Chapter One: Sisters Clash Again After Breaking the Engagement

Jiang Shiyuan stared at the freshly delivered triangular rice dumplings on the table, momentarily lost in thought.

Her health had always been frail, so she rarely touched glutinous foods. This rare outing of hers had been cut short by the oppressive sun, forcing her to retreat into this elegant riverside room, shutting herself away from most of the hustle and bustle outside.

“Sister-in-law had to stay here to keep me company. With such a festive occasion, you should really be out there enjoying it.”

Her voice, as she spoke, was clear and melodious. The silk fan with its jade ribs in her hand swayed idly. Her flowing smoke-blue gauze gown added a cool grace to her demeanor, exposing a slender wrist adorned with a vivid jade bangle—crystal clear, perfectly rounded, with a richness that did not lose its gentle charm.

She lounged there with the lazy grace of a cat—utterly at leisure.

“His Majesty’s great favor has allowed all the officials’ families to gather at Quyang Lake to watch this year’s dragon boat races. The whole idea was to add to the merriment and bring good fortune, but you, after coming out, won’t even join the crowd. The rumors outside say you’re hiding from the world because of the broken engagement. It seems they might be right.”

The speaker was a dignified woman seated beside Jiang Shiyuan. Her hair was styled fastidiously and adorned with understated pearl and jade pins. Her slender back was held straight, the very picture of a well-bred lady.

She was Jiang Shiyuan’s eldest cousin-in-law, Madam Xiang, the wife of the eldest son of the Marquis Wen Yuan’s household. The two had been close friends since their maiden days, and now, as family, their intimacy only deepened.

In her hand, she held a lychee, freshly peeled with care, its tender, glistening flesh offered indulgently to Jiang Shiyuan. The fondness in her gesture was unmistakable. Jiang Shiyuan took the fruit, savoring a bite—smooth as cream, sweet and juicy, perfectly in season.

“Let people say what they will,” Jiang Shiyuan replied, her cheeks flushed prettily from the warmth, as lovely as a morning cloud. Her eyes sparkled, lively and delicate. “I don’t mind. Behind closed doors, who enjoys such freedom as I do? Don’t you agree, sister-in-law?”

Madam Xiang smiled, casting her gaze over the revels on Quyang Lake, and changed the subject.

“Your second aunt is still so proud of securing that match with Prince Chun’s household. Yet your cousin, the second Miss Jiang, has barely been married a month, and I hear the Princess Consort is already looking for a concubine for the heir. Imagine handling such affairs so soon after the wedding—one wonders if she regrets it.”

Regret? Most likely not.

The second Miss Jiang Madam Xiang spoke of was Jiang Shijin, daughter of Jiang Shiyuan’s second uncle. Her father had died early, leaving behind a household of widows and orphans. With only a single daughter, her own father had always tried to care for them as best he could—offering both money and effort.

But it seemed that his generosity had only made them more ambitious, leading to the incident at the Lantern Festival, when Jiang Shijin sought to take her cousin’s place and win the favor of Prince Chun’s heir.

When the truth came out, her aunt and grandmother pleaded with her—begging her to let her younger cousin take her place in the marriage.

Jiang Shiyuan had never truly desired that marriage from the start. The grievances she had suffered in her previous life as the prince’s wife were still fresh in her mind. She had always intended to find a way out, but never expected that her grandmother and aunt would set their sights on her cousin instead—believing her too frail to bear up under the demands, and so pushing Jiang Shijin forward.

As for the engagement, Jiang Shiyuan cared little, but she deeply resented their willingness to disregard the family’s future for a chance to climb higher.

But that was months past; now, with the two families “happily” joined, she could hardly be bothered to criticize further.

“Good or bad, fortune or misfortune, she’s married now and must face whatever comes. I have no intention of wasting my thoughts on her. I’d rather spend my time with aunt and sister-in-law, urging you to give me a little nephew to dote on.”

Her words left Madam Xiang blushing and momentarily speechless, her face glowing with the fullness of married life.

Outside, the sound of drums and shouts rose once more. Jiang Shiyuan, who had been lounging in her chair, found her curiosity piqued. She rose and moved to the window, shading her face from the sunlight with her fan. Looking out over the lively scene on Quyang Lake, a smile crept to her lips.

“Sister-in-law, come quickly! Second and third cousins are in the same team. It looks like they might win the championship today!”

Madam Xiang joined her, peering out to where dozens of men, faces set with determination, crouched on the red-and-black, gold-painted dragon boat.

“Cousin Pei is there too. Where’s A-Nian? I don’t see him.”

“Cousin Pei? He’s here as well?” Jiang Shiyuan followed her cousin-in-law’s pointing finger and spotted the young man.

Among all the officials’ sons, he was the most spirited—eighteen or nineteen, standing proudly at the prow, beating the drum and clashing the gong. Dressed in fresh finery, tall and commanding, he cut a striking figure in the sunlight, the red silk on his drumstick fluttering with the banners.

“He arrived in the capital three days ago and is staying at home. Grandmother said she’ll host a family banquet to welcome him. You and uncle must come join us.”

Jiang Shiyuan was about to reply when someone behind them interrupted. Turning, Madam Xiang’s expression soured as she recognized the newcomer.

The young woman wore a pale blue gown embroidered with begonia blossoms, the golden thread and pearls shimmering softly. Her hair was smoothed and pinned with a white jade hairpin. Slender and graceful, her looks were refined and delicate.

She was none other than Jiang Shijin, the second daughter of Jiang House, now the Princess Consort of Prince Chun’s heir—the very one who had supplanted Jiang Shiyuan’s engagement.

“What a coincidence to meet my eldest sister and cousin-in-law here,” she said. “The festivities outside are so grand—why aren’t you out watching? Is it because your illness has worsened, sister, and you can’t bear the sun?”

Since her marriage, Jiang Shijin had not encountered Jiang Shiyuan. Grasping this opportunity, she was determined to flaunt her new status. Madam Xiang, long displeased with her, did not hesitate to retort.

“We have the best view from up here. Shouldn’t you explain why you came uninvited, Princess Consort?”

The triumph in Jiang Shijin’s eyes hadn’t faded before Madam Xiang’s words stung her into awkward anger.

Now a princess consort, no longer an obscure girl from the Jiang household, she bristled and replied with a cold smile.

“You’re quite bold, cousin-in-law. Anyone would think my sister sent you to attack me out of jealousy for my happiness with the heir.”

Her righteous tone drew a mocking smile from Madam Xiang and amused Jiang Shiyuan.

Jiang Shiyuan had no wish to quarrel, but since Jiang Shijin had come spoiling for a fight, she was not about to retreat. Shaking her fan, she sat back down calmly and spoke with innocent composure.

“You overthink, Princess Consort. We’re here at Princess Qinghuan’s invitation. She’s just stepped out to change and will return soon. If you’d like, you may join us for tea. After all, your relationship with her is surely the closer one.”

Today, Jiang Shiyuan had adorned her brows with a golden peony, small yet accentuating her already stunning features. But seen up close, her face was pale as if dusted with frost, drained of color. If not for that floral ornament lending her some vitality, she would have appeared even more ethereal.

The first beauty of Great Sui, yet frail from birth. Were it not for the nourishing pills she took, she might already have followed her mother to the grave.

Her light, offhand remark sent a chill through Jiang Shijin.

Years ago, when they first came to the capital, Jiang Shijin had received a rare invitation to a flower banquet. Wanting to stand out, she let others mistake her for Jiang Shiyuan, the much-admired granddaughter of the Marquis Wen Yuan. She had not corrected them, basking in the attention.

But the event was ruined when Princess Qinghuan exposed her. The humiliation still stung, and she was never invited to such gatherings again.

Hearing Princess Qinghuan’s name now, Jiang Shijin’s composure wavered, but seeing Jiang Shiyuan’s calm face, she forced herself to reply.

“Eldest sister, you do have quite the presence—now you even host gatherings for Princess Qinghuan? If I stay, aren’t you afraid she’ll be displeased?”

Jiang Shiyuan, aware of the old grudge, saw through her bravado and smiled gently, her fan never ceasing its motion.

“Displeased? Hardly. You’re now family by marriage to the royal house, and will surely see much of each other. Princess Qinghuan has always been magnanimous; she won’t care about the past. Don’t you agree, Princess Consort?”

Jiang Shijin fell silent, gritting her teeth at Jiang Shiyuan’s serene smile, knowing she was being deliberately cornered yet powerless to do anything.

Madam Xiang watched her like a hawk, ready to pounce at any sign of weakness, leaving Jiang Shijin caught between advancing and retreating.

Just then, her maid Lingzhi, sensing her mistress’s discomfort, stepped forward to extricate her.

“Please forgive us, eldest miss. When the Princess Consort came out for air, the heir told us to return quickly, fearing the crowds later would make it hard to find each other.”

Lingzhi’s intervention allowed Jiang Shijin to straighten her back, resume her gentle smile, and look pointedly at Jiang Shiyuan’s calm demeanor.

“The heir worries too much. Am I not capable of finding my own way back?”

“His concern is only for your comfort, Princess Consort. He instructed me to put you first in all things.”

The words pleased Jiang Shijin, whose eyes shone with undisguised delight. She offered a polite farewell.

“In that case, I won’t disturb your gathering any longer. Another time, I’ll invite both of you to visit our house.”

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and left. She maintained her composure only until she reached the stairs, where her steps quickened, anxious to avoid running into Princess Qinghuan and suffering another humiliation.

Watching her hasty retreat, Madam Xiang couldn’t help but sneer.

“All bluster and no substance. I truly wonder where Prince Chun’s heir keeps his eyes, to give you up for her—it’s laughable.”

Jiang Shiyuan was unmoved. In her previous life, she had fallen for the heir at the Lantern Festival, believing him sincere, only to find he was just another man captivated by her looks and status. In this life, she had avoided him at every turn, never meeting him face-to-face, so there was nothing to be lost.

Swapping a sickly beauty for a docile, pleasing wife—no doubt the heir was delighted. Thinking this, she stepped forward to comfort her cousin-in-law.

“If you keep fuming, sister-in-law, you’ll end up puffed up like a blowfish.”

She puffed her cheeks in imitation, sending Madam Xiang into laughter that melted away much of her anger.

“You’re far too easygoing, but perhaps that’s best. It’s not worth damaging your health over such people.”

Jiang Shiyuan agreed, pouring a cup of tea for her cousin-in-law. Before she could invite her to drink, a thunderous cheer erupted outside.

They hurried to the window to see that their cousins’ boat had indeed won the race.

Madam Xiang’s eyes shone with pride. “Those boys have brought honor to the Marquis Wen Yuan’s household. I hear the winning team receives a personal reward from His Majesty. I wonder what they’ll ask for?”

“Weapons, gold, carriages, beauties—what else could it be?” Jiang Shiyuan replied indifferently. Imperial rewards were coveted riches, and those who asked knew exactly what could and could not be requested.

She was tired from her outing. Remembering she still had medicine to take at home, her brow clouded with weariness.

Just as she turned away, Madam Xiang caught her arm, her expression bright with anticipation.

“Not necessarily. Look, Cousin Pei is stepping forward.”