Those few words caused Jiang Shijin’s face to flush crimson all the way to her ears. Princess Qinghuan was as blunt as ever, showing her no face; by speaking this way, the Princess was essentially saying she wasn’t even as skilled as a common cook in the manor.
Tears welled in Shijin’s eyes as she gritted her teeth.
She couldn’t understand it. They were both daughters of the Jiang family—why was it that her elder sister, Jiang Shiyuan, was held in such high regard by Princess Qinghuan and invited for frequent gatherings, while she herself received only ridicule even when accompanied by her mother-in-law?
In that moment, she felt an overwhelming sense of grievance.
Princess Qinghuan had a straightforward personality. Having been pampered since childhood by the most powerful man in the world, she despised people who acted petulant. Seeing Jiang Shijin in such a state only reminded her of those concubines in the palace who feigned obedience while selling their misery.
Immediately, her expression soured. “Does the Heir’s Consort look down upon the hospitality of my manor?” she asked in a cold voice. “Have you come here specifically to annoy me? What are you crying for?”
As soon as she spoke, the Princess Consort of Chun also felt a flicker of dissatisfaction.
She had come to see Qinghuan first thing in the morning specifically to secure an official post for her son. Yet, no matter how she beat around the bush, the Princess refused to take a stance. Now, seeing that her son’s career prospects were going nowhere, the Princess Consort directed her fury at her daughter-in-law.
“Those from small, undistinguished households truly have no manners,” she barked. “It seems you have forgotten the lessons I gave you the other day!”
Jiang Shijin hadn’t expected her mother-in-law to humiliate her so publicly. A wave of bitterness washed over her, but she forced herself to endure it. Wiping her tears with a silk handkerchief, she stood up and apologized to both women.
“Please do not blame me, Mother. It was my ignorance that offended the Princess. I shall apologize at once.”
With that, she knelt on the floor and kowtowed respectfully.
By rights, as the Heir’s Consort, she shouldn’t have to kneel to apologize to a princess of the same generation, even if their ranks differed. However, this desperate move of hers left Princess Qinghuan with no further ground to criticize her.
Looking at the Princess Consort of Chun, whose chest was still heaving with irritation, the Princess waved her hand dismissively.
“Fine. I am not the type to dwell on small grievances. It’s just that the Heir’s Consort and I must have been enemies in a past life and lack any affinity in this one. It would be better if we saw less of each other in the future. Don’t you agree, Aunt?”
The Princess Consort of Chun’s face stiffened.
It had taken her ten years of marriage to bear this precious son. She had worked tirelessly to secure his position as the Heir so that he could eventually inherit the title of Prince Chun. To that end, she had tried everything to find him a suitable marriage.
Initially, she hadn’t thought much of Jiang Shiyuan either.
Rumors of Shiyuan’s long-term illness suggested she would struggle to bear children. However, the Consort couldn’t ignore the rising power of Shiyuan’s maternal and paternal families. The Jiang and Wang families were filled with men whose futures were exceptionally bright. An alliance would have provided powerful support for both sides.
She had even planned to wait three years. If Jiang Shiyuan failed to produce an heir by then, she would have her son take several concubines. Once a child was born, the Jiang and Wang families wouldn’t be able to complain; instead, they would have to provide even more help to ensure their daughter and granddaughter didn’t suffer in the Prince’s manor.
Alas, though her calculations were precise, this “disaster” of a second daughter had appeared out of nowhere.
Not only had she ruined the marriage alliance between the two families, but Old Lady Wang of the Wen-Yuan Marquis manor had somehow used her influence to sabotage the official post that was supposed to be assigned to her son. How could the Princess Consort not be furious?
But since the scandal between her son and the second Jiang daughter had already spread throughout Xijing, she had no choice but to accept her into the family. She looked at Jiang Shijin as if she were a walking curse, making things difficult for her at every turn.
Within the Prince’s manor, things seemed calm on the surface, but in truth, many were eyeing her position as Princess Consort and her son’s position as Heir. To protect their glory, she had to find another way.
After steadying her emotions, she looked at Princess Qinghuan with a smile.
“Qinghuan is right. Since you don’t like her, I won’t bring her along next time I come to chat. In a few days, there will likely be another happy event in our manor. You must come for a celebratory drink then.”
“A happy event? What is it?”
Princess Qinghuan glanced at Jiang Shijin’s stomach, but seeing Shijin’s own expression of shock, she quickly realized this had nothing to do with her. Recalling some rumors she had heard from Nanny Shen, a realization dawned on her.
“It’s not quite ready to be spoken of yet. Once things are finalized, I will send an invitation to your door. I hope you will grace us with your presence then, Qinghuan.”
It seemed the Princess Consort of Chun hadn’t yet convinced the Zhao family sisters to enter the manor, which was why she hadn’t been direct. Princess Qinghuan was more than happy to watch the Chun manor reap the bitter fruits of its own actions.
“In that case, I shall wait for Aunt’s good news,” she replied with a smile.
Sitting to the side, Jiang Shijin struggled to hide the panic in her heart. She had no status in the manor. She was called the “Heir’s Consort,” yet she couldn’t even get a word in before the concubines of the senior generation.
The matter of the Zhao sisters entering the manor had gone quiet after the day of the boat race. She had thought the Chun manor had failed to persuade them, but hearing her mother-in-law mention it now, she felt utterly lost about her future.
She had once believed that marrying into the Prince Chun’s manor would solve all her problems. She hadn’t realized it was a den of wolves and tigers. Without the support of her father and brothers, every step was arduous. She realized she had to return home more frequently.
Though her eldest uncle was angry with her, he was influential. Even if she had to go back and cry or beg, she had to soften his heart so he would treat her with the same favor as before.
With these thoughts, Jiang Shijin rose and followed the Princess Consort out. Once they were out of sight, Princess Qinghuan glanced at the food box and said with disdain, “Throw it away.”
“Yes, Princess.”
Jiang Shiyuan was leaning against the balustrade, feeling somewhat drowsy. Seeing that Princess Qinghuan still hadn’t arrived, she decided to get up and walk around. She had been here many times and didn’t need a servant to lead the way; she knew the path well.
Jiang Shiyuan didn’t go out much, but besides the Wen-Yuan Marquis manor, the Princess’s manor was her favorite place. The complexity and magnificence here were incomparable to other estates. It was no wonder it took the Emperor over ten years of personal supervision to complete; the care put into it was evident.
Mountains were built, and ponds were carved; towers and pavilions rose high.
Everywhere Jiang Shiyuan looked, there were white stone railings and soaring buildings interspersed with lush greenery and rare flowers. Following the covered corridor that wound through the artificial hills, she eventually reached a flat, open area to the north, where a two-story pavilion stood tall.
The sign above read: Huiyin Pavilion.
Seeing the name brought back many memories.
That year, when Princess Qinghuan moved out of the palace and established her manor, she held a banquet for the nobility of Xijing. The Wen-Yuan Marquis manor was naturally invited, so Shiyuan had come along with her grandmother and aunt.