Chapter 25: A Blessed One

For now, she could only take one step at a time, hoping to walk a path different from her previous life.

Once she freed herself, there would always be a way to handle Yuan’an’s affairs!

Jiang Jin was clear in her thoughts: she cherished her nephew, but that did not mean she would plunge herself back into that quagmire.

Now, she had to first save herself before she could envision the future.

Thinking of this, Jiang Jin asked, “Mother, who came to present the betrothal gifts today?”

Hearing Jiang Jin inquire about the betrothal gifts, Lady Shen grew even more convinced that she had come to her senses.

Lady Shen said gently, “It was the second wife of Yong’an Marquis Mansion, and the matchmaker invited was County Princess Rongjia.”

“I heard that Lady Yong’an was originally supposed to come herself, but she was frightened yesterday and is still ill, so she didn’t come.”

“To express her apologies, Linyuan sent over a set of head ornaments early this morning.”

After saying this, Lady Shen signaled to Nanny Lin.

Then, she took Jiang Jin’s hand and led her to sit by the couch.

Nanny Lin had the maids present the head ornaments. Looking at the pearl head ornaments, Jiang Jin felt they looked familiar, but for a moment, she couldn’t recall where she had seen them before.

Lady Shen picked up a pair of pearl butterfly hair combs and held them against Jiang Jin’s hair bun.

She smiled and said, “They look beautiful and suit you very well.”

“Jin’er, let Mother put them on for you!”

Before Jiang Jin could respond, Lady Shen had already begun.

She removed the jade hairpin from Jiang Jin’s hair and replaced it with the pair of butterfly hair combs.

The butterfly wings were lively, and the luster of the pearls added a youthful vitality to Jiang Jin.

A maid handed over a bronze mirror, and Lady Shen held it up for Jiang Jin to see.

Jiang Jin looked at her reflection in the bronze mirror, raising her eyebrows slightly. The hair combs were indeed lovely.

However, the more she looked at them, the more familiar they seemed.

Lady Shen examined them from all angles, thinking that while the head ornaments looked beautiful when worn separately, they lacked a sense of hierarchy.

She asked Nanny Lin, “Would it be better to wear the full set of head ornaments?”

Nanny Lin looked them over and nodded.

Lady Shen knew that Jiang Jin usually disliked ostentation, and wearing the full set might be too eye-catching.

After hesitating for a moment, she still felt that today was an important occasion.

So she said to Jiang Jin again, “Jin’er, let Mother help you put on the full set of head ornaments!”

Jiang Jin was somewhat surprised. She looked at Lady Shen and said, “Mother, today isn’t an especially important day. Why such elaborate dressing?”

Lady Shen shook her head. “No, although the Nazheng day isn’t as important as the wedding day itself, it is the second most important day in the entire wedding process.”

“Moreover, these head ornaments were sent by Linyuan. When the second wife sees them and tells Lady Yong’an about it afterward, she will also understand your attitude.”

Hearing this, Jiang Jin’s lips twitched involuntarily.

If Lady Yong’an found out, she would probably be furious enough to spit blood.

She had always disliked Jiang Jin, and after suffering a setback at her hands yesterday, she must be feeling extremely aggrieved!

If she learned that Jiang Jin was wearing these head ornaments today, she would likely…

Thinking of this, Jiang Jin’s attitude softened slightly.

Lady Shen continued, “Besides, County Princess Rongjia has a generous temperament and likes women who are vibrant and bright. If you dress too plainly, you might not leave a good impression on her.”

When mentioning County Princess Rongjia, Lady Shen’s eyes were filled with admiration.

County Princess Rongjia was the only daughter of Prince Cheng and the emperor’s cousin, a true member of the imperial family with an exceptional background. In her youth, she was the most vibrant woman in the capital.

Later, she married the current Duke of Chong, and their marriage was harmonious, with her getting along well with her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law.

The children were accomplished; the eldest son had passed the imperial examinations early and entered the court as an official.

It could be said that County Princess Rongjia’s fate was something others could envy but never attain!

Because of this, upon learning that the Yong’an Marquis Mansion had invited her as a matchmaker, Lady Shen was both surprised and especially relieved.

After all, she owed this third daughter a great deal, and this marriage… should not have fallen to her in the first place.

Now, knowing that the Yong’an Marquis Mansion valued Jiang Jin, the guilt in her heart could ease considerably.

Jiang Jin was unaware of Lady Shen’s thoughts, but when she heard County Princess Rongjia mentioned again, her brows furrowed slightly.

This matter… seemed somewhat different from her previous life.

She hadn’t considered it carefully earlier, but now, upon closer analysis, County Princess Rongjia had no connection whatsoever with Lady Yong’an. Moreover, given her noble status, she was someone Lady Yong’an usually couldn’t even hope to curry favor with.

So why would she agree to act as a matchmaker for the Yong’an Marquis Mansion now?

Unable to figure it out, Jiang Jin asked Lady Shen, “Did Mother know beforehand that the Yong’an Marquis Mansion would invite County Princess Rongjia?”

Lady Shen shook her head. “I only learned of this just now when the servants reported it. I had thought Lady Yong’an would invite the Lady of Zhongyong Marquis, with whom she is close. I never imagined… she would actually manage to invite County Princess Rongjia!”

Jiang Jin grew even more puzzled. Even Mother hadn’t anticipated this…

If things had followed the course of her previous life, the person the Yong’an Marquis Mansion invited would indeed have been the Lady of Zhongyong Marquis.

And because the two were close friends, when the Lady of Zhongyong Marquis had sized her up, her gaze held the same look as Lady Yong’an’s.

Back then, she was young and couldn’t discern the malice hidden in their eyes.

Hearing only their words of praise, she had thought this truly was a good match!

After all, marrying as a successor wife didn’t sound particularly honorable, but if life after marriage went smoothly, the gossip from outsiders could gradually be forgotten.

Unfortunately…

Jiang Jin lowered her lashes, gazing at her embroidered shoes, her mind slowly drifting away.

Not long after, someone announced from outside.

“Madam, Third Miss, the betrothal procession is almost here!”

Lady Shen stood up joyfully, taking Jiang Jin’s hand. “Jin’er, quickly, come with Mother. We must not keep County Princess Rongjia waiting.”

Jiang Jin was pulled to her feet, barely steadying herself before being led outside.

But Lady Shen was so excited that she completely failed to notice Jiang Jin’s condition.

If not for Furong stepping forward in time to steady Jiang Jin, she truly might have stumbled and twisted her ankle.

The group went to the main hall, and shortly after sitting down, County Princess Rongjia and the Second Lady of the Yong’an Marquis Household were invited in.

Jiang Jin stood up and performed a Lianren bow to the two.

“County Princess, Second Lady.”

County Princess Rongjia observed Jiang Jin, and when she saw the pearl hair ornaments on her head, her gaze suddenly paused.

She quickly averted her eyes and took her seat as arranged by Lady Shen.

“Having the County Princess as matchmaker today is a blessing for both our families!” Lady Shen said with a beaming smile.

County Princess Rongjia nodded slightly. “It’s rare to encounter such a joyous occasion recently, so I came to join in the excitement. I hope the Minister’s wife doesn’t mind.”

After speaking, she turned her gaze to Jiang Jin. “Good child, what is your name?”

She had come in such haste that she hadn’t even seen the person being proposed to, only hearing she was the third daughter of the Jiang family.

At first glance, her appearance was truly delicate and gentle, a classic beauty in the making.

Jiang Jin replied softly, “Jiang Jin—the ‘Jin’ from ‘the hibiscus flower blooms gloriously for a day.’”

County Princess Rongjia smiled. “A fine name!”

“And a person destined for great fortune!”

She withdrew her gaze and said to Lady Shen, “A major event occurred in the capital today. Has the Minister’s wife heard about it?”