In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, the Jiangs make a strategic move to secure a marriage alliance between a late bloomer, Jiang Ying, and the crown prince, Lan Xichen. However, their plans are disrupted when Jiang Ying is abducted before the mee...
The morning finds Jiang Cheng sleep-deprived. When he drags himself out of bed, he feels the urge to crawl back under the covers. However, the only thing that motivates him to wash his face is his mother's summons to discuss something. He knows what it will be, so he shakes his sluggish mind to ward off the remnants of sleep and forces himself to prepare for the day.
After taking a bath and putting on a set of fresh robes, he leaves his room to make some progress and become more responsible. He knows he needs to start tackling his responsibilities in order to feel more energized and productive.
"Good morning, Mother," he greets Yu Ziyuan as he enters the room where she sits, sipping her tea.
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She looks up at him with a smile, her eyes filled with a mixture of pride and concern. "Sit, my son." She gestures for him to take a seat across from her, where a stack of papers lies on the table.
Jiang Cheng sits down, straightening his posture as he mentally prepares for the conversation ahead.
"A-Cheng, you are aware of why I'm summoning you. I'm giving you a huge responsibility to shoulder. Be A-Ying's shadow from now on. This marriage is not as easy as it seems," she begins, her tone serious.
"The imperial family chooses their other half among common folk to show their commitment to the people, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. People watch and wait for A-Ying to slip up so they can take his place. They won't hesitate to kill him until he reaches his designated place because the Lans only marry once and do not take concubines. Do you understand the gravity of the situation?" she asks, her eyes searching for any sign of hesitation in his expression.
He nods slowly, his expression grave. "I understand, Mother," he replies, his voice unwavering. "We are twins. Before and after birth, we support each other every step of the way. We are in this together. I will protect him and his honor with all that I have."
She nods in approval, her eyes softening slightly at his words. "I know you will, my son. I have faith in you." She places a hand on his shoulder, a silent gesture of reassurance. "Now go and make sure A-Ying memorizes the book your father gave him last night. He may think it is unnecessary, but it is necessary to be in the imperial advisor's good books when the emperor himself takes his advice."
With a final nod, Jiang Cheng bows respectfully before leaving the room, his mind already racing with thoughts of the challenges that lie ahead. He goes to Jiang Ying's room to find him missing. Horrified, he paces around and discovers a note stating that Jiang Ying will not be coming back.
Dear Father and Mother,
I'm deeply sorry to say that I can't marry Crown Prince Lan Xichen. I wish to find someone who will stand by my side, not someone who abandoned me even before marriage. So, I regret to inform you that I will not be coming back, ever. Instead, I'm going to find a worthy alpha to be my mate. - Jiang Ying
