The Princess Who Marry The Crown Prince - Chapter 8

l“Go inquire again—find out who the marriage proposal is for…” Su Qiuqiu calmed down and gave her order.

Previously, the people from her stepmother Wang said that they had already made an agreement with the Princess of Zhen’nan to come and propose marriage today. Su Qiuqiu had thought it was all settled, but to her surprise, the Third Prince showed up first. What was he doing here? Just because they met once over a year ago, he wants to marry her?

The Fifth Young Miss liked the Third Prince—it might even be her he came to propose to…

Just as Lingxiang received her orders and left, the Fourth Concubine Qin entered, her face lit up with joy, bringing a rare liveliness to her features.

“Qiqi, Qiqi!” she called out.

“Concubine Mother, what’s the matter? You look so happy?” Su Qiuqiu asked, already getting a bad feeling.

Because Madam Qin wasn’t favored, Su Qiuqiu wasn’t either. That meant her marriage could be arranged however Madam Wang pleased, and the Marquis wouldn’t interfere.

But now Madam Qin was favored again—didn’t that mean everything might be overturned?

No way. Su Qiuqiu wanted the marriage everyone else thought was terrible. She just hoped Madam Qin  wouldn’t ruin her “good fortune” with her well-meaning interference.

If other transmigrators striving for a good marriage heard what Su Qiuqiu was thinking, they’d probably be fuming in frustration.

“Xiao Qi, a few days ago, I begged your father, and he promised not to marry you to the heir of Prince of Zhen’nan! I specially asked your third aunt (third concubine) to find the Princess of Lin’an County. Today, the Third Prince has invited a matchmaker to propose marriage. The official matchmaker from the Zhen’nan family has not arrived yet. As long as you agree to the Third Prince’s marriage first, you don’t have to marry the Prince of Zhen’nan!” Madam Qin spoke excitedly.

“ Xiao Qi, you’ve finally had a turn of luck… The heavens are watching over you… My Qiuqiu will finally live a good life…” Tears welled in her eyes, though she held them back for fear of jinxing Su Qiuqiu’s “luck.”

Madam Qin  was nearly crying with joy—Su Qiuqiu actually wanted to cry for real.

She’d been wary of this and that, but how did she not guard against her own mother?! She had warned Madam Qin not to meddle, and the woman had agreed so nicely… yet now…

Su Qiuqiu was speechless, patting her overly emotional mother, who looked ready to throw her arms around her and bawl.

“Xiao Qi, I swear I’ll never cry again. All my tears before just brought you misfortune… Don’t be scared, Xiao Qi. Your father said that the Third Prince is kind and cultured, the most mild-tempered among the princes… He was raised by the Empress Dowager and deeply favored…” Madam Qin held her gently and whispered.

Su Qiuqiu was breaking down inside. She felt a mouthful of bl00d stuck in her throat and truly understood the meaning of “utter isolation”—no one got her.

Whether the Third Prince was a good man or not didn’t matter. What she did know was that he already had a main wife. At most, she’d be a concubine. Even if she became the Crown Princess or Empress later, she didn’t care! None of that had anything to do with her. All she wanted was to quietly live out her life as a (soon-to-be) widow, alright?

She wanted the worst outcome—didn’t want to fight fate. What everyone else saw as a tragic fate was precisely what she was hoping for!

As Su Qiuqiu clutched her aching head, she suddenly remembered—weren’t her stepmother and the Fifth Miss still “helping”?

They wouldn’t disappoint her, right?

Those two were probably racking their brains on how to refuse the Third Prince’s proposal. There’s no way it would go that smoothly.

Just as she considered sending someone to investigate further, Lingxiang hurried back.

“Miss, when Madam went out because her clothes were accidentally wet by a maid, she went back to change them. The matchmaker hired by the Third Prince is waiting in the Zifeng Garden, but the Madam hasn’t seen him yet… Someone from the gatehouse said that the matchmaker hired by the Zhen’nan Prince’s family has already arrived too.” Lingxiang reported.

“Keep digging. Here’s five taels—take it.” Su Qiuqiu relaxed a little at the news. As expected, her stepmother didn’t disappoint! She gave Lingxiang almost all her savings to keep gathering information

*****.

“That wicked woman! This is outrageous! I’ll go talk to your father right now!” Madam was shaking with rage upon knowing that Madam Wang was in full authority in the marriage for Su Qiuqiu with the heir to the Prince of Zhen’nan. This was like a bucket of cold water over her head.

“Mother Concubine!” Su Qiuqiu grabbed her hand, calmer than before. Earlier, she’d panicked, fearing  that the Third Prince might really propose successfully. But now, while thinking it through, even with Madam Qin being favored again, her influence was flimsy. Madam Wang, as the main wife, had a solid foundation and full authority over the children’s marriages. What could a concubine and a secondary daughter possibly do to contend with her?

“Qiuqiu, let me go! Your father promised to arrange a good match for you…” Madam Qin was desperate.

“Mother Concubine, the Third Prince may not be a good man. Even if you go, you might not gain anything and will just make Madam Wang hate you more. Life would be even harder after that. You don’t need to worry about me—I’m doing fine.” Su Qiuqiu looked at her mother seriously.

She knew clearly who truly cared for her. Madam Qin was genuinely anxious on her behalf.

Women really had it tough in this era, especially those of lower status like concubines, while men had three wives, four concubines, and countless maids at their disposal.

Madam Qin had “married up” into the Marquis household, something many might envy. But in reality, her life there was worse than a widow’s. She’d have been better off marrying an ordinary man.

“I’m not afraid. As long as you’re happy…”  Madam Qin’s eyes shimmered with tears.

“I am pleased. Having a mother like you is the best thing I could ask for,” Su Qiuqiu said emotionally. A mother’s strength—Madam Qin would risk anything for her daughter.

“Xiao Qi…” Madam Qin trembled.

“Mother, help me look at this. I just can’t seem to get this embroidery right…” Su Qiuqiu pulled her back and took out a handkerchief with a few stitches done, asking for advice.

Madam Qin understood—no matter what she said, going out wouldn’t help anything. She sat down and began to comment on the embroidery, although her brows were still furrowed and she was not fully engaged with the task.

“Su Qiuqiu!” Before Lingxiang could return with more news, the sound of tinkling jewelry echoed through the Qinglan Courtyard as a fiery young girl burst in, a gust of cold air trailing behind her.

“Su Qiuqiu, you can’t choose the Third Prince!” the girl shouted.

“What do you mean?” Su Qiuqiu looked over. It was the Eighth Miss.

“I said you can’t choose him! You already said you were going to marry the heir to the Prince Zhen’nan household!” she declared it like it was an imperial decree.

“Oh? Two matchmakers have arrived, both from noble families, and I get to choose? Is that how it works? What a rare blessing…” Su Qiuqiu gave Madam Qin a pat and shook her head, then turned to the Eighth Miss. She had guessed the general situation—so this household even had such a tradition? Interesting.

The Eighth Miss was clearly concerned about having to deal with the Prince of Zhen’nan’s heir herself. How lightly she spoke—as if giving orders. Anyone else would’ve been furious!

Su Qiuqiu found it amusing. What a golden opportunity! She’d heard that the Eighth Miss’s maternal family were wealthy merchants… filthy rich.

“You… you’re breaking your promise…” the Eighth Miss seethed.

“Breaking my promise? If I can choose the better option, why wouldn’t I? Unless…” Su Qiuqiu trailed off.

“Unless what?” the Eighth Miss demanded.

“I’m not very farsighted. If you want me to suffer a loss, I’ll need some compensation. Come here, I’ll tell you…” Su Qiuqiu crooked her finger.

“What?” the Eighth Miss leaned in.

“Give me one thousand taels. The payment should be made in silver notes, each containing ten notes worth one hundred taels. I promise I’ll choose the heir to the Prince of Zhen’nan. Deal?” Su Qiuqiu whispered in her ear. One thousand taels—roughly a million in modern money. Would the Eighth Miss bite?

“Seriously?” the girl didn’t even blink.

“Of course! A promise is a promise!” Su Qiuqiu nodded solemnly.

“Five hundred now, the rest after. If you go back on your word, I won’t let it slide!” The Eighth Miss, ever the rich girl, handed over five hundred taels without flinching.

“Relax. I won’t go back on it…” Su Qiuqiu was slightly regretting not asking for more. Still, ancient ladies couldn’t carry too much cash. The Eighth Miss truly had a unique personality—she probably just wanted to buy Su Qiuqiu’s silence.

She tucked the notes close to her body. Life was looking secure now!

After the Eighth Miss stormed out, another visitor arrived—a matronly woman dressed even more finely than Madam Qin, exuding authority like an official’s wife. She had Madam Qin taken away first, then turned to Su Qiuqiu.

“Greetings, Seventh Miss. I’m Nanny Song, from Madam’s side. Years ago, when you were ill, your Fourth Aunt (Madam Qin) embroidered deep into the night to afford your medicine… You know how kind she’s been to you—I won’t say more. But if you marry out, she’ll still be in this household. That won’t change. Know your place—the Third Prince is not for you. Later, if Madam asks you to choose between the Third Prince and the Prince of Zhen’nan heir, pick the latter. That way, the Fourth Concubine won’t suffer,” she said coolly.

“I understand.” Su Qiuqiu lowered her gaze.

This was power—the stepmother wasn’t even bothering with pretense and went straight to using Madam Qin  to threaten her!

Just then, a young maid entered to help her dress…