Chu Ruoyan did not answer. Instead, she turned to Yan Zhao and said, "For this entire month, you must be extremely careful. You absolutely must not have any physical contact with Princess Jiahui, especially in front of others! The Emperor likely intends to use your reputation as a pretext. Once you and the princess have a formal connection, he can rightfully annul your engagement to Ruolan. Do you understand?"
Yan Zhao felt a chill run down his spine and nodded emphatically.
Chu Ruolan sniffled and said, "You dead fish! If you dare marry that princess, I... I'll really stew you and feed you to the turtles, hear me?"
Yan Zhao had no choice but to swear another oath. After finally managing to placate her, he said, "Oh, Third Sister-in-law, there's one more thing about Wen Jing... The teacher at the Imperial College said he's been sneaking out by climbing over the wall recently, disappearing for entire mornings. I asked the little rascal about it, but he wouldn't tell me. I'm afraid I must trouble you to look into this when you have a moment."
Chu Ruoyan nodded. "I'll remember it..."
Just as she was about to offer a few more words of caution, Yuetao suddenly ran in. "Madam! It's terrible! Prince Qin has won a great victory and is returning to the capital soon!"
At the mention of Prince Qin, everyone in the courtyard was reminded of Chu Ruoyin.
The entanglement between her, Prince Qin, and Jiang Huaian, especially everything that happened at that wedding banquet, was still vivid in their minds.
Lady Jiang the Younger immediately said, "Ruolan, go to your Second Sister right now. Tell her... tell her I'm ill and she must return immediately to attend to me!"
Chu Ruolan acknowledged the order and left with Yan Zhao.
Lady Jiang the Younger then looked at Chu Ruoyan. "Eldest Miss, what do you think about this matter..."
Chu Ruoyan understood her meaning. "Aunt, you don't want Second Sister to have any further involvement with Prince Qin?"
Lady Jiang the Younger sighed heavily. "That child Ruoyin has suffered too much because of Prince Qin. She was finally about to marry Huaian, but then because of that sworn sibling matter, the wedding didn't even happen! It's improper to say, but whenever Prince Qin is around, nothing good happens to Ruoyin! So, I want Huaian to return the congratulatory gift Prince Qin sent and then go to the Ministry of Revenue to dissolve the sworn sibling relationship. That way, Father won't obstruct Ruoyin from entering the Jiang family..."
Chu Ruoyan said, "Your idea is good, Aunt. But I'm afraid Second Sister she might..."
"I'm also afraid Ruoyin might soften her heart. So, the best course is to prevent her from seeing Prince Qin before everything is settled!"
Lady Jiang the Younger was very resolute, having clearly made up her mind. Seeing this, Chu Ruoyan felt it unwise to say more.
At the same time, in the accounting courtyard.
Chu Ruoyin was watering the flowers when Chu Ruolan suddenly ran in. "Second Sister! It's terrible! Mother has fallen ill! Come back with me quickly to see her!"
Chu Ruoyin hastily put down the watering can and followed her out. She overheard some neighbors discussing.
"Have you heard? He won a great victory and is returning soon!"
"Of course! I heard the Emperor is ordering all officials to welcome him and will personally greet him at the Hongwu Gate. Such grandeur!"
Hearing the words "won a victory," her heart involuntarily trembled.
Her steps slowed as she tried to listen more clearly, but Chu Ruolan grabbed her wrist. "Second Sister, Mother is very ill and keeps calling for you. Hurry and come back with me!"
Chu Ruoyin had no choice but to get into the carriage with her, but she couldn't help asking, "Is someone returning?"
Chu Ruolan brushed it off with a laugh. "It must be Eldest Brother-in-law, right? Second Sister, you know how capable Eldest Brother-in-law is. He must have been invincible in the southern barbarian lands, beating those barbarian dogs to a pulp!"
A flicker of disappointment passed through Chu Ruoyin's eyes, and she asked no more.
Three days later.
Prince Qin returned in triumph.
All four gates of the capital were thrown open, and the city's populace flocked to the city gates hoping to catch a glimpse of the prince's majestic bearing.
Outside the city gate, Prince Qin sat tall on his large horse, looking imposing and awe-inspiring.
Yet, he stopped ten paces from the city wall.
"Your Highness? What's wrong?" Changhua asked.
Murong Jin did not speak, only gazing deeply at the capital's main gate. After a long while, he asked, "How long have we been gone?"
Changhua was taken aback, scratching his head. "I can't remember clearly. It must have been several months, right?"
Several months... then she should already be married...
Perhaps even with child...
The thought twisted his heart with pain. Changhua hurriedly said, "Your Highness, you are still injured. You must not dwell on such thoughts!"
Murong Jin raised his hand to stop him. After a good while, he said, "Do not mention this matter to anyone. Let's go."
On Chang'an Street, the crowd surged.
The common people craned their necks, cheering and celebrating jubilantly.
Murong Jin drove his horse forward with an expressionless face, yet his eyes couldn't help scanning the crowd.
Indeed, she was not there...
Of course, she was already a married woman of the Jiang family. How could she appear in public like an ordinary girl?
A self-mocking smile touched his lips. Suddenly, a familiar voice called out, "Prince Qin, please wait!"
His whole body stiffened. He turned his head and saw Jiang Huaian, elegant in blue robes, standing there amidst the crowd.
"Whoa—"
Reining in his horse, Murong Jin dismounted and walked straight up to him. "So it's my sworn sister's husband. She... are you both well?"
From Murong Jin's expression, Jiang Huaian knew he was still thinking of her.
A strong sense of crisis compelled him not to explain. Instead, he took out a deed from his robes. "We are honored by Your Highness's regard. You previously gifted these fifty-eight shops on Suzaku Avenue as a wedding present. However, we cannot accept such a reward without merit. Please take this back."
Murong Jin clenched his fist. "These properties originally belonged to the Jiang family. This prince was merely returning them to their rightful owner..."
"Your Highness overstates the matter. These shops were relinquished by the Jiang family. There is no 'returning to the rightful owner' to speak of. Please—"
He insisted on returning them. Changhua angrily said, "How can you be so ungrateful? Besides, my prince gifted them to—"
"Changhua!"
Murong Jin sharply interrupted, fearing that Changhua's words might make her life difficult in the Jiang family.
Taking a deep breath, he said, "Since the Jiang family does not want them, take them back."
Changhua snatched them away.
Jiang Huaian spoke again. "There is one more thing. The sworn sibling contract between Prince Qin and Ruoyin... please dissolve it as well."
"!!!"
Murong Jin instantly looked up, his gaze sharp as a blade piercing Jiang Huaian. "What did you say?"
Jiang Huaian did not yield an inch, meeting his gaze directly. "After all, you are an unmarried man and she an unmarried woman. Please understand, Your Highness."
"You go too far! My prince has already yielded Miss Chu to you, keeping only the sibling title. Can you not even tolerate that?" Changhua roared.
Jiang Huaian remained silent, only looking at Prince Qin.
After a long silence, Murong Jin asked, "Is it her wish?"
Jiang Huaian still did not speak, but Murong Jin understood. He nodded. "Very well. Changhua, go to the Ministry of Revenue immediately and dissolve this prince's sworn sibling contract with Chu... with Madam Jiang."
"Your Highness!"
Once this bond was broken, even the last thread of connection would be gone.
Murong Jin said firmly, "Go!"
Changhua, utterly unwilling, had no choice but to turn and leave. Having obtained this agreement, Jiang Huaian finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Prince Qin did not acknowledge the thanks, only saying, "Treat her well. Do not hurt her again."
With that, he mounted his horse, whipped it, and galloped away, leaving the chattering crowd and a somewhat dazed Jiang Huaian behind.
At the Hongwu Gate, all officials gathered to welcome him.
The Emperor personally took Prince Qin's hand, and they entered the palace gate side by side.
In the Fengtian Hall, the assembled ministers offered their congratulations.
After praising him, the Emperor said with a smile, "Prince Qin, do you recall what you said before your expedition? That if you were fortunate enough to return to court, you would heed the Empress Dowager's decree and welcome a noble lady into your residence?"
Murong Jin answered in a low, solemn voice, "As you command." The Emperor continued, "Then this matter is settled. The Empress Dowager has already made her selection. The sister of Jiang Buyi, the Director of the Imperial Astrological Observatory, is known for her gentleness, virtue, wisdom, and cultivated grace. She is hereby specially bestowed upon you to be the Princess of Qin. What is your opinion on this?"
