After the ceremony ended, the Lin Family called Jiang Chen and Jiang Shuyue into the rear courtyard.
Lin Fang pretended to know nothing and glared at Jiang Chen. "I hear you want to marry my daughter. Do you think you're up to it?"
"Absolutely! I guarantee you'll have two grandchildren to hold within three years, Father-in-law!"
Pfft!
Lin Fang nearly choked to death. Was that what he had meant?
Lin Fang said, "I'm asking whether you think you're worthy of my daughter! Let me tell you, Shuangshuang is the treasure I raised in the palm of my hand. She absolutely cannot marry some good-for-nothing. If you don't shake off those wastrel ways, I'll slap you silly!"
Jiang Chen sobbed inwardly.
He might have been a bit of a rascal, but he wasn't a real wastrel. Jiang Liuli and Jiang An had egged him on to visit all those places.
Heaven and earth could bear witness-he had never even held those girls' hands!
Jiang Shuyue: [My second brother is such an idiot. Can't he hear that Lord Lin has already softened? Hurry up and make your position clear!]
Jiang Chen froze, then immediately dropped to his knees with a beaming smile. "Rest assured, Father-in-law! I'll treat Shuangshuang well. If I ever let her suffer the slightest grievance, may I die a horrible death, and may my son be born without an assh-"
"Enough, enough!"
Lin Fang nearly kicked him. "Who would your son be? My grandson! You loose-tongued fool, get yourself back home!"
Jiang Chen looked utterly dejected. "Back home? Father-in-law, why are you sending me home? You haven't agreed to let me marry Shuangshuang yet. I'm not leaving!"
Lin Fang was nearly beside himself with anger.
Hadn't he made himself clear enough?
Did he have to spell it out even more plainly?
Smiling, Jiang Shuyue pressed a hand on Jiang Chen's head.
"Marriage requires the parents' consent and a matchmaker's word. Although my second uncle has already come to visit, my parents ought to come in person too."
"We'll go home and tell our parents right away. We'll be sure to choose an auspicious day to pay you a visit."
Jiang Chen blinked, then grinned like a delighted monkey.
"Don't worry, Father-in-law! I'll go tell Mother right now. Shuangshuang, wait for me!"
Jiang Chen dashed out of the Lin Family's residence.
Jiang Shuyue was exasperated. [Seriously? My brother just abandoned me? I don't even have a carriage. How am I supposed to get home?]
"Yue'er, shall your second uncle take you home?"
Jiang Shuyue had been too absorbed in enjoying the gossip earlier to get a good look at him.
Now that she looked closely, she felt Liu Ning truly lived up to being her uncle.
She was beautiful, and Liu Ning was handsome too.
Jiang Shuyue nodded with a smile. On the way home, Liu Ning bought her plenty of snacks and little trinkets.
Once they were in the carriage, Liu Ning tried to sound casual as he fished for information. "Yue'er, how have you and your father been getting along lately?"
"Pretty well."
Jiang Shuyue: [I remember Second Uncle's character profile. He looks cultured, but he's ruthless underneath, and fiercely protective of his own. If he could slaughter Jiang An...]
[Sinful, sinful. I'm aiming to ascend to immortality. How can I entertain thoughts like that?]
[Besides, scourges live for a thousand years. Jiang An will probably live to a hundred.]
Liu Ning nearly exploded with anger.
When his sister's letter arrived, none of the family had dared believe it. Only when his eldest nephew came to ask them for a few loyal servants did the Liu Family realize something had happened.
Liu Ning wanted to confirm it with his own ears. "Yue'er, do you hate your father? And your mother?"
"No. My parents brought me into this world. What right do I have to hate them?"
Jiang Shuyue: [My mother is just a hopeless romantic at worst. That's hardly enough to hate her for. But my father... heh, heh. If I get the chance, I'd still like to practice carving flowers on his little fellow!]
Liu Ning held himself back. ...This little brat says one thing and thinks another. She really takes after me!
The system suddenly chimed in: [Host, your second uncle is quite a ruthless character too. Want to hear his gossip?]
Liu Ning: ...Wait, who's supposed to be fishing for information here?
The system: [Your second uncle still couldn't speak at three. Your grandfather thought he was mute and searched everywhere for renowned physicians, but none of their treatments worked. Just when the whole family was about to give up, your second uncle finally spoke!]
[Good grief, it was fine while he stayed silent, but once he opened his mouth, he gave everyone a fright. From then on, the Liu Family never had a moment's peace. Only after your mother was born did your second uncle meet his match.]
[When your second uncle climbed onto the roof to tear off the tiles, your mother stood below waving a flag and cheering him on. When your second uncle pulled out his teacher's beard, your mother chased him all over the house with a broom.]
[Your second uncle spent his childhood under your mother's candy and whip. The bond between that brother and sister is beyond what ordinary people could compare to!]
Jiang Shuyue: [So my second uncle isn't just obsessed with his sister. He's a masochist too!]
The system: [And there's more. Actually, the woman your second uncle loves is...]
"Yue'er, we've reached the Marquis’s Residence. The marquis's eldest son seems to be waiting for you at the gate."
Jiang Shuyue hopped down from the carriage, and Zhou Shiye bowed with impeccable courtesy. "Mother, I knew you would be returning soon, so I came here especially to wait for you. Are you well?"
Zhou Shiye abruptly turned his gaze toward Liu Ning.
Jiang Shuyue had never been well regarded by her maternal relatives. They hadn't even shown up for her wedding.
Now they had come to cozy up to her, and who knew what they were plotting?
Zhou Shiye had deliberately waited at the gate to lend her his support.
He wanted them to know that Jiang Shuyue now had someone backing her. She was no longer someone they could bully at will.
Jiang Shuyue: [Aww, my son is so handsome and thoughtful. I really want to give him a kiss!]
Zhou Shiye and Liu Ning: That really won't be necessary!
Liu Ning took out an exquisite little box and handed it to Jiang Shuyue.
"Your grandfather asked me to give you this. When your mother said she was sending you to the Marquis’s Residence, he refused to agree and sulked at home."
"Your eldest uncle and I were away inspecting the salt trade, so we missed your wedding. Take this small token for now. Come home for your birthday next month, and I'll have a surprise ready for you!"
Only a fool would turn down money.
She loved receiving gifts more than anything!
"Thank you, Uncle! Goodbye, Uncle!"
With a beaming smile, Jiang Shuyue pulled Zhou Shiye inside.
Liu Ning let out a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness the little brat had shown up in time. Otherwise, his secret would have been exposed!
Humming a tune, Liu Ning was about to climb into his carriage when Jiang Shuyue's inner voice suddenly reached him.
Jiang Shuyue: [System, who exactly is this woman my second uncle loves that you were talking about?]
The system: [Consort Hui.]
Jiang Shuyue was stunned. [Holy shit! Second Uncle really has guts! He even dares covet the emperor's woman. Now that's a real man!]
Liu Ning nearly burst into tears.
If this went wrong, he could lose his head. She couldn't go saying things like that!
Liu Ning hurried off. He absolutely had to get his sister to talk some sense into Yue'er. Not every piece of gossip was safe to feast on!
After Jiang Chen returned home, he finished counting out the betrothal gifts that very night.
There were a full fifty large chests and ten cartloads of gifts. The sight made Jiang An's heart bleed.
Jiang An said, "Wife, Chen'er is still young. Is it appropriate for him to marry now? Besides, our eldest hasn't found anyone yet. How can the second son marry first?"
Jiang Wujie waved a hand. "It's fine. A man should establish a family and a career. It's rare for my second brother to be willing to settle down. As his elder brother, I'm delighted."
"My eldest brother understands me best! At the wedding feast, I'll drink two extra cups to toast you!"
Jiang An's face was about to collapse.
It had only been a few days, and Jiang Chen was already getting married-and taking a third of the family's wealth with him as a dowry.
Seeing so much of his money vanish made him feel as though a cat were clawing at his heart.
"But the Lin Family isn't a wealthy household. Aren't we making this too extravagant?"
Jiang Chen was displeased. "So what if they aren't wealthy? This is the dowry Mother prepared for me in the first place. It would be the same amount no matter whom I married."
"Does it pain you, Father? Or... are you reluctant to let me spend the money?"
Before you continue