latelenovela Chapter 90 The Substitute Bride 6
Chapter 90 The Substitute Bride 6
When Ji Xiaosong asked to speak further with the Crown Prince, Ji's father was immediately worried, fearing that she might say something inappropriate.
So he lifted his foot, intending to follow.
At this moment, the attendant beside the Crown Prince was pushing the wheelchair. Ji Xiaosong quickly stepped forward, gently blocked the attendant's way, signaling him to step back, and then took over the wheelchair herself.
Her movements were gentle yet decisive, and the armrests of the wheelchair landed steadily in her hands.
“Father, I need to speak with the Crown Prince alone, so you don’t need to come along.”
Ji's father glanced at the crown prince, and seeing him nod, he withdrew.
The Ji residence is large, consisting of a main hall, two courtyards, and four courtyards.
Ji Xiaosong pushed the Crown Prince through the main hall and slowly walked along the covered corridor.
"Miss Ji, what is it that you wish to discuss with me in private?"
The crown prince asked slowly and deliberately, as if he didn't care about anything.
"His Highness the Crown Prince must have guessed that the Ji family wanted to arrange a marriage alliance, otherwise he wouldn't have come in person today."
Ji Xiaosong didn't want to play those roundabout tricks.
Having planned for over a decade, she was acutely aware of how those in positions of power viewed those in lower positions with a detached, almost detached, attitude.
Discussing interests directly is the fastest way to get things done.
"Yes, I knew from the very first day you entered the Ji residence. So, do you want to marry me?"
The Crown Prince looked at Ji Xiaosong with an extremely serious expression.
Ji Xiaosong met the Crown Prince's gaze, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"Of course I do."
The crown prince raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly surprised by the straightforward answer.
He had found out that although he didn't know what had happened to Ji Xiaosong before, after arriving at the Ji residence, the maidservant by her side was invincible in the entire Ji household.
If she didn't want to, she shouldn't have been coerced.
"Have you thought this through? I have been poisoned and left with a disability. The imperial physician has determined that I will not live for more than three years. If you marry me, you will be a widow in the future."
"I do not mind."
Ji Xiaosong continued, "Actually, even if I didn't want to, the Ji family would definitely find a way to deal with me. Compared to underhanded methods, overt martial prowess is no match for underhanded tactics. Rather than end up like that, it's better to marry His Highness; at least I'll have some status and position."
The Crown Prince's eyes darkened slightly as he said, "You see things very clearly. However, if this marriage is not done sincerely, I'm afraid it will not go smoothly in the future."
Ji Xiaosong gently shook her head, her tone firm: "Your Highness, since I have already agreed, I will serve you wholeheartedly. Whether I am sincere or not, time will tell."
After speaking, Ji Xiaosong took out a seal from her pouch and handed it to the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness, this is my sincere offer. With this seal, you can withdraw rice and grain from all the Snowgrass Banks in this country.”
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince looked shocked and stared in disbelief at the seal in Ji Xiaosong's hand.
You must know that the Bo Xue Cao Money House is one of the largest money houses in the country. It can withdraw rice and grain from all its branches. What enormous wealth and power that is!
His gaze shifted back and forth between the seal and Ji Xiaosong's face, his voice trembling slightly with surprise: "You... how could you possess such a precious item?"
Ji Xiaosong smiled slightly and said calmly, "Your Highness, this is what I have planned for many years. I am now offering it to Your Highness in the hope that it can lend you a helping hand."
The Crown Prince gripped the seal tightly, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He had gained a new understanding of Ji Xiaosong's scheming ability and decisiveness.
"I'm a useless person who won't live for more than a few years. Giving this to me won't be of much use."
“How could that be? His Highness the Crown Prince cares deeply for the people and has provided relief to countless disaster victims over the years. I am entrusting you with the rice and grain seal of the Bo Xue Cao Bank because I also intend to serve the country. If His Highness has this seal, I believe many poor people will be able to survive this winter.”
Ji Xiaosong truly didn't care about these things, since the rice and grains inside were all taken from her spatial storage, and she could have as much as she wanted.
Having previously been powerless and without influence, I knew that making a big show of treating disaster victims would only cause trouble, so I decided to hand these things over to the Crown Prince.
She knew the Crown Prince's character well. She had met him several times before when she was disguised as someone else, and he was indeed a man who was wholeheartedly devoted to the people.
Besides money and grain, the Bo Xue Cao Money Shop also deals in other things, but most of them are related to people's livelihoods.
Ji Xiaosong had already made up her mind: the rice and grain would be given to the Crown Prince, and the rest would be given to her son, who was destined to be reincarnated.
Ji Xiaosong's words truly resonated with the Crown Prince, and even if it was for the sake of the people, he would still accept the seal.
“I never expected the Ji family to be so blind. I will accept this seal. The border war is intense right now, the soldiers are fighting bloody battles, and the people are suffering terribly. These supplies are undoubtedly a godsend for them. On their behalf, I thank you. Even after I am gone, I will make sure everything is arranged for you, so that you can live a smooth and worry-free life.”
Upon hearing this, Ji Xiaosong immediately straightened her clothes, walked to the Crown Prince, slowly squatted down, and gracefully performed a standard courtly salute.
She nodded slightly, her black hair cascading down like a waterfall, and said softly, "Alright, then Xiao Song thanks Your Highness."
"Since we are now husband and wife, you no longer need to call me Your Highness."
"Then what should I call you?"
"Call me Qingyun. After we are married, you will call me husband."
Ji Xiaosong's cheeks flushed red, and she shyly raised her eyes, gazing at Chu Qingyun with eyes as clear as autumn water, her gaze filled with girlish shyness and anticipation.
Chu Qingyun gazed at her, his eyes softening instantly, his deep eyes reflecting her image.
His lips curled up, revealing a doting smile.
"Alright, Qingyun."
"The eighth day of next month is an auspicious day. Shall we set our wedding date for that day?"
"Mmm." A blush rose on Ji Xiaosong's cheeks at the opportune moment.
Seeing her shy appearance, Chu Qingyun couldn't help but smile even more. He reached out and gently lifted her chin, making her look at him, and said softly, "Then it's settled. On the eighth day of next month, I will definitely welcome you into the family in a grand manner."
While Ji Xiaosong and Chu Qingyun were enjoying their time together, Ji Yan was hiding behind a rockery not far away, her eyes glued to the scene, her jealousy burning.
She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails almost dug into her palms, but she was completely unaware of it.
Seeing Ji Xiaosong and Chu Qingyun so intimately, jealousy burned fiercely in his heart.
Why? Why was His Highness the Crown Prince so intimate with Ji Xiaosong the first time they met?
She had also admired the Crown Prince for many years. If it weren't for the accident that happened to him, she would have been prepared to be with him in a harmonious and loving relationship.
How could Ji Xiaosong, a country bumpkin, be worthy of His Highness the Crown Prince, a dragon among men?
Such a brilliant talent, Ji Xiaosong's chance encounter was merely by chance; how could she possibly dream of staying with His Highness the Crown Prince forever?
Ji Yan grew angrier the more she thought about it, and the jealousy in her heart grew wildly like weeds.
Chun Cui, who was waiting nearby, said leisurely, "Why should Miss bother with her? Even if she wins, she should still be alive and able to enjoy life."