The story of a bullied daughter's rise to power

Upon hearing this, Situ Yaorao frowned, "Shut up. Young Master Nangong is incredibly talented. There's probably no one else in this world who can help me in such a short time. In this situation, is there anything wrong with me coming to him?"

Upon hearing this, Situ Honglei shut up obediently, and Princess Lianqiao's dissatisfaction also subsided a little.

Mrs. Situ was the most sensible of the group, so she hurried forward and said, "It's just a misunderstanding. Princess, please stay at the Situ residence for a while. I'll ask the kitchen to make some food, and we can put aside our grudges with a smile."

"Thank you, Madam Situ." Princess Lianqiao nodded. Then she looked at Situ Honglei and said, "I heard there's a red plum forest near Miss Honglei's yard. I'm very interested. I wonder if you could take me there to see it?" Princess Lianqiao looked at Situ Honglei and asked calmly. Hearing this, Situ Honglei hurriedly said, "Honglei will naturally not refuse your Highness's request. Please come this way."

After the two left, Situ Yaorao looked at Gu Yunjing and said, "Cousin Yunjing, thank you so much for today."

Gu Yunjing wasn't a talkative person. His appearance was refined, yet he wore a solemn expression. The words "keep away from strangers" were written all over his body. Situ Yaorao walked over to him and stood beside him. Surprisingly, there was no sense of disharmony.

"No need to thank me." Gu Yunjing glanced at Situ Yaorao secretly, but he couldn't reconcile her with the cousin who followed him around when they were little. She looked even cuter now.

It made him feel a little unnatural to be with her.

However, these were only his thoughts. Having guarded the border for many years and witnessed many battles, all his emotions were hidden in his heart.

He still remembered his first battle, barely surviving after nearly a life-or-death struggle. Then, looking at the corpses scattered across the ground, the blood flowing like a river. The wind seemed to be weeping a mournful song, and he couldn't help but sit in the middle of the battlefield and sob. Then, his father told him, "Generals don't need tears." There were so many more who wanted to cry but didn't dare.

From then on, he began to control his emotions. Now, he was truly a general, but he had forgotten how to cry. How... to express his feelings.

Even at this moment, looking at his cousin who he was close to, it was the same.

"Cousin, let me introduce you. This is Young Master Nangong, the master who is now teaching me music, chess, calligraphy and painting." Situ Yaorao pulled the man and said enthusiastically.

Hearing this, the man nodded, then looked at Nangong Ling: "I'll trouble you to take care of my cousin."

"It's okay. Miss Situ loves to learn and is a good apprentice." Nangong Ling said lightly. The man nodded after hearing this and said, "I believe that my cousin must be the best."

Hearing Gu Yunjing's words, Nangong Ling couldn't help but twitch his lips. "How dare you say this to the men who were harmed by your cousin?"

On this side, the three people are relatively harmonious, but on the other side.

In the red plum forest, two women walked among them, stepping on the fallen cherry blossom petals. One in front, one behind, they looked elegant and pleasing to the eye. Situ Honglei looked at the women and said lightly, "Did Princess Lianqiao really believe their explanation?"

"Why don't you believe it?" Princess Lianqiao smiled sweetly, looking quite innocent and lively. If she hadn't been told, it would have been hard to imagine she was a woman from the palace.

Upon hearing this, Situ Honglei rolled her eyes and said with a smile, "Princess, you are right to believe it, and you are also right not to believe it."

"What do you mean?" Princess Lianqiao asked calmly.

"Well... even if my sister wanted to be with Master Nangong, he wouldn't be with her. But... I know my sister's character. Once she sets her eyes on someone, she will do anything to get what she wants."

"You mean, she likes my brother Nangong?" Princess Lianqiao frowned slightly.

"Honglei dare not say this. The princess has also seen that Honglei has no say in this mansion. However, even so, Honglei still wants the princess to be on guard against her. After all, rumors are nothing without foundation." Situ Honglei said and continued walking.

"This princess thinks so too, that's why I asked you to bring me here. This princess wants you to do me a favor." Princess Lianqiao said, took out a package and handed it to Situ Honglei.

"Princess, what is this?" Situ Honglei was stunned, a little confused.

Princess Lianqiao smiled upon hearing this, "This is a beautiful medicine. It's a medicine that's often seen in the palace. Mixed with rouge and powder, it will make a woman's face look extremely ugly. But no matter which doctor comes, they can't cure it. This princess doesn't trust anyone, so this powder will be given to her until Brother Nangong stops teaching her!"

The princess still had a charming smile on her face when she said this, but it chilled Situ Honglei's heart. This woman was simply too terrifying.

"Why? Do you think my actions are a bit excessive? Miss Honglei, do you know why you have been able to gain the attention of General Situ, but cannot become the eldest daughter of the Situ family?" The princess looked at Situ Honglei and asked with a chuckle. Situ Honglei heard this and shook her head: "Honglei, I don't know. Isn't it because of the Gu family?"

"The Gu family?" Princess Lianqiao smiled. "That's part of the reason, but the biggest reason is that you're not ruthless enough. It's true that the Gu family helped Situ Yaorao and Madam Situ, but what if both of them died? Who would they help? You've never used such a simple method. This princess actually thinks it's not easy for you to survive."

"Killing people... this is not allowed?" Situ Honglei was terrified. Princess Lianqiao laughed when she heard this. "I knew it would be like this. I will give you this medicine. It can only disfigure that woman Situ Yaorao. As for whether you are willing to do so, that is up to you."

"Princess, isn't she afraid that if I don't go, she and Young Master Nangong will really be together?" Situ Honglei was a little displeased with the princess's attitude of staying out of the matter. It was obvious that she should be the one taking the initiative.

"So what? She can't be with Brother Nangong no matter what. Even if she wants to, and Brother Nangong wants to, no one in the Nangong family will allow it. This princess is doing this now just because I'm unhappy with her. As for Brother Nangong himself? This princess never worries. Because he is a smart man. In comparison... Miss Honglei is different. Now Situ Yaorao no longer does ridiculous things, coupled with that heart-warming appearance and her identity. Who knows how glorious she will be in the future. By then, Miss Honglei will be far behind." After saying this, Princess Lianqiao laughed again.

"I won't let this happen!" Situ Honglei said bitterly. Princess Lianqiao didn't say anything after hearing this, but just looked at Situ Honglei silently.

There was a flash of pity and ridicule in those eyes.

She likes fools because she can take advantage of them, but she also pities fools because they all end up in a bad way.

However, Situ Honglei didn't know about these things. At this moment, she was only thinking about dealing with Situ Yaorao. Situ Yaorao could be said to be Situ Honglei's target.

Since she was little, Situ Yaorao had easily gotten everything she wanted: status, position, and respect from others. Even when she did something wrong, there were people who condoned her.

She was envious and jealous, and over time, it turned into hatred.