Chapter 32: The Heir is a Woman (32)
"Eldest Sister, Second Sister, what is it?"
Despite her busy days, Azhen returned to the Prince of Ning's manor once every day. She usually returned at noon to accompany her sisters for a meal. Since they were her mission targets, she naturally had to check on them daily to feel at ease.
During lunch today, Azhen noticed that Ning Yulan and Ning Yumei seemed to have something to say. Since they were eating, they hadn't spoken, likely fearing they might ruin the mood.
Once the meal was finished, the two indeed did not go about their own business; the hesitant expression on their faces became even more pronounced.
Azhen had a suspicion; it couldn't be anything other than *that* matter.
Ning Yulan and Ning Yumei exchanged glances and simultaneously looked outside. They quickly realized the current situation of the Prince of Ning's manor: as long as Azhen was unwilling, who would dare come here to eavesdrop?
Even Ning Xiaoguai, who was currently lying on the ground by the entrance to rest, was enough to give any eavesdropper a hard time.
"Azhen," Ning Yulan called out, a troubled expression appearing on her face. However, remembering she was Azhen's eldest sister, she felt she had to ask about this matter regardless. The rumors were earth-shattering, but she didn't care about that; she only cared about one thing: was this Azhen's wish, or was she being coerced, or forced into using this method to maintain the prestige of the Prince of Ning's manor?
As for what could be changed even if the truth were revealed, Ning Yulan could not think of anything for the moment.
She simply did not want Azhen to bear this alone.
However, if she asked and the answer was unpleasant, how embarrassing would that be?
Ning Yulan's words stuck in her throat, unable to be voiced.
If this was not Azhen's wish, would asking as her eldest sister be an act of hurting her?
Ning Yumei thought the same, and both women looked conflicted.
Azhen, however, let out a laugh. She held a teacup, took a sip, and leaned back in her chair in a relaxed, leisurely manner.
"Are Eldest and Second Sister wanting to ask about me and His Majesty?" Azhen spoke for them, sparing them the trouble of agonizing over it, which was bad for their health.
Ning Yulan and Ning Yumei instinctively looked up. Seeing that Azhen looked completely unbothered and was even smiling, they breathed a slight sigh of relief.
From the looks of it, Azhen didn't seem to be suffering?
Now that the topic was on the table, Ning Yulan finally mustered the courage to ask, "Azhen, are you doing this of your own free will?"
Facing two pairs of worried eyes, Azhen answered seriously, "Naturally. If I were unwilling, who could force me?"
Ning Yulan felt slightly relieved, but she still clutched her handkerchief, unable to help but worry about Azhen's future.
To enjoy the Emperor's favor today was glorious, but serving a monarch was like serving a tiger. What would happen to Azhen if the Emperor grew weary of her one day?
And once someone had been involved with the Emperor, who would dare approach them in the future? Let alone marrying and having children—that would be absolutely impossible. Even if the Emperor did not pursue the matter, outsiders would be unwilling to invite trouble.
But Ning Yulan quickly realized that she was Azhen's sister. Since Azhen had so many sisters, they would simply educate their children well so they could take care of Azhen in the future.
Coming back to her senses, Ning Yulan found Azhen still smiling and said somewhat crossly, "Fine, as long as you aren't being forced."
She looked at Ning Yumei, and in an instant, they both understood they were thinking the same thing.
"Second Sister," seeing that the two were about to leave, Azhen suddenly called out to Ning Yumei, "Come with me to handle some business."
Ning Yumei was somewhat puzzled but turned back. "What business?"
"Your health has recovered well, and Jiang Weiming's injuries have long since healed." Azhen had not forgotten that she needed to return double the pain Jiang Weiming had inflicted upon Ning Yumei.
It was better to bring the person involved along.
Since their marriage, Ning Yumei had been beaten countless times and had even lost two children; what did breaking a few of Jiang Weiming's ribs last time even amount to?
"Second Sister, it's time to collect a debt." Azhen set down her teacup and stood up, a hint of coldness appearing in her smiling eyes.
Ning Yumei dazed for a moment, but she did not forget to follow her out.
The Jiang family, now mere commoners, still lived in their original place, but without their noble title, they no longer possessed their former glory. Because of Jiang Weiming's actions, the Jiang family had fallen into such desolation that Jiang Changtong's eldest and second sons were filled with resentment and had long since demanded a separation of the household. Originally, they wanted to cast Jiang Weiming out, but Jiang Changtong doted on this son most of all and was unwilling, as he was his legitimate son.
Moreover, while the third son was the cause of the Jiang family's downfall, he was not the culprit; the one who had truly ruined them was that Ning Zhen.
If the other party hadn't seized upon his momentary slip of the tongue and the Emperor hadn't taken the opportunity to deal with him, how could the Jiang family have fallen so low?
The eldest and second sons were simply selfish, wanting to take the opportunity to marginalize their third brother.
Ultimately, the eldest and second sons could only leave with their wives and daughters and the meager portion of the family assets they were allocated, ceasing all contact except for necessary formalities.
Having recovered from his injuries, Jiang Weiming stepped out of the Jiang household and immediately felt the sudden drop in status. He hated Azhen to the core, but considering the current state of the Jiang family, he was powerless against his enemy. He thought about using underhanded methods, but those who used such tactics against Ning Zhen met terrible ends.
He didn't dare.
The Jiang family still had some remaining assets, and Jiang Weiming began to indulge in wine and women, though he was quickly reined in by Jiang Changtong, which served as a timely intervention.
After a period of decadence, just as Jiang Changtong was becoming utterly disappointed, Jiang Weiming regained his spirit.
According to feedback from Azhen's people, the reason Jiang Weiming had regained his spirit was that he had made a new friend.
This person was a merchant who owned a caravan traveling between the Northern Xia Kingdom and the Western Desert Dynasty, appearing quite unremarkable among the many merchants.
However, this caravan owner named Xiao Changsheng was not a simple man.
He had not only made contact with Jiang Weiming but had also encountered her former brother-in-law, Yuan Bingjun. Their interactions were not frequent, but because Azhen had been watching them, she was able to know these details.
Inside the carriage, Azhen rested her head on her hand in thought. Her client's sixth brother-in-law, He Zheng'an, had also been swindled by this Xiao Changsheng.
He Zheng'an was not an exceptionally wicked person, but he had many minor vices; he dabbled in wine, women, and gambling, though he hadn't become completely addicted—a result of the two He elders keeping him in check. Born into a merchant family, he lacked any real talent for business.
He was overly arrogant and conceited, and because he fell into a trap, the entire He family was bankrupted.
Coincidentally, the He family were grain merchants with significant foundations and a large-scale operation. After relying on the Prince of Ning's manor, they had grown even larger.
Had they not been grain merchants, Ning Guangjun likely wouldn't have taken an interest in them. After all, with his dreams of rebellion, controlling grain was vital.
Seeing that Azhen was deep in thought, Ning Yumei did not speak, instead lifting the curtain to look at the street scenery.
The carriage stopped slightly inside an alleyway, and Azhen snapped out of her thoughts. "He will be coming this way in a moment. Second Sister, just watch."
Regardless of what Jiang Weiming and Xiao Changsheng were plotting, they had to take a beating to settle the debt first.
She had intentionally waited until Ning Yumei's health was fully restored before coming to collect.
Ning Yumei nodded slightly. She had lived extremely well these past days; she had even learned horse riding and some martial arts. The psychological shadow Jiang Weiming had once cast over her had faded significantly. As for the little that remained, she believed it would slowly fade away.
After all, she was no longer that helpless young woman from before.
If she kept practicing, she might not be able to break a man's ribs with one punch, but a few more wouldn't be a problem.
The sound of voices and footsteps reached her ears, including a very familiar voice. If it wasn't Jiang Weiming, who else could it be? He sounded quite triumphant.