When the news reached the Yining Marquis’s residence, Su Dagu was overjoyed and reported it to his parents.
However, the old Marquis and his wife didn’t share the same level of excitement.
After Su Dagu left, the old Marquis sighed softly, “I never imagined Si’er would be destined to become the Crown Princess. From now on, we must be even more careful not to make any missteps.”
The old Marchioness fell into deep thought.
Her granddaughter had become the Crown Princess and would soon move into the Eastern Palace. She would have to regularly interact with the noble ladies in the palace…
“What are you thinking about?” The old Marquis asked, noticing his wife’s absent-mindedness.
The old Marchioness forced a smile, “I’m just amazed at Si’er’s good fortune.”
The old Marquis lowered his voice, “Whether it’s truly good fortune remains to be seen.”
In his opinion, being the wife of an idle prince would be more comfortable. That position was not an easy one to occupy.
“Indeed, we’ll have to wait and see…” the old Marchioness murmured in agreement.
Lately, Si’er had been visiting her frequently, and she knew her granddaughter was trying to learn about past events from her.
She had originally planned to take those secrets to her grave, but now she wondered if she should reveal them to her granddaughter.
Upon hearing that Jiang Si had become the Crown Princess, the old Marchioness’s previously firm resolve wavered for the first time.
At the Duke of An’guo’s residence.
When Lady Wei, the Duchess of An’guo, heard the news, she was stunned. After a while, she regained her senses and hurried out.
She needed to discuss this news with the old Duchess.
Her sister-in-law was gone, having committed a grave error that ruined Prince Qi’s chances. Yet Prince Yan, who was her sister-in-law’s biological son, had become the Crown Prince. This glory had nothing to do with the Duke of An’guo’s family.
It was too frustrating. She knew many people would be laughing at their families behind their backs.
As she walked out of the courtyard, Lady Wei ran into her youngest son, Ji Chongyi, who was returning from outside.
The once dashing young noble now had dark circles under his eyes, unable to hide the weakness of someone who seemed utterly drained.
Lady Wei’s heart ached with anger at the sight. She shouted, “You unfilial son! Have you been to Jinshui River again?”
Ji Chongyi stood there, expressionless, and grunted an affirmative.
Seeing her son’s reckless attitude, Lady Wei’s anger flared, “You wretched child! What sin did I commit to give birth to such a debt collector? Can’t you give me some peace of mind? Must you torment me until I close my eyes forever before you’ll stop?”
Her tirade left Lady Wei parched, her throat burning.
Ji Chongyi remained numb. When Lady Wei finally stopped, he lowered his eyes and said, “I understand, Mother. If there’s nothing else, I’ll return to my room.”
As he turned to leave, Lady Wei blurted out, “Your cousin has become the Crown Prince!”
Cousin? Prince Qi?
What did that have to do with him?
Ji Chongyi continued walking without breaking his stride.
Lady Wei raged behind him, “Why can’t you learn from your cousin? When Prince Yan returned from the South, he wasn’t even a prince. Look how far he’s come in such a short time—”
Ji Chongyi suddenly turned back, “Prince Yan?”
His son’s surprise made Lady Wei pause, and she seemed to realize something from his shocked expression.
Lady Wei laughed coldly, “Are you surprised? When Prince Yan first returned to the capital, he was just the Seventh Prince without a title. He hadn’t even met the Emperor. His situation was worse than that of a young master from an ordinary noble family. But now he’s the Crown Prince!”
Ji Chongyi unconsciously clenched his fists and calmly said, “What does that have to do with us? He’s already the Empress’s son.”
Lady Wei gritted her teeth, “You fool, even if it doesn’t concern our family, it concerns you!”
Ji Chongyi blinked, looking coldly at Lady Wei.
Lady Wei couldn’t stand her son’s zombie-like demeanor, but she had seen it too often in the past two years. Now, with words to provoke him, she mercilessly threw them out, “If you hadn’t broken off your engagement with Miss Jiang back then, would things have turned out like this? Miss Jiang has the fortune to bring prosperity to her husband. She could make a prince without status or foundation become the Crown Prince, yet you gave up such a wife and married an ill-fated woman instead…”
“Please stop!” Ji Chongyi cried out, his face pale.
Lady Wei raised an eyebrow, her tone softening, “Yi’er, if you don’t want to spend your whole life in the mire, listen to your mother. Divorce Qiao Niang and marry a proper young lady. Even if her family status is lower, it doesn’t matter. At least it will let you live like a proper person—”
“You don’t need to say anymore. I’ll divorce Qiao Niang only when I’m dead!” Ji Chongyi said, then quickly left without looking back.
Ji Chongyi rushed into his study and sat on the low couch, clutching his head in anguish.
How could he possibly divorce Qiao Niang?
He had married Qiao Niang despite breaking off his previous engagement, enduring countless criticisms and mockery. How could he divorce her after just three years? What would that make him? The biggest joke in the world?
He would rather die than lose face again, and he couldn’t push Qiao Niang to the brink.
A commoner woman cast out by a duke’s family would have no choice but to die.
As for his feelings for Qiao Niang, they had been worn away by countless arguments…
Ji Chongyi stared at the dust-covered books on the shelves and smiled bitterly.
He admitted he was a scoundrel. In his dreams, he had relived that night countless times, imagining that instead of meeting Qiao Niang privately by Lake Moyou, he had smoothly married the Fourth Miss of the Earl of Dongping. He dreamed of a loving marriage, living in harmony, and leading an enviable life.
Instead of his current situation, where he and Qiao Niang couldn’t even communicate, and he could only escape reality by the Jinshui River, becoming a good-for-nothing in the eyes of the world.
Thinking of Jiang Si becoming the Crown Princess, and then thinking of himself, Ji Chongyi’s heart ached unbearably, making it hard to breathe.
As tears fell, Ji Chongyi thought desolately: If only life could start over…
Compared to Ji Chongyi’s misery, everyone in Kunning Palace was full of joy.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty.”
The Empress smiled and walked quickly towards the entrance.
Today was truly a good day. The Emperor had given her such a big surprise that she wanted to welcome him at the door to show her encouragement.
Emperor Jingming didn’t keep the Empress waiting long before appearing at the entrance of Kunning Palace. “Why is the Empress waiting here?”
The Empress raised her head after paying her respects, her eyes smiling, “I thought Your Majesty would come.”
Emperor Jingming coughed lightly, looking dignified, “Let’s talk inside.”
The imperial couple entered the room together.
Emperor Jingming took a sip from his teacup and said unhurriedly, “I should have discussed such a big matter with you, but I thought the Empress would agree with my choice, so I didn’t waste time…”
The Empress now found even the wrinkles at the corners of Emperor Jingming’s eyes handsome. She pressed her lips together and smiled gently, “I would agree with all of Your Majesty’s decisions.”
As long as they satisfied her, that is.
“Have you been to see the Empress Dowager?”
Emperor Jingming put down his teacup, “I wanted to tell you first, then I’ll go see Mother Empress.”
He wanted praise for making Old Seven the Crown Prince. Seeing those ministers standing like wooden chickens, of course, he had to come to the Empress to hear some kind words.
The Empress, understanding the situation, accompanied Emperor Jingming far out of Kunning Palace, still gazing at him as he left.
Satisfied, Emperor Jingming headed towards Cining Palace.