Chapter 173: Right And Wrong, Love And Hate

On the day Prince Shen Jie got married, the entire capital was adorned with festive decorations.

From the imperial palace to the prince’s residence, including the manors of his first and second brides, the streets along the way were cleared of all obstructions. Red drapes hung along the route, stretching two li around the prince’s estate.

The civil and military officials all attended the banquet.

Even the Emperor graced the occasion, and Xie Wei, who rarely appeared at such social gatherings, also arrived at the prince’s residence to partake in the celebrations. 

Those who were away on official duties and couldn’t attend in person sent generous wedding gifts well in advance.

Fang Miao, among the many companions who had studied at Yangzhi Zhai, had never been particularly remarkable. Most people remembered her as a spineless follower, easily swayed by whichever way the wind blew. 

However, her actions were not driven by political struggles or personal gain but rather her belief in her own divinations. Because of this, though others criticized her, they often refrained from saying too much.

Suddenly being chosen as the Princess Consort of Prince Linzi?

Others might not say it outright, but Chen Shuyi, who had gone to the selection alongside Fang Miao that day, was the first to express her displeasure. 

Not only did she refuse to personally offer congratulations, but she also didn’t send a single gift, acting as if this person and this event didn’t exist at all in the capital.

Jiang Xuening, on the other hand, held a bit of goodwill towards Fang Miao since she had accompanied her to visit Princess Leyang during her house arrest. Thus, two days before the wedding, Jiang Xuening brought her own gift and paid a visit in advance.

Upon seeing her, Fang Miao’s once anxious and sorrowful face lit up with a wide smile.

She couldn’t stop exclaiming how a noble person like Jiang Xuening’s arrival had turned an unfit match into a suitable one. Then, without any reservation, she began asking Jiang Xuening about Jiang Xuehui’s character and conduct.

Jiang Xuening assumed Fang Miao was preparing to compete with or guard against Jiang Xuehui. 

Unexpectedly, after listening, Fang Miao appeared utterly disappointed and said regretfully, “Whether it’s true or not, your second sister seems like a cautious person. Even if she has some ambitions, she wouldn’t resort to every possible means to cause trouble like others might. I got excited for nothing. If she were formidable, she might have ousted me, so I could pack my bags and leave. If she didn’t oust me, she’d likely get herself into a mess, and I could live a peaceful life as a freeloader in the palace. But she’s so moderate—neither here nor there—that it feels like a fishbone stuck in my throat. I don’t know what to do with her. Let’s hope we can coexist peacefully and not interfere with each other!”

Jiang Xuening was silent.

In her previous life, she had married Shen Jie for the highly probable position of Empress, keeping him happy and ensuring there wasn’t even a concubine in the household. 

In this life, Fang Miao seemed to have a much more laid-back attitude; her primary goal as the future Princess Consort of Linzi seemed to be muddling along and waiting for death.

From this perspective, Fang Miao and Jiang Xuehui were unlikely to clash.

After all, while Jiang Xuening didn’t like Jiang Xuehui, she had to admit her elder sister was measured in her actions. Rarely did she initiate conflicts with others, and although she sought benefits for herself, she didn’t go out of her way to harm others.

Jiang Xuening stayed at Fang Miao’s residence for a while longer until Fang Miao, itching to indulge her hobby, pulled out her tools and tried to divine Jiang Xuening’s fortune. At that point, Jiang Xuening found an excuse to leave hurriedly.

In her past life, she would have dismissed such things as nonsense.

Now that she had been reincarnated, she found the world to have mysterious and unfathomable aspects. But the more she believed in such things, the less she dared to let someone read her fortune. If they truly predicted something unfavorable, would she still want to continue living her life?

Better to remain ignorant—chase after what she wanted and fight for what she wished to keep.

That would feel far more liberating.

After leaving Fang Miao’s residence, Jiang Xuening resumed her preparations for her journey to Shu. 

On the day of Shen Jie’s wedding, instead of visiting Fang Miao alone again, she followed the bridal procession to the palace but stayed in Jiang Xuehui’s quarters.

Dragon-and-phoenix candles burned brightly, and the room was filled with red decorations.

However, compared to Jiang Xuening’s own wedding to Shen Jie in her previous life, this room was much smaller, not the main hall, and fewer maids and matrons waited outside. The compliments and flattery were far less enthusiastic and genuine.

In her previous life, Jiang Xuening had been Shen Jie’s main consort, with no concubine sharing the day of entry. Without a comparison, she hadn’t realized how different things were. 

Now she could see that Jiang Xuehui, though marrying in as Shen Jie’s concubine, was clearly inferior to Fang Miao in both status and ceremony. If it were her sitting in this room today, she wouldn’t have been able to endure it. She’d have thrown off the veil and stormed out.

But Jiang Xuehui was calm.

When the imperial decree of marriage had arrived at the Jiang household, she had already known what awaited her. Since this was the path she had chosen, even if it wasn’t ideal, she was determined to walk it through, holding no particular resentment toward others.

Outside, the congratulatory voices were lively and boisterous.

Jiang Xuehui removed her red veil and gently placed it on the corner of the table. She seemed to understand that Jiang Xuening had something to say, so she didn’t ask why her sister had stayed behind at this time. Instead, she sat at the table, poured a cup of tea, and placed it across from herself.

Jiang Xuening stood opposite Jiang Xuehui, quietly observing her.

The difference between a principal wife and a concubine was no different from the distinction between a wife and a concubine in common households. In the future, should there be children, the divide would extend to legitimacy and illegitimacy. 

This disparity was evident in the wedding ceremonies, the decoration of the room, and even in Jiang Xuehui’s crimson wedding gown. Its gold embroidery wasn’t as intricate as Fang Miao’s, and the peonies adorning the sleeves were replaced with a lesser flower. The peacock spreading its wings on her gown could never compare to the phoenix dancing in grandeur.

Jiang Xuehui smiled faintly. “Are you pitying me?”

Jiang Xuening didn’t deny it—there was a trace of pity in her heart.

However, in this life, she hadn’t fought Jiang Xuehui for this marriage. It was simply the course of nature. Thus, whatever Jiang Xuehui gained or lost didn’t stir any strong emotions in her.

She just felt a touch of melancholy.

“This time, I wasn’t planning to attend your wedding.”

Jiang Xuening picked up a tea cup and examined it. Along the edge, there was a deep blue glaze in the shape of an orchid leaf—an aesthetic that matched Shen Jie’s simple and refined taste. Shen Jie was good at many things, but he wasn’t suited to be an emperor. If he could stay far from the strife of imperial power in this life, he might just meet a peaceful end.

She chuckled inexplicably and set the tea cup down again.

“No matter what, Wanniang raised me. She’s your birth mother and has always wished the best for you. Now that you’re married—to someone as esteemed as the Prince of Linzi, a royal of such high status—she should be most delighted. Reason and sentiment alike dictate that I should come on her behalf to see you and offer my congratulations.”

At the mention of Wanniang, Jiang Xuehui closed her eyes slightly and fell silent.

Jiang Xuening, for once, was unusually calm.

In the past, whenever she brought up Wanniang, it was always tinged with resentment—self-pitying anger mingled with bitterness. She both envied and despised Jiang Xuehui, masking her jealousy with disdain to protect her fragile sense of self-worth.

But now, having resolved to leave the capital, she found herself less consumed by these feelings.

Perhaps the twists and turns of two lifetimes had finally allowed her to focus on things that mattered more than these long-standing grievances.

She wanted to save the princess.

She needed to look forward.

“In the past, I did envy you and hate you. Wanniang switched you and me at birth. You lived with my name, took my family, and enjoyed my wealth and privilege, while I, in turn, could never measure up to you. I was clumsy, impulsive, and the harder I tried to excel, the more I failed, making myself a laughingstock to others.”

Jiang Xuening took out the jade bracelet from her sleeve.

The living had departed, leaving behind the inanimate.

It didn’t seem much different from when Wanniang had entrusted it to her before her death.

“But in recent days, I’ve changed my mind. In the past, being caught up in the situation, I couldn’t see things clearly. Now, having stepped away, I realize how dreary your life has been. My mother treated you well, but she also bound you with restraints. The capital is full of noble ladies, and being compared to others leaves no room for mistakes. If I had to trade my freedom for such riches, for familial ties, only to live such a dull life and become a cold-hearted person, I’m afraid my heart would neither accept nor desire it.”

Today was Jiang Xuehui’s wedding day, so her makeup was exceptionally elaborate.

But it was a bit heavy.

The cosmetics concealed her natural features, outlining a pretty silhouette, yet suppressing her genuine expressions beneath the makeup, giving her an air of repression and lifelessness.

Jiang Xuening gently placed the Hetian jade bracelet on the table between them.

A single bracelet, like a clear boundary, separated the two of them.

She spoke calmly, “Before she passed, Wanniang held my hand and insisted that I give this bracelet to you. On the day she left, I clutched it tightly and cried for two or three nights. When I arrived in the capital and saw you, I thought, even if I died, this bracelet would never be yours. But now I understand that besides Wanniang, there are others in this world. Even if Wanniang resented me, there are still those who care for and need me. The life I lived before wasn’t mine to control, and I accepted that. She might not have been fair to me, but I have no regrets toward her.”

In this lifetime, she had fulfilled Wanniang’s dying wish from the last.

After speaking, Jiang Xuening seemed to have nothing more to say.

There had never been much connection between her and Jiang Xuehui, so after speaking, she turned to leave.

The room was silent.

Jiang Xuehui’s gaze lingered on the bracelet for a long time. Slowly, she picked it up, its touch icy cold.

She wanted to laugh, but tears filled her eyes.

She tugged at the corners of her lips, only to find the absurdity of it all overwhelming: Jiang Xuening hated her, envied her, and made things difficult for her. But in her position, how could she have done anything right?

No matter what, it would have been wrong.

There was no need to argue which way was better or worse.

With a muffled bang, Jiang Xuening had just reached the door when the sound startled her. Turning back, she saw Jiang Xuehui had picked up a fine inkstone and smashed it down forcefully!

The Hetian jade bracelet shattered instantly into countless pieces.

The broken fragments of jade lay silently on the edge of the table.

Jiang Xuehui’s face remained expressionless as she numbly wiped away the tear that had slid down her cheek. She tossed aside the inkstone and said, “Everyone has their fate. I am already the person I am, so you needn’t hold any expectations of me. I protect myself, and even if she loved me, to me, she’s nothing more than a stranger I’ve never met.”

“……”

Jiang Xuening gazed at her with pity for a long time. In the end, she said nothing and turned to leave.

In the Jiang manor, the sounds of laughter, clinking cups, and lively chatter filled the air.

In this world, right and wrong are often hard to discern.

But love and hate are far simpler.

As for Jiang Xuehui’s actions—whether right or wrong—Jiang Xuening didn’t know. She didn’t dislike her, but she certainly couldn’t bring herself to like her either.

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