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

Upon hearing this, Murong Chuan suddenly smiled and said, "What Mother says is true. The head of the harem must be a woman like Mother, who is elegant yet decisive and dignified. Only in this way can the harem be peaceful and stable, free from any troubles."

As he spoke, he suddenly thought of Jian Yue's confident face today, her composure and calmness in the face of adversity, and he immediately felt that if Jian Yue were to become the empress, she would definitely be able to manage the harem in an orderly manner.

Upon hearing Murong Chuan's words, Sun Rouxiang immediately laughed and said, "I'm tired of hearing so many nice things. Alright, stop flattering your mother. Let's call it a day. Just make sure you know how to distinguish right from wrong."

"While we still need to win over the Shangguan family, you mustn't touch the wife of the Marquis of Qingyan's heir. The Eldest Princess is not to be trifled with; don't lose the big picture for a small gain."

"I understand, Mother. Don't worry. Today's visit was just to probe the situation. The Crimson Coral is still missing, and the Qilin Pavilion has also disappeared. If I want to find it, I need to start from elsewhere, and the Shangguan family is the best starting point."

As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes and smiled, “The Shangguan family was once so glorious. Although they have fallen to such a state, they still retain the title of General Zhenguo and command 100,000 troops, guarding the border. There must be something extraordinary about this.”

I don't believe that the armored soldiers passed down from the late emperor don't exist. How could such a glorious existence just disappear like that? I've been in charge of that blood-red coral for ten years, observing it for ten years, but I can't figure it out at all.

I think there must be something we've overlooked, so finding the Crimson Coral is the most important thing right now, and as for Father, Mother still needs to mediate.

Upon hearing this, Sun Rouxiang nodded and said, "You're right. When your father gave you this blood-red coral, he also emphasized the matter of the armored soldiers. However, even after many years on the throne and many years of research, he still couldn't figure out how to use such a piece of coral to activate the still-sealed armored soldiers."

Therefore, he doesn't believe such an army exists, which is why he so easily passed this crimson coral to you. Your father's thoughts are very difficult to fathom; sometimes I even feel like we're sleeping in the same bed but dreaming different dreams.

At this point, sadness and ruthlessness welled up in Sun Rouxian's eyes, the two emotions overlapping and making people extremely uncomfortable.

She laughed and said, "But now I've come to terms with it. The emperor always has to have three palaces and six courtyards with women on his left and right. Entering the palace is like ruining yourself. Fortunately, I'm lucky. I got to my current position by having an empress die."

Therefore, Chuan'er, emotions are all fleeting in the eyes of a king. Apart from the Crimson Coral, your most important task is to use everything around you that is available to balance your own power.

The Prime Minister's residence hosted a banquet the other day, and its purpose was quite clear: the Prime Minister's daughter is now of marriageable age, yet she has yet to be married. At the welcoming banquet for the Marquis of Qingyan's heir, I noticed her interest in you, so you should spend some time with her.”

Murong Chuan nodded, thinking of Yue Leyun's appearance, and said, "She is a very clever and intelligent person. At this time, because of the incident involving the Qiu family at the Prime Minister's residence, she must be having a hard time. I will visit her tomorrow to show how much I value her."

Before dawn the next day, Jian Yue was woken up by the matchmaker and made up. She had to shave and groom herself, which took more than an hour before she was dressed and made up.

Looking at herself in the mirror, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, with a red tasseled crown and veil, Jian Yue's eyes were somewhat vacant. Xiao Cui was helping her straighten the wrinkles in her dress, saying, "Miss is truly naturally beautiful. Dressed up like this, you are even more beautiful."

Jian Yue lowered her eyes and smiled, "It's just a physical body. After a hundred years, won't we all just be a skeleton? What's there to praise?"

Xiao Cui pouted and retorted, "But now Miss is young and beautiful, that's her advantage. It's just a pity that Miss should have had a more perfect marriage."

As she spoke, the smile on her face faded, leaving only reluctance and worry. Jian Yue smiled, not looking at Xiao Cui again, and simply said, "Alright, sentimentalism and such are not suitable for people like us."

Sometimes, taking a step isn't about venturing into a den of tigers, but rather opening up a vast and open world. Xiao Cui, that's how the world is—survival of the fittest. One wrong step, and you lose everything. So, I can't afford to lose.

Xiao Cui was a little stunned, not understanding what Jian Yue meant. Then she saw Jian Yue suddenly stand up and turn to look at Xiao Cui. Xiao Cui was already a young woman. Her baby fat was gone, and she had the features of a young woman. She looked very pretty.

Jian Yue looked at it for a while, then turned around and took out a hairpin from the dressing table drawer and put it in Xiao Cui's hair, saying, "Xiao Cui, you've had a hard time all these years."

Xiao Cui choked up immediately and shook her head, saying, "It's not hard work for you, Miss. I will always stand by your side and protect you well."

Jian Yue nodded and said, "I know, my Xiao Cui is the best."

As she spoke, she hugged Xiao Cui, and Xiao Cui hugged Jian Yue back. But when Jian Yue hugged back, the smile on Jian Yue's face suddenly disappeared. The hand that was on Xiao Cui's shoulder suddenly moved to the back of her neck and gently pinched it. Xiao Cui suddenly lost consciousness, closed her eyes and fell to the ground. Jian Yue caught her in time and gently placed her on the bed.

Looking at Xiao Cui's unresponsive face, Jian Yue said softly, "I told you before, one wrong step can lead to total defeat. I trusted you and relied on you, but you put me in danger because of your own selfishness."

Xiao Cui, today we part ways. Our relationship as master and servant is over. From now on, you go your way, and I'll go mine.

As he spoke, he sighed, turned around, and called out, "Zhang Baicheng."

Zhang Baicheng responded and came in. Jian Yue said, "Send her back. I've given you the address. Tell the escorts to make sure she gets there unharmed. Remember, when she wakes up, give her this to drink."

Jian Yue handed a porcelain bottle to Zhang Baicheng, who took it and nodded. Jian Yue then said, "I'll say it again about today's events. If you have any concerns, you can withdraw now."

Zhang Baicheng clasped his hands and said, "I am all alone and have no worries."

"Alright, then, I'll leave everything to you."

For the entire morning, Jian Yue sat in her room, holding the Wanfu apple that Grandma Wanfu had given her.

She could faintly hear congratulatory voices coming from the front hall of the General's Mansion, and Shangguan Ting's loud voice was also faintly audible. She smiled slightly, feeling that she was being rather unkind.

But what good is it to say it now? The path she has walked has come to an end. The only way out on the cliff is the route that changes the course of her journey. Only by continuing on this path can she get what she wants.

The apple in her hand gleamed from being held so tightly. By the time the wedding procession arrived at the General's Mansion, noon had already passed, but Jian Yue didn't feel hungry. When the matchmaker opened the door and Shangguan Hanque appeared before her, she smiled slightly at him and said, "Thank you, brother."

Shangguan Hanque didn't say anything, but turned around and faced away from Jianyue. Jianyue easily climbed up, and he picked her up and carried her on his back.

His broad back, straight posture, and careful steps all spoke volumes about how much his brother truly loved her. She nestled on Shangguan Hanque's back and whispered, "Brother, you must remember this: at Riliang Mountain, there's something that Sister Hua left for you. Master Rong might even know why Sister Hua had that accident."

Shangguan Hanque nodded: "Don't worry, I'll set off as soon as you get married. I'll definitely find the Rong Master you mentioned. I absolutely won't let Xiang Rong get into any trouble."

After exchanging those two sentences, the two fell silent again. They continued until they reached the front hall, where more and more people gathered, and the noise drowned out their footsteps. They didn't say another word.

Bai Jianan was standing lazily in front of the hall when he saw Jian Yue appear. He immediately perked up and hurried over.

Shangguan Hanque took a step, causing Bai Jianan to miss his target. Bai Jianan immediately frowned and said with a bitter smile, "Brother-in-law, what time is it? Please don't make things difficult for me."

Shangguan Hanque carried Jian Yue on his back, showing no intention of putting her down to replace her. He calmly looked at Bai Jianan and said, "I have something to say to you."

Bai Jianan said helplessly, "Go on, go on, I'm all ears."

"First, I only have this one sister, and from now on she will be your wife. I want you to promise that you will only love her for the rest of your life and never let her suffer any grievances."

Bai Jianan immediately laughed and said, "Of course, how could I not pamper my own wife?"

Shangguan Hanque nodded and continued, "Secondly, Jian Yue's surname is Shangguan. She is the legitimate daughter of my Shangguan family. My grandfather has already included her in the ancestral hall and genealogy. However, the woman you are marrying is still the sixth daughter of the Qiu family. Therefore, I want you to change Qiu Lingxiu's name in your Bai family's genealogy and write the name of my Shangguan family's legitimate daughter, Shangguan Jian Yue."

Upon hearing this, Bai Jianan scoffed, "What's so difficult about that? It's just one person, one name, anyway. Change it, change it, change it."

Shangguan Hanque then said, "Third."

He paused, looked at Bai Jianan, and spoke with the unique arrogance of the Shangguan family.

“My Shangguan family has its own ancestral rules. In my family, whether it is a woman or a man, marriage is a matter of personal choice. I want you, Bai Jianan, to make a vow here that if you, Bai Jianan, change your mind, I, the eldest daughter of the Shangguan family, will ask to be divorced.”

After he said this, everyone was stunned, even Shangguan Ting was taken aback. But it was only for a moment before he returned to his usual silence and acquiescence. His Shangguan family's children should be so aloof and independent.

Bai Jianan fell silent, his eyes fixed on the silent person on Shangguan Hanque's back.

At this moment, Jian Yue was wearing a veil and her head was lowered, making it impossible to see what expression was on her face. But for some reason, Bai Jianan felt waves of panic.