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

The atmosphere inside the carriage shifted from tense to peaceful.

The sound of mule hooves outside grew closer and closer.

Han Cuiyin lifted the carriage curtain. "Xiao Hei, come here."

When she wasn't riding the mule, the mule always followed Qingshan.

Han Cuiyin waved her hand, and the mule stopped walking slowly and ran a few steps to catch up.

"Eat up!" Han Cuiyin fed the mule a handful of tender green grass, and then reached out her hand, causing the green butterfly on the mule's head to fly to her fingertips.

Princess Changyun was not surprised by what she saw; on the contrary, she believed that she could really do it.

“I’m not worried about Luo Yuan. I’m just afraid that the Luo family will bother your maternal grandmother and your two younger sisters. Luo Yuan is unconscious and the Luo family will take care of him. But if they try to use filial piety to deceive your two younger sisters, I don’t know what will happen.”

Luo Tianyun and Luo Tianxia are already grown up and will be of marriageable age in two or three years.

If Little Li and her wicked aunt were to have any wicked intentions, her two daughters would be in trouble.

The Li family has produced some capable officials over the years, but the next generation has produced very few accomplished individuals. Otherwise, even if Li Meilan was disliked by her stepmother, the Li family would not have allowed her to seduce wealthy young men and embarrass herself.

Luo Jingqian only knew some of the tricks of the household, and did not expect that there were so many twists and turns involved. "My eldest sister and second sister are with Uncle. They shouldn't be going to the Luo family, right?"

His two younger sisters are twins. The older sister is lively and the younger sister is calm. The two of them discuss things together. If someone really schemes against them, they may not be the ones who suffer.

“Your eldest sister stole the show at the palace banquet. I’m sure many ladies are hosting flower banquets now. I wonder what your aunt will think.” Princess Changyun regretted it a little. “I should have brought them along to avoid them being plotted against.”

Her mother rarely appears in public anymore. If it weren't for the Mid-Autumn Festival, her mother would probably be at the Cold Pond with her father.

Unbeknownst to them, the ladies in the capital were too preoccupied with the upcoming selection process to hold any flower-viewing banquets.

The Qi family mansion in the capital.

"Mother, Miss Wang invited me to the jewelry store to pick out some jewelry. Should I go or not?"

Qi Yuejiao held a note, somewhat undecided.

"Which Miss Wang?" Madam Qi asked, looking at last month's account books, the abacus making a crisp clinking sound under her hands.

"She's a cousin from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion," Qi Yuejiao said casually. "She's the daughter of the Empress's half-sister. I've met her a few times."

"A cousin from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion? I've only met her a few times. Are you two acquainted?" Madam Qi stopped what she was doing, put down the account book, and came to her daughter's side. "Your handwriting is quite good."

She picked up the invitation, her brows furrowing slightly. "Jiaojiao, our family doesn't have those concubines and mistresses. You don't know much about the power struggles within the inner quarters. What I told you the other day were all about your maternal grandfather's household. The inner quarters of an official's family are much more complicated than those of a merchant's family."

Qi Yue pouted, "It's just an invitation, Mother, why are you scolding me so much!"

The Qi family certainly didn't have any troublesome concubines or illegitimate children. She wasn't stupid; after what happened at the imperial estate, she wouldn't be easily outmaneuvered.

"You're getting impatient again. Let me have a good talk with you." Madam Qi sighed helplessly. What could she do? This child was hers to bear, no matter how stupid she was.

He's such a grown man, yet he hasn't learned the shrewdness of that couple, and instead just spends his days laughing like an idiot.

What will happen if I go to the Fourth Prince's place?

"The Fourth Prince is of noble status; it's impossible for you to be the only one in his harem. That Miss Wang is clearly after the Fourth Prince! You're so naive."

Madam Qi said irritably.

My cousin lives under someone else's roof; there's nothing she wouldn't do for a better future.

In the past, she attended banquets in various mansions and heard all sorts of strange things.

When these women from the inner quarters of their homes got together, they not only helped their husbands build connections, but also gained a clear understanding of the inner quarters of each household.

Why do those wives guard against their cousins ​​seducing their sons? It's because they couldn't make it in their original families. Living under someone else's roof is nothing compared to being in charge.

Those people will stop at nothing to climb the ladder.

Madam Qi no longer held back and spoke about what happened inside without any reservations.

My daughter will be marrying into that cannibalistic place as early as next year, so there's no need to hide some things from her, lest they offend her ears.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yuejiao suddenly realized, "I don't care that this Miss Wang keeps asking about things openly and secretly, it turns out she has taken a liking to the Fourth Prince. I don't object, but I'm afraid Her Majesty the Empress will not be happy."

At the palace banquet that day, a lady of the Marquis wanted to give her daughter to the Fourth Prince as a concubine, but the Empress did not approve of it.

That Miss Wang is nothing more than the daughter of a merchant, yet she dares to covet the Fourth Prince.

"Mother, I need to inform the Fourth Prince to prevent him from falling into Miss Wang's trap." Qi Yuejiao remembered this matter and lifted her skirt to go to the study to write a letter.

"Come back! How can you secretly exchange gifts and leave yourself a target for gossip? Just send someone to tell them." Madam Qi pulled her back. "The selection of officials is coming up in a few days, and there are many shops in the capital these days. Don't go out these days, lest you fall into someone's trap."

Qi Yuejiao had no choice but to agree.

It seems I'll have to decline that invitation from Ms. Liu Min.

"The Fourth Prince is so handsome, attracting all sorts of women. I'll inevitably have to deal with these things for him in the future. Mother, you still need to teach me how to manage that huge group of concubines?"

Madam Qi was taken aback upon hearing this. "Jiaojiao, you haven't even married into the family yet, and you're already thinking about having a husband with many wives and concubines? Tell me, are you still thinking about the First Prince? Let me tell you, you'd better give up on that idea as soon as possible. The First Prince is a bit wicked; don't mess with him."

Qi Yuejiao looked displeased. "Mother, is your daughter really that foolish? The First Prince isn't my savior, why would I care about him! Besides, the First Prince isn't as gentle and refined as he seems; he's ruthless!"

"It's good that you know! People are already looking for the old nannies and maids around the Crown Prince's wife. I wonder what's going on here. You should stay out of Princess Wenmin's business."

On the day of the palace banquet, Madam Qi felt a pang of heartache seeing Princess Wenmin's dependence on her daughter.

This princess was raised by the Empress, and there must be more to it than meets the eye.

"I know! They just felt sorry for the little princess. By the way, did you reply to this Miss Liu Min's post? I wonder what she's up to now." Qi Yuejiao read through the posts but lost interest.

The same treatment was given to Luo Tianyun and Luo Tianxia, ​​the sisters.

"Sister Ruqin, please help us refuse Miss Liu! That girl is too cunning; we don't know what she's up to this time."

Princess Consort of Changping entered from outside, saying, "You should keep your distance from Liu Min to avoid getting involved. She's destined for greatness."

Liu Min, whom everyone was talking about, looked really bad at the moment. "She rejected them all?"