Chapter 40: Ungrateful Wolf

Old Madam Jiang has lived to such an old age, how could she not know the ins and outs of the palace?

She was supported by Jiang Jingyue and walked to the inner courtyard, and said lightly: "Tell the truth to grandma, does the queen dislike you?"

Jiang Jingyue's expression was slightly stiff, and then she smiled: "Grandma is worrying too much, the queen doesn't dislike me, but..."

The old lady tilted her head to look at her, her eyes sharp: "Just what?"

"Cousin Li was wronged in the Jiang family, and the emperor loved her very much, so he was naturally a little angry, so I..." Jiang Jingyue looked lonely, but soon turned into a smile pretending to be relaxed, with a bit of grievance and compromise, "But grandma can rest assured, the emperor is not angry with me alone, the person he really wants to punish is actually the prince. It's just because the prince and I are husband and wife, so I should have shared the difficulties with him, which made grandma worried."

"I always thought Yan Li was just not good at speaking, cowardly and weak, but I didn't expect her to be a vicious person." Jiang Tingyan walked behind them and said coldly, " She is the scourge of the Jiang family! Grandfather shouldn't have let her grow up in the Jiang family. Now, not only does she not know how to repay her kindness, but she bites us back like a jackal. The Jiang family is really unlucky for eight generations to have such an unlucky thing! "

Jiang Jingyue stopped and turned to look at Jiang Tingyan with a disapproving expression: "Third brother, don't say that, cousin Li is not as you said-"

"Sister, don't defend her, you don't know what happened in the family these days." Jiang Tingyan frowned, with real hatred in his tone, "Second brother just scolded her a few words, she relied on her title of princess and the emperor's protection, and actually ordered the Imperial Guards to beat the second brother thirty boards. The second brother is still in bed recovering from his injuries."

"What did the third brother say?" Jiang Jingyue looked shocked, and turned to look at her mother and eldest brother in doubt, "Imperial Guards?"

Luo looked cold and nodded without saying a word.

"Your third brother is right. Yan Li did order the Imperial Guards to beat your second brother." Jiang Tingyi's expression was gloomy. "And Tingyan's imperial examination was also affected."

"Imperial examination?" Jiang Jingyue couldn't believe that she had been away for a few days, and so many things had happened at home. "What's wrong with the imperial examination of the third brother? Yan Li is so capable that he can even influence the imperial examination?"

"It's a long story." Jiang Tingyi said with resentment, "In short, Yan Li not only won the emperor's favor, but also made the Ninth Prince willing to marry her. The wedding date is set on April 6, ten days earlier than you."

Jiang Jingyue clenched her palms, and the fake smile on her face was almost unable to hold back: "The Ninth Prince was willing to marry her?"

She lived in the East Palace, why didn't she hear the news? Even if she didn't know, the Queen and the Prince should know, right?

Why didn't anyone tell her?

Jiang Jingyue lowered her eyes to hide the cold light in her eyes. Yan Li, that little bitch, is really good at tricks. Even the Ninth Prince, who is always cold and aloof, protects her?

"It's her will." When Jiang Tingyi said this, a trace of haze flashed across his eyebrows. "The Ninth Prince even came to support her in person. Tingyan also angered the Ninth Prince because of a few words he said to Yan Li."

Jiang Jingyue bit her lip, jealousy burning her internal organs like fire. Where did Yan Li get such a great ability that the Ninth Prince treated her differently?

Just because of her beautiful face?

The Ninth Prince, who was worshipped as a god, turned out to be just an ordinary man, superficially indulging in beauty.

"Jingyue." Luo looked at her with hope, as if she suddenly thought of something. "Aren't you going to marry the prince soon? With your status as the prince's consort, you should be able to help your third brother get the imperial examination this year, right? You can ask the prince for a favor, or you can talk to the queen..."

"Mother is right!" Jiang Tingyi's eyes lit up, as if he suddenly found a backer. "The Ninth Prince only verbally asked Tingyan not to take the imperial examination, but the Jiang family is a member of the prince's party, and Li Shangshu of the Ministry of Personnel is also a member of the prince's party. Taking the imperial examination is just a matter of a word from the Ministry of Personnel. As long as Tingyan has real talent and knowledge, can the Ninth Prince still remove his name?"

When Jiang Tingyan heard this, hope suddenly appeared in his eyes: "So, I still have hope of becoming an official?"

"It's not hope, but you must be sure." Jiang Tingyi felt that things were easier to handle as he spoke. "After a few days, when the Ninth Prince forgets about this matter, I will go to have a drink with the prince's party's noble sons and let them take care of it——"

"Brother." Jiang Jingyue frowned slightly and spoke softly, "I still think I should have a good talk with cousin Li."

Jiang Tingyi and Jiang Tingyi looked at her at the same time, and the relaxed look on their faces disappeared, and was replaced by disgust in an instant: "Why mention her again?"

"Jingyue, hasn't she hurt us enough?" Luo was unhappy, "You are too kind, so you always think that she is as kind as you, you don't know that some people are born ungrateful and will never appreciate it!"

"Mother, please be patient, and please rest assured, brothers, leave this matter to me." Jiang Jingyue smiled and comforted gently, "After all, the Ninth Prince is the most critical person. We can only start with Yan Li to make the Ninth Prince take back his decision."

Jiang Tingyan frowned: "Is the prince's words useless?"

Jiang Jingyue froze. The prince was a little cold to her these days. Should she tell them the truth that she might not be able to say anything in front of the prince?

Besides, who is the Ninth Prince? His words carry more weight in the court than the Crown Prince. Would the Crown Prince dare to challenge him before he ascends the throne?

"The Crown Prince is the crown prince of Mu State. After ascending the throne, he will be the emperor of Mu State. No matter how powerful the Ninth Prince is, he is just a prince and can never become the emperor." Jiang Tingyi looked at her seriously, "Jingyue, do you understand what I mean?"

"Yes, I understand." Jiang Jingyue nodded, "No matter how powerful the Ninth Prince is, he can never become the emperor."

By then, even if the Ninth Prince is to be killed, it will only be a matter of an imperial decree.

However, the fact at the moment is that the Crown Prince has not ascended the throne yet. Which of the several princes in the court does not flatter the Ninth Prince? If the Crown Prince offends him, he may not even be able to keep his position as crown prince.