GTB Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Why are you siblings so good-looking?

The sky was just beginning to lighten when two carriages slowly drove away from the Jiang family’s front gate, passing through the bustling streets towards the Imperial Palace.

It had been raining for several days in a row in spring, washing the bluestone road spotless.

The shops and pavilions on both sides were densely packed, and the tea houses serving breakfast were filled with rising steam and the aroma of tea.

Inside the carriage, Jiang Jiuche looked at Shí Qingya, who was yawning, and said with concern, “Why didn’t you sleep a little longer? It’s not like we have to be this early to see the Empress Dowager and the Emperor!”

“I was thinking of entering the palace with you! Besides, the Imperial Grandmother wakes up early, and I’m going to pay my respects to her.”

Jiang Jiuche heard this and pulled her into his arms, then seemed to remember something. “By the way, what have Madam Ye been discussing with you these past two days?”

Shí Qingya smiled when she heard this. “What could Madam Ye be discussing with me? Isn’t it because Chuer is about to have her Hair-pinning Ceremony? Madam Ye isn’t too familiar with the young masters of the various families in Kyoto, so she asked me to help her figure it out.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jiuche said with some disapproval, “Madam Ye is too anxious. How old is Chuer? It’s not too late to consider it in a year or two!”

“What’s wrong? Are you reluctant?”

Shí Qingya raised her eyes and teased her husband, “Hey! It’s just that you siblings are so good-looking. Chuer has only been in Kyoto for a year, and she hasn’t met many people, but there are quite a few people who have come to propose marriage, both openly and secretly.”

“Just chase them away. My sister isn’t someone you can just casually marry. Besides, isn’t it a good thing to be good-looking?”

Jiang Jiuche leaned close to Shí Qingya’s ear and said ambiguously, “If I weren’t good-looking, would the princess have fallen in love with me at first sight?”

Shí Qingya’s face turned red, and she sat up straight, glaring at Jiang Jiuche with a delicate anger. “Do you think you can just casually reject anyone?”

“Half a month ago, the son of General Sun just glanced at Chuer on the street, and his mother invited Madam Ye to her residence the next day to admire the flowers.”

“Everyone in Kyoto knows that Sun Yong is a playboy. He’s just someone who’s moved by beauty. Of course, we have to reject someone like that, but then again, it’s quite offensive.”

“Your Jiang family has only been in Kyoto for a year, and you haven’t even gained a firm foothold. Since you only want the marriage to match Chuer’s wishes and don’t want to marry into a high-ranking family, then the most correct way is to make plans early and decide on a suitable candidate.”

“Otherwise, what if one day, someone with even higher status and power comes along? What will you do?”

Jiang Jiuche nodded and pulled her into his arms again. “The princess is right. Fortunately, I married the Emperor’s most beloved princess. With my wife’s support, I’m not afraid.”

Shí Qingya was speechless. Only her husband could say that he was relying on his wife for support so confidently, but…she liked it.

The red walls, green tiles, carved beams, and painted pillars of the Imperial Palace were even more radiant under the morning light.

When Shí Qingya arrived at Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager was having breakfast. “Oh, why did Qingya come to the palace to see me today?”

After Shí Qingya paid her respects, she quickly stepped forward and said, “Ya’er missed Imperial Grandmother, so she came to see you early in the morning.”

The Empress Dowager snorted, not intending to expose her. “Have you had breakfast?”

“No.”

The Empress Dowager instructed a maid beside her, “Add a pair of chopsticks and a bowl.”

After Shí Qingya finished breakfast with the Empress Dowager, she accompanied the Empress Dowager for a few laps in the courtyard. The two had just sat down at the stone table in the garden when a painter walked in with a maid.

“Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the portrait album has been completed. All the eligible Legally out daughters of officials above the third rank are here.”