Chapter 47 - 47: Impossible, Absolutely Impossible
The Empress glanced at Jiang Ning, thinking that she was just a timid girl who became flustered when she saw her sisters being bullied, and accidentally hurt Ling’an in the process.
Looking at Ling’an, the Empress seemed displeased, and asked sternly, “Where is the flower ball?”
“The flower ball…I don’t know.” Ling’an’s head was throbbing with pain, and she was extremely agitated, “Cousin Mother, you have to stand up for me.”
The Empress frowned, “Someone, go and find the flower ball.”
Soon, a palace maid came over holding the flower ball wrapped in silk.
As it fell to the ground, a piece of petal as big as half a little finger was knocked off.
Seeing this, the Empress felt distressed and said, “Such a perfect piece of rose jade, yet now a piece has been broken.”
The palace maid hurriedly comforted her, “Your Highness, don’t worry. As long as no one is hurt, everything will be fine.”
“Though the object is not worth much, it is after all the betrothal gift from the Prince of Yu. It being damaged like this, it’s really inauspicious,” the Empress sighed, and ordered someone to bring the flower ball to Jiang Ning, “Poor girl, you’ve been wronged today. It’s not your fault that this object was damaged. Keep it, and have Prime Minister Jiang find a craftsman to see if it can be repaired.”
Jiang Ning quickly held it with both hands, choking back tears, “Thank you, Your Highness. I will remember this.”
Though she didn’t shed tears, her eyes were moist, and her hands holding the flower ball trembled slightly.
This grievance was simply heartbreaking.
The Empress couldn’t bear to scold her any further, so she reprimanded a few accomplices and ordered them to send everyone back to their homes.
Thus, Princess Ling’an was beaten in vain.
Although she was unwilling, she had no choice.
Jiang Ning was the future Princess Consort chosen by the Prince of Yu, and the legitimate daughter just found by Prime Minister Jiang. No matter what, they had to save face for them.
The three daughters of the Jiang Family sat in a carriage, bouncing their way back to the mansion.
Jiang Ning sat in the middle, with Jiang Yuan and Jiang Yan on either side, glaring at her with disheveled hair and bruised, swollen faces, and at the no-longer-perfect rose flower ball in her hands.
“Are you two planning to eat me alive?”
“No, this doesn’t make sense.” Jiang Yuan reached out to grab the flower ball.
Jiang Ning closed her hand, “If you damage it, you won’t be able to afford it.”
Jiang Yuan stared in shock, “Is this really from Prince Yu?”
Jiang Yan replied, “Fifth Sister, didn’t you hear what the Empress said?”
“How is this possible? Do you believe it?”
“I don’t believe it…” Jiang Yan shook her head, then hurried to explain, “Seventh Sister, don’t get me wrong, that’s not what I mean. I just wonder, why would the Prince of Yu choose you?”
Jiang Ning retorted, “That’s exactly what you meant.”
“This is absolutely impossible! There must be some mistake!” Jiang Yuan became too excited, and as she jumped up, her head hit the top of the carriage, forcing her to kneel down, holding her head.
Wincing in pain, she said, “It’s impossible, absolutely impossible. Did the Prince of Yu not see that you’re a cripple?”
“He saw it clearly and even mocked me for it.”
“It’s only right for him to mock you, but choosing you is wrong.” Jiang Yuan frowned, “Just because you grew up in a poor family, without any skills or accomplishments, and being a cripple. On what basis would the Prince of Yu choose you?”
Jiang Yan whispered, “Prince Yu probably had poor eyesight today.”
“You’re right about that. He really did throw it with his eyes closed.”
“Really?”
Jiang Yuan screamed, “Why did he do that? You, you, you’re too lucky. Why didn’t he change his mind?”
“Perhaps the Prince of Yu values love and righteousness.”
“He must have taken pity on you!” Jiang Yuan refused to admit that Jiang Ning was better than her.
“That’s possible too. Next time if you break your legs, the Prince of Yu will definitely pity you too..”