The Prince's Daily Face-Slapping - TPDFS 03

Furong City is situated in the southwest.

On this occasion, Jiang Zhuo departed from the capital of Jiangling. The journey began with a carriage ride to Jiangling Wharf, where she transitioned to a waterway. Upon entering Jiangzhou, she switched back to a carriage and proceeded directly to Furong City.

The heavy snowfall coincided with New Year’s Day.

There were few boats venturing onto the river.

Amidst the cold waters, only the Jiang family’s vessel was visible.

The two elderly women, eager to continue their journey, urged the boatman repeatedly, inquiring whether any boats would be departing that day.

Frustrated, the boatman replied, “Who can say for certain? The boat that left two weeks ago has yet to return. Instead of wasting your breath on me, you might as well seek assistance from the Jiang family and see if they can accommodate you.”

Instantly, the two women fell silent.

While other families’ boats were operational, it was the Jiang family’s boat that had been impacted.

As the day progressed without a single boat in sight, they reluctantly approached for assistance, only to be met with Uncle Zhang’s swift refusal, “The Jiang family’s boat does not carry idlers.”

The two women returned in a huff, visibly irate.

They unleashed the frustrations they had been harboring, exclaiming, “Isn’t it simply because the fourth Miss Jiang, recently spurned in marriage, is avoiding public scrutiny? What is the fuss about?”

These two women were relatives of the Wang family, the maternal side of the Lin family’s third wife. They had traveled to Jiangling specifically to attend the Wang family’s full moon celebration and were now hurrying home. The day before their departure, they had encountered the Lin family’s younger sister, who had just returned from Mount Wutai, and learned of Jiang family’s recent engagement debacle.

Their intention was to ingratiate themselves with the Lin family, a distant relation.

Throughout their journey, they had discussed the Jiang family’s broken engagement incessantly.

They eagerly shared the news with everyone they encountered.

Never did they anticipate meeting the individual they were searching for at the dock. After some casual conversation, they contemplated soliciting assistance. Initially hesitant, they felt emboldened to ask, but after being turned away, their words grew sharper.

“The Crown Prince never favored her; during the recent visit to Wanshou Temple, she was so blind as to offend our sister-in-law. Now, she has reaped no rewards, and the Crown Prince has outright ended the engagement.”

“How could the Jiang family relinquish such an opportunity? The marriage was sanctioned by the Emperor, so I fear they will be relentless in their pursuit this time.”

“And so what if it was sanctioned by the Emperor? No matter how much the Empress favors the Jiang family, she remains a Lin. At a critical juncture, she cannot forsake her own kin. The Jiang family has enjoyed significant prosperity in recent years. The patriarch is now in his seventies or eighties. The power of the prime minister’s mansion today can be traced back to the wise decisions made by the Jiang family’s second master. Two lives were exchanged for the wealth of the entire family—a rather beneficial arrangement, wouldn’t you say? Now, it seems they are merely repaying a favor.”

The individuals awaiting the boat at the dock were not limited to the two elderly women.

The words floated through the air, transforming into the latest gossip.

A scholar stood on the dock, holding an umbrella and quietly awaiting the arrival of the boat.

After listening to the two elderly women, he turned and approached them.

With a smile, he inquired politely, “May I ask if you two ladies are literate?”

The two elderly women were taken aback by the question.

They cast a glance in his direction.

In the city of Furong, they were merely ordinary businesswomen.

“Who is capable of reading?”

“I see you are dressed like a scholar. What word could possibly be so challenging that you must ask us elderly women?” The old woman’s expression was filled with bitterness.

The young man remained calm.

Straightening his posture, he replied, “Since you acknowledge your age and lack of education, it would be wise to use the words within your understanding to avoid making a fool of yourself.”

The two elderly women quickly grew anxious.

The scholar continued, “The phrase ‘taking advantage of kindness to seek reward’ refers to exploiting others’ goodwill for personal gain. The position of Prime Minister of Lord Jiang was bestowed upon him by Emperor Shun in the second year of Jiaqing. The marriage of the Jiang family’s fourth daughter to His Highness was arranged by the Empress in the fifth year of Jiaqing, who also facilitated the marriage of the second daughter to her unborn child. The second master and second madam of the Jiang family passed away in the twelfth year of Jiaqing.”

“The Jiang family’s influence you mentioned, when considered in context, bears no relation to the deaths of the second master and second madam, and does not support the notion of taking advantage of kindness to repay favor. In my view, those who benefit from others’ kindness should remember their benefactors, and it is entirely appropriate to express gratitude.”

“While Lord Jiang is indeed advanced in age, his accomplishments and intellect remain undiminished. Conversely, even a person of low character, upon reaching seventy or eighty years, cannot shed their inherent vulgarity. As the saying goes, a rat may have skin, but a man devoid of manners lacks true dignity. If one possesses no manners, what is the value of life?”

The two elderly women were momentarily stunned, realizing they had been chastised by the scholar.

Having exerted considerable effort to secure an invitation to Jiangling, they emerged from the Lin family residence feeling somewhat elevated, and they naturally indulged in gossip.

Little did they expect to encounter a scholar who sided with the Jiang family.

He was not an agreeable individual.

Their faces flushed with indignation, the two women felt the urge to retort, but the scholar interjected, “Old women who refuse to die are akin to thieves.”

This remark openly insulted the two elderly women for their age.

The dock erupted in commotion.

It seemed a confrontation was imminent.

Suddenly, a young woman descended from the Jiang family’s boat.

Her hair was styled in two buns adorned with goose-yellow silk ribbons, and she wore a white satin jacket with intricate dark patterns. Her cheeks were flushed as she approached the crowd with a smile.

It was Su Yun, the maid of the fourth Miss Jiang.

She approached the scholar, and bowed, “My young lady is traveling to Furong City. If it is convenient for you, the Jiang family’s boat is available to take you along.”

Su Yun extended the invitation to others as well, “Miss is kind-hearted and aware that everyone is eager to depart. If there is an opportunity for a ride, please feel free to join.”

However, only five or six individuals accepted the offer.

The Jiang family’s boat was spacious enough to accommodate them comfortably.

After their departure, only the two elderly women remained.

Initially shamelessly prepared to join, they were halted by Su Yun, who remarked, “No matter how large my Jiang family’s boat may be, I fear it will not suffice for both of you. Since you are relatives of the Lin family, it would be prudent to return and request that the Lin family send a boat to escort you back.”

With that, she turned, boarded the vessel, and let Uncle Zhang anchored the boat.

“Didn’t you claim you wouldn’t take on any passengers? How is it that you ended up with all of them?” The two elderly women seethed with resentment, responding with a remark that was neither impactful nor significant.

As they turned away, they overheard the boatman announce that no further boats would be departing today.

They stood in the snow, their expressions rigid.

Jiang Zhuo was aware of the commotion outside moments ago.

In her past infatuation with the crown prince, she had always been cautious and meticulous, striving to please everyone around her. Not only did she show deference to the servants of the East Palace, but she also maintained politeness with the Lin family, fearing that those close to the crown prince might disapprove of her.

Yet, the more she accommodated these individuals, the more they took advantage of her.

Over the years, she endured considerable hardships at the hands of the Lin family.

After the engagement was dissolved, she recognized that these matters no longer concerned her, allowing her to clearly differentiate between love and animosity.

She had asked Su Yun to invite the gentleman aboard.

Upon entering, Su Yun continued her complaints, “Had that young man not interjected, I would have gladly silenced them.”

The demise of the second master and his wife was a topic so sensitive that even the Jiang family refrained from mentioning it in Jiang Zhuo’s presence.

The more renowned her parents were in public, the more she felt her inadequacies at home.

Before the second madam entered the besieged city, Jiang Zhuo had once clung to her leg, pleading not to be abandoned alongside her brother.

However, the second madam ultimately departed.

Subsequently, news of the second master and madam’s deaths reached Jiang Mansion, yet she exhibited little reaction, refraining from tears or uproar.

To this day, she has not shed a single tear.

Over time, it became evident to all that the deaths of the second master and madam had left a profound impact on Jiang Zhuo.

Who could have anticipated that today, two impudent elderly women would use it to tarnish her reputation?

Jiang Zhuo leaned against the window, casting a glance at the river’s emerald waters before turning back to Su Yun, “Please send some wine and dishes over later, along with a note of thanks.”

That evening, Uncle Zhang knocked on the door and delivered the meal. She took a couple of bites but found her appetite lacking.

Jiang Zhuo also boarded a boat, though it was merely a small vessel intended for lake travel.

This journey was her first of such length. That night, she began to experience symptoms of seasickness.

As she lay in bed, half-asleep, she heard Su Yun approach her, “That young man’s surname is Ning, and he serves under Prince Rui.”

Jiang Zhuo was familiar with Prince Rui.

He was the biological younger brother of Crown Prince Chen Wen.

The emperor had only two sons and one daughter, all born to the empress.

The Furong City to which she was headed was the domain of the second prince, Prince Rui.

Su Yun continued speaking, but Jiang Zhuo could not fully grasp her words, exhaustion overtaking her as she drifted off to sleep.

In the days that followed, her seasickness intensified.

This maritime journey proved arduous. Whatever she consumed was promptly rejected by her stomach. She lost weight and felt utterly depleted.

Fortunately, the route remained relatively smooth,

And it took merely five or six days to reach Jiangcheng.

The docks in Jiangcheng were significantly more vibrant than those in Jiangling. At first glance, one could see soldiers busily transporting supplies.

After Uncle Zhang secured the boat, he made his way to gather information about the situation. Upon his return, he informed Jiang Zhuo that Furong City had suffered a snow disaster this year, prompting numerous boats from Jiangling to arrive a few days prior to deliver supplies.

She was taken aback.

She had never anticipated that her return to Furong City after several years would coincide with a natural disaster.

Su Yun gently assisted her out of the cabin.

The brisk cold air outside invigorated her, prompting her to straighten up slightly from Su Yun’s shoulder and take a look around.

The moon-white fox fur cloak concealed half of her face, and although her vision was somewhat impaired, the striking figure before her was impossible to ignore.

The man was gazing directly at her.

His eyes, sharp and piercing, seemed to descend like ice blades from the heavens, landing squarely upon her.

Jiang Zhuo’s already pale complexion grew even more as she turned to Su Yun, her voice trembling, “Why is he here?”