Yang Yiniang knew very well that her most important task now was to keep an eye on Madam Jiang and not let her cause trouble for Duan Wangfei.
Thus, she had learned exactly how to shift Madam Jiang’s attention at the right time.
Those women around the Old Master had all been sent by her. She knew his tastes best, knew exactly what kind of beauties he preferred.
As long as the Old Master and Madam Jiang weren’t united, Madam Jiang wouldn’t turn all her anger onto her. If Madam Jiang and the Old Master were ever on good terms again, then life would become very difficult for her.
Yang Yiniang lightly tugged at her handkerchief, then lifted her head again, deliberately putting on a look of helpless sadness — exactly the kind of scene Madam Jiang liked to see.
Life was tedious, stressful, and full of careful maneuvering.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Palace.
Jiang Sujie sat by the window, her complexion pale with anger. She gently caressed her belly, her expression shifting between anger and anxiety.
“Has His Highness returned today?” Jiang Sujie asked the palace maid beside her.
“Replying to Liangdi, His Highness is currently accompanying the Crown Princess to admire the flowers,” the maid answered with her head slightly bowed.
“Admiring flowers?” Jiang Sujie sneered inwardly. She had always known the Crown Prince didn’t bring her into the Eastern Palace purely out of affection — she was here to deal with Duan Mingxi.
But after several failed attempts, had the Crown Prince now grown disappointed in her?
Since entering the Eastern Palace, she had never seen the Crown Prince accompany the Crown Princess to admire flowers. Instead, he had often taken her — Jiang Sujie — to drink tea, view flowers, stroll through the gardens, and even play chess under the moon.
She had believed the Crown Prince had at least some affection for her. How laughable.
Thinking of this, her resentment toward Duan Huirou grew deeper. If only she had agreed to come as a guest to the Eastern Palace — even just for appearances’ sake — she could have reported back to His Highness.
But what happened instead?
They couldn’t even bring her in, and when Jiang Sujie’s mother had tried to intervene, Duan Huirou had even jumped out of a moving carriage!
The more Jiang Sujie thought about it, the angrier she became. Back when the Jiang family was at the height of their glory, who among the Dingyuan Marquis household didn’t curry favor with them?
Now, just because the Dingyuan Marquis household had produced a Duan Wangfei, they acted all high and mighty. Nothing but a bunch of sycophants.
Jiang Sujie grew more and more furious, slamming her hand down hard on the table.
The palace maid attending her stole a quick glance upward, terrified — how could a mere Liangdi be so bold as to slam the table? The Crown Prince accompanying the Crown Princess was completely proper and expected!
This Liangdi clearly didn’t know her place.
Serving under such a mistress was truly unlucky. The maid had once thought that even though the Jiang family had declined, they still had some lingering influence, and Jiang Sujie, as the eldest legitimate daughter, might still have a chance to rise.
Now, it seemed that chance was slim. She had better find a way to get reassigned before she lost her life along with her mistress.
After Jiang Sujie took her afternoon nap, the maid quietly slipped away to the Crown Princess’s quarters and reported everything to Su Ying, the trusted attendant by the Crown Princess’s side.
She also expressed her desire to be reassigned away from Jiang Sujie.
Su Ying frowned slightly and said, “The Crown Princess has always treated Jiang Liangdi generously. Who would’ve thought she would be so disrespectful and unruly? You’re a good one. Don’t worry — I’ll speak to the Crown Princess. But right now isn’t the right time to transfer you. Give it a few days, and once the opportunity comes, we’ll grant your wish.”
The palace maid was overjoyed. “Thank you, Sister Su Ying! Now I can finally sleep peacefully.”
After sending her away and instructing her to continue observing Jiang Sujie carefully, Su Ying entered the inner chamber.
Through the window, Bai Shixi could faintly hear the conversation but didn’t catch the details.
When Su Ying finished her report, Bai Shixi smiled faintly. “Jiang Liangdi fancies herself clever, yet she doesn’t realize that even Third Master Jiang was utterly crushed by Mingxi. Instead of lying low, she dares to act so brazenly. Truly, she doesn’t know the meaning of death.”
Su Ying, however, looked deeply worried. “Crown Princess, Duan Wangfei is so formidable… I’m really uneasy. Can we really afford to have dealings with her?”
Bai Shixi sighed. “Su Ying, you’ve been with me since the day I entered this household. Though we are called mistress and maid, I have always treated you like a sister.”
“Crown Princess…” Su Ying’s eyes reddened.
“In the Duke Manor, were our days ever truly good? My parents only had eyes for Bai Zhiwei. They didn’t mistreat me, but they never really loved me either. Even after my engagement to the Crown Prince was set, they still wanted Bai Zhiwei to take my place. That was when my heart completely froze.”
“After entering the Eastern Palace, I knew the Crown Prince didn’t truly care for me — it was all appearances. I’ve always known I could only rely on myself. Duan Wangfei and I share no blood ties, but she has secretly helped me several times. No matter her reasons, I find her straightforward, and far more reliable than most.”
“Even if the day comes when she is no longer trustworthy, at least I will have no regrets. I have tried. It’s just that… I’m unwilling to resign myself to fate.”
“Miss!” Su Ying burst into tears. “I will always stay by your side.”
Bai Shixi smiled gently. “Don’t cry. Who knows? We might still carve out a path for ourselves.”
“But, Miss, the Crown Prince’s situation right now is precarious. If anything happens to him, you will surely be implicated too.”
“I can’t help him. I can barely save myself, let alone others.”
Even if, after their marriage, the Crown Prince had shown her a little genuine affection, she might have stayed loyal. But now, she had already prepared for the worst.
She could even imagine that if the Crown Prince ever truly ascended the throne, she might not even become the Empress.
Su Ying wiped her tears with a handkerchief. “Miss, don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on Jiang Liangdi.”
Bai Shixi nodded slightly. “Jiang Liangdi is not one for patience. I expect she will act again soon. Just watch her in secret — don’t alarm her.”
As long as Jiang Sujie didn’t make a move against the people of the Dingyuan Marquis’ household, Bai Shixi would pretend not to see and let her stir up trouble as she pleased.
If she targeted Mingxi’s people, Bai Shixi wouldn’t stop her either, but she would definitely warn Mingxi in advance.
Bai Shixi’s body was growing heavier by the day, and recently the Crown Prince had been in a foul mood. She had no choice but to force herself to deal with him, leaving her utterly exhausted in both body and spirit.
Today, for reasons she couldn’t fathom, the Crown Prince insisted on accompanying her for a walk in the gardens. To be honest, she had no interest in it at all; carrying such a heavy belly, she only wished to rest properly.
Thinking back to the Crown Prince’s words today, Bai Shixi’s expression kept shifting. Perhaps, in a few days, the Eastern Palace would welcome a new person.
She could no longer count on Jiang Sujie. The Crown Prince would surely find someone else to help him.
On the other side, the Crown Prince was sitting in his study, listening to the eunuch’s report.
“Your Highness, the chief maidservant beside Jiang Liangdi went to speak with Su Ying, who serves the Crown Princess. I don’t know what they discussed, but Su Ying didn’t look too pleased when she sent her away.”
The Crown Prince’s lips pressed into a thin line. He had thought that at least the Jiang family’s daughter, raised with education, would be somewhat intelligent. Yet she turned out to be so dull she couldn’t even hold onto her own servants.
He had given her tasks to accomplish several times, yet she failed repeatedly. At this point, the Crown Prince truly regretted it — had he known she was so useless, he would never have brought her into the Eastern Palace.
