Chapter 295 - 295: Jiang Yan’s Ambition

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

But no one gave her another glance, as if she didn’t even exist on the ground.

“Why is the Princess Consort here?”

Casting a brief look at Jiang Yan, Xiao Junhao asked directly.

Xiao Junhao wasn’t satisfied with Jiang Yan being the main princess consort. After all, the fact that King Chujiang committed treason was undeniable. Being from the King’s Chujiang mansion, Jiang Yan bore its stigma.

With her around, Emperor Qi Ming would never appoint him as the crown prince.

“I came to bring something for Your Highness.”

“What is it?”

Sitting next to Xiao Junhao, Jiang Yan pushed a wooden box towards him.

Staring at the black box, Xiao Junhao looked puzzled. “What’s in it?”

“Your Highness, open it and you’ll see.”

Upon Jiang Yan’s words, Xiao Junhao immediately opened the box. The moment he did, his eyes widened in surprise.

Inside the box were neatly placed promissory notes of silver, a vast amount.

“What are you doing? And as far as 1 remember, almost all assets from the King Chujiang’s Mansion were handed over. Where did this come from?”

Jiang Yan adjusted her sleeves and said, “You might have heard about the recent severe disaster affecting the common people. Although the emperor hasn’t taken any measures yet, it won’t be long before he issues a decree. When that time comes, those with money can help solve the emperor’s urgent needs.” “Indeed, the private treasury of the King Chujiang’s Mansion was turned over, but even a dying camel is still bigger than a horse. The wealth accumulated over the years by our mansion couldn’t have been entirely taken.”

“All the silver 1 have is in this box.”

“I’m giving this to you personally, just to show you my loyalty.”

“I know I’m not the princess consort you wanted. But I was bestowed to you by the emperor, so I will do everything in my power to help you achieve your goals. I hope you can see my sincerity.”

Throughout her speech, Jiang Yan’s tone was calm. But looking into her eyes, Xiao Junhao saw boundless ambition.

Seemingly struck by a thought, Xiao Junhao suddenly laughed, “1 guess no one expected that a princess consort, a woman, would have such grand ambitions.”

Hearing Xiao Junhao’s words, Jiang Yan simply smiled faintly.

After a while, Xiao Junhao put away the silver notes given by Jiang Yan, then whispered, “Now that the princess consort is married into my mansion, you will always be my people.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Inside, Xiao Junhao and Jiang Yan chatted amicably. But no one noticed Lin Mengyao, who stood stiffly outside the door.

Clutching her palms tightly, the laughter from the room seemed piercingly loud to her ears.

Did she really make the right choice?

In the end, Lin Mengyao didn’t enter. She turned and walked towards her courtyard.

But as she reached the corner, a familiar voice called out from behind, “Side Consort Lin.”

Upon hearing the voice, a complicated emotion surfaced in Lin Mengyao’s eyes.

Then, she smiled and turned around.” Greetings, Princess Consort.”

Approaching Jiang Yan, Lin Mengyao knelt down in a sign of respect.

Jiang Yan silently observed the woman before her, not saying a word.

Unless Jiang Yan gave the word, Lin Mengyao would have to remain in this bowed position. As her legs began to tremble slightly from holding the pose, Jiang Yan finally spoke, “Rise.”

“Thank you, Princess Consort.”

“Side Consort Lin, do you regret marrying into the Qing Mansion now?”

Hearing Jiang Yan’s words, Lin Mengyao’s heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her smile, “Why would Princess Consort say that?”

“Even though I am from the King Chujiang Mansion, 1 am merely a common daughter. From a young age, I’ve understood one thing: if you want something, you have to fight for it.”

“If I hadn’t married into the Prince Qing’s Mansion, we wouldn’t be related. But now that I have, Side Consort Lin, 1 hope you remain cautious. Remember your status as a concubine.”

“I know you harbor resentment, and without me, you might have been the Princess Consort of Qing Mansion. But 1 am here now, and that’s fate.” “Princess Consort, what exactly are you getting at?”

By this time, Lin Mengyao couldn’t hold back any longer.

However, just as she was about to reply, Jiang Yan raised her hand and slapped her across the face.

Having practiced martial arts since childhood, Jiang Yan’s slap was not light. Lin Mengyao was thrown onto the ground.

Covering her face, Lin Mengyao’s eyes were filled with rage when she looked up at Jiang Yan.

“This slap is a reminder for you. The Lin family is now led by Lin Xingchen. Now, you have lost everything.”

“So, don’t try to reach for what doesn’t belong to you.”

Having said that, Jiang Yan, with the support of her maid, left.

Lin Mengyao sat on the ground, silent for a long time.

“Side Concubine, let me help you up.”

It was only after Jiang Yan had left that Lin Mengyao’s maid came forward to help her up.

Seeing the swelling on Lin Mengyao’s face, the maid whispered, “How could the Princess Consort hit you for no reason? You should tell His Highness and let him decide.”

“Shut up!”

Lin Mengyao turned, her eyes coldly staring at her maid.

“No one is allowed to tell His Highness about this.”

Of these events within the Prince Qing’s Mansion, Jiang Peihuan was unaware.

That evening, Han Feng rushed into Jiang Peihuan’s courtyard.

Xiao Nanye and Jiang Peihuan were playing chess, but when they saw the flustered Han Feng, they put down their chess pieces.

“Master, I have news.”

“After investigation, the arrows were found in two places. One is in the Prince Huainan’s Mansion, and the other is in the Prince Qing’s Mansion.”

“Did you find out how these arrows got out?”

Jiang Peihuan asked.

Hearing her words, Han Feng nodded, but his eyes revealed a bit of difficulty.

“These arrows came from the Great General.”

“You mean from my father?”

Han Feng didn’t respond but simply nodded.

Seeing his affirmation, Jiang Peihuan’s face turned sour.

It was unfathomable to Jiang Peihuan that these arrows had been distributed from Jiang Hong.

Standing up, Jiang Peihuan said to the man opposite her, “Xiao Nanye, I need to discuss this with my father. Will you come with me?”

“Yes, 1’11 go with you.”

Xiao Nanye nodded and left with Jiang Peihuan.

Jiang Hong happened to be at home that day. Seeing Jiang Peihuan and Xiao Nanye entering the courtyard, he smiled gently, “Huan Er, why have you and King Cheng come here?”

“Father, I have something important to discuss with you..”