The Double-Chapter 739 - 222 Visiting

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Chapter 739: Chapter 222 Visiting

The Ye Family and the Jiang Family were thrown into complete disarray by this sudden imperial marriage decree, yet the Yin Mansion was a haven of quiet.

The servants here had been in Yunzhong for a long time. The local customs of Yunzhong were simple and forthright, not bustling like Yanjing City. As Yin Zhan was also a general, the young servants in the household moved silently, much like they had picked up the habits of the barracks, quite unlike other residences. Seeing the unpleasant expressions on their masters’ faces tonight, the servants dared not speak too much.

After dismounting from the carriage and entering the mansion, Madam Yin wanted to take Yin Zhiqing back to their quarters straightaway. Yin Zhiqing wriggled free and took a few steps towards Yin Zhan, wanting to say something but finding herself at a loss for words. Her lips quivered, and she was close to bursting into tears.

Yin Zhan glanced at her and said, "Zhiqing, go back to your room with your mother first."

Yin Zhiqing blinked, and Yin Zhili patted her shoulder, saying softly, "We can talk about anything tomorrow. It’s very late now, Zhiqing."

Madam Yin also nodded, anxiously watching Yin Zhiqing. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Yin Zhiqing turned abruptly and ran back to her quarters, ignoring her mother’s calls from behind. Madam Yin could only smile helplessly at Yin Zhan and Yin Zhili, apologizing, before she followed after her daughter.

Yin Zhili watched Yin Zhiqing’s retreating figure and sighed.

Yin Zhiqing was beautiful and charming, delicate and lovely, but in truth, Yin Zhan’s deepest affections were for his son, Yin Zhili. Although he doted on Yin Zhiqing as well, it was not in the same intimate manner. He had raised Yin Zhili personally, teaching him to recognize characters, read, ride horses, and practice archery. Yin Zhiqing, on the other hand, was brought up by a wet nurse. Nevertheless, Yin Zhan had never neglected Yin Zhiqing in any way. And since the Yin Household had no other mistresses or concubines, illegitimate sons, or daughters of a concubine, Yin Zhiqing’s life had also been carefree and joyous.

However, compared to Yin Zhan, the relationship between the half-siblings, Yin Zhiqing and Yin Zhili, was actually better.

As Yin Zhili was lost in thought, the sound of Yin Zhan’s voice brought him back to reality, "Come with me."

Yin Zhili followed Yin Zhan to his study.

Under the light of the lamps, Yin Zhan’s face had lost its usual cheerfulness from the palace banquet. While it couldn’t be called gloomy, it was definitely not pleasant. He asked, "Do you know about what happened tonight?"

Yin Zhili shook his head, "I don’t."

"I guessed you didn’t know," Yin Zhan said. "Judging by Jiang Yuanbai’s demeanor today, he didn’t seem to be aware. Jih Heng’s actions were truly unexpected. Didn’t you get along well with Miss Jiang the Second before this?"

Yin Zhili suppressed the sourness in his heart and replied, "Yes, very well."

"That’s what makes it strange," Yin Zhan continued. "When Jiang Li received the decree today, she showed no surprise, she even smiled at me. I wondered if she was already aware of this and had colluded with Jih Heng. After all, Zhiqing once mentioned that when they first returned to Yanjing City, they had ridden in the same carriage."

Yes, Yin Zhili thought, that was the first time he saw Jiang Li.

"At first, I thought they shared a deep connection. Upon inquiry, I found out Jiang Li had been kidnapped by Prince Cheng’s men to Huangzhou, and just so happened to be rescued by Jih Heng, which is why they returned to Huangzhou together. But still, something feels off. Jih Heng doesn’t strike me as the type to act out of righteousness. The relationship between him and Jiang Li, indeed, is not simple. While there’s no solid evidence, I have a sense that Jih Heng deliberately orchestrated this move. Zhili," he looked at the young man, "during your interactions with Jiang Li, did you notice if she had someone in her heart?"

Yin Zhili felt an even deeper discomfort, but he only replied, "No, Miss Jiang the Second didn’t show it."

"Perhaps it was the Jiang Family’s doing," Yin Zhan said. "They might have informed Jih Heng of our intentions to establish marriage ties with them, allowing him to act first and obtain the imperial edict ahead of us. It’s too much of a coincidence otherwise."

"But isn’t Prime Minister Jiang willing to enter into marriage?" asked Yin Zhili, puzzled.

"Jiang Yuanbai is an old fox. He’s probably weighing his options, unable to make up his mind. It all comes down to seeing who is stronger between us and the Duke Residence. I underestimated him," Yin Zhan said with a laugh, but there was a chill in his smile.

Yin Zhili said nothing.

"This matter is not your fault, and it’s not that you are inferior to Jih Heng or that you failed to win over Miss Jiang the Second’s affection. It’s really because the Jiang Family was well prepared, with plans laid in place that we failed to anticipate."

Yin Zhili thought bitterly, that wasn’t the case. It was not like that at all. Miss Jiang the Second truly liked that man. The way she looked at Jih Heng and the hints about the fan, he had indeed lost to Jih Heng.

This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶

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