Cold-faced Empress

She knew that she was powerless and had little influence. If the emperor really forced Yunzhi to enter the palace, not only her, but even her father and mother could not stop him.

That's the imperial palace! How can someone as innocent and mischievous as Yunzhi survive in the harem, and how can she deal with ruthless characters like Consort De and Consort Mei?

"Sister, are you cold? Why are you shivering?" Yunzhi squeezed Fu Siying's hands and rubbed them together.

"It's nothing." Fu Siying shook her head, her gaze fixed intently on Yunzhi. She would never let Yunzhi go to that ruthless place!

How wonderful it would be if one could retain the innocent and romantic nature of youth throughout their life. And that is what she hoped Yunzhi could have—a happy, smooth, and peaceful life.

He sighed and pulled Yunzhi into his arms: "Yunzhi, take a good look at the young masters of other mansions later. You know, there are plenty of talented young men in the city for you to choose from."

"sister!"

Yunzhi gave a soft snort. But when her elder sister couldn't see, her expression was somewhat forlorn.

Prime Minister Fu hosted a banquet at Jinxiang Tower to express his gratitude for the imperial plaque bestowed upon his family, which attracted much attention. The family listened to countless compliments and praises during the banquet, and Yunzhi and Rongchen, who were not yet engaged, became the targets of various families vying to curry favor with them.

Fu Siying remained uninterested, her gaze frequently sweeping over Mo Canglan. She worried that Mo Canglan would tell her parents that the Emperor intended to summon Yunzhi to the palace. Mo Canglan, however, hadn't looked at her once since arriving.

Luo Qiansu, the daughter of the Vice Minister of Revenue whom I had met in the palace, came to chat with her brother Luo Shengming.

Luo Qiansu pointed in a certain direction and glanced at Fu Siying. Fu Siying looked in the direction she was looking and saw that it was Minister Xia, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy.

The Xia family members, who are usually the most aloof and arrogant, did not look particularly good during the meal.

Luo Qiansu said in a low voice, "Because of the entanglement that happened in the palace before, Xia Suxi has been quite troubled by Prince Lian's overtures recently. The rumors about their relationship have spread like wildfire, causing great distress to the Xia family. Xia Suxi has not dared to show her face recently."

Fu Siying nonchalantly looked away: "What does it matter what she does?"

Luo Qiansu glanced at her cryptically: "The Xia family will do everything in their power to get Xia Suxi out of Lian Wang's clutches as soon as possible. Siying, you can't possibly not guess what the Xia family is most likely to do, can you?"

Fu Siying immediately pursed her lips.

The best way to save Xia Suxi from her predicament and effectively deter the Prince Lian is to marry her off to the Prince Mu! This has always been the hope of Xia Suxi and her family.

Leisurely, she turned her gaze to Mo Canglan again. Coincidentally, she saw Xia Jijiu going to pay his respects to Mo Canglan.

You could see Xia Jijiu talking non-stop, while Mo Canglan would only nod slightly in response occasionally.

Ignoring her displeasure and anger, and dismissing these emotions as mere possessiveness, Fu Siying quietly asked Luo Qiansu, "How do your father and Master Xia usually get along?"

Luo Qiansu shook her head: "I haven't heard my father mention it much. As you know, the Xia family members are all self-important."

Fu Siying laughed dismissively: "Xia Suxi can call Hu Lingjing sisters, so what does the Xia family have to be so arrogant about?"

Luo Qiansu nodded in agreement.

"Qian Su, have you ever crossed paths with Xia Suxi before? Last time in the palace, you helped me throw away banana peels, and she didn't find anything amiss, did she?"

"No. Miss Xia and I are merely nodding acquaintances. I have no family background, no good looks, and no talent, so naturally she wouldn't notice me," Luo Qiansu said with extreme humility.