The peerless and dark princess

"Just find two people to keep an eye on them secretly. After all, they're His Majesty's men, so it's best not to offend them. Otherwise, those officials in the capital who wield pens will be a real headache..."

"Yes, I'll make arrangements right away."

Although Chu Lianyao and his son had not received Chu Lianyue's letter yet, their keen sense allowed them to make some plans in advance. Of course, Chu Lianyue's letter arrived in time and prevented Chu Lixiu from getting hurt.

The next day, Mu Heng, radiant and dressed, joined the procession to the Qiao Mansion to welcome his bride. In her courtyard, Shen Xinyue clutched her handkerchief, gritting her teeth. The sight of the red silk ribbons fluttering in the air only made her furious. However, she had no choice but to attend the wedding banquet. After all, she was the most influential of Mu Heng's concubines, and therefore had to entertain the guests.

Seeing that Shen Xinyue was handling things appropriately, Madam Mu didn't criticize her at this time, but she still felt a little uncomfortable. After all, Mu Heng always listened to Shen Xinyue's pillow talk. Therefore, this was why Madam Mu had always disliked Shen Xinyue, and she also disliked the calculation in Shen Xinyue's eyes. Unfortunately, Mu Heng just liked Shen Xinyue.

Mu Wange had returned to the Shangshu Mansion early in the morning with Mu Haolin. She had a reason not to go back yesterday, but today, there was no way she wouldn't show up at Mu Heng's wedding banquet. Even though Old Master Chu and the others were reluctant to let her go, Mu Wange was still Mu Heng's child, so they had no reason to stop her.

Qiao Yan was dragged up by Madam Qiao early in the morning to dress. She had never imagined she would ever wear her wedding gown. Ever since she was rescued that day, hatred had filled her heart. It wasn't like other men had approached the Qiao residence to propose marriage, but she had rejected them all. As much as she had loved Mu Heng, she hated him even more since he had harmed her family years before. For revenge, no matter how much she hated him, she still wore her wedding gown.

"The bride is leaving."

"Brother" (actually cousin) Qiao Yang carried Qiao Yan out and carefully placed her in the sedan chair. The red veil covered Qiao Yan's hateful eyes.

Mrs. Qiao couldn't stop crying. People who didn't know the reason thought that Mrs. Qiao was crying for joy. After all, her daughter who had been kept in the boudoir for many years finally married the man of her choice. Moreover, Qiao Yang's daughter Qiao Xiaoran was already five or six years old. If Qiao Yan had agreed to one of the young men who came to propose marriage, the child would probably be not much older than Mu Wange.

The sedan went around the main road of the city before returning to the Shangshu Mansion. Mu Heng's close friends and allies in official circles had already arrived at the banquet, including the second prince Chen Yunfeng and the crown prince Chen Yunjie, who had come to give gifts one after another.

Mu Wange returned to the Shangshu Mansion, and Old Madam Mu had the festive clothes prepared for Mu Wange and Mu Haolin delivered to Tingxue Garden. Mu Wange took a quick look and asked Qingzhu to pick out a simple and elegant outfit for Mu Haolin. Yesterday was her mother's death anniversary, and today was her father's wedding. She was still wearing festive clothes. Wouldn't that just make people laugh?

"Miss, the old lady wants to know when you'll be there. The master will be back soon to pick up the bride."

"I'll go now, Shiqi, take the madam's tablet and cover it with red silk and bring it to the main hall."

"Yes, Miss."

Mu Wange did this on purpose. She didn't want the people in the Shangshu Mansion to find out that she had a relationship with Qiao Yan, so today she wanted to give the newcomer Qiao Yan a warning and make everyone think that she was not on good terms with the new mistress.

When Mu Wange took Mu Haolin to the main hall, which was also the hall for worshiping heaven and earth, everyone had arrived, including Mu Ruohan, who was about to get married. It seemed that Shen Xinyue was whispering to Mu Heng again.

"Big sister, grandma is already here, and you're just here now. Aren't you being so arrogant?"

Mu Ruohan was the first to speak when he saw Mu Wange, as if he wanted to create an image of arrogance, disrespect for others and elders in front of everyone. In the past, he would pin false accusations on the original owner with just a few words. Unfortunately, this is not the same Mu Wange now. Mu Ruohan had miscalculated.

"Nothing like my second sister. A bastard-born daughter is talking about airs in front of me. Grandma hasn't even spoken yet, but she spoke first. She is truly well-educated and well-mannered. Oh, that's right. In a few days, my second sister will be entering the Second Prince's residence. Naturally, she is a step above others. However, it seems that my second sister is not even a concubine. She can't be considered half the master of the Second Prince's residence..."

Mu Wange repeatedly mentioned that she was only entering the palace of the Second Prince, Chen Yunfeng, as a concubine. This was what Mu Ruohan cared about the most. In the past, Mu Ruohan considered herself a talented woman, but she only wanted to win the favor of the princes and satisfy her ambition to climb the social ladder. As expected, Mu Ruohan was furious and her face turned ashen.

“Mu Wange, you!!”

Mu Qiaoyun, standing aside, immediately grabbed the furious Mu Ruohan and said, "Second sister, father has returned to pick up the bride. Let's not start a conflict with Mu Wange at this time."

Mu Yucheng glared at Mu Wange and Mu Haolin, his eyes full of ambition and viciousness, "Sister, I haven't seen you for a long time, but you've become even more eloquent."

Mu Wange didn't even glance at Mu Yucheng. She just tried to comfort Mu Haolin, who was trembling slightly because of Mu Yucheng's voice. "It's good to be sharp-tongued. That way you can bite off some pieces of flesh from those who have ulterior motives. Don't you agree, Mu Yucheng?"

"That's what the elder sister said."

In reality, the two knew exactly what was being said; they were just engaging in a veiled exchange, using cryptic language to play tricks on each other. Mu Wange noticed that Mu Yucheng had become increasingly vicious since he began working alongside the Second Prince. It wasn't just his eyes that had become more vicious, but his actions as well. Mu Wange secretly decided to be more wary of Mu Yucheng.

Mu Lanxin and her brother lagged slightly behind and didn't hear what Mu Ruohan and Mu Yucheng were saying. However, Mu Lanxin saw Mu Ruohan's expression and knew that Mu Wange hadn't let her get the upper hand. She increasingly felt that being with Mu Wange was much better than being with Mu Ruohan. Although Mu Ruohan looked innocent and lovely, Mu Lanxin knew that she wasn't that kind of person in private. This was why she didn't choose Mu Ruohan in the first place, but instead secretly took care of Mu Haolin and bet on Mu Wange. Fortunately, she won the bet, although it was two years late.

"The bride is coming in."

There was a bustling crowd of people. A maid supported Qiao Yan, who was wearing a veil, and Mu Heng held one end of the red ribbon in Qiao Yan's hand, and they entered the main hall one after the other.

After three bows, Mu Heng took one end of the red silk and planned to lead Qiao Yan back to the bridal chamber, which was also the courtyard of the mistress of the house. Mu Wange said, "Daddy, wait."

"Wange, stop making trouble." Old Madam Mu frowned as she sat in the main seat, fearing that something might happen.

"Grandma, this isn't a fuss. Dad has just married a new wife, and as his daughter, Wangge is naturally happy that Dad has someone to take care of him. However, my mother, Chu Wanran, is the original wife. Shouldn't we pay our respects to the new wife when she comes home?"