CHAPTER 363: CHAPTER 357: I AM THE MARQUIS MANSION DOWAGER 46

Jiang Baoshu and Song Jingman both set their hearts on marrying Prince Kang.

But, such thoughts dared not be confided to their families.

Mrs. Xiao Zhang no longer wished to rely on Jiang Baoshu to climb the ladder of wealth and honor. She desired stability and intended for Jiang Baoshu to marry a reputable scholar. Then, with the Jiang family’s support, they could help the son-in-law to pass the imperial examination and embark on an official career.

Especially after Wu Lan’s husband became an Advanced Scholar, Mrs. Xiao Zhang’s intentions became even clearer.

Yet Jiang Baoshu was not pleased.

In Song Jingman’s case, the Song Family had already arranged a marriage for her, so naturally, she dared not say anything.

Both were anxiously beside themselves.

But as young ladies of the inner court, they had no knowledge of the past dynasty’s affairs and could only worry helplessly.

They had originally hoped to get to know Prince Kang through Xu Wan, but since Xu Wan lived in the palace, they could not even touch a shadow of her, let alone rely on her.

Later, in a moment of resolve, Song Jingman dared to sign up for the imperial draft, to the fury of her uncle and aunt.

The family with whom she had an arranged marriage also called it off immediately.

The Song Family was very angry and did not take care of the arrangements for Song Jingman, but somehow, Song Jingman passed the draft and entered the palace to become a beauty.

When Anning heard about this, her expression soured.

She had gotten the Emperor’s permission, and together with a group, they moved to live in the palace for a period.

During this time, Anning observed Song Jingman closely.

She noticed that Song Jingman had a hairpin, a simple silver hairpin, but Song Jingman loved it dearly. Every time Anning saw her, she was wearing that hairpin.

And in just a few months, Song Jingman climbed from a beauty to the position of a concubine.

Anning knew something was up, so she used the Eye of Truth to see the truth of the matter.

It turned out that this hairpin was a Spiritual Object.

It had originally belonged to Tang Ying, who lost it after leaving the palace, and it had ended up in the ambitious Song Jingman’s hands.

Wearing this hairpin could win the Emperor’s favor and improve the wearer’s health and appearance, making the owner grow increasingly beautiful and favored.

However, this hairpin wasn’t a benign object.

It would constantly absorb the wearer’s vital essences and even the Emperor’s Dragon Energy as well as the Dynasty Destiny.

After realizing the use of the hairpin, Anning promptly deduced that it must’ve been sent by those powers above. Initially given to Tang Ying, it had soon ended up with Song Jingman when Tang Ying left the palace under Anning’s arrangement.

Now that Anning was the Supreme Empress, she naturally could not allow Song Jingman to cause trouble.

Furthermore, considering Emperor Yong Guang was ruling rather well, proving to be a wise and just King, Anning could not let him be manipulated.

That day, Anning summoned Song Jingman.

Song Jingman was clueless about what was happening. Although she had seen Anning, they had no real acquaintance, and she did not know why Anning had called for her.

But as the Supreme Empress, she had no choice but to appear.

Song Jingman got ready and went to meet Anning.

Upon entering the palace gate, Anning restrained her.

Anning walked over and directly pulled the hairpin from her hair.

Upon seeing the hairpin in Anning’s hand, Song Jingman’s complexion changed dramatically: "Supreme Empress, that belongs to me... it’s a relic left by my mother."

Anning smiled, wiped her hand over the hairpin, and then re-placed it on Song Jingman’s head.

As she drew near, Anning whispered softly, "You’re nothing but a lost soul from another world, yet you audaciously attempt to stir up troubles. Tell me, what should this palace do with you?"

Song Jingman’s legs went weak with fright.

Anning pointed to the hairpin on her head: "Just a minor Spiritual Object, and yet you aspire to seize the Dynasty Destiny, isn’t that a bit overconfident?"

After she finished speaking, a rumbling thunder could be heard in the yard.

Anning glanced at the yard: "What’s the matter, are you angry?"

By this time, Song Jingman was so scared she could hardly stand.

She realized at this moment that Anning must be a divine being, as she had long recognized her true nature.

She couldn’t help regretting: why did she insist on seeking death by coming here, when it would’ve been perfectly fine to stay safe and sound in Duke Zhongyong’s Mansion?

Just as she regretted it, her hairpin’s light flared tremendously, and then they saw a woman dressed in red, stunningly beautiful, suddenly appearing in Ning’an Palace.

The woman was indeed very beautiful, but the maliciousness in her brows and eyes compromised her grace, twisting her features.

"Speak, who are you?"

The woman stared at Anning, asking sharply.

Anning chuckled lightly: "Who I am, don’t you know best? You have gone to great lengths to ruin my Tang Family, leaving us destitute and without descendants, not only corrupting the talents of my offspring but also setting a sinister Array in the Tang home. After discovering your scheme, you’ve tried every possible means to take my life. I haven’t even come for you yet, but here you are, delivering yourselves to my door. Well then, let us settle this account."

The woman’s expression changed dramatically: "You are... Marquis Zhongyi?"

"Indeed, I am."

Anning nodded with a smile.

Song Jingman simply wanted to cover her ears and not listen.

What had she heard? The Supreme Empress turned out to be Marquis Zhongyi.

That Marquis Zhongyi, who had died many years ago, and considering Marquis Zhongyi’s age...

Song Jingman really couldn’t bear such news and fainted away.

"Deserving of death."

The woman gritted her teeth and reached out directly towards Anning.

She wanted to capture Anning.

How could Anning let her wish come true?

Anning stepped back and formed a hand gesture, and the woman was immediately immobilized by her.

"You, you actually have such cultivation?"

The woman couldn’t believe it.

Anning smiled and asked: "I’ve already disclosed my origins to you. Now, what about you? Why don’t you talk about yourself?"

A trace of ruthlessness flickered in the woman’s eyes: "I am the Qinglian Immortal, who governs the lovesick men and resentful women of the world."

Anning burst out laughing, her laugh laced with sarcasm: "An Immortal? You’re nothing but a little spirit, and you still dare to arrogantly claim to be an Immortal."

"Great Immortal."

Qinglian Immortal flushed with anger: "Many lovesick men and resentful women in this world are settling their karma. Yet you meddle and disrupt them, do you realize your sin?"

Anning laughed heartily: "I am unaware of any sin. The Xu Family has been doing good deeds and accumulating virtue for generations. Their offspring should have been prosperous and their wealth enduring. Yet you have reduced them to the fate of having no descendants at all. Aren’t you afraid of karmic retribution? And my Tang Family, which assisted the Grand Ancestor in conquering the world, restoring order under the heavens, should also have been blessed. Instead, you reduced the family to ruin, with not one descendant meeting a good end. Furthermore, this Dajing Dynasty’s country should have a destiny lasting over four hundred years, yet continuing like this, I’m afraid it won’t last two centuries before its downfall. Aren’t you afraid that when you ascend to the heavens, you’ll be struck by thunder and your soul will scatter to the winds?"

With each statement made by Anning, the Qinglian Immortal’s expression grew increasingly worse. By the end, the Qinglian Immortal was already wilted on the ground.

Anning reached out and picked her up: "Well then, let’s find your master."

When the Emperor and Emperor Yong Guang heard the commotion over here and came over, they saw Anning lifting a beautiful woman in a red dress, shooting up toward the heavens like a meteor.

"Anning..."

"Queen Mother..."

The Emperor and Emperor Yong Guang exclaimed in unison.

The Emperor was completely flustered: "Hurry, send someone to find the Supreme Empress, and call the people from the Tang Family here too. I need to ask them what’s going on."