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

Song Ruozhen then learned that the Empress Dowager had also experienced a broken engagement back then. Could it be said that they were... fellow sufferers in the same boat?

Who would have thought that the Empress Dowager would appreciate him in this way?

As for the criticism that she gave money to the Lin family before marriage, the original author designed the original owner to be a foolish and rich sucker. What could she do?

She had already spent the money when she transmigrated. If she hadn't transmigrated, all of the Song family's money would have ended up in Lin Zhiyue's pocket.

"It's too early to talk about these things now. I ask you, have you consulted the King of Chu?" the Empress Dowager asked.

"Not yet."

The Empress had mixed feelings. The Empress Dowager rarely interfered in the affairs of the inner palace, but since she had come here today, it meant that she intended to protect Song Ruozhen.

"Since we haven't even asked his opinion yet, why call the girl into the palace so early? Aren't we afraid of scaring her away?"

Given the King of Chu's temperament, if he can't find a girl he likes, no amount of pressure will make him marry.

The Empress Dowager's words struck the Empress like a thunderbolt. She understood why the Empress Dowager favored the Prince of Chu among all the princes.

Because the King of Chu's personality most resembled that of the late emperor.

Not only in terms of talent and ability, but even his personality is very similar to that of the late emperor. Back then, the late emperor never married because he could not marry the empress dowager he desired.

As for the emperor, he had to select several concubines due to his status, but everyone knew that in the late emperor's heart, the empress dowager's status was the most important.

Whether they were the Imperial Noble Consort or the Four Consorts, they all had to be respectful and dared not act presumptuously in front of the Empress Dowager.

She didn't want Jun Ting to be like the late emperor; as a member of the royal family, it was also important for him to have many descendants.

"Mother, there may be some misunderstanding here."

The Empress smiled, showing no displeasure whatsoever. "I have already inquired. The relationship between the Prince of Chu and Miss Song is not one of romantic love. It is simply that this young lady is skilled in metaphysics."

You know that the King of Chu is currently at an age where he is interested in these things, which is why he got a little closer to him, but unexpectedly this caused some misunderstandings.”

Seeing this, Chu Muyao couldn't help but speak up, "Mother, you must be mistaken, right? I saw that my third brother..."

"What do you know, you little girl?" The Empress glanced coldly at Chu Muyao and ordered her to shut up.

Chu Muyao knew that her mother was already angry because they had invited the Empress Dowager, so she didn't dare to say anything more.

"I just asked Miss Song, and she said there was no romantic relationship between her and the Prince of Chu. Would she lie to me?"

The Empress's gaze swept over Song Ruozhen, the meaning of which was all too clear.

Song Ruozhen cupped her hands in greeting, "Your Majesty is right. This humble woman and the Prince are merely acquaintances."

She really couldn't be bothered with these royal affairs.

The Empress looked at her as if she were a thief, as if she had done something terribly wrong, even though she hadn't done anything wrong. Naturally, she couldn't help but feel unhappy.

When the Empress Dowager saw that Song Ruozhen spoke without hesitation, a smile flashed in her eyes.

It seems the King of Chu was right; it's just unrequited love on his part, and the girl doesn't reciprocate those feelings.

It's unbelievable that this kid, who's always been fearless and has never encountered anything that could stump him, has been defeated by a girl.

Seeing Song Ruozhen so frankly express her attitude, seemingly eager to sever ties, the Empress felt a strange mix of emotions.

Everyone else is eager to establish a relationship with the King of Chu, but this girl is truly different in every way.

"Mother, you heard it. It's all just a misunderstanding," the Empress said.

“This is not a misunderstanding.”

Suddenly, a deep and pleasant voice came from outside, and then Chu Junting appeared in front of everyone.

The man was still wearing the same brocade robe he wore the night before, with a few beads of sweat on his forehead. He looked travel-worn, clearly having rushed back on horseback.

His handsome face showed signs of fatigue, and the dark circles under his eyes suggested that he hadn't slept all night, but his eyes were exceptionally bright.

When the Empress saw Chu Junting, a look of surprise flashed in her eyes. "Junting, what did you say?"

"Mother, I say this is not a misunderstanding."

Chu Junting spoke earnestly, "Your subject admires Miss Song."

Upon hearing this, there seemed to be a moment of silence in the hall, and all eyes fell on Chu Junting.

Song Ruozhen was slightly taken aback. She subconsciously turned her gaze to the man beside her. He seemed to have noticed her and was looking at her at the same time. His deep eyes revealed guilt, but even more so, an undisguised passion.

"I'm sorry, I originally wanted to confess my feelings to you after I had finished dealing with everything," Chu Junting said.

The man stared intently at her, and Song Ruozhen froze on the spot, a multitude of thoughts rushing through her mind in an instant.

She had considered the possibility that Chu Junting might like her, and this romantic thought had quietly sprouted during their outing last night. However, everything that happened afterward made her dismiss the idea.

Unexpectedly... he would say such things in front of the Empress Dowager and the Empress today.

are you crazy?

The Empress looked at Chu Junting in disbelief. "Junting, do you know what you're saying?"

"Your Majesty, I understand perfectly," Chu Junting said respectfully.

The next instant, the Empress turned her gaze to Song Ruozhen, "So, what you said before was all a lie to me?"

Before Song Ruozhen could speak, Chu Junting replied first: "What she said is true. It is my unrequited love. If it weren't for the Empress Dowager summoning her to the palace today, I would not have expressed my feelings."

Upon hearing this, the Empress became even more furious.

She thought this girl was trying to get close to Jun Ting, and even deliberately using tricks to make people misunderstand their relationship. But Jun Ting said that he was in love with her but had no feelings for her.

The mighty King of Chu is in unrequited love!

"Mother, I hope you will give me some time to explain everything. Please let Miss Song go back first," Chu Junting said, cupping his hands in greeting.

The Empress's face was ashen, and as she looked at Song Ruozhen beside her, she felt a surge of anger rising within her.

"Your Majesty, let the Prince of Chu speak for himself."

The Empress Dowager lazily raised her hand, her gaze falling on Song Ruozhen. "Girl, you will accompany me back to Cining Palace."

"Yes, Queen Mother."

Song Ruozhen quickly responded, and seeing the King of Chu nod slightly to her, she felt relieved and left with the Empress Dowager.

As soon as the Empress Dowager and the others left, the Empress couldn't help but say with a stern face, "Jun Ting, what on earth are you doing?"

You know about Song Ruozhen's previous annulment of the engagement, right? What is your status, and what is hers?

She was practically begging to get close to you, and you still wouldn't even look at her. Now you're actually having a one-sided crush on her. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at to death if word gets out?

However, Chu Junting did not find anything wrong with these words at all.

"Mother, Ruozhen is an excellent girl. You misunderstand her because you don't know her well enough."

As for the annulment of the engagement, it wasn't her fault. Her courage to publicly annul the engagement was precisely what I initially admired about her.