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

Evening

They were having a meal at Yuehua Pavilion when a maid came to report that the eldest young mistress had returned. Song Yue lifted her head from her bowl and asked, "Didn't my sister-in-law just go back? How come she's back so soon?"

Princess Jia Hua smiled without saying a word: "Please add a set of chopsticks and a bowl for the eldest young mistress."

"Yes."

Soon Shen Ruyun rushed back, bowed to Princess Jiahua, and presented the brocade pouch with both hands: "This is a gift from my mother to my mother to express her gratitude."

Princess Jia Hua took the book, opened it, glanced at it, and smiled: "You rushed back so quickly, you must not have eaten. Please sit down."

"Thank you, mother."

Song Yue enjoyed her meal, and it was clear that Princess Jia Hua was also in a good mood, occasionally serving Song Yue food.

Shen Ruyun didn't use it much.

Half an hour later, the group put down their chopsticks.

Princess Jia Hua kept Shen Ruyun for a talk, but Song Yue left first. She yawned, and Zhang Mama approached her.

Make her bed.

Song Yue narrowed her eyes: "Did Grandmother make any moves today?"

"The Grand Madam?" Granny Zhang was taken aback and said with a strange expression, "The Ninghui Hall has called doctors twice. The Grand Madam was quite frightened and took three heart-protecting pills."

Song Yue touched her chin. The Grand Madam had been frightened one after another, and she probably didn't want to stay in the Duke of Jingguo's mansion anymore.

She picked up a book out of boredom and started reading, but Shen Ruyun didn't come out of her mother's yard even after she finished the book.

I decided not to wait any longer and went to bed after washing up.

The next day, Song Yue slept until the sun was high in the sky before getting up. Princess Jia Hua forbade her to pay her respects, and Song Yue could sleep until she naturally woke up every day.

They claimed it was for the purpose of growing taller.

After getting dressed, Song Yue went to the main courtyard and immediately saw Shen Ruyun there, with a smile on her face.

"Sister-in-law."

Shen Ruyun saw Song Yue and replied with a smile, "Third sister."

"What's making you so happy, sister-in-law?"

"This morning, the Emperor issued an edict conferring upon my father the title of Duke of Yingguo and also bestowed upon him a new mansion."

Minister Shen's rise to the rank of one of the Three Dukes was an immense honor. The old Duke had been granted the title of Marquis by Emperor Taizu for his meritorious service on the battlefield, but he was promoted to Duke because of Princess Jiahua's marriage to him. Emperor Taizu compensated him by giving him the title of Duke.

The fact that Minister Shen was directly appointed as one of the Three Dukes means that the Emperor intends to give him an important position.

Shen Ruyun hadn't slept a wink since returning home last night. She was surprised and delighted to hear the good news as soon as she woke up, so she rushed to Yuehua Pavilion to share the news.

"I see." Song Yue clasped her hands in congratulations.

Minister Shen was a corrupt official. The fine clothes and jewels hidden in the Shen family were worth more than a country. However, Minister Shen could not openly indulge in extravagance. He could only do so in secret, feeling frustrated and having to be cautious.

If anyone reports anything, and the Shen family is searched, they will face the death penalty.

Now that the Emperor of Northern Chu has bestowed a title and a new residence upon the Shen family, it means that the Shen family has been given a chance to redeem themselves. It remains to be seen whether the Shen family can seize this opportunity.

Song Yue had just sat down when Xiu Shu hurriedly said, "Princess, when Duke Shen moved, he discovered a treasure from the previous dynasty hidden underground."

As soon as she finished speaking, Song Yue's lips curled up. It seemed that the Shen family had abandoned their evil ways and turned to the light.

Princess Jia Hua's smile deepened as she looked at Shen Ru Yun: "After dinner, go back and see if the Shen family needs any help with their move."

"Mother, I think it's better for me to stay at Yuehua Pavilion and help out. There are so many people in the Shen family, why would I need to help them personally? Going there would only cause more trouble."

After Shen Ruyun finished speaking, she took out her collection of books and handed them to Song Yue. Song Yue saw that they were all unique copies and had collectible value.

"Thank you, sister-in-law," Song Yue said.

"As long as my third sister is happy."

The breakfast went very well. Princess Jiahua forbade Shen Ruyun from standing to serve her anymore, allowing her to sit down and handing over half of the management authority of the Jingguo Duke's Mansion to her.

Shen Ruyun declined.

"You can keep it for now; you'll need it someday."

Now that the management of the Jingguo Duke's mansion is in the hands of Madam Tao, Princess Jiahua gave her a word, and Madam Tao personally delivered half of the account books and keys.

"Thank you so much, sister-in-law, for finding me a helper. Nephew's wife, if there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me." Tao smiled kindly.

Shen Ruyun nodded: "Okay, but please don't think I'm stupid when the time comes."

"How could that be? My niece-in-law is so clever and perceptive; it's already good enough that she doesn't look down on me, her elder," Tao said with a smile.

Then, Tao glanced at Song Yue mysteriously and said, "This morning, the Princess Consort of Zhennan personally went to the Prince of Qing's residence to present the betrothal gifts and arrange a marriage between Zhao Qingyan and Prince Pei."

Song Yue asked in surprise: "Marry Zhao Qingyan?"

How did Pei Zhao get involved with Zhao Qingyan?

Wasn't he deeply in love with Song Yao? He never imagined that even without him, Song Yao wouldn't become his wife, and in the end, she would only be a pitiful concubine.

No, they might not even be able to reach the gate of the Prince of Zhennan's mansion.

"Early this morning, the second young lady was threatening to kill herself and even called a doctor. Aunt Yuan ran crying to the Duke for help." Tao Shi pouted. "The Zhennan Prince's Mansion isn't a good place either. The second young lady is really something, why does she always like to go to the Zhennan Prince's Mansion?"

Princess Jia Hua lowered her head and drank her tea, without responding.

“Sister-in-law, the Second Miss has lost her chastity and is disliked by the Han family and the Prince of Zhennan’s mansion. In my opinion, it is really not appropriate for her to stay in the Duke of Jingguo’s mansion.” Tao said boldly.

If Song Yao continues to live in the Duke of Jingguo's mansion with a ruined reputation, it will only tarnish the reputations of the other girls. Madam Tao feels sorry for her daughter and does not want her to be implicated.

Princess Jia Hua silently put down her tea and looked at Song Yue: "A Yue, what do you think should be done?"

Song Yue pondered for a moment: "Second sister insists on having Prince Pei, so why don't we, Mother, grant her wish? Send her in a sedan chair, and the Prince of Zhennan's mansion won't be able to kick her out."

She wanted Song Yao to witness Pei Zhao's wedding. Zhao Qingyan was no pushover, and she wanted to see what Song Yao could possibly gain from under her!

Tao's lips twitched: "Yue'er, the second young lady is going to be a concubine. It wouldn't sound good if the first daughter of the Duke's mansion became a concubine."

She would rather her second daughter find a wife from an ordinary family, or, if that didn't work out, send her to the estate to fend for herself.

“Who said I’d be a concubine?” Princess Jiahua laughed. “Today is a day of double celebration for the Zhennan Prince’s Mansion, so naturally our Jingguo Duke’s daughter will be a secondary wife.”

Tao looked troubled: "I'm afraid the Prince of Zhennan's mansion won't be happy about it."

"That's not up to her!"

The next morning

A minister mentioned that Song Yao had risked his life to save Princess Zhennan at the Jokhang Temple, and that Song Yao had almost lost her life, praising her highly.

"Miss Song is also a devoted lover. She and Prince Pei were childhood sweethearts, but unfortunately, fate did not grant their wish, and the lovers could not be together in the end."

"What do you mean by that, Lord Zhang?"

"Young Master Pei has already presented his betrothal gifts to the eldest daughter of Prince Qing yesterday. Miss Song can't very well become a concubine, can she?"

"The debt of saving my life is enough to make me the wife of the crown prince, why would I become a concubine?"

A dispute arose in the court over whether Song Yao or Zhao Qingyan should marry Pei Zhao. The Prince of Zhennan, with a stern face, stepped forward to interrupt.

"Have you all misunderstood? I've heard rumors that the Princess Consort of Zhennan has promised a generous dowry to Miss Song?"

Zhao Zhiyan, who was at the head of the crowd, suddenly looked at the Prince of Zhennan for confirmation.

The Prince of Zhennan nodded: "That is indeed true."

"Look, you've all misunderstood the Prince of Zhennan. He gave the dowry first, then the betrothal gifts. He would never let Miss Song down."

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Zhennan frowned deeply: "Eighth Prince, this is not right."

"What's wrong? Could it be that the rumors are wrong? Wasn't it that when the Second Miss Song was on the verge of collapse, the Princess of Zhennan personally promised that Princess Jiahua would personally break off the engagement between the Crown Prince and the Third Miss to make room for the Second Miss?" Zhao Zhiyan asked in surprise, "Could it be that forcing the Third Miss to break off the engagement was just a pretext, and her real purpose was to marry the legitimate daughter of Prince Qing?"

Zhao Zhiyan's words made the Prince of Zhennan appear to have ulterior motives. He looked up at the questioning gaze of the person in charge and quickly explained, "Of course not. How could the Prince of Zhennan's mansion let down the Second Miss? It's just that the Second Miss's status is too low, and it is indeed inappropriate for her to be the mistress of the house. The mansion has already promised her the status of a concubine."

"A concubine?" Zhao Zhiyan raised an eyebrow: "How can you repay a life-saving debt with a concubine?"

"Indeed, isn't the Prince of Zhennan far too cold and heartless?"

Caught in the middle of the crowd, being pointed at and whispered about, Prince Zhennan felt a lump in his throat and almost fainted. In the end, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and say, "Then I will treat you with the respect due to an equal wife."

Zhao Zhiyan cupped his hands in thanks: "The Prince's Mansion is truly grateful and magnanimous!"