Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 147 Marrying into the Prince's Mansion

After seeing the emperor off, the group remained silent. Li Zhijing, also looking tense, hurried towards the Ministry of War.

As Jiang Mian watched his departing figure, a complex mix of emotions welled up within her.

The boy no longer revolved around her as before, and his words no longer carried the restrained emotions he once had.

Nowadays, Li Zhijing has lost her former lightheartedness and liveliness, and she rarely smiles anymore.

She vividly remembered that after the death of the Marquis of Pingnan, Li Zhijing became increasingly taciturn, transforming into a calm and stern general who had long resided in the military camp.

Jiang Mian's gaze darkened slightly as she turned to look at the Grand Tutor beside her.

—Today's events were meant to save Wen Qian, but she never expected to become Duan Zhi'an's stepping stone, which allowed him to get rid of Li Zhijing.

Regardless of whether Li Zhijing lives or dies in this battle, Wen Qian will ultimately be with him.

I used to think Duan Zhi'an was good at scheming in politics, but I never expected that once he got involved in personal matters, he would be so unscrupulous.

Ke Wenqian is the heir apparent's wife in the Pingnan Marquis's mansion. Given her personality, it's impossible for her to divorce him. Does Duan Zhi'an intend to force her to stay?

"What is Miss Jiang thinking about?"

He suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

Jiang Mian replied, "I was thinking that the Grand Tutor's protection of the Crown Princess makes one wonder. But then I remembered that you are, after all, his uncle."

Duan Zhian smiled but didn't reply.

The two walked down the steps side by side.

Jiang Mian couldn't help but say, "However, the Grand Tutor's plan is truly brilliant. If it were anyone else, I would think they were trying to take this opportunity to get rid of Li Zhijing."

Hearing her slightly sarcastic words, Duan Zhian calmly replied, "I have no grudge against the general, so why would I want to eliminate him? Although this plan is risky, the general is a blessed man and will surely return unscathed."

Jiang Mian gave a cold laugh and said nothing more.

The current situation at Fengyu Pass is unclear; it is indeed a gamble with no clear winner.

She didn't know if Duan Zhian truly believed that Li Zhijing would return unscathed.

Or perhaps he simply wanted to use this opportunity to get rid of Wen Qian's husband.

After all, his uncle had feelings for Wen Qian...

"Never mind," Jiang Wan shook her head.

In any case, Wen Qian only has Li Zhijing in her heart.

She also remembered that Li Zhijing escaped from Fengyuguan unscathed.

Pulling herself out of her thoughts, she turned to look around.

With its golden tiles and red eaves, carved beams and painted rafters, the imposing palace walls exude a sense of isolation from the world.

In her past life, she wore a phoenix robe, ruled the harem, and looked down upon the vast land.

But in the end, she discovered that this imperial city, which bestowed upon her glory, also gave her a grand dream.

Duan Zhian saw her looking around and assumed she was just curious.

"Miss Jiang, please feel free to tour the area. I have other matters to attend to, so I will not see you off."

Jiang Mian withdrew her gaze and turned to ask, "Is the Grand Tutor going to see the Crown Princess?"

"Ah."

"Could you take me with you?"

Duan Zhian didn't say anything, but took a step forward.

The palace corridors meandered, and a cold wind swept through them.

The palace servants sweeping snow all knelt down and bowed to Duan Zhi'an.

Jiang Mian followed behind him, walking along the corridor to the side hall of Zhaoyang Palace.

Just as she was about to step into the hall, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure hurrying past not far ahead.

It's Wen Yin.

Following behind the two fathers-in-law, I watched their hurried steps and their somewhat flustered expressions.

Jiang Mian frowned slightly and asked, "Wen Shi should be imprisoned for her crimes, so why is she still able to move around in the palace?"

Duan Zhian glanced at it and said coldly, "If the Empress Dowager wants to protect someone, she certainly has ways to do so."

After he finished speaking, he quickened his pace and put a distance between himself and her in just a few steps.

Jiang Mian withdrew her gaze and quickly followed.

As she walked down the long corridor, she glanced at her surroundings and suddenly asked, "This road... leads to Nilitai. How could the Crown Princess be imprisoned in such a lowly jail?"

Duan Zhi'an paused slightly and turned to look at her: "When did I say I was going to Nilitai? How could Miss Jiang know the way in the palace?"

Jiang Mian met his gaze, her heart tightened slightly, then she smiled and said in a relaxed tone, "The Grand Tutor didn't say, but there are few gloomy places in the palace, so I guessed it was Nilitai. I didn't expect to be right."

She smiled casually and changed the subject.

Duan Zhian stared at her for a moment with an ambiguous expression, then continued forward without saying anything more, and soon arrived outside the Nilitai.

The prisons for nobles were usually held in the Qian Tower. For those of high rank, the Ministry of Justice would even arrange separate accommodations, which was tantamount to house arrest. Out of consideration for their personal relationships, the emperor would turn a blind eye to such cases.

However, all of the Wen family members were imprisoned in Nilitai and held in solitary confinement, making it impossible for them to contact each other.

It's clear that the emperor was extremely angry this time.

Inside the prison, the firelight was dim, and the iron bars stood menacingly. A chill seeped in from all directions, making the surroundings feel like an icebox.

This plowing platform was located in a shady place, where people lacked clothing and food, and it was common for prisoners to freeze to death during the cold winter.

Jiang Wan gasped for breath, finally understanding why Duan Zhi'an was so anxious in the main hall.

The guards here rarely saw dignitaries, so when they saw the Grand Tutor arrive, they greeted him with smiles.

"This humble servant greets the Grand Tutor. Grand Tutor, today..."

"unlock."

"Yes, yes, I've received the message, I'll start right away."

With a click, the candlelight shone through the crack into the dark prison cell.

Jiang Mian stepped inside and immediately spotted Wen Qian in the corner.

She could be considered reasonably neat, but in just a few days, she had become terribly thin. Hearing the noise, she trembled slightly and slowly raised her head.

For a fleeting moment when their eyes met, she seemed stunned, as if she hadn't reacted yet. Then, upon recognizing the person, her eyes suddenly reddened, and her voice trembled: "Sister Man..."

Her voice was hoarse, as if she hadn't spoken in a long time.

Jiang Mian's heart tightened, and she quickly stepped forward, reaching out to hold her hand.

But Duan Zhi'an was even faster than her, having already taken off his cloak and draped it over Wen Qian.

"Qianqian..." He crouched down and called her softly.

Wen Qian's tears instantly streamed down her face, her voice choked with sobs: "Uncle..."

White breath escaped from her mouth, and she asked, trembling slightly, "Am I... going to die?"

"No, I'm here, you'll be fine."

Wen Qian trembled slightly as she cried, tears streaming down her pale cheeks and landing on Duan Zhi'an's hand.

"I'm so scared... so scared of implicating the Marquis's family... Zhijing... will he also... because of me..."

Duan Zhian's heart tightened, and he gently patted her back: "He's alright. The Emperor ordered him to go and stabilize Fengyu Pass, as always, he values ​​him highly."

Wen Qian's tears fell even more heavily.

Her voice was hoarse and choked with sobs: "Fengyu Pass... such a perilous journey, has the Emperor developed a grudge against the Marquis's family...?"

“No, he will definitely return safely this time. You must hold on.” Jiang Wan approached and comforted him softly.

She could understand Wen Qian's fear; after all, overnight, all her relatives had been sentenced to death, and her husband was in grave danger.

Anyone would feel a bit suffocated by this.

Duan Zhian stared intently at her thin shoulders, his fingers tightening slightly, without uttering a word.

She had lost weight, her face was deathly pale, and her eyes were filled with terror…

She shouldn't have ended up like this.

She should have lived a peaceful life in the mansion, pampered and spoiled.

If it weren't for the Wen family, if it weren't for her surname being Wen...

"Shallowly..."

He called her softly, but didn't know what else to say.

After all, given his status as an uncle, his concern could only go so far.

"Grand Tutor," Jiang Wan began, "this place is very cold. What are your plans for the Crown Princess?"

Duan Zhi'an raised his hand to wipe away the tears on her face and said softly, "I'll take you to Qingxin Palace first."

"No...that's not right." Wen Qian broke free from him. "I'm a criminal now..."

She was worried that she would cause trouble for Duan Zhi'an.

"It's alright, His Majesty has granted permission."

Wen Qian's vision blurred with tears, and her throat felt dry and sore.

"Thank you uncle."

The two headed towards Qingxin Palace. Jiang Mian knew that it was inconvenient for her to stay in the palace for long, so she decided to return home.

She walked back with practiced ease, and as soon as she turned a corner, she saw a group of old men carrying medicine and hurrying on their way.

She remembered that the direction she was heading was Ning Chang's palace.

These bottles and jars of medicine are mostly because Ning Chang is seriously ill again.

That's how it was in the previous life. The emperor brought Ning Chang back with the intention of restraining Ning Zhi's power, but unfortunately Ning Chang's health was too weak. He barely managed to get through Huangchuan, but after the long journey back to the palace, he became exhausted again.

Later, the emperor placed his hopes on the child in Consort Yu's womb, but before the child was even born, she used it to bring down Chi Yu, who was then the Crown Princess.

Thinking about it this way, she wasn't entirely useless before; at least she helped Ning Zhi.

The methods they used were very underhanded...

She shook her head self-deprecatingly and continued walking towards the palace gate.

Upon exiting the palace gate, a sedan chair was spotted parked at the entrance, indicating the arrival of a distinguished guest. The eunuch personally stepped forward to lift the curtain.

Jiang Mian walked to the other side, intending to leave from the base of the wall, when she suddenly heard a sweet voice.

"Oh dear. I've run into Miss Jiang here."

Jiang Mian turned her head and looked at the person who had come.

Dressed in a magnificent brocade robe embroidered with silver magnolias, she stood dignified, her eyes smiling, her face revealing scrutiny and disdain.

It's Chi Yu.

"Miss Chi, it's been a long time." Jiang Wan nodded slightly, her expression indifferent, neither intimate nor distant.

"It has been some time since we last met. What brings Miss Jiang to the palace? Could it be that you've come to see His Highness again?"

Jiang Mian smiled politely: "I came to the palace today to discuss the Wen family's affairs. If Miss Chi wants to know the details, she might as well ask the Grand Tutor."

Chi Yu raised an eyebrow, pursed her lips, and said, "Forget it, I'm not interested in this."

Jiang Wan curled the corners of her lips: "Aren't Miss Chi and Miss Wen sisters? Why aren't you concerned about this matter?"

"If you're going to use this to sow discord again, you'd be better off focusing on your own situation."

"What do you mean?

She walked slowly closer and said with a gentle smile, "I heard that the renovation of the General's Mansion is progressing slowly, and Miss Jiang is still staying at the Prince of Beiqin's Mansion."

"So what?"

Chi Yu covered her mouth and chuckled, "Don't be nervous, I was just asking casually. But I must remind you to plan ahead, because it won't be appropriate for you to stay after Wen Yin marries into the family. Even though the General's Mansion had a debt of gratitude to the Prince for taking him in, there will still be gossip going on. After all..."

"Wen Yin is going to marry into the Prince of Beiqin's mansion?" Jiang Mian interrupted her.

Chi Yu raised an eyebrow and smiled casually, "What, Miss Jiang doesn't know?"