Time travel is risky, and love requires caution

"Evidence?" The Queen Mother was speechless for a moment. How could there be evidence for a rumor? If there was evidence, it would not be a rumor.

"This princess is really powerless to do anything about this kind of thing without any evidence. It's better to wait until there is evidence."

"What will happen if we wait until we have evidence?" The Second Princess said as if to save the situation.

"I don't know what kind of 'thing' the Second Princess is talking about. Shouldn't there be evidence for everything? You can't just accuse someone of being unfaithful to their husbands based on rumors, right? How is this any different from taking human life lightly?"

"If she was a chaste woman, how could she have been involved in such rumors?" The Second Princess said with a dagger hidden in her smile.

"How could the Second Princess know that this rumor was directed at me? Maybe it was directed at the Sixth Prince? However, this reminds me that after I return, I must give the Sixth Prince a good warning. I am afraid that someone with ulterior motives wants to use me to harm the Sixth Prince. Don't worry, the Grand Princess and the Second Princess, since I have already been engaged to the Sixth Prince, I will naturally protect his interests and will not let the Sixth Prince suffer any loss."

"I heard that the people of Nan Shen have already regarded the Seventh Princess as the future queen of Nan Shen. Is this true?" The Second Princess asked knowingly.

"It is true. This princess first became sworn sisters with Nan Shen Wang Ji, and then saved the life of the new Nan Shen Emperor. Now I am also the stepmother of the Nan Shen prince's grandson. I have a deep connection with the Nan Shen royal family. It is understandable that the people of Nan Shen hope that I can get closer to them. If the Second Princess comes to hold me accountable for this, I am afraid she is making a big fuss."

"Hmph, I don't deserve to be held accountable." The Queen Concubine said sarcastically.

"That's right. The Queen Mother is very clear about justice. As the saying goes, 'A man is innocent, but guilty of possessing a jade.' The fault does not lie with the man who possesses the jade, but with the man who covets or tries to steal it. If the Second Princess wants to hold someone accountable, she should go find those who spread rumors and misled the public."

The Queen Mother was speechless after being scolded by the Seventh Princess, but the Second Princess still refused to give up and said:

"It's not that I want to hold the Seventh Princess accountable, nor am I making a fuss about nothing, it's just that this rumor is not good for the Seventh Princess and the Sixth Prince."

"Does the Second Princess have the ability to stop the gossip? If not, why do you think I should do it? As the saying goes, 'Rumors stop at the wise'. People who can't distinguish right from wrong will inevitably listen to one side and become accomplices of the evil. Why should I bother with these fools? As long as the Sixth Prince treats me sincerely and trusts me, others can say whatever they want. Husband and wife know their own feelings. Outsiders can't interfere. At most, they can just make noises. I don't bother to care."

"You are not an ordinary couple, so you naturally have to consider more."

"I agreed to marry the Sixth Prince just out of my heart, without giving it much thought. Could it be that the Sixth Prince has other considerations for me?"

"I married you out of my true heart, not for any other purpose." As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Cheng came in, bowed to the Queen Mother and the Second Princess, and said:

"I just finished discussing something with my father. I was worried that the Seventh Princess might not be familiar with the roads in this palace, so I came to pick her up."

"The Sixth Prince is truly in love with the Seventh Princess. He comes looking for her as soon as he misses her." The Second Princess said sarcastically.

Lu Cheng took Ling Qiqi's hand and said:

"I'm sorry to make you laugh, Second Princess. I'm sure my brother treats you the same way."

The Second Princess seemed to be hit in the vitals, and felt extremely embarrassed. Only she herself knew that the relationship between them was just like the friendship between gentlemen, as pure as water. The superficial respect was really just on the surface, and she felt like a widow living in the palace every day. But how could she tell outsiders about her loneliness and resentment? She could only maintain the dignity of a princess every day, and try to act dignified and virtuous. The Sixth Prince suddenly touched upon her disguise, and although it had not been torn off, she was inevitably a little flustered and dared not speak anymore.

Lu Cheng continued politely:

"The Seventh Princess has just arrived in Ximo and is not familiar with the etiquette here. If she has offended the Grand Concubine and the Second Princess, please do not bother her. I will go back and teach her slowly. The two of us will not bother the Grand Concubine anymore. We will withdraw now and come to see you another day."

After saying this, he bowed to Ling Qiqi and left the palace together.

After they left, the Queen Mother became angrier and angrier:

"Humph, this Seventh Princess is really sharp-tongued. I'm afraid she will have to ride on my head in the future. The Sixth Prince really has a unique vision."

Turning around, he saw the Second Princess still standing there in a daze, and said angrily:

"You and the second son are both unpromising. In terms of adaptability and tolerance, it is not unfair that you lost the position of crown prince. Alas, if my son were still alive, how could the situation be like this? Why would I bother to work so hard for you two? Alas."

Over the years, the Queen Mother's longing for her beloved son has never diminished. She often mentions the eldest prince and often compares him with the second prince. Whenever the second prince is around, she can only pretend to be submissive and agree with the Queen Mother's words, not daring to make her unhappy.

Today, the Queen Mother originally wanted to give the Seventh Princess a warning, but she escaped unscathed without gaining any advantage. Therefore, she took out all her anger on the Second Princess, and her ridicule of her became even more severe. She could only accept it, but her heart was burning with anger, and she was on the verge of collapse.

The Second Princess finally managed to leave the palace. After returning home, she saw the Second Prince waiting for her. He carefully questioned her about what happened in the palace that day. After she answered one by one, the Second Prince looked impatient and waved his hand to let her leave, unwilling to say another word to her.

When the Second Princess returned to her residence, autumn had already begun for a while, but this year's autumn was contrary to its usual state. Instead of being as cool as it should be, the weather was still scorching hot.

And her small courtyard was so desolate in this scorching heat.

The Second Princess was moved by the scene and tears started to flow. How long would this burning pain and torment last?

Compared to the seventh princess' bright youth, boldness and freedom, and the genuine love she received, she lived like a joke.

She smiled bitterly. She had already been defeated miserably. She only hoped that this power struggle would end soon, and then she would be completely free.

Ling Qiqi was in a bad mood after leaving the palace, and she sat in the carriage she came in and sulked for a long time.

Halfway through the journey, the carriage suddenly stopped, and her bad mood was interrupted.

Lu Cheng lifted the carriage door curtain, raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile:

"Would you like to show me your affection? Let everyone in Shangyi know that our love is stronger than gold. Let's see who dares to instigate us in the future."

Ling Qiqi felt that this suggestion was both pertinent and timely, so she got off the carriage without any hesitation.