Forced love, an inescapable fate

Chapter 122: Young people are always young and impatient.

What Mu Qingli didn't know was that all the plum trees in the mansion were planted by Jiang Ci himself.

When he returned to Beijing three years ago, he had people search everywhere for seedlings of various colors of plum blossoms to plant.

When he returned to Shangjing, Emperor Jing asked him what reward he needed, considering that he had been a hostage in Qi for many years. The only thing he wanted was this house that had been abandoned for many years. Although many years had passed since the events of the Su Mansion, many people still remembered it.

His action undoubtedly aroused the suspicion of many people.

But in the end, he explained that he had been in Qi for many years and had been taken care of by Mu Qingli many times. Although he was now in Sifang City, he would come back one day. Moreover, Mu Qingli had the title of princess, so she could not live in the general's mansion after she came back, so this mansion was regarded as a reward he asked for in advance for her.

At the beginning, he didn't know how to plant crops and didn't want to ask anyone for help, so almost every crop he planted died. Later, after slowly figuring it out, he finally achieved results.

Until this year, the plum blossoms that filled the mansion finally bloomed as expected in the winter when Mu Qingli returned.

-

It was already the twelfth lunar month and the New Year was approaching. It was a day for family reunion, but Feng Zong and An Ran had to leave.

Even though he was extremely reluctant, he had been delayed for too long in returning this time. Although the two countries were temporarily at peace, they still could not be careless about the important border area.

Before leaving, he went to find Jiang Ci.

The destruction of the eldest prince Jiang Xian's stronghold was indeed done by Jiang Ci himself. He had been injured when he went to Xinzhou before. Although he had made all preparations to destroy Jiang Xian's stronghold this time, he was still inevitably injured again.

When Feng Zong met the person, he roughly guessed who was behind the rumors that had been circulating in the capital recently.

But judging from Jiang Ci's condition, this battle will be difficult to win.

At the same time, Feng Zong was also very confused. Jiang Ci did not give him the impression of being an impulsive person. Although he was young, he was mature and his mind and planning were first-class. At this stage, it did not seem to be a good time to weaken the power of the eldest prince.

Jiang Ci was not surprised to see Feng Zong coming. He guessed that he must have become suspicious of him. He also anticipated various situations and was prepared for everything in his past to be exposed.

Feng Zong didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

"Your Highness is unwell, so I'll be brief. I'll be leaving soon, and the one I'm most worried about right now is Ali. While I don't know what happened between you two, I can guess a few things. You two have been together in Qi for many years. Ali has been very open with you and considers you the most important person to her. During the three years in Sifang City, she made great efforts to get me to support you. I understand your Highness's difficulties, and I understand that you are willing to use some means to achieve your goals. I also know that your Highness has people planted in the Princess's Mansion, whether for protection or for other reasons. Since I promised Ali to stand by Your Highness, Your Highness can rest assured that I, Feng Zong, will not break my promise, let alone go back on my word."

Having said that, Feng Zong paused, glanced at Jiang Ci who remained silent, and continued.

"In just three short years, you've reached your current position. This truly surpasses my expectations. However, your foundation is still too shallow to challenge the First Prince. Not to mention the First Prince's support from the Prime Minister's faction, his long tenure in the capital gives him a deep foundation, and his strength cannot be underestimated. Even though I'm far away at the border, I've heard of it. Now, through your hand, he has eliminated the other princes who have been fighting him for years, one by one. Now, there's no chance for them to rise again. Now, you're the only one left. This is a time to conserve your strength, consolidate your foundation, and secretly develop your own power. But I didn't expect you to choose this moment to openly challenge him. Although you have the upper hand this time, the losses will be significant. Moreover, with the First Prince's vindictive nature, retaliation is inevitable. You can protect yourself, of course, but Ah Li, in the eyes of the world, she and you are now inextricably linked. If they can't touch you, they will find ways to attack Ah Li. Do you think the people you've arranged in your palace can protect her?"

Jiang Ci had naturally thought about Feng Zong's thorough analysis, and now Jiang Xian had grasped his handle and weakness.

Feng Zong saw that his face was heavy and sighed deeply.

After all, young people are full of youthful energy and cannot keep their composure.

"Cooperate with Wen Muchuan, he can help you."

As Feng Zong finished speaking, Jiang Ci's expression changed and he looked at him in surprise.

"The general actually knows Wen Muchuan's identity?"

Feng Zong raised the cup in his hand and was silent for a moment before saying calmly, "Five years ago, he came to the border to look for me. He said his brother was in Qi and asked me to help look after him. At that time, I sent people to Qi to secretly rescue Ali, and he came to me for cooperation. He also played a role in your safe return from Qi."

"Then the general also knows about Su Minsheng's relationship with him?"

"Know."

"The general also knows that these two are from the Su family who were exiled twenty years ago?"

"Yes, I know."

Hearing this, Jiang Ci pursed his lips and his eyes grew colder.

"Since the general already knew, why did he deliberately facilitate his marriage with my sister? On the day of the general's wedding, Wen Muchuan deliberately mentioned my sister's marriage in front of my father, hoping to force my sister to accept the marriage. It turns out that the general had a hand in all this. The general already knew the identities of the two of them, and also knew their purpose in concealing their identities and sneaking into the court. If their identities were known, my sister would also be implicated. The general kept saying that he cared about my sister and was worried about her safety, so why did he put her in danger?"

Feng Zong raised his eyes and met Jiang Ci's, and naturally saw the coldness in his eyes.

Faced with Jiang Ci's questioning, Feng Zong did not answer his question immediately.

He just quietly drank all the tea in the teacup without leaving a drop, and then gently put down the teacup in his hand.

Turning to look up at him.

"If Ali doesn't marry Su Minsheng, does she have to marry you?"

Jiang Ci didn't expect that his thoughts would be revealed so bluntly, and he was stunned for a moment.

But then he spoke in a cold voice.

"Why not? I was living in a filthy darkness, risking my life for all my hopes and future. It was Sister who saved me. She taught me how to love and how to love, and gave me warmth. Over time, why can't I like her, and why can't she marry me?"

"If you're not careful, you could lose your life. Ah Li will be implicated by you. Su Minsheng is different. He has Wen Muchuan to protect him, and he has Xunji Hall behind him. The Su Mansion incident was already shrouded in doubt. As long as the case is overturned and the truth is revealed, they will naturally not be implicated too much. Besides, Ah Li also has him in her heart. Ah Li will be safe and secure if she marries him."