in2ebook Chapter 148 A Beautiful but Impractical Dream
Chapter 148 A Beautiful but Impractical Dream
Seeing that it was still early, Jia Rong guessed that the people in the front hall were still entertaining guests, so he and Xu Jiaojiao sunbathed, drank tea, and ate pastries in the courtyard.
The warm sun shines on my skin, making me feel comfortably drowsy.
Xu Jiaojiao squinted contentedly and chatted idly: "Your Highness, have you been in contact with General Tu lately?"
After receiving no response for a long time, Xu Jiaojiao's drowsiness vanished instantly, and she couldn't help but glance at Jia Rong.
The little girl had her eyes downcast, her face showing a mixture of sweetness and pain.
Xu Jiaojiao's heart skipped a beat: "Your Highness? Has something happened?"
Jia Rong came to her senses, smiled first, and then sighed: "Yes, Zhan Nan often writes letters to the palace, mostly about the interesting things that happened in the military camp."
She shook her head with a look of disgust: "His letters are so boring, he even tells me which two horses in the camp have taken a liking to him..."
In just a few words, Xu Jiaojiao could feel Jia Rong's sweetness and happiness: "Does Your Highness like General Tu writing letters like this?"
Jia Rong remained silent for a long while, then nodded slightly: "I like it, I've never liked it before..."
She used to think she liked Li Mingyu, but after truly falling in love, she finally understood what it meant to "love arises without warning and deepens with time"...
For Li Mingyu, it was just a self-deceiving obsession. The moment she finally understood her own heart, this obsession shattered completely.
Despite recognizing the truth, her engagement to Li Mingyu still stood between her and Zhan Nan, suggesting that she and Zhan Nan were destined to be together but ultimately separated...
With the words "I like you," Jia Rong's eyes reddened, making her look extremely pitiful.
Xu Jiaojiao felt a pang of heartache and couldn't help but sit up, raising her hand to gently stroke Jia Rong's soft hair: "Are you upset about the engagement?"
Her deep-seated pride prevented Jia Rong from shedding tears. She bit her lip tightly and nodded after a long while, letting out a muffled "hmm".
Xu Jiaojiao sighed softly: "There may still be room for maneuver in this matter."
Jia Rong shook his head: "After the hunt, I subtly mentioned the matter of annuling the engagement to my father and mother. Unsurprisingly, not only was the engagement not annuled, but I also received a good scolding."
She forced a self-deprecating smile: "It's okay, at least I had my share of pleasure. Consider these days as a beautiful but unreal dream. Now that the dream is over, it's time to face reality..."
Xu Jiaojiao felt even more distressed. She gently took Jia Rong's hand and comforted him, "Your Highness, General Tu is truly devoted to you. Perhaps he is also troubled by this matter. If he knew how much pain you were in, he would surely feel sorry for you. Why don't you be honest with him and work together to find a solution?"
Jia Rong paused slightly, a glimmer of hope appearing in his eyes, but it quickly dimmed again: "The engagement was personally arranged by Father Emperor, and it won't be easily changed..."
Besides, Zhan Nan... might not be willing to take this risk for me.
Seeing her wallowing in self-pity and filled with negativity, Xu Jiaojiao shook her head, her tone gentle yet firm: "Your Highness, do not underestimate General Tu's feelings for you. Although I have only met him a few times, I can sense that he is a man of great affection and righteousness. If he truly loves you, he will surely be willing to do everything in his power for you."
Moreover, this matter may not be without hope. Have you considered that the Emperor has always doted on you? If he could see the affection between you and General Tu, he might change his mind.
Jia Rong remained silent for a moment, then a glimmer of light gradually appeared in his eyes: "But... Father has always valued etiquette and law..."
Xu Jiaojiao raised her hand to cover Jia Rong's mouth, interrupting her before she could finish speaking, and smiled gently: "Your Highness, there aren't that many 'buts'...but..."
If you hesitate and are afraid to take any chances, then you and General Tu will truly be destined to be apart!
She paused, then winked slyly and lowered her voice, saying, "Besides, although Li Mingyu comes from a noble family, he is dissolute and has many criticisms of him in court. If we can find his faults, perhaps His Majesty can reconsider this marriage."
Is it not too despicable to tarnish Li Mingyu's reputation for the sake of his own marriage?
A hint of hesitation flashed in Jia Rong's eyes: "But is doing this too much...?"
Xu Jiaojiao understood Jia Rong's worries perfectly well.
She felt helpless about Jia Rong's kindness, yet hoped that she could always be this kind.
She gently patted Jia Rong's hand and said softly, "Your Highness, you don't need to feel guilty. Marriage is a major event that concerns your lifelong happiness. Li Mingyu is not a good man. Forcing a marriage will only make you suffer for the rest of your life."
Besides, General Tu is an upright man. Wouldn't it be a wonderful thing to spend the rest of one's life with him?
Jia Rong lowered his head, pondered for a long time, and finally nodded gently: "Perhaps... you are right, I can't just give up like this."
Seeing that Jia Rong had been persuaded, Xu Jiaojiao finally showed a relieved smile: "Your Highness, it's wonderful that you think this way. Next, we just need to plan step by step, and we will definitely find a solution."
Jia Rong raised her head, a hint of determination in her eyes: "Sister Jiao Jiao, thank you..."
The two exchanged a smile, as if the gloom in their hearts had dissipated...
……
Several days after the incident of adding the family genealogy, Jia Rong's secret guards quietly sneaked into the bamboo courtyard and delivered a letter to Jia Rong.
The letter mainly mentioned two things.
One matter is that the loom factory has been settled, and Jia Rong is recruiting experienced carpenters. Once everything is arranged, the looms can be manufactured. However, the shipping arrangements are still under discussion.
The second thing is that Jia Rong confessed her feelings to Tu Zhannan, and after some discussion, the two have come up with a preliminary plan to annul the engagement.
Jia Rong also said that Xu Jiaojiao must attend the New Year's Eve banquet, and that he would let her see a good show.
After reading the letter, Xu Jiaojiao calculated the days ahead.
Two months before the New Year's Eve banquet, her belly will be very noticeable, making it inconvenient for her to travel.
With this in mind, Xu Jiaojiao wrote back to Jia Rong, explaining her concerns.
That night, the guards brought Jia Rong's reply and a loose-fitting palace dress for Xu Jiaojiao.
This palace dress has a clever design that can effectively conceal the belly without making the wearer appear bulky.
Jia Rong reassured Xu Jiaojiao that she would make arrangements in advance for the palace banquet and would ensure that Xu Jiaojiao would not be put in a difficult situation.
Since Jia Rong had said so, Xu Jiaojiao naturally couldn't refuse and had no choice but to agree.
I just don't know why Jia Rong insisted that she attend the palace banquet...
……
Two months later, Lunar New Year's Eve will arrive.
In the early morning, Xu Jiaojiao held a hot water bottle and looked at the winter plum blossoms in the courtyard.
These two winter plum trees were transplanted here by order of Prince Chen a month ago.
It was freezing cold, and the whole courtyard was covered in snow, but the two plum trees were blooming exceptionally well.
Cailian draped a cloak over her shoulders: "Miss, we should get ready to do our hair and makeup..."
Xu Jiaojiao nodded slightly.
The evening palace banquet was a solemn occasion, so one really had to dress up nicely.
On the other side, at the Prince Chen's residence.
Xie Peining sat in front of the dressing table, letting the maid tie her hair into a bun.
Wang Mama stood respectfully to the side: "Your Highness, news has come from the palace that Madam Xu will definitely be entering the palace tonight."