Old Madam Feng stripped Madam Xiao of her household management duties with a few words, showing no regard for Xiao’s embarrassment. She extended her hand to Jiang Si: “Si’er, come with Grandmother to Cixin Hall. I have some questions for you.”
Jiang Si’s gaze fell briefly on the wrinkled hand, her eyes cooling slightly: “The meat buns Aman bought will get cold if I don’t eat them soon. I’ll come over after I’ve had breakfast.”
With that, she ignored Old Madam Feng’s frozen expression and left gracefully with Aman.
Old Madam Feng had lost face in public, but could only swallow her anger. After composing herself, she instructed a servant to summon Jiang Ancheng and Second Master Jiang back to the estate.
Back at Haitang Residence, Aman couldn’t help but grab Jiang Si’s arm and shake it excitedly: “Ah, Miss, you’ve become a Princess Consort!”
Aqiao stood to the side, eyeing Jiang Si’s other arm.
Although she wanted to do the same as Aman, she wondered… was the position of Princess Consort truly what Miss desired?
She couldn’t help but think of the young man who had come under the cover of night, and the overheard words of love that had made her blush.
The one Miss favored wasn’t Prince Yan, but Young Master Yu.
Aqiao looked at Jiang Si with concern: “Miss—”
Aman seemed to realize something and suddenly stopped, covering her mouth: “Miss, now that you’re Prince Yan’s consort, what about Young Master Yu?”
She had been so caught up in Miss’s triumph that she’d forgotten about Young Master Yu.
Surely climbing in and out of windows at the Prince Yan’s residence wouldn’t be as convenient as at the Earl’s estate.
Jiang Si smiled calmly: “Young Master Yu is Prince Yan.”
“What?” both maids exclaimed in unison.
Aman cupped her face, dazed: “Miss, are you saying that Young Master Yu, who climbed over the wall at night to see you, is… is… Prince Yan?”
“Yes.”
Aman nudged Aqiao hard: “Aqiao, pinch me to see if I’m dreaming.”
After the initial shock, Aqiao quickly calmed down.
Of course, if Prince Yan wasn’t Young Master Yu, how could Miss be so composed?
Prince Yan being Young Master Yu, and Miss becoming Prince Yan’s consort – this was truly wonderful.
Soon, a maid came to report: “Miss, Third Miss, Fifth Miss, and Sixth Miss have all arrived.”
“Show them in.”
Unlike the sudden bustle at Haitang Residence, Cixin Hall remained quiet.
Old Madam Feng sat cross-legged on her bed, still feeling as if she were in a dream.
“Feng Mama, how did Fourth Miss end up becoming a Princess Consort?”
Before the New Year, Fourth Miss had made a bet with her, could it be—
Feng Mama looked troubled.
She was just a servant. Usually, she could comment on the masters a bit, relying on her favor with the Old Madam. But now Fourth Miss was a Princess Consort-to-be, far beyond a mere servant’s right to discuss.
Yet she couldn’t ignore the Old Madam’s question.
Feng Mama smiled ingratiatingly: “Didn’t His Majesty say our Fourth Miss is gentle, virtuous, and of exceptional beauty and character… This old servant has always thought Fourth Miss was destined for greatness.”
Old Madam Feng sighed: “Indeed, she truly is blessed with great fortune.”
She had never dreamed Jiang Si would become a Princess Consort, and that the Earl of Dongping’s household would become Prince Yan’s in-laws!
In the end, the most successful of all the young ones in the household turned out to be Fourth Miss.
Old Madam Feng felt both regretful and annoyed.
Had she known this would happen, she wouldn’t have been so cold and dismissive towards Fourth Miss, especially not punishing her with confinement yesterday.
But regret was useless now; she could only try to mend their relationship in the future.
“Mother, did Fourth Miss receive an imperial edict?” Second Master Jiang asked as soon as he entered.
Old Madam Feng nodded slowly.
“How is this possible?”
Seeing Second Master Jiang’s dazed expression, Old Madam Feng frowned: “This is good news!”
Second Master Jiang came to his senses and smiled in agreement: “Mother is right, of course it’s a joyous occasion.”
His elder brother’s daughter had become a Princess Consort, dashing his long-held ambitions in one stroke. Although it was a great disappointment, forming a connection with the royal family could be seen as a blessing in disguise.
With this boost, his official career would progress more smoothly. If he could eventually enter the cabinet and become a powerful minister, that would be far better than the empty title of Earl.
Facing her favored son, Old Madam Feng had nothing to hide: “I’ve already given orders for your Third Sister-in-law to temporarily manage the household affairs. Your wife can focus on resting and recuperating from now on.”
Second Master Jiang didn’t even blink: “It’s as it should be. Managing the household while in poor health would only cause trouble.”
He had little affection left for Madam Xiao. The mere thought of her being abducted for a day and night by unknown persons, only to return safely, made him extremely uncomfortable.
Old Madam Feng smiled.
She knew her second son had always been the least troublesome.
At this moment, Jiang Ancheng walked in: “Mother, you sent someone saying there was an urgent matter at home. What is it?”
Unlike Second Master Jiang, Old Madam Feng had specifically instructed the messenger not to tell Jiang Ancheng anything, fearing her eldest son might act rashly.
Now that he was here, there was nothing to fear.
“An imperial edict arrived today. Si’er has been bestowed to Prince Yan as his Princess Consort—”
Before Old Madam Feng could finish, Jiang Ancheng drew his sword and headed for the door.
“Quick, stop the Earl!”
After a chaotic scuffle, Second Master Jiang managed to wrest the sword away: “Elder Brother, have you gone mad?”
Old Madam Feng trembled with anger: “Eldest son, what were you planning to do with that sword? Do you want to drag all hundred-plus members of our household to their graves with you?”
Jiang Ancheng deflated, looking utterly dejected.
Old Madam Feng slammed the table: “Look at yourself! If word of this gets out, won’t the nobles think we’re displeased with this marriage? Eldest son, come to your senses! Fourth Miss becoming a Princess Consort is a blessing earned from several lifetimes of good karma!”
“Such a blessing is better left unwanted.” Jiang Ancheng felt a splitting headache. He stamped his foot, “Fine, I’ll go see Si’er!”
As he approached Haitang Residence, he heard the laughter of girls from inside.
Jiang Ancheng paused.
Perhaps things weren’t as bad as he had imagined.
“The Earl has arrived.”
All of Jiang Si’s peers except Jiang Yi and Jiang Qian were present, even Dou Shuwan.
Seeing Jiang Ancheng enter, everyone hurriedly took their leave.
Left alone with his daughter, Jiang Ancheng looked dejected and guilt-ridden: “Si’er, Father has let you down. If I had known, I would have accepted Master Zhen’s proposal. At least then you wouldn’t have fallen into the royal family’s fiery pit.”
Jiang Si couldn’t help but laugh: “It’s not as terrible as Father makes it sound.”
In truth, it was exactly that terrible, but her perspective had changed.
“How did the position of Prince Yan’s consort fall to you?” Jiang Ancheng suddenly realized something and exploded in anger, “It must be that scoundrel Prince Yan’s doing! I’ll go settle accounts with him right now!”
Jiang Si held onto Jiang Ancheng’s sleeve, gently reminding him: “Father if you go confront Prince Yan now, people will suspect that daughter has had an illicit relationship with him.”
Jiang Ancheng was dumbfounded.
Si’er’s concern was valid; he couldn’t act rashly.
Ah, that rascal Prince Yan, acting without permission, was truly too cunning, too devious, too despicable!
As the Earl’s mood turned volatile, he heard his daughter say softly: “Moreover, the daughter thinks Young Master Yu is a good person. My heart is most pleased with him.”
Jiang Ancheng: “…” He must be hallucinating.