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

"The Emperor's murder of his brother to seize the throne was already dishonorable, and today he has also condoned Jia Hua's indiscriminate killing of innocent people. Sometimes, forbearance may not bring peace."

Prince Qing had never suffered such humiliation in his life.

Today, I experienced firsthand what it means to hate someone intensely, all thanks to Princess Jia Hua.

The Prince of Zhennan looked at the Prince of Qing.

The two looked at each other, their eyes filled with murderous intent.

“Jiahua killed more than thirty guards today. These guards were all law-abiding citizens who were killed without cause. They deserve justice,” said Prince Qing.

The Prince of Zhennan nodded in approval.

After seeing off Prince Qing and his wife, Prince Zhennan frowned and looked at Pei Zhao: "You still want to marry Song Yue?"

Faced with the questioning, Pei Zhao's heart grew colder and colder, and the words stuck in his throat ultimately failed him to utter.

"You shall marry Qingyan," said the Prince of Zhennan.

"Your Highness?" Princess Zhennan exclaimed in surprise. Although Qingyan was beautiful, she was now disfigured.

The Prince of Zhennan said in a deep voice, "Qingyan's disfigurement is mostly due to the Prince of Zhennan's mansion. She will not be able to get married. If Zhao'er does not marry her, the Prince of Qing's mansion will not let it go."

Princess Zhennan was speechless. How could she not see that Princess Qing's gaze towards her today already showed some dissatisfaction?

If she hadn't summoned Princess Qing to discuss the Jingguo Duke's Mansion with Zhao Qingyan, Zhao Qingyan wouldn't have gone out to confront Song Yue.

"As for the injury on your face, let it heal. What does it matter as long as you can continue the family line?" The Prince of Zhennan made the final decision, instructing the Princess of Zhennan to prepare the betrothal gifts immediately.

"So anxious?"

"The situation in Kyoto is tense; we should prepare as soon as possible."

She was just a daughter-in-law; the Prince of Zhennan didn't take her seriously.

Princess Zhennan nodded: "Yes, I will go and prepare it right away."

Pei Zhao couldn't get a word in edgewise. He pursed his lips and resigned himself to his fate.

...

Prince Jing's Mansion

The bloodstains outside the courtyard had been mostly cleaned up. Granny Zhang and her maids sprinkled pomelo juice on the blood and lit several sandalwood incense burners to fumigate the area.

The stench of blood in the air was gradually replaced by a pleasant fragrance.

Princess Jia Hua tenderly applied medicine to Song Yue's wound. Looking at the bloodstains, she was furious: "Zhao Qingyan has truly been corrupted. If she were here today, I would make her kneel down and beg for your mercy!"

Song Yue grinned, gently tugged at Princess Jia Hua's sleeve, and said in a soft voice, "Mother, her injuries are more serious than mine."

Princess Jia Hua personally examined the whip; it was made of special leather, and the end of the whip had barbs and hooks, and it was stained with blood and flesh.

Even a regular whip wouldn't cause such deep injuries.

"It's truly hateful that someone so young would use such a vicious weapon!" Princess Jiahua was furious that Zhao Qingyan had deliberately humiliated her, revealing her malicious intent.

"Fortunately, you're not one to take a loss lying down, and you fought back on the spot." Princess Jiahua was very pleased and patted Song Yue's temple: "Remember this, in the future, if anyone dares to give you a hard time, don't worry, your mother will back you up."

Song Yue nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

Shen Ruyun, who was listening nearby, twitched her lips slightly, looked up at Song Yue, and whispered, "Third sister is young, I'm worried that her reputation will be damaged in the future."

Princess Jia Hua dismissed it, saying, "Reputation doesn't put food on the table; it's dispensable."

After speaking, she looked at Shen Ruyun and smiled slightly: "Thanks to you for sending people to guard Yuehua Pavilion today, which delayed things, Xiushu!"

Xiu Shu understood and handed Shen Ruyun a small box. It was heavy, and when she opened it, she found it was full of pink pearls, each one plump, round, and shiny.

Shen Ruyun had seen many good things before, but collecting this box was no easy task. Even the Shen family only had five of them.

“Mother, this is too precious.”

Princess Jiahua smiled and said, "Ruyun, I heard that crushing pearl powder and applying it to the face is very effective. Take it back and let Madam Shen try it. Also, please pass on a message for me: Minister Shen has been honest and upright all his life. It is really unfair for him to be just a minister. In the end, he has no real power and is also coveted by others."

Hearing this, Shen Ruyun's heart sank.

"It's just a box of pink pearls, and it might not even be enough to catch the eye of the Shen family. Ruyun, one must learn to be discerning. I will also distinguish you from Song Hengchuan in the future."

Shen Ruyun forced herself to thank her, but she felt that Princess Jiahua's words were implied and were a warning to her. While she was deep in thought, a message came from outside that Song Hengchuan had come to pay his respects.

Princess Jia Hua said irritably, "Get them out of here! Why do all sorts of filthy and smelly things come near me?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Ruyun looked somewhat embarrassed. She hadn't expected Princess Jiahua to dislike her husband so much.

Knowing the princess's temperament, she didn't offer a single word of advice.

Before leaving, he carefully inquired about Song Yue's well-being and told her to get some rest.

As soon as Shen Ruyun stepped out, she saw Song Hengchuan lingering outside the door. Upon seeing her come out, Song Hengchuan went up to her and asked, "Did Mother make things difficult for you?"

"No."

Song Hengchuan suddenly noticed that the maid behind Shen Ruyun was holding an exquisite box: "What is this?"

"This was a gift from my mother."

Song Hengchuan feigned ignorance: "Why didn't Mother see me just now?"

Shen Ruyun frowned, looking at the clear expression in her husband's eyes. Too lazy to point it out, she shook her head to indicate that she didn't know. When Princess Qing came to the mansion today, she clearly heard Song Hengchuan's voice outside.

If they had just sided with Song Yue, they wouldn't have been rejected by Princess Jia Hua with such a good opportunity today.

But Song Hengchuan not only failed to seize the opportunity, he also took advantage of the situation.

Repeated lessons had left Song Hengchuan with no remorse, and Shen Ruyun, too lazy to say anything more, simply said she wanted to go back to the Shen family.

"I'll go back with you," Song Hengchuan said ingratiatingly.

Shen Ruyun hesitated, but ultimately did not refuse.

Madam Shen had also heard about the farce at the Duke of Jingguo's mansion, and when she heard that her daughter had returned at this critical juncture, she thought that her daughter had also been affected, so she quickly came out to greet her.

“Ruyun.” Madam Shen looked her up and down.

Shen Ruyun said, "Mother, don't worry, I'm perfectly fine, without a single injury. This is a pink pearl that my mother-in-law gave me, saying that I should grind it up and apply it to my face."

Madam Shen was surprised.

“Mother, your daughter wants to eat the pastries made by Jinzhu,” Shen Ruyun reminded her.

Madam Shen understood and took Shen Ruyun to the backyard, where she had someone entertain Song Hengchuan to go find Lord Shen, and that they would have dinner together later.

After sending Song Hengchuan away, Shen Ruyun's hands were trembling. She nestled in Madam Shen's arms and sobbed. She was also quite frightened today.

"Ruyun, don't be afraid."

After Shen Ruyun calmed down, she repeated the princess's words. Madam Shen's face darkened: "Is this really the princess's intention?"

"Yes." Shen Ruyun nodded: "Today, I saw with my own eyes that the Emperor made decisions for my mother-in-law. Everything was in my mother-in-law's hands. It is said that Prince Qing is respected, but today the Emperor showed no respect for my mother-in-law. Those Imperial Guards killed people without blinking an eye, but the Emperor did not utter a single harsh word."

She believed that if her mother-in-law said another bad word about the Duke of Jingguo's mansion, the entire mansion would suffer as a result.

Madam Shen fell silent. She regretted letting Shen Ruyun marry into the Jingguo Duke's mansion and get involved in such a mess. She had clearly agreed that her daughter would be in charge.

Now look what's happened; they have to be extremely careful and attentive to others every day.

My daughter, raised with the utmost care and privilege, has never felt so stifled.

"If the princess dares to speak up, it's hard to guarantee that the emperor is aware of it, but just hasn't acted yet." Shen Ruyun thought to herself, this might be the emperor giving the Shen family one last chance.

Madam Shen was terrified upon hearing this.

Although Lord Shen appears to be upright and honest, she knows the truth in her heart. The Shen family cannot withstand any investigation. The Shen family is now being roasted over a fire, caught in a dilemma.

"I'm afraid that if we side with the princess, it will incur the displeasure of others," Madam Shen sighed.

Shen Ruyun said, "Mother, the person sitting on the throne is still the Emperor. The situation in the capital will not change. How could the Emperor be a fool to have ascended to the throne?"

These words were like a wake-up call. Madam Shen suddenly stood up and said, "I will bring this up with your father as soon as possible."

Since it concerned the life and death of the family, Madam Shen dared not delay and got up to find Lord Shen, using an excuse to send him away.

They talked for a full hour.

Madam Shen rushed back and handed a brocade pouch to Shen Ruyun: "Ruyun, take this back before it gets dark."

Shen Ruyun instantly understood, clutched the brocade pouch tightly, and got up to leave.

Meanwhile, Song Hengchuan was still waiting to have his meal when he heard that Shen Ruyun was leaving. He frowned and waited until he went out before the maid told him that she had already left.

Song Hengchuan's face darkened.

Now even Shen Ruyun dares to look down on me.