Meng Jiang Ming trembled all over and quickly asked, "Then... did the Princess agree?"
"If I hadn't agreed, would I have you dressed like this?" Jiang Shi glared at Meng Jiang Ming and said.
"Mother, isn't this too plain?" Meng Jiang Ming asked.
Jiang Shi looked at the robe in her hand and suddenly realized, "Indeed, it is a bit plain. There are so many talented young men at the hunting grounds, we can't let them overshadow my son."
With that, Jiang Shi quickly ordered the maids to find more clothes.
Seeing Jiang Shi's eagerness, Meng Jiang Ming still said, "Mother, I'm going hunting, not to a beauty contest."
Jiang Shi glared at Meng Jiang Ming upon hearing this, and said displeasedly, "With your scrawny physique, you think you can go hunting? Stay here obediently and accompany Princess Xing Yue, do you hear me?"
Meng Jiang Ming twitched his lips, "Mother, I'm not a maid or a stable boy. Besides, aren't you here?"
Jiang Shi snorted coldly, "Am I marrying Princess Xing Yue or are you?"
Seeing Jiang Shi's cold expression, Meng Jiang Ming quickly said, "Mother, don't be angry, I'll listen to you." He wondered if Wu Ran and Yan Luo would laugh themselves to death if they saw him like this.
Jiang Shi held Meng Jiang Ming's hand and said earnestly, "Jiang Ming, Princess Xing Yue is definitely not someone unreasonable. Even if you wanted to accompany her, she might not be able to use you."
Meng Jiang Ming was a little displeased to hear Jiang Shi belittle him. What was wrong with him? He was handsome and elegant, and how many women in the capital admired him?
Just then, Zhu'er, Jiang Shi's personal maid, entered. Zhu'er came to Jiang Shi and whispered, "Madam, the cousin is here to see you."
Jiang Shi's gaze immediately turned cold. She glanced at Meng Jiang Ming, who was still lost in his own thoughts, secretly instructed Zhu'er a few words, and then left.
Entering the room, Jiang Shi saw a slender figure kneeling on the ground. Even though she had hardened her heart before coming, she still softened a little now.
"Xiu Yi, do you need me for something?" Jiang Shi asked.
Jiang Xiu Yi raised her head. Her small face was pale and devoid of any color. Her eyes, like clear water, looked at her pitifully.
Jiang Shi had to admit that her niece had the capital to make men's hearts ache. Unfortunately, if it were in the past, she would have unhesitatingly helped Ming'er and this girl who grew up by her side.
But now, with the warning from Consort An ahead and seeing Princess Xing Yue's grace and dignity, Jiang Xiu Yi could not bring that to her Ming'er.
Therefore, she could only abandon one. Although this might be a bit unfair to her brother and sister-in-law who died early, wasn't the glory of the Ning Guogong's mansion also Jiang Xiu Yi's backing?
When the time comes to find a good family for Xiu Yi, it would be considered a worthy return to her brother.
Jiang Xiu Yi was very apprehensive. She had never taken Princess Xing Yue seriously before, because rumor had it that Princess Xing Yue had a masculine appearance and a broad waist and back. Otherwise, why would no one in the court want to marry Princess Xing Yue, yet the Emperor betrothed Princess Xing Yue to her cousin?
She had already been secretly communicating with her cousin for many years, expressing deep affection for each other. Her cousin had not disappointed her either, treating Princess Xing Yue with the same aversion as if she were an evil spirit.
However, she never expected that after her cousin made a trip to the palace, everything would change slightly. Her cousin seemed to be less resistant to Princess Xing Yue, and would even sometimes stare blankly.
It wasn't until that day that her cousin insisted on leaving the mansion. Not daring to rest assured, she followed him with her people. She saw the rumored Princess Xing Yue.
She was not the woman with a broad waist and back and a masculine appearance as rumored, but rather, just by standing there, one felt a radiance, like the shining moon and stars.
For the first time, she felt inferior, and even more afraid. Although her cousin had promised her that even if Princess Xing Yue entered the mansion, she would still be a concubine, she could not imagine it. Facing such a Princess Xing Yue, she had no confidence in winning.
Therefore, when she heard that Jiang Shi had invited Princess Xing Yue to the hunting grounds, she became anxious. She absolutely could not let her cousin be with Princess Xing Yue, not even for a moment. Moreover, the corners of her mouth curved slightly, and a trace of ruthlessness flickered in her eyes. If she wanted to fight for a man, she would have to see if Jiang Xiu Yi agreed.
"Aunt, can Xiu Yi go to the hunting grounds with you?" Jiang Xiu Yi looked up at Jiang Shi with her clear eyes.
Jiang Shi was startled. She really didn't expect Jiang Xiu Yi to make this request.
She sighed, looked at Jiang Xiu Yi for a long time, stood up, walked over, pulled Jiang Xiu Yi up, patted her hand, and said, "Xiu Yi, the hunting grounds are full of the smell of blood, and besides, you don't know how to hunt. You should stay in the mansion!"
"Aunt, I..."
"Xiu Yi, Aunt knows you are the most understanding girl, right?"
Jiang Shi asked Jiang Xiu Yi word by word.
Jiang Xiu Yi's eyes flickered. After a long time, she lowered her head and said, "Yes, Aunt."
Jiang Shi smiled, patted Jiang Xiu Yi's hand, and said gently, "Xiu Yi, you are the most considerate."
After speaking, Jiang Shi left the room.
Jiang Xiu Yi slowly raised her head. Her clear eyes now appeared fierce. She let out a cold laugh. Before, she had felt some guilt, after all, her aunt had treated her quite well. But from her aunt's words just now, she realized that her aunt's kindness was based on the condition that she would not affect the Ning Guogong's mansion.
Once her interests were linked with the Ning Guogong's mansion, she, Jiang Xiu Yi, would be the first to be abandoned.
Aunt, oh Aunt, since you have no affection for me, Jiang Xiu Yi, don't blame me for disregarding affection.
"Gu'er..."
A young maid hurried in. "Cousin, what are your orders?"
"Go and do this." Jiang Xiu Yi whispered into Gu'er's ear.
When Gu'er heard this, her small face turned pale. "Cousin, this..."
Jiang Xiu Yi looked at Gu'er and said coldly, "Don't you forget, your family is waiting for your money?"
Gu'er bit her lower lip, as if she had made up her mind, and said, "This servant will go and do it now."
Jiang Xiu Yi watched Gu'er's receding back, a shadow of gloom flashing in her eyes. Since they were making things difficult for her, then no one should have an easy time.
"Your Highness, you agreed to this?" Feng Wu looked at Xue Xing Yue, almost disbelieving. How could His Highness agree to share a carriage with Madam Ning Guogong, Jiang Shi?
Xue Xing Yue glanced coldly at Feng Wu and said, "Is there a problem with me sharing a carriage with my future mother-in-law?"
Feng Wu quickly shook her head, "There's no problem, but doesn't Your Highness hate these kinds of things the most?"
Xue Xing Yue's gaze flickered slightly upon hearing this. After a long while, she slowly said, "This is not the past. I am about to get married."
Feng Wu trembled all over, her gaze dimmed. Thinking of the once majestic female general becoming a person in the inner court, she felt it was disharmonious and there was an indescribable feeling.