Chapter 108: 108. What’s so funny? (Updated once)
Translator: 549690339
Nian Jincheng’s face slightly tensed, “Your Highness, what do you mean?”
Duanmu Chen chuckled, “I don’t know about other things, but let me mention one. Wasn’t it rumored some time ago that your fourth sister was to enter the crown prince’s mansion as his imperial concubine?”
Nian Jincheng nodded, “Yes, that’s true.”
At that time, Nian Ruxue was very troubled and confided in Nian Jincheng on numerous occasions.
It was unclear why the matter eventually fell through.
Later, when she mentioned her desire to take the Military Exam and become the Top Scholar to gain control over her own marriage, she alluded to that incident, stating that she didn’t want to be manipulated by others anymore.
Perhaps other members of the Nian Family knew the inside story, but Nian
Jincheng did not, nor did Nian Ruxue, who claimed to be in the dark as well. She even speculated that the crown prince might have taken a fancy to someone else.
“Do you know why it didn’t work out?” Duanmu Chen asked.
Nian Jincheng shook his head.
“It’s because the emperor took a fancy to her.” Duanmu Chen said with a faint smile.
Nian Jincheng looked at Duanmu Chen in disbelief, “How is that possible?”
“I believe you don’t know because you’re not the kind of person who lies. This matter is indeed a secret, but your fourth sister should be the most aware of it. Why do you think she didn’t tell you?” Duanmu Chen countered.
Nian Jincheng’s face darkened, “Your Highness, please be cautious about making such claims without evidence.”
Duanmu Chen snorted lightly, ‘We’ve worked together, and I’ve come to appreciate you, so I felt compelled to inform you so you wouldn’t be sold out behind your back. Although I’m not sure what’s going on between the emperor and your sister, I can confirm that a few days before the matter of your sister becoming the crown prince’s imperial concubine was canceled, she met with the emperor alone at Changchun Garden.”
Changchun Garden was the most famous opera house in the capital city, frequented not only by nobles but also by the royal family. The Empress Dowager enjoyed listening to opera and found the stage and scenery at Changchun Garden to be the best, so she’d occasionally visit.
“It must have been a chance encounter.” Nian Jincheng said gravely.
“The emperor’s outings outside the palace are never by chance.” Duanmu Chen snorted.
Nian Jincheng furrowed his brows, “Then why didn’t the emperor…”
“Take her into the palace?” Duanmu Chen’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Of course, he had to wait for the rumors to die down and then wait for the right moment. Your sister’s ambitions are sky-high! I think, if she had initially been promised the position of crown princess, she would have happily accepted. But being a crown Drince’s imDerial concubine didn’t interest her. Whv not be an emperor’s concubine when it’s more prestigious? If I were her, I’d choose the same.”
Duanmu Chen, having grown up immersed in the royal family, had seen all manner of treacherous figures. He couldn’t have been clearer about Nian Ruxue’s schemes.
Essentially, Duanmu Chen and Nian Ruxue were birds of a feather—both ambitious and prioritizing their own interests.
Duanmu Chen’s face bore a mocking expression, “You can pretend to be ignorant, but when the time comes for her to enter the palace, I wonder if she’ll put on an act, playing the role of a self-sacrificing daughter for the sake of the family, making you feel like you haven’t protected her well enough. In the future, you’ll become her unwavering guardian, paving the way for her and even becoming a stepping stone for her future sons! From this perspective, you’re indeed very useful to her. Which prince wouldn’t want a military commander for an uncle? It’s a pity I’m not so fortunate.”
Nian Jincheng’s face darkened to its utmost, and after a long silence, he said, “What if it was just a chance encounter the emperor took a liking to her during, and instead of letting her marry the crown prince, he intended to find a suitable moment to bring her into the Imperial Harem, but she’s completely unaware of it?”
Duanmu Chen rubbed his forehead, “It seems like all my explanations just now were in vain! The emperor has seen many beauties, and in my eyes, your fourth sister is no different from the common and vulgar beauties in the capital apart from being your sister and Gu Ling’s former fiancée. I don’t think the emperor would fall for her at first sight. Who knows what methods she used? I didn’t have to tell you any of this; you’re free to disbelieve it and continue to regard her as pure and flawless, as someone with unparalleled talent. She’d be overjoyed if you do!”
Nian Jincheng’s face was as still as water, “Why do you want to tell me all this,
Your Highness?”
Duanmu Chen had no reason to deceive Nian Jincheng about this matter, nor was he interested in Nian Ruxue. Even though he was leaving the capital, he’d undoubtedly have informants constantly monitoring the movements of people within the royal family. As such, he knew many things that Nian Jincheng didn’t and couldn’t possibly know.
“Of course, I want to win you over. I’ve mentioned this to you before.” Duanmu Chen scoffed, “Don’t be naive and think that staying out of the matter means you won’t be affected. If you don’t make a choice now, by the time your dear sister picks her spouse and the Nian Family’s future intentions are clear, you won’t even have the chance to choose!”
Nian Jincheng’s mind flashed back to Ning Jing’s final words to him; his eyes dimmed even more. After a long silence, he said to Duanmu Chen, “Thank you for your appreciation, Your Highness. I will give this matter serious consideration.”
Su Family Village.
After the first sunny day following the snowfall, the village bustled with the celebration of Ning Jing’s prestigious academic achievement, the Top Scholar of the Imperial Exam.
The next day, Su Bai brought a detailed budget to Ning Jing and Su Liang to discuss the establishment of a school.
Su Liang was treating an old man from a neighboring village and wasn’t available. Ning Jing reviewed the budget plan that Su Bai brought over, and there were no issues. There were many details that Ning Jing and Su Liang had not considered because they didn’t understand, showing that Su Bai had put in effort.
“Can we start the construction now?” Ning Jing asked.
Su Bai shook his head, “The ground is frozen, we’ll have to wait until next spring to start.”
“Yes. By then, we will already be gone, and we will leave the money behind.” Ning Jing said.
Su Bai let out a sigh of relief, “Since you think it’s feasible, I can be at ease.
Thank you on behalf ot the entire village!”
“There’s no need. Just thank Su Liang.” Ning Jing said.
Su Bai glanced towards the door, making sure Su Liang wasn’t around, and lowered his voice consciously, “What are your plans in the future?”
Back then, because of Yan Shiba’s meddling, Su Bai had asked Ning Jing and Su Liang about this matter.
That time, their fake marriage was exposed and they became sworn siblings instead.
Now, although Su Bai was asking the same question, the meaning was completely different, as was his mindset.
“We’ll take it step by step.” Ning Jing said.
Su Bai frowned, “Do you really not like our Liang girl?”
This was a question asked in the tone of a family member of Su Liang’s maternal family.
Ning Jing was silent for a moment before saying, “I do like her. But it’s not the love between a man and a woman.”
Su Bai didn’t understand, “You’re a man, and she’s a woman. If it’s not love between a man and a woman, then what is it?”
Ning Jing uttered four words, “Brotherly friendship.”
He initially wanted to say brother and sister, but he thought that wasn’t right.
If she was his sister, he would have to pamper and protect her. But ever since they met, they had collaborated on basically everything, even taking turns driving the carriage every other day.
Su Liang believed that division of labor was entirely reasonable, and she was willing to do so. She never asked Ning Jing to take it easy on her just because she was a woman.
Ning Jing also thought that this pattern was good. At the beginning, he found out that Su Liang had been a soldier in her previous life, and he believed that accepting her division of labor was the best way to respect her character and abilities.
So much time had passed, and because of Su Bai’s question, Ning Jing, for the first time, thought earnestly about his attitude towards Su Liang.
Leaving aside the division of labor they had agreed upon, and no matter what Su Liang thought.
From his perspective, he didn’t want to shield her from all difficulties and troubles.
He hoped that Su Liang would grow and become strong on her own, without relying on anyone, and be able to control her own life.
In doing so, his attitude towards her was the same as it had been initially towards Nian Jincheng.
Su Bai had no response. He was about to leave when he saw Su Liang coming over, so he said earnestly, “Liang Girl, when you meet a good man in the future, you should consider your lifelong matters.”
With that, he left.
Su Liang was somewhat confused. Standing at the door, she asked Ning Jing,
“What did you talk about with Uncle Bai?”
“He asked if I liked you, I said it was just brotherly affection, and he left.” Ning Jing told the truth.
Su Liang laughed instantly, “Elders always hope that the younger generation will get married and settle down sooner. You have a successful career, a lot of wealth, you’re very beautiful, and kind -hearted. Now that Uncle Bai sees you like this, he must feel that there’s no one better for his daughter-in-law, and he would want the fat water to not flow into the fields of outsiders. But if he were to ask me, I would say the same thing as you. Who would want to marry a man who doesn’t know how to laugh? Haha!”
Su Liang went back to her room, and her laughter still lingered in Ning Jing’s ears.
Through the window, Ning Jing looked at the two snowmen in the courtyard that hadn’t melted yet and frowned slightly, “What’s so funny….”