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

Actually, he regretted it a little afterward, but when he saw Bai Jianan stand up and confront him, he felt even more uneasy. He felt that the woman he had thought about for so many years had suddenly become someone else's fiancée, and he was the one who pushed things along. No matter how he thought about it, it was a joke.

Looking at Jian Yue at this moment, Jian Yue's attitude became his hope. If Jian Yue did not express her opinion, did it mean that she was still thinking about him?

Jian Yue naturally felt Murong Chuan's gaze. If it were in her previous life, she would have blushed with embarrassment at such a gaze and embraced the man with excitement in her heart.

But at this moment, I just find it laughable.

He had mistaken her for someone else, and had been longing for her for a long time.

Such a gaze not only seemed ironic to Jian Yue, but also displeased Bai Jianan. He simply walked to Jian Yue's side, blocking Murong Chuan's view, and said with a displeased expression:

"Does Your Highness know what it means to 'not look at what is improper'? You're openly spying on someone else's fiancée. Isn't that a bit too presumptuous? Could it be that Your Highness opposes my marriage to her because you've fallen for my Jian Yue?"

Jian Yue? Murong Chuan was slightly taken aback. He looked at Jian Yue for a long time, then fell silent for a moment. After that, he changed his attitude and cupped his hands to Bai Jianan, saying, "Your Highness, I apologize. I was rash. I didn't mean it. I just felt that this woman could make someone like Your Highness change his appearance and give up all the temptations of life. She must be an extraordinary person. I couldn't help but take a few more glances at her."

Bai Jianan naturally didn't miss the disappointment and gloom in Bai's eyes. He smiled, closed his fan, and said with a laugh, "Yes, my judgment is certainly unique. Otherwise, how could I have taken a liking to her at first sight? Therefore, I will marry no one but her. So, does Your Highness really intend to stop me?"

Murong Chuan paused slightly, a look of hesitation on his face. After a long while, a struggle flashed in his eyes as he said, "This matter concerns the national dignity and the reputation of Father Emperor. We need to consider it carefully."

Bai Jianan laughed instead of getting angry: "Oh! This makes me the target of everyone's criticism, but I don't care at all. The national system? That's something the Emperor should worry about, not me."

Your Highness's concern is understandable. After all, you are the future emperor, unlike me, who is merely the son of a princess and a mere heir. Naturally, my status is inferior to that of Your Highness.

"I finally fell in love with someone, but just because the Crown Prince declared it a matter of national dignity and the Emperor's face, I'm being forced into this situation. I'm so wronged! You won't let me marry you? Fine, just kill me! It'll be peaceful for you, and it'll save you from losing your so-called dignity and national pride."

As he spoke, he threw a tantrum, pulled up a stool, and sat down in the middle of the crowd. He then pulled Jian Yue to his side and complained, "My wife, I'm sorry, but I really like you. But you're going to be a widow. Remember this: don't look for a man like me. It's shameful, and I can even decide my own marriage. It's truly tragic."

From everyone else's perspective, Bai Jianan appeared dejected, his eyes filled with sorrow. But only from Jian Yue's perspective, looking closely, could one see not only cunning in his eyes but also a hint of disdain.

Jian Yue smiled inwardly, but said in a cooperative tone, "Young Master, there is no need to worry. Jian Yue is a child of the Shangguan family. Even if the engagement with Young Master is dissolved, I will definitely live a good life."

Bai Jianan narrowed his eyes, his expression showing displeasure.

So, my wife, you really want to die for your husband?

Jian Yue raised an eyebrow: "It's because the young master is acting so convincingly that I feel it's not appropriate for me to play the role of a devoted and virtuous woman who will never be unfaithful."

Bai Jianan narrowed his eyes slightly: Wait until we get back and I'll give you a good beating.

Jian Yue retorted, not to be outdone: "No need for your trouble, young master. I'm afraid we'll have to return to the general's mansion today."

Bai Jianan: ...

The two families stared at each other, and Bai Jianan was defeated.

The two exchanged glances, but Murong Qianqiu, sitting above, was filled with deep self-reproach because of Murong Chuan's words and Bai Jianan's words.

Seemingly recalling many old memories, his gaze became somewhat unfocused. Then, upon seeing Bai Jianan's pained and desperate eyes, he suddenly realized that his guilt had deepened.

He immediately looked at Murong Chuan with displeasure and said sternly, "What's so serious about it? It's just a marriage, what does it have to do with the national system? My country will not collapse because of a mere changed marriage. Chuan'er, you are too prejudiced."

Murong Chuan never expected the Emperor to reprimand him for this. He frowned slightly and looked at Murong Qianqiu, only to see that Murong Qianqiu was no longer looking at him, but was smiling at Bai Jianan and saying, "Jianan, don't worry, I will definitely let you marry the person you want to marry. The Crown Prince's residence will be completed in a month. Once the Crown Prince's residence is completed, you two will get married. I will announce it to the world. Who dares to disobey?"

The contrast between the two made it seem as if Murong Chuan wasn't his biological son, while Bai Jianan was. This feeling made Murong Chuan extremely jealous, while Murong Yu watched the show with a smile, already laughing his head off.

He didn't care what the emperor did. The crown prince was just a crown prince and had nothing to do with the throne. What he cared about was seeing Murong Chuan suffer a setback and fade out of the emperor's sight. Only then could they have a chance to compete.

Just then, the Emperor spoke, and a scream suddenly erupted from the previously quiet Chu Tian area.

Everyone immediately looked over and saw that Chu Tianyi's sword was already drawn, the tip of the sword pointing directly at a disheveled woman lying on the ground.

Qiu Zhenzhou was in a real bind because he recognized the owner of the clothes at first glance as his daughter, Qiu Lingrong.

Madam Sun was also somewhat stunned, not understanding how her daughter had ended up under the sword of the young prince of the Northwest.

She couldn't help but look at Qiu Lingfeng, but Qiu Lingfeng was completely preoccupied with Murong Chuan's reaction. Her nails were already digging into her flesh, drawing out traces of blood, but she was unaware of it.

Chu Tianyi exuded a cold aura, radiating an aura that kept strangers at bay. Only He Xinle stood beside him. He Xinle was also not feeling well, but he remained standing in place. When he saw everyone looking over, he said coldly, "This woman has quite the nerve. She actually pounced on Brother Xiaoyi like this with her clothes disheveled. She's as promiscuous as a prostitute. I wonder whose daughter she is."

He Xinle spoke harshly, his eyes filled with disgust. Every word he uttered made Qiu Lingrong's face turn pale and her heart turn cold. She couldn't help but look at Chu Tianyi with teary eyes, but when she met his murderous gaze, she trembled with fear and could only hug herself and sit on the ground, not daring to say a word.

Murong Qianqiu's expression grew even more displeased. The Qiu family had ruined the entire welcoming banquet. He glanced coldly at Qiu Zhenzhou, about to ask a question, when he suddenly heard Bai Jianan exclaim "Eh!"

He turned his head and saw that Bai Jianan had already walked to Qiu Lingrong's side and casually pulled a phoenix hairpin off her head.

Then, Bai Jianan suddenly turned to Qiu Zhenzhou and sneered, "Lord Qiu, you are truly remarkable. Your Qiu family has no respect for this young master."

Qiu Zhenzhou was confused and stunned by what was said. Then he saw Bai Jianan raise the hairpin that Bai Jianan had just pulled from Qiu Lingrong's head and say, "This is a gift from the Emperor. It is the betrothal gift that I, the Crown Prince, gave to my Crown Princess. How could it be worn by one of your other daughters?"

Qiu Zhenzhou was immediately taken aback, and Murong Qianqiu also looked over. Then he nodded and said, "I remember this hairpin. It was a tribute from a foreign country. The Princess liked it, so I gave it to her. The Empress even asked me for it that day."

Sun Rouxiang paused slightly, then forced a smile onto her stiff face and said, "That's true."

She had remained silent, yet she had witnessed everything unfolding before her. Now, having been called upon by the Emperor, she had no choice but to speak, and couldn't help but glare resentfully at Qiu Lingrong, who had caused the trouble.

Qiu Lingrong was stunned. She never imagined that the things she casually took out of Jian Yue's dowry were gifts from the Emperor. She felt unlucky that the person she finally liked turned out to be a cold-blooded murderer.

"I don't."

"You don't have it? Nothing? If you don't have it, how come this hairpin is in your hair? Did Jian Yue give it to you?"

Qiu Lingrong had been so focused on getting close to Chu Tianyi that she hadn't heard a thing before. When Bai Jianan called out "Jian Yue," she didn't recognize the name and asked in confusion, "Jian Yue? Who's that?"

Bai Jianan smiled and looked at Qiu Zhenzhou, saying, "Your daughter is really not that great. Fortunately, the one I've taken a liking to is not your daughter."

Qiu Zhenzhou's face turned pale again. He scrambled to Qiu Lingrong's side and slapped her across the face, yelling, "You brat, don't you know the rules? Tell me, why did you steal the betrothal gifts that the young master gave to your sixth sister?"

Qiu Lingrong was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening and immediately yelled at Jian Yue, "I didn't! She gave it to me! Qiu Lingxiu gave it to me! I didn't know it was a royal gift! She must be trying to frame me!"

Jian Yue laughed immediately, covering her mouth and saying, "Third Miss Qiu, I want to ask, when did I give this to you? The betrothal gifts from the young master, plus the dowry from the Qiu family, are all in my mother's hands. I don't even know where they're locked. How could I give them to you?"

"It was you who gave it to me. You can't deny it. How could I dare wear it on my head if you didn't give it to me? You only gave it to me because you wanted to see me make a fool of myself. It was you, Your Majesty. You have to believe me. I didn't do anything. I..."

Suddenly, a sword appeared at her neck, and Qiu Lingrong was speechless again. Cold sweat poured down her neck, and she eventually cried out in pain from fright.

Chu Tian frowned and said coldly, "If you utter another word, I'll kill you."