Chapter IBMLS Ch.17 Qiyang (4)
Furthermore, Jiang Mingwei secretly harbored some ambiguous thoughts about Xie Xuanchen. Ever since she saw him at the city gates when she was twelve, he had become her definition of beauty and wealth. In those days, the Marquis of Wu’an, who later became the Prince of Qiyang, was very famous. Although Xie Xuanji was also praised by many people, he was still far from Xie Xuanchen during his peak.
Perhaps all outstanding people should die early, so they would never have the chance to fall from grace. Jiang Mingwei could lament Xie Xuanchen’s downfall, but she could not tolerate him getting married.
The young hero in her heart should remain standing at the peak of that untouchable mountain. If she couldn’t have him, then no other woman could.
Not to mention that woman was the crude, lowly, and despicable Mu Mingtang.
Looking at her daughter’s expression, Madam Jiang could roughly guess what she was thinking. She sighed and tightly gripped her hand. “Mingwei, the Prince of Qiyang doesn’t have much longer to live. The reason His Majesty agreed so readily to let Mu Mingtang become the Princess of Qiyang and even ordered the Ministry of Rites to do it quickly is because he fears that the Prince of Qiyang would not be able to live past the next few months.”
Jiang Mingwei was surprised. “He only has a few months left?”
Madam Jiang nodded silently. Jiang Mingwei also fell silent for a few moments, then she sighed.
Madam Jiang understood Jiang Mingwei’s feelings very well. That year, such a dazzling figure fell from the clouds overnight and was put under house arrest by his own father. In the end, he lost even his dignity. Who wouldn’t lament such a thing?
Following the silence, Madam Jiang continued to persuade her daughter. “Mingwei, there is no need to be indignant. Although Mu Mingtang will become a princess, her position cannot compare with yours. She… is marrying to become a widow. If she ends up dying in the hands of the Prince of Qiyang, she would be considered a martyr for her husband and be praised by the people after her death. If she survives, it would only be a matter of time before the Prince of Qiyang dies, and she falls to the mercy of the emperor. the Prince of Qiyang is the son of the previous emperor; there is no telling whether His Majesty would tolerate the widowed princess of the original heir to the throne. When that time comes, Mu Mingtang would be better off being buried alive with her husband. At least then, she would be known as a devoted wife.”
Jiang Mingwei was slowly convinced. She recalled how, in her previous life, she had not once heard of the Prince of Qiyang’s name after she went to Beirong. She reckoned that he had died one or two years prior and completely disappeared from the world. Later on, when Xie Xuanji ascended the throne and turned the development of the empire toward art and literature, the glory of the military prodigy was further forgotten.
Her mother was right. Why was she bothering to compete with a cannon fodder who was destined to meet a bad end? It was true that Mu Mingtang would become a princess, but if Xie Xuanchen only had a few months left like her mother said, wouldn’t Mu Mingtang become a widow as soon as she entered the Qiyang Manor?
Then, she would be a childless widow, a powerless princess without anyone’s support and backing. Jiang Mingwei would be able to do anything she wanted with her. After coming to this conclusion, she nodded to her mother. “You’re right, mother. I was foolish.”
Madam Jiang was overjoyed to see her daughter successfully change her mind. Then, she pulled Jiang Mingwei to the side and happily showed her a large selection of jewelry and clothing. “You will be marrying the Prince of Jin. This is the dowry I prepared for you, but if you like another style, just say the word and I will have it ready.”
Jiang Mingwei looked at the chests of pearl ornaments and exquisite silk fabrics before her and couldn’t help but smile. This was just the beginning. There was plenty more glory and wealth waiting for her when she became the empress.
When she returned to her own bedchamber, she looked at the familiar furnishings around her and suddenly let out a sigh.
Mu Mingtang had lived here for a year, but there was no trace of it at all. Everything was still hers.
With a smile, Jiang Mingwei picked out a box of jewelry from her dressing table and called a maidservant in. She said, “Is the second young miss still living in the guest room? It’s been hard on her. Give these to her and tell her they’re from her elder sister as a gift to congratulate her on her engagement.”