Chapter 7

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As soon as they entered the courtyard, the two personal maids exchanged tasks. Hua Chan quickly took the young maid to fetch the doctor, while Yin Qiu watched her hurrying off and commented, “Why is Hua Chan in such a rush? I haven’t seen her this anxious in a long time.”

“Sometimes things need to be done promptly,” Jiang Ruohua replied as Yin Qiu helped her back into the room and seated her at the desk in the inner chamber. Yin Qiu dismissed the other young maids and then whispered, “Miss, the matter you asked me to investigate has been mostly clarified.”

“Good,” Jiang Ruohua said calmly. Her plan was proceeding step by step. “Today isn’t convenient. The Third Lady is due back today. Find a time tomorrow or the day after to ask further.”

Yin Qiu nodded.

Unlike Hua Chan, who was sold into the household, Yin Qiu was born into the Duke’s Mansion. Her entire family served the Jiang family. After Jiang Ruohua awoke from her vivid dream, she began strategizing. The Third Lady controlled everything in the household, and Jiang Ruohua only had the ownership papers of her two personal maids. She needed to understand who was in charge throughout the mansion and their connections with the Third Lady.

Yin Qiu’s father was a steward, chosen by her grandfather. Having trustworthy people gather information was essential.

For now, she wouldn’t rush into action. She had just annulled her engagement, and any hasty moves would only alert the Third Lady that she was aware of the schemes. There was still the task of copying scriptures, which she could use to plan her next steps.

Looking at the half-copied scriptures on the desk, Jiang Ruohua pondered, then pressed her brush heavily on the paper, leaving a large blot of ink.

“Miss!” Yin Qiu exclaimed softly.

“Enough!” Jiang Ruohua said, bringing a finger to her lips. She tore the half-written scripture into pieces and threw them on the floor. She had always suppressed her strong temper, a trait the Third Lady knew well. Previously, when she showed hints of her temper, the Third Lady would use the engagement to control her.

But that leverage was gone now.

She didn’t need to restrain her temper anymore. A bit of defiance wouldn’t hurt.

In her dream, the Third Lady returned today with her daughter, Jiang Ruoting. In that dream, she had also lost her temper. The young lady from the Mingbo Mansion hosted a poetry and tea party, inviting noblewomen of the capital. Zhao Yuexi had been sent by Prince Ying to attend, making a spectacle of herself.

Unmarried couples, or even engaged ones, didn’t appear together publicly. With the official fiancée presiding over the tea garden, how many must have mocked her behind her back? Remembering the Third Lady’s words in public and losing face because Prince Ying disrespected her by sending someone else to the poetry meeting had made her furious.

She had vented her anger on Prince Ying multiple times in her dream. Doing it a few more times wouldn’t matter.

Yin Qiu watched as Jiang Ruohua tore up the scripture and calmly started copying again. Feeling indignant, Yin Qiu couldn’t help but murmur, “It’s such a grievance for you, Miss. Prince Ying has gone too far. You are the rightful fiancée decreed by the emperor, yet he parades around with that girl from a fallen family, never considering your feelings.”

“That Zhao girl is shameless. Despite her humble background, she’s a legitimate official’s daughter. How could she throw herself at a man like this? It’s disgraceful!”

“Don’t mention him anymore!” Jiang Ruohua raised her voice and then quietly resumed copying. After a while, she added in a low voice, “It doesn’t matter to me anymore what they do. Zhao Yuexi… I hope she can hold onto her bit of affection.”

In the royal family, true love was rare. Royal princes’ primary wives and even concubines were usually daughters of officials, with political alliances and family honor taking precedence over personal feelings. The idea of genuine love was far-fetched.

Her brush continued moving, and Jiang Ruohua thought of her dream. Whether it was herself or Zhao Yuexi, who wasn’t pitiable?

She had once despised Zhao Yuexi’s degrading behavior, but considering Zhao Yuexi’s situation, what choice did she have?

Her parents and relatives were dead, nearly branded as a bringer of bad luck. Alone, she sought refuge with distant relatives who barely acknowledged her. If not for a chance encounter with Prince Ying, she might have faced a shut door.

Her uncle’s family wouldn’t have taken care of her. They saw her connection to Prince Ying and eagerly pushed her towards him, hoping to curry favor. A girl’s ruined reputation meant little to them.

As her fiancé and Zhao Yuexi’s object of admiration, why didn’t Prince Ying resolve the situation? He could have requested an imperial decree to make Zhao Yuexi a secondary wife, but he didn’t. In the end, both she and Zhao Yuexi suffered because of Prince Ying’s actions.

It was truly unfair.

Such a man should be avoided at all costs, as any relationship with him was doomed.

However, Zhao Yuexi’s plight was beyond her concern. Despite her pity, Zhao Yuexi’s actions weren’t blameless. She fought for a place by Prince Ying’s side, driven by love, and wouldn’t stop at anything.

…

“Hua’er, I heard about your annulled engagement with Prince Ying on the way back. What happened?” The Third Lady’s voice broke her thoughts.

Jiang Ruohua looked up, her expression hardening as she continued writing. When the Third Lady entered, she slammed her brush down. “It’s annulled!”

“Why suddenly annul the engagement?” The Third Lady hurriedly approached, pulling Jiang Ruohua into a comforting embrace, her face showing concern. “It’s my fault for taking your sister to the estate to check the harvest at this time. What happened? Did you say something wrong to Prince Ying?”

Jiang Ruohua’s eyes lowered. This was the kind-hearted Third Lady of the Duke’s Mansion…

“Aunt, I’ve had enough!” She grabbed the Third Lady’s clothes, her teeth clenched in frustration. “That wretched Zhao Yuexi seduced Prince Ying! He wants her as his princess! What am I then? She’s already flaunting herself before entering the prince’s mansion! Prince Ying’s heart isn’t with me at all. Wouldn’t I be demoted to a concubine if I married him? I can’t stand that wretch lording over me!”