Reborn, the daughter of the Marquisate went crazy

Everyone in the Jiang Mansion paled upon hearing this. They were all intelligent people, so how could they not hear the hidden meaning behind the Third Prince's words?

Jiang Zhong and Old Madam Jiang exchanged a glance. The joy they had just felt for their great-grandson had long since vanished, replaced by deep disgust and vigilance.

Jiang Zhong's face turned pale. As a minister, he could neither contradict the Third Prince nor break the window paper of the fight for the throne.

At this dilemma, Xie Qingli, who was standing on the edge of the crowd, had his eyes flashing slightly. He quietly stepped forward, tugged at Jiang Lingji's sleeve, and whispered a few words in his ear.

The Third Prince was watching with smugness as the Jiang family members were humiliated. Just as he was about to speak again, Jiang Lingji suddenly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, this is wrong."

He said respectfully but not servilely, "This may be a piece of cake for Your Highness. Your Highness is known for his virtue, and it is magnanimous of Your Highness not to take such a small kindness to heart. But our Jiang family cannot do that. Such a great favor should be greatly thanked."

He looked at the Third Prince earnestly, "May I ask, Your Highness, where are those who saved our lives now? On this festive occasion, the Jiang Mansion should host a banquet to honor them and express our gratitude in person."

Jiang Zhong's eyes lit up when he heard this; this was a perfect opportunity. He feigned anger and shouted, "Ji'er! How dare you be so presumptuous in front of His Highness! Why don't you retreat immediately and reflect on your actions?"

He immediately turned around and put on a respectful expression, bowing to the Third Prince and saying, "However, what this young man said does make some sense. Your Highness is kind and benevolent, and does not take credit for himself, but my Jiang family cannot be ignorant of etiquette. I hope Your Highness will grant me the opportunity to thank those who saved my life in person."

The Third Prince's smile froze, and he nearly dropped the teacup in his hand. Logically, the guard's contribution should naturally go to his master. His words, "a mere trifle," were merely a show of false modesty.

But the Jiang family's words clearly meant to give all the credit to those guards, completely discrediting him as their master. If he refused, it would make him appear narrow-minded; but if he agreed, wouldn't all his painstaking planning be in vain?

The Third Prince's eyes darkened. In order not to lose the connection he had finally established with the Jiang family, he suddenly chuckled, "General, why are you so reserved? Those guards were only following orders..."

"Your Highness!" Jiang Zhong suddenly interrupted, raising his voice and bowing. "It is this kind of chivalrous man that I respect most in my life! Those guards went beyond their duties, braved bandits, and rescued my granddaughter-in-law, preserving the Jiang family's bloodline. I will never forget this kindness! Today, no matter what, please grant me your personal thanks!"

The Third Prince's throat choked, his words, "If anyone should thank someone, it should be me," being abruptly muffled. His chest heaved violently several times before he managed to suppress his rage. He said in a deep voice, "Since the General is so determined...I will oblige him."

He turned to his followers and ordered coldly: "Go and call the guards who rescued Madam Jiang." After that, he leaned back in his chair with a cold light flashing in his eyes.

Seeing the Third Prince's gloomy expression, Xie Qingyao felt a surge of anxiety. She took delicate steps, bowed gracefully, and said, "Grandfather! His Highness often tells Yao'er how much he admires your loyalty and bravery in guarding the border. Now that we're married, we should visit each other more often..."

Jiang Zhong frowned slightly and asked with a puzzled look: "Who is this girl..."

Although he hadn't been home for many years, he wouldn't have failed to recognize Xie Qingyao. It was just that she was forcing a relationship, insisting on tying the Jiang family and the Third Prince together, which was truly despicable.

Seeing this, the eldest lady chuckled softly, her voice clear and clear: "Father, please excuse me. You've been away from the capital for so long that you might not recognize me. This is the daughter of the Xie family, Xie Qingyao, whom Xue'er mistakenly raised for many years. She is now the concubine of the Third Prince, appointed by the Emperor."

She paused, then added meaningfully, "However, Xue'er has divorced Lord Xie, and the two families are no longer related. Yao'er is now just an adopted daughter of the Xie family, and we can't really be considered relatives with our Jiang family."

Xie Qingyao was struck by lightning when she heard this. Her body swayed and she almost fell down. The Jiang family didn't show her any mercy at all!

She stole a glance at the Third Prince's sinister face, hatred surging in her heart. Good, very good! Since the Jiang family had humiliated her like this today, when she and the Third Prince ascended to the supreme throne, she would definitely execute the entire Jiang family!

Thinking of this, she suppressed the hatred in her heart and forced a smile: "Yao'er is overstepping her bounds."

The Third Prince's face grew increasingly gloomy, and he stood up abruptly: "Today is New Year's Eve, and I will not bother you any more." After that, he flicked his sleeves and strode out. Xie Qingyao hurriedly followed.

Jiang Zhong led the others to escort the Third Prince and Xie Qingyao to the gate of the mansion. When they returned to the hall, he patted Jiang Lingji on the shoulder and laughed loudly, "Good boy! You're quite clever today!"

Jiang Lingji scratched his head embarrassedly and smiled innocently, "My cousin taught me all this." As he spoke, his eyes unconsciously glanced at Xie Qingli who was standing in the corner, his eyes full of admiration.

Jiang Zhong followed his gaze and laughed out loud, "Good, good, you are all good kids!"

Madam Jiang nodded lovingly, "Our little girl Li is the most resourceful." Suddenly, she sighed, a look of worry crossing her brows. "It's just that... the Third Prince has suffered a loss this time, and he won't let it go."

Hearing this, Jiang Zhong's resolute face darkened. "Everyone in our palace should be more vigilant. Are you afraid of a prince with an unstable foundation?"

Madam Jiang nodded slightly, glanced at Tan Ruyan, and her eyes suddenly turned cold: "As for you, since you are pregnant with Lingchuan's child, you should take good care of it in the mansion. If you dare to get involved with the outside world again..."

Before she could finish her words, Tan Ruyan shuddered uncontrollably, nearly dropping the handkerchief in her hand. She hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to meet the old lady's sharp gaze.

Just then, the court physician hurried over. He bowed respectfully to everyone and immediately took Tan Ruyan's pulse. A moment later, his face lit up with joy as he saluted and said, "Congratulations, my lords! The young lady's pulse is indeed slippery, flowing like beads on a plate. The fetus is very stable."

Xie Qingli's eyes flashed with a sly look. She walked forward with a smile and grabbed Tan Ruyan's wrist without saying anything. "Cousin, when I was in the countryside, I learned a little from the barefoot doctor in the village. Let me examine you too!"

Tan Ruyan glanced at her with disgust and tried to pull her hand back, but found that her wrist was firmly gripped by Xie Qingli, unable to move. Xie Qingli took her pulse seriously, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he was making a serious diagnosis.

After a long moment, Xie Qingli slowly released her hand. Everyone held their breath, only to hear her exclaim innocently, "So this is a slippery pulse! It feels like little beads rolling around. How interesting!"

Tan Ruyan's tense body suddenly relaxed. She snorted disdainfully and shook her wrist which was pinched red.

Everyone in the hall was stunned at first, and then burst into laughter.

Madam Jiang laughed so hard she fell backwards. She pointed at Xie Qingli and scolded him, "You naughty monkey! You're so pretentious! You really act like a female doctor!"

After everyone left, Xie Qingli quietly grabbed the eldest lady's sleeve and pulled her to the shadow of the corridor column.

"Aunt." She lowered her voice to a whisper, a hint of hesitation in her voice. "When you have time, you might as well write to ask my cousin...when exactly my cousin's wife left for Beijing."

The eldest lady's heart skipped a beat. She knew Xie Qingli was incredibly sharp and would never say such a thing without a reason. Her fingertips unconsciously dug into her palm and she asked in a deep voice, "But...what's wrong with that pregnancy?"