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

Hua Xiangrong scoffed: "You're really stupid. This is a backer who doesn't cost money and doesn't offend anyone. Why not take it? He stood up for me and spent money and gave gifts. I don't care. But it's different for you. If you spend money and offend someone because of this, wouldn't I be worried sick?"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Hanque's mood improved considerably, but he still refused to leave. In the end, Hua Xiangrong pushed him out, which finally stopped him.

However, before leaving, Hua Xiangrong retaliated by giving him a big kiss on the cheek, and while Shangguan Hanque was still feeling pleased with himself, she closed the door and saw him off.

Shangguan Hanque returned home in a good mood, his unusually large lips swaggering through the streets, attracting many stares along the way, but he didn't notice.

When they arrived at the gate, the guards saw their young general's face and immediately suppressed their laughter, their faces turning bright red. They simply couldn't bear to see the usually serious and handsome young general now displaying such a silly grin, along with that extra-favored large lip print.

Shangguan Ting had just finished the morning court session and met up with Shangguan Hanque. Before Shangguan Hanque could even step through the gate, Shangguan Ting's sedan chair arrived at the entrance.

As Shangguan Ting alighted from the sedan chair, he saw two guards at the door, their ears red from holding their breath. Just as he was wondering what was going on, Shangguan Hanque turned around.

Phew! Phew!

The old man's heart couldn't take it. Upon seeing the bright red lipstick mark, he choked on his saliva and coughed, covering his lips. Seeing this, Shangguan Hanque quickly stepped forward with concern: "Grandfather, are you ill? Quickly call the family physician to take a look. Don't wait until it gets worse and makes Grandmother worry."

Shangguan Ting waved his hand, finally managing to stop coughing, but when he looked up and saw the lip print on his grandson's face, he couldn't help but chuckle.

Sunzi has always been averse to women, and his face clearly bears the mark. It's easy to guess where he went. Thinking of the woman Sunzi was eyeing, his old face immediately darkened, and he said, "Going to that kind of place to fool around again. You've completely disgraced the Shangguan family."

With that, he turned and left. After taking only two steps, seeing that Shangguan Hanque did not follow him, he became really angry and shouted, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and follow me!"

Shangguan Hanque was bewildered and puzzled as to what was going on. Hadn't he just said that such an extraordinary woman was worthy of being a daughter-in-law of the Shangguan family? Why was she so angry now?

Without a second thought, he quickened his pace to catch up. When they reached the study, Shangguan Ting turned around and saw the mark on his grandson's face was still there. He immediately said irritably, "Aren't you going to wash your face? What kind of behavior is this?"

Shangguan Hanque was taken aback. He reached out and touched his face. Seeing the red stain on his hand, he remembered the handiwork Hua Xiangrong had done to his face when he left Lanyue Tower. He blushed and quickly went to the basin next to him to wash his face. While washing, he explained, "Grandfather, don't be angry. Xiangrong is just that kind of woman. You know that."

Shangguan Ting snorted coldly, stroking his beard, and said, "You still know how to plead for her? Why don't you use your brain and think more about your current situation?"

Shangguan Hanque wiped his face, looking completely bewildered. What did this have to do with his situation?

Seeing this, Shangguan Ting immediately looked at him with a face full of indignation, pointing at him and saying, "Look at you, I really don't know who you took after, your brain is so bad, could it be that the midwife didn't catch you when you were born and dropped you on the ground and hit your head?"

Shangguan Hanque dared not utter a word after being spoken to, and then Shangguan Ting continued to sigh: "It's a pity that the girl is so smart, yet she has to work in a brothel and help your poor sister. My Shangguan family has truly let her down."

How can you be all looks and no substance? Why don't you cherish such a good opportunity? Don't you know what kind of spoiled brats are in the capital? Why do you act all high and mighty, like you're half-dead and incorruptible, ignoring everyone? Do you know that if you continue like this, you're just digging your own grave?

No wonder that girl knew to cover for you, allowing you to have a romantic tale of dying under the peony blossoms. Otherwise, once someone was watching you, you wouldn't even know how you died.

Shangguan Hanque was stunned by what his grandfather was saying, not understanding what he was talking about at all. However, he did understand one thing: his grandfather was praising his sweetheart. He immediately smiled and said, "Of course, it's my Xiangrong who is amazing. Grandpa sees that clearly."

Shangguan Ting paused, too lazy to be angry anymore. He sat on the armchair and hummed, "It's probably too late to expect you to be more cunning. From now on, you should go to Lanyue Tower more often and wander around the streets. If other young masters invite you to join them, don't refuse, and bring your sweetheart along."

Shangguan Hanque was puzzled and disagreed, saying, "Why should I associate with those spoiled brats? They can't lift a finger or carry anything, yet they flaunt their family's name. I find them disgusting."

"Hmph, yes, others flaunt their power under the banner of their family, while you flaunt your power under your own banner, which has made even the Emperor wary. Once someone with ulterior motives impeaches you, you'll understand the implications."

Shangguan Hanque frowned: "Why is that? I have not committed any serious crimes, nor have I embezzled or broken the law. Even if someone is impeaching me, it is a completely fabricated story. How could His Majesty possibly believe it?"

"But what if the Emperor intends to weaken the Shangguan family?"

Shangguan Hanque paused at Shangguan Ting's words. Shangguan Ting sighed and said, "Do you know why we haven't been able to find your aunt after she disappeared? In the capital, our Shangguan family holds a large army and is quite capable, yet we were still able to have your aunt kidnapped and imprisoned right under our noses, without even a whisper of it, and we couldn't even find her."

Even if the Emperor wasn't directly involved, members of the royal family were certainly involved. The Shangguan family did build their empire themselves, but it still had to be under the Emperor's control. What if one day our power threatened the Emperor's position? Do you think the Emperor would let us off the hook?

Shangguan Hanque was immediately shocked and understood why his grandfather had instructed him to feign friendship with those纨绔 (playboys). However, he had never considered that, although his merits overshadowed the emperor, hadn't he already relinquished his military power and ceased to be a general? Why would the emperor still be angry with him?

His confusion was written all over his face, which Shangguan Ting noticed, and a slight tightness appeared in his chest.

He had one wife and one concubine in his life, but only one son and one daughter, both born to his concubine. His wife was also the daughter of a military family. In their youth, the couple went to war together, but she was unfortunately injured and could no longer have children.

Later, the wife brought up her personal maid, who gave birth to a son and a daughter. However, the maid was also short-lived. After giving birth to her daughter, Shangguan Linglong, she fell ill and passed away. Both children were raised by the wife. The wife was open-minded and loved her children, so she naturally treated them as her own.

However, their happiness was short-lived. When Shangguan Hongwei was fifteen and Shangguan Linglong was ten, his wife's old injuries relapsed, and she passed away.

They thought it was all over, but unexpectedly, their daughter suddenly disappeared when she was fifteen years old, and her whereabouts are unknown.

At that time, Shangguan Ting's hair turned white almost overnight.

After the incident, Shangguan Hongwei received the news and requested to return to the capital. However, the emperor used the urgency of the war as an excuse to issue an imperial edict, prohibiting him from returning to the capital.

Meanwhile, in the capital, Shangguan Ting searched everywhere for Shangguan Linglong but could not find any trace of her. It wasn't until a year later that he finally gave up in despair.

Thinking of this, Shangguan Ting suddenly felt very emotional.

The Shangguan family, favored by the late emperor, became a leading force. Now, however, they have become a thorn in the side of the current emperor, their family destroyed and their members killed. He naturally knows why.

Now, he is disheartened and only hopes that his own children are safe and sound. Otherwise, he would not have forced Shangguan Hanque to resign from his position as general and become a minor inspector in the capital.

Now, knowing that my daughter is still alive and has a sensible and capable granddaughter is already incredibly joyous news.

Thinking of this, he suddenly smiled. Why should he dwell on these old stories now? He should hurry up and rescue his daughter and granddaughter.

"By the way, how did the matter I asked you to investigate today go?"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Hanque hesitated for a moment before informing his grandfather of Jian Yue's current situation.

When Jian Yue received the news, she repeatedly instructed her not to tell her grandfather, fearing that his bad temper might cause him to fall ill. Shangguan Hanque, however, was thinking that if her grandfather intervened, perhaps his cousin wouldn't have had to take such a risky step and force herself into marriage.

After he finished speaking, Shangguan Ting fell silent for a moment, then sighed and said, "Jian Yue must be suffering inside."

Shangguan Hanque nodded: "I know my cousin must be feeling bad. After all, she and her aunt suffered together for many years and now have deep-seated hatred. But there's no need for her to provoke the heir of the Qingyan Marquis."

It's easy to invite a god in, but hard to send him away. That young master of the Qingyan Marquis is no good. What if something happens to my cousin? Even if we go against the Qingyan Marquis's mansion, we might not be able to rescue her.”

Shangguan Ting gave him a cold look and said, "Then what do you think is the best course of action?"

“Of course we won’t marry her. We’ll leave the Qiu family after rescuing our aunt. I don’t believe that we can’t send our cousin and the ancient tomb out of the capital.”

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Ting snorted coldly, "You brute! You're incredibly foolish. Alright, you can leave this matter alone. Let your cousin handle it herself. If she couldn't even handle these things, she wouldn't be alive and well now, and she even has the Qiu family's weakness under her thumb."

Shangguan Hanque was confused. Was his thinking wrong? Why was it not accepted? He was about to say something more when Shangguan Ting interrupted him and drove him out.

Shangguan Hanque was at a loss. He considered sending a letter a thousand miles away to tell his father about the recent events, but after much deliberation, he decided against it. Ever since the Shangguan family was feared by the emperor, they were no longer what they used to be.

There are many people planted in the military camp, both openly and secretly. It's hard to tell who they are. If my cousin is exposed because of this, she will inevitably be put in danger, which would be a huge loss.