The regent is determined to get the daughter of a minor official.

Xu Keke and Dingdang got into the carriage with the price tag of Prince Sheng's Mansion, still a little dazed.

"He actually let us go home?"

Dingdang was holding a large box in her arms, and next to it was a box inlaid with silver pieces, which contained the jewelry and dresses they brought from Prince Sheng's Mansion.

"Miss, we won't suffer any loss this time. Those precious jewels are worth a lot of silver!"

Dingdang was very happy. She could finally bring the young lady home. The master and the mistress would definitely praise her.

The carriage from Prince Sheng's Palace seemed to have known the location of Xu Linyun and her friends' new home and took them directly to Xie's residence.

As soon as the carriage stopped, a group of people walked out of the gate with the plaque of Xu Mansion hanging on it.

"Master Li, Master Chen, Master Zhang, thank you for your courtesy. I will visit you another day."

Second Master Xu Linyun was just seeing off a guest when he saw the carriage from Prince Sheng's Mansion parked on the side of the road. His second daughter and Dingdang got out of the carriage.

A hint of joy flashed across Xu Linyun's face, and then he regained his composure and bowed to the adults, saying:

"My Lords, I have some trivial matters at home, so I will excuse myself first."

Several adults followed his gaze and saw Xu Keke and Dingdang, and smiled knowingly.

"Master Xu, please do as you please. We will go first."

After watching several court officials leave, Xu Linyun walked quickly towards Xu Keke.

"My dear girl, you are finally back. Did the prince give you any trouble?"

Before Xu Keke could speak, Dingdang spoke first.

"Master, the young lady has returned safely from Prince Sheng's Mansion, and she brought back a lot of valuable jewelry!"

Xu Linyun's face changed.

"Precious jewelry? Did you take it on your own, or did the prince allow it?"

Xu Keke gently tugged at her father's sleeve.

"Dad, let's go inside and talk! Look, the coachman from Prince Sheng's mansion is here."

Xu Linyun was reminded by her and hurried forward to salute the coachman.

"This young man has worked hard, please come into my humble abode and have a cup of hot tea."

"Master Xu, there's no need to be so polite. I'm just following orders and carrying out my mission to bring Miss Xu back to the Xu family safely."

As the coachman spoke, he helped them take their things out of the carriage, saluted Xu Linyun with a fist salute, and then drove away in the carriage.

"Come on, good girl, go home with daddy."

Xu Linyun brought his second daughter into the yard and walked into the reception room in the main courtyard.

There were still some teacups left next to the armchairs that had not been put away yet. Two maids hurried over to clean them up, and then brought Xu Keke a cup of scented tea.

This was the original owner's favorite drink. Xu Keke took the teacup, took a sip, and turned around to see Xu Linyun looking at her in surprise.

"My dear girl, is your mind really better? Daddy has noticed that you have been speaking very normally in the last few times."

Xu Keke didn't want to continue playing dumb, so she took this opportunity to find an excuse for herself.

Therefore, she said with a serious look.

"Dad, I suffered this misfortune and was frightened in prison, but my mind has suddenly become clear. I will listen to you and won't worry you anymore."

"That's great!"

When Mrs. Xu Xie learned that her daughter had returned, she came over with Nanny Ding. She happened to hear what Xu Keke said and was immediately relieved.

He walked over, took Xu Keke's hand, and looked at her with a loving face.

"I'm glad you're back. My good girl is no longer stupid. I'm so happy for her. Tell me if you've been wronged in Prince Sheng's Mansion."

Xu Keke hesitated for a moment and did not dare to tell Chu Musheng about the shameful things he had done to her. She only said that she was learning the rules in Prince Sheng's Mansion.

Just because she didn't say anything didn't mean the Second Madam wouldn't ask.

Xu Xie held Xu Keke's hand and looked at several large boxes of jewelry on the table, as well as a box filled with women's clothes.

"Keke, what is the Regent's attitude towards you? Did he say anything? And are these all rewards given to you by him?"

Dingdang didn't say anything at this moment. She didn't know what had happened between the young lady and the regent.

Xu Keke lowered her eyes and answered in a low voice.

"The regent wanted his daughter to be his concubine, but she refused, so he released her.

He said these things were used by his daughter, so he asked her to bring them back with her.

After hearing this, Xu Linyun frowned slightly and remained silent for a long time.

"The Prince Regent's thoughts are truly unpredictable, but I'm truly blessed that my dear daughter has returned safely. For the time being, put these jewels away in Coco's boudoir."

The last sentence was directed to my wife.

Xu Xie nodded.

"Madame Ding, have a few maids take these things to the Second Young Lady's boudoir."

Nanny Ding responded and quickly packed up the things with a few maids, wrote them down in a book, and sent them to Xu Keke's boudoir.

Xu Xie held Xu Keke's hand and spoke earnestly.

"Keke, no matter what the Regent's intentions are, since you don't want to, we won't force you. But you must be more cautious in your future actions."

Xu Keke nodded obediently.

"Daughter understands. I'm sorry for making you worry."

Xu Linyun paced back and forth, seemingly thinking about something. After a moment, he said:

"I'm afraid this matter won't be resolved so easily. We need to make plans early. Madam, please ask Coco to go out as little as possible these days and avoid causing any more trouble."

"Yes, sir." Xu Xie replied.

Xu Keke was also a little nervous. She didn't know what kind of trouble rejecting Chu Musheng would bring to her family.

In the next few days, Xu Keke stayed in her boudoir, occasionally helping Dingdang do some needlework, embroidering sachets and handkerchiefs, and her life was quite peaceful.

However, this calm did not last long.

Rumors were spreading that the Empress Dowager intended to choose a concubine for Regent Chu Musheng at this centenary birthday banquet.

All the ladies of officials above the fifth rank in the court would be invited to the banquet, and all the ladies who received the invitations were ecstatic.

You should know that this regent, who has power over the government and the country, never has any interest in women.

This time, after being molested by the daughter of a minor official in the street, he suddenly came to his senses and brought the minor official's daughter into the palace, doting on her for a few days before letting her out.

The daughter of a minor official is just a plaything of the regent. How can a firefly compete with the bright moon?

Now she has nothing to do, it is time for the noble ladies from the ministers' families in the court to come on stage together.

I heard that after the daughter of that minor official was disliked by the Regent, she dared not even step out of the house and spent the whole day in tears in her poor little courtyard.

The Xu family was deserted for a while.

Some people even threw rotten vegetable leaves in front of Xu's house, calling Xu Ke shameless.

She was brave enough to risk her life by jumping from the third floor of a teahouse just to throw herself into the arms of the Regent.

It’s a pity that things don’t always go as planned. Even if you don’t have enough status or courage, it’s all in vain.

Just an appetizer for the Regent!

He was so quickly rejected by the Regent and driven out of the palace, ending up like this.

Those ladies from famous families were sharpening their knives and preparing to attend the birthday banquet.

Being able to marry Regent Chu Musheng is not only their personal dream, but also the honor of the family.

I heard that the rouge, powder, jewelry and clothing shops in Shengjing City are crowded every day.

Just so that his daughter can shine at the birthday party and catch the eye of the Empress Dowager or the Regent.

At this time in Prince Sheng's Mansion, Regent Chu Musheng was lazily leaning on the couch.

He was playing with a piece of white cloth with blood words on it and listening to the report from his subordinate Sheng Wu.

"Your Highness, the young ladies from all the families are preparing for the birthday banquet. Should we make some arrangements in advance?"

Chu Musheng narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a cold voice.

"No need. There are always some people who don't know themselves. If they want to make a fuss, then let them make a fuss! Just think of it as adding to the fun of Mother's 1000th birthday banquet."

"The public opinion of Miss Xu is extremely unfriendly. Would Your Highness like to send someone to curb this?"

Sheng Wu asked again.

Chu Musheng looked at the words on the white cloth with amusement and chuckled.

"Don't bother."