Chapter 12: Consort Chun Plans Her Son’s Future

After those words were spoken, Jiang Shijin’s cheeks flushed all the way to her ears. Princess Qinghuan remained as unkind as ever, and by speaking like that, wasn’t she basically saying that Jiang was even less favored than the kitchen maids in the residence?

Tears welled up in her eyes as she clenched her teeth tightly.

She couldn’t understand why, when both were daughters of the Jiang family, her elder sister Jiang Shiyuan was so highly regarded by Princess Qinghuan—invited frequently for gatherings at the princess’s mansion—while she herself, even when brought by her mother-in-law the Consort Wang to pay a visit, was met only with scorn.

The injustice overwhelmed her.

Princess Qinghuan was straightforward by nature, having been pampered by the most esteemed figures in the realm since childhood. She had little patience for those who whimpered and played the victim. Seeing Jiang Shijin’s expression, she immediately thought of the consorts in the palace who pretended to be innocent and pitiful.

A look of disdain crossed her face as she asked coldly, “Is the Crown Prince’s wife looking down on the hospitality of my princess’s mansion and deliberately coming here just to cause trouble? Why are you crying?”

Her words not only stunned Jiang Shijin but also displeased the Consort Chun. Early that morning, she had come to see Princess Qinghuan, hoping to secure a position for her son through the princess’s favor. Yet the princess was evasive and even spoke so harshly, dashing any hope of an opportunity for her son. Frustrated, Consort Chun turned her anger on her daughter-in-law and scolded her sharply.

“You come from a humble background and have no manners. Have you forgotten the lessons I recently imparted to you?”

Jiang Shijin had not expected her mother-in-law to show her no respect in front of others. A wave of bitterness surged within her, but she gritted her teeth and held back her tears. Wiping her eyes with a handkerchief, she immediately stood and apologized to both women.

“Mother-in-law, please don’t be angry. It is my fault for being immature and offending the princess. I humbly apologize.”

With that, she knelt down and respectfully kowtowed to atone.

Given her status as the Crown Prince’s wife, she shouldn’t have needed to kneel and apologize like this; she wasn’t on equal footing with the princess, but this gesture effectively silenced any further reproach from Princess Qinghuan.

Glancing at Consort Chun, whose expression was wavering, the princess waved her hand dismissively.

“Fine. I am not the sort to hold grudges over trifles. It’s just that the Crown Prince’s wife and I have a grudge from a past life and no connection in this one. It’s better if we see less of each other from now on, don’t you agree, Aunt?”

Consort Chun’s face darkened, unable to maintain her composure.

She had waited ten years to have her precious son. It was no small feat to get him the title of Crown Prince. Her goal was for him to seamlessly inherit the title of Prince Chun, so she had been desperate to find him a suitable bride.

At first, she didn’t approve of Jiang Shiyuan.

Her reputation for chronic illness and the difficulty of bearing heirs made her less desirable. Yet her maternal and paternal families were prosperous and influential, with many promising male descendants. A marriage alliance would mutually strengthen both families.

Consort Chun had even thought to wait three years.

If by then Jiang Shiyuan couldn’t produce a son or daughter, her son could take concubines to ensure heirs. No family would object, and they would even help care for their daughters and granddaughters outside the prince’s mansion.

Unfortunately, despite her clever plans, disaster had struck.

Not only was the alliance between the two families ruined, but also the dowager Madam Wang of the Wen Yuan Marquis’s residence had conspired with unknown forces to sabotage the appointment originally meant for her son. How could Consort Chun not be furious?

Yet the rumors about her son and the second young lady of the Jiang family were already rampant in Xijing City. With no other choice, she reluctantly welcomed Jiang Shijin into the mansion but regarded her as a curse, making things difficult for her.

Within the prince’s residence, all seemed calm on the surface, but both Consort Chun and her son’s status as Crown Prince were fiercely contested. To preserve this honor, she had to find new strategies.

After calming herself, Consort Chun smiled and turned to Princess Qinghuan.

“Princess Qinghuan is right. If you don’t like her, Aunt will come to visit you without her. In a while, our household will likely have a happy event. You must come and celebrate with us.”

“A happy event? What is it?” Princess Qinghuan’s eyes swept over Jiang Shijin’s belly twice. Seeing Jiang’s bewildered expression, she quickly realized the event had nothing to do with her. Remembering some rumors she had recently heard from Nurse Shen, she began to understand.

“It’s not appropriate to say outright yet. Once everything is settled, I will send someone to deliver the invitation. I hope Princess Qinghuan will honor us with her presence then.”

It seemed Consort Chun had not yet convinced the Zhao family, hence her hesitation to speak plainly. Princess Qinghuan, delighted to see the troubles within the Chun Prince’s mansion, smiled and replied,

“In that case, I will await Aunt’s good news.”

Sitting quietly nearby, Jiang Shijin struggled to suppress her panic. Within the mansion, she held little status. Though she was the Crown Prince’s wife in name, she couldn’t even command respect before the concubines who had entered the mansion before her.

The matter of the Zhao sisters entering the residence had gone silent since the day of the boat race.

She had thought the Chun Prince’s mansion couldn’t persuade the sisters to join, which gave her some relief. But now, hearing her mother-in-law mention it again, she was uncertain of what the future held.

She had believed that marrying into the Chun Prince’s mansion would solve all problems but found instead that it was a den of wolves and tigers. Without the support of her natal family or elders, she could not make progress.

Therefore, she must return home and work harder.

Though her eldest uncle was angry with her, he was useful. At times like this, she would have to go back, plead, and weep until he softened and treated her as before.

Jiang Shijin thought this to herself, then rose and followed Consort Chun as they left. Once they were out of sight, Princess Qinghuan glanced disdainfully at the food box and said,

“Throw it away.”

“Yes, Princess.”

In the Hidden Jade Hall,

Jiang Shiyuan leaned against the ornate railing, growing drowsy. Since Princess Qinghuan had not come over, she thought to get up and take a walk. She had been here many times and knew her way around well enough not to need a servant’s guidance.

Jiang Shiyuan seldom ventured out, aside from the Wen Yuan Marquis’s mansion. Her favorite place was the princess’s residence. The complexity and splendor here far surpassed that of other villas. No wonder the emperor had personally supervised its construction for over ten years—one could see the meticulous care put into it.

Mountains were piled, ponds carved, and towers and pavilions erected.

Wherever Jiang Shiyuan looked, there were white stone railings, and through the flying corridors, verdant plants and rare flowers could be glimpsed. Following the winding mountain corridors a few steps further, she came upon a spacious, flat area to the north, where a two-story pavilion rose tall.

Above the door was inscribed: Pavilion of Clear Sound.

Seeing the name, Jiang Shiyuan recalled many memories.

That year, when Princess Qinghuan moved out of the palace and established her mansion, she hosted a banquet for the powerful families of Xijing City. The Wen Yuan Marquis’s residence was naturally among the guests, so Jiang Shiyuan had accompanied her grandmother and aunt to attend.