Chapter 17- Don’t Covet What She Doesn’t Give

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Chapter 17

Jiang Ruohua lowered her head, honestly handing over the thick stack of copied scriptures to the palace maid who had come. She wasn’t sure if this maid was working under someone’s orders, but she lectured and criticized Jiang Ruohua at length.

Jiang Ruohua let the words go in one ear and out the other. Now she understood that as long as she didn’t take it to heart, no one could truly affect her. Let the palace people talk; after all, the marriage was already annulled. As long as she was no longer associated with the Prince of Ying, Jiang Ruohua was happy.

No matter how harsh the scolding, it didn’t matter!

Therefore, even though the maid’s words were impolite, Jiang Ruohua listened attentively and nodded the whole time. In the end, she even saw her off with proper etiquette, which made the maid a little surprised. She couldn’t believe that a girl of her age could have such composure.

It was indeed rare. The rumors were true; this eldest daughter of the Guogong Manor had truly changed her nature, becoming more dignified than before. However, it was a pity that she could no longer be a princess.

“Bah! Our Miss doesn’t need such pity!” Huachan spat angrily after the maid left. Just looking at her made her furious. Her Miss annulling the marriage was a good thing; being far away from someone like the Prince of Ying, she would be much happier. He shouldn’t come near at all!

“We know it ourselves,” Jiang Ruohua chuckled. “Just say these things quietly among the three of us. Don’t get too carried away at other times.”

Although she was happy about the annulment and genuinely felt better off without the hollow marriage, she now found marriage itself somewhat undesirable, knowing what the future held. She was now focused on eliminating the threats from the Prince of Ying and the Third House that plagued the Jiang family.

On the way back, she dismissed the thoughts. Since she had annulled her marriage with the Prince of Ying, no one would dare marry her for a while. So why worry about it now? Her goal now was to remove the threats posed by the Prince of Ying and the Third House to her family!

Meanwhile, Yinqiu delivered the cloud brocade as instructed by Jiang Ruohua, along with some additional items to show the close relationship between the sisters.

“Fifth Miss, don’t be shy with our Miss. She said that since you are sisters, there’s no need to be so formal. Sharing clothes and accessories is common. Please let me know if you like this style so I can report back to Miss,” Yinqiu said.

Looking at the gold-threaded cloud brocade, Jiang Ruoqi nodded, “I like it very much.”

Yinqiu smiled, curtsying, “Miss will be pleased to hear that. I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll take my leave now.”

Everyone loves good things, especially an eleven or twelve-year-old child, who could not resist such temptation?

“Eldest Sister really has everything nice,” Jiang Ruoqi said, looking at the cloud brocade, her eyes burning with desire as if she were looking at something beyond the fabric.

She hesitated for a moment before taking the brocade to Concubine Yuan.

After explaining the situation, Concubine Yuan was stunned for a moment before saying, “If the Eldest Miss gave it to you, just keep it. But remember what I always say: don’t covet what isn’t given to you.”

Living in a high-ranking family meant experiencing such disparities. Seeing the envy in Jiang Ruoqi’s eyes made Concubine Yuan feel sad. “As a concubine, I can only be a mistress. Fifth Miss, remember, don’t think too much about what isn’t yours. The most dangerous thing in this world is to earn something you don’t have the life to enjoy. As an illegitimate daughter, there are some things you just can’t have. Don’t think about them.”

“I understand,” Jiang Ruoqi nodded. “Mother, I remember everything you say. It’s just that…”

She really did envy it—biting her teeth in jealousy.

But she understood her mother’s words. As an illegitimate daughter, some things were never meant for her. The cloud brocade, the fancy hairpins, her future—all depended on Jiang Ruohua’s goodwill. If Jiang Ruohua was pleased and willing to be close to her, she could gain more.

“I will be good to Eldest Sister, stand by her, and visit her often,” Jiang Ruoqi knew that to live better than before, she had to please the right person. For her own sake, she had to be good to Jiang Ruohua. “What about Second Sister?”

Jiang Ruohua was the legitimate daughter, as was Jiang Ruoting. Concubine Yuan thought for a moment and shook her head. “Treat her as you usually do. You are still young.”

A child’s actions wouldn’t draw too much attention from the Third Madam. Concubine Yuan thought that she might have misunderstood. The Eldest Miss might be kept in the dark by the Third Madam, but she wasn’t a fool. She had never flaunted her wealth among her sisters before, afraid of creating imbalance. Now, she deliberately gave cloud brocade to her daughter.

It was likely a favor, but also a test.

Yet, with benefits at stake, the price wasn’t important. Concubine Yuan knew she was aging, and her favor would eventually fade. Having a son with prospects and a daughter in a good marriage would secure her later years.

The Third Madam was hypocritical and wouldn’t tolerate an illegitimate son. Ensuring the safety of herself and her children after giving birth was a challenge. Furthermore, the Guogong Manor wouldn’t be inherited by the Third House anytime soon. Jiang Ruohua’s gift of cloud brocade had a clear purpose.

She understood that in high-ranking families, the lower-ranking ones often relied on handouts. Waiting for the Third Madam’s hypocritical charity or trading with the Eldest Miss was an obvious choice.

She didn’t want much—just a good marriage for her daughter and a future for her unborn son. As long as her children had opportunities, she dared not dream of more than what belonged to her children.

“Eldest Miss, Concubine Yuan sent a message requesting something sour to eat.”

“Good,” Jiang Ruohua nodded. “Ask the kitchen to prepare some sour fruit preserves. Remind Concubine Yuan’s servants to use them sparingly to avoid upsetting her stomach.”

After the person left, Huachan smiled at Jiang Ruohua, “Congratulations, Miss.”

“Smart girl,” Jiang Ruohua smiled back, the tea tasting sweeter. “It is indeed something to celebrate.”

Concubine Yuan’s open desire to show off her unborn son meant she understood the purpose of the cloud brocade gift.

Since she didn’t disappoint Jiang Ruohua, Jiang Ruohua wouldn’t disappoint her. Jiang Ruohua’s eyes gleamed coldly. It was just a small appetizer, but she hoped the Third Madam would enjoy it.

Late at night, there was some noise on the roof. A note was slipped through a crack in the tiles. Jiang Ruohua opened her eyes and sat up, picking up the note. It was news from Grandpa Gao.

The note boldly read, “Everything is ready.”

She pursed her lips, crumpled the note, and threw it into the incense burner to destroy any trace before going back to sleep.

“Mother, why are you still awake so late?”

The candle flickered. The Third Madam’s room smelled of incense mixed with mint. The refreshing scent was good for staying alert, but sometimes, it could be overwhelming.

Jiang Ruoting covered her nose with a handkerchief and walked in, sitting at the table to look at her still-busy mother.