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

"Okay, I'm fine here, nothing will happen. You don't need to come if you need to."

Jian Yue nodded, thought for a moment, and asked, "Are you really not going to tell Grandfather and the others?"

Shangguan Linglong shook her head: "Let's not talk about it for now. Let's see in a few days. If we talk about it now, your grandfather will definitely lose his temper. It's better to be on the safe side."

Jian Yue felt that this was not a good idea, but seeing Shangguan Linglong's heartbroken and despondent expression, she didn't say anything more, nodded, and left with Bai Jianan.

"Where to?" Bai Jianan asked.

"Lan Yue Lou" (Moon-Viewing Pavilion).

Bai Jianan turned to Jian Yue: "Are you going to tell Hua Xiangrong about this?"

"Ah."

Jian Yue nodded and stared at the ground, seemingly lost in thought. Bai Jianan thought for a moment and said, "Your mother seems to be very reluctant to reunite with her family."

"It's not that she didn't want to see her grandfather, but that she was afraid to, feeling ashamed."

Jian Yue smiled bitterly. The people of the Shangguan family all had a stubborn streak. Just as Shangguan Linglong couldn't persuade Jian Yue to give up her hatred, Jian Yue couldn't persuade Shangguan Linglong to go back to the Shangguan family.

Bai Jianan smiled and said, "Isn't this acting first and reporting later?"

Jian Yue raised her head and pouted, "What's wrong with that? Grandfather is not that kind of brute. Besides being brave and good at fighting, he is also good at military strategy. Otherwise, how could he have raised his children so well?"

However, the Shangguan family is loyal only to the Emperor and does not form cliques or engage in private affairs, which has led to them being ostracized by many. Therefore, my cousin's current situation may not be a bad thing; he is conserving his strength and preparing for the future.

Bai Jianan nodded. Indeed, although Shangguan Linglong was a girl, she had endured fifteen years of torment and even raised her own daughter to be so outstanding. It must be said that the children of the Shangguan family were all exceptional.

Just as he was about to say something more, Bai Jianan paused, frowned slightly, and then stared at the person in front of him with an unfriendly expression.

Jian Yue was also taken aback. Why was Chu Tian at the alley entrance? It seemed like he had come specifically to wait for her.

Jian Yue looked at Bai Jianan with some concern and whispered, "What should we do? You're not wearing a mask."

Bai Jianan scoffed: "It doesn't matter. He probably knows who you're with now."

Jian Yue was taken aback, then heard Chu Tianyi speak: "The dignified Pavilion Master of the Qilin Pavilion is actually risking his life for a spoiled brat? What? Are you short of money?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Jianan stepped forward and said leisurely, "Whether I lack money or not is a matter for me to consider. Your words, young prince, are rather superfluous! It's so late at night, and you're here blocking people. I wonder if you're blocking me or the Crown Princess?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Tian frowned slightly, looked at Jian Yue, and then at Bai Jianan, saying, "I have a business deal that I would like to discuss with the Pavilion Master. I wonder if the Pavilion Master would be interested?"

Bai Jianan raised an eyebrow, his narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes filled with a playful smile.

"Business? So, when you said I was short of money, you had another purpose. But since it's business, I wonder why you're here besieging me? Qilin Pavilion has a special place for receiving business people, so you should follow the rules."

Bai Jianan spoke casually, and Chu Tian pursed his lips, somewhat annoyed, but his good upbringing made him remain calm and say, "It is said that in an emergency, the host can go along with the guest's wishes. Isn't it possible for the Pavilion Master to change the rules?"

Bai Jianan smiled and said with a wicked smile, "Young Prince, you speak so casually. The Qilin Pavilion has been established for so many years, what kind of people haven't we seen? Not to mention the royal family, even the imperial family in the capital has to follow the rules. I don't know where you get your confidence, Young Prince."

Chu Tian's brows furrowed even deeper. He had never expected that the Qilin Pavilion would be so troublesome. After thinking for a moment, he said, "In that case, I will trouble you further."

As he spoke, he clasped his hands in a fist salute to Bai Jianan, then looked at Jian Yue and said, "I said I would marry you, and I will definitely marry you. You wait for me."

Chu Tianyi turned and left as soon as he finished speaking, without giving Jian Yue a chance to refuse. Looking at Chu Tianyi's back, Jian Yue felt very innocent.

"Is he an idiot?"

Bai Jianan's eyes were dark, and his tone was somewhat sinister.

"I don't know if I'm stupid or not, but I do know that the Great Northwest is now just a name without substance."

Jian Yue was taken aback, then saw Bai Jianan's lips curl up, carrying a dangerous aura.

"Those who dare to covet my wife should be taught what they should and shouldn't say."

Jian Yue shook her head, speechless, and said, "I think he has some purpose. Otherwise, why would he keep bothering a fake legitimate daughter like me?"

Living amidst conspiracies, even without thinking, Jian Yue sensed that something was wrong with Chu Tianyi. The first time they met, when Chu Tianyi threw her onto a haystack, she felt his impatience. But why did he knock her unconscious and take her away, even directly into the palace?

But when she asked to leave, he let her out again?

Why go through all that trouble just to marry a woman who is already engaged?

Bai Jianan laughed after hearing Jian Yue's words, "Whether it's a conspiracy or not, we'll find out at the welcoming banquet. This is the capital city; the claws of the Northwest can't reach here yet. Even if they make a move, it's just a waste of time."

The welcoming banquet arrived in the blink of an eye. From the time the invitations were sent out to the time they were ready to depart, Jian Yue did not receive any notification from Qiu Zhenzhou. In fact, she was even asked to stay in her own courtyard and carry the bride on her back.

What do you mean by "waiting to be married"? It just means they want her to stay at home and not go anywhere.

Jian Yue sneered, but on the surface she obediently agreed. For this, Qiu Zhenzhou even rewarded her with a pat from a loving father.

Jian Yue inwardly felt disgusted, but her face was filled with tears of satisfaction, which pleased Qiu Zhenzhou greatly. Only then did he turn and leave.

The grand procession outside the gate set off. Before leaving, Qiu Lingrong deliberately circled in front of Jian Yue, looking smug, like a golden pheasant with phoenix feathers.

"Miss, Miss."

Back in her room, Jian Yue saw He Xinle jumping and skipping in front of her bed.

He Xinle looked at her excitedly, about to open his mouth, but suddenly covered his mouth and looked towards the door. Jian Yue smiled and said, "It's okay, Xiao Cui is watching outside. She'll warn us loudly if anyone comes."

"Ah, Miss, the young master said he sent me to pick you up. Let's go straight to the palace gate; he'll take all the things with him."

He Xinle was exhausted after saying the sentence in one breath. He picked up the water on the table, drank it, and said, "Miss, let's go quickly."

Jian Yue nodded: "Wait a moment."

Upon hearing this, He Xinle immediately became anxious and said, "Do we have to wait? Why? If we don't hurry, we'll be late."

Jian Yue smiled, raising an eyebrow, and said, "You want to see your little brother Yi as soon as possible, right?"

He Xinle's face immediately turned red, and she lowered her eyes shyly, saying, "Miss, you know it, why did you have to say it out loud?"

Jian Yue found it amusing, but said helplessly, "Fine, I won't say anything, but I need to find someone to replace me. Otherwise, if I leave, there will be no one in this house. Do you think something might happen?"

He Xinle tilted her head, seemingly not understanding what could happen if there was no one in the room. She guessed it was the same thing that the damn prince told her to secretly come and find the young lady!

Before long, Hua Xiangrong arrived and came in through the window. She said impatiently, "I don't know what your good-for-nothing son of a bitch is up to. I'm not even fully awake yet, and he's already dragged me out of bed. Does he even know what morning grumpiness is?"

With that, Hua Xiangrong threw the bag in her hand onto the table, yawned, and waved goodbye, saying, "Hurry up and go, I'll take care of things here."

Jian Yue nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, Xin Yue. Let's go."

"Huh, what are all these things?"

Looking at the bag on the table, He Xinle stepped forward with great curiosity and tried to open it while Jian Yue was speaking.

Just as her hand touched the bag, Hua Xiangrong slapped her hand hard, turning it red instantly. She yelled in pain, "You lunatic, what are you doing?"

Hua Xiangrong lazily brushed her hair back from her forehead and glanced sideways, saying, "What? You dare touch something belonging to a lunatic like me?"

That gaze, seemingly languid but actually sharp, sent a chill down He Xinle's spine, who had never seen much of the world. She retreated hastily and hid behind Jian Yue.

"Miss."

Jian Yue smiled and said, "It's alright, she won't hurt anyone for no reason, as long as you don't touch her things."

After saying that, Jian Yue ignored the timid He Xinle and jumped out of the window, saying, "Let's go."

Before He Xinle could react, Jian Yue had already run away. She glanced at Hua Xiangrong, who was still smiling at her from the side at the table, and jumped out of the window in terror.

"Wait for me, miss."

"Tsk tsk, not bad jumping ability, but too bad, too naive, not my type. Xiao Cui, get some melon seeds, pastries, fruit or something for your young lady, she's hungry!"

The main hall of the imperial palace.

A welcoming banquet for the heir of the Marquis of Qingyan.

“Brother Crown Prince arrived early enough.”

Murong Yu greeted Murong Chuan with a smile, one foot on the low table beside him, the other holding a wine glass. He appeared casual, but it was clear that he was not afraid of the person in front of him; in fact, it was a provocation.

Murong Chuan didn't look to the side, but went to his seat next to Murong Yu. He sat up straight, poured himself a cup of tea, and slowly said, "It's never as good as yours, is it?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Yu burst into laughter, put down his wine cup, and said, "You too, Crown Prince, how can you be so serious on such a joyful occasion? You need to let loose and have fun so as not to waste Father's efforts."

"Can't we be more serious? Although this is a welcoming banquet, it also includes civil and military officials. If I were as ignorant and incompetent as you, how could I possibly become the Crown Prince?"

Murong Chuan raised his eyes and glanced at Murong Yu, his disdain evident in his gaze, which immediately made Murong Yu puff out her cheeks in anger.