Chapter 54-Part 1

Jiang Xiurun felt that although His Highness couldn’t distinguish between different types of livestock and wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about the ways of enjoyment, he was at least willing to accept advice and was good at taking suggestions.

Thus, she naturally agreed with a smile. This kind of flattering task was her favorite to do. Since it had nothing to do with state affairs, she could ensure her safety while pleasing her superiors.

However, Feng Liwu looked at her carefree demeanor and asked, “Is it that you don’t want to take on a task that would require you to leave the residence? Why haven’t you ever inquired about the matters of the Water Transport Department?”

In her previous life, during the early years of Great Qi’s relationship with the Liang state, they had always maintained a good friendship. Furthermore, with the Crown Prince being weak, the imperial power gradually fell into the hands of Emperor Duanqing, and there was no Water Transport Department. Jiang Xiurun knew nothing about it. Even if Feng Liwu wanted to be a foolish ruler and assign her such a task, she wouldn’t dare accept it.

If her guess was correct, the Water Transport Department would become a hornet’s nest in the future. Emperor Duanqing’s faction would definitely stir up trouble from time to time. She knew her capabilities were limited and couldn’t handle such a complex situation.

So when Feng Liwu asked, she flattered him without hesitation, her words pouring out like a waterfall.

“I believe that the current busy period in the residence is more important than any official position. If I can manage this task well, I will have no regrets in this life. Even if you offered me an official position now, I wouldn’t go!”

This speech clearly warmed the Crown Prince’s heart. His usually cold, handsome face showed a hint of a smile, and the frost between his brows melted significantly.

He glanced at Jiang Xiurun, who was holding a teacup, and said, “Remember what you said today.”

Jiang Xiurun thought it would be hard to remember her own words. After all, she had to say so many flattering things every day. Remembering them all would give her a headache. Moreover, with the sudden addition of several new masters in the future, each requiring careful flattery, the effort would be doubled.

So when she left the Crown Prince’s study and returned to her small courtyard, she found Qian’er cooking lotus seed and pig heart soup for her on the stove. She felt Qian’er’s thoughtfulness, knowing she had exhausted her mental energy and was being nourished.

She hugged Qian’er and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Qian’er was startled by the young master’s recklessness, blushing slightly, and her birthmark turned even more purple.

“Young… Young Master, if someone sees this, they might think you are desperate, not even sparing a maid like me…”

Jiang Xiurun, however, was serious, whispering, “I am not a man; otherwise, I would have married you.Where else can you find a girl who is both capable and can make soup? My Qian’er will surely find an extraordinary husband in the future!”

Qian’er felt the young master was so used to flattering others that she couldn’t stop even in her own courtyard. She laughed and glared at her, saying, “With your words, I’m confident about my future. I’ll have to trouble you to find me an ideal husband!”

Jiang Xiurun naturally agreed with a smile, telling Qian’er to just state her conditions, and she would find her a good match. She only hoped that when Qian’er had a bright future, she wouldn’t forget their bond and abandon her ‘messy husband’ !!

After some joking, Jiang Xiurun lay on a couch covered with a small blanket, sipping her soup slowly. The room was warm from the charcoal brazier, and outside, possibly the last snow of the winter was falling. In a few days, it would be the New Year.

Although her current situation was far from the free and easy pastoral life she had imagined, compared to her miserable start in the Laundry Bureau in her previous life, it felt like a beautiful dream.

She had never been greedy, only hoping that her future path would be smooth and uneventful…

The wedding customs of Great Qi were different from other places. After decorating the new room, the groom’s family would often send the bride’s uncles and aunts to inspect it, checking for any shortcomings and demonstrating the groom’s family’s sincerity. This custom was observed even in the Crown Prince’s residence.

Early the next morning, Princess Tian and Princess Cao’s families sent people to inspect the new house. Princess Tian’s side sent her uncle’s wife, Lady Jing, while Princess Cao’s side sent Madam Zhao, the most favored lady-in-waiting of the Empress Wei. Both ladies were of high status, but the Crown Prince, uninterested in such mundane matters, did not appear.

The stewards of the Crown Prince’s residence naturally collaborated with Young Master Jiang at the gate to receive them.

Lady Jing first smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Madam Zhao, inquiring about the Empress Wei’s health before they entered the Crown Prince’s residence together. The steward felt a headache coming on, thinking it was troublesome enough that the Crown Prince was marrying three concubines at once.

How did the inspection of the new house seem planned, with both families arriving together?

Fortunately, the brother of the princess from the Bo state, Young Master Jiang, was in the Crown Prince’s residence, and he had handled the decoration of the new rooms, saving them the inspection procedure. Otherwise, welcoming the families of three princesses at the same time would have been a nightmare!

Even without the third family, the two sophisticated ladies inspecting together was enough to cause trouble. As expected, Madam Zhao suggested that there was no need to rush, as the Empress Wei had instructed. They should inspect everything thoroughly to ensure the young Crown Prince, in his inexperience, had not slighted any of the princesses. She offered to accompany Lady Jing to inspect Princess Tian’s quarters first, then Princess Cao’s.

Since Madam Zhao invoked the Empress Wei’s name, who dared to object? So, the entourage went to Princess Tian’s quarters first. Upon entering, Lady Jing frowned. According to the standards for a Crown Princess, this courtyard was too small! Although the furnishings were luxurious and exquisite, there were no truly valuable items. For a Crown Prince’s marriage, this setup was too shabby!

What displeased Lady Jing the most was the courtyard’s distance from the Crown Prince’s chambers. If only Princess Tian were entering the residence, it wouldn’t matter much. But with three princesses entering at once, the one closest to the Crown Prince would naturally receive more visits, increasing her chances of bearing the first child and securing her position as the principal wife.