Chapter 8 – She’s Getting Married? What a Joke!

After Jiang Shiyuan finished speaking, everyone turned to look at her in unison—then all looked toward Pei Ziye.

Pei Ziye looked at his uncle in confusion and pointed at his own nose. “Can I… escort her?”

Pei Che didn’t say much. His eyes, dark and unreadable, glanced at Jiang Shiyuan. “Mm, go ahead.”

Jiang Shiyuan caught the look and inwardly sighed again—Pei Che really had a frightening amount of authority in the Pei family. Even something like escorting a person required his permission?

As she pondered this, she gave Pei Che a respectful bow before turning to get into the carriage.

Pei Ziye mounted his horse, brought along two Ye family servants, and followed behind the carriage to escort Jiang Shiyuan back home.

Watching the group depart, a sudden realization struck Pei Zanxue.

What did Sister Jiang just call Pei Ziye?

Young Master Pei?

Then the preferences she asked about earlier… were for Pei Ziye?

Could it be that Sister Jiang thought she was going to marry Pei Ziye?

No way!

The thought startled her so much that Pei Zanxue quickly shook her head.

How could that be? Something as major as a marriage—how could the Jiang family possibly make a mistake like that?

---

At the Wenyuan Marquis Residence—

Shen Luchu and Su Liluo were still waiting for Jiang Shiyuan to come and apologize.

Su Liluo lowered her gaze, speaking indignantly, “Jiang Shiyuan has always disliked me. It’s fine if she holds a grudge against me or says things about me, but she shouldn’t have spoken so rudely in public.”

As she finished, she quickly covered her mouth as if she’d said something she shouldn’t have.

Shen Luchu looked up. “What did she say about me?”

Su Liluo avoided his gaze. Her maid stepped forward instead, “Young Master Shen, that Jiang Shiyuan insulted you in front of everyone. She called you… filth!”

When Shen Luchu heard this, he felt a rush of hot blood surging through him, straight to his head. “What did she say? Filth?!”

Good—very good. Jiang Shiyuan, just a few days apart and you’ve gotten a lot bolder!

The maid continued, “Yes, she called you ‘filth.’ Everyone there heard it. Young Master Shen, you have to punish her properly when she comes. Best if she slaps her own mouth!”

“Zhi Chun, mind your tongue! Jiang Shiyuan is the General’s daughter. It’s not your place to talk about punishment,” Su Liluo quickly scolded.

Hmph, what daughter of a general? A little bandit from a nest of outlaws! If not for pity, she wouldn’t even bother speaking to her.

Shen Luchu’s face was dark, and the scroll in his hand was now crumpled.

“When she gets here, I’ll definitely teach her a lesson—and apologize to you afterward,” Shen Luchu said matter-of-factly.

“It’s my fault for speaking out of turn. Don’t be angry, Young Master. Maybe Jiang Shiyuan didn’t mean it that way…” Su Liluo said soothingly, though a trace of smugness flashed in her heart.

So what if she’s beautiful? The Jiang family has no power, no influence, and her mother’s reputation is disgraceful. What does she have to compete with her?

She’s overestimating herself!

Let’s see if she can still act high and mighty in front of Shen Luchu later!

Just then, footsteps approached from outside.

She’s here. Time for the show to begin.

Su Liluo looked eagerly toward the door, only to see Moyu rush in, panting.

She stared—Moyu had already knelt before Shen Luchu’s desk, but there was still no sign of Jiang Shiyuan.

Shen Luchu also glanced toward the door. No second person followed.

“Why are you back alone? Where’s Jiang Shiyuan?” he asked, displeased.

Moyu looked up. “Miss Jiang didn’t come. She said if Young Master Shen wants to see her, he should send an invitation to the General’s residence first.”

Shen Luchu laughed from anger. “I need to send an invitation to see her? What kind of airs is she putting on?”

Moyu hesitated, looked at her master, and finally said, “Miss Jiang also said… she’s getting married…”

“She’s getting married?!”

Shen Luchu and Su Liluo both cried out in disbelief, their faces shocked.

Moyu nodded. “Yes, Miss Jiang said she’s getting married and asked the Young Master to behave himself and stop bothering her.”

“She told me to behave myself?!”

It felt like someone had punched Shen Luchu in the chest—his heart tightened. But the sting passed quickly, replaced by a storm of anger and frustration.

He hadn’t even criticized her for being clingy, bold, and lacking manners, yet now she told him to behave?

Getting married?

To who?

Just because he forgot her birthday, she made up such a ridiculous lie?

Trying to play hard to get? Stir his jealousy?

Ridiculous!

Shen Luchu laughed again, though his face was grim. “Go tell her—if she’s really getting married, the Wenyuan Marquis residence will make sure to send a generous wedding gift!”

---

Meanwhile, under the setting sun, Jiang Shiyuan safely arrived at the General’s residence under Pei Ziye’s escort.

As the carriage stopped, Pei Ziye had already dismounted and placed the carriage stool.

“Be… be careful,” he stammered.

Though Jiang Shiyuan was younger than him, no one could withstand Uncle Pei’s iron fist. Pei Ziye didn’t dare be careless with his “little aunt.”

Watching his attentiveness, Jiang Shiyuan’s opinion of him improved again.

He might be lacking in scholarly talent, but he was considerate and sincere. Life after marriage with him probably wouldn’t be too difficult.

After getting off the carriage, Jiang Shiyuan turned to him. “Young Master Pei, can I ask you a question?”

Pei Ziye thought she was going to ask about his uncle and boldly replied, “Ask away! I promise to tell you everything I know!”

Seeing him so open, Jiang Shiyuan didn’t beat around the bush. “Do you have someone you like?”

Pei Ziye was already twenty. Despite his bad reputation, with the Pei family’s influence, he wouldn’t lack marriage prospects—unless he didn’t want any.

Pei Ziye froze, eyes wide. “???”

Worried he misunderstood, Jiang Shiyuan quickly added, “Even if you do, it’s okay. As long as your family agrees, I won’t object. Don’t worry.”

It was just a political marriage. She wouldn’t demand too much.

Whether he liked a woman or a man—as long as the Pei family agreed—she wouldn’t interfere.

Pei Ziye was stunned. He stupidly replied, “If you want to object… that’s fine too.”

Who is she? She’s Pei Che’s fiancée, the wife of the future Grand Tutor!

His father had staked everything to let him follow Uncle Pei for two years of training. His life practically depended on the Grand Tutor. He had no choice but to obey her—completely.

Jiang Shiyuan was taken aback by that answer. What did he mean? Did Pei Ziye want to become a loving husband and build a real relationship with her?

That… made her feel a little guilty.

All she wanted was for the Pei family to support her cousin when the time came.

Now that she had arrived safely, Pei Ziye didn’t dare linger. He took his leave and rode off with his men.

As Jiang Shiyuan turned to enter the house, a little distance away, Su Liluo stared in shock. “Zhi Chun, did I just see what I think I saw? Was that Pei Ziye escorting Jiang Shiyuan?”

Zhi Chun nodded. “It looked like the Pei family’s Young Master, Pei Ziye.”

Jiang Shiyuan said she was getting married, and Su Liluo hadn’t believed it at all.

That “hard to get” act was far too clumsy.

So after leaving the Shen residence, she detoured to the Jiang household, hoping to mock Jiang Shiyuan. But she hadn’t expected to see this.

Pei Ziye personally escorting Jiang Shiyuan home, chatting and laughing like a couple?

Could it be… Jiang Shiyuan really was getting married?

And to Pei Ziye?!