Having transmigrated into a book, who would still want to be a secondary wife?

"It's her!" Madam Tang nodded. "Recently, Miss Song has been quite the star in the capital, no other girl can compare to her."

As luck would have it, ever since Lin Zhiyue broke off their engagement, her life has taken a sharp turn for the worse. She lost her official position and title, and now she's not only a commoner but also deeply in debt.

I've heard that this Miss Song is quite capable, skilled in business, and also well-behaved, a filial daughter with a harmonious relationship with her siblings. To avenge her brother, she even managed to get an entire street of shops from Madam Qin, which has made many people envious.

However, the Empress unconsciously frowned as she listened to the praise.

For a lady from a prominent family, it would be better to stay out of the spotlight than to seek the limelight in this way.

Madam Tang took in the Empress's expression and knew very well that the Empress needed a daughter-in-law who was elegant, refined, and well-educated. A woman as calculating as Song Ruozhen was definitely not suitable to be the Princess Consort of Chu.

With a heart smaller than the eye of a pin, how can one aspire to be the empress of the world? That's a joke!

"I've only heard some things, and I don't know the specifics. It seems I need to find out more about it myself."

The Empress's calm face seemed expressionless, but the smile had vanished from her lips. "However, the Prince of Chu has not had a girl he likes all these years, so he probably only regards Song Ruozhen as a friend."

"My beloved, impossible."

Madam Tang was secretly delighted, but she didn't show it on her face. "My daughter is very upset about this matter, saying that she did something wrong."

"This is because I did not inform the King of Chu beforehand, which led to yesterday's misunderstanding. Go back and comfort him properly. I will ask the King of Chu for his opinion when I see him."

"Yes, Queen."

Lady Tang left the palace happily, understanding the meaning of knowing when to stop and that going too far is as bad as not going far enough.

Instead of constantly belittling Song Ruozhen, it would be better to offer appropriate praise and adopt a humble attitude, which would achieve the best results.

Not long after Song Ruozhen had lunch, Chenxiang rushed over.

"Miss, Her Majesty the Empress summons you to the palace."

Chenxiang couldn't help but worry, "Tang Xuening just caused a scene yesterday, and today the Empress summoned you to the palace. Could it be because of this?"

Song Ruozhen calmly stood up. "What's meant to happen can't be avoided. Let's redo our makeup and go to the palace."

When Liu Ruyan and the others learned that Song Ruozhen had been summoned to the palace by the Empress, they quickly realized that this was probably a trap!

"Zhen'er, why don't I accompany you to the palace?"

Liu Ruyan was filled with worry, and she couldn't help but miss Song Lin. If the general were still here, she wouldn't be so lost and confused.

My daughter won't be bullied.

Seeing Liu Ruyan's worried expression, Song Ruozhen comforted her, "Mother, you don't need to worry about me. The Empress summoned me to the palace just to ask some questions. It's not a dangerous place. I will be able to return safely."

Song Yanzhou, who was standing to the side, also said: "It just so happens that I am going to the palace to meet the Emperor today. My legs have recovered, and I submitted a memorial to the Emperor earlier. The Emperor summoned me today."

I'll go to the palace with my fifth sister; if anything happens, I'll have someone to look after her."

Although the palace rules are strict, he wouldn't care if the Empress really made things difficult for his fifth sister and caused trouble.

Hearing this, Liu Ruyan nodded, "Alright, remember to be careful in everything you do. Her Majesty the Empress likes people who are well-mannered."

After Song Ruozhen and Song Yanzhou entered the palace together, Song Yanzhou went to the Imperial Study, while she went to the inner palace.

"Ruozhen, what are you doing here?"

As they passed through the Imperial Garden, they bumped into Chu Muyao, who looked surprised and excitedly came up to ask them what was wrong.

"Her Majesty the Empress summons me to the palace," Song Ruozhen said.

Upon hearing this, Chu Muyao immediately understood, "Isn't this a trap?"

Song Ruozhen: "..." You really are the Empress's biological daughter.

"I ran into Madam Tang when I went to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager this morning. I'm afraid Madam Tang must have said something for the Empress Dowager to summon you to the palace now."

Chu Muyao was also clever and quick-witted, and she understood the problem after a little thought.

"Oh no! My third brother was planning to find an opportunity today to explain to Mother that he refused the engagement with the Tang family, but something happened at the military camp last night and he hasn't returned yet."

"I didn't expect the Tang family to move so quickly. What should we do?"

"Ruozhen, don't worry, I'll think of something first, and I'll come to be with you in a little while!"

Chu Muyao patted Song Ruozhen's hand, indicating that she didn't need to worry.

Song Ruozhen smiled, while Chu Muyao seemed even more anxious than her. "Thank you, Sixth Princess."

"What are you thanking me for? I'm actually hoping you'll become my sister-in-law."

Chu Muyao stopped midway through her sentence, explaining that her third brother hadn't hidden his thoughts from her when she returned last night.

She knew that Song Ruozhen was very likely to become her sister-in-law, so naturally she had to help her third brother protect her.

"I'll send someone to deliver the message right away, but the military camp in the south of the city is too far away, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to get there in time."

As soon as Song Ruozhen left, Chu Muyao immediately sent someone to deliver a message and found Chu Yungui.

Chu Yungui's eyes widened upon hearing this. "The Empress Dowager is summoning Miss Song? Isn't that a death sentence?"

He knew this matter was very troublesome. If his third brother were here, it wouldn't be a problem for him to handle it personally. But since his third brother wasn't here, who knew what would happen if Miss Song met the Empress Dowager alone?

"Mother wouldn't go so far as to eat people, but didn't Third Brother say yesterday that Miss Song doesn't know his feelings yet? If she's frightened like this by Mother, wouldn't all hope be lost?"

Chu Muyao's eyes showed worry; as a woman herself, she knew all too well.

If she were in Song Ruozhen's shoes, and she hadn't even fallen for the Third Prince yet, and was pressured by her mother, she would probably stay far away from him after returning home.

The third prince is like an iron tree that has finally blossomed; his younger siblings must think of a solution.

Chu Yungui sighed helplessly. If it were an ordinary girl, she would definitely be eager to become the Princess Consort of Chu, and would not easily back down no matter what her mother said.

But then I thought about it again and realized that if Miss Song didn't have this kind of temperament, my third brother might not have liked her.

"Don't worry, I have a way!" Chu Yungui smiled.

Song Ruozhen was unaware that Chu Yungui and Chu Muyao were extremely anxious about her going to the palace to see the Empress. At this moment, she respectfully bowed.

Contrary to expectations of being difficult, the Empress directly offered her a seat.

The Empress looked at Song Ruozhen in front of her, and a look of surprise flashed in her eyes the moment she saw her.

I originally thought that the Song family's daughter was plain-looking, which is why Lin Zhiyue treated her that way. I never expected that she would be such a rare beauty today. Even among the many beauties in the palace, she is uniquely beautiful.

Her composed and confident demeanor when facing herself was truly refreshing.

"I've heard that your second brother, Song Yi'an, topped the imperial examination and is exceptionally talented. As his sister, you must have also studied poetry and literature?"