Chapter 39 Tarnishing Her Reputation

Chapter 39: Tarnish Her Good Name

After finishing her evening meal, Jiang Shuning headed towards Chancellor Jiang's study.

Chancellor Jiang was seated at his desk, reviewing a stack of official documents.

Seeing her enter, he put down his brush. "Ning'er, it's late. Why aren't you resting?"

Jiang Shuning stepped forward and curtsied, offering a gentle smile. "Father, I have something I wish to discuss. I was afraid to put it off, so I hurried over."

Chancellor Jiang raised an eyebrow, gesturing for her to sit. "Speak. What is it?"

She didn't beat around the bush. "It's about Tianze. I visited the West Courtyard today and met him. I found him handsome and well-mannered, with refined speech. He doesn't resemble Third Uncle but rather carries some of your bearing when you were young."

Chancellor Jiang's brow furrowed slightly. "Although the Third Branch's child is handsome, one can tell at a glance he comes from a brothel background. It's hard to shed those base instincts. Shuning, don't trouble yourself with the affairs of the Third Branch."

"Father, you must meet him to know. A bad bamboo doesn't necessarily fail to produce a good shoot. Tianze is neatly dressed, speaks elegantly, and has proper manners. Earlier, he asked me about the Imperial College lectures. I casually asked a few questions, and he answered them all clearly and without hesitation. Father, you value talent most. Why not test him?"

This piqued Chancellor Jiang's interest.

He pondered for a moment before finally instructing, "Send word for Tianze to come to the study."

Not long after, Jiang Tianze appeared at the doorway.

He was dressed very simply today. A pale blue-green robe with a straight collar accentuated his handsome features, giving him an ethereal air.

Upon entering, he bowed to Chancellor Jiang. "Tianze of the Third Branch pays his respects to Uncle."

Then, looking at Jiang Shuning, he gave a slight bow. "Greetings, Eldest Sister."

Chancellor Jiang nodded, a hint of inquiry in his eyes. He casually asked a few questions from the books, but unexpectedly, the young man answered each one with pearls of wisdom, clear and logical.

Recently, he had also tested Jiang Tianci's knowledge, only to find him unable to answer even basic questions. It was evident he had previously focused all his attention on eating, drinking, and having fun.

In contrast, Jiang Tianze of the Third Branch spoke with refinement and possessed remarkable insight, which was truly impressive.

Chancellor Jiang was secretly pleased and praised, "So young, yet to have such outstanding knowledge is truly rare!"

Seeing this, Jiang Shuning said softly, "Father, he is not only outstanding in learning but has also practiced martial arts since childhood. Why not find him a renowned master to hone his skills? A man of the Great Ye dynasty who excels in both civil and military arts can truly uphold the family's honor."

Chancellor Jiang nodded in agreement. "Excellent. Tomorrow, I will personally select a master for him."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tianze looked up, his eyes inadvertently flicking to Jiang Shuning.

In those deep, abyss-like phoenix eyes, there seemed to be undercurrents swirling, unfathomable.

When Jiang Shuning met his gaze, her heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

His gaze was too sharp, unlike that of the Jiang family or Third Aunt, carrying a strange sharpness.

She remained composed and said gently, "You must practice martial arts diligently and not disappoint Father's expectations."

Jiang Tianze lowered his eyelids, concealing the sharpness, and replied respectfully, "Tianze will certainly live up to Uncle and Eldest Sister's expectations."

Jiang Shuning's heart stirred slightly, but her expression remained calm.

She turned to Chancellor Jiang with a light smile. "Father, it's late. I will take my leave first."

With that, she turned and left. Jiang Tianze's gaze, however, followed her figure until it disappeared at the end of the corridor.

—

Upon learning that Jiang Shuning had taken Jiang Tianze to see Chancellor Jiang, Jiang Tianci was so furious he smashed a teacup in his room.

"What is Jiang Tianze? A brothel whore's bastard, worthy of competing with me?" Jiang Tianci gnashed his teeth, his eyes full of malice. "Jiang Shuning, you really know how to cause trouble for me!"

The more he thought, the more resentful he became. He threw on his outer robe and headed straight for Madam Jiang's courtyard.

Madam Jiang's health had improved recently. She was leaning on the couch reading when he arrived, delighted to see him. "Tianci, you've come?"

His features resembled Jiang Tianen's too much. Every time she saw him, Madam Jiang had the illusion her son was still alive.

Jiang Tianci obsequiously offered a cup of tea. "I just came to visit you, Auntie. Aunt, I sincerely wish to be your son. You must decide on the adoption soon to avoid any changes."

Madam Jiang was utterly charmed. Holding his hand, she said, "Good child, I understand. I will discuss this again with your uncle and settle it quickly."

Jiang Tianci felt smug inwardly, but his expression grew even more respectful.

Unexpectedly, the next day, Chancellor Jiang brought Jiang Tianze to Madam Jiang's courtyard to attend to her, clearly expressing his desire to adopt Jiang Tianze into the main branch.

When Jiang Tianci heard this, he was furious. If not for the servants restraining him, the furnishings would surely have been smashed.

Second Madam Jiang was frantic. "Tianci, you have to fight for this! If the estate falls into the Third Branch's hands, who can your father, your sister, and I rely on?"

Jiang Tianci's face was full of irritation. "Do you think I haven't tried? On the day I entered, Uncle and Aunt clearly favored me. But then Shuning visited the Third Branch, and things changed! She must be scheming behind the scenes!"

Second Madam Jiang pondered and suggested, "Go find Yaozhen. Ask her to persuade your uncle. Although she was once a concubine-born daughter, she is now the future Princess Consort. Your uncle might listen."

Jiang Tianci's eyes lit up. "Mother thinks of everything!"

Mother and son exchanged a knowing smile.

Jiang Tianci soon arrived at Jiang Yaozhen's Qili Courtyard and stated his purpose.

The maid Chun Hua informed her, "Second Young Miss, Second Young Master requests an audience."

Jiang Yaozhen was idly admiring palace-bestowed jewelry. Hearing this, she asked casually, "Second Young Master? Which one?"

"The eldest son of the Second Branch, Jiang Tianci."

"Oh, let him in." Jiang Yaozhen's tone was lazy.

Chun Hua quickly ushered him in.

As soon as Jiang Tianci entered, his eyes swept over the glittering jewels. He immediately fawned, "Mother was right. Sister Yaozhen is indeed more delicate and beautiful than Sister Shuning!"

Hearing this, Jiang Yaozhen lazily raised her eyes. Her gaze froze upon seeing his face—he bore a startling resemblance to her deceased brother Jiang Tianen! Even the brocade robe was identical to the one Tianen had worn before his death!

Her heart jolted, and she gasped, nearly dropping her jade bracelet.

Jiang Tianci was startled. "Sister Yaozhen, what's wrong?"

Jiang Yaozhen suppressed her shock, pointed at him, and asked, her voice trembling, "You... why are you wearing these clothes?"

"Aunt gave them to me. Is something wrong?" Jiang Tianci looked confused.

Jiang Yaozhen looked carefully. The robe was new, but its pattern and style were extremely similar to what Jiang Tianen wore on the day of the incident.

She took a deep breath, barely calming herself, and covered up, "It's nothing. What brings you here today?"

Jiang Tianci said bluntly, "Big Brother Tianen has passed away. Uncle and Aunt originally intended to have me formally adopted as their son, but Tianze from the third branch has interfered. Yet now, Uncle seems intent on cultivating him as the heir to the Prime Minister's estate.

I know this must be Shuning's doing. On the day I entered the estate, she had a falling-out with me, likely because she dislikes the idea of me being adopted by Uncle.

Sister, you are now a future Princess Consort, and your words carry significant weight. If you could put in a good word for me in front of Uncle and help me reclaim the heir position, I'd be in your debt forever!"

Jiang Yaozhen studied him coolly.

Although this man resembled Tianen in appearance, his temperament was worlds apart—cunning, greedy, and far less upright in his actions.

A person like that could be of use to her.

Thinking this, she smiled slightly. "Second Brother, I will naturally do my best for your matter. But could you also do something for me?"

"Just say the word, Sister!" Jiang Tianci hurriedly replied.

Jiang Yaozhen's gaze turned cold as she slowly said, "I want you to find a way to destroy Jiang Shuning's virtue, so that she can never marry into a noble family in this lifetime!"