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

“If this gets out, it won’t be good for the princess’s reputation. I don’t think Her Majesty the Empress will hold a grudge,” Madam Li quickly said.

"Fool!" Lord Shen shouted sternly, "The more Her Majesty the Empress values ​​him, the more strictly she must discipline him, lest someone be as reckless as him and use such methods to become the Imperial Son-in-Law!"

"Look at yourself! Having the chance to save the princess is already a blessing you've accumulated over several lifetimes. You still dare to dream of anything else. You're overestimating yourself and utterly foolish!"

As Shen Huai'an listened to his father's reprimands, which seemed to belittle him, his face turned red, but he didn't know how to argue back.

If he hadn't seen no hope in staying in this house, he wouldn't have resorted to such a desperate measure.

He thought about it all night and was certain that the princess had definitely fallen for him. It was evident from her previous expressions and attitudes. The reason she ended up like this was probably because of Song Biyun.

If she hadn't always been so impatient, things wouldn't have been exposed.

If he could really marry the princess, he would be able to hold his head high and not be looked down upon like mud like this!

“Father, it is true that I was wrong in this matter, but I did save the princess. Have I not made any contribution to the family?” Shen Huai’an said unwillingly.

Lord Shen scoffed coldly, "Tell me, what use are you? You seem to work harder than anyone else, but your younger brother passed the exam, and what about you?"

"We've been exceptionally lenient with you because you saved the princess, but look at you now! If the royal family really blames you, you and your mother will be packing your things and getting out!"

Shen Huai'an clenched his fists, coldly staring at Lord Shen, secretly making up his mind that he must become the imperial son-in-law!

He had hoped to slowly win Chu Muyao's heart and wait for her to fall head over heels in love with him, but now it seems it's too late.

If that's the case, then the only option is to make it a fait accompli!

Once the princess becomes his woman, no matter how unwilling she is, it's useless!

……

On the day of the lantern festival.

As the weather gradually warms up, spring is in full bloom.

"Miss, it seems unusually warm today, what a beautiful day!"

Bai Zhi said with a happy expression, "I just came back from outside and everyone is saying that with such nice weather, the lantern festival tonight will definitely be extra lively."

Looking at the bright weather, Song Ruozhen felt her mood improve.

"It's indeed a nice day. The weather is getting warmer, and I see that the barbecue stalls are doing so well. It's time to brew some wine!"

"Miss, you can brew wine too?" Bai Zhi stared wide-eyed in surprise, as if there was nothing her young lady couldn't do.

Song Ruozhen nodded slightly, "Of course! Eating barbecue while drinking and chatting is one of life's greatest pleasures!"

As soon as Song Jingshen entered the courtyard, he heard his fifth sister's words and his eyes lit up immediately. "Fifth sister, what kind of wine are you talking about brewing?"

"beer!"

Song Ruozhen smiled slightly, "This wine is not easy to get drunk on, but it tastes very good. Even young ladies can drink a little bit of it."

"Beer?" Song Ruozhen asked doubtfully, upon hearing this unfamiliar word, "Is it like fruit wine?"

"They are not the same. I plan to brew a little bit first, and then everyone can try it before putting it in the shop."

If sales are good, we'll open another winery; if sales aren't good, that's fine too.

Song Ruozhen was very confident in beer. In her time, every household would buy it. However, the environment in ancient times was different from that in modern times, and she couldn't be sure if it would be popular.

"Sure!" Song Jingshen's eyes lit up. He no longer doubted his fifth sister's abilities.

He would agree to any idea that came to him without hesitation.

"Our family owns several wineries now. We can let them try it out first, or we can just find a suitable shop and open for business!"

Song Jingshen waved his hand, saying that even if his fifth sister's shop was not doing well, it was no big deal.

Song Ruozhen nodded. Staying in the mansion all day was boring, but she found doing some business quite interesting.

"Fourth brother, did you come to see me today for something?" Song Ruozhen asked curiously.

Song Jingshen was slightly taken aback, then remembered the purpose of his visit and said, "Just now, someone from the Chu Prince's residence came to deliver a message, saying that the Chu Prince invited you to go to the lantern festival together tonight, and even specially sent you a piece of clothing."

I happened to see it, so I brought it over. Take a look.

As he spoke, Song Jingshen took the item from the servant beside him and handed it over.

When Song Ruozhen opened it, she saw a very exquisite smoky pink dress with some purple embellishments, like a delicate purple flower blooming in spring.

Dots of silver embroidery run along the hem of the skirt, adding a touch of dreamlike delicacy.

“This material must be for tribute. I’ve seen it once before, but I couldn’t buy it.”

Song Jingshen recognized it at a glance. Back then, Ke Yuanzhi had also taken a liking to this material and kept pestering him to want it, but such tribute items were rare.

Even within the royal family, aside from the Empress and a few imperial concubines, ordinary concubines probably wouldn't have the chance, let alone those outside the palace.

"It seems this must have been specially prepared for you by the King of Chu, and perhaps the fabric was even chosen from the Empress's collection," Song Jingshen joked.

Song Ruozhen was slightly taken aback. She had also heard of this material; it was incredibly soft to the touch and extremely rare. The embroidery on it was even more exquisite, and she fell in love with it at first sight.

Seeing the smile spreading across the woman's face, Song Jingshen suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

He really couldn't bear to see his fifth sister get married.

Even though they were both in the capital, things wouldn't be like this after she got married. She could see him as soon as she came home, and he was worried that she would be mistreated after becoming a princess.

Although... the King of Chu probably wouldn't want her to suffer any injustice.

"Fourth brother, last time you said that Mu Yao planned to handle the matter between Shen Huai'an and Song Biyun herself, but it seems that there has been no movement yet?" Song Ruozhen asked curiously.

Song Jingshen nodded, "I don't know what the princess is planning, but... I have a feeling that the show is about to start."

As darkness fell, Chu Junting made a special trip to the Song residence, accompanied by Chu Muyao.

The Song siblings also planned to go and see the excitement. They had been staying at home all winter and wanted to go out for a stroll.

When Song Ruozhen saw Chu Junting, she saw that the man was wearing a deep blue robe, and he was extremely beautiful, with a graceful and noble demeanor.

He stood there quietly, bathed in the soft moonlight. His brows were prominent, his features handsome, and he was like a rare and beautiful sight in the world.

His eyes, as deep as the sea, remained calm and still until they gradually came into focus the moment he saw Song Ruozhen appear.

His lips curled slightly, and a smile appeared on his noble and aloof face, dispelling his original coldness and adding a touch of gentleness.

You look beautiful tonight.