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As Jiang Xi listened to the opera at Qingyin Pavilion, her self-important father was busy enjoying a family reunion with his concubine.
The Liu and Jiang Yue, two white lotuses, were competing in their acting skills. In a few days, it would be the master’s fortieth birthday. With a beaming smile, The Liu said, “I also want to accompany Yue’er into the manor to celebrate the master’s birthday. Yue’er has grown up so much but hasn’t been able to call him ‘father’ openly; as her mother, it breaks my heart to think about it.”
Jiang Yue wiped her tears and replied, “Mother, don’t be too sad. Father has his own difficulties. After all, Eldest Daughter Feng Yang is involved; if he doesn’t agree…”
Jiang Yue felt so wronged that she couldn’t continue. Ever since she was injured by the Regent’s kick last time, she had been recuperating at Huo Xingwen’s residence for several days, and she had lost the child she was carrying.
She hadn’t dared to go out because the rumors outside were too harsh, but she couldn’t swallow this grievance. Although she still couldn’t understand why Jiang Xi had set her up—after all, Jiang Xi used to be so easy to deceive—she was unwilling to give up on the matter of returning to Feng Yang and claiming her heritage.
She thought to herself that her father was the Prime Minister; why shouldn’t she enjoy the honor of Feng Yang?
Jiang Xingzhi looked at Jiang Yue’s obedient and understanding demeanor and couldn’t help but feel more pity and guilt towards The Liu and her daughter.
He mused that although The Liu came from humble beginnings, she had a good temperament, and her daughter turned out well.
Thinking about the legitimate wife from a merchant background and Jiang Xi, and considering that money was no longer as freely available lately, he felt an urge to divorce Madam Jiang.
Jiang Xingzhi then said, “It’s getting late; I have official business to attend to. I’ll visit you another day.” With that, he stepped outside.
After Jiang Xingzhi left, The Liu felt particularly good and embraced Jiang Yue as she said, “Yue’er, today I’ll take you to Qingyin Pavilion to listen to the opera. With today’s fortune, we might even encounter a noble person.”
Jiang Yue shyly shook her arm and said, “What noble person? I only like Brother Xinwen; I don’t want any other noble person.”
The Liu’s expression darkened immediately as she scolded, “Huo Xingwen? What is he worth? Jiang Xi is blind; are you going to follow suit? I let you get close to him before to use Jiang Xi; now that Jiang Xi has fallen out with him, what are you still talking to him for?”
Jiang Yue didn’t dare to speak up; she hadn’t even told her mother that she had already given herself to Huo Xingwen and had once been pregnant with his child. If not with him, who else could she be with?
Meanwhile, at Qingyin Pavilion, King Qin’s dozen or so guards surrounded Wenxin.
In the silence among them, Wenxin casually smiled and said, “Since King Qin is so hospitable, I shall trouble you to lead the way.” With that, he turned and walked down from the stage, following the guards of King Qin's Mansion towards the main hall.
Seeing this scene, Huai'an Princess expressed her concern: “Master Wenxin is likely in trouble today. King Qin's Mansion has immense power; even the Emperor is constrained by them. King Qin is ruthless; who knows what he might do?”
Jiang Xi reassured her, saying, “Don’t worry; Master Wenxin is not someone who would let himself suffer.”
At that moment, Jiang Xi caught sight of a familiar figure; wasn't that Jiang Yue? What a coincidence.
Jiang Xi immediately said to Han Yue, "Han Yue, I saw Jiang Yue inside Qingyin Pavilion. Go and investigate."
Han Yue quickly reported, "I was just about to tell you this. A Shadow Guard who was following the Prime Minister passed me some information. The Prime Minister went to the Liu family's villa at noon and is planning to use the Birthday Banquet to ask the Emperor for a marriage decree, intending to bring Jiang Yue and her mother into the residence, giving them a legitimate status."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xi smiled lightly and said, "So that's why they're in such high spirits to watch the show."
Huai'an Princess, upon hearing Han Yue's report, couldn't help but exclaim, "Jiang Xi, those two are your father's concubine and daughter he raised outside?"
Jiang Xi nodded.
Huai'an Princess frowned and said angrily, "Your father is foolish. As a dignified Prime Minister, not only does he keep a mistress, but he also wants to bring this unpresentable mistress and her daughter into the residence. Chancellor Jiang's actions show that he has no regard for Madam Jiang or you as the Eldest Daughter. He blurs the lines between legitimate and illegitimate children and upends social hierarchy; he is simply unworthy of being a Prime Minister."
Seeing her indignation, Jiang Xi merely smiled faintly and said, "What he wishes for doesn’t mean he can have it."
Huai'an Princess still felt aggrieved and asked, "Jiang Xi, aren't you worried at all?"
Jiang Xi calmly shook her head and replied, "There's nothing to worry about. As long as Fong Yang doesn't let them into the residence, how dare the Emperor oppose him?"
Huai'an Princess suddenly realized and said, "Right, how could I forget about the Regent?"
Even if Chancellor Jiang sought an imperial edict from the Emperor under the pretext of his birthday celebration, as long as the Regent said it was against protocol, the Emperor would absolutely not dare to confront him.
The one who would be embarrassed would not only be Chancellor Jiang; the Emperor would surely feel humiliated and angry as well. At that point, it would be difficult for anyone to save face.
And for Liu mother and daughter, the real culprits behind this mess, their lives would only get harder from now on.
Jiang Xi smiled faintly, pondering that there was no need for Fong Yang to intervene against such easy targets as Liu mother and daughter. Considering how much harm Jiang Yue had caused her in her past life, she felt that she needed to take matters into her own hands to quell her resentment.
Suddenly, Han Shuang burst through the door with an anxious expression. "Miss, King Qin has taken action against Master Wenxin. I'm going over to check it out."
Hearing this, Jiang Xi immediately stood up and turned to Huai'an Princess with a light tone. "Jiajia, you stay here. After I heroically rescue Master Wenxin, I'll have him come over to sing a solo just for you."
Huai'an Princess hurriedly followed her out with a worried expression. "Are you going there in person?"
Jiang Xi nodded, a hint of cunning in her eyes as she said, "If I don't go over myself, how can I lure Jiang Yue and her mother into the trap? Princess, just wait and see the show!"
The Huai'an Princess weighed her options in her heart. After all, she had her mother to protect her. With a determined bite of her lip, she declared, "I want to go with you. Besides, my mother is here to protect me; they won't dare to do anything to me."
Seeing her resolute stance, Jiang Xi said nothing more. The two quickly made their way down the stairs and reached the lobby on the first floor.
The guards of King Qin stood ominously outside the private room. The Huai'an Princess approached them, her face clearly displeased as she shouted, "Who interrupted my enjoyment of the performance by calling Master Wenxin away?"
The leading guard hurriedly stepped forward to bow and greet her respectfully, saying, "Little Princess, what brings you here? My lord wishes to speak with Master Wenxin privately."
The Huai'an Princess furrowed her brows even tighter and replied indignantly, "I have matters to discuss with Master Wenxin as well. You shouldn't be blocking me."
The guard showed a troubled expression and said, "His Highness has ordered that no one is allowed inside."
The Huai'an Princess deliberately raised her voice and challenged, "What if I insist on going in?"
Everyone in the capital knew that the Huai'an Princess was deeply favored by the emperor. The Guard Captain of King Qin's Mansion felt conflicted; he understood that he could not offend the Little Princess. In the end, he could only plead for forgiveness from the Princess, saying, "I cannot disobey my lord's orders."
Seeing this situation unfold, Jiang Xi calmly spoke up, "It's fine if we don't go in. You can go in and bring Master Wenxin out for us. His performance isn't finished yet."
The Guard Captain did not recognize Jiang Xi and dismissed her words as those of an inconsequential young lady. He stood there for a while without responding.
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