Chapter 120

Although Yang Ruxu’s fruit banquet sounded unique and undoubtedly elegant, Jiang Xiurun couldn’t be bothered to attend.

Moreover, her hands and face were currently in no condition to be seen in public.

If people saw Jiang Herun’s darkened complexion, they might make the connection.

However, while Jiang Xiurun had no desire to entertain guests, Cao Xi, who had been blocked from entering, was growing increasingly frustrated.

She barged into the bathroom and was immediately taken aback by the sight of Jiang Xiurun covered in oily ointment from head to toe.

Cao Xi snapped, “Concubine Yao, you’re really enjoying yourself! I thought you were bedridden, but it seems you’re not too sick to indulge in a luxurious bath!”

Jiang Xiurun simply replied, “Get out!”

Those two words, combined with her oily face and piercing eyes, were terrifying.

Cao Xi, realizing how inappropriate it was to watch someone bathing, reluctantly retreated.

However, Jiang Xiurun knew Cao Xi’s patience was limited.

She instructed Taohua to apply a thick layer of powder to her face and hands before combing her hair, changing her clothes, and heading to the outer hall to meet the other two concubines.

Cao Xi, who had been waiting impatiently, immediately confronted her, “Out of all the concubines in the residence, you’re the most favored. You must know the Crown Prince’s intentions. Is he really going to marry a Yang daughter? Will she become a concubine or the official Crown Princess? Is today’s invitation a show of power?”

Jiang Xiurun deftly deflected the question, “What does Concubine Tian think?”

Tian Ying smiled slightly and said, “In today’s Luo’an City, although there are many prominent families, the truly influential ones are the old clans of Meng, Yang, and Wei, as well as the newly risen Qin family. Among these four, only the Qin family has achieved real military success, but the other three should not be underestimated. Currently, the Meng family is distant from the Crown Prince, the Qin family seems to be neutral, and the Wei family has lost face due to the emperor’s previous… reprimand of the empress. Moreover, with the Second Prince no longer in seclusion and the emperor taking new concubines, it will be difficult to rely on the Wei family in the future. The Yang family’s attitude is now crucial. In my opinion… the Crown Prince will not mistreat a Yang daughter…”

Jiang Xiurun agreed with Tian Ying’s analysis and said to Cao Xi, “Concubine Tian makes a good point. So, you two should prepare yourselves and go to the Yang residence as guests. The person the Crown Prince values so highly must be virtuous and easy to get along with!”

Unfortunately, Cao Xi was stubborn and difficult to deal with. Despite Jiang Xiurun’s attempt to dismiss her, she persisted, “It’s not like you’re not part of the Crown Prince’s residence. If she really becomes the official Crown Princess, won’t you be under her control? If we’re going, we should all go together. How can you be left out?”

Cao Xi’s reasoning was simple.

Although the Crown Prince had initially set a one-year deadline, it was now almost up.

The Crown Prince hadn’t touched her or Concubine Tian, focusing all his affection on Jiang Xiurun.

Therefore, the only one who still had a chance was Concubine Yao.

She hoped to incite the willful Concubine Yao to stand up to the Yang daughter at the banquet and discourage her from entering the residence.

However, Jiang Xiurun saw through Cao Xi’s plan.

Just as she was about to refuse, the Crown Prince sent a message: all three concubines were to attend the Yang family’s fruit banquet.

Moreover, the servant privately informed Jiang Xiurun that since the Yang residence was close to the Ministry of War, Concubine Yao could spend half a day there and then accompany the Crown Prince to a suburban villa for the night after he finished his official duties.

With no excuse left, Jiang Xiurun had Taohua apply more powder to her face and neck, ensuring an even coverage.

After applying makeup, donning hairpins, and changing into a long dress, she set off with the other two concubines.

The Yang family’s fruit banquet was indeed noteworthy.

It was said that they owned a ancestral orchard in the south, which produced tangerines that were perfectly balanced in sweetness and acidity, making them exceptionally delicious.

Every year, the Yang women hosted a fruit banquet to connect with the noblewomen of the capital.

This year’s tangerines were just as large, thin-skinned, and juicy as ever.

The skilled Yang chefs had used them to make cakes, juices, and honeyed treats.

The noblewomen enjoyed the flowers and tangerines in the Yang family’s greenhouse, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

However, many of the noblewomen’s eyes were drawn to Concubine Yao, the Crown Prince’s concubine. Although she was as stunning as ever, her face, neck, and hands were heavily powdered, creating a stark white contrast with her red lips and rosy cheeks.

It was a bold and unconventional look.

Yet, her striking features and confident demeanor made the heavy use of powder seem oddly stylish.

After a while, some of the women even thought about trying the same look, applying powder to their hands to achieve an all-over porcelain effect.

Unaware that she had inadvertently set a new fashion trend in Luo’an City, Jiang Xiurun sat lazily to the side, listening to the noblewomen gossip about the changes in the capital during her month-long absence.

Perhaps sensing a shift in the dynamics of the Crown Prince’s household, the noblewomen no longer surrounded Jiang Xiurun as they had at Mingshan.

Instead, they flocked to Yang Ruxu, showering her with praise.

However, Lady Yang was indeed well-mannered.

Despite being the center of attention, she remained composed and gracious, engaging in pleasant conversation with everyone.

Although Cao Xi and Tian Ying were seething with jealousy, they maintained a polite facade and exchanged pleasantries with Lady Yang.

Only Yao seemed reluctant to join in, not bothering to greet Lady Yang.

Before long, Yang Ruxu approached and asked with a gentle smile, “I noticed Concubine Yao hasn’t eaten much. Are the pastries not to your liking?”

Jiang Xiurun, feeling that as the Crown Prince’s concubine, she didn’t need to engage in small talk with an unmarried woman, replied indifferently, “They’re not to my taste.”

Yang Ruxu was momentarily taken aback, not expecting such a blunt response.

However, she maintained her smile and said, “I apologize for the oversight. May I ask what you prefer? I’ll have the kitchen prepare something else.”

Truly worthy of the woman who would later replace the Wei family’s empress, Yang Ruxu’s composure was impeccable, far surpassing that of Cao Xi and Tian Ying.

If Jiang Xiurun were to evaluate Lady Yang from a mother-in-law’s perspective, she would find her entirely satisfactory.

To be honest, Jiang Xiurun wasn’t being difficult out of spite.

She was simply exhausted after a month of hard work and had been dragged out to socialize against her will, leaving her feeling lazy and unenthusiastic.

Lady Yang’s politeness and humility were not lost on Jiang Xiurun, who wasn’t one to make a scene.

She smiled slightly and explained that she had an upset stomach and didn’t dare to eat anything.

However, Yang Ruxu read too much into it.

As the youngest daughter of the Yang family, she was well aware of her elder brother’s son, Yang Jian, who was a disgrace to the family.

Previously, Yang Jian had been implicated in a scandal involving the illegal trade of military weapons with Liang, and the Crown Prince had punished him severely.

Rumors suggested that Yang Jian’s fondness for men had offended the Crown Prince’s advisor, Jiang Herun.

To be honest, for a prominent family like the Yangs, having a black sheep like Yang Jian was deeply embarrassing.

His punishment was minor compared to the damage done to the Yang family’s relationship with the Crown Prince.

Among the four great families, the Yang family had once been on par with the Meng family.

However, as the older generation passed away, the younger generation’s influence paled in comparison to the rising Qin family.

The Yang family desperately needed an opportunity to restore their prestige, and an alliance with the Crown Prince was a rare chance.

Although the Crown Prince hadn’t formally agreed to the marriage, his words hinted at the possibility.

Moreover, his intentions were clear: he wanted a peaceful household, not a capable Crown Princess, but one who was tolerant and accommodating.

After hearing the Crown Prince’s words at a previous family banquet, Yang Ruxu had pondered them for days.

She began to understand that the “tolerance” the Crown Prince sought likely referred to Yao, the current favored concubine.

However, having never interacted closely with Yao before, Yang Ruxu was unsure of her temperament.

Thus, she had organized this banquet to get closer to her.

But Yao seemed unwilling to engage, behaving quite differently from Cao Xi and Tian Ying, who were eager to ingratiate themselves.

Perhaps Yao was jealous and didn’t want Yang Ruxu to enter the residence and compete for the Crown Prince’s affection.

Yang Ruxu smiled and stopped urging Yao to eat, instead praising the achievements of Yao’s brother, Jiang Herun, before walking away.

As her mother, the Yang matriarch, had said: “No flower stays in bloom for a hundred days.”

The Crown Prince’s favored concubine would always change; it was rare for one person to hold that position for long.

It was simply a matter of beautiful women taking turns.

Why fight for a position based on looks?

As the official wife, one must have the magnanimity to tolerate the Crown Prince’s concubines.

If the Crown Prince favored a concubine, the official wife should join in doting on her.

This display of generosity would show the Crown Prince that she was the virtuous helpmate he needed, a man devoted to politics!

Yang Ruxu not only took her mother’s words to heart but also put them into practice.

After consulting her mother, she selected a few beautiful maids to accompany her as part of her dowry.

Their appearances were modeled after Yao, and they were trained by experienced women in the art of pleasing men.

Yang Ruxu went to such lengths because she believed that while the Crown Prince could have favorites, exclusive favor would only inflate someone’s ego.

Once she entered the residence, she wouldn’t need to assert her authority or seek the Crown Prince’s affection.

Instead, she would simply let her charming maids occupy the Crown Prince’s bedchamber.

Without the Crown Prince’s exclusive favor, Yao would quickly revert to being just a hostage princess from a weak country.

What was there to be proud of?

As for beautiful women, with enough money, they could be found anywhere.

Only by being a magnanimous official wife could one earn the Crown Prince’s favor.

Those who didn’t know their place would be dealt with by sharing the Crown Prince’s affection.

This was the ultimate strategy for a dignified official wife!

To be honest, Yang Ruxu had never held the heavily powdered Yao in high regard.

A woman’s beauty was fleeting, and relying on it never led to a good end!

However,Tian Ying, who was sharp-eyed and cunning, noticed that one or two of Yang Ruxu’s maids bore a striking resemblance to Yao.

After some thought, she walked over to Yao with a light laugh and said, “Concubine Yao, have you noticed that Lady Yang’s maids are even more charming than you?”

Jiang Xiurun glanced over and nodded, “It seems Lady Yang has excellent taste.”

Seeing that Yao wasn’t taking the bait, Tian Ying narrowed her eyes and said, “What? Can’t you see? This Lady Yang has ill intentions toward you!”