Chapter 213 - 213: The Ruthless and Short-lived
“Alright.”
Seeing that Jiang Ning’s mood had stabilized, Huang Ying breathed a sigh of relief. She hurriedly picked up the hairpin, washed it clean, and placed it back in its box. She then went out to ask Chunlai to prepare bathwater.
Once the water was ready, Huang Ying asked the other servants to leave so she could attend to Jiang Ning’s bath herself.
When they removed her clothes, Huang Ying gasped in shock.
“This cruel, short-lived bastard has no idea how to be gentle. You’re delicate, yet he dares to treat you like this… How long will it take for these to fade…”
“Enough, stop talking about it,” Jiang Ning didn’t want to bring up the matter and lowered herself into the bathtub.
It was so humiliating.
What was most infuriating was that even in a place where imperial power reigned supreme, she didn’t have anyone to help her seek justice. If this matter were to get out, no one would blame Li Hongyuan even a little bit.
But she would become the laughingstock of Chang’an City.
It was admirable how, relying on the Jiang Family’s powerful influence, she had bravely and decisively sought a divorce. If this matter were to come to light, even if she didn’t care about it, how could she not worry about the consequences for the Jiang Family?
Jiang Ruobai was the Prime Minister, Jiang Yi had just entered the officialdom, and Lin Zizi had only recently found the courage to leave her home.
How could she let everything be destroyed?
It seemed she had no choice but to swallow her anger and endure in silence.
This thought was maddening.
While soaking in the bathtub, she felt as if every bone in her body ached and she didn’t want to move.
But she had to get out eventually, as staying in the tub for too long would undoubtedly raise suspicions.
After bathing, she changed into fresh clothes and prepared her makeup.
Her wet nurse arrived, carrying the two children.
The children, refreshed after a satisfying meal and nap, were in high spirits. Seeing their mother, they grew even more delighted.
Jiang Ning reached out and held Lingzi in her embrace.
Watching the child’s innocent smile, her mood finally found a semblance of calm.
Even though these two children were the offspring of the shameless Prince of Yu, they were still innocent and, after all, they were her own flesh and blood.
She couldn’t bring herself to vent her hatred for Prince Yu onto her children.
After a bout of affectionate cuddling, Lin Zizi’s maid arrived with breakfast. Today was the Grand Court Assembly. Jiang Ruobai and Jiang Yi, father and son, had gone to the palace for official duties before dawn.
Lin Zizi, apart from managing the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s backyard, had now shifted all her attention to her daughter and two grandsons.
After Jiang Ning had breakfast, she went to the Purple Forest Garden to pay respects to Lin Zizi, where she saw two noble ladies.
It wasn’t appropriate for her to stay, so she left after a brief visit.
She asked a maid from Black Bamboo Garden, “What are they here for?”
The maid smiled, “They’re here to discuss a marriage proposal for our Third Young Master.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Now that Third Young Master has made a name for himself, and is working at the Imperial Academy with a promising future ahead, countless prominent families are eyeing him. There have been several groups of people coming over to propose marriage already.”
Huang Ying laughed, “When our young master gets married, he’ll need to choose carefully. Ordinary girls won’t do.”
Jiang Yi was the sole male heir of the Jiang Family’s second branch, and as the legitimate eldest son, he had inherited his mother Lin Zizi’s beauty. He was an outstanding and promising young man.
He was definitely the third most sought-after eligible bachelor in Chang’an City after Prince Yu and Thirteen.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the Jiang Family’s threshold had been worn out by suitors coming to propose.
Jiang Ning laughed, “Third Brother is kind, cheerful, and perfect in both character and appearance. There isn’t even a chambermaid in his room, so it’s no wonder he’s popular.”
Huang Ying laughed, “After Third Young Master gets married, it will be Fifth Daughter’s turn, and then it’ll be Sixth Miss’s turn.”
Jiang Yuan was already seventeen, no longer young, but her older brother had not yet married, so it was improper for her to discuss her own marriage
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