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

Before Jian Yue could even feel shy, a maidservant hurriedly walked over from outside, whispered a few words in Yue Leyun's ear, and Yue Leyun's expression changed drastically as she stood up.

"What did you say? It's absolutely true?"

"It has been verified. Now that the concubines are all gathered there, they probably can't escape it either."

The maid who came looked worried. Jian Yue blinked curiously. Yue Leyun frowned and pondered for a moment before smiling apologetically at Jian Yue and saying, "I'm really sorry, something happened in the backyard today, and I have to go there. Please sit down for a while."

Jian Yue nodded obediently and comforted Yue Leyun, saying, "Then you go first, little sister. I can take a look by myself. But don't worry, otherwise you'll get sick if you're in a bad mood."

Yue Leyun nodded reluctantly, then quickly followed the maid toward the backyard. Some noble ladies around her were puzzled by this and wanted to ask, but seeing Yue Leyun's hurried expression and displeased eyes, they all kept quiet. Who would dare to offend the daughter of the Prime Minister's family? She was someone who could be chosen as the Empress.

Watching Yue Leyun leave, Jian Yue turned her gaze to Murong Chuan, only to see him chuckling as he looked at her, his smile carrying a profound meaning.

Bai Jianan looked at Jian Yue and followed her gaze. He then saw Murong Chuan's expression and frowned. He raised his head and walked towards Jian Yue.

Before Bai Jianan arrived, a young girl gracefully walked up to Jian Yue and said with a smile, "Hello, I am Cheng Guyuan. My father is Cheng Zhanhong from the Imperial Hospital. Your name is Jian Yue, right?"

Jian Yue nodded: "Yes, may I ask what brings you here, young lady?"

"Nothing much, I just wanted to get to know you. I heard you're Shangguan Linglong's daughter?"

Cheng Guyuan's words were somewhat disrespectful, and Jian Yue frowned slightly, saying with displeasure, "Miss, you should be careful with your words. No matter who my mother is, you should at least have the respect for your elders. Otherwise, Jian Yue would not dare to speak to you, lest you learn something bad from her."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Guyuan was suddenly embarrassed and paused for a moment, then smiled apologetically and said, "I'm sorry, was I too rude? I'm really sorry, I didn't think of those things, I just said whatever came to mind."

Jian Yue shook her head and said, "I don't mind what you call me, but my mother is an elder after all, and as a son, I am naturally dissatisfied that you call her by her first name."

Cheng Guyuan immediately grinned and said, "Ah, I hadn't even thought of that until you mentioned it. My dad and I always call each other 'old man' at home, and we call my mom by her first name. We've gotten used to it and forgotten the proper etiquette. I'm so sorry."

Jian Yue smiled and said, "It's alright, just be careful."

Seeing Jian Yue smile, Cheng Guyuan quickly stepped closer and said, "I'm glad you're not angry. You scared me to death."

"Scared to death? Am I that scary? I won't do anything."

Jian Yue was puzzled, then saw Cheng Guyuan say with a grin, "You may not be able to do anything, but if you treat me as an enemy, wouldn't that ruin my original intention of getting close to you?"

Jian Yue paused, completely bewildered by what Cheng Guyuan meant. Cheng Guyuan continued, "These noble ladies speak with such veiled undercurrents, full of barbs and veiled attacks. I feel like I'll lose a lot of hair if I say another word. I've had enough."

As she spoke, she winked at Jian Yue and pointed her finger in the direction Jian Yue had come from, where a few girls were gathered and talking about something.

Jian Yue looked over and immediately spotted two familiar figures.

Qiu Lingxue and Qiu Lingyun.

At this moment, Jian Yue looked over and saw that the two people were also staring at her. When they saw her looking over, they immediately lowered their heads and huddled together whispering. Jian Yue didn't need to guess to know that they were talking badly about her.

Thinking of this, she looked at Cheng Guyuan and said, "There are two young ladies from the Qiu family over there. Miss Cheng, you must have heard what they were saying before you came here. Don't you think I'm very bad?"

Cheng Guyuan immediately raised her eyebrows and leaned closer to Jian Yue, whispering, "I don't know what kind of person you are, but those who talk badly about others behind their backs are definitely not good people. On the contrary, I don't think you are that bad either."

So, I thought I'd come and get to know you. But now it seems I made the right choice. Look at those other girls, like peacocks in a chicken coop, they can't wait to show themselves off to the emperor, to let everyone know they exist, and to have all the men watching them. You don't know, I don't like these pretentious peacocks at all.

Besides, why resort to veiled insults when you're just talking? It's infuriating. If you have a grudge, just go and fight it out, and everything will be resolved. Why make it so complicated?

Jian Yue chuckled and said, "What you said is quite direct, but it's also the truth. It's just a pity for the peacock bird, which has been defiled by this kind of person for no reason."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Guyuan chuckled softly, "Oh my, I knew you'd be funny. That's right, comparing them to peacocks would be an insult to the bird. They're just crows wearing peacock feathers, thinking they're peacocks, but they don't realize they've been seen through long ago."

Jian Yue smiled but didn't reply. This Cheng Guyuan was quite interesting. How could the daughter of an imperial physician be so casual, without any of the demeanor of an official's daughter? She couldn't help but glance at her a few more times, but Cheng Guyuan saw right into her eyes.

Before she could feel embarrassed, Cheng Guyuan said casually, "Do you think I don't want to try to become the daughter of an official? I know that everyone will think I'm vulgar after seeing me. So, look at those crows, they're looking down on me."

You don't know, my mother and father weren't married according to your so-called arranged marriage. My mother was a traveling doctor, and my father was an imperial physician. They fell in love because of their medical skills, and that's how I, the fruit of their love, came to be. But it's different from yours.

So, my father spoiled me, and my mother doted on me. They both told me to live however I wanted, and never to live a life of misery. There was only one thing they forbade me to do: marry a prince or grandson of the emperor. They said the palace was a den of cannibals, and they couldn't bear to see their daughter suffer there, being eaten alive, leaving not even bones behind.

As Cheng Guyuan spoke, she shook her arm and asked, "Is it really that scary?"

Jian Yue smiled and nodded, saying, "Although it's a bit of an exaggeration, it's pretty much true. Not to mention the concubines, just look at the princes nowadays, aren't they all like that? They're all scheming against each other. If someone like you went in, you'd be devoured in one round."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Guyuan exclaimed in fear, "Wouldn't we be exhausted living like this? It would be better to just have a fight. That would be so satisfying and cathartic!"

Jian Yue suddenly found it interesting and asked with a smile, "But if you're so vulgar, do you think you can enter the palace? And even if you don't enter the palace, with a personality like that, it will be hard to find a husband. Most people have to maintain a gentle and virtuous appearance in order to find a family of equal social standing. Aren't you worried about not being able to get married?"

"As for getting married, of course I can get married. It's just that I'm thinking of not getting married yet. My fiancé is said to be among the people who came today. I heard he's an illiterate merchant, rich and powerful, but he's full of money. You tell me, even if I'm virtuous and gentle, what good is it? I think if we really fight today, and if I can scare him into breaking off the engagement, that would be a good thing."

Cheng Guyuan spoke quite frankly, her face showing disdain, and her demeanor seemed to suggest she was quite interested, as if she couldn't wait to rush out and fight someone.

Jian Yue shook her head and subconsciously looked towards the male guests, wanting to see which man was so lucky to have such an unconventional fiancée.

Nowadays, most of those who come are sons of officials, so why would Yue Leyun, a person of high status, invite such vulgar people as merchants?

Before she could figure it out, she saw Bai Jianan walking over and entering the main hall. Seeing her looking over, he smiled and said, "What? Are you unhappy to see me?"

Jian Yue looked around, then lowered her eyes and said, "Young Master, there are many young ladies here. Your presence might tarnish their reputations. Please leave."

Bai Jianan's eyes widened immediately: "Get out? Haven't you had enough? It's so boring here. Why don't you go back and keep my mother company? My mother was talking about you today, asking me to bring you back to meet her. She even said she prepared a gift for you."

Upon hearing the words "meeting gift," Jian Yue had no choice but to raise her eyes, which sparkled: "Really?"

You did it on purpose.

I did it on purpose, it's your fault for ignoring me.

After exchanging glances for a moment, a faint murderous aura emanated from them. Bai Jianan's mood immediately improved, and he smugly approached Jian Yue, grabbed her hand, and led her outside.

"Alright, let's go. There's nothing to see here. It's so cold; it's only suitable for keeping a mistress hidden away."

Jian Yue was forcibly dragged away. Cheng Guyuan stared at her for a long time, then suddenly shouted at Jian Yue, "Wait for me to come to the General's Mansion to find you and play with you."

Jian Yue looked at Cheng Guyuan and saw that the other woman was smiling at her. She nodded and said, "Then I'll be going now. If you're coming, just tell me your name."

Cheng Guyuan nodded. Jian Yue looked at Bai Jianan, wanting to speak, but saw Bai Jianan suddenly stop and stare at her. She was stunned. Bai Jianan suddenly squatted down, picked her up with one hand, carried her on his shoulder, and ran towards the door. This immediately caused the people in the courtyard to burst into laughter.

Murong Yu shouted, "Young Master, be careful. There's no need to rush, is there?"

Jian Yue was truly furious this time, but she couldn't hit Bai Jianan. She could only endure the ridicule and cling tightly to Bai Jianan's shoulder until they left the Prime Minister's residence and got into the carriage. Only then did Jian Yue angrily kick Bai Jianan, who had boarded later, away and shout, "Stay away from me!"