Chapter 480 No Concubines

Chapter 480: No Concubine

When Luo Junhe learned of Ji Yuntang's intention, he refused without a second thought.

"No way, I won't agree to taking a concubine."

Ji Yuntang crouched beside him, coaxing him softly.

"A He, this is just a temporary measure. If that Miss Zhong really is a fake, then this marriage wouldn't count anyway, right?"

Luo Junhe's gaze darkened, a shadow shrouding his eyes.

"Even so, that won't do. What do they take me for?"

"The moment she ran back home back then, it meant my fate with her was over. There can never be anything between us. Even if it's just an act, I refuse to take her as a concubine."

His eyes, so close to hers, stared darkly at Ji Yuntang. She touched her nose guiltily.

She knew Luo Junhe was truly angry this time!

But since Pei Zhiyi was there, he hadn't blown up at her.

"Alright, alright. Then I'll go out and think of another way. I definitely won't let that Miss Zhong set one foot inside Prince Ye's mansion."

Ji Yuntang didn't dare linger in the room. She grabbed Pei Zhiyi and hurried out.

Pei Zhiyi's heart was still pounding. Prince Ye's gaze just now had been so cold, as if he wanted to devour Ji Yuntang.

Just standing there, she felt her whole body trembling with fear, and she couldn't say a single word.

Pei Zhiyi swallowed hard and pulled Ji Yuntang aside. "Tangtang, I told you this plan of yours wouldn't work, but you just had to try. Now you're in trouble, aren't you?"

"Prince Ye cares about you so much—how could he possibly take another woman as a concubine? Let alone a woman who ditched him before. Of course he'd be furious when he heard!"

Ji Yuntang sighed. "I just thought Miss Zhong seemed suspicious and wanted him to play along in a charade. It's not like I actually want him to take a concubine."

"It's just that letting that Miss Zhong into the mansion is the fastest way for me to get to the bottom of this, and it also gives us a hostage to hold."

"I didn't think this through. I didn't consider how it would affect A He. I'll think of another way."

As Ji Yuntang racked her brains, Pei Zhiyi brainstormed along with her.

Suddenly, Pei Zhiyi's eyes lit up. "How about this—just say today isn't an auspicious day for taking a concubine, and that Prince Ye's mansion isn't prepared at all. Send them back with that Miss Zhong. Then tonight, we sneak into Magistrate Zhong's place, grab that Miss Zhong, and force her to spill the truth."

Ji Yuntang shook her head. "That won't work. We still don't know who this Miss Zhong really is. If we barge in and grab her, that would be like poking the snake—it might tip off whoever's behind this."

Pei Zhiyi thought about it and realized that made sense. Acting so boldly would be too reckless and could backfire.

She suggested another idea. "Then how about this—we quietly slip her some knockout drops, knock her out, and instead of bringing her to Prince Ye's mansion, we find a nearby clinic to put her up in. Then you go there disguised as a doctor to treat her and take the chance to question her?"

After thinking it over, Ji Yuntang still didn't like it. "If we take Miss Zhong to a clinic, Xu and Magistrate Zhong will definitely follow along. If that Miss Zhong is willing to cooperate, fine—but if she's not, one shout from her would easily bring them both running, and we'd be back to square one."

"Besides, if she faints at the gates of Prince Ye's mansion, people outside will start pointing fingers at us again."

Prince Ye's mansion was already a hotbed of gossip. Any little mishap would spread like wildfire.

Plus, if that Miss Zhong collapsed at the mansion's entrance, Xu would definitely throw a fit.

After a moment of thought, Ji Yuntang said, "I'm wondering if there's a way to temporarily separate Miss Zhong from the Zhong family without dragging Prince Ye's mansion into it. That way, we could question her much more easily."

Pei Zhiyi immediately replied, "That's easy! We just make her horse bolt and run off halfway!"

Ji Yuntang's spirits lifted. "That's not a bad idea. But from what I saw, that Miss Zhong was riding in a sedan chair. The carriage was for Magistrate Zhong and his wife. If we cause a commotion and get their carriage to run off, that works too."

The two discussed it in the courtyard for a while and finally settled on a plan.

The more Pei Zhiyi listened, the brighter her eyes got. Finally, she clapped her hands and said, "This plan is great. I'll go set it up right away."

Ji Yuntang reminded her, "Zhi Yi, remember to cover your face so nobody recognizes you."

Pei Zhiyi patted her chest. "Don't worry, I've got it covered."

After a long while, Ji Yuntang finally walked out. Xu had already grown impatient.

She paced back and forth at the entrance, muttering, "Why is Princess Ye taking so long in there? She hasn't forgotten about us, has she?"

Magistrate Zhong pulled her arm. "Enough, stop pacing. She's coming out!"

Turning around, sure enough, there was Ji Yuntang standing at the door. Xu hurriedly asked, "Princess Ye, how did your talk with Prince Ye go? Did he agree?"

Ji Yuntang replied flatly, "My lord did not agree."

"Ah, how can that be?" Xu's heart sank. She quickly looked at Magistrate Zhong, as if asking him what to do.

Ji Yuntang watched their exchange and gave a slight smile.

"My lord said that today is too rushed, and nothing has been prepared in the mansion. To let Miss Zhong enter the household like this would be too unfair to her."

"In a couple of days, I'll have Prince Ye's mansion properly prepared, invite some guests, and let Miss Zhong enter in style."

Ji Yuntang paused, then added, "Oh, and my lord also said that the betrothal gifts for Miss Zhong can't be lacking. Though she'll be a concubine, she was once the prince's rightful wife, so she should still get the treatment she deserves."

Xu's heart swelled with joy at this. She had almost given up hope, but unexpectedly, Prince Ye had agreed?

And he had thought of everything so thoroughly?

Before coming, she had only hoped to get her daughter through the door. But now, learning that Zhong Xinyu would receive betrothal gifts upon entering, she was no longer in a hurry!

Ji Yuntang had made so much money from her shops—any betrothal gifts she gave were free money not to be refused.

Besides, waiting just two days wasn't something they couldn't afford.

With that thought, Xu quickly smiled and said, "Prince Ye is indeed thoughtful. We were too hasty today and didn't consult with Prince Ye and Princess Ye beforehand."

"Then we'll follow the princess's wishes and wait two more days before bringing our daughter over."

Ji Yuntang smiled. "Very well."

With their minds settled, Xu and Magistrate Zhong didn't linger at the gates of Prince Ye's mansion. The two happily boarded their carriage.

Only Zhong Xinyu lingered at the entrance for a moment, as if she didn't want to leave just yet.

But with no other choice, she finally climbed back into the sedan chair she had arrived in.

Luo Sinian walked up to Ji Yuntang and asked, "Third sister-in-law, what's going on here? How could my third brother possibly agree to take this woman as a concubine?"

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