Chapter 40: Meeting an old friend at the Princess's residence
Jiang Shiyuan was surprised that Cheng Dengping would appear in the princess's mansion.

They didn't have much interaction in their previous life. The reason they knew this person was because of the second sister Jiang Shijin. He was the inconspicuous second uncle-in-law of the Jiang family. In his impression, this person has always been polite, gentle and not impatient, and he always has a gentle smile on his face when he meets anyone.

Why did he seem to have more embarrassment and anger on his face today, which was completely different from the impression Jiang Shiyuan had of him.

If she hadn't seen him suddenly today, Jiang Shiyuan would have almost forgotten about this person. In her previous life, she had never seen this person in the princess's mansion. Could it be that because of her rebirth and her second sister's replacement marriage, many things and people have taken different paths?
For a moment, my mind was a little confused and tangled.

Pei Zisu saw it and some doubt flashed in his eyes. He had never seen his cousin like this since he arrived in Xijing City. Following her gaze, the men in front of him suddenly became thorns in his eyes, which made him feel a little uneasy.

"What's wrong? Is there anyone you know?"

Awakened by his words, Jiang Shiyuan calmed himself down and then spoke.

"No, I just don't know what the princess is going to do next. I'm just a little curious."

"If you are curious, go in and take a look. The princess will tell you the truth."

"My cousin is very sure."

Pei Zisu smiled but did not respond, but the confidence and indifference in his eyes made Jiang Shiyuan feel a little uneasy. It was probably because every time he saw him recently, he was mostly smiling, but in fact, he was still General Pei of Hanzhou, who had the final say.

Being so young and successful, he must have some means that are difficult for ordinary people to understand.

Thinking of this, Jiang Shiyuan sighed softly, and then entered the princess's mansion with Pei Zisu. The servant in front of the door saw that the two of them were very respectful when they entered the door, and led them to Yincuitang.

The scenery in front of the hall remained the same. As the two of them sat in front of the beauty's railing and looked at the greenery not far away, Pei Zisu suddenly spoke.

"I'm sure Aunt has already told you that mother and your younger brother and sister-in-law are coming over. My family already knows that I want to marry you, and I've fulfilled my promise to you. My father and the clan members have all agreed. So after we get married, if you want, you can live in Hanzhou or Xijing forever."

"My cousin is really quick. I thought this matter would not be discussed until after the New Year."

"I finally got the beauty. Ah Nian should know how anxious I am."

Jiang Shiyuan glanced at Pei Zisu and somehow felt a sense of oppression. However, this feeling of oppression did not make her feel afraid. She was just a little surprised. His obsession with her seemed to be quite deep.

So, Qi Nian asked a question.

"Cousin, why are you so persistent? If I hadn't agreed to this marriage, how would you have decided?"

Hearing this, Pei Zisu's eyes were calm, but when he looked at Jiang Shiyuan, it was as if he saw many other things through her. Then he focused his gaze, condensing it into a little regret and more gratitude, and then he slowly spoke.

"Some people, some things, if you miss them once, you won't want to miss them a second time. My heart is as strong as a rock and I won't give up until I get what I want. So, An Nian, you can't refuse this marriage."

His confidence and deep affection made Jiang Shiyuan a little unsure of how to respond for a moment.

There was helplessness and a bit of heartache in her eyes. Thinking of his early death in his previous life, she felt that life was short. She went forward to comfort him, but the appearance of Princess Qinghuan broke the atmosphere of their conversation.

"Your servant greets the princess."

"Your Highness greets the Princess." When Princess Qinghuan came over, she did not notice the slight conflict between the two of them before, but instead said something jokingly.

"Last time, you two were trying to avoid suspicion, but now you are so straightforward. You are not afraid of rumors outside. Why don't you just come together to visit? Why did you come to thank me for being the matchmaker?"

"Of course I have to thank the princess. If it weren't for your help, I wouldn't be able to buy such a nice house."

Pei Zisu spoke first, quite frankly.

"I like what General Pei said, but it's not for you. If it weren't for the fact that the bride you're going to marry is Ah Nian, I wouldn't be willing to give up this house."

"Cut off love?"

Hearing this, Jiang Shiyuan was a little surprised, but he immediately knew where the house was, so he asked with uncertainty in his eyes.

"Is the house my cousin just bought Ning'an Garden?"

Pei Zisu smiled and nodded, agreeing to this matter. When Jiang Shiyuan looked at Princess Qinghuan again, his expression was not so calm.

"The princess spent a lot of time and effort to build that garden. Didn't she say she wanted to move there in two years? Why did she suddenly decide to sell it to her cousin?"

"He is anxious to get a ready-made house, but even if he buys the house, it will take at least two to three years to build it. You can wait, but General Pei can't, so he came to threaten this princess."

"Princess, you are joking. How dare I threaten you?"

Princess Qinghuan laughed heartily upon hearing this. A house in exchange for a top-secret report from a pillar of the Pei family army in Hanzhou was a good deal for her, not to mention that she also received money for the sale of the house. However, as this matter involved other matters in the court, she did not want to say much, so she took this opportunity to whisper in Jiang Shiyuan's ear.

"The Pei family is really wealthy. The princess wanted a high price for the house, but he accepted it without even saying anything back. It seems that General Pei is willing to spend a fortune just to make the beauty smile."

Jiang Shiyuan knew exactly what Ning'an Garden looked like.

Many of the places there were built after she and Princess Qinghuan had discussed and arranged them together. At that time, they even joked that if they did not get married in the future, they would live together. Therefore, there is also a Yincuitang in Ning'an Garden, which was built entirely according to Jiang Shiyuan's preferences.

It is even more grand and comfortable than the current princess mansion.

"Princess, isn't this overstepping the boundaries?"

"Who dares to say no to something that the emperor has approved?"

"Your Majesty also knows?"

"Your young General Pei does everything perfectly. If you ask around in Xijing City, everyone will know that he has bought a house in the capital. I originally wanted to inform my father, but he quickly settled the matter before me. I don't know the specific reason, but he did put a lot of effort into this marriage, An Nian."

Princess Qinghuan's words made Jiang Shiyuan suddenly understand what he had just said. Indeed, as long as he wanted something, he would get what he wanted in the end, which was in line with his temper.

However, this kind of domineering attitude of doing everything first and leaving no way for others to retreat needs to be changed. Thinking of his early death, Jiang Shiyuan feels it necessary to have a sincere talk with him.

(End of this chapter)