Chapter 78 - Chapter 78: Xiao Nanye Arrives to Send Dowry
Chapter 78: Xiao Nanye Arrives to Send Dowry
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Looking at the servants continually kowtowing before him, Liu Hao’s eyes were brimming with rage. Yet, when he noticed their heads bleeding from the repeated knocks, he spoke up in a cold voice, “Enough.”
He shifted his gaze away from the servant and directed his fiery eyes towards Yan Kuan. “Although we, the Liu family, are merchants, we’re not to be trampled on. The idea of my sister becoming your concubine is utterly impossible.”
“Today, it was your Yan family that initiated this provocation. If you harbor resentment in the future, feel free to seek me, Liu Hao.”
Listening to Liu Hao, Yan Kuan’s eyes were filled with disdain. However, waves of pain radiated from his hand. Seeing his expression, Jiang Ren’s already dark face clouded even further. He tightened his grip and questioned, “Oh, so you started the fight, and now you fear retribution?”
“No, no… Lord Jiang, you’ve misunderstood.”
“I promise, we won’t bother the Liu family again.”
Cold sweat dripped down Yan Kuan’s forehead, clearly a result of the pain. Upon witnessing the scene, Yan Xin couldn’t hold back and voiced out, “Lord Jiang, my brother has realized his mistake. Please, release him.”
“Yan Kuan, remember your words today. If I learn that you’re causing trouble for the Liu family in the future, I won’t spare you.”
As he spoke, Jiang Ren forcefully lifted Yan Kuan’s wrist. Yan Kuan screamed again, but the wrist pain vanished instantly.
“Take your people and leave.”
Yan Kuan rubbed his sore wrist, then glared at his attendant, speaking in a displeased tone, “Let’s go.”
As he passed the Liu siblings, Yan Kuan’s gaze swept over Liu Xin, his eyes cold and predatory, akin to a venomous snake stalking its prey.
Seeing his chilling gaze, Liu Xin couldn’t suppress a shudder. Observing this, Liu Hao swiftly moved to shield his sister.
Subsequently, the Yan siblings left the Liu household.
“Ah Hao, you should get a doctor to examine your injuries,” Jiang Ren suggested, his eyes on Liu Hao.
“It’s just a minor injury. I’m fine.”
“Uncle, Miss Jiang, it’s getting late. Why not stay over for the night?”
“Thank you, Cousin Liu. However, our mother is still at home, waiting. I’ll take Sijin back now,” Jiang Peihuan stepped forward, whispering.
Having only intended it as a polite offer, Liu Hao naturally didn’t insist.
Noticing the Liu family still in disarray, Jiang Peihuan turned to Jiang Ren. “Third Uncle, you should stay. If you decide to stay, I’ll go back and inform Third Aunt.”
“No, I’ll return with both of you.”
After speaking, Jiang Ren looked at Liu Hao seriously. “If you encounter the likes of the Yan family again, don’t just endure. Send someone to the General’s Mansion to find me, understood?”
“I will remember, uncle.”
“Rest early, then. I’ll take them back to our mansion.”
The Liu siblings approached to show their respects. Jiang Peihuan and the others nodded at them before turning to leave the Liu Mansion.
“Huan Er, I’ve put you through some trouble today.”
It was deep into the night, so instead of galloping, they took a leisurely ride on their horses.
Hearing the words beside her, Jiang Peihuan’s eyes lit up with a trace of amusement. “Third Uncle, you’re unusually courteous today, aren’t you?”
Seeing the smile in her eyes, Jiang Ren couldn’t help but join in the laughter. “I’m at fault. I shouldn’t be so formal with you, Huan Er.”
“Eldest Sister, your martial arts skills have noticeably improved lately.”
“It’s not that I’ve improved, it’s that you’ve fallen behind. You, a man of the Jiang family, couldn’t even defeat a good-for-nothing like Yan Kuan. It’s an embarrassment.”
Before Jiang Peihuan could respond, Jiang Ren was already casting a discontented look at Jiang Songbai. At this, Jiang Songbai could only show a look of frustration.
However, he was well aware that his father always favored girls over boys, so he didn’t dare to talk back.
“Starting tomorrow, apart from your studies at the academy, spend all your time at home training. I will personally oversee your practice.”
“Father, even when you were absent, I didn’t neglect my martial arts.”
“Then you must not have put in enough effort, or else how could you lose to Yan Kuan?”
Jiang Songbai fell silent.
“Father, Yan Kuan is several years older than me. Although I didn’t defeat him,
I didn’t lose either.”
“Not winning is the same as losing. Moreover, if it hadn’t been for Huan Er’s intervention, do you dare say you wouldn’t have been at a disadvantage?”
“This…”
Alright, he was left speechless.
“Third Uncle, Third Uncle, could you teach me the move you used earlier?”
At this point, Jiang Sijin was gazing at Jiang Ren with wide, eager eyes.
Jiang Ren glanced back at the young girl and queried, “Which move are you referring to?”
“The one where you broke Yan Kuan’s hand then reattached it.”
“You’re just a little girl, and you want to learn to break people’s hands?”
“Third Uncle, please teach me.”
Under Jiang Sijin’s persuasion, Jiang Ren nodded with a smile. Witnessing this scene, a smile filled Jiang Peihuan’s eyes.
In this life, she was determined to protect her family and loved ones.
“Huan Er, you’ve just started to recover. Rest early.”
Jiang Ren reminded her softly when he sent Jiang Peihuan to the entrance of the plum garden.
Seeing the concern in his eyes, Jiang Peihuan nodded and responded with a smile, “I understand, Third Uncle. You should also go back early. Third Aunt must be waiting for you.”
“Alright, I’ll head back to Elegant Garden now.
After watching Jiang Ren disappear around the corner, Jiang Peihuan turned and headed inside. She dismissed her maid to rest and then pushed open the door of her room.
“When did you get here?”
She looked at the person sitting at the table sipping tea, her eyes wide with surprise.
Had she not recognized the familiar scent of the man, she might have mistaken him for an intruder. Xiao Nanye sat quietly at the table without a light, occasionally sipping from his tea cup. Had it been anyone else in the middle of the night, she would have been terrified.
“I’ve been waiting for you here for almost two hours.”
Hearing Jiang Peihuan’s voice, Xiao Nanye responded in a low tone, his voice laced with a hint of grievance.
She walked to the table and lit the lamp. In the illumination of the light, she noticed the array of boxes spread out on the table. Not just on the table, the floor was also littered with many more boxes.
“What are all these?”
As Jiang Peihuan’s gaze fell on the table, the man’s interest seemed to pique.
He rose from his chair, moving to stand beside Jiang Peihuan. He smiled and said, “These are the dowry I prepared for you.”
“Dowry? Do you mean betrothal gifts, Your Highness?”
“I didn’t misspeak. It’s a dowry.”
As he spoke, he selected a black wooden box from the table and passed it to her. Seeing him single out this box, Jiang Peihuan’s curiosity was piqued.
Xiao Nanye directly opened the box, revealing that it was filled with large denomination banknotes..