Pregnant Before the Royal Marriage

Aunt Hua quickly comforted her daughter: “Why can’t you be more patient? As a daughter of the Jiang family, a high-born lady, you should be knowledgeable and well-mannered, virtuous and good. With such impetuous and irritable behavior, how can you catch the eye of the ladies in the palace and win over Prince Yu’s heart?”

Jiang Yuan was stunned: “Mother, what are you talking about?”

“My silly daughter, can’t you understand what your father is implying?” Aunt Hua couldn’t contain her joy, “Your father said, we should prepare well for the selection and not disappoint him.”

Jiang Yuan’s heart slowly filled with ecstasy: “Mother, are you saying… I will be chosen?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Your father is close to the emperor and is the Minister of Revenue. It’s not impossible for him to have some influence in the palace. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have said such things.” Aunt Hua stroked her daughter’s head, “Besides, my daughter is beautiful, Prince Yu is sure to take a fancy to you.”

Jiang Yuan was secretly delighted but soon became downhearted: “I have always been proud of myself, thinking that I am quite good among the sisters of the Jiang family. But, mother, you have seen the appearance of Jiang Seventh… she looks so much like Madam.”

Mentioning this, Aunt Hua’s face also darkened.

“Madam was the most beautiful woman in Chang’an when she was young. She has just grown old and haggard over the years. But who would have thought that her daughter would be even more beautiful than she was? No wonder your father dotes on her so much.”

“Since she came, my father has had no time for me.” Jiang Yuan felt wronged.

“Don’t belittle yourself. Apart from her beautiful face, she has nothing else. Besides, she’s disabled and can only sit in a wheelchair or lean on a crutch. For the selection, the Jiang family still has to rely on you.” Aunt Hua proudly said, “My daughter is, after all, the best. Once you become the Princess Consort of Yu, whether it’s Madam or Seventh Miss, none of them can surpass you!”

Jiang Yuan couldn’t contain her joy.

Aunt Hua said, “That’s why we have to be tolerant now. We still have to show respect to Black Bamboo Garden. After the selection, it won’t be too late to get even.”

She called for a maid, picked up two pieces of clothing, and asked Jiang Yuan to hold them.

Jiang Yuan sneered, “Look at how poor and shabby Seventh Miss looks. She must have never worn such fine clothes in her life.”

“Don’t say such things. Your father wouldn’t be pleased if he heard. Remember, everything now should be about patience.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s go, we should head over before it gets dark.”

The mother and daughter went to Black Bamboo Garden.

Jiang Ning was having dinner with Lin Zizi. There were four or five dishes of stewed vegetables on the table, mostly bland, with only a small bowl of egg drop soup that could be considered meaty.

Jiang Ning had no appetite while eating.

She realized that the food in this dynasty was relatively simple, not focusing much on various cooking methods like frying or boiling, and was mostly stewed dishes.

No wonder Old Man Li and Xiaoqian enjoyed the dishes she made so much.

Lin Zizi ate very little, only taking a few bites of the millet porridge, and just smiled as she watched Jiang Ning eat, from time to time picking food for her.

Faced with her affectionate gaze, Jiang Ning couldn’t refuse, but had no appetite, so she ate slowly, in small bites.

At this moment, a maid came in and said that Aunt Hua and Fifth Daughter had arrived.

Lin Zizi showed no reaction, her gaze still tenderly fixed on Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning had to speak up: “What are they here for?”

“They say they’re here to apologize to Madam and Miss.”

“Apologize?” Jiang Ning glanced at Lin Zizi, “Madam, shall we let them in?”

Lin Zizi didn’t seem to care much: “Whatever.”

Jiang Ning said, “Since they’re here to apologize, let’s let them in.”

As soon as Aunt Hua and her daughter entered, their faces were full of smiles like the warm spring breeze in March. There was no trace of the previous sharp and domineering attitude..