Although we suffered a lot along the way, and even caused the real Jiang Hailing to perish, we have finally made it to where we are today.
But why must she be present when the imperial decree is being issued today? Hai Ling pondered this as she walked toward the main hall.
The group entered the main hall of the Jiang residence, which was brightly lit, luxurious and magnificent. Gold and silver utensils, antique jade artifacts, and other items were everywhere, dazzling to the eye under the lights.
Hailin glanced around quickly, secretly amazed, then carefully scanned the middle of the hall, where a dense crowd of people were kneeling.
Leading the group was General Jiang Batian, who was fifty years old this year. He was tall and strong, with resolute features, thick eyebrows and cold eyes. Although he was getting on in years, he still had a lot of masculine charm. He raised his head and glanced at Hailing. When he saw her come in, he carefully knelt down to one side. He frowned slightly, then raised his head and looked at the eunuch in the center.
"Eunuch Xia, my daughter has arrived. Please announce the decree."
Jiang Batian's tone was somewhat cold. A perfectly good birthday celebration had been ruined, so he was naturally unhappy. In addition, Eunuch Xia insisted that Miss Jiang San be present as well, so he had no choice but to ask Steward Han to call Hailing. Just thinking about this unpopular girl made Jiang Batian feel ashamed. She was ugly and fat, like a lump of flesh, making people feel disgusted. Jiang Batian's greatest love in life was beautiful things, not only women, but also his own children. His sons were handsome and spirited, and his daughters were charming and beautiful. Who would have thought that such a strange flower would appear? It was truly a disgrace to him. So he felt annoyed whenever he saw this fat girl.
"Yes, General, then I will proclaim the decree."
Xia Zong was still Emperor Heng Feng Chang's personal eunuch. Unless it was something important, he would not be sent to deliver the imperial decree. Jiang Batian wondered what it could be that required San Yatou to be present. A sense of unease suddenly rose in Jiang Batian's heart. Could it be the Emperor?
Before his thoughts had even settled, Eunuch Xia, who was in the center of the room, had already shaken a bright yellow brocade and begun to read out the Emperor's decree.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: General Jiang Batian has protected the Great Zhou throughout his life and his contributions are immeasurable. Now, having heard that the third young lady of the Jiang family, Jiang Hailing, is dignified and virtuous, and is a model for women, she is hereby betrothed to the Crown Prince, and the wedding will be held on an auspicious day."
When Eunuch Xia announced the imperial decree, everyone in the Jiang family was petrified and stunned, not knowing how to react. Even Hai Ling herself was speechless, her face filled with doubt. What was going on here?
Chapter 008 Sisters Fighting
A large group of people were kneeling in the main hall of the Jiang residence. No one could react until a sharp, incredulous voice rang out: "Eunuch Xia, is this real? Is there some mistake?"
As soon as the voices rang out, everyone in the Jiang family finally came to their senses and realized one thing: the Emperor had indeed bestowed a marriage upon the Jiang family's young lady, but it was Jiang Hailing, the least favored daughter in the family. And the person who had just questioned Eunuch Jiang was none other than Jiang Feixue, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family. Jiang Feixue was not only beautiful but also extremely talented, a famous beauty in the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty known for both her beauty and talent. Her heart had always been set on Crown Prince Feng Zixiao, and she had made many years of effort to be worthy of that man.
Her father and brothers had always hinted that she would marry into the Crown Prince's household as his principal wife. But in the end, it was Jiang's stupid and fat little girl who was betrothed to the handsome and powerful Crown Prince Feng Zixiao. How could she bear this? Ever since she met Feng Zixiao once when she was a child, her heart had been entirely devoted to the Crown Prince. So she had always studied hard, mastering music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and traditional Chinese needlework, without neglecting any of them, all so that she could become a proper Crown Princess, or even Empress, when she entered the Crown Prince's household.
But now an imperial edict shattered her dream. Heartbreak flashed across Jiang Feixue's beautiful face, and tears streamed down her dark eyes. She then glared angrily at Hailing, who was kneeling in a corner of the hall. Her gaze was like a knife stabbing into Hailing, as if she wanted to devour her alive to vent her hatred.
Aside from Jiang Feiyu's jealous gaze, everyone in the Jiang family, young and old, was staring at Hai Ling, many of them wishing they could kill her to vent their anger.
Hai Ling felt a chill run down her spine and broke out in a cold sweat. What had she done to deserve this? She was just trying to live a peaceful life, and yet she still got hit by a stray rock. This emperor's offer to marry her to the crown prince was clearly ill-intentioned. With her looks and appearance, not to mention the crown prince Feng Zixiao, even wealthy and powerful families in the capital probably wouldn't want to marry her, let alone the crown prince.
Inside the hall, everyone was lost in their own thoughts, their minds racing. The palace eunuch, Xia, respectfully answered Jiang Feixue's question.
"Replying to Miss, this is an imperial edict from the Emperor. Even if I make a mistake, it's not like I'm risking my life."
After he finished speaking, he held the imperial edict, slowly walked to Hailing, and presented the edict to her.
Hai Ling's face darkened slightly, her eyes flashing rapidly. She did not reach out to take it. This imperial edict was clearly a deadly poison. It looked magnificent, but it could actually kill a person. If she accepted the edict, she might lose her life if she was not careful. So she could not accept it. With this thought in mind, she spoke loudly.
"Hailing cannot accept this imperial decree. Hailing is ugly, lacks talent and intelligence, and is far from being virtuous. She may disgrace the Crown Prince's status. Therefore, I ask Eunuch Xia to report to the Emperor and ask him to bestow another marriage upon the Crown Prince."
This passage was spoken with neither servility nor arrogance, but with dignity and politeness. It was not like the joy that a typical woman would feel upon seeing an imperial edict. Instead, her eyes were full of wisdom, and she responded calmly.
Having lived in the palace for a long time and being the emperor's personal eunuch, Eunuch Xia naturally possessed a shrewd and perceptive nature, and was also very good at judging people. Looking at Miss Jiang in front of him, he couldn't help but feel a little more respect. This Miss Jiang was definitely not an ordinary person. If the Crown Prince could set aside his concerns about her appearance, this woman might be able to lend him a hand.
"Third Miss, please accept the imperial decree. The Emperor's words are still golden and precious. There is no reason to retract the decree. If the Third Miss disobeys the decree, not only the Third Miss, but I'm afraid the entire Jiang family will be affected."
Eunuch Xia stopped there, naturally wanting to save face for General Jiang, so he didn't continue.
However, even though he didn't say it, everyone present knew that disobeying the imperial decree could result in the execution of the entire family at best, and the extermination of nine generations of relatives at worst. Although the Jiang family was favored, Jiang Batian and his sons Jiang Wenzhen and Jiang Wenhao were well aware of what the current situation meant: the emperor had begun to be wary of them.
"Next."
Jiang Batian's steady and powerful voice rang out. Hailing looked up and saw that he was not looking at her. His resolute face was expressionless, with only a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes.
Hai Ling felt a chill in her heart. This man was a wild wolf. The royal family treated him like this, so he probably had other ideas.
However, given the current situation, she had no choice but to accept the imperial edict, otherwise she would be in an embarrassing situation on the spot. With that in mind, she had no choice but to reach out and accept the edict.
"Thank you, Eunuch Xia."
"Very well, I've finished my errand and should now return to the palace to report to the emperor."
With a smile, Eunuch Xia spoke. Jiang Batian led the Jiang family members to their feet and instructed the Jiang family steward to the side, "Han Liang, invite Eunuch Xia to the side hall next door for tea."
"General, you are too kind. It is late, and I should return to the palace. I will bother you again another day."
Eunuch Xia dared not offend this powerful general. After announcing the imperial edict, he could easily see that Jiang Batian was very unhappy, and his eyes were flashing with anger. If he stayed any longer, he would probably be in trouble.
Han Liang, the head steward of the Jiang family, led two servants to see Eunuch Xia out and to make some arrangements for him.
Inside the Jiang family's hall, as soon as Eunuch Xia left, a noisy chatter erupted. Everyone glared at Hai Ling, saying all sorts of nasty things. Jiang Feixue could no longer contain herself and went berserk. She rushed up to Hai Ling like a madwoman, raised her hand, and slapped Hai Ling across the face.
With a loud slap, the hall fell silent. Everyone turned to look at Hai Ling, where five bright red finger marks were visible on her plump, fair face, showing that Jiang Feixue had used all her strength.
Hai Ling's attention had been focused on the imperial edict in her hand, and she never expected that Jiang Feixue, this mad dog, would go berserk, which is why she was beaten.
She looked up at Jiang Feixue. She had seen this woman a few times before. Usually, she always had an aloof and untouchable air, exuding a noble and extraordinary aura. Coupled with her good looks, she also had a somewhat ethereal quality. However, what happened tonight seemed to have provoked her. She could no longer maintain her usual dignity. Her face was contorted with rage, and she gritted her teeth as if she wanted to kill her. After slapping her, she raised her hand again, wanting to hit her again.
Hai Ling wasn't about to let her get away with it. As Jiang Feixue's slap came again, Hai Ling quickly retreated, causing Jiang Feixue's slap to miss. Hai Ling then used the rolled-up imperial edict to deliver a powerful blow to Jiang Feixue's face. This blow was no less effective than the first slap. With a loud crack, Jiang Feixue froze, and everyone in the Jiang family froze. Jiang Feixue was the first to react. The pain on her cheek reminded her that she had been hit by this bitch. Who had ever hit her before?
"Jiang Hailing, you shameless woman, why don't you and your mother just die?"
Jiang Feixue was completely provoked. She screamed and cursed angrily, wishing she could fight Hailing to the death. The Jiang family also reacted. Madam Liu led her people straight to her beloved daughter's side, cursing Hailing while calling out to her darling daughter with heartache.
Rouge, who was standing next to Hailing, walked over to Hailing with concern and checked the red and swollen marks on her face: "Miss, are you alright?"
As soon as she opened her mouth, two voices attacked from the hall: "What kind of young lady is she?"
The speakers were Jiang Feiyu and Madam Liu. Jiang Feiyu had suffered a loss at Hailing's hands before, so she was furious. She never expected that the Emperor would bestow this ugly woman upon the Crown Prince. Did he have something wrong with his eyes? How could such an ugly woman be worthy of the handsome and unparalleled Crown Prince? Now she even dared to hit her elder sister. She would be lucky to escape with her life. Jiang Feiyu sneered triumphantly.
"Father will definitely avenge my eldest sister," Jiang Feiyu thought to herself as she glared at Hailing and spoke fiercely.