I've Got This Cannon Fodder Trope Covered!

Chapter 56

On the third day after the Gu family came to annul the engagement, news spread from the residence of Duke Qi that the duke's legitimate eldest daughter had become engaged to the eldest son of the Gu family.

When Wei Hanzhang heard the news, she was sitting beneath a flowering vine, playing chess with Xiao Junzhan. Her hand, holding a white piece, paused slightly. With a sideways glance, she asked, "Why tell me this?"

Ning Hai, who had come specifically to report the news, was momentarily stunned, unable to answer.

It was Xiao Junzhan, silent for a long time on the opposite side of the board, who spoke up. "I instructed him to report any news about the Gu family immediately."

Wei Hanzhang fell silent, replying with a touch of annoyance, "Don't you have anything else to focus on?"

Why was he always so concerned about trivial matters of young romance?

Xiao Junzhan lowered his gaze, studying her carefully. Seeing that her expression was unaffected, he asked softly, "Does it upset you?"

"No!" Wei Hanzhang placed the white piece on the board firmly. "I know when to let go; there's nothing to feel upset about."

To let go...

Xiao Junzhan paused, picking up a nearby teacup and taking a sip to suppress the bitterness welling up inside.

"Oh, by the way," he changed the subject, "the Jiang family's case is settled. The Court of Judicial Review will release them tomorrow. Jiang Zixiu and his family have been sentenced to exile in Lingnan for ten years and will depart tomorrow."

"Really?" Wei Hanzhang was stunned, then, overjoyed, she pushed aside the chessboard and stood up. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? I must go share this good news with my mother."

"Wait..." Xiao Junzhan quickly caught her by the wrist, his voice gentle as he saw her so delighted. "How do you plan to explain to your mother how you learned of this?"

Ah...

Wei Hanzhang's smile froze on her face.

Indeed, she couldn't very well tell Madam Jiang that Prince Yan's heir next door had informed her about the Jiang family's release tomorrow.

She looked somewhat dazed, which made her even more endearing. Xiao Junzhan's heart grew warm, and he couldn't help but lightly pinch her cheek, coaxing, "Your father is also concerned about this matter. Judging by the timing, he should know by now and will share the news with your mother."

Wei Hanzhang widened her eyes, pushing him away as she covered the spot he had pinched, feeling both embarrassed and angry. "Why do you always do that?"

"My fault. I couldn't help myself," Xiao Junzhan said, lowering his eyes to his fingertips with a smile. "Ranran, there's something I'd like to tell you."

"What is it?" Knowing about the Jiang family's impending release lifted Wei Hanzhang's spirits, so she couldn't muster any anger.

As she raised her gaze, ready to ask, one of the maids at the courtyard gate hurried over, bowed, and said, "Miss Wei, your maid has come to fetch you, saying there's an urgent matter."

Wei Hanzhang paused, nodding in acknowledgment.

Turning to the man beside her, she said, "My maid wouldn't come unless it was serious, so I must go. Whatever you wanted to say, tell me another day."

"...Fine," Xiao Junzhan's gaze softened. "Tomorrow, come..."

"Tomorrow won't work. I'm picking up my grandmother and her family. I'll come the day after." She then thought of her exiled uncle's household and asked, "May family members accompany an exiled official to see them off? The journey is rough..."

"They can, and you may also prepare some money and supplies if you wish," Xiao Junzhan nodded. "Though the law is strict, I can teach you a way to save your uncle's family from exile if it pains you to see them go."

His tone was slightly coaxing. "Would you like to know how you can save your uncle's household from exile?"

She was puzzled. He just said the law was unbending—what way could there be?

"What?"

"Become the Empress." With the two of them standing so close, Xiao Junzhan took a deep breath and said, "Granting honors to the Empress's family is customary. Since you grew up with the Jiang family, they could count as half of your maternal family. If you become the Empress, I can ensure the Jiang family is at least ennobled, and Jiang Zixiu's family will be pardoned."

Wei Hanzhang was silent for a moment before she replied in surprise, "Can I just decide to become the Empress? Since the death of the late Empress Xiaoyi, His Majesty has not named another Empress..."

"Ranran, let me tell you something." Xiao Junzhan rubbed his forehead, half laughing, half exasperated, cutting her off. "His Majesty intended to abdicate to the Crown Prince as early as three years ago."

Wei Hanzhang's heart skipped, a fleeting thought crossing her mind, though she couldn't quite grasp it. She looked up at the man before her, uncertain and apprehensive.

Xiao Junzhan's gaze was bright and warm as he looked at her.

Under his gaze, Wei Hanzhang's mind felt muddled. She averted her eyes, only then noticing the maid standing nearby and realizing she'd lingered too long.

Hurriedly, she said, "I really must go."

Xiao Junzhan called after her once more. "The day after tomorrow, I'll be at Duke Ding's residence for a birthday celebration and won't be here. Ranran, come in two days, and I'll tell you something then."

Come in two days?

Wei Hanzhang nodded. "Alright."

He had mentioned yesterday about the celebration at Duke Ding's residence, so she was aware.

He'd even asked if she would be attending, to which the answer was, of course, no!

The reason was simple: the deceased Empress Xiaoyi, His Majesty's wife, was born of the Duke Ding's household.

The Old Duke was the grandfather of the Crown Prince and Princess Changle, and for his seventieth birthday, not only would the noble families of the capital be attending, but even the Crown Prince himself would likely make an appearance.

Qi Yuxiao, the young lady who had recently bullied and threatened her, would undoubtedly attend. Having lost to her so thoroughly, Wei Hanzhang had no desire to encounter her.

After agreeing to return in two days, Wei Hanzhang hurriedly returned to her own quarters.

Once she had left, Xiao Junzhan turned his gaze slightly towards Ning Hai. "He hasn't left yet?"

"Yes," Ning Hai replied. "Yesterday, after learning that the engagement with the Wei family was canceled, Young Master Gu insisted on coming to see Miss Wei. His family locked him in his room, but he escaped early this morning while Master Gu and Madam were at Duke Qi's residence arranging the betrothal."

Sensing his master's displeasure, Ning Hai discreetly wiped the sweat from his forehead, silently cursing the Gu family's incompetence—couldn't even keep an eye on one person...

Xiao Junzhan remained silent for a long while, his gaze drifting towards the nearby rosebushes. In a calm tone, he said, "Come, let's go see what this Gu Yunran intends to do by seeking out Ranran."

...

At the courtyard gate, Lu Zhu and Lu Lan were waiting. Seeing their mistress return, they bowed and said, "Miss, Zhou Momo from Madam's side has come to see you."

"Did she mention what it's about?" Wei Hanzhang asked as she walked.

"She didn't specify, but..." Lu Zhu hesitated before continuing, "I overheard that the young master from the Gu family arrived and has been standing outside the residence for most of the day."

Wei Hanzhang stopped in her tracks, turning back in surprise. "What?"

Lü Zhu replied, "He came early this morning and is still at the gate. The eldest young master has already tried to send him away twice."