The Old Madam sneered, “Just a liangdi in the Eastern Palace? In the past, our family would never have settled for that.”
But the Jiang family was no longer what it used to be.
Even a low-ranking liangdi was now hard to give up.
Seeing her mother-in-law reluctant to agree, the First Madam became anxious. “Mother, is there an even better option? If there were, would I let Sujie suffer like this? She’s my own daughter.”
The Old Madam looked at her daughter-in-law. Now that the son-in-law had lost his title and the Marquis Household was no longer reliable, she was using her daughter as a bargaining chip for a better future.
“Let me think about it,” said the Old Madam, waving her hand. “You may go now.”
The Eldest Madam, furious, turned and stormed off, only to detour midway to her daughter’s courtyard.
Jiang Sujie was reading. When she heard from the maid that her mother had come, she walked out to greet her. “Mother, how did it go? Did Grandmother agree?”
“She cares for you. She said she’ll think it over.”
That sounded like a rejection.
Jiang Sujie helped her mother sit down, her beautiful face furrowing slightly. “Is there really a better option than the Eastern Palace? If our Jiang family hadn’t fallen, I could have even aimed for the crown princess title, let alone a side consort. But things aren’t what they used to be. I’m already willing to lower myself—why won’t Grandmother consider my future?”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Of course,” Jiang Sujie said firmly.
“But the crown princess isn’t someone to underestimate. You mustn’t take her lightly.”
“Bai Shixi?” Jiang Sujie sneered. “If she hadn’t gotten lucky and been chosen by the Empress for her family background, and if Bai Zhiwei hadn’t already been betrothed to Gao Zhan, would it have been her turn to be crown princess?”
That may be true, but the Eldest Madam still warned her, “Don’t look down on her. She even fought fiercely with her own sister back at home. Since her marriage, how many times has she returned to her family? It shows she’s decisive and cold-hearted.”
“Mother, now that Bai Shixi is the crown princess, she needs the support of her maiden family. Even if she wants to go home, she’d be afraid to do so too often in case others gossip,” Jiang Sujie replied dismissively.
The Eldest Madam looked at her daughter. “Tell me honestly—have you done anything improper with the crown prince?”
“Mother!” Jiang Sujie blushed. “I was taught properly and know right from wrong. How could I do such things?”
“I only ask for your own good. If you don’t respect yourself, even if you enter the Eastern Palace, others will look down on you. Look at Bai Zhiwei—even after marrying into Duke Gao’s family, she still suffers because of her damaged reputation before marriage.”
“That’s because Duchess Gao family was greedy for someone else’s dowry! If it were me, would you be okay with that?” Jiang Sujie replied. “If you ask me, it’s Gao Zhan’s fault—he can’t stand up to his mother or keep his wife happy. He’s always doing things for the crown prince, yet has nothing to show for it.”
What a loser!
The Eldest Madam finally understood—her daughter was determined to enter the Eastern Palace. She sighed, “The position of liangdi is truly too low. If it were a side consort, your grandmother would agree.”
Jiang Sujie was nearly in tears. “If my father or uncle still held positions in court, I could’ve asked for that status myself!”
The Eldest Madam, hearing her daughter criticize her husband, couldn’t help but scold, “How can you talk about your father like that? If Duan Mingxi hadn’t relentlessly pursued your third uncle’s scandal, your father would still have his post.”
“All right, Mother, I know it’s not Father’s fault. That Duan Mingxi is just a Wangfei. One day… do you really think the crown prince would let me suffer? Just wait—when the time comes, you’ll see Duan Mingxi bowing to me in respect!”
One day, she would reclaim her dignity.
A few days passed before Duan Huirou heard about Jiang Sujie entering the Eastern Palace as a liangdi. She was utterly shocked, almost unable to believe her ears.
“The news is true?” Duan Huirou grabbed her maid, Yaoying, and asked.
Yaoying quickly nodded. “Miss, you know I’m very close with Chunlan from Cousin’s courtyard. I heard it from her—it can’t be false.”
Duan Huirou collapsed back onto the couch. “Why would she do that?”
Yaoying softly replied, “Miss, isn’t this a good thing? If Cousin can enter the Eastern Palace, she might have a bright future ahead.”
Duan Huirou let out a bitter laugh. How could this possibly be a good thing?
“Go to the front and see if Third Young Master has returned. If he has, ask him to come here.” She spoke without much spirit.
Seeing her like this, Yaoying didn’t dare ask more and curtsied before leaving.
It was almost dark when Duan Qi returned to the residence. Because of the recent issue with Qiao Wan, even though their parents had moved out, the other side continued to stir up trouble, and he and his elder brother were constantly running around to deal with it.
Just as he entered the estate, Yaoying stopped him. Second Sister was looking for him?
Duan Qi made his way to Duan Huirou’s place.
When Duan Huirou saw Duan Qi, she quickly stood up. Seeing his weary expression, she pressed her lips together and still asked, “Are things still chaotic over there?”
She had wanted to visit her mother, but both her elder and younger brothers had forbidden it. Her mother had also said not to come for now, so all she could do was stay in the residence and worry in silence.
“Don’t worry about her. What more can she stir up?” Duan Qi looked at her. “Second Sister, you called me for something?”
Duan Huirou nodded slightly. Looking at her brother, she asked, “Have you been to the Jiang residence recently?”
Duan Qi shook his head. “Things at home have been non-stop, and my studies are intense, so I haven’t gone recently.”
Actually, it was because the last time he visited, things didn’t go well. His uncle and aunt had scolded him for being heartless, and even his grandmother was deeply disappointed in him. But he believed it was the Jiang family’s fault—they simply didn’t get along.
Thinking of this, Duan Qi looked at his sister. “Why? Did the Jiang family send you another message? Didn’t I tell you not to go to the Jiang house for now?”
“I haven’t gone,” Duan Huirou quickly replied. “I don’t listen to others, but I do listen to you.”
Duan Qi’s expression softened a little. His second sister was gullible and lacked judgment. The Jiang family could manipulate her like a child. If it hadn’t been for their meddling, her relationship with her eldest sister wouldn’t have become so strained.
“So, since you brought up the Jiang family, something must have happened?”
Duan Huirou nodded. “Yaoying heard from Chunlan that Cousin is going to become a liangdi in the Eastern Palace.”
“What?” Duan Qi could hardly keep his voice down. “Is that true?”
“It should be. Chunlan is close with Yaoying. She wouldn’t lie about something this big.”
Duan Qi’s expression darkened and changed several times. In the end, he couldn’t help but say angrily, “Well done.”
“You’re angry too, right? I’m angry. Cousin could’ve married properly as a main wife, but she insists on becoming a liangdi in the Eastern Palace. It’s foolish.”
Hearing his sister’s words, Duan Qi didn’t know what to say for a moment.
Duan Huirou had been tricked by Jiang Sujie more than once, yet she was still worried about her future.
But the issue wasn’t as simple as that.
“Second Sister, have you thought about how the Crown Prince views Duan Wang after his recent achievements? The relationship between the Eastern Palace and Duan Wang’s residence likely isn’t harmonious. So why, at this moment, would the Eastern Palace choose Cousin as a liangdi?”
