I've Got This Cannon Fodder Trope Covered!

Chapter 61

These words were deliberately said in Madam Jiang's presence, as a subtle reminder that she was now part of the Wei family, and since the Jiang family had encountered trouble, it would be wise to distance herself from it.

Wei Heng picked up on the hint of reproach in his wife's words and recalled his father's remarks from that morning. He gave a wry smile and said, "Don't misunderstand, my madam. I didn't stop you from persuading him for any other reason. It's simply that your father has always been a proud man, very concerned about his reputation..."

"Although he's been retired for over a decade, he still has old friends, colleagues, and even former rivals here in the capital..."

He trailed off, but even at this point, Madam Jiang understood.

Whether old friends or colleagues, or even their familial connection to Zhongyong Marquis Wei Ping, her father likely had no face to meet any of them now.

To have raised a corrupt official—if it weren't for his own upright reputation as an official and some lingering favor with the current Crown Prince, the Jiang family would have been exiled as a whole. Old Master Jiang had no face left to reconnect with old acquaintances. Were it not for the frail health of his family members, he would likely have set off for their hometown immediately.

Madam Jiang remained silent for a long time, then sighed and saw her husband off.

Knowing her family wouldn't be in the capital for long, she decided to stay with her children to make the most of their time together. Although the family had narrowly escaped a disaster, no one was in the mood to celebrate, and everyone took their evening meal quietly in their own quarters.

Wei Hanzhang was pulled by Jiang Zhixue to the second branch's courtyard. After greeting her second uncle and aunt, she entered her cousin's bedroom. The two sisters hadn't seen each other in ages, and they spent the early summer night together, listening to the breeze outside the window as they talked until they drifted off to sleep.

Jiang Zhixue was the second eldest among the sisters in the family and the eldest daughter of the Jiang family's second branch. She was a year younger than her cousin Jiang Zhiqin from the main branch. After her coming-of-age ceremony last year, she'd gotten engaged, though the formal wedding date had yet to be set. With everything that had happened, she now worried if her marriage would proceed smoothly.

With her elder cousin's fate as a stark example, she hadn't thought much about her own engagement while in prison, facing an uncertain future day by day. Now that the Jiang family had been pardoned and her life was no longer in danger...

Thinking about her future, Jiang Zhixue felt a wave of worry. Resting her chin on her arm, she turned to look at her younger cousin's profile in the candlelight and whispered, "Ranran, I thought I'd never see you again."

"..." Wei Hanzhang thought to herself, I actually visited you secretly when you didn't know. But she couldn't say anything, so she simply patted her cousin's shoulder in comfort. "Of course, you'll see me again. The worst is behind us, and we still have many years ahead."

Her cousin had always been reserved and tended to keep things to herself—some might say she was overly sensitive and timid. This temperament wasn't well-suited for the role of a high-ranking family's main wife. Her engagement had been a difficult decision for her parents, who eventually decided to marry her off to a cousin from her maternal family. They were all relatives who had grown up together, and she wouldn't be marrying the eldest son, so there would be no need for her to represent her husband's family in high society.

Although her second aunt's family were merchants and, strictly speaking, were beneath the status of a government official's daughter, they had chosen this match for her cousin's long-term happiness.

Knowing her cousin tended to overthink, Wei Hanzhang continued, "You don't have to worry, Cousin Zhixue. The Jiang family is still the same Jiang family. You might not know this, but everyone in the capital who's aware of the situation says that Grandfather's ability to walk away from this unscathed is the result of years of accumulated good karma. His reputation for integrity still left an impression on His Highness."

"Really?" Jiang Zhixue's eyes widened, and she asked, "Is that what people truly think? No one's laughing at us?"

"..." Wei Hanzhang hesitated, then nodded. "Yes. Quite a few officials in the Jiangnan faction were implicated, but the Jiang family is the only one released without harm. Think of how unusual that is."

However, royal sentiments were unpredictable, and every word and action of the Crown Prince was scrutinized by court politicians. No one would presume that the Crown Prince held the Jiang family in special regard just because they were spared. Even if there was a hint of past goodwill, it had likely been exhausted.

Most likely, that's how most people saw it—otherwise, Wei Ping wouldn't have voiced his objections about sending his son to receive the Jiang family.

In short, the Jiang family, though spared, had still suffered greatly.

Wei Hanzhang's words managed to ease much of Jiang Zhixue's anxiety, bringing a faint smile to her face. Curious, she asked, "Ranran, you've been in the capital for some time and are now a marquis's daughter. Have you had the chance to attend any palace banquets?"

"No," Wei Hanzhang replied, somewhat puzzled. "Since the late Empress passed, His Majesty hasn't appointed a new Empress. The highest-ranking consort in the palace, Noble Consort Xian, doesn't care for gatherings, and with His Majesty needing quiet for his health, it's been years since any banquets were held."

Hearing this, Jiang Zhixue looked a bit disappointed. "I wanted to ask if you'd ever seen the Crown Prince."

Wei Hanzhang was startled. "What do you mean, Sister?"

Why is she interested in the Crown Prince?

"I'm just curious," Jiang Zhixue replied. "Even though I live in seclusion, I've heard of the Crown Prince's reputation. Word has it that he was personally taught by His Majesty from a young age and has managed affairs diligently since he took over at eighteen, known for his gentle and benevolent rule. Since you've been in the capital for a while, I thought you might have met him."

She leaned in, lowering her voice. "I also heard from my eldest cousin that the Crown Prince has a noble bearing, comparable to orchids and pure as snow—a gentleman of unparalleled character."

Her eldest cousin had taken the imperial exams in the capital a few years ago and had likely been fortunate enough to see the Crown Prince.

Wei Hanzhang remained silent for a few seconds, interpreting her cousin's somewhat starstruck words as youthful admiration, similar to those idolizing unreachable figures. Although she didn't entirely understand, she respected it.

"..." Seeing her cousin's hopeful gaze, Wei Hanzhang replied helplessly, "I truly haven't met him."

"All right, all right." Pushing her cousin's face back a bit as she leaned closer, Wei Hanzhang said, "Let's sleep. You haven't rested well for days, yet you still have the energy for this."

Jiang Zhixue, usually reserved but more spirited around her peers, pouted slightly but lay back down when she saw her cousin didn't want to continue the conversation.

___

Wei Hanzhang didn't have any trouble sleeping in a new place and slept soundly until daybreak.

Thinking of her grandmother, she quickly got ready and changed into a smoke-pink gauze dress, knowing it was her grandmother's favorite color on her.

When she arrived at the main hall, it was lively inside.

Madam Jiang had arrived early, as had her two uncles and aunts. They were chatting happily, looking far more spirited than the sickly group they had been yesterday, as though they had already regained some of their former vitality.