Chapter 90 - 89: The Substitute Eldest Miss 5

Chapter 90: Chapter 89: The Substitute Eldest Miss 5

Zixi grabbed Ji Yan, executed her Qinggong, and hung her from a large tree by the entrance.

"The Second Miss has insulted the Eldest Miss. This has gone too far!"

With that, Zixi slapped Ji Yan across the face several times.

Before anyone else could react, she was slapped several more times.

Mr. Ji’s face turned livid with rage. "You wretched girl! Call your maid back at once! How dare a mere servant lay a hand on your sister!"

"And why can’t Zixi? Ji Yan, a supposedly well-bred young lady, does nothing but insult her own sister. She claimed I survived in the countryside by servicing wild men. What, was she hiding under my bed to witness it?"

Ji Xiaosong’s words left everyone present speechless. Seeing that Zixi was still hitting Ji Yan, Mother Ji burst into angry tears.

"You wicked girl! I should have strangled you with my own hands at birth! Why are you still alive?! Tell your maid to get your sister down this instant!"

At first, Ji Yan was screaming, but soon her cries faded into silence.

As long as Ji Xiaosong didn’t give the word, Zixi wouldn’t stop.

"What on earth do you want?"

Mr. Ji knew Zixi was far too skilled for the guards and servants of the Ji Mansion to handle.

Seeing Mr. Ji was ready to negotiate, Ji Xiaosong finally signaled for Zixi to stop and release Ji Yan.

"This marriage was originally meant for Ji Yan. You only brought me back because you were afraid she’d become a widow after marrying the Crown Prince. My demands aren’t unreasonable. First, before my wedding, stay out of my way and don’t cause me any trouble. Second, my dowry must meet the historical standards befitting a Crown Princess Consort. Everything that was prepared for Ji Yan must be given to me. When she eventually marries, her dowry can only be half the value of mine."

"In your dreams!"

Her face swollen, Ji Yan’s eyes burned with hatred.

"Father, Mother, the dowry the family prepared for their daughter is all mine! You’ve been preparing it since I was born, how can you give it to her!"

Ji Xiaosong didn’t even spare Ji Yan a glance, calmly continuing to sip her tea.

’If I’m not mistaken, the Crown Prince should be arriving any moment now.’

Mother Ji and Mr. Ji exchanged a look, both looking troubled.

"This dowry..."

Before Mr. Ji could finish, a gatekeeper ran in to make an announcement.

"My Lord, the Crown Prince is about to arrive at the gate."

Mother Ji glanced at Ji Xiaosong, then whispered something in Mr. Ji’s ear, and the two of them came to an agreement.

"Fine, the dowry is all yours. Just don’t speak out of turn in a moment."

Hearing Mr. Ji say this, Ji Yan was filled with despair.

"Chun Cui, help the Second Miss back to her courtyard. She is not to come out for the rest of the day."

Mother Ji looked at Ji Yan’s face, her heart aching.

But with the Crown Prince about to arrive, she couldn’t allow her daughter to appear before him with a swollen face.

"I won’t! I won’t go back!"

Ji Yan was furious. Chun Cui hurried forward and whispered a few words in her ear. Instantly, Ji Yan’s rage subsided, and she obediently turned and left.

"Let’s go. Open the main gates and receive the Crown Prince."

Mr. Ji looked solemn. He adjusted his robes and cap, then turned to Mother Ji. "My lady, we must not breach etiquette."

Mother Ji nodded slightly, tidied her hair bun and the hem of her skirt, then followed closely behind Mr. Ji.

The two sons of the Ji family also wore solemn expressions, their backs held straight.

When they looked at Ji Xiaosong, though there was disdain in their eyes, the example of Ji Yan’s fate kept them from saying a word.

Ji Xiaosong rose and followed behind the others.

The large procession made its way toward the mansion gates to welcome the Crown Prince’s arrival.

The Crown Prince’s carriage approached slowly. Leading the way were Golden Armor Guards, each one imposing and majestic, holding long spears and marching in a powerful, orderly rhythm.

Following them was a ceremonial retinue, holding colorful banners and a magnificent canopy high, all of which glittered in the sunlight.

Flanking the carriage were dozens of palace maids holding incense burners and fresh flowers, their fragrance filling the air.

The Crown Prince’s carriage was exceptionally opulent, drawn by four magnificent snow-white steeds. Its body was inlaid with jewels and pearls, and its curtains were made of the finest silk.

The commoners on both sides of the road had been notified in advance. They were required to kneel in welcome and were forbidden from raising their heads to look directly at the Crown Prince’s carriage.

They all prostrated themselves respectfully on the ground, not daring even to breathe loudly. Only after the carriage had passed did the bolder ones dare to lift their heads slightly and peek with curiosity.

Mr. Ji led his family to the mansion’s entrance, knelt respectfully, and called out in unison: "We humbly welcome Your Highness, the Crown Prince!"

When the Crown Prince’s wheelchair was lifted from the carriage, Mr. Ji hurried forward, bowed his head, and said, "For Your Highness to grace our humble home with your presence is the highest honor for the Ji family." Mother Ji and the others also bowed and offered their greetings.

The Crown Prince raised his hand slightly. "All of you may rise."

Mr. Ji stepped aside to lead the way. "This way, Your Highness."

The group escorted the Crown Prince into the Ji Mansion and all the way to the main hall.

Mr. Ji invited the Crown Prince to take the seat of honor while he himself stood to the side. Mother Ji and her children bowed once more.

The Crown Prince said, "At ease. Please, be seated."

Only then did the Ji Family members carefully take their seats in order.

The Crown Prince scanned the room. Noticing that Ji Xiaosong was the only young woman from the Ji family present, he frowned and asked, "Ji Aiqing, and this is?"

Without a doubt, Ji Xiaosong was beautiful.

So beautiful, it was breathtaking.

Even the Crown Prince had never seen a woman of such beauty.

But his purpose for coming today was none other than to discuss the marriage arrangement with the Ji family, so he could not allow himself to gaze at any other woman for too long.

"In response to Your Highness, this is your humble servant’s eldest daughter—the very one who is betrothed to you."

Hearing this, Ji Xiaosong rose gracefully. She took small, elegant steps forward, curtsied slightly in a perfect display of etiquette, and spoke in a clear yet gentle voice, "Xiaosong greets Your Highness, the Crown Prince. May Your Highness enjoy eternal peace."

Her eyes were clear and bright, holding just the right amount of respect and shyness. The moment she looked up, her gaze shifted, twinkling like the stars.

As she rose, her figure was graceful and her bearing elegant. Her simple, tasteful dress further accentuated her otherworldly, refined beauty.

"If We recall correctly, the Ji family has only one daughter, named Ji Yan. How is it that there is now an eldest daughter, Ji Xiaosong?"

The Crown Prince’s voice was deep and commanding. His gaze was like a torch, fixed directly on Mr. Ji, and an immense pressure instantly filled the air.

The atmosphere in the hall seemed to freeze. Everyone fell silent as cicadas in winter, their breathing unconsciously growing lighter.

The Crown Prince snorted softly and continued, "Ji Aiqing, are you perhaps trying to make a fool of Us? The crime of deceiving a royal is not something the Ji family can afford to bear, is it?"

Mr. Ji fell to his knees with a THUD, cold sweat pouring down his back. His voice trembled as he replied, "Your Highness, please quell your anger! Your humble servant had no such intention. Eighteen years ago, when my eldest daughter Xiaosong was born, she contracted a terrible illness. That is why she was sent to an estate outside of Nanxing City. This can all be verified!"

’He wasn’t afraid of the Crown Prince investigating. After all, even though they had said she died young, they could easily claim it was all to protect their eldest daughter.’

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, may we have a word in private?"

Ji Xiaosong glided a step forward, raising her head slightly, her gaze firm and clear as she looked directly at the Crown Prince.

Her voice was soft, yet it carried a power that could not be refused.

The Crown Prince was taken aback for a moment. He stared into Ji Xiaosong’s eyes, and after a brief pause, he actually nodded. "Very well."