Promoted to Concubine

The words of these two caused Jiang Jinxin's chopsticks to pause mid-air. She carefully observed their expressions.

Jiang Yushu, trying to maintain her image but nearly failing, said, "She is merely of lowly servant birth. Having a pretty face and being able to serve Your Highness is her good fortune. Once Your Highness grows tired of her, we can just send her back home. Why must Your Highness take it to heart?"

The Marquis Qiyuan's Estate did not have the names of her mother and siblings on the family register. They lived in the Marquis's Estate as servants, so Jiang Jinxin and her brother were naturally considered children of the estate's servants.

Prince Rui's frown deepened, feeling that his Princess Consort was acting somewhat unusual today.

Had she not always liked to please him? Yet he could not accept that a woman who had served him would be sent back home to marry someone else.

Thinking of this, he lost his appetite. He set down his chopsticks, took a cloth to wipe his hands, and said indifferently, "Promote her to the rank of concubine. It just so happens that Meixiang Residence in the West Courtyard is unoccupied. Let her move there, and raise her according to the allowance of a concubine. Even if this prince grows tired of her in the future, she is not to be sent away. The Prince's Estate does not lack the means to feed her."

With that, he tossed the cloth onto the table, and having made his stance clear, he stood up and departed.

The hierarchy of status in the Prince's inner court consisted of: bedchamber maid, concubine, Secondary Consort, Side Consort, and Princess Consort.

One Princess Consort, two Side Consorts, three Secondary Consorts, and an unlimited number of concubines and bedchamber maids.

Normally, if an indentured maid was favored by the Prince, her promotion depended on his mood.

A hired maid who was favored would typically become a bedchamber maid, and if she became pregnant, she would be promoted to a concubine. However, titles were also granted based on the Prince's favor.

If the Prince did not speak up, it would naturally be left to the Princess Consort to decide, handling it according to standard practice.

In the Marquis's Estate, Jiang Jinxin was regarded as the daughter of a servant, an indentured maid, and a tool used by the Princess Consort to consolidate the Prince's favor. It would have been acceptable not to grant her a title.

Now that the Prince had made an exception to grant her the status of a concubine, how could Jiang Yushu not be furious?

Initially, she thought Jinxin was easy to control, as her mother and younger brother were in her hands, leaving her with no fear of betrayal. But she had not expected the Prince to be so interested in this girl.

Seeing her gaze, which looked as if she wanted to devour her alive, Jiang Jinxin sighed, resignedly stepped forward, and held out her hand.

Jiang Yushu did not hold back either, piercing all four of her fingers.

Seeing Jiang Jinxin in immense pain, her face turning pale, she finally felt a bit better and said coldly, "Do not think that because the Prince favors you, you can ride on my head. Before me, you will always be nothing but a lowly servant."

Hearing this, Jiang Jinxin remained outwardly respectful, murmuring a "yes." But as she left, she cast a cold glance at Jiang Yushu's belly, slowly averted her eyes, and departed.

Returning to her room, she finally let her emotions show. Looking at her swollen, red fingers, her thoughts gradually became chaotic.

She had to find a way to ensure her own safety while also securing the safety of her mother and younger brother.

"Reporting to Mistress, this servant is Lianrong. The Prince has sent me to care for you." A voice interrupted her thoughts.

Jiang Jinxin raised her eyes and saw a pretty, petite, and lively maid standing outside. She was stunned for a moment, then asked, "Are you calling me?"

"Yes, are you not the young Mistress Jiang who was just promoted to concubine? This servant is here to help you move to Meixiang Residence."