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墨書 Inktalez
Upon learning that Jiang Yue might be pregnant, Huo Xingwen hurried back to his residence, only to be caught by someone with ulterior motives who spread rumors about Young Master Huo being unfaithful. While he appeared deeply affectionate on the surface, behind closed doors, he seemed intent on emulating the ancient tale of Ehuang and Nuying sharing a husband.
In truth, Jiang Xi did not deliberately frame Huo Xingwen and Jiang Yue regarding the pregnancy. In her previous life, at this time, Jiang Xi was trapped in the Regent's Palace, enduring humiliation while Jiang Yue had already become deeply involved with Huo Xingwen, surrendering herself to him.
Just a few days after arriving at Feng Yang, Jiang Yue and Huo Xingwen knelt before Jiang Xingzhi to confess that she was already pregnant. They married due to the child, and Huo Xingwen continued to be the favored son-in-law of the Prime Minister's Residence.
This was a win-win arrangement; such a scandalous affair would never be leaked by the Chancellor, so Jiang Xi remained in the dark about it all. By the time she learned of this news, Jiang Yue's child was nearly a month old.
Thus, based on her previous life’s deductions, Jiang Xi concluded that Jiang Yue must have conceived in these past few days. Although she could not be certain, Huo Xingwen's hasty and guilty reaction confirmed that they had indeed been intimate.
The onlookers were still indignant on behalf of Jiang Xi when a man frowned and said, "Lady Jiang used to dote on Second Lady Jiang so much. Who would have thought she would stab Lady Jiang in the back and get entangled with Huo Xingwen? What a thankless wretch."
Jiang Xi came back to her senses and calmly replied with a steady tone, "Jiang Yue is merely a concubine. My father has always valued reputation and would never allow someone like her into our home. So you may change your words; she is not the second daughter of the Jiang Family."
A man smirked slightly and nodded in agreement, "That’s true; after all, he is the most favored Prime Minister before the Emperor. He must maintain a clean family reputation."
Yet inside, he scoffed disdainfully—if he truly valued reputation, how could he allow that shameless woman to bear his child?
Jiang Xi noted the crowd's contempt for Jiang Xingzhi with a faint smile before turning and entering Ink Treasure Studio. Her father was indeed a hypocrite—preaching one thing while doing another behind closed doors.
Her gaze fell upon the inkstone that the shopkeeper had just introduced. She asked the shopkeeper, "Do you have any other designs besides this one with the fish leaping over the dragon gate?"
The shopkeeper cheerfully asked, "What kind of item does Lady Jiang desire?"
Jiang Xi pondered for a moment, wanting to ask for a five-clawed golden dragon but worried that saying it might frighten the shopkeeper. Instead, she replied, "A design of dragon and phoenix bringing prosperity."
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper felt a surge of suspicion. He thought to himself, hadn't Lady Jiang just broken off her engagement with Huo Xingwen? Why was she suddenly interested in buying a dragon and phoenix engraved inkstone?
Curiously, he asked, "Is Lady Jiang planning to keep it for herself or give it as a gift?"
Jiang Xi responded, "It's a gift."
The shopkeeper nodded, "Alright then, I'll wrap it up for you right away."
Madam Jiang had been quietly standing by, her gaze on Jiang Xi filled with deep contemplation.
"Xi'er, you really have fallen for the Regent."
Holding the newly purchased inkstone, Jiang Xi saw Madam Jiang and called out, "Mother."
"Mother, do you want to go somewhere else to browse?"
Madam Jiang smiled indulgently. "Of course we should go. Didn't we agree to pick out some jewelry for you?"
Jiang Xi replied with a faint smile, "I actually don't lack jewelry; buying too much would be wasteful."
Madam Jiang took Jiang Xi's hand gently and said, "What good is money if you earn it but don't spend it? Even if you come out every day and spend a few thousand taels of my money, it would last you many years."
Jiang Xi fell silent for a moment before saying, "Mother, there's no such thing as too much silver; there will always be a time when it comes in handy."
Madam Jiang could sense the hidden meaning in Jiang Xi's words but chose not to pry further. Instead, she affectionately patted Jiang Xi's hand and said, "Buy whatever you want and do whatever you wish. I've already said that all my properties will belong to you in the future. No one else, including your father, should even think about laying their hands on them."
Jiang Xi felt deeply moved. Thankfully, everything was still in time, and she would not let down those who truly cared for her.
Soon after, the mother and daughter boarded a carriage and headed to another street. Madam Jiang continued slowly, "Originally, considering that I am still Madam Jiang, I was willing to cover the household expenses since those amounts are nothing to me. However, since you are unwilling, I won't give them any more money from now on. Just a drop in the bucket."
Jiang Xi couldn't help but twitch her lips at the thought of her mother treating three thousand taels of silver as mere pocket change for beggars. Indeed, her mother had a grand way of speaking.
The carriage stopped at a bustling street known for selling jewelry and cosmetics.
Just as Jiang Xi was about to lift the curtain to get out of the carriage, she suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure; a silhouette in blue flashed past her vision.
Her heart tightened as she recalled that there was a traitor in the Regent's Palace. Why would that person appear here? Were they delivering a Xinwen?
Noticing that Jiang Xi had lowered the curtain and remained still for a long time, Madam Jiang asked, "What's wrong? Did you see someone you know?"
Jiang Xi turned back with a smile. "I might have been mistaken. It just reminded me of something; I need to make a trip to the Regent's Palace shortly."
Jiang Xi decided to take the initiative to return to the royal residence.
Han Yue's heart soared at her words, his face filled with joy. "The prince should be at the military camp this afternoon. You can take your time browsing around; he won't be upset."
Jiang Xi smiled lightly. "I'm not going back because I'm afraid the prince will be angry; I have something important to discuss with him."
Han Yue's eyes sparkled with joy as he exclaimed, "If the young lady takes the initiative to discuss matters with the Prince, he will surely be very pleased."
Madam Jiang glanced at Han Yue, her expression subtly shifting. Was it really that exaggerated for the high-ranking Regent to be happy just because Xi'er approached him?
With the birthday of the Huai'an Princess approaching, Jiang Xi helped her mother down from the carriage, intending to check out some bracelets at Moyu Pavilion.
Moyu Pavilion was the most famous jewelry treasure pavilion in the imperial city, known for its exorbitant prices that only the wealthiest nobles could afford.
As soon as Jiang Xi and her mother stepped into Moyu Pavilion, a sharp-eyed person recognized them and greeted them with surprise and enthusiasm.
Others browsing the jewelry turned their heads in unison towards Jiang Xi, their expressions varying.
A lady in a rose-red gown spoke sarcastically, "Are you also here to pick out a gift for the Huai'an Princess's birthday banquet? My daughter Zhu is in quite a dilemma about what to give. Lady Jiang, could you help me decide?"
Beside her, a young girl looked troubled and said, "Mother, the Huai'an Princess didn't invite Lady Jiang."
Madam Jiang recognized the woman as Madam Lin, the wife of the Minister of Rites, and realized they were clearly trying to undermine her daughter.
Lady Lin pretended not to know and hurriedly covered her mouth. "Oh dear, I’m sorry! I didn’t know. I thought the Huai'an Princess would invite Lady Jiang."
The young girl whispered an explanation, "Wasn't Lady Jiang at the Regent's Palace before? The Princess might have thought it inconvenient and didn't mean to look down on you. But how did Lady Jiang get a chance to come out? Has the Regent lost interest in you so soon?"
This exchange between mother and daughter subtly shifted the crowd's attention onto Jiang Xi, implying she had been rejected by the Regent. As they sought to humiliate her further, Jiang Xi prepared to respond but was stopped by her mother.
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