Real Empress from a noble family

It was not long after Qiu Yelan went back to her yard, Jiang Qizheng was coming for Shao Yuemei.

As she was here not for her, Qiu Yelan, of course, would leave them alone. She commanded the maids to prepare the snacks and tea for them, said hello to Jiang Qizheng and Madam Shao before she left.

Seeing Qiu Yelan leaving the room, Shao Yuemei asked, "Your Highness, are you here for…" She looked at Qiu Yelan's room direction while she was speaking. "So, what's the plan now?" added Shao Yuemei. The Jiang Family sent her over here to spy and investigate Qiu Yelan because she would be the daughter-in-law of the Jiang Family. At this point, Shao Yuemei, of course, was a loyal follower of the family. About the rumblings spreading from the Yunyi Restaurant, the maid brought from the Jiang Family had told her the truth after the maid gossiped with others. So, it did not need Jiang Qizheng to explain more about it.

"My grandma has a good impression of her. And about Jiang Yashuang, you know him. He is a good boy. We had a family meeting last night and we reached a consensus. Jiang Yashuang must marry Qiu Yelan." said Jiang Qizheng with a frown. "As the plan, my grandma would have gone to the palace talking with my aunt… However, she felt uncomfortable this morning and had to stay at home."

Jiang Qizheng might not know that Jiang Yashuang had already been here telling Qiu Yelan about the engagement at 3 AM. After all, both Madame Tao and Jiang Yashuang thought it was not in line with conventions to let girls know too much about their engagement. For this reason, Jiang Qizheng cast no doubt on the reason why Madame Tao did not go to the palace.

Shao Yuemei had been Jiang Qizheng's teacher for many years. She was both a mentor and a friend to Jiang Qizheng. Hence, she knew Chunfu Princess well. She looked at her eyes and said, "Your Highness, you don't agree with the marriage? I remember, in the past, you did not object to their marriage despite you did not support it."

"I won't object any girl to marry Jiang Yashuang as long as my brother likes her and the girl is nice as well." said Jiang Qizheng, sipping her tea. And then she said in a low voice, "But, I just heard one thing…."

Realizing the relationship between Mrs. Gu and Qiu Yelan was fairly abnormal, Jiang Qizheng immediately advised them to go out looking for a solution. Staying with Princess Yang by herself, Qiu Yelan also commanded a maid to overhear what's going on outside secretly.

Her confidant told her everything she overheard outside including Mrs. Gu knelt in front of Qiu Yelan for her mercy. Hearing the whole story, Jiang Qizheng was a little angry, "Surely enough, Deng Yi is not the best. However, the engagement between him and Qiu Yelan is not canceled, which means Mrs. Gu is her future mother-in-law still. As a senior, Mrs. Gu knelt in front of her begging — although the trouble was so big that she could not promise her anything, her bearings were arrogant and her attitude was fairly cold. I think Qiu Yelan is a girl with a hard heart. She is not the girl for Jiang Yashuang."

Hearing part of the details, Shao Yuemei also thought Qiu Yelan was too harsh. She was reluctant to comment on Jiang Yashuang's marriage. Hence, she said, "The better news is that Madame did not go to the palace. Your Highness will tell Madame the whole story, and I think Madame will take a second think on the engagement."

"However, if Jiang Yashuang were not to marry her, her reputation must be tarnished because of the scandal. Even if our family tries everything to save her from sinking into the lake, her life will be ruined anyway." said Jiang Qizheng with a sign. "She is a nice girl… and I must say she is pretty. What a pity!"

Shao Yuemei did not agree on Jiang Qizheng's comment. Although she did not hear her stunning feedback like "I was born to be a beauty bringing disasters", she knew Qiu Yelan would not give up herself. She was getting to know her in the past days. Thinking that Jiang Qizheng might be in a dilemma, she advised, "You just said she is a tough girl, didn't you? A person with a hard heart might hurt others from time to time, but they could have a good life to lead. As long as we protect her from big troubles, I believe even if she married a common man from a common family instead of marrying a man from a powerful family, she would have a pleasant life to lead."

Pondering on her words, Jiang Qizheng felt relieved, "She might not be the dream wife of Jiang Yashuang's. However, staying along with Jiang Yashuang in a room, as we all knew, she must be framed by my brother. From the bottom, I think it is my family member who framed her to the misery…. If she led to a good life, Jiang Yashuang could feel less guilty."

"Jiang Yashuang is a kind boy — I have to say, he was framed by eighth young master Jiang this time indeed." smiled Shao Yuemei.

"I can't agree with you more." sighed Jiang Qizheng. "Learning the whole story last night, my grandpa outraged. He wanted to punish my brother last night in the first place. But Uncle stopped him and explained like, 'If we punished him at this critical time, we might lead people to gossip what's going on in the Yunyi Restaurant.' He was right."

"At last, my brother was exempted from punishment. But do you know what? He went to the Spring House happily last night. He cares little about what he had done. On the other side, Jiang Yashuang was very angry. He even sent Cousin Tao back home, not allowing her to visit my family without permission."

Tao Peibin was polite and friendly to everyone except her love rival, Qiu Yelan. Shao Yuemei had a good impression of her. Hence, Madam Shao wanted to say something defending her, "Jiang Yashuang is a handsome and talented boy. Meanwhile, Miss Tao grows up along him… Even if she tried to trap Commandery Princess Ningyi in the Yunyi Restaurant, I still don't think she meant to it. She was too young to understand what she was doing and its consequences. She came to the Jiang Family frequently in the past. But of late, she did not come often, which might arise gossip too!"

Jiang Qizheng had always been a good student of Miss Shao's. But she shook her head expressing her disagreement this time to her teacher. "My grandma also agreed to ask her back and not allowed her to go to the Jiang Family. After all, Jiang Yashuang doesn't like her. She did not know what he thought before, but she knew it now. We should get her out of the feeling to Jiang Yashuang. Or her life will be ruined."

Realizing what they were talking about was a private matter, Shao Yuemei did not say more. She was a teacher. Her status did not allow her to interfere with those girls' lives. And she already gave a shot to defend Tao Peibin.

They talked something else after that, and Jiang Qizheng said goodbye to her finally.

It was a rite for Qiu Yelan, as the hostess, to see Jiang Qizheng off. While she walked her out, she realized Jiang Qizheng, "like old friends from the start," had, more or less, alienated her.

Believing that Qiu Yelan was not a girl for her brother, Jiang Qizheng, of course, would not treat Qiu Yelan like a future sister-in-law. However, Qiu Yelan did not get it. In contrast, Qiu Yelan considered, "Sure enough, sisters from the same family are more intimate. What's going on yesterday was not my fault. It was Jiang Qisheng and Tao Peibin's who started it. But why is Chunfu Princess angry at me now… Anyway, the implication of Jiang Yashuang's words yesterday was that the Jiang Family would not allow this girl to marry my brother."

The thought spinning in her head made her less enthusiastic to Jiang Qizheng. They walked to the door shoulder by shoulder, saying nothing and departing quickly.

Su He did not know what's going on between them. She walked back, feeling upset. "Did Chunfu Princess come here defending you? Why was she so cold when Princess is not here?"

"That's okay with me." said Qiu Yelan causally. "Cousin Kang came at a bad time. Chunfu Princess left not long before Cousin Kang sat down — Let's walk quicker. I am afraid that Mistress Bian or somebody else might have been in trouble."

Thanks to the Yulu Ointment given by Qiu Yelan, the scar on Kang Lizhang's face had faded a lot. It was not even discovered with the makeup. Kang Lizhang seemed to be in the blues. "You have walked her out before I asked you not,." said she.

Qiu Yelan found her a seat, saying casually, "Chunfu Princess is my distinguished guest. How can I make her wait too long when she was leaving."

Kang Lizhang said with a frown, "You know what — minutes ago when you went out with Mrs. Gu. Chunfu Princess sent a maid to tail behind you two. The maid heard what you were talking about. I walked over here as quick as I can when I was informed of this. I don't know if she did it on purpose. She was just gone before I talked to you!"

Qiu Yelan paused for a while, and said, "I don't think that the Jiang Family would feel bad for Mrs. Gu and Deng Yi. It's Okay if they heard it."

"But the maids serving for First Aunt told me that Chunfu Princess has always valued etiquette. Now she knew Mrs. Gu kneeled in front of you… she might not like you anymore." said Kang Lizhang.

"I don't care if she doesn't like me." said Qiu Yelan with a casual tone. "I don't think she is the boss in the Jiang Family."

Kang Lizhang pondered her words. Qiu Yelan might want to tell her that she had somebody else to depend on in the Jiang Family and the person who relied on was not less powerful than Chunfu Princess.

Thinking about it, Kang Lizhang felt relieved — She once heard that Qiu Mengmin killed his mother, and promised Qiu Yelan to hand her and her mother to Qiu Yelan, leaving them to Qiu Yelan's disposal. To Kang Lizhang, Qiu Mengmin and her wife were the worst persons. Hence, she thought she would be safer living in the shadow of Qiu Yelan who hated Qiu Mengmin more than her.

Noticing that Kang Lizhang did not proceed to talk or say goodbye, Qiu Yelan asked, "Do you have anything else to say?"

"I just heard…" said Kang Lizhang, biting her lip. "Qiu Hongzhi's wedding date has been set. It is on May 26th."

"So?"

"Princess said that after he got married, she would put Qiu Mingzhu's marriage on her list. She is two years younger than me!"

"Oh, I see. You are concerned about your marriage?" said Qiu Yelan.

"After thinking days and nights, I concluded that it's better to get married as early as possible." said Kang Lizhang, turning red on her face. She tried to go on speaking in a calmed voice, "I really don't have the guts or the confidence to implement that idea you mentioned."

"Anyway, I promised you that it's up to you," smiled Qiu Yelan. She paused for a while and continued, "So, who is your Mr. Right?"

To marry whom? Since Kang Lizhang became a member of the Prince's Mansion of Xihe, thanks to Madame Lu who treated her in a favor, she could have been living in a pleasant environment, which was even better than some decent Commandery Princesses. However, because she was born in a lower family class, having the same fate as Madame Lu, she used to be not invited to the parties held by decent princesses.

Sometimes, Madame Lu would force Qiu Jinzhu to take her with them. Unfortunately, in this case, the party might all but end up in a frustrated one. Since her childhood, Kang Lizhang had become a girl who always held back her emotions. Years passed, she was impatient to be a person being looked down or disdained. Thus, she went to the Qiu Family as rarely as she could.

What's worse was that Princess Yang concealed on purpose. She, at last became a leftover in the family.

… Actually, she had her dream lover.

"Ruan Qingyan is a handsome and talented boy. He got Jinshi and waited for official bestowing! There may be many officials in the court who wanted him to be their son-in-law! My chance is a remote one." thought of Kang Lizhang. She recollected the scene when Ruan Qingyan visited Qiu Yelan last year. She saw a handsome boy coincidentally while she was standing on the second floor. Thinking of Ruan Qingyan, she had complicated feelings whirling in her heart.

At that time, she was crazy about Ruan Qingyan's appearance and demeanor but she was not moved. She thought that the Ruan Family is not a big family and Ruan Qingyan was adopted by the family. Although he got Jinshi at his young age but at that time, nobody could ensure he would become a higher rank officer. For these reasons, she thought he was not the one worth her life.

Unexpectedly, the boy she was moved but considered worthless became a boy beyond her reach.

Kang Lizhang couldn't help saddening, "To marry a man whose class is lower than me, I would rather die. To marry a man whose class is higher than me, it is impossible…" she ground her teeth and said, "Finally, I have to succumb to my fate becoming a concubine of somebody!"

Listening to her remark, Qiu Yelan was shocked, "To be a concubine?" said she.

"I am the niece of the Prince's Mansion, but my family is a common one, which is only richer than common people in the town. My family is not even an affluent one." said Kang Lizhang, pursing her lips. "The class of a girl depends on her father's class. I want to marry a man whom the Prince's Mansion even dare not to bully. For this end, what else I can do except to be a concubine?"

She regretted deeply now. When Madame Lu was alive, what she thought was to revenge herself on those girls from the official families and thought that those who wanted to marry her was too low. But now, she was delayed because of her decision in the past.

What's worse was that she was in a miserable condition now!

Qiu Yelan gave her a fake smile, "Wow, since when you had become such a decisive girl…

As you have decided to be a concubine, I am wondering who you want to marry?"