Chapter 110 (None)
Jiang Ling frowned slightly and couldn't help but scrutinize her again. Xiao Jiatang was dressed in a light purple dress, her hair neatly styled. Her young face was smooth and clean, her eyes bright, and there seemed to be nothing wrong with her.
However, upon closer inspection, Xiao Jiatang's eyelids were slightly red and swollen, as if she had been crying. Her eyes were upturned, as if her hair was tied too tightly, or perhaps too taut, making her movements and voice convey a sense of unease.
Jiang Ling suddenly became wary and replied, "A-Zan and A-Lang are being naughty; they're writing large characters in the house. The Emperor is unwell and forbids them from disturbing him."
Xiao Jiatang glanced quickly at Jiang Ling, then forced a smile and explained, "We're siblings. We haven't seen them in a long time, and we often think about them." As she spoke, her eyes gradually reddened, and she pursed her lips, trying her best to stay strong and not cry.
"Father, do you hate me?"
Emperor Yuanming frowned, glancing sideways at Xiao Jiatang with a hint of impatience. "A young lady like you, always lost in thought, asking ridiculous and childish questions. You're not even as good as A-Zan or A-Lang. It's raining, and it's this late at night. What are you doing running around outside? I don't need your greetings!"
As Consort Liu had said, in Emperor Yuanming's eyes, she was never as good as Xiao Yunzan or Xiao Yunlang, nor as good as any of his sons.
Xiao Jiatang's heart burned and churned like a raging fire. She lowered her head, concealing the hatred in her eyes. Her hands, hidden beneath her sleeves, trembled slightly.
"Your Majesty, the eldest princess is simply showing filial piety." Jiang Ling felt embarrassed and awkward, and quickly tried to smooth things over for Xiao Jiatang.
Emperor Yuanming snorted and said nonchalantly, "Fine, since you've already paid your respects, go back now."
"Your Majesty is truly astounded. The First Princess has only just sat down and hasn't even had a sip of tea yet," Jiang Ling said with a smile, then asked Xiao Jiatang, "Does the First Princess have anything else to say?"
Xiao Jiatang suppressed his anger and said, "Father, Her Majesty says I'm all grown up now and should move to the princess's palace. Her Majesty isn't well, and it hasn't been easy for her to raise me all these years. I really shouldn't stay here and cause her trouble. Please grant me permission, Father."
Emperor Yuanming's harem was enormous, and the palaces were simply not enough to house them all. The idea of a princess's palace is just a myth; concubines were already living there.
"Rouyi Palace is spacious, and you each live in your own rooms. How is that a disturbance? Besides, now that you're all grown up, you should be more sensible and not cause trouble for Consort Liu. It's such a trivial matter, why would you brave the rain to make the trip and disturb my rest!"
Emperor Yuanming grew angrier and angrier, scolding Xiao Jiatang and then berating Consort Liu: "You're brainless, and Consort Liu is even more stupid! She's sickly all year round, yet she's still alive and well despite all these years of illness! I think she's just faking illness, what bad luck!"
Xiao Jiatang sat upright, staring intently at Emperor Yuanming's moving lips, her mind and ears ringing. His swollen, sallow face and the loose skin drooping to the corners of his mouth made her stomach churn, and she felt so disgusted she wanted to vomit.
"The Empress had been with him for many years, yet he never showed her any kindness. When she was injured during childbirth, he considered it a crime and rejected her. He was cruel, ungrateful, incompetent, and ugly—yet he was the Emperor!"
"He just happened to be the emperor, my biological father!"
Xiao Jiatang's last glimmer of hope shattered completely. She trembled violently, her right hand quietly slipping into her left sleeve, her eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.
Jiang Ling's gaze fell on Xiao Jiatang's hands. After a slight pause, she called out without hesitation, "Huang Daban, escort the eldest princess back!"
Emperor Yuanming was startled and glared at Jiang Ling with displeasure. "Look at you, so easily startled! You're a mother now, yet you're still so unsteady!"
Xiao Jiatang was startled and her hand stopped moving; her face turned ashen.
At this moment, Huang Liang led the eunuchs forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, it is dark outside. This servant will escort Your Highness back to Rouyi Palace."
Xiao Jiatang's body stiffened. She knew she had missed the best opportunity and could only slowly get up and walk outside.
"It's raining, I'll go tell them," Jiang Ling said, and hurriedly followed him out of the house.
Huang Liang beckoned to the eunuch, "Quickly fetch an umbrella and wooden clogs! Where are the eldest princess's maids? Oh dear, this is making me forgetful! The eldest princess came alone, and none of her maids came to serve her..."
Ignoring Huang Liang's nagging, Jiang Ling beckoned Wen Juan, who was dressed in purple, to come forward. "Princess, I have a few words to say to you. Wen Juan, take the Princess to the side room."
Xiao Jiatang's eyes flashed with fierce hatred. She stiffened her neck and said coldly, "If Consort Huishu has something to say, please speak freely!"
Jiang Ling glanced at Xiao Jiatang's hands, which were still clasped together, and said calmly, "If I were to speak frankly, could the eldest princess bear the consequences?"
Xiao Jiatang held her breath, staring intently at Jiang Ling. A eunuch brought an umbrella, and Huang Liang was about to step forward when he saw their strange posture. He quickly called the eunuchs to join him and approach them.
Jiang Ling was taller than Xiao Jiatang, and surrounded by people, exuding an unyielding authority. Xiao Jiatang trembled uncontrollably; she could no longer bear it and rushed towards the side room.
"It's alright, I'll go take a look." Jiang Ling said to Huang Liang and the others, and led Wen Juan and Zi Shan into the house.
Xiao Jiatang, panting heavily, glared at Jiang Ling and demanded, "What do you want to say?"
"Put it down." Jiang Ling pointed at Xiao Jiatang's sleeve. Seeing her face change drastically, he calmly said, "I didn't make it clear on the spot because I left you a way out. It's no use for you to resist. There are people everywhere in Chuigong Hall. If I shout, your life or death will be out of your hands."
Upon hearing this, Wen Juanzishan stood in front of Jiang Ling as if facing a formidable enemy.
Xiao Jiatang's expression shifted several times. She knew she had already missed her chance, and her heart was filled with despair. Finally, her hand loosened, and the sharpened scissors hidden in her sleeve clattered to the ground.
Wenjuan's expression changed drastically. She hurriedly stepped forward, picked up the scissors, and held them up in front of her. Zishan followed closely behind, and the two of them warily guarded against Xiao Jiatang.
"Heh, you really are loyal." Xiao Jiatang sneered repeatedly, raising his head with a death-defying air, looking ready to go all out: "Kill me or torture me, it's all up to you."
Jiang Ling waved for Wen Juanzi to leave. She smiled slightly and said, "The eldest princess has always been known for her intelligence and wit. I don't understand why the eldest princess is so eager to live or die. Who is she trying to impress? As I said before, if you die, it will be like a pebble thrown into the ocean; not even a ripple will appear. If you are sad, in pain, or facing death, who will truly grieve and shed tears for the eldest princess?"
"Whether I live or die, it doesn't matter to anyone. What does it have to do with you!" Xiao Jiatang was heartbroken, tears streaming down her face, her eyes blazing with grief and indignation.
"Let me guess. I went to see Consort Liu before and had a frank conversation with her. Then, what did Consort Liu say to you that made you impulsively run to the Chuigong Hall? Consort Liu, tsk tsk, she did raise you, but she really doesn't care whether you live or die."
Jiang Ling kept a close eye on Xiao Jiatang's reaction. She was still young, and no matter how well she studied, she was still a flower grown in a greenhouse and had never truly experienced the hardships of life.
Regardless of the reason, whether it was aimed at Emperor Yuanming or at her, Xiao Yunzan and Xiao Yunlang were ultimately too afraid. Bound by rules and etiquette, they couldn't conceal their thoughts and emotions, and were unable to act decisively.
"Consort Liu is skilled at winning hearts and minds. How exactly did she persuade you to risk your life for her? You, as the eldest princess, have never lacked wealth and power. What about wealth and status?"
Jiang Ling noticed Xiao Jiatang's lowered eyelashes flutter and immediately understood. "It must be power. Princess, have you ever considered that when Consort Liu threw you out without any mercy, she didn't actually expect you to do anything? She was truly desperate and was just throwing a wrench at you. If you succeed, it will be a pleasant surprise for her; if you fail, it will be expected and she will suffer no loss. It's a pity that you actually listened to her."
"Your Majesty did not encourage me; I did it willingly!" Xiao Jiatang leaned against the desk, a self-deprecating smile appearing on her pale face.
"My lord raised me, taught me to read and write, and imparted all the knowledge in the world to me. My life belongs to her, so what is there to fear in death?"
"So you knew all along, but you did it willingly."
Jiang Ling pondered for a moment and muttered something to herself. Then she smiled and said, "You claimed you were willing and unafraid of death, so why didn't you act back then?"
Xiao Jiatang paused for a moment, then smiled sadly and said, "Why is Consort Hui in such a hurry? Living is not easy, but is dying not so difficult?"
Jiang Ling didn't respond, but slowly said, "Actually, you're afraid of death, everyone is afraid of death, and it's not shameful. You think you can be fearless, but when the time comes, you'll find it's not as easy as you thought. Death is the same. You were born into the royal family, which is a hundred or a thousand times luckier than ordinary people. Perhaps you're still not satisfied and have higher and farther ambitions, which is all good."
"Stop making sarcastic remarks!" Xiao Jiatang was taken aback, looking at Jiang Ling with surprise, and said in a gloomy tone, "Now that you've won, why bother with these sarcastic remarks?"
Jiang Ling calmly and cruelly exposed Xiao Jiatang's illusions, "Princess, have you ever considered that even without me, without Azan and Alang, and not even considering the officials of the previous court, the Xiao royal family is still around? It will be your turn no matter what. And don't even think that people's hearts are like dough, to be kneaded and manipulated at will."
Xiao Jiatang was stunned. She threw her head back and laughed loudly, "Consort Hui, don't boast. How much better are you? I may not be capable, but do you think Father, Azan, and Alang are? In what way am I inferior to them!"
"Whether you have the ability or not, I don't know. But now, your wish is probably going to be in vain. That's how the world is, and it won't change in the slightest because of your anger and resentment."
Jiang Ling sighed and looked at Xiao Jiatang with great seriousness. "Resentment, impulsiveness, and hatred are the most useless emotions."
Xiao Jiatang's face was deathly pale as she retorted sarcastically, "And you, Consort Hui, aren't you the same? Do you think you can change?"
Jiang Ling remained calm and confidently stated, "I am different from you, and different from all of you."
"Heh." Xiao Jiatang laughed sarcastically, "Consort Hui, you summoned me here just to show off?"
"I called you here because you are still young, and I don't want to see you impulsively throw your life away."
Jiang Ling shrugged, smiled slightly, and said, "This is also the difference between me and you. A person who doesn't even cherish their own life will certainly not cherish the lives of others."
She dared not presume to believe she could govern the world. But she was certain of one thing: if those in power did not value human life, the people of the world were merely pawns in their power games.
Whether it was Emperor Yuanming, or Consort Lin, Consort Zhao, Consort Liu, or Consort Xiao Jiatang, they were all the same—they were all unacceptable!
Xiao Jiatang seemed to understand something, as if she grasped the deeper meaning behind Jiang Ling's words. Like a trapped beast, she leaned weakly against the table, her chest heaving, her expression pained and bewildered.
Having said all she could say, Jiang Ling had done more than enough. She didn't want to say anything more, only saying, "I'll have Huang Liang escort you out."
Once outside the room, Jiang Ling summoned Huang Liang and said, "The eldest princess is unwell. Have someone tidy up Xiefang Pavilion and send her there to recuperate."
Upon hearing the name Xiefang Pavilion, Huang Liang was immediately startled. He looked around anxiously and said, "Your Majesty, the eldest princess..."
"It's just the young lady having a tantrum," Jiang Ling said casually. She then smiled and said, "The eldest princess is still a young lady. You should give her some advice. I came out of Xiefang Pavilion. The palace is in such a state, but people's hearts are in turmoil. Don't believe those ominous rumors. Arrange for a few loyal and honest people to serve her. Don't neglect her."
Huang Liang hurriedly agreed to everything, glanced towards the bedroom, and hesitated before asking, "Your Majesty, should we inform the Emperor?"
Emperor Yuanming professes to love his children, but if someone hadn't specifically mentioned it, he probably wouldn't even remember having this daughter. Jiang Ling's words to Xiao Jiatang were merciless, a stark and cruel reality.
Xiao Jiatang was a princess, and no one would specifically mention her at this time.
Moreover, the Chuigong Hall is controlled by Jiang Ling, and anyone who wants to come before Emperor Yuanming needs her approval.
Jiang Ling said casually, "Don't bother the Emperor with trivial matters."
Huang Liang readily agreed, summoned a palace attendant to make the arrangements, and went to get busy.
The rain continued to fall, the raindrops swirling in the dim light of the candlelight, blown by the wind.
Xiao Jiatang walked out with her head down, her steps faltering, looking utterly lost. Her thin shoulders slumped, and she seemed about to collapse in the wind and rain.
Jiang Ling turned and went back into the house. At that moment, the eunuch and Xue An, their heads soaked with rain, rushed over.
Xue An, disregarding the rain on his face, raised his hand in a salute and said anxiously, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Envoy Ding has urgent business to discuss with you!"
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