TFSRITA Chapter 173

So when the topic of the matriarch came up, and the memories resurfaced, Yan Qing’s expression shifted.

Of course, Ji Jiaxun, with his naive and puppy-like nature, couldn’t tell. He was staring at her with a puzzled look in his bright, shiny eyes.

Yan Qing gave his head a playful ruffle. When she pulled her hand away, he squinted his eyes in satisfaction, returning to his studies.

Balancing work and rest—when studying, he didn’t need to move his body, and when training, he didn’t need to study.

Occasionally, Yan Qing would reward him with something he desired, and Ji Jiaxun had become completely unbothered by this. He was quite pleased, thinking to himself, As expected, my parents were right. Marriage does have its benefits.

As for the things that happened before, Ji Jiaxun had selectively forgotten them.

During this time, Yan Qing occasionally encountered the eldest prince on his visits.

Since the crown prince hadn’t been officially determined, the emperor couldn’t directly confer titles on the older princes. In this era, granting a prince a title was equivalent to saying they had no right to inherit the throne.

Thus, the target would be Xu Chengxiao.

The emperor, not wanting to upset his cherished son, wouldn’t do such a thing. He needed to quickly secure enough power for his son.

Every time the eldest prince came over, no matter how cold the reception was within the house, once he left the Princess’s residence, he was always smiling, even though no one came to send him off.

He was pushing the Marquis of Pingwu to take his side.

His methods were completely without mercy.

As for the fourth prince, who was only nineteen and just beginning to work in the court, he showed no particular display of power.

In contrast, Yan Qing had a higher opinion of the fourth prince.

She even suspected that perhaps the eldest prince’s insinuations led the emperor to believe that the Marquis of Pingwu had already sided with him, which might pose a threat to the third prince. This could explain the subsequent events.

However, for now, Yan Qing didn’t know how to resolve this issue since she hadn’t yet found a way to contact the princes directly.

Early one morning, with gifts prepared in advance, Yan Qing and Ji Jiaxun set off in a carriage for the Marquis of Pingwu’s residence.

Inside the carriage, Ji Jiaxun preemptively warned her, “If my grandmother says anything unpleasant, just let me know.”

Yan Qing gave him a smile that seemed both playful and knowing. His nervousness was evident, and he even began to doubt himself before she spoke. “You already know?”

Ji Jiaxun awkwardly lowered his head, avoiding her gaze. Every time he looked into her eyes, it was like she could see through him, so he whispered, “…A little.”

Yan Qing laughed lightly, then tilted her head into his chest, hooking her chin. “If you already know, do you still need me to call you? Won’t you take the initiative?”

Ji Jiaxun shook his head vigorously. “I will! I’ll protect you!”

Yan Qing smiled with satisfaction and gently brushed her lips across his. However, when he leaned in for more, she pulled back slightly. “Don’t mess up your lipstick.”

Ji Jiaxun glanced at her with regret but refrained from further action.

The carriage stopped, and Ji Jiaxun exited first, followed by Yan Qing, who took her time getting out.

There were only two doormen at the entrance of the Marquis’s residence. It seemed rather… cold?

Yan Qing raised an eyebrow and looked at Ji Jiaxun. “Your grandmother doesn’t even care about you?”

Ji Jiaxun cleared his throat and hesitated. But realizing that Yan Qing was now his wife, he resigned himself. “She asked for you to come. She didn’t ask for me.”

“Hmm?” Yan Qing was surprised but also understood. Ji Jiaxun had always been a bit of a troublemaker. If it were the original Yan Qing, she wouldn’t have been able to handle him. He was hardly ever home, and when he was, it was rare for him to stay the night. He wouldn’t have come with a woman who was already unwilling, especially for a grandmother he didn’t have much affection for.

Ji Jiaxun shyly confessed, “Mother asked me to come, to help you.”

No matter how odd his grandmother was, she was still an elder. In this world, filial piety came first, and as the younger generation, Yan Qing couldn’t outright defy her.

Yan Qing followed him inside, nodding as she listened to his words. However, when they turned a corner, she glanced back at the four strong, well-dressed young men behind her. It was fine—she had them. Aside from the matriarch, no one else would dare to cross her.

Ji Jiaxun didn’t notice her gaze, assuming she was reluctant to enter, fearing the elder’s harsh treatment. After all, he had seen her humble demeanor when she was at the Yan family’s estate.

He thought for a moment, then took her hand. “Don’t worry, I’m here.”

Yan Qing curved her lips into a smile, and her large, sparkling eyes followed suit, clearly a playful expression. It was the kind of smile that made her look even more charming, and Ji Jiaxun couldn’t help but feel his heart race. He quickly turned his gaze away.

This scene, witnessed by the Ji family members as they entered holding hands, seemed to show a lack of closeness between them.

The matriarch, sitting at the head of the table, softened her expression when she saw them. Her face relaxed slightly, and she looked at the beautiful girl sitting beside her, then called out, “Jiaxun’s back!”

She didn’t question why Ji Jiaxun had come with Yan Qing. Instead, she looked at him with a gentle smile, completely ignoring Yan Qing.

Ji Jiaxun grinned widely. “Grandmother, you’re finally back! I missed you. This is your granddaughter-in-law, Qingqing. Say hello!”

The handsome young man with his red lips and white teeth, despite having darkened a bit and grown more serious, still looked good when he smiled, especially to the elderly.

His slightly sweet words made the matriarch smile, though she playfully scolded him. “I know.”

She turned her gaze to Yan Qing.

At this moment, Yan Qing, having already bowed respectfully, softly called out, “Grandmother,” and had Orchid bring forward the prepared gifts. She gently and gracefully introduced them.

Every gesture of hers exuded a combination of grace and elegance that was rare among women of the time, and it was hard to find any fault in her actions—almost making others feel inferior.

The matriarch, having come from a rural background and raised with a more robust lifestyle, had spent nearly two decades in luxury. This left her with some insecurities, especially since she disliked Yan Qing. She found her presence somewhat abrasive. She nodded curtly and then smiled at her grandson. “You are something. You’ve come, but you didn’t bring anything for Tongtong. She’s been thinking about you.”