The Supporting Female Character Enters the Game, the Crazy Crown Prince Slowly Falls Deeply in Love - Chapter 76

Jiang Yao stood outside the Xie Manor gate, looking up at the sky, feeling as if the daylight had somehow dimmed.

Chunlan followed behind her. Seeing her distracted look, she couldn’t help but whisper, “Miss, did Young Master Xie say something to you?”

Weren’t they supposed to confess their feelings?

Why does Miss seem to be in a bad mood?

Jiang Yao regained her composure, forced a smile, and shook her head. “It’s nothing, just… a bit tired.”

Seeing that she was reluctant to talk, Chunlan did not press further, only muttering, “Young Master Xie is truly something. Miss, you came all this way to give him a birthday gift, yet he was so cold. It’s truly disheartening.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yao felt a pang in her heart, but only said softly, “It’s better this way.”

At least she no longer had a sense of guilt.

Chunlan pursed her lips, feeling bad for her Miss. The Miss had worked on that painting for so long, even getting dark circles under her eyes, yet Young Master Xie didn’t appreciate it.

…

The carriage slowly pulled away from the Xie Manor. Jiang Yao leaned inside the carriage, closing her eyes to rest.

Xie Yunian probably wouldn’t propose marriage to her anymore.

She should be happy. Xie Yunian harbored too many secrets, and his ultimate fate was unknown. It was best if she could stay away.

Yet, somehow, her heart felt like it was being gently tugged, each pull causing a faint ache.

The carriage rolled past the bustling streets. The hawkers’ cries and the pedestrians’ chatter drifted into the carriage, yet seemed distant and muffled, as if separated by a thin veil.

Jiang Yao’s thoughts drifted, recalling the time she transmigrated into this world.

At that time, she was filled with terror, afraid that she would end up with a tragic fate just like the original owner.

Didn’t she approach Xie Yunian precisely to change her own ending?

Now that the plot has changed so much, perhaps her fate has already been altered, Jiang Yao silently comforted herself.

“Miss, we’ve arrived,” Chunlan’s voice interrupted Jiang Yao’s thoughts.

Jiang Yao came back to herself and found that the carriage had stopped in front of the Jiang Manor.

She straightened her dress and stepped out of the carriage, supported by Chunlan’s hand.

Lying in bed later, Jiang Yao turned over and suddenly felt a sense of relief.

Perhaps this current situation is the best outcome.

She no longer needed to feel uneasy about deceiving him, nor did she need to cover for him.

…

As soon as the weather turned colder, embroiderers came to measure Jiang Yao for her winter clothes.

Embroidery work was complicated now, and making one piece of clothing took about a month, especially winter attire, which needed to be made two months in advance.

After seeing off the measuring embroiderers, Jiang Yao pursed her lips. She stood up and said to Xiachen, “Go prepare some pastries. I need to go thank Mother in her courtyard.”

When she arrived at Madam Shen’s courtyard, Jiang Yao realized that they had guests today.

She stopped outside the courtyard gate, hesitating whether she should return another day, when the maid spotted her and had already gone in to announce her arrival.

Then she heard Madam Shen’s voice: “Ya’er is here? Come in quickly.”

Jiang Yao had no choice but to step inside. As she lifted the curtain, she realized the atmosphere inside the room was somewhat tense.

Jiang Yao curtsied. “Mother.”

Madam Shen’s smile visibly relaxed. “Come over quickly.”

She beckoned Jiang Yao to come closer. “This is the Duchess of Rongguo.”

Jiang Yao curtsied again.

The woman before her was about forty years old, wearing a dark purple brocade-woven beizi (sleeveless jacket), with a gold and jade kingfisher feather hairpin (buyao) in her hair. Every gesture exuded elegance and grace.

Madam Shen then gestured to Jiang Yao and said with a smile, “Madam, this is my third daughter, Jiang Yao.”

The Duchess of Rongguo?

Jiang Yao mused internally.

The Duchess of Rongguo’s maternal family was the Sheng Yang Earl’s Manor in the capital, which was considered the same clan as the Shen family of Huaiyang.

However, the Huaiyang Shen family was a collateral branch, and there hadn’t been much contact over the years, just exchanging gifts during festivals.

Now that the Duchess of Rongguo had personally come to visit, was something wrong at the Rongguo Duke’s Manor?

After entering the room, Jiang Yao sat down on one side.

Since this matter was bound to become public sooner or later, Madam Shen and the Duchess of Rongguo did not avoid discussing it in front of her.

After a few rounds of conversation, she gradually understood the Duchess of Rongguo’s purpose.

A not-so-joyful piece of good news had emerged from the palace these past few days.

It was said that Noble Consort Rong had personally pushed Wang Wanqing into the lake in the Imperial Garden.

Wang Wanqing had received the Emperor’s favor and had already been conferred the title of Consort Qing.

This in itself was not a major issue, as infighting among concubines was common in the inner palace.

But, unfortunately, after Wang Wanqing was rescued, the imperial physician diagnosed that she was over a month pregnant. This immediately stirred up a hornet’s nest.

It was known that the Emperor ascended the throne young and had reigned for six years, with only two princesses under the age of five.

“The Emperor was furious and immediately ordered Yuyao to be confined to her residence,” the Duchess of Rongguo said, her eyes already red. “Yuyao has always been virtuous and gentle. How could she do such a thing? Someone must have framed her…”

Jiang Yuyao was Noble Consort Rong’s maiden name.

“Madam, please don’t worry,” Madam Shen gently advised. “The Emperor is merely in the heat of anger. After some time…”

“We can’t wait!” the Duchess of Rongguo said urgently. “The Wang family is already creating a huge scene, demanding an explanation. If she is convicted of plotting to murder an imperial heir, everything will be too late.”

The Wang family was the Empress Dowager’s maternal clan, already arrogant due to the Empress Dowager’s influence in the capital.

Factionalism was rampant in court. Now that Wang Wanqing was carrying the imperial seed, if it was a son, he would be the Emperor’s eldest son.

The Duchess of Rongguo clearly knew this as well. “The Empress Dowager has already issued a statement, saying she must thoroughly investigate this matter. If no clear conclusion can be reached, Yuyao will…”

She stopped there, her eyes flickering as she glanced at Madam Shen.

“Madam,” Madam Shen suddenly said. “You didn’t come here just to tell me this, did you?”

The Duchess of Rongguo’s expression stiffened, then she smiled bitterly. “As expected, I can’t hide anything from you. I heard that your eldest daughter is to marry His Royal Highness Prince Jin this winter…”

Jiang Yao was taken aback, then immediately understood.

Prince Jin was the Emperor’s younger brother and was engaged to Jiang Ying. The Duchess of Rongguo wanted Prince Jin to intercede for her.

“Madam,” Madam Shen said with some difficulty. “His Royal Highness Prince Jin has always refrained from state affairs. How can I ask him to…”

Moreover, Jiang Ying was not yet married to His Royal Highness Prince Jin.

More importantly, she didn’t want her daughter involved in these matters.

Seeing her hesitation, the Duchess of Rongguo quickly stepped forward and took Madam Shen’s hand. “Our two families share a lineage, and Yuyao can call you Aunt. If Yuyao can survive this ordeal, the Rongguo Duke’s Manor will always be grateful.”

She paused, her voice choked with emotion. “The Prince is His Majesty’s younger brother, there is no closer relationship. It only requires him to say a few words. I just want Yuyao to be safe.”

At this moment, the Duchess of Rongguo was merely a mother.

“Madam,” Madam Shen sighed after a long silence. “This matter is serious. Acting rashly may backfire. How about this: I will ask my husband to inquire about the situation in the palace, and then we can decide what to do?”