Jiang shi sat on the chair and swept her gaze over Jiang Xiu Yi. Jiang Xiu Yi did not dare to meet Jiang shi’s eyes, lowering her gaze.
“Xiu Yi…” Jiang shi began.
Jiang Xiu Yi said, “Aunt.”
“Xiu Yi, since the Duke of Ning’s estate has agreed to make you Jiang Ming’s honored concubine, they will not go back on their word, nor will they act contrary to their promises due to the Jiang family’s decline. Therefore, you do not need to employ any further stratagems. Doing so will only drive Jiang Ming further away from you, do you understand?” Jiang shi said.
She did not expect Jiang Xiu Yi to understand these words, only hoping she would retreat.
Jiang Xiu Yi clenched her fists within her sleeves. If not for the Jiang family’s downfall, how could she have ended up in this state? However, she knew that she could only rely on herself now. If she offended Jiang shi further, she would truly have no backing in the Duke of Ning’s estate.
Moreover, Meng Jiang Ming’s favor was only temporary, not something that would last a lifetime. Therefore, she had to find a better way to remain in the Duke of Ning’s estate permanently.
Seeing Jiang Xiu Yi remain silent, Jiang shi asked sternly again, “Xiu Yi, do you understand?”
“Aunt, Xiu Yi understands. Xiu Yi apologizes to Aunt for her recent recklessness. Xiu Yi will go and apologize to Princess Xing Yue shortly,” Jiang Xiu Yi said.
Jiang shi sighed upon hearing this and said, “Aunt knows that you will find this difficult to adapt to now, but you must understand that with the Jiang family’s fall, if Princess Xing Yue does not agree, then your entry into the Duke of Ning’s estate will also become difficult.”
“Yes, Aunt. Xiu Yi understands.” Wasn’t it just to curry favor with Princess Xing Yue? Wasn’t it because the Jiang family had fallen and could no longer provide benefits to the Duke of Ning’s estate?
A hint of gloom flickered in Jiang Xiu Yi’s eyes. In essence, it was merely because the Jiang family was no longer useful.
It was the act of stepping on those who had fallen to elevate oneself.
“Mother,” Meng Jiang Ming’s voice came from outside the door. Jiang Xiu Yi was slightly startled.
Jiang shi glanced at Jiang Xiu Yi and said, “Xiu Yi, go into the inner chamber.”
Jiang Xiu Yi had no choice but to turn and go into the inner chamber.
When Meng Jiang Ming entered, he saw the faint hem of a skirt and couldn’t help but ask, “Mother, is someone here?”
“It’s your cousin. She’s feeling unwell, so I asked her to rest in the inner chamber,” Jiang shi said.
Meng Jiang Ming heard this and said, “Cousin is unwell? Is it serious?”
Jiang shi looked at Meng Jiang Ming, her gaze turning cold, and said, “Jiang Ming, you’ve come to ask about your cousin?”
Seeing Jiang shi’s cold gaze, Meng Jiang Ming quickly said, “No, but if cousin…”
“Jiang Ming, you are almost of age for your capping ceremony. If you still cannot distinguish between primary and secondary matters like this, then your position as consort is also nearing its end,” Jiang shi said coldly.
Meng Jiang Ming froze. This was the first time his mother had been so distant towards him. He quickly bowed and said, “Mother is right. Jiang Ming was inconsiderate.”
“What did you come to ask Mother about?” Jiang shi’s expression softened slightly as she asked.
Meng Jiang Ming said, “Son wants to ask Mother if, during your time interacting with Princess Xing Yue, you learned of her preferences?”
Preferences? Jiang shi recalled for a moment and shook her head, saying, “Mother likely cannot answer that for you, because Mother also doesn’t know.”
Meng Jiang Ming was somewhat disappointed but still said, “Mother, then you should rest well. Son will visit another day.”
Jiang shi nodded, “Go ahead!”
In truth, during the time spent with Princess Xing Yue, there were not many opportunities to truly understand her. After all, due to the child in her womb, she had neglected opportunities to interact with Princess Xing Yue.
The child was lost, and she was heartbroken.
The child? Would Princess Xing Yue mention it to Meng Jiang Ming?
Thinking of this, Jiang shi felt a chill behind her. After all, Princess Xing Yue knew of the experiences she had gone through. Would Princess Xing Yue tell Meng Jiang Ming? If Jiang Ming knew everything, where would she put her face?
No, no, Princess Xing Yue had promised her she wouldn’t say anything. Besides, what benefit would it bring her to speak of it? Having a mother-in-law with a scandal would also cause her to lose face.
Upon thinking this, Jiang shi quieted down.
In essence, only the dead could keep secrets.
Jiang shi trembled slightly. What was she thinking?
Jiang Xiu Yi, in the inner chamber, heard the conversation between Jiang shi and Meng Jiang Ming, her heart filled with resentment. What about her? What did they take her, Jiang Xiu Yi, as?
It seemed she had to forge her own path. Relying on others would ultimately come to naught.
Jiang Xiu Yi clenched her fists. She was determined to carve out her own path and eliminate any stumbling blocks.
“Your Highness, the consort requests an audience,” Feng Wu said to Xue Xing Yue.
“I will not see him,” Xue Xing Yue said instinctively. Then, as if remembering something, she added, “Let him in!” After all, he was the consort. To refuse him entry at this moment, what would others think?
Meng Jiang Ming was somewhat surprised that Princess Xing Yue would allow him in. After all, since their wedding day, he had not been able to enter Princess Xing Yue’s chambers. Did this count as a good beginning?
Upon entering the room, he immediately saw Princess Xing Yue sitting there, noble and radiant. Her clear gaze, when it fell upon him, flowed into his heart like a clear spring.
“Your subject pays his respects to the Princess,” Meng Jiang Ming said, bowing slightly.
Xue Xing Yue looked up at Meng Jiang Ming and said, “Consort, there is no need for formality. Please sit.”
Meng Jiang Ming was flattered. “Many thanks, Princess.” He sat down.
“Does the consort have something to say?” Xue Xing Yue looked at Meng Jiang Ming with a faint gaze.
Meng Jiang Ming was slightly taken aback and said, “No… nothing. I just wanted to come and see the Princess.”
“Consort…”
Before Xue Xing Yue could finish speaking, Feng Wu walked in. After paying her respects to Xue Xing Yue, she said to Meng Jiang Ming, “Consort, your servant has an urgent matter to report.”
Meng Jiang Ming heard this and felt a sense of dissatisfaction with Wu Yi. After finally getting an opportunity to speak with Princess Xing Yue, what was he doing?
“Consort, this is not good,” Wu Yi shouted from outside.
Seeing this, Meng Jiang Ming quickly said, “Princess, I will go and see.”
Xue Xing Yue nodded.
Meng Jiang Ming hurried out and saw Wu Yi stretching his neck outside. He kicked him, “Wu Yi, what are you shouting so loudly about at Princess Xing Yue’s place? Are you tired of living?”
Wu Yi, with tears threatening to fall, said, “Consort, it’s not that this servant wanted to disturb you, but Miss Jiang is ill.”
“Cousin is ill?” He suddenly remembered that at his mother’s place earlier, Jiang shi had also mentioned that his cousin was unwell.
Meng Jiang Ming heard this and said, “If she’s unwell, she should find a doctor. Why is she looking for me? I’m not a doctor.”
“But…”
“But what? Aren’t you going to find a doctor? Do you want me to go myself?” Meng Jiang Ming was enraged.
Wu Yi said, “This servant will go now.”
“Wait,” Meng Jiang Ming called out to Wu Yi.
Wu Yi stopped and asked, “Consort, do you have any other instructions?”
“From now on, don’t bother me with such matters. I am the consort, not Miss Jiang’s exclusive husband. I need to distinguish between primary and secondary matters, and you should let Miss Jiang distinguish them as well,” Meng Jiang Ming said.