Chapter 39: Jiang Lingyao Is the Only Daughter of the Duke’s Mansion!

Princess Wende had always been known for her flamboyant behavior, and the moment she spoke, every eye in the banquet hall was drawn to her.

Sensing the malice behind her words, Jiang Lingyao frowned. She raised her head and said, "Why would I hide? I am simply feeling unwell and intend to take my leave. I ask for your understanding, Princess."

Princess Wende scanned her up and down, disbelieving. "Impossible. I don't believe for a second that you would just walk away."

Jiang Lingyao replied indifferently, "If you do not believe me, you are welcome to escort me to the door yourself."

The princess stared at her for several moments in apparent surprise before curling her lip. "You have always been full of tricks; I don't buy your nonsense."

"Fine. I have all the patience in the world today."

As she spoke, the hostility in her eyes softened slightly. Jiang Lingyao felt a subtle sense of relief and prepared to depart.

"Sister, how could you let the Princess escort you? If word of this got out, wouldn't people think the Princess was bullying you, driving you out of the banquet?"

It was Song Lian'er.

Princess Wende’s expression changed instantly, and she gritted her teeth. "So that’s your game, Jiang Lingyao!"

Jiang Lingyao looked up. Song Lian'er was standing beside Jiang Xiuyuan; as their eyes met, Song Lian'er arched a brow, her gaze filled with malicious glee.

She had done it on purpose.

Jiang Lingyao felt as nauseated as if she had swallowed a fly. Her gaze turned icy. "Jiang Xiuyuan, control the person you brought. Keep her from running her mouth."

Jiang Xiuyuan, who had been somewhat worried, frowned at these words. "Lian'er is merely speaking the truth. You have always been calculating; is she wrong?"

Princess Wende, standing to the side, looked from Jiang Lingyao to Song Lian'er and suddenly let out a mocking laugh. "Jiang Lingyao, it seems you really aren't as good as this foster daughter. Even your own brother favors her."

"You are truly pathetic. You were away from home for a year, and your family has forgotten you entirely. Did you know that every time the Jiang family has attended a banquet this past year, they have brought Song Lian'er? Some who are not well-acquainted with your family even mistake her for the true daughter of the Jiang household."

The Princess was always sharp-tongued. Since Jiang Lingyao had displeased her, she struck where it hurt, her words drawing blood with every syllable.

For some reason, Jiang Lingyao instinctively glanced at Jiang Xiuyuan, catching the flustered look on his face before he could mask it.

So, he could actually feel flustered over this matter?

She felt no ripple of emotion in her heart; she only found Jiang Xiuyuan ridiculous. He could commit far worse deeds than this with a perfectly straight face, yet now that someone had pointed it out, he wore such an expression.

She calmly looked away and turned her cold gaze toward Princess Wende.

"What, are you hurt?" The Princess's smile widened. She tilted her chin. "But I think Song Lian'er looks more like a daughter of a Duke's estate than you do. Look at you—you look nothing like your mother or your brothers."

"So seductive, so unrefined... who knows—"

"Princess!"

Jiang Xiuyuan finally broke his silence, stepping forward with suppressed anger. "I ask you to be careful with your words. Jiang Lingyao is the Fifth Miss of my Duke’s estate, the only daughter of the house! Lian'er is a foster daughter—that is an indisputable fact, and I will not allow others to speculate wildly!"

As he spoke, he glanced at Jiang Lingyao, nodding as if to comfort her.

Jiang Lingyao felt nothing.

Had someone said this to her face in the past, she did not know how enraged she might have become. But times had changed. If someone were to tell her now that she was not the daughter of the Duke’s estate, she would actually feel a sense of relief, unburdened of all obligations.

In truth, Princess Wende’s words held weight. Who in the capital did not currently believe that Song Lian'er was the true daughter of the Duke?

A sense of irony welled up in Jiang Lingyao.

Song Lian'er had been observing those around them. Seeing that everyone was whispering about Jiang Lingyao because of the Princess’s words, she couldn't help but feel smug. But upon hearing Jiang Xiuyuan’s defense, the smile in her eyes faded, replaced by a flicker of anger.

"Big Brother, Lian'er knows I am not your biological sister, and I know I am not as good as Mingzhu."

She tugged on Jiang Xiuyuan’s sleeve, her eyes brimming with tears, and the next moment, she clutched her chest, gasping for air.

Jiang Xiuyuan’s expression darkened. He immediately scooped her up into his arms and cried out in alarm, "Someone, fetch a physician!"

Jiang Lingyao found the sight laughable.

A moment ago, he had declared her the only daughter of the Duke’s estate, yet the moment Song Lian'er spoke, he abandoned her—the one who had been harassed by the Princess—right where she stood. Any observant person could see where his true heart lay.

How hypocritical.

Princess Wende laughed aloud and looked at her. "What will you do now, Jiang Lingyao? Your brother has abandoned you."

She knew how much Jiang Lingyao valued her family, and having said this, she felt a surge of satisfaction, watching her patiently, waiting for her to show signs of sorrow or humiliation.

Jiang Lingyao only arched a brow and said calmly, "I am not a child, Princess. What is the meaning of this? Are you trying to tease me with talk meant for a toddler?"

Seeing that she remained unruffled by her barbs, the Princess’s expression turned grim.

Suddenly, a maidservant approached, bowed, and asked, "Are you Miss Jiang?"

Jiang Lingyao looked up. The maid was dressed in the livery of the Pei family. She offered a gentle smile and said respectfully, "Miss Jiang, my mistress is the Third Prince’s Consort. She wishes to see you."

The Third Prince’s Consort? The eldest daughter of the Pei family?

She was Pei Xingzhi’s own sister. They were not close; why would she want to see her?