As Ningde County Princess walked out of the teahouse, her face was as dark as a storm cloud.
Anyone could see that she was in an extremely foul mood.
Those who followed her dared not utter a word.
As she stepped into her carriage, Qin Linglong emerged moments later, her face still etched with lingering confusion.
Even as she settled into the carriage returning to the Ministry of Works' mansion, she still couldn't fathom it.
After Ningde County Princess had heard her recount the events of the palace banquet, although she had made promises for the future, her face remained shadowed with gloom. She even blurted out, "So she had already found Prince Jin! No wonder!"
This remark left Qin Linglong bewildered.
Had Ningde County Princess met that mysterious woman before?
The woman entangled with Prince Jin?
Who was that woman, exactly?
It seemed she was the most foolish, the most deeply deceived. All the embarrassing decisions she had made were now making her want to slap herself.
Meanwhile, Ningde County Princess, inside the carriage heading to Prince Pingyang's mansion, maintained her somber expression.
The streets the carriage passed were bustling, yet they couldn't dispel the chill emanating from Ningde County Princess.
"Well played, Yun Shu! Such cunning and manipulative means!"
She had managed to play her like a fiddle.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped.
The coachman's surprised voice was heard from outside, "Oh, it's the Heir Apparent."
"The Heir Apparent?" Ningde County Princess's thoughts returned. She lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside.
Indeed, she saw Zhen Lin not far away.
He was entering a jewelry shop with a woman of alluring grace.
That jewelry shop was renowned in the capital. While its wares were exquisite and beautiful, they were exorbitantly priced. Although such expenses were a mere trifle to the siblings, considering Zhen Lin's recent absurd behavior, Ningde County Princess's expression turned cold.
"Find out who the woman beside the Heir Apparent is," Ningde County Princess commanded coldly.
Someone immediately went to the jewelry shop to investigate.
They returned shortly.
Informing Ningde County Princess of the woman's identity, they said, "County Princess, that woman is the daughter of a merchant. It seems the Heir Apparent has only known her for a short while. However, it sounds like the Heir Apparent intends to bring her into the manor."
"A mere merchant's daughter dares to seduce the Heir Apparent?" Ningde County Princess grumbled angrily.
What had her brother been stimulated by?
In just a few days, he had become so dissolute?
Had he completely discarded his previous infatuation with Yun Shu?
Moreover, the women he was now seeking were not from respectable families.
The servants beside her dared not speak.
The servants in Prince Pingyang's mansion had been privately wondering for the past few days if the Heir Apparent had become a different person!
Even any maidservant in the mansion with a bit of looks, if she subtly enticed the Heir Apparent, he would take her to his chambers.
In just two days, the Heir Apparent's inner court had gained four or five concubines.
It was utterly astonishing. If the people within Prince Pingyang's mansion were this surprised, how much more so would outsiders be? Those outside, upon hearing rumors about the Heir Apparent, were all in disbelief.
Some even dismissed it as mere rumors.
But soon, many witnessed the Heir Apparent's unrestrained behavior in public, and thus, they believed the rumors.
Ningde County Princess fiercely dropped the carriage curtain. "Investigate that woman's background thoroughly!"
After returning from the palace tomorrow, she would have a serious talk with her brother.
Why was he indulging himself so much now?
...
News changed with lightning speed throughout the day.
It was barely the time it took for a cup of tea. In the morning, it was said that Qin Linglong had become Prince Jin's woman. By the time the tea was finished, the engagement was broken.
The speed was breathtaking.
Especially for Madam Li of the General's Mansion.
She had initially been thinking that that slut Yun Shu would be distraught and heartbroken all day because of this news.
In that way, she would have avenged the beating of her three grandsons.
Just as she felt her anger subsiding, another twist occurred – the engagement was broken?
Madam Li spat out her tea and coldly confirmed, "Is the news true?"
The servant immediately replied, "Madam, it is true. It came from the palace, and Prince Jin has already ordered it to be announced to the world."
This news was utterly unexpected!
Madam Li's chest felt suddenly choked with anger. "Did he push away the woman who practically threw herself at him?"
As soon as she spoke, she suddenly recalled her daughter Meng'er's fate.
It wasn't much better than Qin Linglong's; in fact, Prince Jin had directly pushed her into the Emperor's bed.
Instantly, she became even more furious, grinding her teeth.
The servant dared not say anything more. Although they resided in the General's Mansion, no one dared to openly discuss Prince Jin's affairs.
Madam Li waved her hand. "You may go."
"Yes."
After the servant left, Madam Li threw her teacup.
With a bang!
"Now she gets to be smug again!"
The more Madam Li thought about it, the more indignant she felt. A whole group of people living in their General's Mansion, eating their food, using their resources, yet they still bullied her grandsons and might even ruin the master's affairs. The more she thought about it, the less she felt she could simply tolerate it and watch that slut Yun Shu triumph.
And those three children.
Seeing those three children made her eyes ache. Because those three children were far more attractive than her three grandsons.
In front of those three children, her three grandsons were made to look like mere followers.
This stark contrast was truly unbearable.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her. Her eyes narrowed as she called out to the door.
"Someone, go and fetch Granny Liu from the kitchen."
...
The sky gradually darkened.
Yun Shu and the others had finished their dinner.
Compared to their anxious feelings during the day, by dinnertime, everyone felt relieved.
Especially A'Cha and Yu Le. The two of them reminded themselves in their hearts to have faith in King Ye! Not everyone could harm King Ye.
Furthermore, King Ye would absolutely not, and could not, betray their young lady.
Yun Changfeng glanced outside. The servants in the courtyard kept casting furtive glances in their direction.
He spoke softly to Yun Shu, "Tomorrow, when we enter the palace, although we will have a legitimate status and they won't dare to act rashly, we must still be vigilant."
"Alright, Father. Rest assured," Yun Shu replied.
Zhan Xiaoli said obediently, "We will listen to Grandfather and Mother the whole way."
"Don't worry," Yun Xiaojing said nonchalantly. It was just going to the imperial palace, wasn't it? To see that old man who might or might not be their grandfather? The most important thing was that he would see Father again.
As long as no one came to trouble them, he guaranteed he would be good!
Zhan Xiaofeng looked at Yun Shu with a serious little face. "Will Mother be in danger? Will Father be in danger?"
Yun Shu gently stroked Zhan Xiaofeng's hair, looking at her three sons, and softly reassured them, "None of us will be in danger. However, tomorrow when we enter the palace and see Father, you can only call him Prince Jin or His Highness Prince Jin."