Chapter 8

Chapter 8: You're Just Ugly and Full of Tricks! Pei Wuliang was furious about what Jia Qingcheng had done today. He knew exactly what she was angry about—she was upset that he had chosen his cousin over her. In his previous life, he had truly suffered enough from her ugly behavior. Now that he had obtained the prescription, Jiaojiao would surely bear him children in this life. In this life, he had a choice. Wasn't it only natural that he didn't choose her first? Besides, he had said he wouldn't abandon her. Why couldn't she understand? Marrying her off to Prince Chu's household was just a formality. Once her mourning period ended, he would take her as a concubine. Given that revolting face of hers, the fact that he was willing to take her as a concubine was already more than generous. What more did she want? "You have nothing to say?" Seeing that he was still smug and self-satisfied, Jia Qingcheng sneered, "What did you just say?" "I said, if you keep making unreasonable scenes like this, I really won't like you anymore. Qingcheng, do you know what I like about you?" "I don't know." If she had known it was all a deception in her previous life, she would rather have never met this man, let alone married him, managed his household, and endured all that humiliation. "Qingcheng, you know!" Pei Wuliang strode to her side, looking at her with a complicated expression. Seeing that she was still wearing that perpetually gray robe, with her bangs always plastered askew to her forehead, she was ugly no matter how you looked at her. A woman like this—not to mention a dashing and refined man like himself—even a beggar on the street would probably not spare her a second glance. Only he, Pei Wuliang, was willing to look after her and marry her. What more did she want? Seeing that Jia Qingcheng remained silent, he knew she was afraid. After all, she would soon marry Prince Chu, and once Prince Chu died, she would have no one to rely on but herself. "Alright, stop throwing a tantrum. Give me the gift, and send someone to prepare both Prince Chu's betrothal gifts and the dowry you've prepared for Jiaojiao, and deliver them to her courtyard. I've said everything I needed to say. This is all for your own good—so you can have a peaceful life in the Pei family in the future. Qingcheng, don't make me angry anymore. I'm very busy." With that, Pei Wuliang waited for her to give him the gift. At this time in his previous life, he had already received the protective heavenly silkworm that Jia Qingcheng had given him. With that protective heavenly silkworm, his entire life had been smooth and stable, never tormented by illness. It was a wonderful thing. Now that he knew she had gone to retrieve it, he naturally couldn't wait to get his hands on it. Jia Qingcheng still said nothing. Pei Wuliang glanced at her, then suddenly laughed... So that was it. In his previous life, Jia Qingcheng didn't like him being so direct. She enjoyed giving him different surprises. Now, she must be trying to add some playfulness to their relationship. Fine, then. "Alright, alright. I understand what you mean. If I have to ask for it, then it's no longer a gift. Just pretend I never asked. Is that acceptable?" Jia Qingcheng: "..." "I understand. I'll leave now. But the things I asked you to prepare—you must have them all ready. The eighth day of the sixth month is the auspicious day for me and Jiaojiao's wedding, and also the day for you and Prince Chu. You must have everything prepared before then, so Jiaojiao won't be ridiculed. If she loses face, Qingcheng, don't blame me." With that, Pei Wuliang said coldly, "I'm heading back now. Prepare everything soon, or else..." "Or else what?" Pei Wuliang paused for a moment, his face showing displeasure. "Qingcheng, I like you when you're obedient and sensible. Do you know that the way you are now is truly detestable—especially that face of yours!" With that, Pei Wuliang flicked his sleeves coldly. "I'm returning to the residence. I'll wait for your news." After Pei Wuliang left with his men, his attendant felt that the eldest Miss Jia had been acting strange lately. Not just lately—ever since the spring banquet, Miss Jia had been off. She seemed to have suddenly lost her enthusiasm for the young master. Now, no matter how he looked at it, she seemed cold and distant. Even her gaze toward the young master no longer held the same warmth as before. Though, that made sense—Jia Qingcheng, who thought she would be the legitimate wife, had suddenly become a concubine, and on top of that, she had to take Miss Jiaojiao's place in marrying the dying Prince Chu as his widow-to-be. A widow-to-be—how inauspicious. Who would be happy about that? "Master, this servant feels that the eldest Miss Jia has been acting strange?" "She's always been like this. I've seen it many times. Once she finishes handling the matters, I'll coax her a bit, buy her some dried mushrooms she likes and send them over. You'll see—she'll be back to following me around like a lovesick puppy, impossible to chase away!" "The young master is truly skilled, making both sisters infatuated with you." "Alright, let's go see Jiaojiao and see what she's up to." On this side, Pei Wuliang went off happily to find Song Jiaojiao. After he left, Jia Qingcheng walked out of the courtyard, her expression complicated as she watched the direction he had gone. "Miss, are you ready?" Outside, the maidservant Chunyan was already urging her. Jia Qingcheng took a deep breath. "Let's go." ... Outside Chu Wangfu, security was tight. When Jia Qingcheng arrived at the gates of Chu Wangfu with Chunyan, less than a quarter of an hour had passed since she announced her identity before the door was gently opened. Shortly after, Steward Xiao of Chu Wangfu slowly came out to greet her. "Miss Jia, the Prince is not receiving guests. Please, you should return." The Prince refusing to see her was within her expectations, but she was not anxious. "Please, Steward Xiao, go and inform the Prince that Jia Qingcheng has a gift to present, and I humbly request that the Prince grant me an audience." A gift? Steward Xiao looked at her with sympathy and let out a deep sigh. "Miss Jia, there's no need for you to say more. The Prince is still unconscious and cannot receive guests." She had already anticipated that the Prince would be unconscious. After all, with him vomiting so much blood every day, his body had long been depleted. "Steward, who is in charge of the manor right now?" In charge? Steward Xiao paused for a moment. "The Noble Consort has left the manor to pray for the Prince's recovery. For now, this old servant is managing the household." "Steward, please take me to see the Prince. I have studied medicine since childhood, and perhaps I can awaken him." What? She could awaken the Prince? Steward Xiao hesitated, but he was not quite convinced by her words. Although the Jia family had run a medicine shop for generations, he had never heard that the young lady of the Jia family knew how to practice medicine. "Please, let me try." In the end, her sincerity moved Steward Xiao. After all, the Prince's days were growing fewer and fewer—everyone was well aware of that. The young lady of the Jia family was to marry into the household next month; it would not hurt to let her see the Prince. And so, Jia Qingcheng saw the legendary Prince Chu for the first time. She was led into the room and waited behind a folding screen until Steward Xiao had made the arrangements, after which he came to summon her. "Miss, please." Jia Qingcheng slowly approached the bed. When she saw the Prince's face deathly pale, his eyes deeply sunken, and his entire appearance ravaged by illness—especially the black traces of blood still lingering at the corners of his lips—her heart tightened. The Prince's Gu poison could not be delayed any longer. "Steward, please step outside. I need to take the Prince's pulse." "This..." Chunyan saw through the steward's unease. "Steward, rest assured. My young lady is the future Princess Consort Chu. No one wants the Prince to recover more than she does."