Chapter 59-Part 1

At first, Princess Tian did not regard the princess from Bo State with any importance. Others might not know, but due to her uncle’s connections, she was certain this woman had given birth before. The Crown Prince only took her into his household to show favor to her brother, Jiang Herun.

But how could someone as esteemed as the Crown Prince truly desire a woman like this, tarnished in reputation?

However, when Princess Tian saw Princess Yao dismount from the sedan chair, her heart suddenly clenched.

Like herself, Princess Yao wore a crimson bridal gown, but the cut of her dress was astonishingly perfect, accentuating her slender waist and graceful figure, making it impossible to look away.

The fabric of her gown fluttered like a veil of red mist as she walked, giving the impression that she had descended from the heavens.

When she looked at Princess Yao’s face, though her makeup wasn’t as heavy as it had been in the main hall that day, it was still applied quite thickly. On anyone else, such makeup would have looked vulgar. Yet, with her high nose bridge and striking features, the heavy makeup only enhanced her beauty, making her exude an aggressive allure.

The onlookers, who had never seen such a stunning woman, were awestruck by the princess’s beauty and surged forward, shouting, “How beautiful! A peerless beauty!”

It truly brought disgrace upon the face of Luo’an, the capital city of great Qi.

Princess Tian seethed with anger but couldn’t help glancing at Princess Yao’s jewelry. It was adorned with rare longan pearls, each perfectly round and smooth, of extraordinary value.

In comparison, both Princess Tian and Princess Cao had heard of the Crown Prince’s preference for frugality, so they had dressed modestly, wearing only simple gold hairpins.

Although both were princesses from powerful states, none of them flaunted their status as ostentatiously as Jiang Xiuyao. Yet being outshone in public left Princess Tian feeling deeply uncomfortable.

With that, Princess Tian averted her gaze, sneering inwardly: “She’s nothing but a foolish woman pampered in Bo state, deceived by a man’s sweet lies into losing her virtue. Now, even after entering the Crown Prince’s household, she remains so ostentatious, covered in jewels that blind the eye. Doesn’t she know the Crown Prince loathes the heavy scent of makeup? And yet she dares to wear it so thickly…”

Thinking this, she cast a sidelong glance at Princess Cao beside her.

Worried she wouldn’t stand out enough, Princess Cao had also applied her makeup quite heavily.

Princess Tian felt a surge of satisfaction, knowing she had an informant in the household.

Gongsun Wuyan had sent word to her, informing her that the Crown Prince couldn’t stand the smell of makeup and would lose his appetite if he smelled it, advising her to take heed.

So today, Princess Tian had applied only a light touch of makeup, all of it scentless. Although the princess from Bo state was stunningly beautiful, Princess Tian now felt reassured. In her view, Jiang Xiuyao was full of traits that the Crown Prince disliked and was no real threat.

Princess Cao, however, had a different perspective when she saw Jiang Xiuyao dismount from the sedan chair.

Knowing she couldn’t compete with Princess Tian in terms of looks, she had followed the advice of her aunt, Empress Wei, and considered a strategy of using strength to counter strength.

After all, they were three entering the household together, and though the princess from Bo State was a royal from a weaker state, her beauty was undeniable. While it stirred jealousy, if Princess Cao could win Jiang Xiuyao over, they could together stand against Princess Tian. With Princess Yao’s support, her position in the household would be more secure.

Thus, when Jiang Xiuyao approached, Princess Cao lowered herself and smiled slightly, signaling her goodwill.

Jiang Xiurun’s thick makeup today was not to impress the city’s commoners. She had merely applied it to emphasize her eyes and make her lips more delicate, distinguishing her appearance from that of her brother, Jiang Herun. As for the extravagant attire, it had been arranged by the Crown Prince himself, and not wearing it would have been a slight to his favor.

Originally, the sedan was meant to carry her straight into the household, where, after paying respects to the Crown Prince, they would each return to their respective courtyards.

Who would have thought that these two women would vie for superiority, resulting in the three of them being forced to dismount and enter the household together, causing quite a commotion at the gates.

Now, utterly exhausted, Jiang Xiurun couldn’t even keep her eyes open. Although Princess Cao smiled at her in a show of goodwill, she was too tired to respond in kind. Remembering how her sister Princess Yao used to dominate the court in Bo State, Jiang Xiurun followed suit, casting a dismissive glance at Princess Cao before rolling her eyes dramatically.

Then, lifting her skirt, she followed the two women as they stepped over the high threshold of the Crown Prince’s residence.

Princess Cao’s face stiffened in anger, giving Princess Tian an opportunity to mock her silently.

What Jiang Xiurun didn’t realize was that just as she stepped through the gates, a commotion broke out among the crowd behind her. It seemed someone had kicked over a melon stall, scattering melons everywhere. The person responsible was none other than Qin Zhao, who had just rushed back to the capital.

Previously, Qin Zhao had been reprimanded by the Crown Prince and sent to guard the border. He had disclosed his feelings for Jiang Xiurun to the Crown Prince, which had enraged him. Since then, Qin Zhao has been constantly anxious about her.

Yet, despite his efforts to inquire about her, all he heard was that Young Master Jiang was still working in the Crown Prince’s household and attending the academy, showing no signs of distress. Initially, Qin Zhao had been perplexed, unable to understand what the Crown Prince was planning, but his concern for her only grew.

This time, he had returned secretly, hoping to see her with his own eyes. Upon entering the capital, he heard the people of Luo’an rushing toward the Crown Prince’s residence located in the Qinglong Hutong, saying that the Crown Prince was marrying three concubines.

Qin Zhao wasn’t particularly interested in the Crown Prince’s marriages, but to his shock, after waiting in the crowd for a long time and not seeing Jiang Xiurun among the household staff, he finally spotted her among the three brides stepping out of the sedan chairs.

Seeing her in women’s attire, she looked even more beautiful than in the thousands of dreams he had envisioned.

Her fiery red wedding gown burned into his eyes.

He had longed for her to wear such bridal attire for him, to be carried in a grand procession as his rightful wife.

But now, all his hopes had turned to ashes.

Qin Zhao felt a sharp pain in his chest, as though it were being torn apart. He could still hear the Crown Prince’s scolding from that day. He had thought the Crown Prince was merely disappointed in him, but now he realized that the Crown Prince had been filled with jealousy!

Moreover, Qin Zhao had already declared his feelings for the princess from Bo State to the Crown Prince, yet the Crown Prince, during his absence at the border, had taken her for himself!

It was as if the Crown Prince had stolen his bride, leaving him feeling doubly betrayed. His chest felt like it was about to explode.

Unable to contain his anger, he kicked over the melon stall, drawing the crowd’s curses.

Realizing he had drawn the attention of the guards at the Crown Prince’s gate, Qin Zhao threw a silver ingot to the enraged vendor and clenched his fists before hastily leaving.

The commotion at the gate quickly subsided.

After entering the household, the three princesses proceeded to the main hall to pay their respects to the Crown Prince. However, the Crown Prince remained in his study. The three of them sat awkwardly in silence waiting for him.

Jiang Xiurun thought to herself, “The official documents were approved yesterday morning. The various governmental departments know the Crown Prince is welcoming three concubines today, so they won’t be sending any documents. He’s probably not busy; he’s just keeping us waiting to establish authority.”