The cannon fodder heiress trembled with fear after being recognized as a member of her family.

Princess Jialuo, feeling uneasy and afraid that others would see through her thoughts, quickly spoke up to defend her foolish daughter, "She clearly wanted to talk to the Han family's daughter, but she dragged you into it. Please don't take it to heart with a child like her."

The Empress Dowager's personality has changed drastically since her return, and she is somewhat unsure of what she is thinking.

Han Cuiyin is clearly not an ordinary person; her husband has already sent word that she must not make enemies.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Princess Jinghe with a half-smile, "I do indeed wish to meet this Miss Han! I've heard her mentioned the most these past few days. Today, I'd like to see for myself whether this girl is really as dark-skinned as you all say."

“Miss Han, why don’t you come forward and let the Empress Dowager take a good look at you?” Lin Jiabao said quickly. “Other girls don’t have such an honor as you! If the Empress Dowager is pleased, she might arrange a good marriage for you. It’s much better than being controlled by your stepmother in marriage.”

After he finished speaking, the people in the hall began to whisper among themselves.

"Miss Han, come here quickly. I have some connection with your mother. Come up and have a word with me," Princess Jialuo quickly interjected to defuse the situation.

If the Empress Dowager and Princess Jinghe were to start a fight right now, the only ones who would suffer would be the women present.

The court was in turmoil, and the palace was not peaceful either.

"Tch~" Princess Jinghe sneered, "If the Empress Dowager doesn't welcome us, we'll leave! Who do you think we are, a monkey show? Her father is a newly appointed Grand Secretary, and her mother is the Princess Consort of the Prince of Xiaoyao. Putting aside her father, she does have some connection with the royal family. She's not some street performer!"

Princess Jinghe stood up and prepared to leave with a few people.

"How dare you!" The Empress Dowager, humiliated in public by Princess Jinghe, threw her teacup to the ground. "Stop her!"

Princess Jinghe thought to herself, "Sister-in-law, I'm saving face for you in front of so many people, but you won't take the opportunity to back down. Don't blame me."

He took out a golden whip and said, "You lot, stay away!"

Han Cuiyin had seen this whip before; it was the same whip that Princess Changyun used when she confronted those people at the Luo residence.

Princess Jinghe showed no regard for the noblewomen and ladies in the main hall. She flicked her whip to the side, and the mahogany stool shattered into pieces.

Some of the more timid ones grabbed their daughters and hurriedly fled, completely disregarding the Empress Dowager sitting in the main seat.

Someone started it, and chaos erupted in the main hall as people rushed out the door.

The palace maids and eunuchs in Cining Palace left hastily, not even bothering to tidy up.

Before the Empress Dowager could give any orders, someone had already gone to fetch reinforcements.

Princess Jinghe ignored them and let those people come and go as they pleased.

Han Cuiyin and the others stayed by the Grand Princess's side, not following the others out. They simply took a few steps and surrounded the Grand Princess, forming a protective barrier.

The Empress Dowager, seated at the head of the table, pursed her lips, and the fine lines at the corners of her mouth gradually deepened.

Princess Jialuo and Lin Jiabao did not go out. The mother and daughter had already stood up when Princess Jinghe cracked her whip and stood guard on both sides of the Empress Dowager.

"Grand Princess, you actually dared to fight the Empress Dowager for this... Miss Han, is this not an act of insubordination?"

Lin Jiabao pointed her right finger in Han Cuiyin's direction, her disbelief genuine.

"Insubordination?" Grand Princess Jinghe sneered. "Liu Ying, what do you think?"

Being addressed by her full name made the Empress Dowager feel embarrassed, and she cursed Lin Jiabao countless times in her heart.

If you don't like this dark-faced girl, go and do it yourself! How dare you use me as a pawn!

Empress Dowager Liu glanced at Lin Jiabao, already displeased.

Having lived in the harem for decades, how could she not know what this little girl was thinking?

Even though she had been away from the palace for many years and worshipped Buddha every day, these methods of palace intrigue and domestic power struggles were ingrained in her very being.

She gave her a few smiles, but this girl dared to take advantage of her and use her against others. Just wait and see.

Princess Jialuo kept a close eye on Empress Dowager Liu out of the corner of her eye. When she saw Empress Dowager Liu's expression, she thought to herself: Oh no, this brat has made the Empress Dowager hold a grudge against her.

But she couldn't care less about that right now; what Empress Dowager Liu said next sent chills down her spine.

“Jinghe, what Lin girl said is also correct. After all, I am the emperor’s birth mother and the empress dowager, so naturally I am superior to others.”

Upon hearing Empress Dowager Liu's words, Princess Jialuo gritted her teeth, steeled her resolve, grabbed Lin Jiabao, and slapped her twice across the face, saying, "Serves you right for being so noisy!"

He then grabbed his bewildered daughter and made her kneel on the ground.

"It's all Jiabao's fault! She only wanted to show Miss Han some face in front of the Empress Dowager because she sympathized with her and had saved her life. The girl that Marquis Luo is in love with is naturally different from others. Maybe the Empress Dowager will be so happy that she will bestow a marriage upon the two of them. Wouldn't that be a win-win situation for everyone!"

Princess Jialuo reacted quickly, turning Lin Jiabao's malicious intent into good intentions with her first words.

She has remained favored by Empress Dowager Liu for so many years, not because of the life-saving grace she bestowed upon the Empress Dowager.

A life-saving favor is merely a stepping stone; even the deepest gratitude will become tiresome if it is constantly brought up.

She secured her position by virtue of her intelligence.

The lines around Empress Dowager Liu's mouth softened slightly, and she no longer looked as tense as before.

"Jinghe, after all these years you are still so impulsive, always lashing out with your whip. It's a good thing that Jingqian has found a girl he likes. No wonder you have this Miss Han by your side. Today I will bestow a marriage upon them."

In previous years, she had arranged marriages for some people.

After becoming Empress Dowager, she tasted power for the first time, although this power was limited to the inner palace.

Empress Dowager Liu arranged marriages for more than a dozen couples, but the final outcome of these marriages was not within her consideration.

Whether those people are a perfect couple or a bitter one, they have to endure it.

Princess Jialuo turned the tide with just a few words, and even the Grand Princess Jinghe couldn't help but glance at her a few times, while also taking in Empress Dowager Liu's reaction.

"Your Majesty, we are at least equals. I held power for many years and even possessed a golden whip bestowed upon me by the late Emperor."

Princess Jinghe directly challenged the hierarchy between the two, put away her golden whip, and patted her other palm a few times.

"I haven't used it for the past few years, and these young ladies have actually forgotten my methods. It was indeed my oversight. Old friend, you should come out and show your face more often in the future."

Empress Dowager Liu and Princess Jialuo stiffened, their gazes following the movement of the golden whip, feeling extremely uneasy.

Lin Jiabao also realized something was wrong at this moment, and bit her lower lip tightly without saying a word.

"As for Jingqian's marriage, you don't need to worry about it. You've finally returned from the temple, so you should calm down. If you want to go back, you can try. Back then, I didn't do anything to you because of the late emperor. If you secretly make a move again, don't blame me for not considering the late emperor's feelings."

After Princess Jinghe finished speaking, she left with a few people.

Just as Han Cuiyin was about to step out of the palace gate, she turned back and gave Lin Jiabao a raised eyebrow and a smile.