Chapter 3

Get updated every time a new chapter is released and Get the Passwords to Password Protected Content at our Discord Server -> Click Here to Join now (Protected Content will be available within few days of release)

This marriage proposal was suggested by Concubine Yi, a favored consort of the current emperor. She pointed out that the Jiang family had been loyal and meritorious for generations, but unfortunately, the great general had no male heir, only Jiang Ruohua.

On the surface, it was to ensure that she wouldn’t be lonely, and the imperial family generously offered to let her choose one of their sons as her husband, giving her a secure future. The position of princess would also be a reward for the Jiang family’s contributions to the Qi Dynasty.

At the same time, it was also a way to ensure the military power could be reclaimed by the royal family.

The royal family was naturally suspicious, and Jiang Ruohua felt that it was understandable to reclaim military power in this manner. However, Concubine Yi had her own agenda, deliberately bringing up the matter when her father and grandfather were not in the capital. In hindsight, if her grandfather hadn’t returned from his retreat and found out about the marriage decree, he would have certainly refused it.

At that time, she was young and unaware that Concubine Yi had made this proposal for her son, Prince Ying. She carefully chose the best candidate, picking Prince Ying, who was close to her age and showed promise from a young age.

As a result, Concubine Yi was pleased. Prince Ying was her son, highly accomplished and with potential to ascend the throne. Adding such a daughter-in-law would only strengthen his position. The imperial family, having made the decree, couldn’t retract it, especially fearing the growing power of a single prince. They assumed a young girl wouldn’t understand, but among many sons, she chose a strong candidate for the crown prince, and the Jiang family couldn’t refuse an imperial edict.

“Of course,” Jiang Ruohua explained, seeing Hua Chan’s confusion. “I couldn’t directly bring this matter to the emperor, so I first sought an audience with the Empress Dowager. The Jiang family is powerful, but the emperor’s sons are all outstanding. He hasn’t necessarily favored Prince Ying as the crown prince.”

This was true; in her dream, Prince Ying only ascended the throne by killing his brothers and forcing his father to abdicate.

“Currently, as an unmarried woman, the Jiang family can’t be considered an ally of Prince Ying. But if I became his princess, the Jiang family would be firmly on his side.”

“The emperor wouldn’t want this, but he also fears my father’s potential rebellion and can’t easily annul the engagement.”

“So, rather than dragging it out until there’s no turning back, it’s better to end it while there’s still a chance. The Empress Dowager, being the emperor’s mother, understood my point. I gave the emperor an excuse to save face, making the dissolution of the engagement natural.”

“No wonder,” Hua Chan exclaimed, understanding now. “So it was all intentional.”

“Silly girl,” Jiang Ruohua flicked Hua Chan’s forehead. “If I didn’t act a bit foolish and stubborn, they’d suspect I had ulterior motives. I let the emperor think I was simply jealous of Zhao Yuexi.”

Public opinion was a minor concern; safeguarding her family was the priority.

And kicking Prince Ying was immensely satisfying! Jiang Ruohua smiled at the memory.

The more she thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed. Prince Ying, despite his excellent record, treated his concubine better than his wife. Didn’t she deserve respect as his legitimate wife?

She should have kicked him more! If not for the concern of causing a bigger scene, she would have made sure he stayed in bed for days!

Playing the fool, she complained to the Empress Dowager, subtly mentioning the Jiang family’s situation.

The Empress Dowager, understanding the emperor’s intentions, realized her father had no plans to remarry, and thus the army would return to the emperor after his generation.

“That’s the spirit of a Jiang daughter,” the Empress Dowager had said, recognizing Jiang Ruohua’s intent. Annoyed yet slightly approving, she hadn’t expected to be used by her in this way.

“Your Highness, I’m ignorant and clumsy, unfit to be with the prince. I fear making mistakes and implicating my family. Please protect us.”

Jiang Ruohua knelt in the Empress Dowager’s palace for a long time before she was finally sent out. The Empress Dowager didn’t refuse her request, which meant she agreed.

As long as the Jiang family had no heirs, the army would return to the emperor after her father’s generation. The Empress Dowager, though displeased with Jiang Ruohua’s manipulation, prioritized the bigger picture. Jiang Ruohua would commit a minor offense to be punished by the emperor, giving her an excuse to request the dissolution of the engagement.

With the Empress Dowager’s support and the emperor’s concerns eased, the engagement was easily annulled.

“Miss, you’re amazing!” Hua Chan praised her.

“Enough flattery,” Jiang Ruohua laughed. “You know we still have to deal with the Third Lady when we get back, right?”

She trusted only Hua Chan and Ying Qiu, her two childhood maids. Their contracts were in her hands, but she needed more support to confront the Third Lady.

Seeing Hua Chan silent, Jiang Ruohua continued, “Prepare some things when we return. While the Third Lady is still out, we’ll visit Grandfather.”

But just as they reached the gate, their carriage was stopped.

“What’s going on?” Hua Chan lifted the curtain to ask, then stammered, “M-Miss.”

Jiang Ruohua peeked out and then laughed. Before the person outside could speak, she bluntly said, “I wondered who dared to stop the Duke’s carriage. It’s Prince Ying.”

“Why aren’t you cheering up Miss Zhao and instead coming here? Are you haunting me like a restless ghost?”

She owed Prince Ying nothing. Their engagement was over, and he should be with Zhao Yuexi, not bothering her.

Since he hadn’t come with a betrothal gift, the Duke’s Mansion had nothing to return.

Prince Ying only glared at her. Jiang Ruohua didn’t care to understand why. Their engagement was over; they should stay away from each other to avoid bad luck.

“Woman, you can’t annul our engagement!” Prince Ying demanded. Why did he think he could act so arrogantly?

“It’s annulled. What, does Prince Ying think the emperor’s decree is a joke?” Jiang Ruohua asked, bewildered. Why embarrass himself here?

A prince, sharp in court affairs, but so shameless in personal matters?

Jiang Ruohua felt annoyed. A chaotic household affected one’s reputation. Prince Ying’s public display with Zhao Yuexi was bad enough. Now, pestering her post-annulment only made things worse.

Was he trying to drag her down too? If he wanted her support, was this the way to do it?

“Please, Prince Ying, don’t entangle with me. Our engagement is over. I’m not some dog you can order around. Do you expect me to violate the emperor’s decree for you?” Her tone was unapologetically sharp. “Besides, I never go back on my word.”

It was laughable. He couldn’t defy his father, the emperor. Pleading with her only made him a joke, and she wouldn’t entertain it.

Jiang Ruohua had her pride!