Chapter 157: Unwilling
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Comparing herself to Yuwen Chu in depth and seriousness? How could she be his match? It’s better to act coquettish and silly, pretend not to understand his signals. It would also help her test his bottom line and make things easier for herself.
At least today she accomplished two things—she drove away Xuancao, asserting her authority as the mistress of this mansion, and by pretending to be foolish and crazy, she made it clear to Yuwen Chu that she didn’t want Jiang Shanshan to enter. Someone as virtuous as Jiang Shanshan couldn’t do such direct things, couldn’t say such unreasonable things, and it would take much thought to achieve her goals. People who cry, laugh, and make a fuss about everything, who would guard against her? They’d be comfortable and not suffocated. Besides, she instinctively felt that if she directly expressed her unhappiness, Yuwen Chu seemed to accept it more easily.
“I am truly tired, truly exhausted.” Mingzhu sighed, rolled over, and soon fell into a deep sleep.
Is this what exhaustion looks like? Clearly, she lived as she pleased—frowning when unhappy, smiling when happy, eating and sleeping whenever she wanted. What more could she ask for? Su Lan and Su Jin exchanged glances and withdrew to attend to their duties.
Outside the window, the rain poured down, and the autumn chill permeated through the heavy curtains of Changxin Palace. The Great Empress Dowager held a cup of hot tea, looked down at Jiang Shanshan kneeling before her, and said calmly, “You were wronged before. Now, I want to compensate you by allowing you to become the concubine of Ying Wang. Are you willing?”
How could there be such an easy thing? Even if there were, it wouldn’t come so quickly; even if there were, she shouldn’t be the one to ask for it. It should be orchestrated by Empress Dowager Min and Imperial Consort Min under her command, and she would have to accept it. Otherwise, openly coveting someone else’s food was asking for trouble. Jiang Shanshan knelt before the Great Empress Dowager without daring to take a deep breath.
She heard her own weak and trembling voice, “Your Majesty, the servant girl is unwilling.” It wasn’t a pretense, but truly unable to bear it. After leaving Imperial Consort Min’s place, she was summoned here by the Great Empress Dowager and had been kneeling on the ground for so long without even a thin cushion. Now her legs were numb and tingling. This was the Great Empress Dowager’s subtle pressure and warning. She wasn’t stupid; this time it was kneeling, next time it might be something else.
The Great Empress Dowager looked at the woman in front of her expressionlessly. She was beautiful and graceful, from a noble family, tactful and clever. Regardless of appearance, if we only consider reputation and intelligence, she far surpassed Mingzhu. But in her eyes, Jiang Shanshan could never be as important as Mingzhu because she wasn’t her niece and didn’t grow up by her side.
“Why? Did you not refuse to become the Wangfei of Anyang Wang because you still harbor feelings for Ying Wang?” The Great Empress Dowager sipped her tea, showing no mercy. “I don’t like those who say one thing but mean another. I’ve already heard about the bracelet incident. Let me tell you, your tricks are completely useless in front of me!”
Fighting wit with such a person was burning one’s life, but Jiang Shanshan liked the feeling of dancing on the edge of a knife, and she especially liked the thrill after defeating such a powerful figure. She trembled and said, “Your Majesty, the servant girl dares not. Every word I’ve said is from the bottom of my heart. Today’s incident was completely accidental.”
“I was young once too, and I’ve played too many of your little tricks,” the Great Empress Dowager chuckled, getting up and walking to her, pinching her chin and lifting it sharply, her sharp nails deeply digging into her cheeks. She stared into her eyes and said sternly, “You’ve lost a good marriage opportunity. I’ll compensate you with another good marriage. Why did you refuse?”
Jiang Shanshan gasped in pain and said, “If the servant girl truly forgot Ying Wang, even if Your Majesty doesn’t believe it, the servant girl can’t deceive herself. After all… after all…” She choked for a moment and trembled as she said, “After so many years of engagement, it suddenly ended. It would be painful for anyone. The servant girl couldn’t let go either.”
Only then did the Great Empress Dowager show some interest. “So you refused Anyang Wang, and then listened to Empress Dowager of Zhaoyang Palace to enter the palace to meet Imperial Consort Min?”
“No, Your Majesty!” Jiang Shanshan bowed her head forcefully, feeling like her head was going to explode, and said in a low voice, “Your Majesty, the servant girl refused Anyang Wang indeed out of selfishness, but not for that reason. Just think, if the servant girl really agreed to Anyang Wang, how would Anyang Wang and Ying Wang deal with each other in the future? If Anyang Wang loves the servant girl, he will inevitably be a ruckus for this servant girl. If he doesn’t love this servant girl, he will develop a hatred, which will lead to a rift between him and Ying Wang. Even the people who arranged this marriage in the first place would probably hold a grudge. At that time, wouldn’t it be the servant girl’s fault? The reason I don’t want to be a concubine is because the servant girl also has her own pride.”
Anyway, Anyang Wang had earned the Great Empress Dowager’s displeasure for colluding with the females around her last time, so she didn’t mind using him as a stepping stone. After passionately delivering this speech, Jiang Shanshan lowered her voice and said, “As for Empress Dowager Min… she is the Royal Mother of the current emperor. Even if Empress Dowager Min wants the servant girl dead, the servant girl can only die.”
The Great Empress Dowager pondered for a moment and said, “You make a good point. I didn’t think it through before. Since Anyang Wang isn’t suitable, let me find another good marriage for you. The newly crowned top scholar would be a good match for you, matching your talents and looks perfectly.”
What right do you have to meddle in my affairs? Jiang Shanshan wanted to jump up and curse the Great Empress Dowager, even twist her neck. But who was she? She was Jiang Shanshan. How many storms had she weathered? No one could stop her. One day, she would trample all these people underfoot. Jiang Shanshan humbly bowed on the ground and said loudly, “I will obey Your Majesty’s arrangements.”
Seeing her agree so readily, the Great Empress Dowager was somewhat surprised. After a moment of silence, she gently placed the teacup on the table, indicating that the audience was over.
Jiang Shanshan limped out.
Mu Gugu sighed, “I didn’t expect her to agree to the marriage so easily.”
The Great Empress Dowager dismissed it, “We’ll only know if it’s true when it comes to the end. Zhaoyang Palace is watching closely. It’s not that easy. Is there any movement from Imperial Consort Min?”
“None,” Mu Gugu replied.
The Great Empress Dowager said indifferently, “She’s even quieter than before. It’s normal. When I and her became sisters, it was because we were forced together by the despicable person surnamed Zhou. We were almost unable to survive. For self-preservation and plotting against enemies, we came together. When my son was alive, she had to rely on me, so she had to comply. Now, the young emperor is like a mess, Min and I are at odds, and her son has grown up and become capable. He gradually gained the support of the imperial family’s nobility, married my niece, and won the favor and support of the Prime Minister. She naturally won’t treat me the same way as before.”
Mu Gugu dared not speak, lowering her eyes. The Great Empress Dowager also fell silent, and the two of them remained wordless for a long time. Suddenly, the sound of reading came from behind the hall, and the Great Empress Dowager smiled, “Let Fu Er come over. I want to test him.” Perhaps, her hopes would rest on this child in the future. There was only one throne, and it was much safer for a legitimate grandson to sit on it than a b*stard.
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