Chapter 119: A Prince’s Consort Deserves Only the Best!

Chapter 119: A Prince's Consort Naturally Deserves the Best!

Jiang Yaozhen returned to the Chancellor's estate and, without attending to anything else, headed straight for the Cuizhu Courtyard to find Jiang Shuning.

"Sister, I know you have the gold token bestowed by the Empress Dowager, which allows you to enter and leave the palace at will. May I ask when you plan to go to the palace? Could you take me along? I wish to see His Highness the Third Prince."

A meaningful smile played on Jiang Shuning's lips. "How timely! I just made some candied licorice today and was planning to deliver it to the Empress Dowager. If you wish to enter the palace, why not come along?"

Seeing her agree so readily, Jiang Yaozhen couldn't help but feel a twinge of suspicion.

Did she already know about Jiang Lian being made a concubine by Xiao Xiuzhan? Was she deliberately leading her to her second uncle and aunt, waiting to see her make a fool of herself?

At this thought, a wave of anger washed over her.

In the carriage, she said pointedly, "Sister, do you know who Jiang Lian married? It's truly laughable—she actually married His Highness the Third Prince as a concubine! She always loved imitating your style of dress. Now that she's become His Highness's concubine, doesn't it grate on you at all?"

Jiang Shuning gave her a faint, indifferent smile, her tone calm and unruffled. "If it doesn't bother you, why should it bother me?"

Jiang Yaozhen's anger flared instantly.

She took a deep breath, struggling to suppress her true emotions, and forced herself to adopt an air of nonchalance. "She's just a concubine, after all—essentially no different from a servant. I'll just think of her as another servant in the Third Prince's household. However, I'm worried because our third sister looks so much like you and loves copying your style. If other princes in the palace were to see her, who knows what misunderstandings might arise?"

"Isn't that exactly what you wanted—for them to misunderstand—when you deliberately dressed up our third sister to look like me and presented her before the Fourth Prince, Xiao Lingchuan?" Jiang Shuning's smile carried a hint of mockery. "The pity is, His Highness the Fourth Prince didn't take a liking to her; instead, it was His Highness the Third Prince who fancied her. Sister, wouldn't you say you lifted a stone only to drop it on your own foot? You brought this upon yourself."

"You..." Jiang Yaozhen was left speechless, her face alternating between shades of green and white, looking utterly dreadful.

She had intended to use Jiang Lian's matter to provoke Jiang Shuning and make her feel uncomfortable. Instead, she ended up being vexed and infuriated by Jiang Shuning's few words.

Forget it. Her goal today was to find a way to make her betrothal gifts more lavish. There was no need to waste time on such verbal sparring.

Once they entered the palace, Jiang Shuning, carrying the food box, walked gracefully toward the direction of Cining Palace.

Jiang Yaozhen watched her figure recede into the distance before turning and heading straight for the Imperial Study.

Inside the Imperial Study, the Grand Steward, Chen Shun, respectfully reported to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, the Second Miss of the Jiang family requests an audience!"

"The Second Miss of the Jiang family? Isn't she the future consort of the Third Prince? What does she want?" the Emperor asked with a hint of puzzlement.

"This servant inquired, but she insisted it was a matter of great importance and would only speak of it upon seeing Your Majesty. Your Majesty, shall I summon her in? If it's inconvenient, I can send her away immediately," Chen Shun cautiously requested.

These past few days, Ning Xiang had been diagnosed with pregnancy, putting the Emperor in an excellent mood and making him exceptionally lenient toward the palace servants.

"Very well. She must have something urgent to come directly to me. Summon her in."

"Yes!" Chen Shun obeyed and soon brought Jiang Yaozhen into the Imperial Study.

"Your subject's daughter, Jiang Yaozhen, pays her respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless fortune and peace!" Jiang Yaozhen curtsied gracefully, her voice soft and delicate.

"Rise." The Emperor looked at her, his tone gentle. "Second Miss Jiang, you specifically sought an audience with me today. May I ask what matter brings you here?"

"Your Majesty, your subject's daughter has a request." Jiang Yaozhen lifted her head, her expression earnest. "His Highness the Third Prince, out of concern for the state of the nation, privately informed me that Nanyue has repeatedly invaded our Daye borders recently, and the war situation is tense. He pities the displaced commoners at the frontier and thus wishes to save the funds originally allocated for the wedding ceremony to provide relief to the disaster victims and help the people through this difficult time. Therefore, he advocates for simplicity in all matters concerning his and my wedding.

However, my father, out of love for me, hopes that I can marry in a grand and glorious manner. Thus, he proposes that all expenses for the grand wedding be borne by our Jiang family. This would both alleviate the burden on the imperial family and allow me to marry into the royal family with dignity. Your Majesty, what is your opinion on this?"

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's face broke into an approving smile.

"The Third Prince indeed has the people's welfare at heart, worrying about the nation and its citizens. I am deeply gratified! However, even though the border war is tense, it has not reached the point where we must let the Prince's Consort suffer grievances, let alone have a subject bear the expenses of an imperial wedding. That is absolutely unacceptable! If word got out, wouldn't it make the people of the world think that our Daye treasury is empty, unable to afford a proper wedding?

Let us speak no more of this matter. Set your mind at ease. Regarding your grand wedding with the Third Prince, I will make the arrangements myself. I assure you, your wedding and betrothal gifts will be prepared according to the highest standards. You will not suffer any grievances!"

Jiang Yaozhen's heart swelled with excitement. She quickly knelt and kowtowed, her tone carrying a hint of barely concealed exhilaration. "Your subject's daughter thanks Your Majesty for your great grace! Your Majesty is most wise!"

She sneered triumphantly in her heart. Now, Xiao Xiuzhan could no longer casually skimp on her wedding and betrothal gifts, could he?

Those gold-plated silver jewelry, pearl phoenix crowns, and inferior-quality silks could all be left for his concubines. She, a dignified Prince's Consort, naturally deserved the best!

—

In Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager reclined on a soft couch, chatting idly with Jiang Shuning, her face adorned with a kindly smile.

"I was just thinking of you, and here you are. Your candied licorice arrived just in time. I've been feeling my mouth is rather bland lately. The pastries made by the Imperial Kitchen staff lack flavor and simply don't suit my taste."

Nanny Wu, standing nearby, spoke with a tone of helplessness. "Empress Dowager, the rash on your body has only just healed. The imperial physician repeatedly emphasized that you must avoid sweet and greasy foods. The Imperial Kitchen staff are also strictly following the medical advice, not daring to prepare overly sweet pastries for you. If Miss Jiang hadn't timely brought this phlegm-dissolving and cough-suppressing candied licorice, this old servant truly feared you might start coughing again from eating too many pastries! Empress Dowager, could you please listen to this old servant's advice and give up these harmful sweet foods?"

Jiang Shuning also smiled and advised, "Nanny Wu is absolutely right. As you grow older, Empress Dowager, it's better to have a lighter diet. Don't indulge momentary cravings for taste."

Hearing this, a faint trace of sorrow flickered in the Empress Dowager's eyes, and her tone became somewhat downcast. "Precisely because I'm old, I can't bear bitterness anymore. Who knows how many more years these old bones have left? It's better to eat more sweets, live comfortably, and consider that a life well-lived."

"Empress Dowager, you are blessed with immense fortune, enjoy good health, and are destined for longevity, living to a hundred years," Jiang Shuning said with a smile.

Her words were not entirely flattery.

In her previous life, after the Emperor passed away, the Empress Dowager was still alive and well, even becoming the Grand Empress Dowager, holding a position of great honor.

Until Jiang Shuning was poisoned to death, the Grand Empress Dowager was still living healthily. From this, it was evident that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager was indeed a long-lived and fortunate person.

The Empress Dowager picked up a piece of candied licorice, placed it in her mouth, and savored it slowly, a smile reappearing on her face.

"Miss Jiang certainly knows how to speak. Your words are even sweeter than this candied fruit! Seeing that your sister will soon marry into the imperial palace, in a few years, she might bear children for the royal family, with several adorable, jade-like children gathered around her knees. I don't believe you won't feel envious when you see that!"

Hearing these words, Jiang Shuning's heart jolted violently, as if struck by lightning, instantly reminding her of certain events from her previous life.

In her past life, she and Xiao Lingchuan were married for ten years but never had a single child. Similarly, Jiang Yaozhen and Xiao Xiuzhan were married for ten years without any offspring.

Was this merely a coincidence, or was there another hidden reason?