Chapter 37: The General’s Little Pampered Wife 37

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: The General’s Little Pampered Wife 37

The visitor was none other than the Second Prince Consort.

The last time she had come to the General Mansion was to invite Ji Xiaosong to the Spring Festival banquet.

And it was at that very banquet that they had tried to kill the child in her womb.

The Second Prince had committed this reckless act just last night, and today he sent his Princess Consort to their door.

Both Ji Xiaosong and Xiao Shen had a good idea of why she was here.

"Husband, you should head to the front courtyard. Since the Second Prince Consort is here, it’s better if I see her alone."

"I’ll go with you. If she tries to give you a hard time, I can speak up."

"It’s fine. If the Second Prince himself had come today, it would make sense for you to see him. But he committed this act and doesn’t dare show his face, sending his wife to smooth things over instead. I imagine it won’t be too difficult to handle."

After being the General’s wife for so long, Ji Xiaosong hadn’t been the lady of the house for nothing.

After a few words of persuasion from Ji Xiaosong, Xiao Shen was convinced to leave.

He had other matters to attend to. The Second Prince had brazenly tried to abduct someone from the estate last night. If he didn’t make a move, how could he protect his own wife and child?

After washing up, Ji Xiaosong changed into more formal attire before going to see the Second Prince Consort.

She had already waited so long, anyway. It wouldn’t hurt to make her wait another hour.

"Greetings, Second Prince Consort."

Ji Xiaosong gave a slight curtsy. Her gesture was casual, and her expression was composed, neither servile nor overbearing.

The Second Prince Consort’s brow furrowed, a flicker of displeasure flashing in her eyes. Still, she forced a friendly expression and said, "Lady Xiao, please rise. We are old acquaintances, after all. There is no need for such formalities."

Though the displeasure in her eyes was fleeting, Ji Xiaosong still caught it.

The butler had said the Second Prince Consort had already been waiting for four hours.

Ji Xiaosong straightened up, a faint smile playing on her lips. "To what do I owe the pleasure of the Second Prince Consort’s visit today?"

"I heard that Lady Xiao experienced some... trouble at the Ji family estate last night. I came especially to see how you are."

"Regarding that ’trouble,’ I imagine the Second Prince Consort knows more about it than anyone. Let’s not forget the Second Prince is just a Prince for now. Even His Majesty himself would never do something like seizing an official’s wife."

Ji Xiaosong had no intention of playing games with the Second Prince Consort. She and Xiao Shen had been up so late last night, and even though she had rested during the day, she still wanted to go lie down again.

Dealing with people was exhausting. The quicker, the better.

The Second Prince Consort’s expression stiffened. She forced a smile and said, "Mrs. Ji, your words are rather alarming to me. But since you are being so direct, I will not beat around the bush either. What happened last night was indeed an impulsive act on the Second Prince’s part. He has been full of regret ever since he returned. I am here today to apologize to you on his behalf."

As she spoke, the Second Prince Consort gestured to a maid beside her. The maid understood at once and, along with several nannies, quickly presented the lavish gifts they had prepared.

The nannies carefully carried several exquisite boxes, while the maid gently lifted the lids to reveal the treasures within.

"Mrs. Ji, these are but a few modest gifts. I hope you won’t find them lacking. This jade bracelet has an exquisite luster, a rare tribute from the Western Regions. This brocade is the finest silk from Jiangnan. And this pair of gold inlaid jade Ruyi scepters... they are all tokens of the Second Prince’s sincerity, in hopes of making amends for last night’s transgression."

The Second Prince Consort wore a fawning smile, but her eyes were fixed on Ji Xiaosong, watching her reaction.

Ji Xiaosong glanced at the gifts, her expression unchanging, but inwardly, she sneered.

’As if these things could make her forget last night’s terror. What a foolish dream.’

"The gifts are unnecessary. The General Mansion has been passed down for generations; we are not lacking in such things. The Second Prince Consort should take these back at once, lest they be thrown out and cause embarrassment for us all."

Hearing this, the Second Prince Consort could no longer maintain her smile. Her face contorted with anger. "Mrs. Ji, don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! It is your good fortune that the Second Prince has taken an interest in you. Now he is willing to make amends, yet you are so ungrateful. You had better think carefully. If you insist on opposing the Second Prince, the General Mansion may not be able to protect you."

Seeing that Ji Xiaosong was unmoved, the Second Prince Consort changed her tack, attempting to entice her. "As long as you are willing to submit to the Second Prince—he is a member of the Royal Family, after all—you and the General Mansion will enjoy endless glory and wealth. With your looks and cunning, you will certainly secure a place for yourself in his mansion."

"Ha!"

Ji Xiaosong scoffed. "If I go to the Second Prince’s Mansion, will I be the main wife or a concubine?"

"The Ji family is no minor house. You would naturally enter the mansion with the rites befitting a concubine."

"Give up my position as an honorable, official wife to become a concubine in the mansion of a Prince who can’t even produce an heir? Did a donkey kick me in the head? Where do you find the audacity to even suggest this to me?"

"How can a common household compare to the Royal Family? No matter how high Xiao Shen’s rank is, must he not still bow and kowtow to the Second Prince?"

"The Second Prince Consort makes a fair point. But as for why the Second Prince specifically wants me in his mansion... surely the Second Prince Consort understands, does she not?"

Ji Xiaosong stared at the Second Prince Consort as if to see right through her.

"If I’m not mistaken, he wants me because I can bear children, something ordinary women cannot do for him. Tell me, if all the Second Prince’s children come from my womb, how long do you think your position will remain secure?"

"I am the legitimate daughter of a prominent family. Even without children, I will always be supported and protected by my clan. But you are different. The Ji family is no match for my maternal family."

"Perhaps not. But my father is still a distinguished official of the Standard Second Rank. If you insist on taking me away today and I come to bear a grudge, do you think I won’t be ruthless? Since General Xiao married me, he has never once thought of taking another concubine—what does that tell you about my methods? If I were to use those methods on the Second Prince, even if his favor toward me is fleeting, I would use every ounce of my strength to drag you down!"

Ji Xiaosong’s voice was filled with such viciousness that it startled the Second Prince Consort, causing her to stumble back several steps.

"Second Prince Consort, you are an intelligent woman. You should know what the right choice is. General Xiao will protect me completely. The Second Prince won’t be able to lay a finger on me, so you can stop wasting your efforts."

With that, Ji Xiaosong turned away decisively, not sparing the Second Prince Consort another glance. She raised her voice and shouted, "Show our guest out!"

"You! You! So stubborn! We’re leaving!"

The Second Prince Consort was livid. With a sharp flick of her sleeve, she stormed out, her entourage of maids and nannies scrambling after her with the gifts.

That night, Xiao Shen made an appearance at the city gate before heading to the army barracks stationed in the outskirts.

He did not return home for several days.

Half a month later, in the dead of night, a man reeking of blood climbed through Ji Xiaosong’s window.

"Who’s there?"

Ji Xiaosong had just woken up to the sound at the window when someone suddenly clamped a hand over her mouth and nose.