Real Empress from a noble family

Not only did Qiu Yelan not understand how Commandery Princess Lihui was involved with Jiang Yadan, at the moment, in the Mansion of Duke of Huainan, but Young Prince Chu Weixian was also pleading with Duke of Huainan, "Our family is already a royal family, and you have been Minister of the royal clan. Why should we worry about wealth? Even though the Jiang Family is the most powerful in the country, they treat you with courtesy and respect. The Jiang Family has so many followers. Even if my sister marries Jiang Yadan, how much care will they give to our family? No one doesn't know that the Jiang Family is now in fierce internal strife. Jiang Yadan is the first trueborn son of the fourth branch. The fourth branch of the Jiang Family has achieved a dominant position in the army but it is not powerful in the court! It is not wise of you to do this…"

"What do you know?" Chu Xiao interrupted him with a frown, "If the fourth branch of the Jiang Family were not so weak in the court, why would I give up my trueborn daughter to make this marriage possible?"

Chu Weixian was stunned and then said in surprise, "My father, what do you mean?"

"The fourth branch of the Jiang Family now has been in charge of two major armies. So, it can be said that it has a solid position in the army!" Chu Xiao screwed up her eyes and said faintly, "Even though Jiang Tianchi is in his 50s, he is in good health and has an outstanding trueborn son like Jiang Yashuang to succeed him. How could he be satisfied with that? Next, he is certainly going to expand his power in the court. But his first trueborn son and his second son of a concubine are such failures, and his grandchildren are still young. As for his in-laws, the Zhuang Family and the Qiu Family have few descendants. The Tao Family no longer exists and the Sheng Family is of a low social ranking. Besides, because of Sheng's confusing birth, it has been strange with her maiden family and her…"

And with that, he sneered, "For the sake of Jiang Yashuang's wife, Xue Chang now has joined with an alliance of the fourth branch of the Jiang Family. But Xue Chang has served three dynasties as an elder statesman. How many years will he be in power? The fourth branch of the Jiang Family is now in need of help in the court. And this is an opportunity for us!"

"But Jiang Yadan, such a lecherous man, is not a good match for my sister at all!" Chu Weixian and Commandery Princess Lihui Chu Yitong were from the same mother. There was a big age difference of several years between the sibling. It could be said that Chu Yitong grew up before Chu Weixian's eyes, and she had almost been treated as a daughter. In particular, Chu Yitong blamed herself for the accidental death of Duchess of Huainan two years ago. She was so depressed and haggard during the years of mourning, because of which Chu Weixian was heartbroken.

Not long ago, after the mourning, Chu Weixian was trying his best to pick a good family for his sister. How could he let her be a step-wife of Jiang Yadan?

At this moment, he begged earnestly, "And Jiang Yadan has had his trueborn son born by his first wife. According to the Jiang family's practice of giving preference to the trueborn child over the child of a concubine, even if my sister gives birth to a male heir, he will still be inferior to that child. What will she gain from it? Father, my mother loved my sister the most during her lifetime. Please, for her sake, don't force my sister to wed that fop, okay?"

"How could I not think of her?" Chu Xiao was surprised, "It is an opportunity of a lifetime. We are in time for Madame Zhuang's returning to Jing City for her daughter! You might not be able to remember this madame since you were young. She is known to hate concubines! When she is in Jing City, we can ask her to get rid of all those messy people in Jiang Yadan's yard. Even though she may not send them all away, she can teach them a lesson one by one!"

"As for the trueborn son of Jiang Yadan, he is brought up by Jiang Yashuang and his wife. Madame Tao has made it clear that the child should be raised by his uncle and aunt until he becomes an adult! Think, if so, the child may have a special status. But as he has not been with his official father, how much affection can the child have for his father? Moreover, even though he is close to Jiang Yashuang and his wife, Jiang Yashuang's wife is pregnant now. Can a nephew be compared to their trueborn son?"

"While Jiang Yadan is so dissipated, how many men in this world, except for those who are poor or in exceptional circumstances, do not have concubines?" Chu Xiao sneered, "Don't talk about Jiang Yashuang and his wife. You don't even think about the beauty of Commandery Princess Ningyi! Moreover, Jiang Yashuang has been taught by Marquess Qin to be ambitious. Now at this age, he is looking forward to greater success. His mind is not at all on beauty! It is hard to say whether he'll still have only Commandery Princess Ningyi in his backyard in a few years! You can marry your sister to someone else. But unless she marries a man from such an inferior family that they dare not even raise their heads when they see us, how can you guarantee that she will not suffer in the backyard for the rest of her life?"

And then he sighed, "Your sister is a commandery princess! Do you want her to marry into a family of the low ranking? If so, even though you do not despise her, will your wife and children not despise her? In others' eyes, who won't say that you don't love her and so you do that?"

Therefore, he continued, "So, if she marries Jiang Yadan, it will be good for our family and it won't do any harm to her!"

Chu Weixian almost wanted to vomit blood, "My father, do not forget what happened to Jiang Yadan's first wife! Madame Zhuang is now in Jing City and she can send all concubines in Jiang Yadan's backyard away. But as jealous as she is, she will return to Beijiang to watch over Great General of North soon. When Jiang Yadan gets back into his old habits, it is my sister who will be sad, isn't it?"

Perhaps Jiang Yadan would be happy to take advantage of his mother's discipline. Because of that, those in his backyard could be replaced by a group of concubines who were younger, prettier, and more considerate.

"Madame Tao Junior was not good-looking. How could she be compared to your sister?" Chu Xiao said dismissively, "Mistresses are just playthings. Jiang Yadan is not the sort of person who is persistent in love. If your sister is dissatisfied with him in the future, we can deal with that when he is no longer interested in her, right?"

Chu Weixian could see that he was determined to use his daughter to pave the way to get in touch with the fourth branch of the Jiang family. As such, he could obtain the support of the fourth branch and make a big move in the court. Chu Weixian couldn't help weeping. He pulled his robes up, knelt down, and pleaded, "My sister has been loved by my mother and you since she was a child. How could she suffer such indignity? I beg you to withdraw your order for the sake of father-daughter relationship!"

"How stupid you are!" Chu Xiao's face was dark and he roared, "Do you think I'm doing this just for myself? I am so old. How many years can I go? In the end, it's good for you and your children and grandchildren!"

Chu Weixian insisted, "It is unwise of me. I've been blessed by you to be a young prince. So, I dare not think of anything else!"

"Do you think what I refer to are wealth and honors?" Chu Xiao said with a sneer, "What I am talking about is life!"

Chu Weixian was stunned, "My father, why do you say that?" The Mansion of Duke of Huainan had never had a feud with the Jiang Family, nor did it threaten the Jiang Family. How could they be in danger?

"Why do you still not understand? It's not only the fourth branch of the Jiang Family that needs the help of the court, but also the Empress Dowager! Otherwise, why do you think the Empress Dowager is willing to act as a go-between?" Chu Xiao sighed and said earnestly, "Strictly speaking, Empress Dowager Jiang is the one who most hopes that the fourth branch of the Jiang Family can also be powerful in the court. Don't forget that she and her daughter have placed their bets on the fourth branch for many years!"

"Now Marquess Qin is still alive, and Jiang Yashuang and Madame Zhuang are in Jing City. Even though the first branch and the third branch of the Jiang Family are annoyed with the fourth branch, they will not be so angry as to take it out on the Empress Dowager!"

"But, you think, once Marquess Qin passes away and Madame Zhuang and Jiang Yashuang have gone to Beijiang, will the first branch and the third branch of the Jiang Family not be angry with the Empress Dowager? Empress Dowager Jiang, despite her high position, is not a good ruler! Jiang Tianao alone is able to get her to be putty in his hands! Do you think the Empress Dowager, without a few people from the fourth branch of the Jiang Family in the court and someone that she can trust and rely on, can be at ease?"

Glancing at his bewildered son, Chu Xiao sneered, "So, the Empress Dowager thought over and then thought about me! And do you think I can refuse the Empress Dowager's hint? Don't forget that even if the Empress Dowager is unable to defeat her brothers, she can still make us be in kind of hell with just a word!"

"If I just rush to the court to fight for power with the first branch and the third branch of the Jiang Family, don't you think it is the same as committing suicide?"

Chu Xiao let out a long sigh, "Except for marrying my daughter, what else can I do?"

… Seeing Chu Weixian leave in a daze, Chu Xiao snorted lightly, "A woman's pity!"

"Young Prince has a gentle heart. As he has treated Commandery Princess with respect, will he not be more respectful and filial to you?" The trusted subordinate who had been hiding behind the screen turned out and spoke warmly to smooth things over.

Chu Xiao was just saying. Anyway, Chu Weixian was his first trueborn son who had been recognized as Young Prince. He shook his head and stopped scolding Chu Weixian. And then he said to his trusted subordinate, "It is not difficult to fool such a bad son. But do you think the marriage is going to work? While Empress Dowager Jiang personally acts as a go-between, she cannot decide for Madame Zhuang, who has always done as she likes. So, she will not agree unless she is satisfied with this marriage."

The subordinate said with a smile, "In my opinion, there is no problem. Prince, please think about this. Commandery Princess Lihui is of royal blood and Princess's child. In terms of status, being a wife to Jiang Yadan is a step down for her! Although Jiang Yadan's sister-in-law Commandery Princess Ningyi is also a princess, she is not from a royal family! In terms of appearance, Commandery Princess Lihui is beautiful, gentle, and dignified. So, how will Madame Zhuang not like her? Madame Zhuang does not know Commandery Princess Lihui's temperament while Princess is known to be a woman of noble character! Everybody knows it!"

So, he concluded, "As long as no one stands in the way, this is going to succeed!"

"You are right!" Chu Xiao nodded slightly, "However, you should watch out for any interference as well! Nowadays, many people have eyes on the position of Jiang Yadan's step-wife! It is about the future of the Mansion of Duke of Huainan. You must make sure there's no problem!"

It was necessary to thank the death of the Duchess of Huainan. Otherwise, Chu Yitong, who was his youngest trueborn daughter, would not have had to observe mourning for the past few years and would have married someone. And then where could he get another daughter to marry the Jiang family?

"Prince, please feel assured! I have been prepared for this!" The subordinate smiled gently and said with certainty, "Prince, I would like to congratulate you to have such a son-in-law and such a promising future!"

Chu Xiao smiled pleasantly as he stroked his beard, "All thanks to your lucky words. I hope everything goes well!"

People in the Marquess Qin's Mansion didn't see what happened in the Mansion of Duke of Huainan. But when Jiang Yashuang came back and heard from his wife and mother that Empress Dowager Jiang recommended Commandery Princess Lihui as Jiang Yadan's step-wife, he revealed the mystery in a single sentence, "It's just that Duke of Huainan has seen that our branch has no one of our own in the court and wants to take advantage of our branch's power by marriage!"

Madame Zhuang then asked, "Do you think this marriage can be approved?"

"There's no harm," Jiang Yashuang thought for a while and said, "Duke of Huainan has been manipulative. He knows his place. Otherwise, he would not have been decent since Gu until now. He should know what he needs to do and what he can't do if he wants to obtain the advantage of our branch's power."

He added, "Of course, these days a few officials want the support of our branch. But the key is still whether Commandery Princess Lihui is suitable for my eighth brother."

Madame Zhuang was relieved, "If that's the case, I'll ask someone to find out how she behaves and what she looks like. And then I'll see if she's qualified to marry into our family!"