Jiang Qingyue was also stunned, unable to regain her composure.
“Replying to Mother Empress, your child does not know either…”
Luo Shumin waved her hand dismissively. “Useless! Since the Empress Dowager has emphasized the importance of observing propriety, from now on, you should address me as Huang Hou Niang Niang.”
She had initially thought that this meticulously groomed concubine-born daughter of the Jiang family would be highly capable, but it turned out she couldn’t even compare to a single toe of the abandoned legitimate daughter.
Now, it seemed truly fortunate that His Majesty had not designated her as Feng’er’s principal consort.
Jiang Qingyue’s eyes reddened with grievance as she lowered her head and replied, “Yes, Huang Hou Niang Niang.”
Seeing her delicate and affected demeanor, Jing Mofeng suddenly recalled Jiang Qingran’s bright, resolute face.
If only he had met her earlier, he would never have married Jiang Qingyue.
No…
He should have married both. The aura Jiang Qingran possessed was truly worthy of the position of his principal consort.
Jiang Qingyue was only fit to be a bed-warming maid.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. “Enough, don’t embarrass yourself here any longer. Go back.”
Tears instantly streamed down Jiang Qingyue’s face.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
…
Meanwhile, Jiang Qingran pushed Jing Moxuan to the palace gate.
Instead of boarding the carriage, she said, “Your Highness, the sunlight is so lovely today. Accompany me for a stroll through the streets.”
Jing Moxuan remained expressionless. “Does this prince have a choice? As you wish.”
“Hmm… no.”
Pushing Jing Moxuan along, Jiang Qingran gazed at the scenery on both sides of the road, feeling exceptionally cheerful.
After a pause, Jing Moxuan remarked quietly, “By openly offending the Empress like this, she will certainly not let you off. With disaster looming, you still have the mood for a stroll.”
Luo Shumin’s elder brother was the Zhen Guo Da Jiang Jun, and she privately maintained many death warriors.
In the court, anyone who opposed them ended up dying under mysterious circumstances.
This little girl was like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers.
Jiang Qingran, however, remained completely unfazed.
“If she remains restless and dares to cause trouble, then the disaster will befall her.”
Just as Jing Moxuan was about to say more, Jiang Qingran interjected, “Let’s not mention those unpleasant people. Would you like something to eat?”
“No need.”
Jiang Qingran directly pushed him to a stall selling candied hawthorns. “Uncle, two sticks of candied hawthorns, please.”
“Right away!”
Jiang Qingran took the candied hawthorns and, without another word, placed one of the sticks into Jing Moxuan’s hand.
“Life is already so bitter; we must eat something sweet to lift our spirits.”
Perhaps her words struck a chord in Jing Moxuan’s heart. He gazed at the red fruit coated in crystallized sugar for a long time.
Finally, he took a gentle bite.
Hmm, very sweet.
After strolling for a while, it was nearly noon. Jiang Qingran found a restaurant and ordered four dishes.
Before they could even pick up their chopsticks, a mocking voice rang out.
“Well, if it isn’t Fifth Sister and Seventh Prince! It’s only the second day after your wedding, and you’re already dining together. Truly, the Zaixing and the cripple are a perfect match!”
Jing Moxuan had heard such remarks too many times. Without even lifting his head, he picked up his wine cup and took a small sip.
Jiang Qingran glanced up and saw Jiang Yuanrui approaching with four burly, muscular subordinates.
“Get lost. Don’t disturb Ben Fei’s meal.”
Jiang Yuanrui had always harbored resentment toward her. Nowadays, wherever he went, he brought four martial arts experts, precisely so that if he ever encountered Jiang Qingran, he could teach her a proper lesson.
He never expected the opportunity to come so soon. He was overjoyed—why would he leave?
He lifted his foot and planted it on the stool beside Jiang Qingran.
With a crooked, sinister smile, he said, “After all, I am your third brother. Now that my sister has become Wang Fei, are you looking down on your own family? Can’t you even invite your brother to a meal?”
Jiang Qingran narrowed her eyes, radiating a dangerous aura.
“Do you want your arm to be completely useless?”