The eldest daughter's scheming, the crown prince's exclusive favor to the venomous concubi

Shangguan Ting's tone carried a faint sense of melancholy and weariness, but even more so, heartache. He couldn't imagine that a child who had been imprisoned in a cellar for ten years would begin planning for his and his mother's freedom when he was only ten years old.

He couldn't even imagine how a ten-year-old girl could survive in this chaotic era and manage so many things.

He felt that it was his own incompetence that had put his daughter in danger and left him powerless to help.

Sensing the emotion in his words, Jian Yue shook her head and smiled, "It's alright, it's all over. I also thought I wouldn't be able to hold on, but I did. So, Grandpa, you have to believe that your granddaughter is no pushover."

Her tone contained no resentment, but Shangguan Ting felt uneasy. He smacked his lips and said, "From now on, Grandfather will support you."

Jian Yue nodded, and the two stopped talking about these things and instead discussed some unimportant matters.

Then, Shangguan Ting sensed Bai Jianan's resentment. He turned his head and met Bai Jianan's gaze, and his eyebrows shot up.

"Yueyue, what do you think of your husband?"

Jian Yue was taken aback and looked at Bai Jianan. She saw Bai Jianan dragging his head, seemingly annoyed about something. She couldn't figure out what it was, so she just smiled and said, "It's barely satisfactory."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Ting nodded and said, "That's true. Someone like that is indeed a bit unsuitable for my granddaughter. In that case, I'll swallow my pride and ask the Emperor to cancel the marriage. We can then choose someone else."

Upon hearing this, Jian Yue almost spat out the tea she had just put in her mouth. She looked up at Shangguan Ting with a puzzled expression, only to see Shangguan Ting say without changing his expression, "This kid keeps staring at me as if I am the villain who stole his wife."

"I just feel uneasy if this young man marries my granddaughter so easily. No, I can't let him have it so easily."

After saying that, Shangguan Ting's face suddenly blossomed into a chrysanthemum-like smile, which made Jian Yue's hair stand on end. Shangguan Hanque quickly leaned over and whispered, "He can't bear to part with you. He resents the young master for betrothing you to him too early, so he wants to take revenge."

After saying that, Shangguan Hanque immediately sat up straight, his eyes fixed straight ahead, as if he had never tattled on Jian Yue.

Jian Yue blinked, then suddenly pursed her lips to suppress a laugh, the warm current in her heart growing wider and wider.

The welcoming banquet ended in this strange atmosphere. The Emperor and Empress had just left when the Qiu family members left first, in a great hurry, without saying goodbye to anyone.

The remaining members of the Crown Prince's faction didn't dare to stay any longer. They all congratulated Bai Jianan and left, while Murong Chuan remained seated without moving.

Murong Yu stood up with a smile, about to say something, when he saw Bai Jianan get up and scurry towards Jian Yue, completely ignoring him. He couldn't help but laugh, and then looked at Murong Chuan.

Murong Chuan looked up and met his gaze. He paused slightly before putting down his wine glass and standing up. He had drunk quite a bit today, and his face was flushed and his head was a little dizzy. He swayed slightly as he stood up.

Then, he walked over to Jian Yue's side.

Before Jian Yue and Bai Jianan could say anything, Murong Chuan walked over. She frowned slightly and stepped back behind Shangguan Ting, lowering her head and becoming meek.

Bai Jianan turned around, squinted, and smiled, "What's wrong with the Crown Prince? Is he drunk?"

Murong Chuan stepped forward, his eyes looking past him at Jian Yue. After a long while, he looked at Bai Jianan and said, "He's drunk. This wine is a bit intoxicating today."

Bai Jianan smiled and said with a hint of amusement, "Is it the wine that intoxicates or the person who intoxicates? Your Highness, sometimes you can say whatever you want, but you can't let your heart wander."

Murong Chuan paused, his gaze suddenly turning sharp, and Bai Jianan's gaze also became dangerous. The two stared at each other, as if they were about to go to war.

Murong Yu then came over, chuckling as she stepped between the two, and said with a smile, "Oh dear, it's really rare to see the Crown Prince drunk. The wine must be just too delicious."

Murong Chuan looked at Murong Yu, and after a long while, nodded and said, "Yes, after all, it is my cousin's welcoming banquet, so the wine is naturally delicious. Your Highness, I congratulate you."

Bai Jianan smiled and said, "Then I will accept Your Highness's kind words. The wine today is indeed delicious, but it may not be as delicious as my wedding wine. When the time comes, I will definitely drink with Your Highness until we are both drunk."

Murong Chuan had already controlled his emotions and smiled, saying, "Of course, but when the time comes, cousin, don't be reluctant to part with your good wine."

"Of course not, I will definitely bring all the finest wines from the Marquis of Qingyan's mansion."

"Alright, I have other matters to attend to today, so I'll be leaving now. Please make yourselves at home."

After Murong finished speaking, he turned and left, giving Jian Yue a subtle look before he left.

Bai Jianan's eyes were filled with murderous intent. After Murong Chuan left, he glanced at Murong Yu and sneered, "It's time for the situation in the capital to change."

Murong Yu was taken aback, then exclaimed with delight, "Cousin thinks so too?"

Bai Jianan nodded, patted Murong Yu on the shoulder and sighed, "Of course, but cousin, you'll have to work hard in the future. It's like a landlubber trying to swim; you'll have to endure a lot of hardships."

Bai Jianan's words gave Murong Yu an unexpected reply. He immediately laughed and said, "Haha, cousin, don't worry, I will certainly not fall behind. Just watch and see. In that case, I won't bother you any longer. When you have time in the future, you must come to my residence as a guest so that I can do my best to be a good host."

After saying that, he saw Bai Jianan nod and then turned to leave. Everyone else had left, leaving only the Shangguan family members. Only then did Bai Jianan put away his casual expression and bow to Shangguan Ting.

"Your son-in-law greets Grandfather."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Ting rolled his eyes upwards, not even glancing at Bai Jianan, and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Highness is too polite. How can this old minister accept such a courtesy?"

Bai Jianan paused, tears welling up in his eyes, and quickly said through gritted teeth, "I can take it, I can take it. The old general is Yueyue's maternal grandfather, so naturally he is my maternal grandfather. How can I not take it?"

Shangguan Ting remained silent, so Bai Jianan could only put on a bitter face, step forward, and lower his voice to say, "Grandfather, my mother told me before I came that I must invite you to the mansion today, because she said that this matter is related to my mother-in-law's disappearance fifteen years ago."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Ting immediately turned to look at Bai Jianan, his gaze sharp and stern, while Jian Yue also frowned and looked at Bai Jianan.

Seeing this, Bai Jianan continued, "This matter is somewhat strange. This is not the place to discuss it. Please go to the Princess's residence."

The secret chamber of the Qiu residence.

In the candlelight, two figures could be seen in the darkness.

"Qiu Zhenzhou, you're saying she really is your daughter?"

"Yes, Your Highness, this old minister is not lying. She is indeed my daughter. Today she must be trying to break free from my control, but she is afraid that something will happen to her mother, so she said this."

If it weren't for this, Lingrong wouldn't have died, and he wouldn't have been demoted and punished.

As Qiu Zhenzhou spoke, he gritted his teeth, all the hatred in his heart gathering on his face. Murong Chuan looked at him coldly, naturally thinking about why he was like this, and couldn't help but sneer: "You raised such a good daughter, how can you blame others? You brought this on yourself because of the lack of strict family discipline."

Qiu Zhenzhou trembled and lowered his head. Murong Chuan stood up and said coldly, "Let's leave it at that. Shangguan Linglong has disappeared. Have you found out who did it?"

Qiu Zhenzhou shook his head, his face filled with worry: "There wasn't a single person alive in the cellar. Their necks were all cut off. With such skill, I can't think of anyone other than someone from the martial arts world."

With Shangguan Linglong gone, it means he no longer has any leverage to control Jian Yue. If Jian Yue finds out about this, will he still be able to remain calm?

Qiu Zhenzhou was worried, but Murong Chuan said, "Shangguan Jianyue's matter ends here. I will handle the rest myself. Tell your wife not to try any tricks on me, otherwise, I have no mood to clean up the mess left by the Qiu family."

Qiu Zhenzhou nodded quickly, then said, "Your Highness, Lingfeng was frightened today, I don't know..."

Murong Chuan sneered, "What? Do I need to personally go and greet her? What kind of person do you take her for?"

Qiu Zhenzhou was taken aback, and then Murong Chuan continued, "The Qiu family has already been blacklisted by the Emperor today. Do you think the Emperor will agree to me making her a concubine? That's wishful thinking."

You should think carefully about how to regain face in front of the Emperor, get yourself promoted as soon as possible, and clear your name. Only then will you, as his daughter, have the qualifications to become my concubine.

A concubine? Shouldn't she be the principal wife?

Qiu Zhenzhou was still somewhat bewildered, and Murong Chuan was too lazy to continue talking to him, so he simply got up and said, "Continue to investigate Shangguan Linglong's whereabouts, do it secretly, and don't expose your identity."

Lord Qiu, don't even think about climbing up to someone else to seek a chance to turn your life around. Just what your foolish daughter did today while sitting in the Golden Palace has already brought your eldest daughter's dream of becoming a phoenix to a perfect end.

Therefore, if you want to turn things around, you still have to rely on me. So, work hard for me and strive to have your official position restored. Perhaps I can still keep this position as a concubine for you, Feng'er. Otherwise, you'll just be a maidservant.

After saying that, Murong Chuan turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving only Qiu Zhenzhou's ferocious face in the candlelight.

"Chu Tianyi, what exactly do you want to do?"

Bai Jianan was somewhat exasperated, his eyes filled with intense killing intent.

Whether it was a coincidence or intentional, as soon as he, Shangguan Tingjian, and Yueyue left the palace gate, they saw Chu Tian standing at the gate with a sword in his hand, looking as cold as ice. The guards at the palace gate kept their distance.