Chapter 145 My Queen is nearing her end
In truly high-level games, even if someone wants to kill you, they'll still keep up a friendly and jovial facade. The big shots at the main table might be internally turbulent, but outwardly they'll maintain a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere, exchanging pleasantries as if bathed in a spring breeze.
Jiang Yu is a junior, and the foolish Marquis of Anling has already made them aware of her. Although Jiang Yu has not made any moves or achievements in the Ministry of Revenue, judging from today's situation, she is still no ordinary young lady.
Besides, let alone her, what achievements could any of the younger generation in their families, who are in their twenties, accomplish in just six months in officialdom? It's just that she's a woman who entered the court and solved such a difficult test question, so people are paying more attention to her, but also hoping to make a fool of her.
Therefore, no one targeted Jiang Yu at the banquet.
Halfway through the banquet, everyone had covered all the topics and fostered good relationships, and was generally in a relaxed state. Jiang Yu had drunk some alcohol, and to dilute the alcohol level in her system, she drank a lot of water, then needed to use the restroom.
The front courtyard was for men, so it wasn't very convenient for Jiang Yu, a woman, to use the restroom. She led Xia He and Chunxue towards the inner courtyard. They found a maid from the Tang family and had her lead them to the restroom before heading back. However, they encountered Prince Kang by a pavilion.
There was no way to ignore it once you'd encountered it, so Jiang Yu stepped forward and bowed, "Your Highness, Prince Kang."
Prince Kang smiled and told her to dispense with the formalities, then said, "May I have a word with you in private?"
Jiang Yu smiled and said, "Please."
She had already guessed what the Prince of Kang was going to do, and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
The two entered the pavilion one after the other. Xia Hechunxue and the attendants of Prince Kang stood three meters away. Jiang Yu looked at the distant pines and cypresses, and heard Prince Kang sigh heavily.
"When I first heard about Miss Jiang, I wondered what kind of woman could be so decisive. Later, after taking a look at Miss Jiang from afar, I felt that the rumors were somewhat untrue."
Jiang Yu turned to look at him, then continued to gaze at the distant pine and cypress trees, saying, "This humble official has never worked with Your Highness, how could Your Highness know that the rumors are false?"
Prince Kang did not overlook the fact that she referred to herself as "this humble official," but still said, "Miss Jiang is a woman who is as capable as any man, but she is also a woman, and she also has the fragility of a woman, doesn't she?"
Although it was a question, his tone was very certain. Jiang Yu lowered his eyes slightly, "Everyone has moments of weakness and vulnerabilities."
"Haha..." King Kang laughed twice, "Miss Jiang is insightful."
Prince Kang sighed again, "Miss Jiang is right. Everyone has weaknesses and vulnerabilities. I am no exception. There is no peace at home, and the Princess's health is... alas..."
Jiang Yu disliked such roundabout ways of speaking, so she frowned and didn't respond. The Prince of Kang glanced at her; from his angle, he saw Jiang Yu's profile—her skin was as smooth as white porcelain, yet tinged with a healthy blush, and her high nose bridge gave her a touch of heroic spirit.
This was the first time King Kang had encountered such a woman; her appearance was gentle yet firm, and her words were impeccable. He then said, "To be honest, Miss Jiang, my queen... will not live much longer."
Jiang Yu realized he was about to reveal his true purpose, and turned to look at him with a calm expression. The Prince Kang, however, seemed somewhat flustered by her gaze. He gave a wry smile and said, "You are no ordinary woman; you know the intrigue and backstabbing in the court. So many people covet my position as Princess Consort... alas..."
Jiang Yu still didn't respond to his words, but Prince Kang didn't seem embarrassed at being unable to continue his act. He continued, "The Tang family is the Princess Consort's maternal family. My Princess Consort is still alive, and they're already thinking of giving me another Princess Consort from the Tang family. I... I..."
He looked very angry. If Jiang Yu were sensible, she should have offered some words of comfort and then asked him what he planned to do. But Jiang Yu said, "Every family has its own problems, and I cannot comment on Your Highness's family affairs."
King Kang: "......"
Jiang Yu then said, "Your Highness must have heard about what happened to me before, right?"
King Kang frowned. "I've heard of it."
Jiang Yu nodded, then bowed to him, "This humble official should return now."
She turned and left, but as she exited the pavilion, Prince Kang's voice came from behind her, "Miss Jiang, I don't mind divorced women, and it wasn't your fault anyway."
Jiang Yu turned to look at him, smiling brightly, so brightly it almost blinded King Kang. But she said nothing, turned and walked away. King Kang stood there, staring blankly at her retreating figure, muttering to himself, "She definitely understands what I mean, but what does this mean?"
If Jiang Yu heard him say that, she would definitely say, "I already told you!"
She asked Prince Kang if he had heard about her past, intending to remind him of Qi Yuanhong's fate. Unfortunately, Prince Kang didn't grasp her meaning.
Humans are emotional beings; men can develop feelings for women, and women can develop feelings for men. No one can or has the right to stop someone from liking another.
Jiang Yu is not averse to men, nor does she harbor hostility towards men who have feelings for her. "You can like what you want; it's none of my business, as long as it doesn't affect my life."
But if you scheme against her under the guise of liking or admiring her, she'll hate you. In that case, she'll retaliate.
...
At the women's banquet in the backyard, Lu Yifang was naturally seated at the front. One of her goals for the day was to introduce Wu Zhengyan to the ladies and young women of various families, helping her to integrate into the circle as quickly as possible.
Everyone knew that the legitimate son of the Duke of Chu's mansion had been replaced by an illegitimate son. However, the Duke of Chu's mansion did not fall, and Jiang Yu's entry into the court as an official showed everyone that the Emperor and Empress Dowager still valued the Duke of Chu's mansion highly.
Therefore, even if some ladies looked down on Wu Zhengyan or mocked Lu Yifang for her lack of ability, they only thought it to themselves and remained outwardly amiable. None of the matriarchs were fools.
Lu Yifang introduced Wu Zhengyan to everyone she needed to know, and then sat down to talk with the wife of the heir of the Duke of Wei's mansion, who was also the eldest daughter of the Duke of Chu. The wife of the heir of the Duke of Wei's mansion had been having a much better time at home lately, so she had a smile on her face the whole time.
At this moment, Madam Tang walked over, chatted with the two of them for a few words with a smile, and then looked at Lu Yifang and said, "I have a few words I would like to say to Madam. May I speak to you privately?"
“Alright.” From the previous attitude of Princess Kang, Lu Yifang guessed that the Tang family had some matters involving the Duke of Chu’s mansion. She also wanted to know what the Tang family was planning.
She followed Madam Tang with Granny Feng as they left the banquet hall and entered a room, where Princess Kang was resting on a couch, her complexion even worse than before.
Lu Yifang stepped forward and bowed, "This humble woman greets Princess Kang."
Princess Kang looked at her intently for a moment before letting her stand up.
P.S.: I uploaded the wrong chapter earlier, I've corrected it now.
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