Chapter 327: Countermeasure

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Following up with a shy voice, “Brother-in-law, you’ve given me many valuable gifts, but I haven’t been able to offer anything in return. However, this fruit wine was brewed by my own hands, so please accept it as a token of my gratitude. i hope you won’t find it lacking.”

Taking the porcelain bottle from Jiang Sijin’s hand, Xiao Nanye held it up to his nose and took a sniff, then smiled at Jiang Sijin, “This wine is good. I like it a lot.”

“If you like it, that’s great. 1 will brew more next time.”

“This was my first time brewing, so the amount of wine produced was quite limited.”

Saying this, Jiang Si Jin looked a bit embarrassed.

After presenting the wine to Xiao Nanye, Jiang Sijin walked over to Cao Jun.

She also handed him a white porcelain bottle, saying, “Second brother-in-law, this is for you.”

“I get one too? Thank you, little sister.”

Seeing the fruit wine Jiang Sijin presented to him, Cao Jun smiled and his face showed his usual refined demeanor.

“What about mine? Don’t I get one?”

Seeing that Jiang Sijin had distributed wine to everyone but him, Jiang Songbai couldn’t help but speak up.

Hearing him, Jiang Sijin said awkwardly, “The bottle for Third Uncle was the last one. I genuinely don’t have any more. Next time, I’ll make it up to you.”

“I knew it.”

Upon hearing Jiang Sijin’s words, Jiang Songbai looked disappointed but didn’t press further.

Jiang Peihuan sat next to the old madam and watching the scene unfold with a smile.

In this lifetime, everyone in the Jiang family was alive and well.

After having dinner in Old Madam Jiang’s hall, Jiang Peihuan went to Xue Yan’s residence with Xiao Nanye.

“Father, mother, I have something important to discuss with you.”

Sitting down on a chair, Jiang Peihuan looked seriously at the couple.

Seeing her solemn expression, Xue Yan and Jiang Hong became worried. “Huan Er, did something happen?”

“Mother, the emperor wants to bestow the fourth princess to elder brother.”

“What did you say?”

Hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words, Xue Yan almost knocked over her tea cup, but Jiang Hong grabbed her hand.

Seeing Xue Yan’s reaction, Jiang Peihuan quickly explained the situation and continued, “Father, I believe the Emperor will summon you to the palace tomorrow.”

“I’m afraid I have to think of a way to refuse.”

“Even though your father handed over the commander seal, making the Emperor less wary of the Jiang family, it doesn’t mean we can defy the Emperor repeatedly.”

Hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words, Xue Yan murmured, her eyes filled with worry.

Jiang Hong and Xiao Nanye remained silent.

After a moment, Xiao Nanye suddenly spoke, “To defy the decree, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the Jiang family.”

Hearing the man’s voice, the three members of the Jiang family looked at him.

Meeting their gaze, Xiao Nanye calmly stated, “From what I know, the Fourth Princess, being spoiled by Dream Empress, is very unruly. The Dream Empress has always wanted to marry the Fourth Princess to her nephew.”

“So she introduced the Fourth Princess to Zhao’s son a long time ago. If this information reaches the Fourth Princess, Dream Empress, and the Zhao family, they’ll be even more anxious than the Jiang family.”

“It seems we need to find a way to let this news reach the Fourth Princess.”

“I’ll get someone to do this.”

Hearing Xiao Nanye’s words, Jiang Peihuan nodded without saying anything.

Regarding Xiao Nanye’s knowledge of palace matters, Jiang Peihuan was not surprised at all. After all, Xiao Nanye grew up in the palace, so it’s quite common for him to be aware of these things.

With a plan in place, the worry in Xue Yan’s eyes had somewhat diminished. Seeing that Jiang Peihuan and Xiao Nanye were still sitting, she whispered, “Huan Er, you and the king must be tired after your journey. It would be best if you both returned to Plum Garden to rest.”

“Yes.”

After paying their respects to Jiang Hong and Xue Yan, Jiang Peihuan and Xiao Nanye headed back to Plum Garden.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, a white figure rushed towards Jiang Peihuan. Who else could it be if not Xiao Bai?

When Xiao Bai reached Jiang Peihuan, it stopped but kept circling around her excitedly. Seeing Xiao Bai’s enthusiastic behavior, Jiang Peihuan bent down to pet its head, “Xiao Bai, you’ve grown bigger again.”

The current Xiao Bai probably weighed close to 400 pounds, its head reaching up to Jiang Peihuan’s waist. As Jiang Peihuan reached out to pet Xiao Bai, it licked her hand.

Perhaps it had been a while since they met. Xiao Nanye, watching this scene, didn’t say anything but also reached out to pet Xiao Bai. Xiao Bai, perhaps recognizing the king from a long time ago, licked his hand in return, much to Xiao Nanye’s dismay.

“Alright, let’s go inside.”

“King and Queen Cheng, your bed is ready. Rest well and if you need anything, just call me,” Yue Er said standing by the door. After paying her respects, she left.

Neither Yue Er nor Lu Er liked to hover when Xiao Nanye and Jiang Peihuan were alone. Jiang Peihuan understood why, but Xiao Nanye seemed a bit puzzled. He raised an eyebrow and asked, “Am I that intimidating? Why do your maids run off when they see me?”

Hearing his words, Jiang Peihuan chuckled, “It’s not that you’re intimidating. They just don’t want to be caught up in any potential trouble.”

His confusion cleared with her explanation. Smiling, Xiao Nanye commented, “The people around you are quite cleaver.”

“Of course.”

Both Jiang Peihuan and Xiao Nanye were genuinely tired, and after chatting a while, they soon lay down to sleep.

Yet, that night, many found it hard to sleep.

In the mansion of Prince Qing, Xiao Junhao sat in his study. Facing Pei Wu, he asked coldly, “Are you certain the Empress is pregnant?”

“It was Queen Cheng and the head of the Imperial Academy of Medicine both confirmed it. It’s very likely true.”

“The Empress is pregnant after all these years without any sign of pregnancy. Why now?” Xiao Junhao’s eyes were filled with jealousy.

Others might not understand, but he was acutely aware of his father’s desire for a legitimate heir. Isn’t that why a Crown Prince hasn’t been named after all these years? Saving the position for a legitimate heir?

“According to my investigation, it seems the Queen Cheng helped nurse the Empress back to health.”

“It’s her again, Jian Peihuan, why does she always have to go against me?”

Xiao Junhao exclaimed, crushing the tea cup in his hand. The shards dug into his palm, but he felt no pain.

When Pei Wu saw this scene, he couldn’t help but frown, “Your Highness, there’s no need to overthink. It’s not certain if the Empress will give birth successfully. And even if she does, it might not be a prince. It could be a princess.”

“Yes, I still have a chance. Now that the Empress is just pregnant, there’s still ten months before the birth..”