Chapter 1399 – Southern Prosperity, Autumn of Chaos (25)
“Big sis, big sis, what did Cheng Lady say? Are they engaged? Does she fancy her husband? Is her future husband short-lived? Does she want to have daughters?” Jiang Pengji had just returned when the little rascal who was swinging his small legs immediately rushed over without any shame.
Jiang Pengji swatted him away angrily, thinking this kid was simply asking for trouble!
“I’m thirsty!”
She raised an eyebrow at Liu Zhao, and her little sycophant hurried to fetch her tea, massaging her shoulders and legs with utmost enthusiasm.
Jiang Pengji said with satisfaction, “Yes, there is an engagement, but that match was rejected long ago, which turned out to be lucky for you. Unless something unexpected happens, this marriage is as good as settled. Once Cheng Sir gives his approval, I’ll have someone pick an auspicious day for the Ice Person to propose for you. Cheng Sir has strict family rules, so the wedding gifts must all be in order; you better behave…”
Liu Zhao’s face lit up like spring flowers, and he was ready to throw out all sorts of sweet talk without care.
If he were a lovesick girl, she might not have been able to resist his tempting words.
But alas, Jiang Pengji was his older sister, so instead of her heart racing, she slapped him across the face.
“What about the bride price? Have you thought about it?” Jiang Pengji asked expressionlessly.
Liu Zhao blankly responded, only to look at her with fiery determination; if he could transform, perhaps you could see his tail wagging behind him. Jiang Pengji clicked her tongue, “Ah Zhao, do you really expect me to cough up the money to marry you off?”
“Big sis, have some pity for your little brother.” Liu Zhao said naturally, “Big sis, look at your little brother; I’m hopeless, only capable of eating, drinking, and having fun. Weak, pitiful, and helpless, I can barely eat. If you don’t support me, our whole family will be living off the cold northwest winds.”
Jiang Pengji couldn’t believe how shameless he was; she felt both angry and amused, wishing she could slap him again.
“What are you planning to do with the assets left by our mother? How long do you intend to hide them?”
Jiang Pengji cut to the chase.
Don’t think she didn’t know that Gu Min left Liu Zhao a sizable inheritance before she passed. For her, it wasn’t much, but for Liu Zhao, it was enough to live a life full of riches. This kid didn’t lack money yet all day long pretended to be poor—how shameless!
Liu Zhao wanted to play dumb, but when he saw Jiang Pengji’s knowing eyes, he realized his secret wouldn’t hold up.
“Sigh, mother left me mountains of gold and silver, but your little brother just sits around and eats them away,” he lamented. “Also… being a lowborn son of a secondary house, if I suddenly come into so much money, I can’t ensure no one gets suspicious… Your minions are too clever; I’m afraid if I act carelessly, they’ll suddenly demand my life… Your little brother is really suffering, boo hoo!”
As he spoke, Liu Zhao felt a deep sense of grief.
Besides being a deadbeat, anything he did came with a life-threatening risk.
He wasn’t cut out for government, nor good at business. If he didn’t find a way to keep Jiang Pengji supporting him, what would he do in his old age?
Boo hoo (╥╯^╰╥)
Baby’s heart is heavy!
Jiang Pengji chuckled, “So, are you saying you want me to publicly restore your status as the legitimate third son?”
Hearing this, Liu Zhao nearly jumped three feet in fright.
His status as a bastard child was already under scrutiny by so many; if he were reinstated as a legitimate son, especially as a son from the same mother as Jiang Pengji, he wouldn’t survive to see the next sunrise! Did Qi Guanrang, Yang Si, and Feng Zhen eat raw meat? They would really plot to kill him!
“Big sis, please spare your little brother. You know how terrifying your clever followers are? They really might kill!” Liu Zhao felt like kneeling to Jiang Pengji.
Jiang Pengji couldn’t help but rub her forehead, “Stand up, don’t be so cowardly!”
Liu Zhao declared with righteous indignation, “This isn’t cowardice; it’s being wise to the times!”
Jiang Pengji shot back, “Tomorrow I’ll demand the bride price from father. He’ll pay half and I’ll pay half. After all, Cheng Sir’s precious daughter shouldn’t be slighted; if the bride price is too shabby, it will inevitably give a bad impression. We can’t afford to offend a scholar; we need to maintain our face.”
Liu Zhao hesitated, “Asking father for money… is that… really appropriate?”
Jiang Pengji kicked Liu Zhao lightly in frustration, snapping out, “You’re his son—not mine! Who doesn’t put up money when their son gets married?”
Liu Zhao clung to her leg, “Sister like a mother, can’t you show a little compassion?”
Jiang Pengji maintained a cold face, dragging Liu Zhao by the collar out and throwing him out the door, closing it behind her in a swift motion.
Liu Zhao rolled on the ground for a while, and seeing Jiang Pengji show no signs of softening, he let out a gentle sigh, flipped over, and gazed at the brilliant sunlight and the azure sky. Staring, he couldn’t help but curve his lips into a faint smile.
“Mother—please bless your son so he can get what he wishes for.”
In the dazzling sunlight, he lazily squinted, maintaining his reclining position, sprawled out for a little nap.
The passing maidservants chuckled softly and walked away.
Before long, news of Liu Residence preparing for a grand wedding spread, and everyone learned that Jiang Pengji’s bastard brother was getting married.
“Let him get married; he’s just a bastard after all. Why does the Lord indulge him so?” Yang Si grumbled while rolling in a sea of bamboo scrolls, deep black circles under his eyes almost rivaling the Iron-Eating Beast Wei Ci kept, “Not afraid of nurturing wild ambitions.”
Hearing this, Han Yu frowned deeply and noticed Yang Si slacking off; his excellent composure nearly broke.
He almost kicked over the mountain of scrolls next to him so that Yang Si would get buried under them and be rid of a great nuisance.
“That Liu Zhao is neither literate nor martial; with the Cheng family behind him, he poses no threat to the Lord,” Han Yu calmly analyzed. “If we can’t even tolerate this useless younger brother, I wonder how the world would slander the Lord. If you’re jealous, just say it!”
Yang Si exploded immediately.
Was he jealous? Of course not!
Who would even think he was that kind of person?
Han Yu chuckled coldly, “I heard that Jiang Xiaowei is already showing and still goes to the military camp every day.”
She’d rather waddle around with her big belly, letting the world speculate about the child’s father than marry Yang Si—didn’t that just make him green with envy!
Fuming, Yang Si yanked out the nib of his brush in frustration.
Boo hoo (╥╯^╰╥)
Why is everyone bullying him?
Today was still another busy day.
Yang Si clamped the bald-tipped brush between his teeth, fumbling to grab another from the holder, sighed, and continued to bury himself in work.
The reactions from those around him were similar to those of Yang Si and Han Yu; some scoffed, while others remained indifferent.
However, since the Lord cared about Liu Zhao’s wedding, no one dared to sow discord, and they could only silently wait for the wedding date to approach.
