In any case, he couldn’t bear to let his daughter stay outside in the cold wind. As soon as the Internal Affairs Departnt recorded the nas of the Seventh Prince and the Third Princess in the imperial jade register, he had the wet nurses bring the two little ones back inside.
The rest of the ti was spent welcoming the returning soldiers.
Jiang Xinyue noticed her younger sister, Jiang Xinyan, seed disinterested, her gaze frequently lingering on Shi Ruojun.
Admittedly, Jiang Xinyan’s beauty far surpassed Shi Ruojun’s. As she grew older, she even began to exude the sa breathtaking charm Jiang Xinyue had when she first entered the palace.
Most ordinary n would easily choose between the two, opting for the one who was more pleasing to the eye.
But that was the mindset of ordinary n.
Jiang Xinyan had spent so ti with Third Yan and knew that he valued inner qualities over outward appearances.
This was why she lacked the confidence to believe that Third Yan would definitely choose her.
Shi Ruojun carried a bold confidence and a kind of sincerity and openness that only soone who had been cherished since childhood could possess.
Jiang Xinyan would never have such qualities in her lifeti.
Before Lady Zhou’s death, she had always been the one who was bullied and unable to fight back.
She had been protected by Jiang Xinyue, Lady Ruan, and even Jiang Junze, always habitually hiding behind them.
She felt weak, timid…
Even she couldn’t help but admire and idolize a woman like General Shi. If Third Yan liked her, wouldn’t that be natural?
She lowered her wounded gaze, her eyes already red. If she looked up, tears would surely fall.
Jiang Xinyue glanced at Third Yan across the room. His brows were furrowed, his eyes desperately trying to et Jiang Xinyan’s, as if he wanted to rush over and explain everything right then and there.
It had to be said, Jiang Xinyue thought her sister had the kind of fragile beauty that could break hearts. Third Yan must be aching with pity for her.
She seriously suspected he was just captivated by her sister’s beauty.
After all, who could resist such an unparalleled beauty?
In the face of absolute beauty, all talk of inner qualities was nonsense.
Jiang Xinyue whispered sothing into Xi Que’s ear, and Xi Que stifled a laugh before nodding in agreent.
Qing Yu had said that Third Yan was a good man, principled since childhood, and that his passion for the things he loved never faded. He was a man of enduring loyalty.
Well, she might as well help him out.
Third Yan had just finished seeing off a group of officials who had co to chat with him when he turned around and realized Jiang Xinyan was no longer in her seat.
He instinctively wanted to go look for her but was imdiately pushed by a few matrons toward Shi Ruojun: “Oh my! Look at them… what a perfect match!”
“Exactly! Third Yan, you must treat our General Shi well! By the way, we heard you’re Mr. Chunjing. Is that true?”
What did they an?
Third Yan and Shi Ruojun exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion in each other’s eyes.
“Still pretending, are you?”
The matrons chuckled, thinking the young pair was just shy: “We already know. You and General Shi are in love, and…”
“What are you talking about?”
Shi Ruojun forcefully pulled her hand away from the matrons, her tone sharp: “I risked my life on the battlefield, fighting tooth and nail to earn my rank, so that I wouldn’t be constrained by n and could showcase my talents, setting an example for won across the land. And here you are, spreading rumors about and Military Advisor Yan having an affair?”
“Have you all lost your minds?”
Shi Ruojun’s voice was firm and clear, and everyone in the room heard her: “Military Advisor Yan and I are nothing more than colleagues. There is no romantic involvent whatsoever. My position as a general was earned through blood and sacrifice. It is my rightful place. I will dedicate my life to Great Yan, serving it with every fiber of my being until my last breath. Beyond that, I will never marry any man.”
Many of the noblewon present knew of Shi Ruojun’s reputation. They stared wide-eyed at the embarrassed matrons: “Are you out of your minds? General Shi… General Shi was one of the palace maidens selected last spring!”
Last spring…
That ant she was one of the Emperor’s concubines!
Although the Emperor had allowed her to leave the palace and lead troops into battle, he had never said she was free to marry soone else!
They had just tried to matchmake one of the Emperor’s concubines with another man!
Who in heaven’s na was this Mr. Chunjing?
Why had he written such misleading nonsense?
Third Yan, piecing together what the matrons had said and recalling how Jiang Xinyan had been avoiding his gaze, finally understood what had happened.
His face flushed red: “You’ve really ruined .”
“What now?”
The matrons, now realizing their mistake, stood frozen in fear.
Why did Third Yan look like he wanted to explode in anger but was holding back because they were won?
A kind-hearted noblewoman whispered a reminder: “Didn’t you know? Third Yan is the future brother-in-law of Her Majesty, the Empress.”
Great.
Just great.
In a few sentences, they had managed to offend the Emperor, General Shi, Third Yan, Lady Jiang Xinyan, and even the Empress herself.
Why was life so hard?
They were just like the other ladies in the capital who enjoyed reading romantic novels. They had been deceived!
That damned Mr. Chunjing—what a fraud!
“Third Yan, soone is looking for you.”
Xi Que tapped Third Yan on the shoulder. He turned and imdiately recognized her.
After all, ng Qingyu ntioned Xi Que’s na hundreds of tis a day.
Watching Xi Que lead him away, Jiang Xinyue sighed. She had truly gone to great lengths for her sister’s happiness.
“Your Majesty, look! Sky lanterns!”
Noble Consort Ye pointed toward a corner of Kunning Palace: “How beautiful! Who’s releasing sky lanterns to pray for the Seventh Prince and the Third Princess?”
From a corner of the palace walls, hundreds of sky lanterns rose into the air. The full moon hung high, casting its glow on the lanterns as they ascended. The flickering yellow flas swayed in the wind, their light wavering.
Jiang Xinyue glanced at the Emperor: “Did Your Majesty arrange this?”
The Emperor shook his head: “Was it not you, Xinyue?”
Open flas were forbidden in the palace. If it wasn’t the Emperor or the Empress, who dared to release sky lanterns?
And not just one or two, but hundreds.
This was no small matter.
It wasn’t the Emperor… nor the Empress…
A gust of autumn wind blew, tousling Jiang Xinyue’s bangs.
She closed her eyes, feeling the direction of the wind. When she opened them again, her gaze was sharp and cold.
“Kunning Palace is in danger. Jiang Chuan, follow !”
Almost simultaneously, the Emperor reacted, placing his fingers to his lips and letting out a long, piercing whistle.
For the first ti, everyone in the courtyard caught a glimpse of the legendary Dragon Guards.
Clad in dark robes with flying crane patterns, they exuded an aura of deathly solemnity that inspired awe.
“Save the Seventh Prince and the Third Princess at all costs!”
As soon as the Emperor gave the order, several Dragon Guards vanished like shadows, racing toward Kunning Palace.
Consort Liang and Consort Shu were frantic, chasing after Jiang Xinyue. In their haste, they tripped over each other and tumbled to the ground in a heap.
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