Peach Blossom.

Chen Ji brought Tao Ye back to the Chen Mansion. Naturally, there was no ceremony. Although they had no prior agreement, they both knew that this was just a fake marriage.

But in order to conceal their tracks, Chen Ji and Tao Ye still stayed in the same room, but they just sat there and chatted.

This was mainly to hide it from Chen Ji's brother Chen Xi.

Later, Chen Ji asked Mada to inquire about the Wang family's news. It was said that although the Wang family had taken the princess in and held a banquet, it was just to fit the occasion. The most incredible thing was that the groom Wang Jing himself never showed up in front of the guests from beginning to end.

Tao Ye was sitting around, bored, eating melon seeds to kill time, and asked Chen Ji casually, "Do you know what disease Wang Jing has? Why can't he even attend his own wedding?"

Chen Ji was half lying lazily, and he laughed: "You might as well worry about whether the princess will come to the palace to complain tomorrow and then sentence us to death!"

"Is it that serious?" Tao Ye seemed a little unconvinced.

Chen Ji smiled faintly and nodded.

Tao Ye was a little scared, and tried to comfort herself: "You... didn't you say that the official likes me?"

Chen Ji gave a helpless smile and said, "Please, girl, the emperor likes Tao Ye, and you are the most beautiful girl in the house now!"

"Yes..." Tao Ye suddenly realized.

Chen Ji just sighed and felt speechless about Tao Ye.

Tao Ye asked weakly: "Then...what should we do then?"

Chen Ji was still smiling as he mocked Tao Ye: "Are you worried now? What were you doing before you got into trouble? You didn't even say hello, and you got me into trouble. I don't know who to complain to!"

Tao Ye rolled her eyes: "Forget it! You are still feeling wronged? You embarrassed her by tripping her in front of the Wang family's gate, you are much worse than me! I still think I was implicated by you!"

After saying that, both of them couldn't help laughing.

Afterwards, Tao Ye began to make up for her homework. She asked Chen Ji to tell her all the information he knew about the Wang family, so that when she needed to face the Wang family in the future, she would not be confused all the time.

Although Chen Ji and the Wang family had little contact, as both were officials in the capital, they knew a lot about each other and would tell Tao Ye whatever he thought of.

Tao Ye basically figured out the Wang family's family structure:

The Minister of the Interior, Wang Yi, only had one wife, Xiao Rui, and never had a concubine. They had three sons and no daughters.

The eldest son, Wang Dun, is 32 years old this year. He is the Minister of the Central Secretariat and was once the companion of the current emperor. Therefore, he is quite trusted by the emperor.

The second son, Wang Jing, is 25 years old this year. He is recognized as a genius, but he is not willing to be an official. He was invited to serve as a governor in another place for two years, but later resigned and returned home. It is said that he is taciturn and always looks down on others.

The third son, Wang Ao, is only thirteen years old this year. He does not have his own ideas yet and only obeys the orders of his parents and elder brothers.

In addition, Wang Yi has a large group of brothers, cousins, nephews, nieces and sons-in-law, almost all of whom are officials in Beijing or outside. They are too numerous to mention, and Tao Ye can't really remember them all.

However, Wang Yi, the most prestigious member of the Wang family, has been bedridden for more than a year. He does not take up his post or see guests. Even if someone comes to him for important official or personal matters, the eldest son will convey the message on his behalf.

Tao Ye was about to ask about the family background of Zhou Yunniang, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Wang family, when she suddenly heard the sound of a motor coming from the courtyard outside the door: "Second Young Master, the Second Young Master of the Wang family is visiting."

Tao Ye was very puzzled. She had stayed at Wang's house for two days. Didn't the Wang family say that Wang Jing was too sick to get out of bed? How could he come here on his wedding night?

Before they could think about it, they heard Wang Jing's voice again: "Ah Jiao, it's me, can you come out and see me?"

There was longing in that voice.

For some reason, Tao Ye suddenly became nervous. She seemed to be afraid of seeing Wang Jing. Maybe it was because she vaguely felt that Wang Jing was the person who knew Mantang Jiao best, and was also the person most likely to expose her identity.

Chen Ji smiled knowingly, leaned close to Tao Ye's ear, and whispered, "Our chance to survive has come!"

Tao Ye didn’t quite understand.

Chen Ji stood up, grabbed Tao Ye's arm and was about to go out, but Tao Ye shook her head timidly.

Chen Ji pushed Tao Ye again and whispered, "As long as you make him feel that you are ruthless on the surface but nostalgic in your heart, you can succeed!"

Tao Ye was still sitting there, struggling.

Chen Ji seemed a little angry: "Do you still want to live?"

Tao Ye looked up at Chen Ji, finally stood up, and was held hand by Chen Ji, walking out the door together.

As they stepped out of the room, they saw Wang Jing standing in the courtyard and Ma Da standing not far away.

This was the second time Tao Ye saw Wang Jing. He was leaning on a crutch, and his beard looked sloppy and haggard, as if he hadn't trimmed it for several days.

This appearance surprised Tao Ye.

She clearly remembered that the last time she saw Wang Jing in Chen Xi's garden, his legs and feet were fine and he didn't use crutches. Although mature and capable, he was full of energy. He didn't look so old at all like he does now.

It was dark and the lights were on in the courtyard, but the light was very dim. Wang Jing saw Chen Ji and Tao Ye, who were wearing wedding clothes and holding hands, and it seemed as if he had thousands of words stuck in his throat.

Chen Ji smiled and greeted politely: "Brother Wang, why are you here with me instead of accompanying your beloved wife on your wedding night?"

Wang Jing seemed not to have heard Chen Ji's words. He walked forward with his crutch, limping and walking very slowly. After walking for a long time, he finally arrived in front of Tao Ye.

Tao Ye didn't understand why Wang Jing suddenly became a cripple. When she got closer, she saw that Wang Jing had heavy dark circles under his eyes.

Wang Jing looked at Tao Ye's face affectionately: "Ah Jiao, are you okay?"

"I..." Tao Ye looked at the haggard face, and her heart softened before she could say anything. It seemed that she didn't know how to act ruthless.

Chen Ji pulled the hand that he and Tao Ye were holding. Tao Ye came to her senses and quickly put on a heartless face. She insisted on not looking at Wang Jing and said in a very stiff tone: "What are you doing here? I don't want to see you!"

"But... I want to see you every day..." Wang Jing's mouth opened and closed, and his voice trembled.

Unconsciously, Tao Ye felt a little soft-hearted again. She realized that Wang Jing was wearing very thin clothes and was shivering in the cool night.

She accidentally said something caring: "Why don't you wear one more layer?"

Chen Ji pulled Tao Ye's hand again, this time with a bit more force, and Tao Ye accidentally screamed.

This scream actually made Wang Jing feel distressed. He turned his gaze to Chen Ji: "If you can't treat her well, please give her back to me!"

Chen Ji bared his teeth and looked at Wang Jing in surprise: "So you can still see me? I thought you just treated me like air!"

Wang Jing ignored Chen Ji and turned his gaze back to Tao Ye: "I know that you married here because you had no choice, just like me, so I came to take you away. Are you still willing to go with me?"

Tao Ye calmed down. She remembered that Wang Jing and the princess had been secretly together for a long time. Looking at Wang Jing in front of her and listening to what he just said, she felt disgusted. So she immediately ordered him to leave: "Who are you talking to with such hypocritical words? Go back and coax your lovely wife!"

Wang Jing still looked at Tao Ye with a determined look: "Why do you have to say that? Doesn't our previous agreement count anymore?"

Tao Ye was most afraid of mentioning something like "previous agreement" for fear of being exposed. She wished Wang Jing would leave quickly, and she had to say something that would make him give up.

She then showed an extremely resolute attitude, with a slightly angry tone: "It's too late! Nothing can go back! You already have a new wife, and I also have a new husband. We shouldn't meet again. Please don't force me to break the rules, okay?"

"Are you really willing to marry someone else?" Wang Jing's expression gradually became disappointed.

Tao Ye thought of many things about Wang Jing. She remembered that Princess Si Yao almost beat Cai Wei to a pulp by giving her a dog to protect Wang Jing. She also remembered that Chen Xi, Si Yao, and Wang Jing conspired to have Chen Ji demoted to a commoner. Before she knew it, she said out loud, "No matter which man is better than a heartless man like you, who can't be trusted?"

Wang Jing did not refute. He stared at Tao Ye for a long time and was silent for a long time. Finally, he turned around, still leaning on his crutches, and walked out step by step along the same route he came from.

Tao Ye suddenly remembered that the most important purpose of her meeting Wang Jing seemed to have not been achieved yet, so she immediately shouted to Wang Jing: "Wait for the princess to see the emperor tomorrow and accuse me of my crime today. Once I am sentenced to death, no one will stop you from marrying up with the rich and powerful!"

While saying this, Tao Ye tried hard to cry, but unfortunately her acting skills were not good. After trying for a long time, there were only a few tears in her eyes.

However, Wang Jing seemed to notice the little bit of water. He stared at Tao Ye's eyes and said, "I understand what you mean. Don't worry, I will take care of this matter. Unless I die..."

Tao Ye's heart was shocked by Wang Jing again.

Wang Jing took one last look at Tao Ye, then walked out again with his crutches, leaving Tao Ye's sight.

After watching Wang Jing leave, Tao Ye finally breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, she felt a little uncomfortable in her heart.

Tao Ye broke away from Chen Ji's hand and looked at the night sky where Wang Jing disappeared: "I don't know if it's my illusion, but my feeling tells me that Wang Jing's feelings for Mantang Jiao are real."

Chen Ji just smiled slightly: "After eight years of marriage and having a daughter together, how could there be no feelings? But even if there are feelings, even if he has a beautiful and virtuous wife, he still can't resist the temptation of power!"

After saying that, Chen Ji yawned and went back to his room to sleep.

Tao Ye looked at the dark night sky without feeling sleepy at all. She couldn't help but imagine Wang Jing walking on the street - without any means of transportation, without any thick coat, and only a cane creaking on the ground. She didn't know how long it would take him to walk back.

His shadow, perhaps, is as lonely as his cane.

In the backyard of Situ Mansion, how will the princess, who is waiting for him to spend her wedding night together, treat him?