Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuyao realized that this was not the imperial decree granting marriage between Jiang Songyi and the Fourth Prince, and she felt relieved. However, when she thought that Jiang Songyi was just the daughter of an external official and had not been involved in the marriage, yet she was able to be honored as a lady of the royal family, she couldn't help feeling a little sad.
Although the status of a second-rank county lady is not prominent in the capital, this title is unique and incomparable.
"Sister, your complexion seems a little pale. Could it be that you are unhappy?"
Jiang Songyi glanced at Jiang Yuyao indifferently.
Jiang Yuyao forced a smile, but her voice couldn't hide her disappointment: "Sister, you have been honored as the County Princess. I am naturally ecstatic and proud of you."
Jiang Songyi smiled faintly, her smile as bright as a spring flower. "Once my sister marries the Fourth Prince, she will also be granted the title of Consort. Although her rank is only second-rank, I am still happy for her."
Jiang Yuyao looked at her dazzling smile, feeling as if her heart was being cut by a knife. She gritted her teeth but could not smile.
Even if she becomes a prince's consort in the future, she will still not be able to compare with Jiang Songyi!
She took a deep breath and could only tell herself repeatedly that she just needed to wait patiently for the frail prince to pass away. Xinyi Zigu would then become the new prince. When he ascended the throne, she would at least be able to become a noble concubine.
In the current situation, although she was temporarily constrained by Jiang Songyi's power, this was only a momentary disadvantage. It was crucial that she quickly win back the Fourth Prince's favor and affection.
Whether it is the splendor of the Yongding Marquis' Mansion or the dignity of the Huguo Duke's Mansion, they are difficult to compare with the wealth and glory that the royal family can bestow upon her!
Madam Jiang's words just now made Eunuch Ying Shuo break out in a cold sweat.
He felt as if he were being hinted at and warned.
"You are wrong, old lady. The Emperor dotes on the Marquis of Yongding, and the Marquis of Yongding's mansion is flourishing like a brocade flower. How could there be such a dangerous situation?"
Eunuch Ying Shuo quickly responded, "This time, I have the honor of exposing the secrets of the Yongding Marquisate. However, the reckless actions of the Jinyiwei have terrified the old lady and all the ladies. The Emperor has specially sent Concubine Rong Shu to select three carriages of gold, silver, jewelry, brocade, and tea from his private treasury to give to you all to appease your fears."
As soon as he finished speaking, the young eunuchs began to move the treasure chests from the carriage one by one.
"On behalf of the Yongding Marquisate, I express my deepest gratitude to the Emperor."
Old Madam Jiang felt warm in her heart and was about to pay her respects, but was hurriedly stopped by Eunuch Ying Shuo.
"Old lady, there's no need to be so formal."
On the other side, Zhang Dingqian and Mrs. Zhang had only one thought in their minds at this moment.
despair!
The Yongding Marquis Mansion was not in dire straits, but their Zhang family had fallen into an irretrievable situation!
Eunuch Ying Shuo slowly cast his gaze upon the Zhang family mother and son, his gaze filled with an inexpressible depth. "Why would you suddenly come to cancel the engagement for no apparent reason? Rumors abound in the palace that a happy event is imminent at the Yongding Marquis's residence, and I had intended to personally congratulate and share in the joy."
He was well aware of the emperor's importance to the Yongding Marquis' Mansion, so he had to show enough tact and respect in front of the Yongding Marquis' Mansion.
As the emperor's personal eunuch, Eunuch Ying Shuo's every word and action represents the emperor's will and attitude.
Mrs. Zhang and Zhang Dingqian were already sweating profusely at this moment. Faced with his questioning, they were so nervous that they were incoherent and didn't know how to respond.
Jiang Songyi said firmly, "What's the reason for cancelling the engagement? It's because Master Zhang is suffering from a serious illness and is unable to have sex. He also has a homosexual bent. He feels guilty about this and thinks he's not worthy of my cousin, so he came to cancel the engagement personally."
As soon as these words were spoken, Eunuch Ying Shuo and the young eunuchs beside him all turned their eyes to Zhang Dingqian. Their eyes were complex and unpredictable, and full of deep meaning.
Zhang Dingqian felt as if all his fig leaves had been stripped off and he was exposed naked in front of everyone, but he was unable to refute Jiang Songyi's accusations.
Madam Zhang was extremely angry, her face flushed as she shouted, "How dare you, you bold girl, talk nonsense!"
"presumptuous!"
The originally smiling and amiable eunuch Ying Shuo's face suddenly darkened. "How dare you be so rude to Princess Jiaqing? You deserve to die! Slap her in the face!"
Mrs. Zhang has always boasted of her prominent family background and noble status, but she has yet to receive any imperial title from the court.
Upon receiving the order, the young eunuch immediately stepped forward and slapped Madam Zhang hard in the face.
She felt deeply humiliated, her heart filled with unspeakable pain, yet she dared not dodge in the slightest. She could only silently curse these opportunistic and snobbish villains in her heart.
The three Hao Qingzhi sisters surrounded Jiang Songyi tightly, their hearts filled with the pleasure of revenge, and the smiles on their faces bloomed like spring flowers.
"I am where I am today thanks to the kindness of Princess Jiaqing." Hao Qingzhi knelt down to Jiang Songyi solemnly.
Jiang Songyi couldn't bear such courtesy. He quickly helped her up and said modestly, "Cousin Qingzhi, how can I bear this?"
Hao Qinghe smiled softly, her voice gentle and moving. "From now on, when we go out, we must bring the county lady's sister with us, so that those who dare to criticize us can see our power."
Hao Qingmo hugged Jiang Songyi's arms tightly, his bright eyes sparkling as he looked at her expectantly: "Songyi, Songyi, can you teach me some skills to exorcise ghosts and evil spirits? I also want to win some glory for myself and let my mother and sisters no longer suffer unwarranted blame."
Hao Qingzhi gently poked her forehead, and with a hint of doting rebuke, "You, even need the company of light to sleep at night, and you still want to learn how to catch ghosts?"
The intimacy and harmony of the sisters made Jiang Yuyao feel like an outsider, unable to fit in with this warmth and intimacy.
In the past, the three beautiful sisters of the Hao family had always treated her warmly, but she had always disdained their friendship. Ever since her identity as Hao Ren's concubine was revealed, the three sisters had become so distant from her that it was as if they had never met her in the mansion. Even when she took the initiative to show her affection, they ignored her and instead flattered Jiang Songyi.
Jiang Yuyao didn't envy their deep affection, but when she saw Jiang Songyi surrounded by people and loved by countless people, she couldn't help but feel a little bitter. She always thought that things shouldn't have turned out this way. After all, in the beginning, everyone's love was focused on her, not Jiang Songyi.
At this moment, Jiang Jinzhao walked to her side, his voice as gentle and mellow as a spring breeze, containing the deep love of a brother for his sister, "Yuyao, I have been away from home for the past few days, and you seem to have lost a lot of weight."
Jiang Yuyao's inner grievances surged out like a flood, and tears welled up in her eyes, "Brother."
She really felt extremely wronged. She felt that over the past ten years, everything she had was gradually taken away by Jiang Songyi. Her father, grandmother, aunt, cousins, and even her second brother all favored Jiang Songyi.
The only thing to be thankful for is that the eldest brother Jiang Jinzhao has been studying hard at Bailu Academy. Even on vacation, he rarely goes home and has few opportunities to interact with Jiang Songyi.
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