Jiang Ning had never expected that the honest young man would change his mind!
"Third Brother, did you eavesdrop on the conversation between the doctor and me yesterday?"
Jiang Yi's handsome face was very righteous when he said, "Seventh Sister, this Big Brother of yours is a gentleman. How could he eavesdrop on other people's private conversations?"
"I really don't mind if you eavesdrop on any of my conversations," Jiang Ning said.
In the end, she was still stuffed into the carriage.
She sat in the carriage in a daze, looking at the Jiang family's gate that was getting further and further away from the window. With a dull expression, she muttered to herself, "I really regret it, truly."
Jiang Yan, who was in the same carriage as her, asked curiously, "What does Seventh Sister regret?"
"I really regret not letting you and Third Brother listen to what the young doctor said yesterday."
"The doctor said Seventh Sister is fine, so you should not worry."
"I really regret it, really."
She had been repeating this line to the palace. When they reached the entrance of the Imperial City, right outside the Wang Xian Gate, she had to get off the carriage and change to a soft palanquin. With each in their own palanquins, she and the other Jiang Sisters, went through the city's side entrance to reach Zhao Xun Gate, then she passed through the Han Yao Gate and the Chong Ming Gate. After riding for a long time, she finally arrived at the Wang Yun Tower.
Wang Yun Tower was the temporary residence for the women waiting to be chosen.
After all, it was not for the Emperor but for Prince Yu to select his consort. All the ladies who came to participate were from the prestigious families of Chang'an City.
They were told to exit their palanquin one by one, and while she waited for her turn, Jiang Ning wondered how she would move around the place. She didn't have a walking stick or a servant girl with her. Just as she was about to climb out of the palanquin, she saw an exquisite wheelchair parked beside her.
A round-faced palace maidservant said gently, "Young Lady, please get off the palanquin. This wheelchair is specially prepared for the Young Lady."
Whoosh!
Everyone turned to look at Jiang Ning.
'Who is this girl to receive such special treatment?'
The palace had even prepared a chair for her to sit on. It was too unthinkable!
The participating girls were all confused but stood speechless when they saw a girl in a green dress slowly come out of the palanquin and move to the wheelchair.
The moment this young lady appeared, she stunned everyone.
She was really bright and beautiful.
However, it did not hide the state of her unmoving legs. They all had quickly understood, and the wonderment on their faces was quickly replaced with annoyance and disgust.
No wonder the palace had to prepare a wheelchair for her.
The girls began to whisper among themselves.
'A crippled lady also dared to enter the palace to participate in the selection?'
'Did she really not find this embarrassing?'
'Did her family even agree to this?'
"That's the daughter of the Jiang family's first wife," Someone who recognized Jiang Ning and was reasonably well-informed whispered to the other girls. "She's the one who's been missing for twelve years."
"So that's the famous lady, but why is she cripple?"
"Who knows? The kidnappers must have crippled her when she was young..."
"I'm not saying that she should not participate, but shouldn't she at least have the decency to realize that she is not fit to take part in the selection of consorts? Is the Jiang family without any other daughter, or have they gone crazy trying to climb up the social ladder?"
Jiang Yuan also felt embarrassed, so she stayed away from Jiang Ning as soon as she got out of her palanquin. Hearing the last girl's comment, Jiang Yuan frowned and, without any hesitation, slapped the girl.
The girl was shocked by her actions.
Jiang Yuan pointed at her and said, "You better open your eyes! The Jiang family not only has one daughter, but they have more than one! If you dare to insult the Jiang family again, I'll pull your teeth out!"
"Sixth Sister, our Fifth Lady is not only domineering at home, but she's also quite arrogant outside the residence," Jiang Ning said with an amused smile.
Jiang Yan, who was pushing her Seventh Sister's wheelchair, felt a little disappointed when she saw Jiang Yuan making a fuss, but she still replied with a smile, "That's right, Fifth Sister has always been like this. No matter where she is, she is not willing to lose."
"That's good, that's good."
Jiang Ning leaned back in her chair comfortably and looked around.
The palace was exceptionally gorgeous, but she was frantically thinking of how to escape.
On the way here, she had heard that one had to undergo a physical examination before entering the palace.
They would strip naked so the Momo could check to see if there were any flaws marring their bodies, whether they had developed well, and so on. Then, they would also check whether they were virgins.