When a "Sea King" is Bound to a System [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 17

“Mother, let’s respect Elder Sister’s choice.”

It was already a done deal, whether it was absurd or not. What was the point of saying more?

Yuan Feng fell silent, her expression complex. Perhaps she never expected that Jiang Zhen would actually leave the General’s Manor.

In the past, when she was angry, she would always say to Jiang Zhen, ‘This General’s Manor isn’t your home. Don’t act like you own the place.’

Now that she had really left, Yuan Feng felt an unexplainable feeling in her heart.

Jiang Yan understood her mother’s feelings, but she was exhausted from the journey and didn’t have the energy to comfort anyone else.

When she returned to the Hantan Courtyard, Dong Xue and Qiu Yue were waiting at the courtyard gate to greet her.

“Young Miss, you’re finally back!” Qiu Yue hugged Jiang Yan, her voice filled with excitement.

Dong Xue looked at Jiang Yan for a moment and said thoughtfully, “The Young Miss seems to have become prettier.”

Qiu Yue let go of Jiang Yan, turned around, and glared at Dong Xue. “Shouldn’t that have been my line? Why did you say it first? No, you take it back and let me say it.”

Dong Xue looked innocent. “Have you ever seen water that’s been spilled be taken back?”

Jiang Yan watched them bicker, a smile spreading across her face.

Everything hadn’t changed, yet it felt like everything had.

With one person gone, it was still hard to get used to.

She suppressed the thoughts in her heart and walked into the house. The first thing she did was take a bath and change her clothes.

Because she had grown taller, her old clothes were a little short, but thankfully, she could still wear them. After changing her clothes, Jiang Yan had a good night’s sleep. When she woke up again, it was pitch black outside, and she didn’t know what day it was.

She got out of bed by candlelight and sat on the edge of the bed, thinking about what to do next.

Jiang Zhen staying in Jingcheng was a normal part of the plot. So what about her?

Could she just wait at home like a loyal wife?

That didn’t suit her personality.

If her life was going to be a stagnant pool, she would rather go to Jingcheng and fight alongside Jiang Zhen.

Just then, Dong Xue came in with food.

“Young Miss, the Madam told me that the Crown Prince will be visiting the manor tomorrow.”

“Crown Prince? Which Crown Prince?” Jiang Yan was confused. ‘Do I know anyone named “Crown Prince”?’

Dong Xue set the dishes down and walked to the side with the tray.

“The Crown Prince of the Prince of Xiangyang’s Manor, your cousin, Yuan Zhao.”

With that explanation, Jiang Yan’s mind had a vague impression.

This cousin, who was five years older than her, was already famous for his talent.

He was hailed as the most talented man in the Kingdom of Yu, supposedly because he was good-looking.

Jiang Yan wasn’t interested in him. She just thought that the women of the great Kingdom of Yu were a bit blind.

Being handsome and talented weren’t the same thing. He should have been named the number one beauty if he was that handsome. Why give him the title of a talented man? She couldn’t understand it.

The next day, Jiang Yan was pulled out of bed by Yuan Feng to meet this legendary cousin.

Yuan Zhao was wearing a light blue, wide-sleeved robe. His black hair was tied up with a matching ribbon, without any complicated accessories.

Seeing Jiang Yan, he gently closed the fan in his hand, bowed, and said, “Greetings, Cousin.”

They weren’t far from each other, and Jiang Yan could see his face clearly.

He had long eyebrows, flirtatious peach blossom eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin, slightly curved lips. He looked like a playboy.

“Greetings, Cousin. Please, have a seat.”

Jiang Yan acted like the lady of the house, looking very calm.

Yuan Zhao sat down, and the servants brought tea and snacks. He took a sip of tea and said to Yuan Feng, “I’ve always missed the tea here, Auntie. Drinking it today makes me so happy.”

Yuan Feng’s face was still a little haggard, but she smiled at his words. “You boy, you always know what to say to make me happy. How are the elders at home?”

“They are all well, Auntie. Thank you for your concern.”

Yuan Zhao spoke in a very scholarly manner, and Jiang Yan was starting to get sleepy.

She thought there was nothing for her to do anyway, so she didn’t participate in the conversation, just waiting for them to finish catching up so she could send Yuan Zhao away as soon as possible.

“Auntie, I have something I’d like to ask of you.”

Yuan Feng picked up the tea by her side and took a sip. When she looked up, her eyes were clear, as if she had everything under control.

“You child. You don’t need to ask anything of me. Just say it.”

Yuan Zhao glanced at Jiang Yan, unable to hide his joy. “Then I’ll thank you first, Auntie!”

Jiang Yan had been zoning out the whole time and didn’t know why the topic had turned to her.

“To be honest, I’ve had feelings for my cousin Jiang Yan for a long time. So I’m bold enough to ask for her hand in marriage. I hope you will grant my wish, Auntie.”

When Yuan Zhao’s words reached her ears, Jiang Yan immediately rejected him.

“No! I want to… eat!”

Yuan Zhao didn’t expect to be rejected so bluntly. He asked with a puzzled expression, “Why? What don’t you like about me, Cousin?”

Jiang Yan thought, ‘There are so many things I don’t like about you. It would take me three days and three nights to tell you.’

But saying it outright would likely affect the relationship with the Prince of Xiangyang’s Manor. So she forced a smile, acting like a proper young lady. “Yan’er is not even eleven years old yet. I’m still several years away from becoming an adult. I don’t want to get married so early. Cousin, you should find someone else.”

“Oh, I thought it was a big deal.” Yuan Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s easy to solve. We can get engaged first, and it won’t be too late for you to marry into the Prince of Xiangyang’s Manor after you become an adult.”

Jiang Yan didn’t expect Yuan Zhao to be so persistent. She had made it so obvious, but he still didn’t get it.

‘The age is just an excuse. The main point is that I don’t want to marry you!’

She was furious inside but had to maintain a smile on her face.

‘This is so annoying.’

“Cousin, actually, there’s something you don’t know. My heart already belongs to someone. She is very beautiful, like a person in a painting. She’s also skilled in martial arts and is very responsible. She is the perfect person for a husband in my heart.”

This time, it was Yuan Feng’s turn to get flustered.

She suddenly stood up, staring at Jiang Yan with an expression of disbelief.

“What did you say?! Your heart belongs to someone? Who is that boy?!”

Jiang Yan felt that her reaction was a bit over the top, and she quickly tried to calm her down. “Mother, don’t get so worked up. I’ll explain it to you slowly.”

Yuan Feng also realized that she had lost her composure. She took a deep breath and sat down again.

“You’d better give me an explanation, or I’ll break your legs!”

Yuan Zhao pretended to drink his tea, but in reality, he was all ears.

Jiang Yan glared at him, then said to Yuan Feng, “That’s right. Just as you heard, my heart already belongs to someone, so I can’t be with my cousin.”

As she said this, the image of Jiang Zhen’s cold and proud face automatically appeared in her mind.