Chapter 247 – Some People are Delusional

Chapter 247 - Some People are Delusional

Hearing the Crown Princess's words, Jiang Boxin also felt a deep sadness; he truly cherished his daughter. But he still said, "Aren't all men the same?"

The Crown Princess remained silent. Feeling increasingly awkward, Jiang Boxin shifted the topic, "I heard that the legitimate daughter of Marquis Yongning has been well educated. Now that the Marquis has returned from the dead, she is indeed a suitable match for Yingzhe."

The Crown Princess still did not speak. Jiang Boxin continued, "Moreover, if Yingzhe can secure a marriage alliance with the eldest daughter of Marquis Yongning, it would tie the Marquis to us, which would also benefit Yingzhe."

The Crown Princess looked down at her fingers in silence, and Jiang Boxin sighed before adding, "We are all doing this for Yingzhe's benefit."

"Is it really for Yingzhe's good, or for the Jiang family's benefit?" the Crown Princess suddenly interjected, her tone sharp and cold. "I've already become your pawn; do you also intend for Yingzhe to become one?"

"How could we use Yingzhe as a pawn? Isn't everything we are doing aimed at securing that position for Yingzhe?" Jiang Boxin started to feel that the Crown Princess was being unreasonable.

"Hah, all for Yingzhe? Have you ever asked Yingzhe what he wants? Have you asked Yingzhe if he desires that position?"

The Crown Princess looked at Jiang Boxin again, her eyes brimming with tears, "Father, I've had my fill of having my fate controlled by others; I don't want my son to endure the same. Please, can you not spare Yingzhe? Isn't Li Jingye cooperative enough for you? Control him instead."

"How can you think this way?" Jiang Boxin looked at the Crown Prince's Consort and said, "Aren't we all doing this for the Jiang family? Without the Jiang family, where would your current life of glory and wealth come from? Your esteemed status?"

"Did I say I wanted it?" The Crown Prince's Consort, unable to hold back her tears, said, "Sometimes I wonder if it would've been better to be born in an ordinary family. Though lacking a luxurious life, at least one wouldn't be treated as a pawn by their own family, not knowing where to turn with a heart full of sorrow."

"What else are you dissatisfied with?" Jiang Boxin felt that the Crown Prince's Consort was being unreasonable. He said, "Is it just because the Crown Prince has a few more women? Do you really expect any man to have eyes only for you? You're being utterly unreasonable."

"Even if I'm being unreasonable, then do what you want, but leave me and Yingzhe out of it," the Crown Prince's Consort said.

Jiang Boxin stood up angrily and said, "Yulan, don't forget, you are a Jiang family daughter. Without the Jiang family, you are nothing. If the Jiang family abandons you, just think, what would your days be like in the Crown Prince's residence?"

"Think about it. If you come to your senses, persuade Lady Yongning's eldest daughter to become engaged to Yingzhe. If not, relinquish your position as the Crown Prince's Consort, and the Jiang family will marry another daughter into the residence."

Having said that, he left with a flick of his sleeve.

The Crown Prince's Consort slumped in her chair, tears streaming down her face. Why had the heavens decreed her birth into the Jiang family!

"Mother Consort, did Grandfather pressure you again?"

Li Yingzhe had come in at some point. Seeing him, the Crown Prince's Consort immediately sat up straight and wiped the tears from her face. "No, I was just reminiscing about some sad things from the past."

But Li Yingzhe said, "Mother Consort, I've grown up, and I understand many things."

Hearing him say this, the Crown Prince's Consort couldn't hold back anymore. She embraced him and burst into tears, saying, "Son, I'm just afraid... afraid that they will control everything about you just like they controlled me. If they support you to ascend to that position one day, you'll still have to obey them. But if you don't, there will be grave consequences. Just the thought terrifies me..."

The Crown Prince's Consort sobbed, and Li Yingzhe, somewhat at a loss, gently patted her back, saying, "Mother Consort, we won't listen to Grandfather and the others."

The Crown Prince's Consort hugged him and cried, shaking her head. Li Yingzhe felt sad and could only continue to gently comfort her. After a while, the Crown Prince's Consort stopped crying, released Li Yingzhe, and said with determination in her eyes, "They want you to become engaged to the eldest daughter of Lord Yongning to win him over."

Li Yingzhe frowned, and the Crown Prince's Consort continued, "Alright, then marry Lord Yongning's eldest daughter, and we'll see if they can stand against Lord Yongning then."

Li Yingzhe didn't quite understand what she was saying, and the Crown Prince's Consort didn't explain further. She added, "Mother Consort won't harm you, and besides, Lord Yongning's eldest daughter is a match for you in status."

Li Yingzhe remained silent with a stern face, feeling that what his mother consort was planning wasn't right, but he didn't know how to stop her.

The Crown Prince's Consort wiped away her tears and sent Li Yingzhe to study. After freshening up, she sent an invitation to Lady Yongning, asking her and her daughter to visit the Crown Prince's residence.

Upon receiving the invitation, Tang Shuyi sneered. She had guessed right; the Crown Prince's family wouldn't give up easily. Discarding the invitation, she said to Cuiyun, "Tell the people from the Crown Prince's residence that I will visit the Crown Prince's Consort tomorrow."

Cuiyun acknowledged and left. Tang Shuyi narrowed her eyes. Some people are just wishful thinkers, assuming what they see as good, others will too. Little do they know, what they consider a treasure, others may see as a burden.

However, she certainly won't be taking Xiao Yuzhu with her tomorrow.

The next day, after her morning meal, she set off for the residence of the eldest prince. Upon her arrival at the gates of the mansion, a nanny greeted her with a smile, saying, “Greetings to the Marquise.”

Tang Shuyi returned the smile and bade her rise. As the nanny stood up, she added, “The wife of the eldest prince has been awaiting you since this morning.”

With a smile, Tang Shuyi followed her into the mansion and took a sedan chair to the living quarters of the eldest prince’s wife. After a journey of roughly half an hour, the sedan chair came to a halt. Tang Shuyi alighted and followed the nanny into an elegantly grand courtyard and then into the hall.

Upon seeing her, the wife of the eldest prince rose with a smile. Tang Shuyi began to curtsy, but midway through, she was gently stopped. “No need for such formalities, Marquise. Please, take a seat.”