: "Meow meow meow, want meat, meat fragrant and crispy..." Jia Qingcheng was speechless. So, after feeding it an entire meat strip, the big orange cat finally deigned to reveal Prince Chu's condition. The big orange cat licked its tongue, still wanting more. "That man drank the fish soup, urinated three times, the urine was very yellow, and he had a bowel movement..." "Wait, who asked you to talk about that?" Big orange cat: "..." "You humans are nothing but eating and drinking, aren't you?" Jia Qingcheng: "..." "I'm asking you, has Prince Chu's health improved? Can he get out of bed and walk?" Yesterday, because her father and Pei Wuliang were present, she hadn't been able to ask the steward in detail about Prince Chu's condition. According to her treatment plan, Prince Chu should be able to stand by now. But as for why rumors were spreading everywhere that Prince Chu was clinging to life on nothing but an old ginseng root, she wasn't quite sure—was it a message Prince Chu had deliberately released, or... The big orange cat was about to answer when, suddenly, a respectful voice came from outside, "Is the eldest young lady in?" The voice belonged to Granny Li, who served her stepmother. Since Granny Li was outside, she had to postpone her questions to the big orange cat. Soon, Granny Li entered and immediately bowed to her, "Eldest young lady." "What business does Nanny Li have?" "It's like this—tomorrow is the auspicious day for you and the young miss from the maternal side to marry. The madam has some matters she wishes to discuss with you in person, so she sent me to invite you to the main hall." Upon learning that her stepmother was summoning her, even though she disliked her stepmother, she had to follow the rules. When she arrived at the entrance of the main hall with Chunyan, sure enough, she saw Song Jiaojiao there as well. But Song Jiaojiao's leg was injured, so she was seated. Even with the injury, she still looked up with a smug expression to meet her gaze. Jia Qingcheng did not return her look; instead, she lowered her eyes and walked in. Nanny Li hurried forward, "Madam, the eldest young lady is here." "Qingcheng pays respects to my stepmother. May I ask what instructions you have?" "Jiaojiao, your elder sister is here." Facing her aunt's words, Song Jiaojiao pretended to rise, but after failing to stand, she sat back down, "Elder sister, I truly apologize—I did mean to stand, but Brother Wuliang said my leg must not bear any more strain, and told me I need not bow when seeing you."