Chapter 126: Lost in the End

Chapter 126: In the End, She Lost

On the day of Jiang Yaozhen's marriage to Xiao Xiuzhan, a lavish dowry procession lined the streets for miles, as the bridal escort beat drums and gongs in a lively, spectacular show.

The noble young ladies of the capital craned their necks to watch, their eyes filled with envy.

They whispered among themselves, marveling that the wedding of a favored prince was indeed extraordinary, its scale rivaling even the Crown Prince and Princess's wedding.

Jiang Yaozhen sat before her dressing table, gazing at her reflection adorned with a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, a wave of pride swelling inside her.

The jewels and wedding garments, all chosen and replaced by Xiao Xiuzhan, exuded luxury and were crafted from the finest materials.

She thought to herself that, to become the envy of everyone, you really had to go after it yourself.

Her personal maid, Chun Hua, reminded her, "Second Miss, the bridal procession has arrived at the gate. Let's hurry to the bridal sedan chair!"

"Wait a moment." Jiang Yaozhen glanced at her and instructed, "Go get my elder sister. On my big day, how could I not let her see it for herself?"

"Yes, Second Miss!" Chun Hua acknowledged and left.

Before long, she brought Jiang Shuning in, reporting respectfully, "Second Miss, the Eldest Miss has arrived."

Standing at the doorway, Jiang Shuning fixed her gaze on Jiang Yaozhen, who was in front of the mirror, and asked flatly, "Why have you summoned me, little sister?"

Without turning around, Jiang Yaozhen looked at her through the mirror, her tone tinged with smugness: "I heard you plan never to marry, sister, so you'll probably never get to see a bride in her phoenix coronet and robe. Today, I specially invited you to take a look, so you won't have any regrets later."

A faint, almost invisible sneer curled at the corner of Jiang Shuning's lips as she replied evenly, "Thanks for the thought, little sister. Today has really been an eye-opener."

Inwardly, she scoffed: This Jiang Yaozhen just can't go a moment without showing off.

She wondered if her sister was a peacock in a past life, the way she loved to strut.

Jiang Yaozhen continued, "Sister, I know you've never liked me since childhood. Now that I'm finally getting married, you won't have to see me around the Prime Minister's residence anymore. You must be thrilled, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty happy about it." Jiang Shuning gave a faint smile, though a hint of coldness flickered in her eyes. "From now on, you'll be the Third Prince's Consort, one with him, sharing honor and disgrace."

Finally, Jiang Yaozhen was leaving the Jiang family.

If she messed up in the future, the Jiang family wouldn't have to cover for her anymore.

And she herself could act without restraint, and drive her to her death!

Oblivious to the murderous intent in Jiang Shuning's eyes, Jiang Yaozhen remained immersed in the joy and pride of her wedding. She couldn't resist adding a few more veiled jabs at Jiang Shuning, throwing in some boastful remarks before finally, satisfied, she let Chun Hua help her step briskly out the door and into the bridal sedan chair.

The wedding banquet was held inside the imperial palace, with lanterns hanging high and the halls gleaming with gold and splendor.

Escorted by the bridal procession to the palace, Jiang Yaozhen was then led by palace attendants into the inner hall to perform the nuptial cup ceremony with the Third Prince, Xiao Xiuzhan.

The guests at the banquet were all royal relatives and nobles, each of distinguished status, making for a lively and grand scene.

Among them was Minister Zhang's family.

Minister Zhang's only son, Zhang Lin, said cheerfully to Zhang Yan, "If it weren't for you being betrothed to the Second Prince, I'd never have gotten to see such a magnificent wedding feast. I wonder if your future wedding with my brother-in-law will be this grand?"

At the mention of "brother-in-law," an awkward expression flitted across Zhang Yan's face.

She still found it hard to accept that she was about to become the Second Prince's Consort.

Luckily, the Second Prince had already led his troops out on campaign and wasn't at the banquet; otherwise, she would have felt even more uneasy.

Her gaze drifted involuntarily to the table where the princes were seated.

There sat the bright moon she had always admired but could never reach.

As the banquet passed its midpoint, the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Consort Xi left one by one, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

Ministers who were acquainted and close gathered to toast and chat cheerfully, while several princes also left their seats to stroll outside the hall to digest or find a quiet spot to sober up.

Carrying a food box, Zhang Yan slipped out of the hall, looking composed, quietly following a tall, lean man.

When they reached a secluded spot, she finally mustered her courage and spoke softly, "Fifth Prince..."

The man turned slowly, and his gentle, jade-like, picturesque face came into view.

Zhang Yan felt her heart race like a startled deer, and a flush of excitement spread uncontrollably across her cheeks.

Xiao Huaijin recognized her, and a fleeting, barely noticeable disappointment flickered in his eyes.

But he quickly composed himself, returning to his usual manner, and smiled warmly, "Miss Zhang."

Hearing this, Zhang Yan's heart surged with excitement, her voice trembling slightly, "Your Highness recognizes me?"

Xiao Huaijin nodded slightly, his tone calm, "My second brother once mentioned that his future wife would be Minister Zhang's daughter. By that logic, Miss Zhang is my future sister-in-law, so it's only natural I know you."

A wave of inexplicable sadness rose in Zhang Yan's heart.

Finally making him remember her, but only as a "sister-in-law."

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she held out the food box to him, "I heard Your Highness enjoys almond cakes. I happen to know how to make them, so I prepared some especially. If Your Highness doesn't mind, please try one."

"Thank you, Miss Zhang." Xiao Huaijin took the box, lifted the lid, and sampled an almond cake, then praised, "Miss Zhang's skill is truly exquisite. The flavor is sweet and delightful. My second brother is in for a treat!"

Zhang Yan stared at him intently, a hint of regret in her eyes, "If I had known Your Highness liked almond cakes, I would have prepared pastries at the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet that day."

Xiao Huaijin looked slightly surprised, "Miss Zhang was also present at the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet that day?"

"Yes. I displayed my embroidery skills that day, but Your Highness and the other princes were all captivated by the talents of the two Miss Jiangs, paying no attention to others." Zhang Yan's tone carried a note of grievance. "In truth, my culinary skills are not inferior. It's just that Your Highness has never had the chance to taste what other women can make. That eldest legitimate daughter of the Jiang family is not so extraordinary after all."

These words brought a faint trace of displeasure to Xiao Huaijin's brow.

He returned the food box to Zhang Yan, his tone warm yet distant, "I appreciate your kindness, Miss Zhang. But in the future, such delicacies should be reserved for my second brother. Accepting your gifts would be improper."

With that, he turned and walked away.

A surge of resentment filled Zhang Yan, and she couldn't help calling after him, "Why is Your Highness so infatuated with Jiang Shuning? Apart from her cooking, what makes her so special?"

Xiao Huaijin paused slightly and turned back.

"Shuning's culinary skills are indeed not the finest, nor would I take a liking to a woman solely for her cooking." His expression was gentle as water, but his voice carried a note of sincerity. "To be honest, I don't know why I'm fond of her. But if I could articulate a reason, it wouldn't be true affection, would it? I wonder if this explanation satisfies you, Miss Zhang?"

Zhang Yan's hands clenched tightly within her sleeves, her nails nearly digging into her palms.

So, even if her cooking was no worse than Jiang Shuning's, she had ultimately lost after all?

At that moment, a pair of prying eyes not far away was quietly observing this scene.

Inside the bridal chamber, Jiang Yaozhen waited for Xiao Xiuzhan, growing impatient as time passed. She instructed Chun Hua to go to the banquet and see what was happening.

When Chun Hua came back, she happened to catch Zhang Yan and Xiao Huaijin talking privately outside the wedding banquet.

Back at Lingge Palace, Chun Hua eagerly reported the matter to Jiang Yaozhen with embellishments: "Miss, you should have seen it—that Miss Zhang has absolutely no shame! She's already betrothed to the Second Prince, yet she still went out of her way to bring a box of pastries to curry favor with the Fifth Prince. It's utterly disgraceful!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yaozhen sneered, "How interesting. A woman already engaged dares to harbor feelings for the Fifth Prince, even going so far as to send him food to win his favor. She's completely thrown her dignity out the window."

"Exactly!" Chun Hua chimed in. "That Miss Zhang is truly insatiable. She's already engaged to the Second Prince, yet she still dares to flirt with the Fifth Prince. In the end, she even chased after him to ask what the Fifth Prince sees in the eldest Miss! For someone already betrothed, she has the nerve to be jealous of the eldest Miss!"

"Jealousy is a good thing!" A dark glint flashed in Jiang Yaozhen's eyes as the corners of her mouth curled into a meaningful smile.

She had been worrying about how to secretly administer the poison to Xiao Lingchuan without being noticed. Now, wasn't there a perfect pawn right in front of her to use?