Chapter 23 Deliberately Luring Her into the Trap

Chapter 23: A Deliberate Setup

Jiang Shuning hastily straightened her clothes, suppressing her shock and suspicion as she rushed toward the front courtyard.

By the time she arrived, the Jiang family was already kneeling in a row. Only the palace eunuch remained standing, holding the bright yellow imperial edict aloft, his gaze cold and disdainful as he looked down upon them all.

Jiang Yaozhen appeared thoroughly prepared. Kneeling at the very front, she wore resplendent attire—the golden hairpin atop her head gleamed dazzlingly in the sunlight, like a proud peacock.

The eunuch’s shrill voice pierced the silence as he slowly read the edict: “By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Jiang Yaozhen, second daughter of the Jiang family, renowned for her virtue, grace, talent, and moral excellence, is hereby appointed Principal Consort to His Highness the Sixth Prince, Xiao Jinghuan. The wedding shall be held on an auspicious date. Respect this decree!”

Each word rang with crystalline clarity—yet struck Jiang Shuning like thunder.

Her eyes widened slightly in disbelief. The Sixth Prince—Xiao Jinghuan?

How could *he* be the one seeking Jiang Yaozhen’s hand?

“Your Majesty’s boundless grace is deeply appreciated!” the Jiang family chorused in unison.

Chancellor Jiang rose first, beaming broadly as he rubbed his hands together and eagerly stepped forward to invite the eunuch inside. “You must be exhausted from your journey, sir. Please, come in and warm yourself with some tea.”

Madam Jiang followed closely behind, discreetly slipping a gold ingot from her sleeve into the eunuch’s palm while murmuring, “You’ve gone to great trouble. This small token is merely our humble expression of gratitude.”

The eunuch weighed the gold in his hand—and only then did a faint smile flicker across his face. After a brief exchange indoors, he departed.

Jiang Shuning stood off to the side, her gaze locked onto Jiang Yaozhen.

That meticulously applied makeup couldn’t conceal her smugness; the corners of her mouth curled upward ever so slightly, as if she had anticipated this moment all along.

Unable to contain herself, Jiang Shuning stepped forward, her tone carefully probing. “When did you become acquainted with the Sixth Prince, sister? I had no idea.”

This engagement had erupted without warning—bypassing formal courtship entirely, leaping straight to an imperial edict. It bore the unmistakable hallmark of *act first, seek permission later*.

Jiang Yaozhen cast a sidelong glance at Jiang Shuning, her eyes brimming with undisguised triumph. “What an intriguing question, sister. At the Chrysanthemum Banquet, my dance surpassed all others—and the Sixth Prince fell in love with me at first sight. Fearing I might refuse, he petitioned His Majesty directly for an imperial marriage decree.”

“In that case—congratulations, sister!” Jiang Shuning lowered her eyelids, concealing the fleeting emotions shimmering in her gaze.

Jiang Yaozhen grew even more self-satisfied. “I do apologize for accepting my betrothal before you, sister. But don’t fret too much. Perhaps in just a few days, His Majesty will recall you—the legitimate eldest daughter of the Jiang family—and bestow upon you an equally splendid match.”

“I sincerely appreciate your kind wishes.” The corners of Jiang Shuning’s lips lifted—but the smile never reached her eyes.

Had it been any other prince, she might have felt a pang of envy. But Xiao Jinghuan? Not even a trace of interest stirred within her.

In her previous life, Xiao Jinghuan had died unwed—never taking a Principal Consort.

This Sixth Prince differed markedly from his brothers: he carried a fatal flaw so severe that noble maidens avoided him as though he were plague-ridden.

And yet—His Majesty had just betrothed Jiang Yaozhen to him. Jiang Shuning was utterly bewildered—had Jiang Yaozhen orchestrated this herself? Or was someone secretly pulling the strings, deliberately setting her up?

Still, the immediate benefits of the engagement were undeniable.

Chancellor Jiang instantly abandoned his plan to send Jiang Yaozhen to Xuzhou. He settled her comfortably in the Qili Courtyard and instructed Madam Jiang to assign several clever maidservants to attend her personally—future members of her dowry entourage.

Imperial betrothal gifts poured into the Qili Courtyard like a river—dazzling treasures, all hers to command.

Even Censor Gu—who had long been at odds with Chancellor Jiang—surprisingly dispatched a messenger bearing congratulatory gifts. He even awkwardly declared, “From this day forth, we are family”—leaving Chancellor Jiang deeply unsettled, secretly unnerved.

Jiang Yaozhen, of course, was overjoyed. Her eyes and brows radiated unmasked arrogance—as if she longed to shout her good fortune from the rooftops.

She proactively suggested Chancellor Jiang host a gathering for all those who had sent gifts.

Considering he had accepted their offerings—and owed them due courtesy—Chancellor Jiang nodded in agreement.

Within days, high-ranking officials and nobles from the capital flooded the Jiang residence, glasses clinking, voices buzzing.

The noble maidens who had once mocked Jiang Yaozhen in the plum grove now seemed transformed. They surrounded her, smiling broadly, tripping over themselves to flatter her.

Some praised the exquisite tailoring of her gown, which accentuated her willowy figure; others admired the translucent luster of the jade hairpin nestled in her tresses, enhancing her radiant aura. Ultimately, every compliment circled back to the same refrain—she was naturally beautiful, and everything she wore or adorned herself with appeared flawlessly perfect.

Everyone vied to curry favor with this future Prince’s Consort—treating Jiang Shuning, still unbetrothed, with marked indifference.

Xia Yan watched from the periphery, dumbfounded, and couldn’t resist leaning over to whisper to Jiang Shuning, “Who would’ve thought your sister would actually land a royal match!”

Hearing this, Jiang Shuning merely offered a faint, silent smile.

Jiang Yaozhen’s moment in the spotlight proved short-lived—stolen outright by the arrival of the Gu siblings.

The instant Gu Wanying stepped into the Jiang residence, noble maidens swarmed around her, praising her dignified, elegant attire and complimenting her refined, tasteful makeup. Their flattery far outstripped what they’d lavished upon Jiang Yaozhen.

They knew precisely which title carried greater weight: Designated Consort to the Crown Prince—or merely the future Prince’s Consort.

Moreover, Gu Wanying arrived accompanied by her exceptionally handsome elder brother, Gu Yiting. Who wouldn’t seize the chance to become the future sister-in-law of the Crown Prince’s Designated Consort?

Seeing her own limelight completely eclipsed—and given her longstanding animosity toward Gu Wanying—Jiang Yaozhen couldn’t help but feel sour and resentful.

She deliberately stepped forward, her tone laced with subtle provocation. “Sister Wanying—you’ve arrived? I wonder how His Highness the Crown Prince’s health has been lately?”

“Sister Yaozhen, how thoughtful of you! His Highness has been in excellent health recently. Just the other day, he accompanied me to Puji Temple to offer incense.”

Gu Wanying smiled genuinely—her expression softened by quiet sweetness.

In the past, her cousin—the Crown Prince—had been frail and chronically ill, taciturn and withdrawn. Naturally vivacious, she’d always had to temper her own inclinations when with him, accompanying him in hushed, tranquil tea sessions within the palace walls.

But over recent months, she’d noticed his health steadily improving—his pallid, sickly aura fading significantly. He’d even begun attending banquets with her—and their affection had deepened, quietly and surely.

“That truly is cause for celebration, Sister Wanying!” Jiang Yaozhen’s tone shifted abruptly as she smiled. “However, sister—did you know that His Highness the Crown Prince’s remarkable recovery is entirely thanks to my sister’s *contribution*?”

At those words, Jiang Shuning—who had been silently observing from the sidelines—immediately became the center of everyone’s attention.

Gu Wanying’s brows furrowed slightly, her face clouded with confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Sister Wanying—you didn’t know?” Jiang Yaozhen feigned astonishment. “Didn’t His Highness mention receiving a dietary tonic recipe from my sister? He’s followed it daily for recuperation—that’s why he’s recovered so well.”

“Shuning—is this true?” Gu Wanying’s gaze snapped to Jiang Shuning, her eyes blazing with unmistakable hostility.

A sudden chill ran down Jiang Shuning’s spine.

How—*how*—did Jiang Yaozhen know about this?