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Chapter 140
A hearty meal, well enjoyed by both the host and the guest.
Jiang Wan dreamed that Heir Apparent Han treated her exceedingly well, much like a genuine elder.
He was thoughtful of her at every turn.
Feeling a sense of reverence for him washed over Jiang Wan unknowingly.
Heir Apparent Han was surprised to find out that not only was Mrs. Jiang Wu remarkably beautiful, her appearance and charm had already taken root in his heart, but Wu’s daughter turned out to be even more beautiful.
It was rare to see such a beautiful young woman in the Capital City.
But he wasn't interested in the young girl.
He rather found Wu more attractive, even her daughter was so beautiful.
The Jiang family was extremely hospitable.
And also devoid of pretentiousness, warm and sincere.
Old lady Jiang looked at him with quite a loving gaze, he didn’t find it odd, the Emperor held him in high favor, which elder wouldn't show him love.
Except for his mother.
He rarely saw his mother, she didn’t feature dominantly in his memories. On the few occasions they had met, she was always cold and distant.
His mother was indifferent towards everyone, not just him.
Of course, his life was not bereft of adoration.
The present Emperor was his own uncle, so wherever he went, he had the upper hand, nobody dared put on airs around him.
His father also indulged him completely, seldom asked him to do anything.
Spoiled with countless affections, except for the stars and moon, whatever else he wanted was within easy grasp.
Heir Apparent Han found this Jiang Huaisheng quite interesting.
He called him elder brother, and he responded quite readily. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Everyone knew that he typically only called elder brother when it was in regards to his sister-in-law, who in the Capital City had the face to be his elder brother.
This family was quite close, it's just that their minds seemed to be a bit off.
Heir Apparent Han was arrogant in his actions, and poured a lot of wine for Jiang Huaisheng.
In the beginning, Jiang Huaisheng said that an accidental injury to his face wasn’t conducive to drinking.
But when Heir Apparent Han’s face dropped and he was displeased, Huaisheng was forced to accompany him in drinking.
Heir Apparent Han was good at winning people over by getting them drunk.
After all, he had been living in the presence of the Emperor for most of his life, the person he needed to please the most was his uncle, he was definitely good at making pleasing remarks.
His EQ was certainly up to par, at least he never dared to do anything outrageous in the palace.
"Big brother, I feel a close bond with you upon our first meeting. When you return to the Capital City, I will introduce you to my uncle. With your diverse knowledge and talents, he will definitely like you. He values talent above everything else."
With every reference to his uncle, Jiang Huaisheng's head spun - that was the Emperor, it must be the wine talking.
He even thought about how one day, on his return to the Capital City, he would rise through the ranks and sit in a position higher than his father once was. Outshining his own origins, living up to his father’s expectations.
Although in his memory, his father had once said about him: "Huaisheng, you are a steady person with good academic performance, but you lack experience and tact. I don't expect you to hold a high-ranking position, but to lead a smooth life."
His father gave him the name of "Shoucheng", Jiang Shoucheng.
His father's highest expectation for him was that he could guard a city.
However, he remembered his father’s words about his little brother: "His natural talent is smart, he adapts to changes quickly, he is bound to be very successful."
After drinking wine, Jiang Huaisheng thought about the past, thought about his father, thought about his brother who had now become his enemy, he felt some lament. He didn’t expect that the brother his father loved so dearly wasn't his real brother.
Now, seemingly more of an enemy than an actual enemy, he sought to annihilate their entire family. Ironically, Heir Apparent Han from the Capital City is closer than the younger brother.
Jiang Huaisheng had drunk too much and lost his composure, tears streaming down his face.
He could not understand how his obedient younger brother, who once talked of growing up to be like him, came to be like this.
Old Lady Jiang inexplicably comforted herself by watching the shared understanding between Huaisheng and the Heir Apparent while they made merry over drinks.
As a man drank and spoke, it was not appropriate for her, an elder woman, to join.
She returned to her room, accompanied by Wan'er.
She was extremely emotional and even a little out of control.
She hadn’t imagined she would meet the young man in such circumstances.
He even asked how her hand was.
Old Lady Jiang simply replied that she had hurt herself accidentally.
Upon saying that, the aggrieved look in her eyes reddened.
The blame was entirely on that beast.
…
Over there, Jiang Huaisheng had already gotten drunk.
Heir Apparent Han furrowed his brows as he listened to this man complain about his younger brother. It turned out that the rebel Jiang Er was actually an adoptee of his family?
What kind of person was that?
If someone else was rebelling, you should be enjoying luxury with them. If not, you should demonstrate righteous indignation.
Heir Apparent Han couldn't understand this man's thought process and was not particularly concerned.
He asked someone to invite Sister-in-law over. His elder brother had drunk himself into a stupor, so Sister-in-law should come to take care of him, shouldn't she?
Wu just started to feel that something was odd. Although she and her husband had been childhood sweethearts and also married quite early, not much socializing was allowed by Old Lady Jiang after the marriage, and nobody told her anything about Heir Apparent Han.
She thought she might be overthinking things. Given how Heir Apparent Han had just married and was the favorite of the Emperor, it seemed impossible that he would have interest in her, especially as she’d just given birth to her third son.
She wondered whether her strange thoughts were because it had been a long time since she had been intimate with her husband.
She reflected on herself.
Hearing now that her husband was drunk, she asked the wet nurse to look after Little Shushu and went to look after her husband.
Dressed in a white skirt with a hairpin, Wu had no other jewelry. She didn’t wear earrings, as she often played with the children and noticed that Little Shushu liked to touch her ears; wearing earrings could harm the child.
She quickly recovered her figure after giving birth and stopping breastfeeding.
After all, she already had a wet nurse and experience.
The white dress always looked new, as it had no color to fade, but it was just a little more likely to get dirty. She paid attention to it on a daily basis.
Upon entering the room, she found her husband drunk and sprawled on a soft couch, entirely unkempt.
"Sister-in-law," said the Heir Apparent, "My elder brother is drunk. Let's help him back to his room together."
A sense of uneasiness rose within Wu as Heir Apparent Han referred to her in an overly intimate way.
But with everyone watching, she must be overthinking things.
She wanted to ask the maid to help, but the size of the staff at the Jiang Manor had been significantly reduced.
The maid alone would not be strong enough.
Heir Apparent Han helpfully stepped forward.
Together they brought Jiang Huaisheng back to his room, while the maid went to fetch water.
The Heir Apparent surprisingly didn't leave but rather admired the room.
Spacious, tidy, with a dressing mirror, and things belonging to both of them placed together - their relationship must be quite good.
Wu was removing her husband's shoes.
Heir Apparent Han dared to step forward to help.
He fully embraced Wu from behind, seizing her hands.
"Sister-in-law, let me assist you. How could he make you handle this rough work? He really doesn't cherish or value you."
Wu was both shy and embarrassed. Her husband was sleeping right there on the bed nearby, yet Heir Apparent Han audaciously engaged in such an act. She wondered why her maid had not yet entered the room.
"Let go of me."
Refusing, he retorted, "No."
Wu felt as if all her strength had been sapped away, she couldn't struggle.
……
Old Lady Jiang reminisced about the past while leaning on the daybed, feeling as if she, too, had been drained of all energy. She wept profusely.
……