After being divorced, she overturned the capital and seized the empress's position!

As Song Yue, who was leading the way, continued walking inside, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind her.

"Third Sister!"

Song Yue turned around at the sound and caught a glimpse of Zhao Zhiyan, who was wearing a black robe. A gentle and refined smile was on his face, but he looked rather strange.

The three people, each with a distinct personality, came together.

"Eighth Imperial Uncle." The two bowed to Zhao Zhiyan.

Zhao Zhiyan raised his hand from a distance: "Nephews, there's no need for such formalities."

Despite being the same age, Zhao Zhiyan had the advantage of status and was always respectfully addressed as Eighth Imperial Uncle wherever he went.

Song Yue bowed.

He led the three of them to Jinglan Academy.

Upon learning of the three's arrival, Song Zhen personally went out to greet them, saying to Song Yue, "Sister, you should go back first."

"it is good."

She stayed there for a whole day. When Song Yue heard that even the food was brought to the study and no one was allowed to approach, she rubbed her temples, shook her head, and decided to ignore it. She then followed Song Huan and learned etiquette from Granny Yang.

Evening

Xiu Shu said, "The princess sent word that the third young lady should eat and sleep with the fourth young lady today."

"Why?" Song Yue asked in surprise.

"The prince's close friends are all in Yuehua Pavilion, and the princess is hosting a banquet to entertain them."

Hearing this, she understood. Song Huan put her arm around hers and said, "Third sister, I'll ask Mother to make you something delicious: sweet and sour carp, cherry-flavored crispy pork, and Dongpo braised pork knuckle..."

When Tao saw Song Yue, she smiled and said, "Wait here in the house. I'll go cook something to eat first."

Half an hour later, a table of delicacies was placed on the table, whetting everyone's appetite.

Tao kept putting food on Song Yue's plate. When Song Huan tasted something delicious, she put some on Song Yue's plate as well, saying, "Third sister, you should try it."

After the meal, it was already dark.

Her eyelids twitched. After washing up, seeing that Tao Shi still showed no sign of leaving, she asked, "Second Aunt, what exactly is the purpose of those people coming to the mansion?"

Moreover, my mother never sends me away, so why won't she even let me show my face this time?

Tao smiled and said, "That's a matter between adults, so don't worry about it."

With a belly full of thoughts, she lay on the couch, tossing and turning until she finally drifted off to sleep in the middle of the night.

When I opened my eyes the next day, it was already broad daylight.

After quickly dressing and grooming herself, Song Yue returned to Yuehua Pavilion. Xiu Shu greeted her with a smile, "Third Miss."

"When did they leave yesterday?"

Xiu Shu said, "Around midnight."

Song Yue was surprised. What could they have been talking about that made them stay up so late?

Hesitating whether to go in and take a look, Princess Jiahua came out. Her face was slightly swollen and there were dark circles under her eyes. She called out earnestly, "Ayue."

Song Yue's eyelids twitched.

"The Southern Frontier and the Eastern Seas have sent envoys to propose marriage; they will arrive in the capital in a month." Princess Jiahua descended the steps, taking Song Yue's hand: "How about your mother chooses a marriage for you?"

Zhao Zhiyan had told her about this.

I've been busy with my brother's affairs lately, so I haven't had time to think about it for now.

"Ah Yue, Northern Chu is beset by internal and external troubles. Even the Emperor's own throne is teetering on the brink of collapse. So many people are eyeing this position. If he were to launch a military campaign, he would undoubtedly be defeated." Princess Jia Hua only regretted that time was too short and that she had not had the chance to help the Emperor of Northern Chu consolidate his throne.

The Southern Frontier and the Eastern Seas deliberately provoked, resorting to their old tricks to force the Northern Chu to compromise.

Song Yue sensed her mother's anxiety. Her fingertips were icy cold, and she knew that her mother would never push her out unless absolutely necessary.

If they're stirring up trouble, then these two countries are most likely targeting us.

"Which family does Mother favor?" Song Yue asked.

Princess Jiahua sighed deeply, feeling suffocated, and asked, "Do you know who that young man who came with Prince Jing's son yesterday was?"

Song Yue thought for a moment: "It's the Prince of Guangjia."

The man called out "Eighth Imperial Uncle" yesterday. At his age, and dressed in fine clothes, very few people would call someone "Eighth Imperial Uncle."

"My son is so clever!" Princess Jiahua exclaimed with delight.

Song Yue continued, "Prince Guangjia was the former crown prince. It is said that Emperor Beiqi left an army for Prince Guangjia before his death. Emperor Beiqi's followers are always waiting to support Prince Guangjia to ascend the throne. If Prince Guangjia stays in the capital, he will be a hostage. Once Prince Guangjia leaves the capital, Northern Chu will definitely be in chaos."

Princess Jiahua was quite surprised to hear Song Yue's logical and well-reasoned analysis.

"Mother, the most suitable person among these people is Prince Guangjia, isn't he?" Song Yue looked up, thinking about what would happen if she married Prince Guangjia.

This was to win over and appease the old officials of the Northern Qi Emperor on behalf of the Northern Chu Emperor.

First stabilize internal problems, then punish external disturbances.

Moreover, before Emperor Beiqi passed away, Emperor Beichu personally promised Prince Guangjia a condition. Today, Prince Guangjia has brought it up himself. Emperor Beichu cannot break his promise, otherwise he will lose the hearts of the people.

"There is another person who wants to marry you."

Song Yue raised her eyebrows.

"Zhao Zhiyan".

……

After a brief moment of shock, Song Yue was somewhat bewildered: "Why, why?"

Zhao Zhiyan shouldn't have gotten involved in this matter. No matter who comes to power in the future, he will always be a high-ranking prince with no worries about food or clothing.

"Back then, Emperor Beiqi entrusted his son to Zhao Zhiyan."

Princess Jiahua was reluctant to part with her daughter and did not want Song Yue to be involved in the trouble. However, she was forced into this situation and was even more unwilling to have her daughter pushed into the limelight and suffer too much trouble a month later.

She touched Song Yue's temple: "If Zhao Zhiyan speaks up, Prince Guangjia will not compete with him. If it is someone else, they will definitely not be able to compete with Prince Guangjia. If Prince Shen's son threatens you with the grace of saving his life, he can also marry you."

In other words, she has to choose one of the three.

Princess Jiahua then said, "Ayue, the Emperor has privately informed you that whoever you choose, the Emperor will make that person the heir apparent."

Song Yue gasped, her face suddenly turning pale.

How could she be the one to make such an important decision?

"Mother, sister."

Song Zhen also arrived. He glanced at the two women's expressions and guessed that his mother must have already finished speaking with his sister. He stepped forward, took Song Yue's hand, and looked at Princess Jia Hua with a guilty expression: "Mother, there is a third way to handle this matter..."

“If war breaks out with Northern Chu, the consequences will be unimaginable. Besides, you are simply not suited for the battlefield,” Princess Jiahua refused outright.

She understood the seriousness of the situation better than anyone else.

Song Zhen lowered her eyes: "I don't want my sister to get involved in this."

Princess Jiahua touched Song Yue's hand: "It's not that your mother is heartless, but the current situation forces me to do this. A banquet will be held in the palace in two days. You will have to make a choice."

“Mother…” Song Zhen said anxiously.

Princess Jia Hua said in a deep voice, "It's better to marry temporarily than to be in a foreign land. If it really doesn't work out, we can get a divorce later."

This is already the worst-case scenario.

Song Yue nodded: "I'll listen to my mother."

In her past life, the Emperor of Northern Chu treated her like a precious jewel; in this life, it's her turn to protect the Northern Chu empire.

The news that the three families were all seeking Song Yue spread like wildfire.

Everyone was talking about how lucky the princess's daughter was. Those three were exceptional individuals, each one a rare find.

...

Rose Courtyard

Yuan Fuling had just woken up from her coma when she heard her maid reporting to Song Yao about the three families seeking her hand in marriage. Yuan Fuling was stunned: "Are these three blind? How could they possibly be interested in that wild girl?"

Song Yao blushed with jealousy.

“It’s one thing for others to get involved, but how did someone as noble as the Eighth Prince get dragged into this? Yao Yao, aren’t you close to the Eighth Prince?” Yuan Fuling pressed.

It was only after the Eighth Prince spoke up for Song Yao in court that she was able to secure the position of a secondary wife.

Song Yao nodded: "Eighth Imperial Uncle has definitely been deceived. I'm going to write a letter to Eighth Imperial Uncle and expose Song Yue's true colors!"

So Song Yao immediately wrote a letter, handed it to the maid, and told her to sneak out through the back door.

The wait was somewhat agonizing. Song Yao looked up and saw Song Kaifeng sitting in the courtyard. After thinking for a moment, she pushed open the door to go find him. Before she even got close, she could smell the strong smell of alcohol.

This caused Song Yao to close her eyes and frown.

"Why are you here?" Song Kaifeng hadn't washed up for several days. His chin was covered in stubble, and his hair was a mess. He was nowhere to be seen in his former refined and composed manner. He looked just like a homeless man.

"Does Father know that my third sister has been proposed to by three families?" Song Yao asked.

Song Kaifeng raised an eyebrow, still somewhat dazed, and didn't want to think much about Song Yue's matter at all. It wasn't until Song Yao finished explaining who the three people were that Song Kaifeng gradually regained his senses.

“Father, Third Sister is your own daughter. How can the princess make selfish decisions without your consent?” Song Yao’s eyes darted around. “If there is a major death in the family, Third Sister will have to observe mourning, and even the marriage cannot be discussed.”

She reminded Song Kaifeng that this was an excellent opportunity for negotiation.

Song Kaifeng's eyes lit up instantly.

"Second girl."

Fan Lianyi came out, looking at Song Yao with a wary expression: "Even if there is a major funeral in the manor, as long as the princess is determined to hide it, the news will definitely not leak out. Moreover, there are only two people in this world who can make the Third Miss observe mourning. Who does the Second Miss intend to have get into trouble?"

Song Yao's eyelids twitched.

Song Kaifeng staggered to his feet, glaring at Song Yao: "You unfilial daughter! Do you want me dead or your grandmother dead?"

“Father…Father, that’s not what I meant,” Song Yao explained.

Fan Lianyi helped Song Kaifeng up and glanced at Song Yao: "Second Miss, take good care of Aunt Yuan. It's best not to meddle in the affairs of the household."

After saying that, he helped the person into the house.

Song Yao was left outside, stomping her feet in anger.