My elder sister-in-law once said that if, one day, she was willing to reveal her vulnerability to someone and could accept his kindness with a clear conscience, then it would mean she had fallen for that person.
So…
Shen Mingzhu lowered her head and stole a glance at Liang Jingting.
His back was tall and strong; he seemed like a rough person.
But in reality, he spoke to her very gently and was responsible in his actions.
Most importantly, with her elder brother and sister-in-law not around for several months, he had helped her with many things she couldn't do before.
Perhaps he truly was sincere towards her!
Her elder sister-in-law had said that priceless treasures are easy to find, but a true lover is hard to come by.
Once you meet one, you should hold on!
After Shen Mingzhu had settled Zhao shi and Shen Zhao, whom she had brought back, she went to the front courtyard.
She circled around a few times, sent away Ziyan, who was by her side, and looked around to see no one else. Shen Mingzhu called out to Liang Jingting: "Young Master Shizi…"
Liang Jingting was standing before a rock garden, fiddling with a jade bracelet and lost in his thoughts.
His birth mother had specifically called him over for a talk when she learned of the Shen family's troubles.
She had asked him if he still had feelings for Shen Mingzhu now that the Shen family was in trouble.
"Heh, what kind of question is that?"
He had immediately refuted his own birth mother.
From beginning to end, it was Shen Mingzhu herself that he fancied.
It had nothing to do with her family background or her status.
So, what connection did the Shen family's troubles have to his feelings for Mingzhu?
After hearing his words, he thought his mother would be displeased.
To his surprise, she had immediately given him their family's heirloom Imperial Green bracelet.
She asked him to seize the opportunity this time to test Shen Mingzhu's feelings.
If there was hope, he must present the bracelet.
She even helped him analyze Shen Mingzhu's current state of mind.
She said that now that her elder brother and sister-in-law, who supported the entire Shen family, were in trouble, she must be feeling terrible.
She still had her elderly mother and young brother to take care of.
This was the moment of truth for him.
Princess Xiang had encouraged Liang Jingting not to hesitate, to stand firmly by Shen Mingzhu's side and give her support.
And so, he had moved in.
But how was he to present this jade bracelet?
Liang Jingting was troubled.
His relationship with Shen Mingzhu had become much closer than before.
He didn't want to ruin the beautiful bond between them.
He needed to find a good way.
As Liang Jingting racked his brains, he suddenly heard Shen Mingzhu's pleasant voice.
He was startled, turned around without warning, reached out, and slipped the jade bracelet into Shen Mingzhu's hand.
"For you…" Then he ran away.
He ran away…
Shen Mingzhu stared at the valuable bracelet in her hand, momentarily stunned.
What was going on?
Before she could figure it out, Liang Jingting, who had run away, returned.
He summoned his courage to tell her that this was their Xiang Royal family's heirloom bracelet, given only to the eldest daughter-in-law.
Before he could even speak, he heard Shen Mingzhu say, "Young Master Shizi, I know it might not be appropriate to say this at this moment, but I still want to ask you. Our family is in trouble now, are your previous words about marrying me still valid?"
Shen Mingzhu had made up her mind.
Regardless of the reason her elder brother and sister-in-law had been sent to the Imperial Prison, she had to find a way to save them.
But with her own limited power, she was helpless.
She could only place her hopes in others.
And the Young Shizi of Xiang Royal was an excellent candidate.
If she married him, he would surely help her.
Of course, if he refused, she wouldn't hold it against him.
After all, at this moment, asking him to agree would likely be difficult for him.
But she couldn't think of any other way.
And she didn't want to miss this chance at love.
True love is tested in times of hardship.
Liang Jingting stared blankly at Shen Mingzhu. Although his body was still, his hands did not stop.
He grabbed Shen Mingzhu's hand and slipped the bracelet onto her wrist.
Bracelets were made in different sizes. Liang Jingting, who had never given a bracelet to anyone before, didn't understand. He forced it on, and it surprisingly fit.
Shen Mingzhu was startled by his enthusiasm and took a few steps back.
But she accidentally bumped into the flower bed behind her and nearly fell.
Shen Mingzhu cried out in fear, thinking, "This is it, this flower bed is behind a cluster of rocks, if my head hits that, I'll get at least a big bump."
But the expected pain did not come.
Instead, she fell into a broad and warm embrace.
"Mmm…" Shen Mingzhu smelled a familiar scent, raised her head with her hand covering her forehead, and immediately met Liang Jingting's dark, ink-like eyes.
"Young Master Shizi…" Shen Mingzhu's face flushed red. She quietly glanced at their position.
Liang Jingting held her waist, and her head rested on his shoulder.
She instinctively struggled.
But Liang Jingting, drawing courage from somewhere, held her tightly and whispered into her ear with a charming voice:
"Mingzhu, don't ask me to let go. If I don't let go now, I'll never let go in this lifetime."
Shen Mingzhu's face turned completely red.
But she no longer struggled.
Since their relationship had been made clear, there was no point in being coy.
She nodded gently.
Liang Jingting was overjoyed.
After settling Shen Mingzhu, he said he had to go back.
He had to ask his father and mother if the betrothal gifts they had prepared were presentable.
Shen Mingzhu was a bit shy but watched resolutely as Liang Jingting walked away.
She was wondering how to deliver the news to her elder brother and sister-in-law.
But what she didn't expect was that the events between them reached the Imperial Prison within two quarters of an hour.
The one delivering the message was Ji Chenggang himself.
He cupped his hands towards Shen Yun: "Congratulations, Lord Shen, you are about to have a brother-in-law."
Shen Yun was initially confused, then quickly reacted: "Did Liang Jingting take advantage of the situation?"
Ji Chenggang chuckled.
He said he didn't know the details.
Because to protect the safety of the Shen family's dependents, he had stationed Jin Yi Wei at the Shen residence.
However, they only stayed in the periphery.
They dared not enter the inner courtyard.
It would ruin the reputation of the female dependents.
Therefore, he only learned of the news.
After all, the Young Shizi of Xiang Royal was practically broadcasting it to everyone.
But Liang Jingting hadn't said much about the specific details of their conversation.
"Alas, if I may say, apart from the somewhat unsavory reputation of his being jinxed to wives…
Uh, actually, the reputation is not entirely his fault. Today, your brother will tell you the truth.
I had someone investigate the affairs of the Xiang Royal household."
Seeing that Shen Yun was finding it difficult to accept Liang Jingting's reputation, Ji Chenggang kindly told him what he had found out about the Xiang Royal household.
As it turned out, Liang Jingting's so-called jinxed reputation was nothing like what was being spread.
His first fiancée had indeed died.
But the problems that followed were not coincidental, nor accidental, but inevitable.
It was all because his father had married a formidable concubine.
She, in order to elevate her own son, had been coveting the position and had constantly plotted to harm the Princess of Xiang and her son.
However, she was cautious and, fearing the Princess of Xiang's power, dared not act directly against them.
Instead, she had been constantly making trouble behind the scenes.
Spreading the rumor that the Young Shizi of Xiang Royal was jinxed to wives was intended to prevent him from marrying and having children.
Consider this: one is a Shizi who cannot even marry a wife, and the other is a second son who has already fathered several children.
The Prince of Xiang would naturally choose the one who had already had children to inherit the throne.
Coupled with Concubine Liu's incessant whispers,
In fact, in the past few years, the Prince of Xiang had indeed considered changing the heir.
Of course, he only thought about it.
With the Princess of Xiang around, this matter could not be accomplished.
However, Concubine Liu's methods were horrifying, and no one knew what terrible things she might do next.
Fortunately, she was taken away by Su Xiaoqi.
This had truly removed a major hidden danger for the Princess of Xiang.
"If you knew all this, why didn't you tell anyone?" Su Xiaoqi frowned.
While marveling at the capabilities of these Jin Yi Wei,
She also complained that they could stand by and watch such a situation unfold.
Human lives were at stake!
Ji Chenggang spread his hands and shrugged.
Meaning, this was their job as Jin Yi Wei.
They knew too many secrets.
Unless absolutely necessary, they would not reveal them.
"Then do you know about our family?" Su Xiaoqi asked curiously.
Ji Chenggang trembled: "A question that could lead to my death!"