Chapter 277: Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's Heart Twisting Like a Knife

Although Liu Liu Yifei showed no sign on the surface, she understood deep down that this arrangement might contain a slightly selfish element—she hoped Zhang Zhang Jiaqi would quickly shift her gaze and stop longing for Jiang Jiang Mingyu, thereby eliminating any future worries.

But emotions are inherently difficult to sever; how could Liu Liu Yifei not understand Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's nature? She was a straightforward Miss who, once she set her heart on love, would find it hard to change easily.

Thinking of this, Liu Liu Yifei could not help but sigh softly. Perhaps she was somewhat selfish, hoping Zhang Jiaqi would quickly give up on this thought to avoid complications later. But matters of the heart are inherently unpredictable. How could she not wish for Zhang Jiaqi to find happiness?

"Liu Yifei, what are you thinking?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked softly, seeing her lost in thought.

"Nothing, just worrying about Zhang Jiaqi's feelings," Liu Liu Yifei answered truthfully.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled with understanding and said, "I understand your good intentions. But this matter cannot be rushed; if Zhang Jiaqi truly has no feelings for Zhu Ge Yu, we cannot force her."

"Most importantly, we must let Zhang Jiaqi understand our kindness and blessings. As for the rest, let nature take its course."

Hearing this, Liu Liu Yifei nodded; Jiang Jiang Mingyu was right. Zhang Zhang Jiaqi had a stubborn personality; if she misunderstood them as issuing an order to leave, it might backfire. Being open and upright was the best strategy, letting her choose her own future.

"You are right; I will guide her gently and never force her. As long as Zhang Jiaqi understands our hearts, we have done our utmost," Liu Liu Yifei said with a gratified smile.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu also nodded with a smile; he understood Liu Liu Yifei's intentions and trusted her wisdom to handle it properly. Heaven's will is so, and humans cannot defy it; they can only follow the path ahead and let Zhang Jiaqi find her own happiness.

A few days later, Jiang Jiang Mingyu issued an edict exempting the common people from taxes for three years; the populace who had originally fled Jingcheng returned in droves, and Jiang Jiang Mingyu's reputation reached a new peak.

Zhu Ge Yu sighed with emotion, saying, "He who wins the people's hearts wins the world; Master will surely unify Jiangshan!" The citizens of the city celebrated in every household, the atmosphere so lively it seemed like the New Year.

Ten days later, Liu Ximen and Zhang Zhang Junhao's family also arrived from the distant Cangzhou. They had intended to arrive earlier, but the journey was long.

Since hearing that Jiang Jiang Mingyu was to marry, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi had shown no smile. But the Zhang family, overjoyed at Zhang Jiani's wedding, failed to notice her strangeness.

Seeing Zhang Zhang Jiaqi arrive, Liu Liu Yifei knew it was time to speak with her.

Seeing Liu Liu Yifei beaming with joy, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi forced a smile: "Lovers eventually become a family; Liu Yifei, I am happy for you." Her tone sounded stiff.

Liu Liu Yifei took her hand and said softly, "Zhang Jiaqi, you too should think about your own lifelong matter."

Lifelong matter? Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's smile grew more complex—did they want her to leave quickly so she wouldn't hinder them?

Seeing her expression change, Liu Liu Yifei hurriedly said, "Zhang Jiaqi, we truly have your best interests at heart. Zhu Ge Yu by Jiang Lang's side is excellent; if you marry him, it would be even better..."

Before she finished speaking, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's face darkened: "Liu Yifei, have you come to humiliate me?"

With that, she turned and ran. Liu Liu Yifei sighed and did not pursue; she understood Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's current mood and felt a mix of emotions herself.

She had originally thought this a proper arrangement, but she never knew Zhang Zhang Jiaqi completely misunderstood, deepening the knot in her heart instead. Human hearts are hard to predict; she should not have been so hasty.

Perhaps giving her time to calm down, she would realize this was purely out of good intentions. She would certainly not force Zhang Jiaqi to comply, only hoping she could find where her happiness lay.

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi ran out of the large courtyard, tears blurring her eyes. She did not know where she was going, only wanting to get far away from this place that broke her heart.

She ran wildly, disregarding the people and carriages around her, until she bumped into someone.

"Careful!" the person shouted loudly, reaching out to grab her arm and steady her body.

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi looked up and saw it was Zhu Ge Yu.

Zhu Ge Yu was also startled, not expecting to meet her here. Seeing the tear tracks still on her face and her fearful eyes, his heart stirred, and he asked, "Miss Zhang, what is wrong? What happened?"

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi tried to pull away from his hand, but he held on tightly; she was powerless to resist and could only say in a low voice, "Let go of me; I do not want to see you."

Zhu Ge Yu frowned, not understanding why she was so agitated. He thought for a moment and said, "Do not rush; come with me. I will take you to a quiet place where we can talk properly."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi shook her head and said, "I do not want to talk to you; do not mind me; I have nothing to do with you."

Hearing this, Zhu Ge Yu felt a pain in his heart; he knew she was saying there was no affection between them, only an arranged marriage. He did not want it to be this way either, but he had feelings for her and wanted to win her heart.

He said softly, "You do have something to do with me; I am your future husband, and you are my future wife. Since we are to become husband and wife, we should understand, respect, and care for each other. Do not be so impulsive; listen to me..."

Hearing this, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi grew even angrier and shouted loudly, "Stop talking! I will not marry you; you are not the person in my heart, and you never will be!"

With that, she pushed him away forcefully and turned to run.

Zhu Ge Yu was pushed off balance and fell to the ground. He wanted to get up and chase her, but found she had already disappeared into the crowd.

He sat dazed on the ground, his heart twisting with pain, not knowing what to do.

That night, after hearing Liu Liu Yifei's account, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face was also filled with helplessness.

He comforted Liu Liu Yifei, saying, "Enough, do not think about it. We have done what needed to be done; if Zhang Jiaqi does not understand our good intentions, there is nothing we can do."

"The wedding is in five days; you, the bride and Empress, should prepare properly."

Liu Liu Yifei smiled bitterly, and only after a long while did her eyes fall upon the bright red wedding gown embroidered with gold threads beside her.

She gently stroked the wedding gown, yet felt not a shred of joy. She knew Jiang Jiang Mingyu had specially commissioned it for her, embroidered with their names and auspicious patterns, symbolizing their happiness and bliss.

She had once dreamed of wearing such a wedding gown, marrying the person she loved, and becoming his wife, his Empress. But she never imagined the person she loved would be Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

It was not that she did not love Jiang Jiang Mingyu; she just felt she loved him too late.

She was willing to give everything for him, even her own happiness, even her own life.

She raised her head, looked into his eyes, and said affectionately, "Jiang Mingyu, I promise you: I will be a good bride, a good Empress, a good wife, a good mother, a good friend, a good partner, a good subject, and a good everything."

"I will walk with you through storms, through hardships, through poverty, through crises, through challenges, through glory, and through a lifetime."

"I will use my heart, my love, my loyalty, my sincerity, my wisdom, my courage, my strength, and my everything to support you, protect you, help you, fulfill your dreams, realize your ideals, achieve your goals, build your Jiangshan, and create your glory."

"I will let you know you are not alone; you have me, you have us, you have the world, and you have Heaven's Mandate."

"I will let you feel you are the luckiest person; you have me, you have love, you have joy, and you have happiness."

"I will let you understand you are the greatest person; you have me, you have merit, you have fame, and you have honor."

"I will let you believe you are the perfect person; you have me, you have beauty, you have goodness, and you have virtue."

After speaking, she gently kissed his forehead, then embraced him tightly, refusing to let go.

Moved beyond measure by her words, her kiss, and her embrace, Jiang Jiang Mingyu also held her tightly and said softly, "Liu Yifei, thank you; I love you."