The Fifth Prince's Residence.

Consort Jiang is pregnant, and a garden party was specially held to celebrate.

The Fifth Prince's residence also has a concubine who has a daughter, who is the only child in the residence.

Now that Jiang Xue is pregnant, there is a possibility that a little prince will be added to the household. Upon hearing the news, the Fifth Prince immediately appointed Jiang Xue and Consort Wang to jointly hold power.

But this infuriated Consort Wang.

But Jiang Xue proved herself capable; in less than half a year after entering the palace, she not only gained the Empress's favor and was promoted to a concubine, but also became pregnant.

In addition, there's the fact that Jiang Xue is a concubine's daughter from the Marquis's household.

Consort Wang, who came from a merchant family, could only vent her anger by smashing a few tea sets in her own courtyard.

As for the Fifth Prince's Consort...

He was frail and sickly from childhood, and on the day he entered the mansion, he fainted before even consummating the marriage.

The Fifth Prince disliked her and avoided her, so the whole household knew that this princess was just a figurehead.

Yuan Bao'er herself knew this, so she stayed in her own courtyard all day and never asked about any affairs of the mansion, living like a transparent person.

The only time I made a move was when I came back from the Red Mansion last time and mustered up the courage to ask for a small kitchen.

The Fifth Prince was impatient with all of this.

But Yuan Bao'er, clutching the digestive pills Jiang Jiaojiao had given her, stubbornly knelt in the study.

It was only after Consort Wang couldn't stand it anymore and pleaded with the Fifth Prince that they finally agreed.

Consort Wang came from a merchant family. If she hadn't had a daughter, she wouldn't have even been able to become a consort. She never dared to dream of becoming the prince's wife. Since the prince's wife was sickly and didn't manage affairs, she was happy to do Yuan Bao'er a favor. This not only protected her own reputation but also hoped that the prince's wife could live a few more days.

She might be the only person in the entire royal palace who truly wanted the princess to be healthy.

With the prince's wife gone, how could the new prince's wife possibly tolerate a mere concubine and housekeeper?

Especially after Jiang Xue entered the manor.

Consort Wang felt even more threatened.

The garden party was a grand affair, with exotic flowers and rare plants brought out from the greenhouse. The entire mansion was spotless, and Consort Wang was determined to demonstrate her competence in managing affairs.

He even took out many exquisite ornaments from his private treasury, and spent money like water.

Jiangxue Courtyard.

Jiang Xue leaned back on the chaise lounge, gently stroking her belly, which showed no visible rise and fall.

Seven or eight maids were serving him various kinds of food, bowing their heads to attend to him.

Jiang Xue was extremely satisfied, stroking her belly with her fingers.

Thinking of the storybooks hidden in the dressing table, and recalling the plots I already knew by heart, I wondered when things started to deviate from the storybook plots.

It is... the residence of the Eldest Princess.

Jiang Jiaojiao begins by saying she wants to take responsibility for the Seventh Prince.

She should have angrily berated the Seventh Prince and caused a scene at the Princess's residence.

The subsequent plot twists and turns, making one mistake after another.

If something is wrong, it should be corrected.

As long as Jiang Jiaojiao continues to annul the engagement, and the Fifth Prince's Consort dies according to the storybook, everything can start anew thanks to her foresight.

Jiang Jiaojiao will still die, but I will become the Fifth Prince's consort.

Step by step, she became empress.

According to the story, the child in her womb didn't arrive until a year later, and the Fifth Prince's wife also... died a year later.

One year.

It's been too long; she can't wait any longer.

As the Seventh Prince and the Jin family gained fame, the Fifth Prince became somewhat anxious, and hadn't even entered her courtyard for several days. She knew he was blaming her for being too slow in her plans.

The maid who delivered the message hurried in.

"Madam, Madam Jin and Miss Jiang have arrived. Consort Wang requests your presence."

Jiang Xue, supported by her maid's arm, slowly rose to her feet.

Her battlefield.

They've arrived.

In front of the Fifth Prince's residence.

As soon as Jiang Jiaojiao and Jin Yuwan's carriage arrived, people immediately came to greet them. Those who saw the Jin family's carriage clearly had interesting expressions on their faces.

The Jin family has really made something of themselves.

A mere merchant has actually moved to Muzihuang Street, and it's even a residence personally bestowed by His Majesty.

Jin, a divorced woman from a fallen noble family, unexpectedly became a fifth-rank lady.

Not to mention Jin's dissolute eldest son, who was once a cook under the command of General Weiwu, but now he has become the consort of the Fourth Princess and the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard. The Jin family is truly blessed!

As for Jiang Jiaojiao...

She thought she was marrying a sickly man, and that she might not even make it to the wedding and would become a widow.

Unexpectedly, the Seventh Prince's health gradually improved.

Such a handsome and distinguished prince immediately attracted the attention of countless noble ladies. The Seventh Prince's residence was empty in the backyard, and he currently held the power of the Ministry of Rites. It was rumored that His Majesty would soon hand over the imperial examination to the Seventh Prince.

This is a real right.

Especially those families whose children or grandchildren had entered the imperial examination, their minds started to race.

Jiang Jiaojiao felt all sorts of scrutinizing gazes.

Unlike the disdainful and mocking looks of the past, there was a clear increase in envy and jealousy.

This isn't over yet.

When everyone saw the people getting off the carriage behind the Jin family, their eyes instantly lit up with excitement.

Jiang Jingtian, dressed in a smart outfit, jumped down with agility. His spirited appearance clearly showed him to be a dashing young master, not some rough and unruly man.

Jiang Jingtian was very satisfied with everyone's gaze.

With his head held high and chest out, he lifted the carriage curtain and stepped out a man whose beauty would put even women to shame. His appearance was stunning, and although there was a hint of frailty between his brows, it only made him more breathtaking.

She's definitely a sickly beauty.

Their gazes grew increasingly intense.

His gaze toward Jiang Jiaojiao grew increasingly filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

Several noble ladies couldn't contain themselves and came over, bowing shyly, "Greetings, Seventh Prince."

To everyone's surprise, there was no indication that the formalities were waived.

I looked up.

He had already walked to Jiang Jiaojiao's side, his voice as gentle as water carrying a hint of grievance, "Jiaojiao..."

She looks exactly like a neglected, resentful woman.

His innocent eyes were dark and bright.

Click—

The noble ladies were heartbroken and buried their sobs in their mothers' arms.

Jiang Jiaojiao felt the piercing jealousy emanating from those around her.

He grabbed his mother and fled in panic, "Ahem, I'm going to see the... the Crown Princess."

The sickly beauty's eyes became even more resentful.

Jiang Jingtian, who couldn't stand it any longer, grabbed the Seventh Prince's sleeve and said, "Your Highness, I heard that the chef from Fanlou is invited to today's banquet. We are in for a treat."

"Jiaojiao, slow down, don't fall! Ayuan, hurry up and catch up!" Jin Yuwan called from behind, but Jiaojiao had already disappeared in a flash.

So, she turned back and instructed her eldest son, "Be gentle, don't hurt the Seventh Prince. Once inside, protect him closely. If he falls asleep, Jiao Jiao will be furious with you."

Jiang Jingtian was so frightened that he quickly let go, but he didn't forget to smooth out the wrinkles on Li Yan's sleeve.

Li Yan's empty heart was instantly filled by these words, and the grievance he felt because Jiao Jiao had ignored him vanished in an instant. He nodded slightly to Jin Yuwan, appearing obedient and well-behaved, which made Jin Yuwan happy from the bottom of her heart.

Jiang Lingtian watched Jiang Jiaojiao's hurried figure, a hint of worry lingering between his brows.

I always felt that Jiang Xue had ulterior motives for inviting them over.

"Ouch—"

His body was suddenly hit and he staggered, accompanied by a familiar cry of pain.

Jiang Lingtian pressed his arm, which was sore from the impact, and looked at the woman who was covering her forehead.

The woman was dressed in red, more dazzling than the blazing sun.

"You...you are that...that Xiaobai...cough cough, Jiaojiao's second brother?"

I almost blurted out the words "pretty boy".

The twelfth young lady quickly covered her mouth, revealing a red mark on her forehead.

Jiang Lingtian was taken aback.

"Does it hurt?"

"Jiaojiao's here? Has she already gone inside? I'll go find her!"

Before he could utter a single word...

With her red dress fluttering, the Twelfth Miss had already darted into the Fifth Prince's residence.

Gazing at her retreating figure, Jiang Lingtian remained lost in thought for a long time, the worry etched between his brows seemingly dissolving quietly under that ray of light.