The Male Lead's Harem Belongs to Me (GL) - Chapter 31

Jiang Han was in high spirits when she suddenly felt the blinding sunlight. She turned her head and her eyes widened in shock.

“Third brother?” Jiang Han called out uncertainly.

Jiang Mai’s cheeks twitched, and he silently moved aside, revealing Qin Mother behind him.

Jiang Han: “?” Oh crap.

Jiang Han hurriedly lay down, pretending to be weak, “Mother…”

Before she could finish the word, Qin Mother ruthlessly exposed her, “Mother saw everything.”

Jiang Han scratched her head awkwardly, coughed lightly, and then saw her eldest brother and Chun Zhu silently appearing behind Qin Mother. Seeing Chun Zhu, Jiang Han finally understood why they had suddenly come.

Since things had come to this, Jiang Han had to cover up her embarrassment with a smile. The other four finally reacted after the initial shock and felt extremely ashamed, blushing as they invited them into the room.

Qin Mother responded with a smile, walked to the mahjong table, glanced at it, and said with a smile, “Thank you for taking care of Han’er these days. I thank you on her behalf.”

They hurriedly waved their hands, saying, “You’re too kind.” Gu Hanyun said directly, “If we’re talking about taking care of her, Weiwei has been taking care of Sister Jiang these two days.”

They pushed Liu Shuwei forward. Liu Shuwei was exposed to Qin Mother gaze and felt like her thoughts were being seen through. She composed herself and bowed to Qin Mother, “Greetings, Madam.”

Qin Mother sized up Liu Shuwei, thinking of what her general had told her: the prince had always had a sweetheart, but they had never seen her face before, only heard that she was very weak. Seeing her now, it was easy to recognize who she was.

However, the relationship between these people didn’t seem to be what he had said. If they weren’t close, how could they call each other by their nicknames and play together?

Qin Mother quickly figured out the key points. Her gaze softened, and she nodded to Liu Shuwei, saying softly, “Thank you, child.”

Liu Shuwei knew that her relationship with the prince was easily known among these officials. She had thought about how Qin Mother would treat her. She might dislike her for taking her daughter’s love, or she might not care about her at all. Moreover, Jiang Han was injured to protect her, but Qin Mother was still so kind to her.

Liu Shuwei’s eyes flickered, and she smiled and shook her head, “It’s all my duty…”

Qin Mother’s eyes flashed. Duty?

“Actually, my sister has been taking care of me more these days. Now that I can do something, I should do my part,” Liu Shuwei said.

Gu Hanyun and the others agreed, saying that Jiang Han had taken good care of them in the past.

Qin Mother raised an eyebrow, looking at her daughter in disbelief. She can take care of others?

Jiang Han understood her meaning but couldn’t refute it. She didn’t think she had taken special care of them, except for Liu Shuwei.

Jiang Han giggled and said, “Mother, when the horse went crazy and kicked its hooves at us, if Weiwei hadn’t rushed to protect me, I wouldn’t have managed to roll away.”

Qin Mother glared at her helplessly, “You child…”

Since the Jiang family had arrived, Liu Shuwei and the others should leave to give them some space to talk.

Jiang Mai looked around Jiang Han’s room and asked, “Little sister, have you been kicked out of the prince’s mansion?”

Jiang Han had known that her family would ask this if they saw her here. She rolled her eyes and replied, “Of course not. It’s to take better care of Weiwei.”

“Huh?” Jiang Yun asked doubtfully, “Do you mean the prince asked you to take care of Miss Liu?”

“Yes,” Jiang Han sighed, “The prince said that since I’m the princess, I should take good care of the concubines. But I have a deep sisterly bond with Weiwei and the others, so I don’t mind taking extra care.”

Qin Mother frowned immediately, “Taking care of the masters is always the responsibility of the servants. As the princess, you can give them more in terms of food, clothing, and expenses, but how can you take care of them personally?”

Jiang Mai sneered, “I think he knows you have a deep sisterly bond with them and won’t abandon them, so he’s exploiting you like this. How despicable!”

Jiang Yun also frowned, looking at Jiang Han with concern, “Little sister, if you’re wronged in the prince’s mansion, don’t keep it to yourself. You can tell father, or your brothers. We’ll definitely get justice for you.”

Jiang Han didn’t show it on her face, but she was secretly delighted. Her goal had been achieved. Although the Jiang family didn’t like Qi Ze, she didn’t mind putting in some more effort to make her future divorce smoother.

Jiang Han assured them that she wouldn’t keep it to herself and then showed them how strong she was. Soon, they heard someone outside calling “Your Highness.” Jiang Han knew that the male lead, who hadn’t returned since yesterday, was back.

The door was pushed open, and Qi Ze stepped in. He was surprised to see the three people in front of Jiang Han’s bed, then walked over naturally. Qin Mother and the others bowed. Qi Ze helped Qin Mother up and said, “Mother, why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I could have sent someone to pick you up.”

Qin Mother shook her head and stood up, her usual gentle smile gone, saying, “I wouldn’t dare trouble Your Highness.”

Qi Ze smiled, thinking she was being polite, and turned to talk to Jiang Mai, “Brother Mai, is there any trouble in your business recently?”

Jiang Mai smiled at him, but the smile looked mocking, “I wouldn’t dare trouble Your Highness.”

Qi Ze frowned slightly and was about to say something to Jiang Yun when Jiang Yun said, “Your Highness, are you here to see little sister?”

Qi Ze was stunned, then remembered that he had come to see if Jiang Han was awake. He quickly understood why they were acting this way. They were blaming him for not taking good care of Jiang Han.

Qi Ze felt guilty about this. He was the cause of Jiang Han’s fall from the horse. He lowered his eyes, then looked up with a look of heartache and grief, nodding to Jiang Yun, looking at Jiang Han with deep affection.

Jiang Han: “…”

Jiang Han silently closed her eyes. Qi Ze’s eyes twitched, almost losing his affectionate expression. He lowered his head guiltily, “I’m sorry, Han’er. I know you’re blaming me for not being with you, but the emperor summoned me urgently, and I had no choice. If you blame me, you can punish me however you want.”

Jiang Han opened her eyes and said, “Your Highness, I don’t blame you. I can only blame my fate. That year, the apricot blossoms were drizzled with rain, you said you were… Prince Qi. Maybe it was all a mistake from the beginning.”

Qi Ze didn’t understand, but that didn’t stop him from pretending to be affectionate. Jiang Mai turned his head away. For some reason, he felt that neither of them was being sincere.

After some back and forth, Jiang Han couldn’t stand it anymore, so she pretended to be comforted by Qi Ze and smiled shyly.

Finally, after sending away this “oil field,” Jiang Han relaxed again and soon fell asleep.

••••

On the other side, after Jiang Yun returned home and separated from the other two, he went back to his room and took out a small letter from his sleeve. Before he could unfold it, he heard a knock on the door.

Jiang Yun’s eyes flashed, and he put away the letter and opened the door, seeing Jiang Mai leaning against the door. He raised an eyebrow slightly, “What is it?”

Jiang Mai smiled lazily, “Big brother, what’s written on that letter?”

Jiang Yun was stunned, then smiled helplessly, “You saw it?”

Jiang Mai entered the room and sat at the table, “I’m a businessman, my eyes are naturally sharp. So tell me, big brother, what did Miss Liu write in that little letter?”

••••

After sending away the Jiang family, Qi Ze’s expression faded a little, then turned into a smile. He glanced at Jiang Han’s room and walked towards Liu Shuwei’s room without looking back.

At this time, everyone had gone back to rest. Liu Shuwei couldn’t sleep because she was worried about Jiang Han, thinking about the crazy horse at her desk.

Soon, she heard Shui Lü’s “Your Highness” outside. Liu Shuwei’s eyes flickered, and she tidied up her desk, pretending to be reading.

The footsteps behind her got closer and closer. Liu Shuwei stared at the book, but she was actually paying attention to the movement behind her. Finally, the footsteps stopped, replaced by the male warmth behind her.

Qi Ze still had some sense of propriety and didn’t hug her directly. He just stood very close to her, placing his hands on either side of Liu Shuwei, deliberately whispering in her ear, “Weiwei, what are you reading?”

Liu Shuwei finally realized at that moment that she had no feelings left for Qi Ze. She suppressed the urge to push him away and pretended to be startled, then blushed slightly, saying, “Your Highness, how come you walk so silently?”

Liu Shuwei’s reaction successfully pleased Qi Ze. He let go of her and walked to her side, smiling gently, “Weiwei, I’ll be able to marry you soon.”

Liu Shuwei froze, feeling a surge of panic. She quickly calmed down, looking shy but with a hint of sadness, “But… the Empress Dowager…”

“She has agreed,” Qi Ze said. “I’ve asked the emperor for permission, and my mother couldn’t object. But I’m still making you suffer, Weiwei, you’ll only be a concubine.”

Liu Shuwei felt inexplicably relieved and said, “It’s alright, Your Highness. I’m already content to be by your side.”

Qi Ze’s eyes warmed, and he promised, “Weiwei, you know, you’re the only one in my heart.”

Liu Shuwei smiled faintly, “I know.”

••••

After Qi Ze left, Liu Shuwei, who had been on high alert, suddenly relaxed. Thinking about what Qi Ze had just told her, her thoughts drifted.

She had indeed had feelings for Qi Ze. Qi Ze was indeed powerful and had a high status. Even if she wasn’t sure if she liked him, marrying Qi Ze was her best option at the time.

But now, she knew clearly that she liked Jiang Han. She felt mostly gratitude towards Qi Ze, without any other feelings. But now, he had asked the emperor for permission, and she had to marry him.

Liu Shuwei felt lost, unsure of what to do in the future. If she stayed with Qi Ze for Jiang Han’s sake, she had no idea what would happen. Would Qi Ze still be respectful and not touch her after they got married?

Sighing softly, Liu Shuwei looked at the sky outside and got up to apply medicine for Jiang Han.

••••

Jiang Han woke up from a nap and ate a hearty meal. She felt her back was much better, whether it was due to the medicine or her imagination.

As night fell, Jiang Han wanted Chun Zhu to apply the medicine for her. She called Chun Zhu, but Liu Shuwei came in.

Seeing Liu Shuwei come in, Jiang Han had a bad feeling. She rolled her eyes and asked, “Sister, is there something you want to talk about?”

Liu Shuwei smiled faintly, “I’m here to apply the medicine for you.”

Jiang Han: “…Actually, Chun Zhu can help me. There’s no need for you to come and go. You’re weak, and you’ve been injured. You should rest.”

Liu Shuwei sat by the bed, looking at her with lowered eyes, “You were injured trying to save me, sister. I’d feel guilty if I didn’t do anything for you.”

Since she had said that, Jiang Han couldn’t refuse. She tried to ignore the strange shyness she felt and said, “Then I’ll trouble you, sister.”

Jiang Han lay on the bed as she had at noon, and Liu Shuwei scooped up some green ointment with her finger.

Jiang Han’s back was very white, like a fine piece of mutton fat jade, with a delicate snow-white sheen. Just her shoulders and back exuded a gentle beauty, but this beauty was ruined by the crisscrossing scars, making her look pitiful.

Liu Shuwei stroked the scars with pity, gently applying the medicine, “Sister, is this strength okay?”

Jiang Han hummed comfortably, “Yes, yes, it’s fine.”

The room fell silent again. Just as Jiang Han was about to drift off to sleep, she heard Liu Shuwei say, “Sister, the prince said he’s going to marry me soon.”

Jiang Han’s drowsy mind immediately cleared, “Weiwei, have you thought about it?”

Liu Shuwei lowered her eyes, her voice unchanged, “Most of the prominent families know I’m the prince’s woman. Even if I don’t marry him, who else can I marry?”

Jiang Han thought about it. Liu Shuwei and Qi Ze’s relationship was a done deal. When she hadn’t transmigrated, that was the plot of this world, the female lead marrying the male lead, which was inevitable.

But thinking of that abusive man, she sighed softly. She didn’t want Liu Shuwei to marry Qi Ze, no matter how she looked at it.

“I’d rather marry you than let him marry you,” Jiang Han muttered, lying on the bed.

She thought she had spoken softly, and Liu Shuwei wouldn’t hear her. After saying it, she stayed still.

But Liu Shuwei’s heart trembled, and she paused. After a long while, she slowly moved again, replying in a voice only she could hear, “Okay.”