Volume One, Chapter 14: Does Prince Jing Have a Connection with You as Well?

Su Hao's mind was in turmoil. He finally realized that when Yun Jinhua left the Marquis of Pingyang’s residence, she had taken the Su family’s good fortune with her.

“Ziwen, your grandmother was right. Ask Ling Xuan where all that money was spent.”

“Father, I’ve already asked. Aside from supplementing household expenses, it was all used to secure my son’s future. Otherwise, do you think I would have gotten this official position of the fourth rank?” Su Ziwen said, then entered the inner residence.

It was clearly Yun Jinhua who had upset this family, so why did grandmother and father start to dislike Xuan’er?

She was gentle and obedient; since entering the Su household, she had been deeply affectionate with him, respectful and filial to the elders, and kind to those beneath her. Had everyone simply forgotten her good qualities?

The Marquis of Pingyang pondered. Over the years, although Ling Xuan’s father and brothers had risen slowly, they had each entered the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel—places of real power and wealth.

In contrast, Ziwen had only secured a nominal post, far less prestigious than Yun Jinhua’s influence.

Those favored by fate receive many helpers. Even Prince Jing had taken the initiative to show goodwill toward Yun Jinhua. Could it be that the Su family had truly erred?

With a swift motion, a figure gracefully dismounted from his horse and landed firmly before the gates of the General of the Nation’s mansion. He was a handsome young man, about seventeen or eighteen, with a jade-white face, dark eyebrows, round, bright crane-like eyes, and a faint smile.

His nose was full and high, his mouth angular with a lazy, casual smile line. His black hair was tied up, crowned with a golden headdress inlaid with pearls.

Dressed in splendid brocade, tall and slender, he wore a deep blue long robe with gold embroidery and a jade belt wrapped in gold thread, the clasp made of matching jade.

Standing there with calm composure, he was both elegant and naturally exuded an innate nobility.

“Prince Jing, Xiao Muchen, pays a visit. Please be so kind as to announce my arrival,” he said politely to the guards at the door.

The guards quickly saluted and one dashed inside to deliver the message.

Yun Jinhua, accompanied by Bai Zhi and Qing Dai, welcomed Prince Jing into the flower hall, where Xiao Muchen took the guest seat.

Looking at the youth as if he had stepped out of a traditional ink painting, Yun Jinhua silently marveled: were all royal children born so spirited and handsome?

“Marquis of Wu’an, I come today bearing silver—107,532 taels, not a single cent less. From now on, your debts with the Su family are wiped clean,” Xiao Muchen stated plainly.

“Oh? Has the Prince been commissioned by the Su family?” Yun Jinhua smiled faintly.

Did the Su family still hold significant sway at court?

“No, I am concerned they might delay repayment by feigning inability to gather such a sum. I lent them 120,000 taels of silver myself to relieve their urgent need and spare you the trouble of collecting debts. Such a scoundrel family is not worth your continued entanglement,” Xiao Muchen said warmly, like a spring breeze soothing the heart.

Yun Jinhua was stunned. The Prince was doing this for her?

But they had no prior acquaintance!

“Prince, thank you kindly for your concern,” Yun Jinhua rose to express her gratitude.

Xiao Muchen let out a light chuckle.

“Marquis of Wu’an, I’m not one to act without gain. This silver isn’t lent for free—it yields 40,000 taels a year! Everyone benefits; why wouldn’t I do this?” he said proudly, raising his eyebrows.

Yun Jinhua pursed her lips. Was the Su family really so easily milked?

“Heh heh, though I dealt them a harsh blow, the Marquis of Pingyang’s manor can only swallow their pride. Apart from me, they can’t borrow a single coin. Marquis of Wu’an, I’m not one to bully others with my power, but I cannot stand seeing them oppress a lone woman like you. You’re a meritorious subject of Nanling; the royal family will never mistreat you,” Xiao Muchen patiently explained, fearing she might misunderstand.

“Thank you, Your Highness, for your timely help,” Yun Jinhua smiled brightly.

Evil is met with evil. Prince Jing had been cunning since youth, yet bore no ill repute in the capital.

One becomes devil or saint depending on the nature of those they encounter.

“We’ve known each other for years; why be so distant now?” Xiao Muchen waved carelessly.

Yun Jinhua was speechless.

Were all these martial generals who earned their merits so soothing in manner?

“Marquis of Wu’an, no matter what troubles you face in the future, I will stand for you. The gates of the Prince Jing mansion will always be open to you,” Xiao Muchen almost said outright, “I protect you.”

Yun Jinhua chuckled dryly. Yes, she could freely come and go from the palace as well.

Was the royal family afraid she would gather troops and rebel?

Being held so high—would the fall be all the more devastating?

“Marquis of Wu’an, farewell!” Xiao Muchen left like the wind.

With business done and intentions expressed, there was no reason to linger. Warriors prized decisiveness.

“Miss, does Prince Jing have a relationship with you?” Qing Dai’s small face showed a large question mark.

“When attending palace banquets with my parents, we crossed paths a few times, but there’s no close friendship,” Yun Jinhua shook her head softly.

“Miss, Prince Jing is young and handsome. Could he have other designs on you? No good deed is without ulterior motives,” Bai Zhi blinked her dark eyes, offering a friendly warning.

Qing Dai instantly grew nervous. If that was the case, that scoundrel definitely harbored ill intentions too!

“Miss, don’t be swayed by small favors. Some men are craftier than enemies on the battlefield!” Qing Dai’s face tightened.

Both the pirate and Prince Jing were people best avoided.

One was brazenly reckless, the other a dagger behind a smile.

They would not bring happiness to the lady.

“What nonsense? Prince Jing is the late emperor’s legitimate son, noble in status and outstanding in character. His future princess must be a talented, virtuous lady from a reputable family. The favor he showed me is merely a formality; what he truly values is the silver. You two—one imagining too much, the other worrying needlessly—are the only ones who treat me like a rare treasure,” Yun Jinhua said with an amused shake of her head.

Her feud with Su Ziwen seemed, on the surface, to have ended with her “divorcing” him and claiming victory.

Yet in most eyes, she was still a rebellious, unreasonable outcast—the Su family’s discarded wife.

Not to mention the emperor or Prince Jing, even the sons of high-ranking officials or noble families wouldn’t consider her for marriage.

“Miss, you were always a dazzling pearl. In the past, young talents vying for your favor would line up from the mansion gates to the city walls! Now that you have earned merit, been titled Marquis of Wu’an, I don’t know who could possibly be worthy of you,” Qing Dai fretted.

Yun Jinhua’s gaze darkened. Having barely escaped one inferno, why choose another to leap into?

No man was as important as her own family.