“Shut up!”
Old Lady Jiang felt a sharp pain in her chest, her vision darkened, and she nearly fainted.
“Wenxiang, Wenxiang… Divorce Cai Xiumei right now and elevate Ruoliu to the position of principal wife. That way, Yue’er and Rui’er, along with their siblings, will all become legitimate sons and daughters.”
Upon hearing the word “divorce,” Shen Ruoliu’s heart raced with excitement.
All these years, no matter how much Jiang Wenxiang doted on her or how much he despised Cai Xiumei, he had refused to divorce her and elevate Shen Ruoliu.
Now that the old lady had given the order, he surely couldn’t disobey, could he?
Meanwhile, Cai Xiumei panicked at the mention of divorce.
She had been standing silently in the corner but now stepped forward to stand before Jiang Qingran.
Before Jiang Qingran could react, Cai Xiumei pinched her hard. “You wretched girl! How dare you speak to your grandmother like that? Kneel down and apologize to her immediately!”
Jiang Qingran looked at her in disbelief, just as she had years ago.
But only for a moment. Then, with no warmth in her voice, she said, “Cai Xiumei, do you think your face is bigger than Jiang Wenxiang’s? Let me tell you, in my eyes, you’re no better than him. Get lost!”
“I…”
“Enough!”
Jiang Wenxiang shouted, “Stop making a scene! Isn’t this family chaotic enough already? There’s a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. Ruoliu, you and the children must show more respect to the Fifth Miss from now on. Yuanrui, go find a doctor to set your bones properly.”
For now, the priority was to coax Jiang Qingran into entering the Seventh Prince’s Mansion. There would be plenty of opportunities to deal with her later.
Shen Ruoliu had remained favored by Jiang Wenxiang for over twenty years not only because she was his childhood sweetheart but also because she presented herself as obedient, virtuous, and understanding.
She lowered her head and said, “The master is right to reprimand me.”
Jiang Qingran let out a slight sigh. “Let’s eat. I’m hungry. Oh, by the way, I’ve often heard the Prime Minister praise Concubine Shen for her intelligence, thoughtfulness, and gentleness, and the Fourth Miss for her many talents and exceptional wisdom. Later, one of you can serve me my meal, and the other can dance to entertain me.”
Shen Ruoliu clenched her fists tightly, overwhelmed by a deep sense of humiliation.
But for her daughter’s future, she had no choice but to endure it.
“Yes, Fifth Miss.”
“Eat? Eat what!”
Old Lady Jiang swept all the tea set in front of her to the floor, weeping bitterly. “My beloved granddaughter, whom I’ve cherished and doted on—why should she perform like a mere dancer for a Zaixing?”
Jiang Wenxiang’s heart ached too, but what could he do?
He had thought that after all these years of being raised in the Manor Estate, Jiang Qingran would be timid and easy to control.
Unexpectedly, she was not only fierce-tempered but had also learned martial arts from someone.
Even her maid was more skilled than his own guards.
If she refused to marry in her sister’s place, even if they tied her up and forced her onto the bridal sedan, she would still find a way to escape.
He sighed helplessly. “Since the old lady has no appetite, help her back to her room to rest.”
The meal at Chengxiangfu was a feast for the senses—eighteen dishes, each beautifully presented, covered the table.
As the drums and music began to play, Jiang Qingyue started dancing gracefully.
Far from feeling ashamed, she had deliberately changed into a splendid dance costume, wanting Jiang Qingran to see her celestial beauty, which was far beyond what a country bumpkin like her could ever compare to.
At this moment, Jiang Qingran was in a good mood.
She picked up the wine jug, filled her own cup, and deliberately poured one for Jiang Wenxiang.
With a smile that was three parts teasing and seven parts mocking, she said, “Come, future Guozhang, I toast to you. May you never forget me when you rise to wealth and honor.”
Jiang Wenxiang cursed inwardly: Hmph! One hundred thousand taels of sycee, and the future Seventh Princess Consort. You’re the one with wealth, and you’re the one with status. Yet you turn around and say such things to me—isn’t that just deliberately mocking me to make me sick?
But he could only force a smile and nod, raising his wine cup and draining it in one gulp.
After the meal, the steward Jiang Zhu brought Jiang Qingran a banknote for one hundred thousand taels.
He also arranged a clean and comfortable guest room for her.
Once the door was closed, Qinghe couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, do you really intend to marry that Seventh Prince?”