Chapter 6: Double Rebirth (6)

A woman from the inner chambers—nothing more.

Lu Mingxuan believed he had a way with women like that.

Besides, anyone with eyes could see which brother, between him and his ninth brother, was the better choice.

He didn’t believe that old fox Jiang Su could be so heartless as to disregard both of his daughters.

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Jiang Jiang didn’t enjoy socializing.

But for the Empress Dowager’s birthday, as a granddaughter-in-law, her attendance was mandatory.

The women and men were seated separately, and beside Jiang Jiang sat Jiang Yun, who looked glowing and happy in her newlywed bliss.

With both sisters having married into the royal family, it was inevitable that the other noble ladies would compare and gossip.

“That second Miss Jiang is quite pitiful—she’s weak to begin with, and she married a cripple.”

“Exactly. Both married princes, but the elder Miss Jiang married Prince An! Not only is he favored by the emperor, he’s also charming and talented.”

Jiang Yun naturally felt pleased to hear people praise her fortune.

But she hadn’t forgotten how these same people mocked her in the previous life when she had married Lu Zheng. Now that their scorn was directed at Jiang Jiang, she couldn’t help feeling some bitter empathy.

Watching Jiang Jiang calmly eat pastries beside her, Jiang Yun scolded in frustration, “You can still eat right now?”

Jiang Jiang: “…?”

With a helpless smile, she offered a piece of pastry and said, “Life is meant to be lived for yourself. It’s not about what they say. If you waste time arguing with every one of them, your whole day would be spent on nothing but that. Don’t let it bother you.”

Jiang Yun accepted the pastry and, tasting its sweetness, felt some of her frustration melt away.

She suddenly said, “You don’t need to argue with them—your sister will stand up for you from now on.”

Jiang Jiang: “…Alright.”

At first, she thought Jiang Yun still couldn’t let go of Lu Mingxuan because she loved him too much. But now it seemed more like their parents had simply raised her with too little cunning.

The Empress Dowager also gave gifts to her two new granddaughters-in-law. She wasn’t worried about Lu Mingxuan. It was Lu Zheng she had concerns about…

She summoned Jiang Jiang to her side, took her hand, and said kindly, “Lu Zheng was a child I watched grow up. His life has been full of misfortune. Now that he’s married such a fine young woman like you, I can rest a bit easier. I only hope you’ll be patient and understanding with him.”

The Empress Dowager was a kind-looking elderly woman. When she mentioned Lu Zheng’s late mother, sorrow filled her eyes.

Seeing Jiang Jiang’s curiosity, she smiled and added, “It’s no secret really, but it’s better if Lu Zheng tells you himself.”

Jiang Jiang replied respectfully, “As long as Imperial Grandmother is at ease. I will treat His Highness well.”

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Jiang Jiang found a quiet path by the lake and strolled slowly. In the original story, there wasn’t much detail about Lu Zheng’s mother, but judging by his current demeanor, it was clearly a painful memory.

She didn’t want to poke at old wounds. She would wait until Lu Zheng was willing to speak.

But as she walked, she ran into someone who shouldn’t have been there.

“Prince An.” She gave him a quiet greeting and was ready to leave with Fengxin.

Lu Mingxuan had dressed up deliberately today, hoping to catch her attention. Yet when they finally met, he was the one stunned by her beauty.

If he could have both sisters—why not enjoy the best of both worlds?

If she could help him rise, then once he ascended the throne, giving her a concubine title would be nothing.

Lu Mingxuan smiled even more gently. “Second Sister, why are you here alone? Ninth Brother isn’t able to accompany you due to his condition—how lonely that must be for you.”

He took a step closer, the scent of incense lingering in his sleeve. “The peonies in the imperial garden are in full bloom. Why don’t I accompany you on a stroll?”

Jiang Jiang stepped back and spoke coldly, “Prince An, please mind your words. Though my husband is physically impaired, he understands elegance and romance better than most able-bodied men.”

“Besides, that’s something you should be saying to my sister. Or is it that you’re already growing restless a few days into your marriage?”

She’d practically painted herself as a neglected, bitter woman locked in the inner chambers.

Lu Mingxuan’s smile froze. His voice dropped as he said, “Second Sister, why deceive yourself? What kind of future can a cripple offer you?” He suddenly grabbed her wrist. “As long as you’re willing to speak well of me to your father—then when I—”

“Let go!” A cold and stern voice cut in.

Lu Mingxuan instinctively released her wrist, startled. Hadn’t he arranged for someone to keep watch? How had anyone gotten in?

Lu Zheng stepped in front of Jiang Jiang protectively. Seeing the red marks on her wrist, his heart burned with both anger and pain.

His voice was ice. “Sixth Brother, have you no shame doing such things? In that case, there’s no need for me to keep quiet about that estate in the eastern outskirts.”

Lu Mingxuan had originally dismissed his crippled brother, but now his eyes changed. “You… How did you know about that?”

“No need to ask, Sixth Brother,” Lu Zheng said flatly. “As long as you know what kind of man you are.”

Then, right in front of him, he took Jiang Jiang’s hand and led her away. As they brushed past, he added coldly, “Keep yourself in check.”

Lu Mingxuan stared after them, eyes dark with malice. He hadn’t realized this once-ignored brother of his could dig up his secrets.

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“Dear husband.” In the carriage, Jiang Jiang looked at him anxiously. “What you said earlier… Will he retaliate?”

Lu Zheng was still holding her wrist, carefully wiping it clean as if trying to erase something filthy.

He sneered, “He’s harboring private troops at the eastern estate—and forging weapons. If he dares make a move…”

He said coldly:

“Then tomorrow, the Censorate’s memorial will be on Father Emperor’s desk.”

Jiang Jiang sucked in a breath.

In the original story, this plotline wasn’t revealed until much later. She hadn’t expected Lu Zheng to already have solid evidence.

She leaned closer and whispered, “Then why not act now?”

“The time isn’t right yet.” Lu Zheng enclosed her cold fingers in his warm palm. “Behind Third Brother stand the Li family of the Ministry of War and the Zhang family of the Ministry of Works. I want to bring them all down in one sweep.”

Though today he’d acted impulsively and exposed his hand, it didn’t matter. He didn’t believe Lu Mingxuan would give up his private army so easily—he’d just move it somewhere else.

Then he suddenly pinched her fingertip and said, “But you, Jiang Jiang, when you scolded him earlier…”

“You were kind of cute.”

Jiang Jiang said, “He’s disgusting. Married my sister and then came to secretly approach me—does he think I’m stupid and can’t see what he’s up to?”

Then she suddenly thought of the previous life.
There really was someone stupid enough not to see it.

Jiang Jiang: “…That’s enough. Someone please save me from my love-blind past self.”

She told Fengxin to pass today’s incident on to Jiang Yun. “Have the message go through a few extra hands. Don’t let her find out it came from me.”

“You care about her?” Lu Zheng asked suddenly.

From the outside, it was easy to see why Lu Mingxuan was considered the better catch. It didn’t surprise him at all that his brother would make a move on Jiang Jiang.

After all, in the previous life, didn’t he succeed?

Lu Zheng thought back to what he saw earlier—that tall, handsome figure standing in front of Jiang Jiang, wearing a seductive smile. The lust and greed in his eyes had driven Lu Zheng to the edge.

What right did he have to look at his Jiang Jiang like that?