After the favored concubine remarried, the aloof and powerful minister forcibly took her away.

Chapter 212 To Marry or Not

Perhaps Xiang Ning's tone was too shocked, because Shang Yan was stunned for a moment before speaking.

"It's a fake marriage. I know it's presumptuous, but I would never have done this to the Second Miss if I had no other choice."

Shang Yan sighed and explained the whole story.

Merchants' businesses in the barbarian lands were affected by the mutiny in the capital; goods that were originally shipped from the capital were now all destroyed.

This is a substantial order, but the merchant is not unable to pay compensation.

Unfortunately, Shang Yan's father was the one escorting the goods, and now he is being held captive at the border between the barbarians and the northern frontier.

They say that the barbarian princess has taken a liking to Shang Yan, who visited once before.

They want Shang Yan to marry into the family and become the prince consort.

If Shang Yan is unwilling, they will not let Shang Yan's father return.

Since Shang Yan wasn't married anyway, it was only natural for a man and a woman to get married.

But the merchant only had one son, Shang Yan, who went to the barbarians and never came back.

Everyone knows that barbarians are a bunch of savages and cannot be communicated with at all.

Madam Shang was so anxious and upset about this that she is still ill.

"Are you mentally ill?"

Lu Jiang stepped forward and punched Shang Yan, knocking him to the ground. Shang Yan, who was never one to admit defeat, did not retaliate but instead knelt down.

“I know about the Second Miss’s past with Lord Pei, so I also know that the Second Miss has no intention of getting married.”

“The barbarians are unreasonable. My father is currently missing, his fate unknown, and my mother is seriously ill. If I don’t find a way to let the barbarians know that I am married…”

Hearing Shang Yan's words, Xiang Ning stepped forward to help him up: "Get up first."

"Second girl..."

"Just because you're kneeling like this, does that mean I agree?"

Xiang Ning remained silent. When she first met Shang Yan, she had no idea that he had such a personality.

Does he expect him to remain kneeling in this flower hall forever if she doesn't agree?

Hearing Xiang Ning say this, Shang Yan had no choice but to get up.

"I didn't mean to offend the Second Miss, but the Lu family is famous in Ling'an. Only in this way can we withstand the questioning of that barbarian princess."

Shang Yan's explanation was somewhat incoherent, as if he really wanted Xiang Ning to believe that he had no intention of damaging Xiang Ning's reputation.

"Even if it's a fake marriage, everyone in Manlingan will know that A Ning and you were married. Shang Yan, how could you say something like that?"

Lu Jiang was furious. One Pei Yanzhi wasn't enough, now there was Shang Yan too.

Upon hearing this, Shang Yan frowned: "I know..."

"I agreed."

Before he could finish speaking, he heard Xiang Ning's reply.

"You...you agreed?"

"A-Ning?"

Shang Yan and Lu Jiang were both shocked. Xiang Ning held up a number for Shang Yan.

"After it's done, I want to invest in the business and take a share of the profits."

Seeing the smile on Xiang Ning's face, Shang Yan nodded: "Okay, no problem."

But for some reason, he felt a sense of emptiness in his heart.

He was afraid she would refuse him because he felt that doing so would be disrespectful to her.

Reputation is of paramount importance to a woman.

Even if she doesn't plan to get married in the future.

But Shang Yan was even more afraid that she would agree, because if she did, it would definitely not be because she had feelings for him; there was only a conflict of interest between them.

“Brother, the reason why Young Master Shang chose me is because I have never appeared in Ling’an before.”

"If it were true that I had a pre-existing marriage agreement with Young Master Shang, that would be perfectly reasonable. Furthermore, this matter concerns human life and death, and I also have a business relationship with Young Master Shang. I cannot simply ignore it."

Although it was the money from investing in the merchants that prompted her to do this, Xiang Ning still had to say the plausible words. "You... never mind, my little sister is grown up, her brother can't control her."

Lu Jiang was helpless. Perhaps it was a telepathic connection, but he immediately guessed why Xiang Ning did this.

She really is a little money-grubber, but Xiang Ning is only a money-grubber when it comes to the money she earns.

She said that the Lu family's money was hard-earned and she couldn't accept it, so she refused.

After receiving Xiang Ning's permission, Shang Yan began to make preparations for the fake wedding in full swing.

Although it was a fake marriage, in order to deceive the barbarian princess, it naturally needed to be perfectly prepared.

For some reason, Xiang Ning felt a sense of relief.

Fortunately, Pei Yan left two days ago, and the court needs him to take charge of the overall situation now, otherwise she really wouldn't know how to keep it from him.

Xiang Ning felt a little guilty when she thought about the promise they made.

Just as the wedding preparations were reaching a crucial stage, devastating news arrived.

Suddenly, news spread from the barbarian tribes that Shang Yan's father was seriously ill, and if Shang Yan did not go to the barbarians soon, they would no longer guarantee his father's life.

Shang Yan was extremely anxious. He found Xiang Ning, his face full of guilt.

"Second Miss, the situation is urgent. I'm afraid the wedding will have to be moved up, and I'll have to trouble you to come with me to the barbarian lands."

Xiang Ning was startled; heading to the barbarian lands was fraught with danger.

Moreover, the timing of this news made her suspect it was a trick by the barbarian princess to lure the enemy.

"Going to the barbarians? That's far too risky."

Xiang Ning's brows were furrowed, her eyes filled with worry.

Going to the barbarians means stepping into an unknown and dangerous place; a slight misstep could lead to utter destruction.

Even knowing there was danger, I had to go.

A hint of determination flashed in Shang Yan's eyes, and after he said this, Xiang Ning nodded slightly.

"You wanted to fake a marriage to discourage them, but it seems that the princess has no intention of reasoning with you."

At this point, Xiang Ning took a deep breath: "I have an older brother I know at the border, and this is a keepsake he left for me."

Thinking of Xiao Ming and the others, Xiang Ning couldn't help but smile.

I wonder how Xiao Ming and the others are doing at the border. If Shang Yan is lucky, he might run into them.

With Xiao Ming's help, Shang Yan's actions will be much more convenient.

"Second Miss, I can't thank you enough for all you've helped me..."

"I've already received the payment, so let's not talk about this anymore. As for the wedding, I think we should proceed as planned."

Seeing that Shang Yan was about to say something very grateful, Xiang Ning quickly interrupted him.

"Didn't you tell me last time that even if it's false, we can't waste it?"

They had been preparing for so long just to tell those barbarians that Shang Yan was already married.

If that barbarian princess really does anything extreme, according to the laws of Daqing, it can be considered kidnapping and human trafficking.

This is tantamount to declaring war on Daqing.

Even if they are unreasonable, they still have to think twice.

Let's just consider this as Xiang Ning giving Shang Yan a life-saving charm after he's already taken so much money from her.

"Alright, I won't thank you enough. If you ever need any help in the future, Second Miss, I will definitely lend a hand."

Shang Yan looked at Xiang Ning and couldn't help but sigh.

In that instant, he suddenly felt that if only it weren't a fake marriage.

She's so wonderful that it feels like marrying her is a blessing from heaven.

Unfortunately, he didn't dare to be the one who broke his promise and become the person she despised.

"Then I will definitely not be lenient."

(End of this chapter)