The Eldest Daughter Reborn: She Provoked the Obsessive Crown Prince and Couldn't Escape

"I...I...Your Majesty..." Cuiyun raised her plain face, flustered.

Fu Luan sneered, "When I heard the news of Asong's death, I felt something was strange. I sent people to investigate and found out that you saw him on the day he hanged himself, and you were the last person to see him!"

"But it's so strange... When I sent people to thoroughly investigate this matter, you didn't mention it at all? Your father hanged himself not long after he saw you, and you weren't even a little curious about what happened?"

If Cuiyun and Asong's relationship is as bad as Fuluan previously speculated, then so be it; after all, there are fathers who don't love their daughters and daughters who don't care about their fathers—like Fuluan and Yu Weiyan.

However, all indications suggest that Asong dotes on this daughter and even specially asked Fuluan for a contract of sale for Cuiyun, allowing Cuiyun to be freed from slavery.

However, Cuiyun never mentioned that Ah Song had met her before his death, which was very unusual!

If Asong were a father like Yu Weiyan, Fuluan would never have blamed Cuiyun for him; but although Asong became a cripple, his love for his daughter was no less than that of those who had all their limbs intact, and perhaps even more!

"I never intended for Father to die... I just told him not to show his face to the Marquis of Yongning on his wedding day, and that the Marquis and I would invite him to dinner alone afterward."

“If my father hadn’t agreed, I definitely wouldn’t have forced him! But he agreed right away. When I left, he seemed no different from usual. Who knew…” Cuiyun burst into tears again as she mentioned her father’s death.

"You're disgusted that your father is injured and has difficulty moving around, and that he'll embarrass you, is that right?" Fu Luan asked. Cui Yun hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.

Fu Luan sighed, "You usually seem quite clever, how could you be so muddle-headed about this? Your father loves you so much, of course he wants to see his daughter get married with his own eyes."

"You went to his house in person to tell him not to go. Do you expect him to have the nerve to go to his son-in-law's house for dinner? You're practically telling him to go to his death!"

“But, but… it’s not that he’ll never go, it’s just that he can go on his wedding day…” Cuiyun whispered in defense.

Fu Luan shook his head and sighed, "It's too late to say anything now... You were worried he would embarrass you, so he simply ended it all and will never embarrass you again..."

Cuiyun knew she had made a grave mistake and driven her father to his death; she wanted to cry her heart out, but remembering that this was the palace and she was in front of the Empress, she couldn't help but stop her tears, though her shoulders trembled and she continued to sob.

Fu Luan offered her a seat and then advised, "I'm not blaming you, I just want to get to the bottom of things. Ultimately, it was because I sent him out to distribute porridge that he got burned like this."

“You are his most precious daughter. Last time at Yaozhang Palace, you testified against Xu Shi and cleared my name. How could I abandon you? But…”

Cuiyun hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please speak."

Fu Luan paused for a moment, then continued, "But my relationship with my elder brother is truly innocent. Even if I had feelings for him before, that was before I became the Crown Princess..."

"How you and he live your lives, whether your relationship is good or not, I really have no say in that. He only has you as his wife, no concubines or maids, and he doesn't philander."

"My parents have both passed away, so you don't need to worry about anyone. What are you worried about? Who would harm your child?"

Cuiyun bit her lip and whispered, "Of course I believe Your Highness and the Marquis have no affair. After all, once you're married to the Emperor, who would even glance at another man? But the Marquis..."

"His entire heart is with you, isn't it? This child of mine is merely the result of his momentary whim. When he makes love to me, all he utters are Your Majesty's maiden name!"

"Ever since the Empress entered the palace, he has been finding chefs from all over the country to make the dishes that the Empress likes and sending them to the palace with great care."

Even if he doesn't have time to eat himself, the first thing he asks when he gets home is, "Have the dishes from the palace been sent yet?" Your Majesty, how can I compare to you? My child is probably just like me...

Cuiyun touched her belly; Fuluan looked at her forlorn expression, which didn't seem to be feigned.

Fu Luan frowned slightly and said, "If that's how you think, even a god couldn't save you! Let me ask you, did Fu Yuan forbid you from interfering in the affairs of the Marquis's mansion?"

“No…” Cuiyun said hesitantly.

"May I freely use the treasury of the Marquis of Yongning?"

"That... is fine."

"Xiao Liu'er and Tao Su are the maids I assigned to you. Apart from them, are the servants in the Marquis's mansion at your beck and call?"

"I heard it..."

With each question Fu Luan asked, Cui Yun's voice grew softer.

Fu Luan and Hua Luo exchanged a glance, then Fu Luan smiled and said, "Isn't this it?"

Cuiyun was puzzled, but Fuluan smiled and said, "He has given you all the rights that a mistress of a noble family should have, hasn't he?"

"You know, some men love their wives with just words, and they won't even let their wives see the household accounts! By the time the wife finds out that there's no money left in the house, it's already too late!"

"If you were seeking true love, you shouldn't have asked me to let him marry you in the first place; but if you're seeking power and wealth... hey, don't rush to refute me! In my eyes, seeking power and wealth is nothing shameful."

"In short, I can guarantee that the Fu family and the Yongning Marquis's mansion will ensure your long-term wealth and prosperity. Even if Fu Yuan divorces you one day, you still have the Fu family!"

Cuiyun still said, "But it's my child..."

Hua Luo said irritably, "Oh, my dear lady, with power and wealth, doesn't that mean you also have children? Your Majesty has made it so clear!"

Cuiyun frowned again, seemingly unwilling. She spoke softly, "If the word 'true love' is so unimportant, then Your Majesty the Empress... why did you insist on annulling your engagement with Prince Yan in the first place?"

"You! Her Majesty the Empress was trying to advise you, but you..." Hua Luo frowned, forgetting all about status and hierarchy!

Fu Luan didn't seem to care at all. Instead, she parted her lips slightly and said, "So... he's dead! Do you, Cuiyun, want your husband to suffer the same fate?"

Cuiyun fell silent, as if a cicada in winter. Even though it was already summer, she could still feel cold sweat pouring down her forehead.

“Cuiyun understands… Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty! It’s so hot in the summer, I won’t bother you any longer. I’ll take my leave…” Cuiyun curtsied and was about to leave when Fuluan laughed behind her.

“Cuiyun…when Fuyuan returns in triumph, remember to tell him that the lamb liver biscuit last time was quite good…” Fuluan said with a charming smile.

Cuiyun didn't understand, but she still agreed. It was almost half a month later when Fuyuan appeared before Fuluan.

"Did you eat that lamb liver?" Fu Yuan arrived empty-handed and questioned his sister, who had now become the empress.