Chapter 68 Her Radiance Cannot Be Stolen

Chapter 68: A Radiance That Cannot Be Stolen

Jiang Shuning had no intention of competing with Jiang Yaozhen, but hearing her speak with such confidence and certainty aroused her curiosity. She wanted to see just how Jiang Yaozhen planned to captivate the entire gathering at the Plum Blossom Banquet.

The carriage slowly arrived at the palace gates, where a procession of young noblewomen filed in, heading towards the Plum Garden for the banquet.

Inside the Plum Garden, the resilient winter plum blossoms were in full bloom. The sun, shining after a fresh snowfall, lit up the branches, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

The noble maidens took their seats one by one, their movements graceful as they chatted and laughed elegantly.

The dishes served at the banquet were also thoughtfully crafted, all related to plum blossoms: plum blossom soup noodles, plum-braised pork, red plum shrimp—each dish was a feast for the eyes and palate, tempting the appetite.

There were also drinks like plum blossom ingot tea and plum blossom wine, all reflecting the Empress Dowager's fondness for plum blossoms and the banquet's exquisite planning.

Jiang Shuning was privately glad that the gift she had prepared today perfectly suited the Empress Dowager's preferences.

Surrounded by several of the princes, the Empress Dowager slowly entered the Plum Garden.

The noble maidens suppressed their excitement, their eyes fixed intently on them.

As the Empress Dowager approached, everyone rose and bowed respectfully. "We, your humble subjects, greet Her Majesty the Empress Dowager and the esteemed princes!"

"No need for such formalities," the Empress Dowager said with a kindly smile, walking directly to Jiang Shuning and warmly taking her hand. "Miss Jiang, it has been a long time since we last met. I have missed you greatly! The prescription for dispelling phlegm you gave me last time—I have the imperial kitchen prepare it for me every day. Now, my coughing problem has improved a great deal!"

Seeing this, Jiang Yaozhen burned with jealousy.

She was supposed to be the Empress Dowager's prospective granddaughter-in-law, yet the Empress Dowager was far more intimate with Jiang Shuning than with her.

Was Jiang Shuning's radiance truly something she could never steal?

Jiang Shuning smiled gently. "To be able to share Your Majesty's burden is my honor. However, my family has recently encountered a succession of misfortunes, making it inconvenient for me to visit the palace to pay my respects. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

"I am not one to stand on ceremony. There is no need for such formalities," the Empress Dowager said, her gaze lingering on Jiang Shuning before meaningfully glancing at Xiao Lingchuan. "Besides, although you haven't visited Cining Palace, you have been where you needed to be. I am quite pleased."

Xiao Lingchuan's deep gaze rested on Jiang Shuning.

Today, she wore a pearl-white dress, simple, elegant, and dignified, accentuating her dark hair, fair skin, and rosy complexion.

No matter the occasion, she always managed to make plain, simple dresses look ethereally elegant.

Jiang Shuning blushed under his gaze.

She had indeed been visiting the palace frequently during this period to see Xiao Lingchuan, so it was no wonder the Empress Dowager had the wrong idea about them.

Noticing this, Third Prince Xiao Xiuzhan deliberately leaned close to Fifth Prince Xiao Huaijin's ear and whispered, "It seems Grandmother favors Miss Jiang to become the Consort of the Fourth Prince. Look, she's even teasing Fourth Brother and Miss Jiang."

Hearing this, Xiao Huaijin's expression darkened slightly, a hint of displeasure in his tone. "Third Brother, do not talk nonsense. That is not Her Majesty's intention!"

Seeing his reaction, Xiao Xiuzhan curled his lips into a mocking smile.

A mere Jiang Shuning could manipulate two princes so easily—truly a calamitous beauty.

With her around, the relationship between Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother was unlikely to improve!

This, to him, was advantageous.

Seeing Jiang Shuning fall silent, the Empress Dowager understood she was shy. She smiled and changed the subject. "Miss Jiang, is that tiered food container in your hand meant for me?"

Jiang Shuning smiled in response. "Indeed, it is. I heard that Your Majesty enjoys sweets, so I personally made some sweetmeats. I used rock sugar and honey to make the syrup and added some licorice I prepared myself, which helps clear the lungs and relieve coughs. Your Majesty can enjoy them at your leisure."

The Empress Dowager's old nurse, hearing this, beamed with delight. "Miss Jiang is truly thoughtful. Her Majesty does have a sweet tooth. Even though she knows sweets cause phlegm, she can't resist pastries. Every time Her Majesty coughs, this old servant feels distressed along with her. Now, with Miss Jiang's sweetmeats, I no longer have to worry about Her Majesty's cough."

The Empress Dowager also smiled warmly. "I don't indulge in much else, but I do love sweets. I never expected Shuning to be so considerate. That is truly thoughtful of you. Whoever marries Shuning in the future will be incredibly fortunate!"

As she spoke, she glanced meaningfully at Xiao Lingchuan again.

As if to say: Such a wonderful granddaughter-in-law—why haven't you married her yet?

Xiao Lingchuan met the Empress Dowager's gaze with a smile, but a trace of bitterness welled up in his heart.

He naturally knew how virtuous and gentle Jiang Shuning was.

In his previous life, after marrying her, she spent her days studying how to use medicinal foods to regulate his health.

But a cruel twist of fate played out, and he ultimately lost her.

Now, having been reborn, she avoided him and was unwilling to marry him again.

As soon as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, Jiang Shuning felt countless jealous gazes directed at her.

All the young ladies attending the Plum Blossom Banquet were from prestigious families, pampered and spoiled, the center of attention in their homes. Now that she had stolen the spotlight, they naturally felt resentful.

In this life, Xiao Lingchuan had gained the Empress Dowager's favor and the emperor's appreciation, making him the ideal husband in the eyes of the noble maidens of the capital.

The Empress Dowager's intention to matchmake her with Xiao Lingchuan had inadvertently made her the target of everyone's envy.

Just as Jiang Shuning was contemplating how to keep a low profile and avoid suspicion, Jiang Yaozhen, unable to hold back any longer, stepped forward and bowed gracefully. "Your Majesty, I have also prepared a humble gift to present to you today."

Only then did the Empress Dowager notice Jiang Yaozhen. Seeing her face veiled with thin gauze, she asked curiously, "And who might this be...?"

"Your Majesty, I am Jiang Yaozhen, the Secondary Legitimate Daughter of the Prime Minister's residence," Jiang Yaozhen replied, a hint of pride in her tone. "I am dressed this way because I intend to perform a dance for Your Majesty later."

The Empress Dowager suddenly understood and nodded with a smile. "Very good, very good indeed!"

Nearby, the Designated Consort of the Crown Prince, Gu Wanying, covered her mouth with a light laugh, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Your elder sister presenting Her Majesty with cough-relieving sweetmeats is quite fitting. But you presenting a dance? Your intentions lie elsewhere—more about drawing attention to yourself? Today is a palace banquet. Attending with a veil is rather improper."

"Sister Wan Ying, you come empty-handed to a palace banquet and yet dare to maliciously speculate about my intentions. How laughable!" Jiang Yaozhen retorted without backing down.

"You!" Gu Wanying glared at her angrily.

Seeing the tension rising between the two, the Empress Dowager quickly stepped in to smooth things over. Smiling, she took their hands and said gently, "I am simply happy that you are both here. Whether you bring gifts or not is secondary."

Only then did Gu Wanying and Jiang Yaozhen suppress their anger, bow their heads respectfully, and resume the gentle, serene demeanor expected of young ladies from esteemed families.

The Empress Dowager and the princes returned to their seats, but Third Prince Xiao Xiuzhan remained behind, his gaze fixed intently on Jiang Yaozhen.

He recalled that day when she danced in a red dress, a strange, subtle fragrance swirling around her, causing his heart to flutter.

He leaned close to Jiang Yaozhen and whispered in her ear, his voice low and husky, "Do you truly intend to perform a dance at the banquet? If others catch a whiff of that soul-snatching, extraordinary fragrance of yours, this prince might become jealous."

Jiang Yaozhen had not taken the fragrance pill, so naturally, she emitted no unusual scent.

Unwilling to let Xiao Xiuzhan know this, she shyly lowered her eyes and replied softly, "Your Highness need not worry. The palace hall is so spacious; the scent on my person will not be easily noticed by others."

"Very well then," Xiao Xiuzhan said, leaning closer and inhaling deeply, greedily. "After you marry into the prince's residence in the future, you must dance this alluring, exquisite dance for me every day, so I may feast my eyes upon it."

Jiang Yaozhen lamented inwardly.

If she had to dance every day, wouldn't that mean taking the fragrance pill daily?

But now, poisoned by Xiao Lingchuan, taking the fragrance pill again would likely speed up the poison's effects.

She gritted her teeth secretly, her hatred for Xiao Lingchuan growing stronger: *That despicable Xiao Lingchuan, I must eliminate you!*

Just then, a eunuch's high-pitched announcement echoed from outside the hall: "His Majesty the Emperor and Imperial Consort Xi have arrived!"