Chapter 48-Part 2

Princess Tian’s guqin skills were lacking, and this made her even more anxious and jealous.

Her gaze toward Young Master Jiang was openly hostile.

Not only did Jiang Xiurun notice Tian Ying’s hostility, but Feng Liwu also noticed it.

In fact, he didn’t pay much attention to the women who were about to enter the residence.

The women who came to Great Qi as hostages were all attractive, and Princess Tian could even be described as stunning.

Originally, having such a beautiful and influential woman as the crown princess was not a bad choice.

But now… Feng Liwu suddenly felt that this woman was both physically and mentally repulsive.

Although he needed Han State’s support, the thought of his legitimate son being born from such a petty woman made him very uncomfortable.

A woman consumed by jealousy and constantly scheming would be cold and neglectful towards her children—something Feng Liwu, who had grown up without maternal care, understood deeply.

Therefore, he believed that his crown princess did not need to be the most beautiful, but she must be kind-hearted and loving towards her children. He didn’t want his legitimate son to endure the same lonely and helpless childhood he had. Nor did he want a scheming woman to corrupt his future offspring.

This Tian Ying was unworthy of being the legitimate mother of his children!

However, the Ministry of Rites had already finalized the list, and the news had spread. If Tian Ying were rejected, she would likely commit suicide in shame, which would harm relations with Han State.

During the tea gathering, Feng Liwu quickly weighed the pros and cons and made up his mind.

Thus, the day after the tea gathering, the Ministry of Rites finally released the long-delayed list of the crown princess candidates.

The Crown Prince announced that the women from various countries were all gentle and virtuous, making it hard to choose. To be fair, he decided to accept Princess Cao Xi from Yan State, Princess Tian Ying from Han State, and Princess Jiang Xiuyao from Bo State into the residence. All three would be equal-ranking concubines, and the first to bear a child would become the principal wife.

This decree seemed strange at first glance but was actually in line with the old customs of Great Qi’s ancestors.

The ancestors of the Great Qi were a nomadic tribe that practiced trial marriages. Men and women would cohabit, and if they found each other agreeable, they would combine their tents. Once the woman became pregnant, a grand wedding would be held to declare her as the wife.

If after a year there was no pregnancy, they would separate and go their own ways, with no further ties.

Given this old custom, the Crown Prince’s decision to follow ancestral practices couldn’t be criticized by the officials.

Most people were indifferent, but Tian Ying was so enraged by the idea of being an equal concubine that she smashed a roomful of objects and cursed about “male fox vixen leading people astray,” then collapsed on her bed, crying and fussing all day.

People could understand Princess Tian’s frustration. She was supposed to be the crown princess, and now she was neither the principal nor the secondary consort.

While Princess Tian despaired, Princess Cao Xi was invigorated.

Originally, her aunt, Empress Wei, had said she could only be a secondary consort. But now, with the principal position undecided, it was uncertain who would bear a child first!

As her aunt had said, to become the principal wife, she needed the fortune to bear a child.

Cao Xi understood this well. With the Empress supporting her, she wasn’t afraid, even if someone else conceived first.

Pregnancy lasted ten months, and even a small misstep could result in a miscarriage. One needs true fortune to give birth to a child!

Compared to the fluctuating emotions of the two princesses, Jiang Xiurun, as the future brother-in-law of the Crown Prince, was much calmer.

If there was any emotion to explore, it was an unending admiration for Feng Liwu, the Crown Prince of Great Qi.

After all, the Crown Prince’s acceptance of Jiang Xiuyao helped her and her brother Jiang Zhi tremendously.

In her past life, although the Crown Prince had many wives and concubines, he had accepted them one by one in an orderly manner.

Who would have thought that in this life, the Crown Prince would be so vigorous, accepting three women into the residence at once…

With unending admiration, Jiang Xiurun felt that, as a fawning aide, she should also pay attention to the Crown Prince’s diet and daily needs to ensure his continued vigor.

So, when she checked the lunch menu sent by the kitchen, she reminded the cook, “Don’t forget to add a pair of roasted kidneys for the Crown Prince!”

Hearing this, Madam Yin, who was from the capital, laughed heartily, “The young master is right. In this world, it’s best to have things in pairs. At such a young age, you have already earned the Crown Prince’s favor and are full of talent. Your future is boundless! Although you are far from home without your parents, do not worry. Leave everything to me!”

I forgot to mention that Madam Yin is a famous matchmaker in the capital, known for working within the circles of the rich and powerful.

Since the last tea gathering, the Crown Prince’s young tutor, Jiang Herun, has become famous.

His poems and music spread throughout Luo’an City, and at every banquet, discussing Young Master Jiang’s work became a mark of elegance.

Although he was a hostage, his future looked bright as the Crown Prince’s brother-in-law and future top aide. Such a talented and handsome young man was truly an ideal husband!

If one didn’t act quickly, they might miss out. All the unmarried girls in the city were eager and admired Young Master Jiang greatly!