TFSRITA Chapter 158

Ji Jiaxun finally realized what had happened. He shot Yan Qing a disdainful glance and, fuming with anger, went to grab his clothes, muttering to himself, “Being married isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

As he dressed, he spoke with malice: “Just wait, when you meet my parents, you’ll regret this. As a woman, you went to Cuihong Pavilion—my parents will scold you…”

Yan Qing, uninterested in his childish outbursts, let Orchid help her with her grooming.

After Ji Jiaxun finished dressing, he noticed that Yan Qing had a servant attending to her, and he immediately became displeased. Hands on his hips, he pointed at Orchid and harshly ordered, “You, come over here and attend to me!”

Orchid hesitated, casting a glance at Yan Qing before remaining still.

Yan Qing calmly replied, “The stick is right by the bed. Do you want to test it now?”

Ji Jiaxun froze, then instinctively looked around and indeed spotted the very familiar stick by the headboard. His anger flared, and he angrily pointed at Yan Qing. “Do you think I’m someone you can push around? Yesterday I gave you a face, but today? I won’t—”

Before he could finish, his hand was seized by Yan Qing, and in a swift move, she twisted his arms behind his back, effectively immobilizing him.

Orchid kept her head lowered, not daring to look up.

The other maidservants in the room quickly followed suit and lowered their gazes as well.

If this were any other young master’s household, the female servants might have sneaked a few glances or even tried to win favor with the young master. However, in this household, it seemed they were all actively avoiding Ji Jiaxun.

Yan Qing couldn’t help but take a couple of extra seconds to observe.

She could feel the youth struggling beneath her grasp, but he couldn’t break free. He glared at her and growled, “Let go of me! Or I’ll have my mother beat you!”

Yan Qing applied more pressure, pushing him toward the wall, and pinning him there. She held his neck with one hand, and her body was so close that even without makeup, her beauty was undeniable. Her breath brushed his face, carrying the same fragrance that had lingered in the air all night.

Ji Jiaxun instinctively pressed his lips together, unable to speak the angry words he had planned to say. His voice softened, a trace of hesitation in it. “I’m serious!”

Yan Qing smiled, leaning closer, and whispered in his ear, “If she beats me, I’ll beat you. Want to try it?”

The warm, damp-breath by his ear made him shudder, and he turned his head away, trying to shout, but his voice had already dropped to a whisper. “Let go!”

Yan Qing released him and took a couple of steps back, then calmly told Orchid, “Prepare me.”

“Yes, miss,” Orchid nodded and quickly moved to her side.

Ji Jiaxun glared at the woman who seemed entirely unbothered by the situation, then glanced at his flushed face. With a frustrated snort, he reluctantly began washing up.

Yan Qing and Ji Jiaxun walked side by side into the main hall.

The Pingwu Marquis’s residence housed everyone in the Ji family.

Ji Jiaxun had two younger brothers and an elderly mother, though their positions were different. Yan Qing, being the daughter of the prime minister and married by imperial decree, was of high status. Regardless of the political background, her identity was not something to be disregarded.

She didn’t need to worry about much, as long as she maintained her dignity, so she wasn’t nervous about the meeting.

However, as she entered the hall and saw the many people gathered on either side, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of tension.

Noticing her unease, Ji Jiaxun smirked and muttered under his breath, “Now you’re scared? You’d better behave from now on…”

Yan Qing shot him a sidelong glance but continued walking straight ahead.

“Ah, the bride has arrived!” a loud voice from a woman cheerfully announced.

Soon, others joined in, calling out greetings.

The warm greetings interrupted Ji Jiaxun’s comments, and he pouted in displeasure as he followed after them.

Once Yan Qing fully entered the room, the others couldn’t help but murmur among themselves. She was indeed beautiful—no wonder she had been known as the capital’s top beauty. Still, there was something a bit too dazzling about her, a sense that she wasn’t content to stay in one place.

However, these thoughts were kept to themselves, and outwardly, everyone expressed their admiration for her.

As Yan Qing walked in, she noticed that Ji Jiaxun’s grandmother was absent, with only his parents seated at the high table.

She greeted them respectfully, received tea and red envelopes, and was complimented. She also referred to them as “father” and “mother,” formally acknowledging them.

Except for a few of Ji Jiaxun’s younger sisters, who were reluctant to call her “sister-in-law,” everything went smoothly.

However, when she reached the third aunt, a small issue arose.

The young and beautiful third aunt grabbed her hand, laughing lightly. “Sister-in-law, you’re truly a sight to behold, much prettier than the girl my mother keeps around.”

The Grand Princess’s smile faded, and she forced a smile. “Don’t say things like that. Everyone has their tastes, don’t you think, son?”

Ji Jiaxun, who had been sitting calmly nearby, eating pastries, didn’t plan to respond at first. But seeing the woman’s hand still holding Yan Qing’s, and the attention they were drawing, he thought for a moment, then swallowed the food in his mouth and said loudly, “Of course, the woman I married is the most beautiful.”

Yan Qing gave him a half-smile, surprised at how quickly he’d changed his tune.

Ji Jiaxun noticed her gaze, and with a flash of irritation, he shot her a look filled with barely concealed threat, though he didn’t act on it.

The Grand Princess exchanged a look with her husband, a satisfied smile appearing on her face. “Alright, it’s time. Let’s have breakfast.”

“Alright,” the third aunt said calmly, patting Yan Qing’s hand. She sighed, “You are a sight.”

Yan Qing didn’t mind, pulling her hand back and slowly following the Grand Princess.

At the dining table, men and women were not seated separately since it was a family meal. Given the number of people, a large table was used.