Chapter 83

The Prince of Jiangxia bore the surname “Ming,” an extremely rare family name. However, it could not be ruled out that Little A had forcibly assigned this surname to reverse the characters of “Yan Yiming.” The Prince of Jiangxia was a prince of a different surname personally enfeoffed by the late emperor, occupying the strategic position of Liangguang, which highlighted his extraordinary status. Yet, despite his lofty position, he had still joined the ranks of the restoration movement, leaving Yan Yiming puzzled about what truly lay in the Prince of Jiangxia's heart.
In the end, she could only summarize it with the word “greed.”
Human desires are never satisfied, not even for this prince who dominated a region.
Just like Chancellor Jian, who stood above ten thousand people and below only one, yet remained exceedingly ambitious. Thus, his so-called restoration and support for Jian Yuyan's return to the throne were likely nothing more than a facade. Controlling the emperor to command the nobles was probably his ultimate goal.
However, Yan Yiming had reviewed the original plot after the Nan clan was forced to retreat from Jinling. According to the original storyline, although Jian Yuyan's desire to restore the nation was not particularly strong, he was not as resistant as he was now. Stimulated by Jian Yu'er, he had indeed experienced a period of remarkable dominance.
Chancellor Jian did have intentions to manipulate Jian Yuyan, but Jian Yuyan was no simple character to be easily controlled. Otherwise, in the end, Chancellor Jian would not have met such a miserable fate due to Jian Yuyan's internal betrayal.
Compared to the ever-wary Jian Yuyan of the past, the current Jian Yuyan, who seemed detached from the matter, appeared less vigilant. This was actually not a very stable situation. While Chancellor Jian would not harm Jian Yuyan for the time being, there was no guarantee that, in a fit of rage, he might eliminate the completely unprepared Jian Yuyan.
If any of the main characters were to meet an unfortunate end, Yan Yiming's path home would be utterly hopeless. Thus, finding a way to make Jian Yuyan more cautious was one of the tasks Yan Yiming needed to prepare for.
Wei Xiongjie seemed to have more to say, pacing back and forth in front of the courtyard where Yan Yiming resided for a long time before finally turning and leaving.
Yan Yiming deliberately avoided that Lord Wei. Although his unrequited affection would not affect her much, she truly disliked the feeling of being coveted at every turn.
As for how to end her engagement with Nan Gongxuan while still remaining in the capital, though she had only just learned of this matter, Yan Yiming tapped the red mole at the corner of her eye in the bronze mirror and chuckled softly. This matter was not difficult at all.
Back when she was still Commandant Yan, traveling a hundred li in a day was a common occurrence. Now, as a noble young lady confined to a carriage, she covered no more than a few dozen li each day. Yet, Wei Xiongjie still occasionally asked if she was too tired or needed to rest.
Yan Yiming sighed helplessly, gazing at the seemingly scholarly man before her, and replied that it was unnecessary, attending to important matters took precedence. Wei Xiongjie felt a slight bitterness in his heart. After all, he was only escorting her to the capital to secretly facilitate her marriage with Young Master Jian. From the very beginning, he knew there was no possibility for anything else and should not have entertained such selfish thoughts.
Especially since Lord Jiang had caught a hint of something amiss.
This was already a grave misstep.
Yan Yiming, to Jiang Yi’s surprise, cooperated unexpectedly well along the journey. She did not indulge in sightseeing, truly appearing as though her sole purpose was to reach the capital and fulfill the marriage alliance with the Crown Prince.
However, just by observing the official accompanying Princess Ming, Jiang Yi did not believe this marriage would proceed smoothly.
But then again, this union was already fraught with hidden complexities. Both the Prince of Jiangxia and the Crown Prince had their own agendas, and once Princess Ming entered the capital, unrest was sure to follow.
The journey remained uneventful until the entourage grandly entered Jinling. As they were women of the inner court, there was no need for imperial relatives to greet them. The carriage proceeded directly to the palace, where only a highly esteemed palace matron came forward to welcome them, stating that the imperial consorts had been waiting for a long time.
The Prince of Jiangxia had been enfeoffed as a prince of a different surname by the late emperor, a testament to the deep trust he had once enjoyed. However, decades had passed, and the Prince of Jiangxia had long resided in Liangguang, effectively acting as a local sovereign. Even the annual court audiences were attended at his whim.
The emperor was naturally infuriated by the Prince of Jiangxia’s arrogance, but it was too late for regrets. The late emperor had granted the Prince of Jiangxia the privilege of retaining military forces, and now Jinling was too far from Liangguang for the emperor to gauge the prince’s true strength. Nevertheless, judging by the prince’s increasingly overbearing attitude year after year, it was clear he likely possessed the audacity to challenge the imperial court.
Thus, even if the emperor harbored intentions to weaken the feudal lords, he could not act rashly for the time being.
Over the years, the Prince of Jiangxia’s attitude toward the court had grown increasingly hostile. Whenever the prince was mentioned, the emperor’s face would darken with rage. For this reason, when the Prince of Jiangxia proactively proposed sending his daughter to the capital, although suspicions abounded, the matter was treated with exceptional importance.
So much so that even before Princess Ming had arrived, the imperial consorts and princesses had already gathered early in the Kunning Palace to catch a glimpse of her.
Even the Empress was among them.
Yan Yiming, adorned in lavish attire, arrived fashionably late. She did not overlook the poorly concealed anger of the young princesses, who were unable to hide their irritation at the long wait. After offering a graceful salute to the Empress, she explained with a light laugh, “The journey was dusty and arduous, and I dared not disturb Your Majesty’s dignified presence. I hurried here only after bathing and purifying myself with incense. I hope Your Majesty will not take offense.”
The last time she had met the Empress was during the discussions of her marriage to the Crown Prince. The Empress, still resentful over the matter of Nan Gongye, had never let go of her dissatisfaction, often lacing her words with sarcasm.
Now, though a few more wrinkles framed the Empress’s eyes, she smiled far more warmly than before. After lavishing praise on Yan Yiming repeatedly, she dismissed the other consorts, retaining only Yan Yiming. She then sent for the Crown Prince to join them for lunch in the Kunning Palace.
Yan Yiming thanked the Empress for her kindness, her gaze briefly resting on one figure silently departing. In the past, due to Shao Jingyu’s influence, the Shao family’s daughter had enjoyed great favor and was elevated to the rank of Imperial Consort. Yet, judging by her seating today, she was clearly placed among the ordinary consorts.
Shao Jingyu had severed all ties with the Shao family. The Grand Tutor Shao, enraged, had passed away, leaving behind an incompetent head of the Shao family and a childless Imperial Consort. As expected, they had not even lasted three years.
Yan Yiming withdrew her gaze and continued conversing with the Empress and the Ninth Princess. The Empress occasionally let her eyes linger on Yan Yiming’s face, for the princess’s features bore a resemblance to the deceased Crown Princess, particularly the identical red mole at the corner of her eye.
It occurred to her that the child back then also had a red mole at the corner of her eye, yet who could have imagined it would lead to such an outcome.
The Crown Princess had passed away on her wedding night while saving the Crown Prince. Both she and the Emperor knew how deeply grieved the Crown Prince was, which was why he had always been unwilling to remarry. But now, so many years had passed, and even if he remained unwilling, he could no longer delay the matter.
The Prince of Jiangxia had sent his daughter to the capital. Though everyone understood that the Prince of Jiangxia intended to form a marriage alliance, he had not explicitly stated which prince was to be the match. Concerned for the Crown Prince, she took advantage of her position to act first. Though the other consorts in the palace expressed dissatisfaction, there was nothing they could do.
Yan Yiming naturally noticed the Empress’s gaze, but it was hardly surprising.
The first face she had crafted somewhat resembled her original appearance, but to make it easier to win favor, she had enhanced it significantly. At first glance, there was still some resemblance, especially with that red mole at the corner of her eye.
Yan Yiming regretted leaving traces of her own features when crafting the face, but it was too late for regrets now.
Similar features, when controlled well, could achieve twice the result with half the effort, just like when she had won over Jian Yuyan. But if not handled properly, they could become an unpredictable bomb.
Of course, what Yan Yiming needed now was not efficiency.
The Empress was anxious, but Nan Gongxuan was in no hurry, in fact, he remained as resistant as ever. However, this matter was not something he could afford to be willful about. So, Nan Gongxuan arrived neither early nor late. After paying his respects to the Empress, his gaze fell upon the Princess Ming, and he was slightly taken aback.
This woman’s appearance...
Yan Yiming smiled faintly, her eyes and the red mole suddenly overlapping with a long-distant memory. Nan Gongxuan couldn’t help but take another look.
The Empress observed Nan Gongxuan’s reaction with great delight. Since the Crown Princess’s passing, the Crown Prince had not spared a second glance for any other woman.
If the Crown Prince could change his mind and no longer cling to the past so stubbornly, she was certain she could secure this marriage. With the support of the Prince of Jiangxia, the Crown Prince’s position would become unshakable, leaving no room for others to covet it.
Princess Ming had a pleasant disposition and even took the initiative to start conversations, suggesting she had a favorable impression of the Crown Prince. Although the Crown Prince had returned to his usual aloofness after the initial surprise, the Empress still felt there was hope.
Seizing a moment of quiet, she left briefly to give the two some time alone. Yan Yiming watched the Empress depart and, with casual remarks, gradually steered the conversation toward dangerous territory. She deliberately and insincerely praised the deceased version of herself, remarking on how deeply devoted the Crown Prince had been to his late wife.
Nan Gongxuan had initially been surprised by the identical red mole at the corner of Princess Ming’s eye, but that was all. Now that she suddenly brought up his deceased wife, he felt a pang of displeasure.
He disliked others mentioning A’Ming, especially women who might take her place. Yet, he kept his emotions in check and merely responded with a few simple words.
Little did he expect this woman to be so foolish and unable to read his expressions. Time and again, she kept mentioning the Crown Princess, and Nan Gongxuan grew increasingly displeased.
Yan Yiming watched as Nan Gongxuan finally lost his patience, nodded in satisfaction, and then, “unrepentantly,” directly provoked him by saying softly,
“I’ve heard that the Crown Princess was stunningly beautiful, with a red mole at the corner of her right eye as well...”
Nan Gongxuan’s eyes suddenly turned cold, and the maids around them were so frightened they dared not move. Yet Yan Yiming continued with a smile, finishing her sentence,
“When I first heard of this, even before arriving in the capital, I felt a connection with Your Highness. Now that I’ve seen you, I feel it even more. What do you think, Your Highness?”
Nan Gongxuan suppressed his anger with great effort, reminding himself that this shameless woman who dared compare herself to A’Ming had a special status. But every time he looked up, he saw the red mole at the corner of her eye, and for a moment, he hated it so much he wished he could order someone to gouge it out.
No matter how noble this woman’s status was, he no longer wanted to see her face. Nan Gongxuan coldly stated that he had no intention of remarrying and that the princess might be disappointed.
Yan Yiming cooperatively sighed in disappointment, then put on an expression of having lost her appetite and took her leave. Nan Gongxuan had not the slightest intention of stopping her. He watched coldly as Yan Yiming departed, then angrily left the gathering himself, only to run into the Empress, who had rushed over upon hearing the news to question him.
“What did you say to make the princess leave so abruptly?”
Nan Gongxuan, still disgusted by the earlier conversation, looked at his mother and said bluntly, “I don’t like any woman with a red mole at the corner of her eye besides A’Ming. There’s no need for you to waste your efforts, Mother.”
How foolish, to dare compare herself to A’Ming, was she even worthy?
Nan Gongxuan laughed mockingly and turned to leave, leaving the stunned Empress to weakly massage her temples.
What a cursed fate, a cursed fate indeed!