Jiang Sujie wasn’t as delicately charming as Duan Huirou, nor as strikingly beautiful as Mingxi, but her features were well-proportioned, and her bone structure refined—she was an elegant young lady.
Now, however, a faint palm print marred her left cheek. Even though she had tried to cover it with powder, the mark was still visible, a testament to the force behind the slap.
Jiang Sujie was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Jiang family’s main branch and had always been cherished by the elders in the household. Who would dare strike her?
“It’s nothing. My mother slapped me,” Jiang Sujie said with a helpless yet aggrieved smile. “Otherwise, why would I ask you out for tea?”
“Why did Aunt hit you?” Duan Huirou had been beaten before—always because of Duan Mingxi—so she knew firsthand how unpleasant it was.
Jiang Sujie lowered her gaze slightly. “Have you heard about Yu Wang and He Wanyi?”
Duan Huirou curled her lips. “I just found out. I never expected He Wanyi to fall so low and do something like that.”
Jiang Sujie looked at Duan Huirou. “You think so too?”
“What do you mean ‘too’? Cousin, do you think the same?” Duan Huirou asked.
Jiang Sujie gave a slight nod. “What He Wanyi did was truly inappropriate.”
“Inappropriate? It was downright disgraceful and shameless,” Duan Huirou scoffed. She had once thought about marrying into the royal family, but she would never resort to such underhanded means. “Even if she does enter Yu Wang’s residence, she’ll never be able to hold her head high again.”
A proper young lady, caught in bed with a man—rumor had it that many people witnessed it. Just imagining it made Duan Huirou cringe with embarrassment on her behalf.
Jiang Sujie’s grip on her handkerchief tightened slightly as she looked at Duan Huirou. “There’s something you don’t know. Before this, Consort Xian had considered selecting a side consort for Yu Wang and even spoke to my mother about it.”
“What?” Duan Huirou was stunned. “Cousin, were you planning to become Yu Wang’s side consort? How could that be? You are the legitimate eldest daughter of the Jiang family! How could you settle for being a side consort?”
For young ladies of their status, becoming a concubine—even a side consort—was unacceptable.
She had always dreamed of becoming a Wangfei, never a mere side consort!
Jiang Sujie felt irritated. Of course, she knew she was from the Jiang family. But with their declining reputation—thanks to Duan Mingxi—it was no longer so easy to marry into a prestigious family.
Does she not want to be the main wife in a prestigious family?
But she couldn’t speak freely in front of Duan Huirou, so she sighed lightly and spoke with helplessness, “Huirou, this is all from before. You know, ever since the matter with my Third
Uncle and Mingxi became known, the Jiang family has been in an awkward position in the capital.”
When Duan Huirou heard Jiang Sujie mention Duan Mingxi, it felt like a chicken with its neck caught.
Who hasn’t suffered at Duan Mingxi’s hands?
She felt a pang of sympathy.
Duan Huirou’s face darkened. After being beaten down by Duan Mingxi so many times, she didn’t even dare to speak ill of her behind her back anymore.
After being lectured by Duan Qi, Duan Huirou knew that, even if unwilling, she too was like a grasshopper on a string controlled by Duan Mingxi.
if she was well, Duan Mingxi might not be, but if Duan Mingxi wasn’t, she would surely be unlucky too.
After all the blows Duan Huirou had taken, her mindset had calmed down. She now tried to advise Jiang Sujie, “We can’t win against Duan Mingxi. Cousin, just stay away from her. Besides, she’s going to be Duan Wangfei in the future. it’s no good provoking her.”
Jiang Sujie: …
This wasn’t the Duan Huirou she knew.
“Huirou, what’s going on with you? Why are you speaking up for her?” Jiang Sujie asked cautiously.
Duan Huirou forced a bitter smile. “Cousin, what else can I do? Everyone in the family favors her. I’ve suffered so much at her hands. What’s wrong with admitting defeat?”
She had no choice but to admit defeat. The whole family was watching her. if she did anything against Duan Mingxi, they’d break her legs.
“Admit defeat?” Jiang Sujie was shocked. Was this the same Duan Huirou she knew? The one who couldn’t stand any grievances?
“What else can I do?” Duan Huirou looked at Jiang Sujie. “Cousin, do you want to help me teach her a lesson?”
At these words, Duan Huirou’s eyes lit up.
Jiang Sujie: …
Hadn’t the Jiang family suffered enough at Duan Mingxi’s hands?
“After all, it’s a matter of the Marquis family. How can I interfere?” Jiang Sujie sighed. “You really have suffered.”
Duan Huirou was used to it. it used to be a real grievance, but now it didn’t feel like much anymore.
As long as she didn’t provoke Duan Mingxi, Duan Mingxi would never notice her or make things difficult for her.
Let it be.
With this thought, Duan Huirou remembered the matter from before and looked up at Jiang Sujie. “Cousin, you mentioned the side consort before. Did He Wanyi take your place?”
Jiang Sujie lowered her eyes slightly. “It’s not exactly like that. After all, the Consort hasn’t made it clear yet.”
Hearing Jiang Sujie’s words laced with a hint of grievance, Duan Huirou spoke up, “But Consort Xiam has already spoken to Aunt, so it seems like there’s an unspoken understanding?”
Jiang Sujie looked troubled and said nothing.
Duan Huirou was so angry she almost jumped up. “Then what should we do now?”
Jiang Sujie’s grievance deepened. “My mother thinks there can be two side consorts and wants me to follow the family’s arrangement.”
“What?” Duan Huirou was shocked. “She wants you to be beneath He Wanyi?”
Even as a side consort, there were distinctions between those who entered the household first and those who came later.
“I didn’t want to, so I got slapped,” Jiang Sujie said, tears welling up in her eyes.
“If it were me, I wouldn’t agree either!” Duan Huirou said angrily. “Cousin, what are we going to do? Are you really going?”
Jiang Sujie sighed lightly. “What else can I do? I have to listen to the family.” She looked at Duan Huirou. “Huirou, I don’t want to be beneath He Wanyi. I’ve been disgusted by her once already. Do I have to live with that for the rest of my life? Can you help me?”
Duan Huirou frowned. “But how can I help you? What can I do?”
“I certainly don’t want to put you in a difficult position. Can you at least talk to Aunt? She’s an elder; maybe she can find a way,” Jiang Sujie choked up. “If there’s really no other way, I wouldn’t want to burden you.”
Duan Huirou immediately said, “Cousin, don’t worry, I’ll talk to my mother. Let’s see if we can think of something.”
Duan Huirou had originally planned to say “no problem,” but then remembered that her mother didn’t have much authority anymore. Not wanting to disappoint her cousin, she left her words unfinished.
Jiang Sujie’s eyes brightened, and she said gratefully, “With your words, I feel at ease. Thank you, Huirou.”
Duan Huirou smiled awkwardly. “I’m just passing along the message; I haven’t really helped. But cousin, Yu Wang already has a main consort and a side consort. if you go, life might not be easy. You should think carefully.”
“I don’t want to be beneath anyone either, but what else can I do?”
Duan Huirou froze. Yes, if there were a way, who would want to be lower than others?
She would definitely speak to her mother and help her cousin out.
