The cousin's family is extremely wealthy; she deserves to be a concubine.

Jiang Huaiji sneered, "Position? What position do you mean? What position should I be in? Uncle!"

After watching Jiang Huaiji call him "uncle," Master Jiang silently mouthed a gesture, and a thin layer of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.

He staggered out, "Ji-ge'er, I'm begging you, it's the beginning of the year, I'll find you a good marriage and a post in the provinces, so you can leave the capital and live a good life."

Jiang Huaiji's eyes were slightly red, and his fists trembled. "Why? Why? I can get married, but I will never leave the capital."

Eighteen years ago, I had no choice.

Eighteen years from now, can't I still make a choice?

uncle! "

Master Jiang covered his face with his sleeve. "Ji-ge'er, we are sorry for what we did. But the Second Prince is innocent. He knows nothing."

Jiang Huaiji retorted, "He is innocent, but am I not innocent?"

I just want to take back what's rightfully mine.

“Uncle, in consideration of your kindness in saving my life, I can promise you that I will save his life in a critical moment, that’s all.”

Jiang Huaiji left Meilin, leaving behind Master Jiang, who was covered in the fragrance of plum blossoms.

He glanced at the sky, mustered his spirits, and walked slowly towards the bustling area.

Inside the warm pavilion, Pei Enhan looked Jiang Huaiji, who had returned a little late, up and down.

"Oh, did my uncle blame you?"

Pei Enhan, acting like a close buddy, put his hand on Jiang Huaiji's shoulder. "We're practically cousins, so don't worry. Of the pocket money Uncle gives you, I'll give you a thousand taels. How about that?"

He acted all generous and magnanimous, which amused Jiang Huaiji.

At this moment, he was nowhere to be seen the cold indifference he had shown in front of Master Jiang.

This nonchalant, smiling face was his cover for befriending the Second Prince.

"No way, I know you're short of money. Let alone a thousand taels, I wouldn't dare accept even a single tael of silver."

"If I dared to take money from you, and my uncle found out, he might just send me back to the Jiang family's collateral branch."

Pei Enhan laughed heartily, "You, sometimes I really suspect you're the illegitimate child my uncle brought back from outside."

Look at this time, if it weren't for your brilliant idea, would I have been able to get money out of my uncle's pocket so easily?

If it weren't for your mother to support and your unmarried sister, your father would indeed be buried in the Jiang family ancestral cemetery.

I might actually have to get my maternal grandmother to torture my uncle so he'd confess to his extramarital affairs.

Jiang Huaiji picked up a peanut from the plate and threw it at Pei Enhan when he wasn't looking, hitting him squarely on the forehead. "Your Highness, if you want to talk about your uncle, go ahead. But please don't bring up my mother's reputation."

She's already had a very difficult time raising my sister and me as a widow. How will she survive if rumors start circulating again?

Pei Enhan realized he had misspoke and quickly apologized, "I misspoke, Brother Ji, you are a magnanimous person, please forgive me."

Jiang Huaiji pretended to be unable to resist Pei Enhan's shamelessness, "Fine, this won't happen again."

"Besides, the fact that my uncle agreed to give you money so easily this time is just a signal."

A flicker of surprise and delight crossed Pei Enhan's eyes. "Really?"

I knew that his uncle was a good-for-nothing among the powerful and wealthy, but for him, a prince, he was a cash cow.

However, his former uncle was distant and aloof towards him.

If giving him pocket money is a signal, then he will have more confidence in the path he wants to take in the future.

Looking at this minor branch of the Jiang family who was sent to him, he found that Jiang Huaiji was more useful than the others around him.

For example, the time I went to the Marquis of Muqing's residence to retrieve the rare book...

Coincidentally, Jiang Huaiji also brought up this matter, "By the way, that rare book I gave you earlier, it's been two or three months since then, have you found any clues?"

Pei Enhan put away his playful expression and said seriously, "My trusted advisors have studied it several times, but they haven't been able to find any clues."

Today, I've settled things with my maternal uncle. We have no shortage of money and provisions, but we lack the support of important officials in the court.

After much deliberation, he decisively took out the book from his sleeve pocket. "I came to the Jiang residence today because I wanted you to take another look at it."

"Speaking of which, I've always felt you have a bit of luck about you. Today, you'd better show me what you've got."

Jiang Huaiji calmly accepted the book, but said the opposite, "This book is of great importance, and I'm afraid it's inconvenient for me to read it."

I knew in the end that this book would still be circulating under my nose.

"I should have carefully perused the book after leaving the Marquis of Muqing's residence that day, before handing it over to the contact person you arranged."

Pei Enhan chuckled, "Alright, don't pretend to be innocent after getting the benefit. If I show you, then look at it; don't make excuses."

"If it weren't for your usual love of exploring these strange and unusual things, I wouldn't have entrusted such an important item to you."

Jiang Huaiji put away his nonchalant attitude and opened the book in front of Pei Enhan.

This was certainly not the first time Jiang Huaiji had read this book. In fact, he was naturally intelligent and had a photographic memory.

He retrieved the book from the study in the Marquis's residence that day, found a secluded spot, and quickly flipped through it.

However, due to time constraints, he was unable to uncover what secrets were hidden within that could attract such attention from the Second Prince.

But with his amazing memory, he went back and made a copy, revealing some secrets between the lines.

At this moment, it was as if he were reading this rare book for the first time. When he saw the most exquisitely written parts, he couldn't help but say a few words to Pei Enhan.

Pei Enhan stood by the window, watching the figures moving about in the plum grove in the distance. "You solve the mystery first. Once the secret of this book is revealed, I will reward you with it, okay?"

The word "reward" made Jiang Huaiji's expression pause for a moment, then he raised a face that seemed to hold a lingering satisfaction, meeting Pei Enhan's gaze. "Really?"

Seeing Pei Enhan nod readily, he immediately put in even more effort.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Jiang Huaiji pointed out the key to the secret concealment to the Second Prince.

Following Jiang Huaiji's train of thought, Pei Enhan reread the book and couldn't help but exclaim, "Wonderful, wonderful!"

He casually put the rare book back into his sleeve and said to Jiang Huaiji with admiration, "Brother Ji, you have done a great service today. If I get my wish in the future, I will never forget you."

Jiang Huaiji bowed respectfully, saying, "Your subject awaits good news."

Pei Enhan clutched the book in his sleeve as if it were a priceless treasure, and laughed as he left.

Jiang Huaiji straightened up after a long while, a faint smile on his lips, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

At that moment, Master Jiang pushed open the door and came in, asking, "Why did the Second Prince suddenly leave?"

Jiang Huaiji revealed a sneer, "Your Highness is busy with countless affairs of state, so naturally you must have important matters to attend to. How can someone like me, who cannot be brought to light, compare to you?"