All the maids and servants in Seventh Prince’s Mansion had always obeyed Zhao Si’s orders without question. Now, with the newly arrived Seventh Princess Consort having just killed Zhao Si upon entering, every one of them instinctively retreated three steps back.
Jiang Qingran walked step by step toward the main hall and said, “Qinghe, go and invite Seventh Prince to come for the wedding ceremony. If he throws a tantrum and refuses to come, you may forcibly push him here.”
Before Qinghe could respond, a weak yet deeply resonant and pleasant voice came from behind.
“No need.”
Jiang Qingran turned around and saw a man seated in a wheelchair.
He wore a moon-white robe, his hair as black as ink.
His features were delicate, his figure slender and refined.
Like an orchid or a jade tree, radiant and graceful, he exuded an indescribable nobility and elegance, an unparalleled handsomeness that was beyond words.
Especially those beautiful phoenix eyes, like a deep, bottomless pool, captivating and impossible to resist.
“Your Highness.”
Jiang Qingran called softly, stepping closer to his side. She reached out to take his hand, but he shook it off.
“Don’t touch me, cough, cough, cough…”
Jiang Qingran wasn’t angered. Gently, she draped a red cloak over him and smiled. “Then let’s proceed directly with the ceremony, so we don’t miss the auspicious hour.”
There were no elders, no guests, and the bride and groom didn’t need to toast or exchange pleasantries. After the ceremony, they went straight into the room.
But as soon as she entered, Jiang Qingran was stunned.
Even though Seventh Prince’s birth mother was of low status and he himself was disabled and frequently ill, he was still the emperor’s son. Yet, the place he lived in was worse than that of the servants.
The room was drafty, the furniture old and worn, and the bed creaked with the slightest movement.
The quilt was not only damp and moldy but also patched.
Jiang Qingran shouted softly toward the door, “Someone come!”
Two maids, dressed in gaudy attire, slowly walked in, their expressions arrogant. “What does Wang Fei need from us?”
“Bring two new quilts and some food.”
It was already noon, and she hadn’t eaten for two meals, feeling faint with hunger.
The maid wearing the peach-red jacket was named Lu Xi. She said impatiently, “Seventh Prince is incompetent and has no property. His annual expenses rely entirely on the meager monthly allowance from His Majesty, which isn’t even enough to cover the Royal Mansion’s expenses. Forget new quilts—we don’t even have tattered ones.”
“Slap!”
Jiang Qingran struck her heavily across the face. “How dare a mere servant insult Your Highness. If there are no tattered quilts, the clothes on your body are certainly new enough.”
Growing angrier as she spoke, Jiang Qingran lifted her leg and kicked Lu Xi out the door with a “bang.”
“Qinghe, cut out her tongue.”
“Ah… no!” Lu Xi scrambled up from the ground, screaming in terror. “Jiang Qingran, I am Huang Hou Niang Niang’s person. You’ve already killed Zhao Guan Jia. If you harm me, Huang Hou Niang Niang will surely have you executed by a thousand cuts!”
Jiang Qingran smiled lightly, as if it were nothing. “In that case, you die first. Qinghe, make sure she dies far away. Don’t ruin Ben Fei’s appetite.”
“Yes, miss!”
After Qinghe dragged Lu Xi away by her legs, the other young maid, Mei Huan, was trembling with fear.
“Wang Fei, this servant will go fetch the quilts for you right away.”
In just a moment, she returned with two soft quilts covered in brocade and lit a charcoal brazier in the room.
She didn’t care what punishment Huang Hou Niang Niang might inflict on Seventh Princess Consort in the future. All she knew was that if she neglected Seventh Princess Consort now, she would surely meet her end.
“Wang Fei, what would you like to eat? This servant will go to the kitchen and bring it for you right away.”
Jiang Qingran sat on the bed, removing her phoenix crown, and without looking up, said, “This is the Seventh Prince’s Mansion, and in all matters, we must respect the Seventh Prince.”
“I understand, Mistress,” replied Mei Huan, turning respectfully to Jing Moxuan. “Your Highness, what would you like to eat?”
“Anything that fills the stomach will do.”
“Yes.”
After Mei Huan withdrew, Jiang Qingran approached Jing Moxuan, looking directly at him with eyes full of compassion.
“Is this how they usually treat you? Do you not even get enough to eat?”