Let Them Have Each Other

Jasper Cheng's sweet talk instantly swept away all of Lana Evans' complaints. She nestled into his arms, her voice soft and flirtatious: "Jasper, I was wrong to blame you. I never realized how much you love me—going so far as to flatter Lily just for my sake. I'm really moved."

Jasper gently patted Lana's shoulder, his voice full of tenderness. "Silly girl, let's just put up with it for now. Once we're married, you won't have to worry about your cousin's moods anymore."

Lana bit her lip. "Jasper, I've always hated my cousin Lily. Just seeing her makes me nauseous. Once we're married, let's move back to your family's old estate—then I’ll never have to see Lily’s face again, okay?"

Jasper thought to himself, What an idiot. If you didn’t have a princess for a sister, would I ever marry a fool like you? Go back to the countryside? As if! I’m going to butter up Lord Xiao—maybe I’ll even land myself a cushy official job!

But Jasper just smiled and agreed, "Alright, alright, whatever you want. Lana, just hang in there a little longer. Once we’re married, I’ll take you back home and you’ll be the lady of the Cheng family—you’ll run the whole place."

Lana’s eyes sparkled with delight at the thought of being in charge of the household.

Back when Lana lived at the Cheng estate, Jasper’s concubines and the maidservants made her life miserable. Now, she couldn’t help but daydream—once she became the lady of the house, she’d make sure to settle the score with everyone who’d ever bullied her!

Thinking of the old maid who always scolded her, Lana pouted at Jasper, "Jasper, that maid of yours was always picking on me, couldn't stand the sight of me. I want to give her a piece of my mind."

Jasper, ever the opportunist, didn’t hesitate. "Alright, I’ll send for her and have her brought to the Evans residence. You can deal with her however you like!"

Lana broke into a wide grin. "Perfect! Jasper, you really do care about me!"

===

Uncle's Room—

Lily Evans sat with a face like ice, while Mrs. Xia beside her could only sigh.

Mrs. Xia had lived long enough to see right through Jasper Cheng’s character, but Lana Evans—she was a real disappointment.

Mrs. Xia grumbled, "Lily, if Lana insists on marrying Jasper, what can we do? Do you agree or not? I know her father dotes on her, and if Lana throws a big enough tantrum, he’ll probably give in. But Jasper Cheng is no catch—he’s scheming and dishonest. Whoever marries him is in for trouble."

Lily Evans answered coldly, "I’ve agreed, haven’t I? What’s there to refuse?"

Mrs. Xia sighed, her voice tinged with regret. "So you’ve agreed, Lily? You can see that Jasper Cheng isn’t a good man, can’t you?"

Lily Evans snorted, "Aunt Xia, Jasper Cheng is definitely no good, but Lana isn’t exactly a prize herself right now. As the saying goes, ‘A shrew and a dog—may they live long together.’ Honestly, they’re a perfect match. Lana’s dead set on marrying Jasper, so let her go ahead. Jasper only wants her because she’s Princess Hayes’ cousin. Once they’re married, he’ll use that connection to cozy up to Lord Xiao. That white-eyed wolf Lana—after what she did to Third Uncle, if it weren’t for his sake, I’d want to teach her a lesson myself. So why would I ever help Jasper? Just wait and see—he’ll let her down soon enough. Guess how he’ll treat Lana then?"

Mrs. Xia nodded, her tone resigned. "Alright, Lily, I’ll leave it to you. If you’re willing to let them have their way, I’ll help you make it happen."