Since Jiang Yi returned to the Earl’s mansion after severing ties with her husband, she had been keeping a low profile. Moreover, after her recent encounter at the Treasure Pavilion, she became even more reluctant to interact with men. Despite the young man before her being like a brother she had watched grow up, she still awkwardly stepped back.
Xie Yinlou couldn’t help but glance at her before turning his gaze to Jiang Si.
Jiang Si greeted Xie Yinlou casually, “Elder Brother Xie.”
After a moment of silence, Xie Yinlou spoke, “Elder Sister Jiang, Fourth Sister Jiang, I’ve heard about Jiang Zhan’s situation… If Uncle Jiang needs anything in the future, please don’t hesitate to call on me.”
Jiang Yi curtsied slightly to express her gratitude to Xie Yinlou.
Jiang Si then said, “Thank you, Elder Brother Xie. I’m married now and can’t come back often. I’d be grateful if you could look after things here for a while.”
“Rest assured, Fourth Sister Jiang, I will.”
Jiang Si expressed her thanks and boarded the carriage to leave. On the way, she lifted a corner of the curtain to look back, seeing Xie Yinlou enter the main gate of the East Peace Earl’s mansion, while her elder sister Jiang Yi lagged, maintaining a distance between them.
Jiang Si lowered the carriage curtain and leaned against the wall, closing her eyes to rest.
Thinking of Yu Jin’s departure and her father being pressured by her grandmother, her mood grew increasingly heavy.
She had thought that resolving most of the grudges that had harmed her family in her previous life would allow them to rest easy, but who knew that after just a few days of peace, a harsh winter would arrive?
The battlefield was merciless, and death was inevitable, but not even being able to recover her brother’s remains, which were said to have most likely fallen into the Ji River, brought Jiang Si not only sorrow but also fear.
That overwhelming fear of an uncertain future.
It could be said that Jiang Zhan’s death was a tremendous blow to Jiang Si.
The carriage came to a stop, and Old Qin’s voice was heard: “Princess, we’ve arrived.”
Jiang Si came to her senses and, supported by A Man, alighted from the carriage, silently walking towards the main gate of the prince’s mansion.
Old Qin, watching Jiang Si’s retreating figure, wanted to offer some words of comfort but, being inarticulate, could only sigh quietly.
Jiang Si paused at the main gate, looking up at the three gilded characters “Prince Yan’s Mansion” on the plaque. Although the sorrow and fear were still present, they couldn’t stop her from being strong.
Even if only for her daughter’s sake, she had to be strong.
Striving might not change the originally terrible outcome, but not striving would certainly not change anything. Even for that sliver of possibility for change, she wouldn’t give up.
Without the master of the house, the vast prince’s mansion seemed to grow quiet.
Yu Jin’s departure affected not only Prince Yan’s mansion but also the Yuquan Palace.
At this moment, Consort Xian was venting her anger in front of her daughter-in-law, Princess Qi.
“This ungrateful wretch, actually going south personally to collect his brother-in-law’s remains!” Consort Xian fumed, her brows furrowed and eyes glaring. The more she thought about it, the more indignant she became. “Even their fathers, uncles, and brothers haven’t gone yet. How dare he make such a show of it?”
She didn’t know who she had given birth to this son for. He had never stayed by her side since childhood, and now that he had finally returned from the South, the number of times he had paid his respects to her could be counted on one hand. And now, look at how attentive he was to his in-laws’ affairs.
Seeing Consort Xian’s furious expression, Princess Qi’s eyes flashed with a hint of amusement, but she consoled, “Mother, please don’t be angry. Seventh Brother is known for valuing relationships and loyalty. Even the Emperor has agreed to it. If you’re dissatisfied, should it reach the Emperor’s ears—”
Consort Xian slapped the table and sneered, “His Majesty is also being foolish, allowing him to act so recklessly!”
With only the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in the room, Consort Xian spoke without reservation.
Princess Qi’s eyes darted, and she poured a cup of hot tea for Consort Xian. “Mother, please have some tea. It’s a good thing that the Emperor is indulging Seventh Brother.”
Consort Xian took the teacup, frowning slightly. “Tell me, how is this a good thing?”
Princess Qi smiled radiantly. “Doesn’t this show that the Emperor values and loves Seventh Brother?”
Consort Xian froze, her eyes darkening as she murmured, “Why doesn’t he show this love to the Fourth Prince…”
Even if the Emperor loved the Seventh Prince dearly, surely he couldn’t pass the throne to him, could he?
Currently, the Fourth Prince was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate for the crown prince position, yet the Emperor showed no indication of his intentions, making it impossible to guess the imperial thoughts.
Hearing Consort Xian’s words, Princess Qi sighed, “They say that even between parents and children, there’s a matter of fate. Perhaps the Emperor and Seventh Brother naturally have a good rapport. Even though Seventh Brother didn’t grow up by his side, the Emperor loved him at first sight…”
“Ridiculous!” Consort Xian snorted coldly, but her heart stirred slightly.
Her daughter-in-law’s words had some truth to them. Take herself, for instance. She had given birth to both the Fourth Prince and Seventh Prince, yet her feelings towards the two sons were worlds apart.
When she gave birth to the Fourth Prince, she had just entered the palace for a couple of years. The birth of a prince earned her the position of Consort Xian, allowing her to establish a firm foothold in the harem. From then on, both the Empress and the Empress Dowager had to show her some respect.
She cherished Fourth Prince, who had brought her all this, more than her own eyes.
But Seventh Prince was different. The birth of a second prince should have been a glorious and proud moment, but the Seventh Prince was said to bring bad luck to the Emperor. Just days after his birth, he was sent out of the palace, subjecting her to countless open and veiled taunts. During that period, even the usually gentle Empress Dowager showed her a cold face.
Under such circumstances, how could she develop any affection for the Seventh Prince?
The fact was, even with two sons born to the same parents, their status in their parents’ hearts would still differ.
Princess Qi gently massaged Consort Xian’s legs. “Mother, you should be happy. Our Prince and Seventh Brother are blood brothers. If the Emperor favors Seventh Brother, they can support each other—”
“Heh.” Consort Xian’s cold laugh interrupted Princess Qi’s words.
Princess Qi’s face reddened, and she said softly, “Mother, did I say something wrong?”
“Blood brothers supporting each other, that principle isn’t wrong. But how can they support each other when they barely interact?”
Princess Qi sighed lightly. “The Prince and I are wholeheartedly willing to be on good terms with Seventh Brother, but—”
She didn’t finish her sentence, but Consort Xian understood what the issue was.
The estrangement between Seventh Prince and Fourth Prince was partly because they didn’t grow up together, but another reason likely stemmed from Princess Yan.
No, given how much the Seventh Prince cared for Princess Yan, it should be said that it mainly stemmed from Princess Yan.
Consort Xian remembered what Princess Qi had mentioned before, and her brow furrowed deeper. “Did Princess Yan tell you that seeing you makes her uncomfortable?”
Princess Qi’s fair face suddenly turned bright red, and she stammered, “Yes. I had sincerely wanted to get along well with Seventh Sister-in-law, but after hearing such words, I really couldn’t bring myself to approach her warmly again…”
Glancing at Consort Xian’s expression, Princess Qi put on a helpless look. “The bond between blood brothers is unbreakable. If it weren’t for Seventh Sister-in-law’s attitude, perhaps our Prince and Seventh Brother wouldn’t be as distant as they are now—”
Consort Xian’s gaze turned icy.
She couldn’t tolerate anyone who hindered the Fourth Prince.
The Seventh Prince had gained the Emperor’s favor and could have been of great help to the Fourth Prince. But because of the Seventh Prince’s ignorant wife, the brothers had grown distant. Forget about support; it would be good if he didn’t drag Fourth Prince down in the future.
This wouldn’t do. That wretched woman couldn’t be allowed to keep the position of Princess Yan any longer!