Chapter 102 - 101: The Substitute Bride 17

Chapter 102: Chapter 101: The Substitute Bride 17

"What is the meaning of this? You want me to go to the Prince Wu Mansion and be a concubine?"

Ji Yan leaned against the doorframe, her voice trembling as she questioned Mother Ji.

The steward from the Prince Wu Mansion let out a soft chuckle. "Second Miss Ji, it’s to be King Wu’s concubine."

"What do you take me for? What’s the difference between this ’concubine’ and any other? I am the legitimate daughter of the Grand Secretary! Even in the entire Capital City, my birth is considered noble."

"Marrying an Alien King like him, I should be the main wife! That would be a proper match, as heaven intended! But now? My father has merely hit a small snag in his career. His Majesty hasn’t even issued a decree to dismiss him from his post, and you people are already this eager to demote me?"

"Back then, you swore up and down that you valued the Ji family, making all sorts of promises about the marriage contract. Now it all looks like a joke! Kicking us when we’re down and going back on your word—where is the integrity of the Prince Wu Mansion?"

A flicker of barely concealed contempt crossed the steward’s face. He snorted lightly and began to speak with a cold smile:

"Second Miss Ji, you can’t put it that way. Can’t you see the situation you’re in? Who among all the court officials doesn’t know the predicament Lord Ji is in right now? The slightest misstep, and he’ll be doomed beyond redemption."

"My master, the Prince, is mindful of your past friendship. His willingness to still have you enter his household at a critical time like this is a sign of his kindness, a special favor to the Ji family. Not only are you not deeply grateful, but you’re here complaining and pointing fingers. If word of this gets out, people will think the Ji family doesn’t know what’s good for them."

The steward shook his head as he spoke, his face a mask of false pity. "Besides, do you think the position of main wife is so easy to obtain? Given the Ji family’s current situation, the fact that you’re even getting the title of concubine is something the Prince had to fight for under great pressure."

"If you’re not happy, you’re free to refuse this marriage. But then, the Ji family will no longer have this backer to rely on. The Ji family is always proclaiming its loyalty to the throne and love for the country. Now that His Majesty has these considerations, and the Prince is acting in accordance with His Majesty’s will, your resistance will cause talk. I’m afraid people will start to criticize the Ji family’s loyalty to His Majesty."

Ji Yan was so enraged by these words that she trembled all over, her face alternating between pale and flushed. Having been pampered her whole life, she had never been so humiliated. She immediately forgot her decorum and began to curse loudly:

"You damn dog of a servant, how dare you bully me by borrowing your master’s power! What ’special favor’ from your worthless Prince? It’s obvious you’re just opportunists kicking us when we’re down! I, Ji Yan, would rather remain unmarried forever than stoop to wanting your pathetic title of concubine!"

Mother Ji’s face went deathly pale with fright. She rushed forward and clamped a hand over Ji Yan’s mouth, her voice choked with tears, "Yanyan, stop talking! What are we going to do..."

She frantically apologized to the steward while desperately pulling at Ji Yan, trying to get her to calm down.

The steward’s face instantly darkened, so grim it looked as if water could drip from it. He glared viciously at Ji Yan, flicked his sleeves forcefully, and said angrily:

"Good, very good! Second Miss Ji, don’t you regret the words you’ve spoken today. I will report today’s events to the Prince, exactly as they happened. From now on, even if the Ji family wants to cling to the Prince Wu Mansion, you won’t have the chance!"

With that, he turned and strode out of the main hall, leaving Ji Yan and her mother behind. The room fell into a dead silence, broken only by Mother Ji’s sobs and Ji Yan’s indignant gasps.

Seeing the steward leave, Mother Ji’s legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor as tears streamed down her face like a broken dam. "Oh, Yanyan, why are you so impulsive! Don’t you know what a disaster your words will bring upon our Ji family!"

Her voice trembled, filled with despair and heartache. "Your father is at the heart of the storm right now. We must be even more cautious in everything we do. The slightest misstep, and we will be doomed beyond redemption!"

After composing herself slightly, Mother Ji forced herself to stand up. She pulled Ji Yan into her arms, patting her back gently in an attempt to soothe her. "Yanyan, listen to Mother. Let’s just yield for now. As long as you can marry into the Prince Wu Mansion, at least you’ll have a support to lean on, and you can ease some of the pressure on your father."

But Ji Yan pushed Mother Ji away, her face full of disdain. "Mother, you’re just too timid! Father has only suffered a temporary setback. With his abilities, how could he possibly fail to recover? When Father is back in power, the Prince Wu Mansion will have to come begging on their knees for me to marry him. When that time comes, I’ll make them pay for what they’ve done today!"

Her eyes were filled with arrogance, as if she could already see the day her father would once again stand as the most powerful official in the court. She completely ignored Mother Ji’s worries and pleas.

Looking at her daughter who refused to see reason, Mother Ji was filled with helplessness and could only start crying again.

When Mr. Ji emerged from the ancestral hall, he was met with the sight of his wife wiping away tears and his daughter wearing a look of complete indifference.

When Ji Yan saw Mr. Ji, her eyes lit up instantly. She rushed forward to grab his arm, speaking with urgent excitement, "Father, you’re finally out! You can definitely think of a solution, right? That Prince Wu Mansion is outrageous! They actually want me to marry in as a concubine. They’ve gone too far! But you’re so capable, Father. You’ll surely be reinstated to your post soon, and then we’ll see how they come begging to us!"

She shook Mr. Ji’s arm as she spoke, her face full of rosy dreams for the future, as if her father regaining power was only a matter of time.

Mr. Ji looked at Ji Yan, his expression complex, his eyes filled with exhaustion and helplessness.

He gently patted Ji Yan’s hand, walked slowly to a chair, and sat down. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "Yanyan, don’t be hasty."

He paused, then looked up at Ji Yan, his gaze tinged with scrutiny and deliberation. "The situation now is far more complicated than you think. As for my career... I’m afraid there won’t be a turnaround anytime soon."

Hearing this, the smile on Ji Yan’s face froze instantly. She was about to anxiously retort, but Mr. Ji raised a hand to stop her.

Mr. Ji continued, "I’ve thought it over and over. It’s still for the best that you marry into the Prince Wu Mansion. Although it’s only as a concubine, at least it leaves the Ji family a way out."

Ji Yan’s eyes widened in disbelief. Just as she was about to argue, Mr. Ji looked at her with a grave expression, his tone leaving no room for debate. "Yanyan, do not be willful any longer. This is the plan I have made for our Ji family. You will listen. Tomorrow, I will have someone send you to the Prince Wu Mansion. After you arrive, you must be cautious in all matters."

With that, Mr. Ji closed his eyes, appearing unwilling to discuss the topic any further.

"Heh. And you always say how much you dote on me. Looking at you now, what’s the difference between me and that Ji Xiaosong who was married off to the Eastern Palace?"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Ji reacted as if he’d been struck, and with a sharp SMACK, he slapped Ji Yan across the face.

"You brat! If I hadn’t taken pity on you back then and brought Ji Xiaosong back to marry in your place, none of this trouble would be happening today! The family’s very existence is in peril, yet you show no sense of responsibility and don’t consider the family in the slightest. How could you say such foolish things!"