Jiang Ling quickly lowered her head, not daring to meet the Empress Dowager's gaze again.
"Do you really think I've been Empress Dowager all these years for nothing? You came all the way from the remote Lu Family Village to Shengjing and made every effort to get into the capital just to get the Emperor to dissolve the engagement?"
"I'm not mistaken about your divorce from your ex-husband Lu Youren and your subsequent assistance to Duan Kang'an, am I?"
At this moment, the Empress Dowager seemed to be holding a booklet, the contents of which were all of Jiang Ling's actions over the years. Jiang Ling felt extremely fortunate that she had not done anything out of line after transmigrating.
Now that things had come to this, Jiang Ling knew she couldn't defend herself, so she hesitated for a moment and nodded without denying it.
Seeing Jiang Ling's expression, the Empress Dowager smiled meaningfully and said to her, "I'll give you two options now. I'll bestow a marriage upon you, but the child will be lost! The second option is for you to become the third prince's wife! Then the child can naturally call the third prince 'father'!"
At this moment, Jiang Ling's heart was like a roller coaster. She raised her head and looked at the Empress Dowager with difficulty. She knew that no matter what choice she made, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
In the end, she decided to fight to the death. She gritted her teeth and said to the Empress Dowager, "Empress Dowager, what if I don't choose any of them?"
The Empress Dowager did not get angry after hearing this. Instead, she looked at her with interest and said calmly, "What? Does Lady Jiang have any other ideas?"
Jiang Ling shook her head and spoke her mind like spilling beans: "Your Majesty, I am not a member of the royal family, nor do I have any intention of disrupting the bloodline. But people are all made of flesh and blood. By making me choose like this, Your Majesty, aren't you just pushing me, Magistrate Duan, and the Third Prince to the brink of tragedy?"
“If I choose Magistrate Duan, Nianci will surely be lost, and I will live with guilt and indebtedness for the rest of my life. If the Third Prince finds out about this, with his connections and methods, do you think he can save me, Magistrate Duan, and my three children?”
"If I choose the Third Prince, as you said before, Empress Dowager, I also have feelings for Magistrate Duan. Magistrate Duan will definitely be heartbroken. Moreover, as I just said, the Third Prince is full of prejudice against me. If he wants to kill me, wouldn't it be easier for him than crushing an ant? If I am gone, what will happen to my three children?"
With a death wish, Jiang Ling blurted out all her innermost thoughts.
The Empress Dowager frowned slightly and rebuked in a slightly threatening tone, "How dare you speak to me like that? Aren't you afraid I'll punish you?"
Jiang Ling's head slammed heavily against the ground. She felt somewhat helpless. Since entering the imperial city, she felt as if she had kowtowed for the rest of her life.
The situation was urgent, and she didn't have time to think too much. Jiang Ling continued to kowtow and said, "I was prepared to be punished by the Empress Dowager before I said these words. Since I will have regrets no matter what I choose, I might as well wait for your imperial decree!"
After speaking, Jiang Ling looked at the Empress Dowager with a look of resignation to her fate.
The Empress Dowager sighed helplessly, shook her head, and muttered to herself, "She really has a stubborn temper. Oh well, get up now!"
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Jiang Ling sensed that the situation had taken a turn for the better, and she quickly stood up.
“I have investigated your matter thoroughly. It is indeed remarkable that you were able to rescue the child when you were almost forced to eat your own child during the famine. Even when the third brother made things difficult for you later, you did not give the child to him. Women with your character are truly rare!”
"If I were to truly sentence you to death, many would likely despise me behind my back. Besides, you haven't done anything wrong in this matter. If I were to force you to marry the third son, it would indeed be your three children who suffer the most, just as you said. In that case, I'll compromise. You can take the child with you, but you must keep this secret for the rest of your life. Even when you're lying in your coffin, you must not tell a word!"
"As for the third son, don't worry. I'm bestowing this Phoenix Token upon you, so he naturally won't dare to act recklessly after seeing it! But there's one thing I need to remind you of: you must not underestimate this child! After all, he has half of our royal blood!"
The sudden change in style startled Jiang Ling.
"What? You're so happy you don't even know you should express your gratitude?" The Empress Dowager frowned and reminded her.
Jiang Ling knelt down again, but another voice echoed in her heart: "I was just told to stand up, and now I'm being made to kneel again! I might as well just keep kneeling!"
Despite saying that, Jiang Ling kowtowed repeatedly, thanking the Empress Dowager for her grace.
Just as Jiang Ling was kowtowing, the Empress Dowager suddenly gave a wink to the person at the door.
The other person nimbly darted behind Jiang Ling and delivered a vicious chop to her neck.
A sharp pain shot through Jiang Ling's neck. Before she could react, everything went black, and she fainted.
"Alright, let's release her together. Judging from her appearance, she won't cause any trouble!" The Empress Dowager said, glancing at Taxue standing behind Jiang Ling.
Ta Xue didn't say anything, but simply picked up Jiang Ling and disappeared outside the door.
...
The violent jolting made Jiang Ling feel dizzy and nauseous, and the pain in her neck made her afraid to make any rash moves.
"You...you're awake?" A voice that was both familiar and unfamiliar reached Jiang Ling's ears.
Jiang Ling suddenly opened her eyes, and the dizziness returned. She could only frown and squint at everything in front of her.
The magistrate's plump face showed a hint of anxiety; this was the first thing Jiang Ling saw when she opened her eyes after being unconscious for so long.
"Ah! You!" Jiang Ling subconsciously sat up, but she immediately covered her neck and frowned.
"Young lady, are you alright?" Magistrate Duan was somewhat anxious, but dared not cross the line. His outstretched hand stopped in mid-air, his eyes filled with worry.
Jiang Ling frowned, suddenly realizing something. Ignoring the sharp pain in her neck, she grabbed Magistrate Duan's hand and anxiously asked, "Nianci! Where is Nianci?"
"Mother! I'm here!"
Before Magistrate Duan could even reply, Nianci's soft, gentle voice came from outside.
Then Nianci lifted the curtain and climbed into the carriage.
He ran to Jiang Ling's side, hugged her tightly, and said, "Mom, you're awake? Uncle Duan said you should rest and not be disturbed, so Uncle Liu and I were sitting outside driving the carriage!"
Jiang Ling pulled Nianci into her arms, holding her close as tears streamed down her face.
Somewhat embarrassed, Magistrate Duan bent down and lifted the curtain of the carriage, sitting outside with Zhao Liu.
Nianci noticed that Jiang Ling was upset and reached out her chubby little hand to Jiang Ling, saying, "Don't cry, Mommy, let me wipe it for you!"
Jiang Ling was very surprised after hearing this. She stared at Nianci with wide eyes and asked cautiously, "You... what did you say?"
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