After a trip out and a bite of a crispy cake, something that should have been delicious was ruined by the disturbance, making the food in my mouth taste off!
The two returned to the inn, which had already been tidied up. However, many officials had arrived to pay their respects to the distinguished guests.
Seeing this, Fan Zehao led his wife away and only reappeared at dinner.
However, the atmosphere at the dinner table was a little off.
Tension crackled between the Huangfu brothers, Xiao Ce seemed lost in thought, and Su Ya pouted as if someone owed her hundreds of strings of coins!
Now, it seemed only they, the husband and wife, were normal, not experiencing any sort of mental breakdown!
As soon as the food was served, Xiao Ce snapped back to attention at the aroma and discreetly invited Fan Zehao outside.
Outside, Xiao Ce relayed the news he had gathered truthfully: "Chen Yusheng came down the mountain in the rain, fell and hit a tree, injuring his most vital part. According to the news, it's said... he's ruined."
Fan Zehao: "..."
He had considered countless possibilities, but never this one. The news was too unexpected!
After a long period of contemplation, he still wanted to try and give Chen Yusheng a chance at being a man, to at least try.
"Send a letter to Qi Xuan and have him try. If Uncle Qi can't fix it, then it must truly be a serious injury!"
It also served as a reminder: when falling on a rainy day, the first thing to do is to bring your legs together to avoid unnecessary accidents, as the price to pay is indeed considerable!
While the two were discussing matters outside, a near brawl was happening inside!
Huangfu Xian and Huangfu Xu had gone from simmering tension to glaring at each other, their faces red and necks thick, just short of nose-to-nose.
This scene startled Zhao Jiaqi. Anyone with a weak heart would have likely fainted by now!
"You two sit down and eat. If you don't want to eat, then get out. Don't make me angry here, or I'll turn my face!"
Her threat of turning her face made the brothers settle down a bit. They each adjusted their silk robes and sat down, but still, they shot each other glares, clearly disliking each other.
Zhao Jiaqi beckoned Su Ya over: "What's wrong with these two? What happened in the inn while I was away for a short while?"
Su Ya, who was asked, twitched her mouth and eyelids. The dignified, refined, and suave prince was referred to as a "thing" by her mistress.
"Prince Xian has fallen for a young lady from the Gan household and wants to take her as a concubine, but Prince Xiaoyao also fancies the same young lady from the Gan household and is also preparing to take her as a concubine. This is why things have become like this!"
Were the brothers falling out over one woman?
The Gan household! Gan... that surname is indeed rare.
"Who is Miss Gan?" Zhao Jiaqi twisted her neck. She hadn't seen anyone else in the dining hall besides them who would cause such a stir.
Su Ya quickly replied, "It's the one who traded a jade hairpin for food with you. She's a庶女 (shu nu - daughter of a concubine) from the Gan household in Hedong Prefecture. Because her family was entangled with the betrothal gifts from the Zhang household, they sent two庶女 from the Gan household to the Zhang household as concubines. These two women were both spirited, so they escaped. They walked in the mountains for two days and saw us cooking. They were starving, so they came out to ask for food, which led to what happened next!"
Hearing the whole story, though not in precise detail, she could guess most of it.
庶女 from noble households were generally not valued unless they were exceptionally talented, or if there were no legitimate daughters in the family and they needed to be used for alliances. Otherwise, a 庶女 was like a concubine, easily given away or used for favors.
At this moment, she realized that a 庶女 could also be exchanged for money. Heh... how ironic.
"Looking at how the brothers are puffing up like agitated fighting cocks, it seems this Miss Gan is not only devastatingly beautiful but also must have very impressive skills. Go... bring her to me!" Zhao Jiaqi's words were filled with fiery energy!
Her expression was also quite grim, and instantly, the two brothers stopped their infighting and began to pay attention to Zhao Jiaqi, this unpredictable person!
Huangfu Xian cautiously asked her, "Sister-in-law, what do you want to see Jiaojiao for?"
"Jiaojiao is timid and not as open-minded as Sister-in-law. Don't frighten her!" Huangfu Xu chimed in, following Prince Xian's words.
Zhao Jiaqi let out a light chuckle, looking at their timid demeanor, she almost suspected herself of being a fierce bandit who ate people without spitting out bones!
"I haven't even met the person, and you two are already protecting her like this. This makes me even more curious about what kind of woman could have captivated the two of you so deeply!"
As she finished speaking, Su Ya led in two women dressed in fine, elegant attire. They stood tall and graceful, as if carved from jade, and could be described as bringing fish and geese to sink and flowers and moon to shame. These descriptions were not an exaggeration for the two women!
Fair skin, beautiful faces, and long legs; in two words, they were good-looking!
Zhao Jiaqi scrutinized both of them and asked, "Who is Jiaojiao?"
At this moment, the woman in a light pink dress took a step forward, bowed slightly to her, and lowered her head. The tassels on her hair bun fell, inlaid with rubies, making her appear even more charming and captivating. She said in a voice as pleasant as a yellow oriole's, "My name is Gan Jiaojiao!"
"Raise your head!"
Gan Jiaojiao raised her head at the command, her eyes not daring to meet Zhao Jiaqi's. She merely tilted her head up slightly. The ingrained subservience in her nature made them habitually feel inferior.
Before, when everyone was unaware of their identities, they could interact normally. Now, knowing their identities and the noble status of this group, the two became even more cautious and apprehensive, not daring to overstep.
Zhao Jiaqi nodded slightly and then looked at the other woman in a pink long dress: "What is your name!"
"Replying to Your Highness, my name is Gan Yaoyao."
She had a sweet appearance, and though a notch below Gan Jiaojiao, she was still stunningly beautiful.
Zhao Jiaqi asked them, "Both Prince Xian and Prince Xiaoyao wish to take Jiaojiao as a concubine. What do Jiaojiao and Yaoyao think of this matter?"
Gan Yaoyao was taken aback. What did taking her sister as a concubine have to do with her?
However, she still answered respectfully, "Replying to Your Highness, my concubine mother is a concubine, and I was born with a lower status. Therefore, even if I were to be a servant or a maid, I would never become someone's concubine in this life, not even for royalty!"
Gan Jiaojiao also repeatedly nodded, pulling her sister to kneel on the ground, and said, "My sister and I have the same idea. We beg Your Highness to be our judge. Allow my sister and me to remain by Your Highness's side as lowly maids. We seek no riches or honor, only a place to shelter from the wind and rain!"
Gan Yaoyao also echoed her sentiments, describing their tragic lives. If they returned to the Gan household, then once they left, these two would still be subjected to various alliances, and who knew who they would be sold to next time. Rather than placing their lives in someone else's hands, it was better to choose their own path.
After listening to the sisters' words, Zhao Jiaqi looked at Prince Xian and Prince Xiaoyao: "Have the two of you heard what these sisters have said?"
The two awkwardly touched their faces, exchanged glances, and remained silent. Neither had expected these two women to have such thoughts.
Originally, given their background, taking them as side consorts would have been generous. Who knew they wouldn't even care about that? How could they possibly have the face to speak to their sister-in-law?