Chapter 26: Turning Misfortune into Blessing

Lady Shen was dazed. Only one incident had occurred in the capital today.

But that matter concerned Ning Wang—how could an ordinary woman confined to the inner quarters like her dare to discuss it!

Moreover, the person before her was Ning Wang’s own paternal aunt, making it even more inappropriate for her to speak.

Lady Shen could only shake her head. “Today, I only learned that the Yong’an Marquis Mansion had come to deliver the betrothal gifts. I haven’t had time yet to inquire about the situation outside.”

County Princess Rongjia, however, did not avoid the topic. She spoke slowly, “It’s nothing much, really. It’s just that my nephew’s residence was infiltrated by assassins. They wounded him, and after failing to escape, they set a fire!”

County Princess Rongjia spoke lightly, as if it truly were no great matter.

But to the others present, her words were met with increasing shock.

Jiang Jin’s pupils widened slightly, and her movement to reach for tea halted.

She quietly withdrew her hand, placing it on her knee, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her skirt.

She lowered her gaze, concealing the shadowed expression in her eyes.

County Princess Rongjia glanced at her and, seeing her distracted appearance, continued, “Ah, poor my nephew. He remains gravely injured and unconscious, and who knows when he’ll wake up!”

Hearing this, Lady Shen hurriedly said, “His Highness Ning Wang is blessed by fortune and will surely turn this misfortune into a blessing!”

County Princess Rongjia smiled. “I hope so. It’s my fault for bringing this up on such an auspicious day. It’s just that I suddenly remembered my nephew has yet to marry. If something truly were to happen, I fear there wouldn’t even be anyone to mourn him!”

This time, Lady Shen dared not respond. Who would have thought County Princess Rongjia could be so blunt, even considering the worst possible outcome?

As a member of the imperial clan, she could speak without restraint, but they certainly could not!

Fortunately, County Princess Rongjia did not intend to press anyone. Without waiting for a response, she shifted the topic herself.

“I almost forgot—today, I came to deliver the betrothal gifts for the Yong’an Marquis Mansion.” County Princess Rongjia looked toward the Second Lady of the Yong’an Marquis Household and asked, “Have you brought the betrothal list?”

The Second Lady nodded and had someone present the list.

County Princess Rongjia picked up the list and examined it, her smile remaining on her lips but fading slightly in her eyes.

These items…

She then looked at Jiang Jin. Instead of handing the betrothal list directly to Lady Shen beside her, she called out to Jiang Jin, “Good child, after all, these betrothal gifts are for you. You should take a look as well.”

With that, she instructed a maid to bring the list to Jiang Jin.

Hearing this, Jiang Jin looked up in surprise.

In her previous life, not only had she never seen the betrothal list, but even the dowry list had never passed through her hands.

She had no idea whether there was too much or too little.

Although Jiang Jin had never met County Princess Rongjia before, she could now see that the county princess was speaking on her behalf!

Jiang Jin took the betrothal list and casually examined it.

The first two pages were unremarkable, but as she reached the later pages, her expression changed.

So, in her previous life, that marriage filled with schemes had revealed its true nature from the very beginning!

The items listed later, with their long and cumbersome names, might appear to the uninformed as precious treasures. But Jiang Jin, having spent ten years in the Yong’an Marquis Mansion, could easily see that these were merely empty titles.

Who knew from which dusty corner of the storeroom they had been dug up? It would be a miracle if they weren’t rusted!

Snap. Jiang Jin closed the betrothal list and cast a meaningful glance at the Second Lady of the Yong’an Marquis Household.

“Second Lady, have you seen this betrothal list before?”

The Second Lady nodded, “This list was discussed and agreed upon by the elder sister-in-law and me. What is it, Third Miss? Do you find something amiss?”

“Please do not take offense, Second Lady. It is only that my knowledge is limited, and many of these items I have never heard of. I wish to seek your guidance on a few points.”

The Second Lady’s brow furrowed slightly, not having expected Jiang Jin to be so meticulous.

She had reviewed the list herself. The items on the first few pages were substantial, but those later on… were mostly fillers, just there to make up the numbers.

Only their names sounded impressive, and an ordinary person who had never seen them would not think much of it.

She had already sensed that Lady Yong’an was being perfunctory about this matter. If any discrepancies were discovered today, it would surely cause her to lose face.

But previously, she hadn’t cared because the matter did not concern her personally.

Unexpectedly, even though Lady Yong’an was perfectly healthy, she had pushed this responsibility onto her, all to take care of her sickly niece.

Moreover, County Princess Rongjia must have also noticed something was off earlier; otherwise, she would not have bypassed Lady Shen and directly asked Jiang Jin to review the betrothal gift list.

But as things stood, the Second Lady had no choice but to brace herself and nod, “Third Miss, feel free to ask whatever you wish.”

Jiang Jin smiled slightly, “I noticed there is a set of filigree butterfly-and-flower hair ornaments inlaid with gemstones. May I ask, Second Lady, what style are the gemstones? Are they rubies?”

Hearing the name of this hair ornament set, the Second Lady’s lips twitched involuntarily.

She was very familiar with this set; she had personally watched as it was placed among the betrothal gifts.

Leaving aside the fact that the filigree craftsmanship was already outdated, the blue gemstones on it were mostly cloudy and of little value.

Even in the most famous goldsmith shops in the capital, one could hardly find such poor-quality items!

“I actually forgot about this item. When the elder sister-in-law and I reviewed the list, I did not see it. Perhaps the elder sister-in-law felt the betrothal gifts were still lacking and used some of her private savings to add this for you!”

The Second Lady thought that by invoking Lady Yong’an, Jiang Jin would have to show some respect and refrain from asking further.

But upon hearing this, Jiang Jin could not help but sneer inwardly.

Pretending to be surprised, she continued, “So it was added by Lady Yong’an again. Then it must be an extremely valuable item. Furong, hurry and go to where the betrothal gifts are being carried. Make sure no one damages the Lady’s precious items!”

Hearing Jiang Jin’s words, the Second Lady thought she intended to have someone retrieve the item. While it was fine hidden inside the betrothal gift chests, once taken out, the truth would immediately be exposed.

Startled, she quickly tried to stop her, “Third Miss, there is no need to worry. The servants carrying the betrothal gifts were carefully selected by the Yong’an Marquis Mansion and are extremely reliable. They would never damage anything. As for the betrothal gift list, Third Miss should still show it to the Minister’s Lady.”

But Furong, following Jiang Jin’s order, moved swiftly.

Before the Second Lady’s words had fully left her mouth, Furong had already stepped over the threshold.

Seeing this, Jiang Jin could only say helplessly to the Second Lady, “Please do not blame me, Second Lady. My maid acts with such haste. Now that she has already left, it would be difficult to call her back.”

After speaking, Jiang Jin handed the betrothal gift list to a maid.

The maid delivered it to Lady Shen, who began flipping through it. At first, she could not grasp the meaning behind Jiang Jin’s words.

But the further she read, the more her expression darkened.

Linyuan had once assured them that he would treat Jin’er and her Eldest Sister equally.

Yet from the betrothal gift list alone, it was clear this was not the case!

Both of her daughters had married the same man, which was already unfair to Jiang Jin.

Now, Lady Yong’an was resorting to such tricks with the betrothal gifts—it was truly beneath dignity.

But as things stood, she could not openly contradict the second wife and cause her to lose face.

Lady Shen helplessly glanced at Jiang Jin, her lips moving slightly as if she wanted to say something.