无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

Jiang Ning chuckled and asked, “Where will Your Highness stay this evening?”

They had been married for so long, yet she had never asked this question before.

Li Hongyuan just stared at her without response.

Jiang Ning remarked, “Why don’t you stay here tonight? It’s snowing outside, terribly cold.”

“No need, I have things to deal with beforehand.”

Without waiting for his servants, Li Hongyuan himself drew the curtain and left.

Huang Ying sighed gently and came over to clear the table.

Jiang Ning smiled and asked, “Huang Ying, what’s the matter?”

“I don’t mean to talk out of turn, but you are too cold towards the Crown Prince, my lady. If this continues, his heart could shift to another woman someday. Concubine Li is so gentle and considerate, after all who doesn’t have a tender heart?”

Jiang Ning retorted, “Didn’t you hear me invite him to stay earlier?”

“My lady, your attitude did not seem sincere at all. Even I could see that, do you think the Crown Prince couldn’t?”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“What is good about it? Are you planning to remain distant with him forever? You are still young; are you never going to share his bed again?”

“My goal is to become the Princess Consort, then the Empress, and finally the Empress Dowager. Whether I share his bed or not is not important.” Jiang Ning picked up her tea calmly, enjoying the snow outside, “Not having to cater to a man, having one son and one daughter, I couldn’t be more satisfied with my life.”

Her ambition was to become the most powerful person in this country, no, in this world.

Free from any restrictions or threats.

Freedom and the ability to protect anyone she wants.

Who doesn’t love power and luxury?

At least Jiang Ning does.

…

The next morning, she woke up early. Looking at the thick blanket of snow outside, she felt pleased.

She loved the snow.

The two little ones were still sleeping soundly.

On such a cold day, she had no intention of taking them home with her.

The Jiang Family was hosting a banquet for the wedding, it would be chaotic with so many people, and she was also afraid for their safety.

The Emperor had already sent an emissary to inform her that she could return alone, and the children could be taken to the Empress.

Huang Ying asked, “My lady, what will you wear today?”

Jiang Ning thought for a while, “It’s Jiang Yuan’s big day, let’s not steal her thunder. Wear that lotus-colored dress, and the silver fox cloak my mother gave me. I’ll wear them back to please her.”

Huang Ying brought the clothes, “It seems a little too plain. Even though we don’t want to outshine the bride, shouldn’t we add a bit of festivity?”

“You’re right, choose some fancier jewelry.”

Huang Ying then chose a dainty phoenix hairpin, the long tassels set with a variety of gems, sparkling with every slight movement.

Jiang Ning usually found jewelry cumbersome and heavy, so she refused to wear it.

She just used two unadorned hairpins.

But the phoenix hairpin added a touch of radiance to her already beautiful face.

Once dressed, she looked at herself in the mirror and smiled, “Not bad.”

“My lady, you’re being too humble.” Huang Ying tidied up, all smiles.

Chunlai brought breakfast.

Hot, steaming porridge.

“The porridge is good, send some to Xiaoqian.”

After reminding them, Jiang Ning sat down and had just picked up her spoon when Li Hongyuan came in.

His head and shoulders were covered in snow, bringing a chill with him.

His eyes swept over Jiang Ning, and he paused for a moment.