Chapter 193: Why Marry When You Can Choose?

Chapter 193: Why Get Married When You Can Recruit a Husband?

The next day, Jiang Shuning set out for the Su residence with Ling Wu.

Su Wan, true to form, arrived dressed to the nines, wearing the finest Yun brocade robes embroidered with intricate golden phoenixes that shimmered brilliantly. Her hair was adorned with a dazzling array of gem-studded hairpins, and her neck and wrists were laden with rare jewelry that clinked and swayed, as if she were trying to flaunt half the Su family fortune just to impress Jiang Shuning.

The thought that a mere handful of Su Wan’s jewelry could buy a mansion in the capital made Jiang Shuning even more convinced that this visit was necessary.

Such immense wealth must never fall into the hands of the despicable Xiao Xiuzhan!

Su Wan caught sight of the scrolls in Ling Wu’s hands and curled her lip in disdain. “Miss Jiang, are these scrolls meant to be your gift? The Su residence has seen every kind of rare treasure. This trifle of yours wouldn’t even cross the threshold of our storeroom!”

Jiang Shuning remained unruffled, a composed smile playing at her lips. “The Su residence is naturally rich and powerful; such modest gifts would indeed fail to catch Miss Su’s eye. I came today only because I heard you’re engaged to the Third Prince and wished to offer my congratulations. The Su family always shows such generosity. I imagine the Third Prince’s betrothal gifts must be priceless?”

At this, Su Wan’s face stiffened, a flicker of embarrassment in her eyes.

She forced a smile, though her voice was strained. “Our Su family lacks nothing. Such trivial matters as betrothal gifts don’t concern me in the least!”

“Oh?” Jiang Shuning feigned surprise, her tone tinged with sarcasm. “Betrothal gifts are a sign of a man’s sincerity in marriage. If the Third Prince truly wished to marry you, Miss Su, why wouldn’t he prepare proper gifts? Unless… he lacks that sincerity altogether?”

These words struck a nerve. Su Wan’s smile faltered, and her voice rose sharply. “Jiang Shuning, stop trying to sow discord! The Third Prince is of royal blood, esteemed beyond compare. Marrying him is already an honor for the Su family. What are betrothal gifts? Even without them, I would gladly accept!”

“Esteemed beyond compare?” Jiang Shuning let out a soft laugh, a cold glint in her eyes. “Have you not heard, Miss Su? The Third Prince’s mother was recently demoted in rank. Among all the consorts who have borne princes in the harem, she alone is not even a Noble Consort. Such ‘esteem’ seems rather fragile, wouldn’t you say?”

“Jiang Shuning!” Su Wan’s face turned ashen, and she slammed the table, rising to her feet. “Don’t think I can’t see through your schemes! You’re afraid that if I marry the Third Prince, I’ll block your way! Jiang Yaozhen has long said you’re skilled at maneuvering among men. I suppose you’re worried that once the Third Prince weds me, he won’t spare you a glance, so you’re deliberately using these words to provoke me!”

At this, Jiang Shuning scoffed scornfully, her gaze turning icy. “Miss Su, you still believe Jiang Yaozhen’s lies? No wonder she’s had you wrapped around her finger! On her birthday, you, Zhang Yan, and she conspired against me. And what happened? She abandoned you publicly to save herself! You should keep your distance from such a person, yet you plan to use the Su family fortune to share a husband with her, content to be a secondary consort of lower rank than her, enduring her daily torment. Su Wan, do you truly wish to debase yourself like this?”

The words hit Su Wan like a heavy blow.

In her mind, she replayed Jiang Yaozhen’s cold, indifferent expression at the birthday banquet.

If she truly married the Third Prince as a secondary consort, would she have to bow to Jiang Yaozhen forever, falling prey to her schemes?

Su Wan clutched her handkerchief tightly, a glimmer of doubt flashing in her eyes.

After a moment, she glared at Jiang Shuning, her gaze full of resentment. “If it weren’t for you, how could the Fifth Prince have broken off our engagement? How could I have ended up in this mess? In the end, it’s all your fault!”

Jiang Shuning laughed scornfully. “That’s an interesting way to put it, Miss Su. You all plotted against me—was I supposed to let you manipulate me without resistance? I never once sought to harm you, yet you harbored irrational hostility and used petty tricks to frame me. The situation today is simply the result of your own actions!”

Stung by the truth, Su Wan’s tears streamed down. “Jiang Shuning, you’re so sharp-tongued. Did you come here today just to mock me?”

“Not at all.” Jiang Shuning softened her tone. “I came only to advise you: the Third Prince doesn’t truly wish to marry you as a secondary consort. He’s after the Su family’s vast wealth. Seeing that you’ve been jilted and have no other options, he’s exploiting your vulnerability. Haven’t you noticed? He hasn’t prepared any decent betrothal gifts, yet he dares to announce his engagement to your family loudly. Where’s the sincerity in that?”

Su Wan bit her lower lip, her eyes filled with reluctance. “You’re right, but now that I’ve been cast aside and my reputation is ruined, what other nobleman would marry me? Even if I know the Third Prince’s Lingge Palace is a pit of fire, I have no choice but to leap in!”

“Miss Su, why sell yourself short? With the Su family’s immense wealth and you as the only daughter, why must you settle for such humiliation? Why not go against the norm and recruit a husband to marry into your family? That way, the Su family business remains firmly in your and your father’s hands. When you bear children, they’ll naturally inherit the estate—wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

Su Wan was taken aback, frowning. “Men who marry into families are mostly lazy good-for-nothings. I don’t want that sort!”

“Miss Su, that’s not quite right.” Jiang Shuning unhurriedly unrolled a portrait, revealing a handsome, refined young man. “Look at this—Master Li from West Street, a scholar of great talent. He could have passed the imperial exams, but with his elderly mother gravely ill, he had to work tirelessly to support her, delaying his studies. If you let him marry into your family, he’d surely repay your grace with a successful career.”

Su Wan stared at the portrait, noticing how Master Li’s handsome features bore a faint resemblance to the Fifth Prince, Xiao Huaijin. Her heart stirred. “Is he truly that handsome?”

“Of course,” Jiang Shuning said with confidence. “This portrait was painted by a renowned master in the capital—it’s an exact likeness.”

She unfurled another portrait. “And this one—Young Master Lin from the south of the city. His mother died early, and he has a father who’s a degenerate gambler, given to beating him. Life has been harsh. I heard his father owes a massive gambling debt and plans to sell him to a pleasure house! Such a beautiful young man would be a shame to waste. If you let him marry into your family, he’d be eternally grateful, and together you could create a beautiful story!”

Su Wan’s eyes widened as she stared at the portrait. “This… Is he really that handsome?”

Jiang Shuning smiled without a word, exchanging a glance with Ling Wu.

Ling Wu caught on, clapping her hands in admiration. “Miss Su, this servant has seen Young Master Lin in person. This portrait captures barely a third of his charm! In looks, he rivals Pan An himself. Even women would envy his beauty! Seeing that face every day, you’d eat two extra bowls of rice!”

Su Wan’s heart jolted. She recalled the Third Prince, Xiao Xiuzhan’s plain features—without his royal status, he’d be lost in a crowd.

If she married such a man and had to compete with many concubines, it would be far too unjust to herself.

“You’re right! The Third Prince has no real intention of marrying me—he’s only after the Su family’s wealth! Though I’m a woman, I’m no less than a man. I can definitely protect my father’s legacy! Why must a woman marry? I’d rather recruit a husband and take in someone to marry into my family, to carry on the Su lineage!”

Jiang Shuning and Ling Wu exchanged a knowing look and laughed in unison. “Miss Su is truly a heroine among women!”

Su Wan let out a humph, glancing sidelong at Jiang Shuning. “Do you have more portraits? Bring them out and let me see. Today, I must find the one that suits me best!”

Jiang Shuning’s smile deepened. “Certainly, Miss Su. Take your time—I guarantee you’ll find someone to your liking.”