Chapter 6 A Self-Directed Drama

Chapter 6: A Play of Her Own Making

Upon learning that Chancellor Jiang intended to elevate Jiang Yaozhen to the status of Secondary Wife-Born Daughter, Madam Jiang was not at all pleased.

Maintaining a calm facade, she went to Jiang Shuning's room, her expression darkening as she questioned her: "Your father said that elevating Zhen to Secondary Wife-Born Daughter was your idea?"

"Yes, Mother," Jiang Shuning replied calmly.

"You're being foolish!" Madam Jiang said with exasperation. "Zhen lost her mother at a young age and was raised by my side. Have I not taught her the proper etiquette of a young lady from a noble family? She shares the same willful and unrestrained nature as her late birth mother. As a concubine-born daughter, it might be tolerable, but if she becomes a wife-born daughter, wouldn't it invite ridicule upon our Jiang family for lacking proper decorum?"

"Daughter understands Mother's concerns, but now that the Third Prince seeks to marry a wife-born daughter of the Jiang family, I was forced to resort to this plan. Please, Mother, help me this once and agree to elevate Yaozhen to Secondary Wife-Born Daughter."

"Ning, why must you go to such lengths?" Madam Jiang asked, puzzled. "The Third Prince's mother, Consort Xi, is currently favored by His Majesty. He himself is talented in both civil and military affairs and possesses a dignified appearance—he is the ideal husband many noble daughters in the capital dream of. His desire to marry you would bring great honor to our family. Why would you willingly give up such a tremendous opportunity to Zhen?"

"Does Mother know that although the Third Prince has not yet taken a Principal Consort, the number of concubines in his harem exceeds the combined total of the other princes? He is also a frequent patron of the Chunxiang House, where the top courtesans are all promoted by him. If I were to marry such a man, how could I ever have a peaceful life?"

Madam Jiang sighed. "The imperial family places the utmost importance on heirs. Which prince does not take concubines? Since you gained the Empress Dowager's favor at the Chrysanthemum Banquet, even if you reject the Third Prince today, you may not be able to avoid other princes."

A determined glint flashed in Jiang Shuning's eyes. "Mother only needs to help me this once. As for other matters, I have my own plans."

"What do you intend to do?" Madam Jiang pressed.

Jiang Shuning gently stroked the jade bracelet on her fair wrist. "Naturally, I will seek an edict from the Empress Dowager."

Jiang Shuning deliberately chose the fifth to enter the palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager, bringing along a food box containing almond cheesecakes she had made herself.

The Empress Dowager beamed with joy upon seeing her. "I was just thinking of you! Ever since you instructed the imperial chefs to add dried tangerine peel to the *seven-treasure soup* at the Chrysanthemum Banquet, my coughing and phlegm issues have healed without treatment, sparing me the misery of drinking bitter medicine!"

Jiang Shuning bowed respectfully. "It is this humble subject's fortune to be able to share Your Majesty's concerns."

The Empress Dowager smiled and took her hand, asking in a low voice, "I heard that Consort Xi sent someone to the Chancellor's residence to propose marriage. Have you agreed to this match?"

Jiang Shuning's heart stirred slightly—the marriage proposal was indeed Consort Xi's idea.

She knelt gracefully. "This humble subject has come today precisely for this matter. I know my own talents and appearance are mediocre and unworthy of the Third Prince. I humbly beg Your Majesty to intervene and have the Third Prince withdraw the marriage proposal."

"This, I cannot do. If I ruin my grandson's marriage prospects, he will blame me, his imperial grandmother!" The Empress Dowager's expression remained kindly, but her voice carried an unyielding firmness. "Miss Jiang, please rise. Do not make things difficult for me!"

Jiang Shuning had anticipated it.

She understood that although she had cured the Empress Dowager's illness and earned her affection, it was not enough for the Empress Dowager to offend Consort Xi and the Third Prince for her sake.

To dissuade the Third Prince from marrying her, a more compelling pretext was needed.

Suppressing the disappointment in her eyes, Jiang Shuning obediently stood up.

The Empress Dowager then gently reassured her, "My third imperial grandson is not one to force others. If you have objections to this marriage, you can speak with him directly and clarify matters. Coincidentally, he and several other princes are here today. I will arrange for you to meet them shortly."

"This humble subject obeys."

Before long, several princes arrived at the Empress Dowager's front hall to pay their respects: "We greet you, Imperial Grandmother, and wish you peace and health!"

The Empress Dowager smiled broadly. "Please, rise!"

She turned to Jiang Shuning beside her and introduced her to the princes: "This is Chancellor Jiang's beloved daughter, Miss Jiang Shuning. I believe you met her at the previous Chrysanthemum Banquet?"

Jiang Shuning curtsied gracefully. "This humble subject, Jiang Shuning, pays respects to Your Highnesses."

"Greetings, Miss Jiang," the princes replied in unison.

Jiang Shuning discreetly observed the several princes and noticed that apart from Xiao Lingchuan, all the other princes were present.

"Why hasn't the Fourth Prince arrived?" the Empress Dowager asked, seemingly casually.

The Seventh Prince quickly stepped forward and replied respectfully, "Reporting to Imperial Grandmother, Fourth Imperial Brother will arrive later."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand dismissively. "Then we shall not wait for him. Let us begin brewing tea!"

The Empress Dowager had the five princes take their seats and instructed the palace attendants to prepare tea and snacks.

Jiang Shuning stood attentively by her side, assisting with the tea preparation.

The Empress Dowager's tea-making skills were peerless. It was said that the late Emperor, after tasting tea brewed by her own hands, fell in love with her at first sight and, overcoming all opposition, welcomed her into the palace.

Although the current Emperor was not born to the Empress Dowager, he was raised by her from childhood and held her, his imperial mother, in the highest esteem.

The princes were also very filial toward their imperial grandmother, visiting the Hall of Mental Cultivation on the fifth day of each month to serve the Empress Dowager and accompany her in tea tasting and conversation.

In her previous life, Jiang Shuning lived a secluded life in the inner chambers and, having nothing else to do, devoted herself to studying *the Way of Tea*. Without realizing it, she had mastered exquisite tea-brewing skills.

The tea she brewed was fragrant and rich in flavor, earning praise from the Empress Dowager herself.

This praise drew the attention of the princes in the hall, their eyes filled with admiration.

The Third Prince, Xiao Xiuzhan, wore the most knowing smile.

This prince, long pursued by the beauties of the capital, likely mistakenly believed she had come to the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility today specifically to see him.

Jiang Shuning ignored the gazes of everyone present, her expression focused as she continued with the tea ceremony.

After two rounds of tea, a sudden noise came from outside the window. A black shadow burst through the window, heading straight for the Empress Dowager.

The palace attendants stood frozen in shock.

Jiang Shuning thought to herself: It's happening!

In the nick of time, she swiftly moved to shield the Empress Dowager.

In her previous life, when an assassin rushed into the hall, the Second Prince stepped forward, subdued the assassin on the spot, and subsequently his prestige soared, nearly replacing the Crown Prince's position.

If she could become the Empress Dowager's savior during this assassination attempt and later request an edict from her, she believed the Empress Dowager would agree.

In the blink of an eye, as the assassin's sword tip was about to pierce Jiang Shuning's slender back, it was swiftly deflected by another sharp sword.

Jiang Shuning breathed a sigh of relief and looked back to see that the one who had intervened was not the Second Prince, but Xiao Lingchuan!

His swordsmanship was fierce and ruthless, each move forcing the assassin into a defenseless position.

Although the Second Prince also held his sword at the ready, he had no opportunity to act.

Just as the assassin was about to be killed under Xiao Lingchuan's sword, the Empress Dowager suddenly cried out, "Fourth Prince, show mercy! That is one of my people!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall was shocked—except for Xiao Lingchuan, whose expression remained calm and unperturbed.

The assassin removed his mask, revealing a delicate and handsome face. It was actually a eunuch serving the Empress Dowager.

The Seventh Prince turned pale with fright, his voice trembling as he asked, "Imperial Grandmother, what on earth is going on?"

The Empress Dowager smiled and reassured everyone, "I apologize for frightening all my imperial grandsons. I merely wanted to test which imperial grandson possessed superior martial skills, so I employed this method. Although you are princes, you may often face schemes and plots. You must not neglect your martial arts training!"

The princes quickly bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Jiang Shuning was jolted back to the present.

In her previous life, she had only known that no one was harmed in this assassination attempt, but she never expected it to be a scheme staged by the Empress Dowager herself!

It seemed the Empress Dowager wanted to test which prince would protect her in a moment of crisis.

It was no wonder then that after the attempt in her past life, the Second Prince gained the support of the Empress Dowager's faction.

But in this life, it was Xiao Lingchuan who saved the Empress Dowager...

Jiang Shuning instinctively glanced at Xiao Lingchuan, meeting his sharp, lingering gaze, which carried a glint of danger, startling her into quickly looking away.

"To my surprise, Miss Jiang, who has no martial arts skills, was the first to shield me when the assassin rushed into the hall. If today's assassination attempt had been real, Miss Jiang would have been my savior." The Empress Dowager gently patted Jiang Shuning's hand, smiling warmly. "Miss Jiang, what reward would you like?"

Jiang Shuning composed herself, knelt before the Empress Dowager, and said firmly, "This humble subject wishes for Your Majesty to grant me an imperial decree, allowing me to decide my own marriage."