The seemingly casual remark from Prince Qi’s wife caused Consort Xian’s eyebrows to twitch, her eyes suddenly freezing over.
With the Crown Prince deposed, the Fourth Prince’s long-awaited opportunity had finally arrived. He would naturally want to win over his seventh brother, born of the same mother.
If the relationship between the two brothers was affected by the Seventh Prince’s wife, then she would have to reconsider her opinion of her daughter-in-law.
When Consort Xian disliked someone, she could simply ignore them. But if that person touched upon her fundamental interests, it was no longer a matter of avoidance.
If the Seventh Prince’s wife continued to behave this way without restraint, she would have to consider finding a more obedient and sensible daughter-in-law for her son.
However, it was too early for such plans. At least… Consort Xian’s lips curled into a cold smile as she thought of Jiang Si’s still-flat belly.
At least wait until the Seventh Prince’s wife had given birth to a child.
Princess Qi stared at the cold smile on Consort Xian’s lips, amusement flashing in her eyes.
Princess Yan was truly ignorant and fearless. What tangible benefits could she gain from verbal bravado? It was simply foolish.
Princess Qi was well aware of Consort Xian’s methods.
When she had first married Prince Qi, she thought this mother-in-law was kind and benevolent. However, once when Prince Qi visited the palace, a palace maid boldly flirted with him. Afterward, she never saw that maid again.
Princess Qi was certainly pleased that Consort Xian had swiftly dealt with the maid who attempted to seduce Prince Qi, but it also gave her a glimpse of the ruthlessness hidden beneath Consort Xian’s mask of virtue and kindness.
Consort Xian had high hopes for Prince Qi and thus had extremely strict requirements. She would not allow anyone to influence Prince Qi or damage his reputation.
Having successfully provoked Consort Xian’s murderous intent towards Jiang Si, Princess Qi listened to Consort Xian’s instructions with a satisfied and submissive demeanor.
Outside the palace walls, a world of silver and white greeted the eye.
Last night’s heavy snowfall had dressed the capital in new clothes. The roads were lined with jade-like trees and crystalline branches, glittering beautifully under the winter sun.
The bluestone-paved road was somewhat muddy.
A Qiao supported Jiang Si as they carefully made their way towards the carriage parked by the palace wall.
“Please wait,” a cool voice called from behind.
Jiang Si paused and glanced back.
Princess Rongyang strode over, letting her floor-length dress sweep across the muddy ground.
There was no need to wash a new garment after wearing it once; it could simply be discarded. This was commonplace for the silk-clad jade-eating Princess Rongyang.
As a result, her approach was quite imposing, causing A Qiao to become somewhat vigilant.
“Greetings to Her Highness Princess Rongyang,” A Qiao curtsied, standing protectively in front of Jiang Si, her tense back betraying her nervousness.
Jiang Si noticed A Qiao’s tension but remained calm.
“What business does Aunt have with me?” she asked.
Princess Rongyang glanced at A Qiao and said coolly, “Step aside.”
A Qiao looked at Jiang Si but didn’t move.
Princess Rongyang’s intentions seemed unfriendly. What if she harmed her mistress and the unborn child?
“Princess Yan, your maid is truly loyal. Does she think I would harm you?” Princess Rongyang asked.
Jiang Si smiled slightly. “Aunt certainly wouldn’t harm me. A Qiao, please step aside.”
A Qiao hesitated briefly before silently moving away.
Princess Rongyang stepped forward, suddenly very close to Jiang Si.
Jiang Si’s expression remained unchanged, her clear eyes calmly gazing at the princess.
Princess Rongyang sneered, “You’re a brave one, much more formidable than your mother.”
Hearing Princess Rongyang mention her late mother, Jiang Si’s gaze cooled.
For Princess Rongyang to mention her mother in front of her, truly showed that when people lose their shame, they’re capable of anything.
“My mother wasn’t less formidable; she just had thinner skin,” Jiang Si retorted without mercy, meeting Princess Rongyang’s gaze.
Princess Rongyang’s hand twitched as she gritted her teeth. “Princess Yan, do you think I can’t touch you just because you’re with child?”
“Surely Aunt wouldn’t push me in public?” Jiang Si asked with a smile, showing no fear.
Princess Rongyang laughed coldly. “I’m not that foolish. I needn’t harm an unborn child.”
The Emperor had many sons and even more grandsons. What difference would it make if Princess Yan gave birth to another royal grandson?
Now that Princess Yan was pregnant, there was no need to act and displease the Emperor and Empress Dowager. Once Princess Yan had given birth, there would be countless ways to deal with her.
Not to mention, it wouldn’t be difficult to find something to cause a new mother to hemorrhage to death…
Thinking of the person she had sent into the palace years ago, Princess Rongyang’s face relaxed into a smile.
Jiang Si sighed. “Aunt seems to have a particular grudge against me. Is it because of my mother?”
Princess Rongyang narrowed her eyes, looking at the face so similar to Su Shi’s, momentarily feeling as if time had turned back.
Because of Su Shi? Partly. She couldn’t feel any fondness for that face.
But that wasn’t all. What truly made her unable to tolerate Jiang Si was Mingyue’s disappearance.
“Let me ask you, was it your doing that Zhu Ziyu ruined Mingyue’s marriage?” Princess Rongyang asked in a low voice.
Jiang Si laughed upon hearing this.
“What are you laughing at?”
Jiang Si smiled. “I’m laughing at how absurd your question is. If you randomly asked someone if they had committed murder, even if they were the real killer, would they be foolish enough to admit it?”
Princess Rongyang was momentarily at a loss.
She hadn’t expected Jiang Si to confess but had just blurted out the question to ease her frustration.
But unexpectedly, Jiang Si suddenly lowered her voice, speaking so only the two of them could hear: “Cui Mingyue reaped what she sowed. It shows that heaven has eyes, and evil deeds will be repaid—”
Princess Rongyang hadn’t expected Jiang Si to say such things. Anger surged, and she raised her hand to strike.
Her wrist was firmly caught in mid-air.
“Aunt, it’s not good to resort to violence. I am, after all, a proper princess consort, a daughter-in-law appointed by the Emperor himself. Do you think I’m a slave in your mansion that you can slap at will?”
Jiang Si released Princess Rongyang’s wrist after speaking, having made up her mind: if Princess Rongyang dared to move against her again, she would have to use her paralyzing poison insects.
She had no shortage of gu poison that could instantly paralyze a person.
Princess Rongyang calmed down, realizing she had been a bit impulsive. Suppressing her anger, she warned, “Princess Yan, just you wait. The day will come when I settle accounts with you.”
With that, she turned and left in a huff.
Jiang Si called out behind her, “Please wait.”
Princess Rongyang turned back, looking at her coldly.
Jiang Si stepped forward and said softly, “I have something to say to Aunt as well.”
“Speak.”
Jiang Si lowered her voice even more, but her words fell clearly into Princess Rongyang’s ears.
“I return your words in full. You too, please wait. The day will come when I settle accounts with you.”
After speaking, Jiang Si curtsied to Princess Rongyang, then turned to A Qiao and said, “Let’s go.”
Once in the carriage, A Qiao anxiously said, “My Lady, you’ve offended the Princess. What if she secretly harms you in the future?”
Jiang Si leaned against the carriage wall, warming her hands with a hand warmer. Hearing this, she smiled slightly and said, “She may not live to see that day.”