Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

Lingyan noticed this and deliberately asked with suspicion, "Who is this young lady? Is she a palace maid? But how can she be so rude? She doesn't even know how to kneel and bow to the Prince and Princess? It seems that the palace maids in the Empress Dowager's palace haven't learned the rules very well!"

Of course she knew who she was: Zhou Xian, the Empress Dowager's niece.

She knew she was destined to marry Prince Rui, so how could she not investigate everything about him beforehand?

She knew, of course, that this Miss Zhou liked Xiao Muyao, but unfortunately, Xiao Muyao had always ignored her.

She has the appearance of a pure and innocent woman, and her behavior is also that of a pure and innocent woman with a green tea personality.

No wonder she was so hostile towards her.

So she said it on purpose, and what can we do about it?

As expected, Miss Zhou was so angry that her chest heaved violently, and her face was filled with shame and indignation. She almost cursed loudly.

She, a noblewoman from a prominent family, was actually described as a lowly palace maid.

Her eyes were fixed on her fiercely.

It was as if he wanted to stare a hole through her.

Lingyan remained unconcerned and continued to smile, "How dare a palace maid stare at the Princess with such eyes? It seems she should be taught a lesson."

In her panic, Miss Zhou immediately lowered her head.

The Empress Dowager smoothed things over, saying, "You don't go out often, so you probably haven't seen Xian'er before. She's my niece from my maternal family, not some palace maid."

Lingyan feigned sudden realization and said, "So it's Miss Zhou. But does that mean Miss Zhou can be disrespectful to the Prince and Princess, and stare at the Princess with such malicious eyes? Is this the etiquette Miss Zhou has learned from noble families?"

Zhou Xian looked at the Empress Dowager with a stiff expression and unease.

The Empress Dowager had not expected her to be so unforgiving and so sharp-tongued.

It's just that Xian'er made it too obvious, and she was called out to her face.

Given her status, it would be unreasonable not to give an explanation for this matter.

So the Empress Dowager sternly instructed, "Xian'er, apologize to Princess Rui."

Zhou Xian was naturally unwilling; how could she possibly bow down to her?

Xiao Muyao's expression also turned cold, and he said in an extremely icy tone, "What, Miss Zhou feels wronged? It's fine if you don't apologize, but Miss Zhou should think carefully about the consequences and whether you can stay in the capital in the future."

Zhou Xian looked up at him in disbelief, her face full of sadness and resentment.

He was so heartless towards her.

He actually threatened her like that because of that woman.

Her face turned ashen, and she could only grit her teeth and lower her head, saying reluctantly, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I was wrong. Please forgive me."

She thought that she had already compromised and humbled herself, and that should be enough.

Unexpectedly, Lingyan spoke up with dissatisfaction: "Miss Zhou, did you not eat? How come I didn't hear that? And an apology should be more sincere. You should at least kneel down to apologize, otherwise how can you show sincerity!"

Zhou Xian couldn't help but glare angrily and say, "Don't go too far!"

Ling Yan still smiled radiantly. Upon hearing this, she stood up and said to Xiao Muyao, "Your Highness, I am a little tired. Let's go back to the manor and let Miss Zhou taste the consequences of her own actions."

Zhou Xian was shocked and immediately ran to Ling Yan and knelt down, saying urgently, "Princess Rui, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have offended you. Please forgive me."

Ling Yan was finally satisfied and sat down again.

Zhou Xian still didn't dare to get up.

She did not stand up until the Empress Dowager spoke.

Then he stood behind the Empress Dowager, lowered his head, and remained silent.

Even though she hated him to death in her heart, she no longer dared to show it openly.

The Empress Dowager was also filled with hatred, gritting her teeth. What was she doing?

Did they turn the tables on her?

But let's see how she'll be able to laugh next.

So she said with concern, "Seeing how weak you are, my dear granddaughter-in-law, you must be unable to have children. So today I will arrange for my niece Xian'er to be a concubine of Prince Rui. This will help ease the burden on you as the princess and allow Prince Rui to have children as soon as possible."

Lingyan had already guessed it the moment she saw Zhou Xian upon entering Shou Kang Palace.

Besides, she knew Xiao Muyao wouldn't agree.

Because she knew that he had never gotten close to any woman all these years.

It wasn't because he was already engaged, but because as a chosen one of heaven, he looked down on ordinary women.

How could he possibly be interested in something like that?

So after hearing this, she still had no expression on her face, remaining calm and composed.

The Empress Dowager, oblivious to her change in expression, continued, "Is your daughter-in-law dissatisfied? Why don't you answer?"

Ling Yan said calmly, "Because it has nothing to do with me. It's the prince who's marrying the concubine, not me. Of course, it's up to the prince to decide. As long as the prince agrees, I have no objection."

Xiao Muyao immediately refused, saying, "Grandmother, there's no need for you to worry. From the day I decided to marry Yan'er, I never thought of taking a concubine or maid. I only want Yan'er in this life."

The Empress Dowager's face darkened as she rebuked him, "Nonsense! You are a prince, how can a prince marry only one woman? Besides, she is so weak, what if you are left childless because of this!"

Xiao Muyao didn't care at all. Although his tone was calm, it revealed an unyielding determination: "Grandson said that he only wants Yan'er. It doesn't matter if she has no children. She can be adopted."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was so angry that her vision blurred and her body trembled slightly.

Zhou Xian was also shaken to her core, her face turning pale and then flushed.

She was stunned and heartbroken.

I am heartbroken, desperate, and extremely sad.

I never imagined that Prince Rui would go to such lengths for her.

They can downplay and completely disregard even important matters like continuing the family line.

What is there that I wouldn't do for her?

Lingyan was completely taken aback by his actions.

As an ancient man, and a prince at that, he actually went to such lengths for her.

Although she still wouldn't fall in love with him or anyone else, she wouldn't abandon him as long as he didn't betray her.

Lingyan felt that the Empress Dowager had become arrogant over the years.

After all, she was the previous champion of palace intrigue; how could she possibly be so stupid?

She must have been very capable and intelligent before, but after becoming Empress Dowager, she gradually no longer needed to fight and could just relax and enjoy her retirement, which is why her mind is so unclear now.

How lamentable!

After Xiao Muyao finished speaking, he helped Lingyan up, took his leave, and left, completely ignoring the situation of the two people behind him.

After leaving the palace, they got into the carriage.

Fearing she might overthink things, Xiao Muyao immediately took the initiative to explain: "My grandmother has done a lot to win me over the years. In recent years, she has tried every means to marry her niece to me, but I refused them all, thinking she would give up. I didn't expect her to bring it up again today."

This is understandable, after all, he is the one everyone recognizes as the next emperor.

The Empress Dowager's family had long since declined, so naturally they could only try every means to establish a relationship with the future emperor, and that meant marrying off their daughter.

Now that she's in their way and has become their public enemy, they naturally hate her to the core.

So even if she smiles and tries to please the Empress Dowager and Miss Zhou today, they won't like her because of it, nor will they stop targeting her.

Therefore, she acted according to her own whims, doing whatever she pleased with them.

Fearing she might misunderstand, he quickly explained, "But don't worry, over the years, whether it's that Miss Zhou or any other woman, I haven't had any romantic feelings for any other woman except you."

Ling Yan smiled and said, "Of course I believe you."

After all, that's been true all these years. He's a career-driven person, only focused on his career, and has no interest in romance or family matters.

The reason she fell in love with her at first was definitely because she was attracted by her beauty, something she was well aware of, as she already knew how lethal her appearance was.

Later, I was attracted by her unique personality, actions, and ideas.

Otherwise, if it were someone else who lost their virginity before marriage, he probably would have killed them long ago.

But she was unlike any other woman he had ever met; she was unique.

That's why he couldn't bear to kill her.

In truth, she knew in her heart that she was not that special; it was just that she was not a person of this era.

That's why both he and He Jingchuan were attracted to her and fell in love with her.

It's not that there aren't any intelligent noblewomen in the capital; on the contrary, there are many intelligent ones.

How could a noblewoman from a prominent family, who has been carefully nurtured since childhood, not be smarter than her?

No matter how clever they are, they are women of this era after all, and their ideas are ultimately different from hers. Presumably, both He Jingchuan and Xiao Muyao would find it all the same and no longer be able to stir up any waves.

That's why he fell in love with her when he saw her suddenly appear, so different from all the other women.

Xiao Muyao was also thinking that they would probably target her even more in the future.

Therefore, he must protect her.

He can't touch the Empress Dowager now, but can't he touch the Zhou family?

A cold glint suddenly flashed in his eyes.