Jing Yan's tense expression was now filled with even more doubt. He realized what was going on and asked, "Is it about Jing Ning's wedding? I'll go with you to hear about it."
He was ready, intending to join Yue Jiang.
Yue Jiang grabbed Jing Yan: "Your Highness, what will you say on my behalf when the time comes?"
Jing Yan: "Naturally, whatever schemes Grandmother Zheng may have, I will refuse on your behalf."
Yue Jiang retorted, "Your Highness, why is Grandmother Zheng beating around the bush? Can you confess without being asked? If you go, she won't mention it to me anymore. If she doesn't mention it to me today, she'll summon me again tomorrow when you're not around. What will you do then?"
Before Jingyan could speak, Yuejiang spoke first: "Not to mention you, even Father Emperor was helpless against Grandmother Zheng. He has already expressed his imperial will that Jingning's marriage should be conducted according to normal standards."
"Grandmother Zheng didn't say anything on the surface, but she was extremely demanding in the details, which caused the Ministry of Rites to revise the gift list several times. It was only after the Ministry of Rites secretly added some things that Grandmother Zheng finally stopped."
"Your Highness can accompany me, of course, but if you don't show respect to Empress Dowager Zheng, I might end up like the Ministry of Rites, feeling exhausted and manipulated."
"Then what do you suggest?" Jing Yan looked at Yue Jiang, who was calm and composed, and spoke eloquently, as if she had a thorough understanding of the matter.
He couldn't help but think of what Rong Ying had told him before he returned to the city: Yue Jiang was a very good person who could share his worries.
But he had been exhausted by watching his father and mother deal with such troublesome matters since he was a child, let alone Yue Jiang.
Jing Yan felt a pang of heartache.
Yue Jiang kept everyone in suspense: "Of course, if Grandmother Zheng dislikes someone, who can she blame?"
"But the prerequisite is that Your Highness can ask the Emperor and the Empress Dowager for a favor."
"Tell me, how can I help you?" Jing Yan readily accepted the task.
Yue Jiang leaned over and covered her lips with his.
Jingyi has already returned to the inner palace, and may already be in Empress Dowager Cheng's palace saying what Yuejiang instructed.
Empress Dowager Zheng summoned Yue Jiang back at this time, which would help her handle things more smoothly.
Yue Jiang appeared confident and composed. After listening, Jing Yan pondered for a moment and then nodded.
...
In the afternoon, Yue Jiang went to the Longevity Palace. After arriving, she discovered that Consort Zheng, Jing Ning, and Zheng Yutong were also in the Empress Dowager Zheng's palace.
"Granddaughter-in-law greets the Empress Dowager," Yue Jiang said, giving a proper curtsy to Empress Dowager Zheng.
Consort Zheng greeted her warmly, "Crown Princess."
Jingning and Zheng Yutong respectfully greeted Yue Jiangfu: "Jingning greets sister-in-law / Yutong greets the Crown Princess."
Yue Jiang exchanged a few pleasantries with them: "Greetings, Consort De. No need for formalities, Sister Jingning and Cousin Yutong."
After the greetings, Zheng Taihou, who was standing to the side, was very friendly, welcoming Yue Jiang as if she were a rare guest, and told her not to be polite and to sit down next to her.
"The Crown Princess told them not to stand on ceremony, so you shouldn't stand on ceremony either. Come here quickly. You came all the way from the Yue Kingdom, and we, grandmother and grandson, haven't seen each other often. How are you? Are you getting used to living in the East Palace? Is Yan'er treating you well?"
Yue Jiang nodded generously, a shy smile appearing on her lips: "The palace is very well taken care of, just like when I was in Yue Kingdom. I don't come here often just so as not to bother my grandmother. As for Your Highness, he treats me very well."
"As long as everything is fine, it's good. It's fate that the Crown Princess was able to marry into the Jing Kingdom. Who knew that such a good situation would arise?" Empress Dowager Zheng said meaningfully.
Yue Jiang hadn't lost her memory, so she naturally understood the deeper meaning behind her words. She must not have expected that someone who was supposed to marry into Anguo would end up in Jingguo.
Of course, Empress Dowager Zheng did not entirely lament about Yue Jiang, but intentionally steered the conversation toward Jing Ning, since she was about to be married off to the Jade Kingdom.
In an instant, Empress Dowager Zheng's joyful expression gradually faded, and her sorrowful look became unmistakable, with tears welling up in her eyes.
Seeing the sudden change in Empress Dowager Zheng, Yue Jiang became slightly nervous and flustered, saying, "Grandmother, what's wrong? Did Yue Jiang say something wrong?"
"No, I just noticed you looked a little hurt," Empress Dowager Zheng shook her head slightly and looked up to wave to Jingning.
Jing Ning got up with a knowing look and walked to Empress Dowager Zheng, sitting down next to her.
Empress Dowager Zheng patted Jingning's hand, choking back tears: "Princess Consort, please don't blame me. You came from Yue Kingdom to Jing Kingdom after marrying into it. I also have a granddaughter who is about to marry far away."
“Once she gets married, there will be no chance to see her again. It breaks my heart. Jingning has always been the most well-behaved among her brothers and sisters. She never complains when she is wronged.”
"Whenever I think of her going to a foreign country alone, I can't help but worry about her. I wanted to give Jingning the greatest dignity before her marriage."
"Alas... alas, Jing Kingdom is not as wealthy as Yue Kingdom, so even if we wanted her to marry in a grand and glorious manner, we couldn't do it."
Yue Jiang: That's a biased statement. Yue Kingdom is indeed wealthy, but when she was sent to marry An Kingdom, it was An Kingdom that extended an olive branch, offering her the position of Crown Princess.
In order to show the sincerity of Anguo, Yueguo naturally had to send Yuejiang a generous dowry when she got married. In any case, Yueguo would send out a lot of money every year.
It's more normal to shower more attention on the princesses who marry out of the country for political reasons.
However, Yue Jiang had already heard from the Empress that Jing Ning's marriage was not at all shabby; it was exactly as it should be. Moreover, Empress Dowager Zheng herself had already put the Ministry of Rites in a difficult position, so the matter had already been settled in terms of decorum.
The only undignified thing was that Empress Dowager Zheng took it upon herself to marry her granddaughter to a man old enough to be her father, even though that man was an emperor.
Yue Jiang: "With the Empress Dowager around, Jingning is truly blessed. I heard that the Ministry of Rites is already making preparations for Jingning. Is it not going well?"
Empress Dowager Zheng did not speak. She glanced at Consort Zheng, who was sitting on the stool, without leaving a trace. Consort Zheng sobbed twice and picked up her handkerchief to hide her distress.
"Jing Kingdom hasn't held any grand celebrations for many years. On the day of the Crown Princess and Crown Prince's wedding, the Ministry of Rites had already used half of Jing Kingdom's treasures to decorate the occasion. Now, they're starting from scratch to prepare the betrothal gifts. The items are of sufficient quality, but they're rather rough."
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