Lady Hou is reborn and, by pampering her illegitimate son, reclaims her life of wealth and privilege

Wei Fengyao smiled and recalled, "Yes, I saw many rare treasures in the palace and witnessed the power struggles within the royal family. But what impressed me most were the loyal ministers who sacrificed for the royal family."

A hint of curiosity flashed in Jiang Xinrui's eyes as she asked, "Cousin, what do you think life is like in the royal family?"

Wei Fengyao pondered for a moment before replying, “The life of the royal family is filled with glory and responsibility. They enjoy endless wealth and honor, but at the same time, they bear heavy responsibilities. Every member of the royal family must strive for the happiness and well-being of the country and its people.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xinrui's respect for Wei Fengyao deepened. She said earnestly, "Cousin, I want to learn from you and contribute my strength to the country and its people."

Wei Fengyao looked at Jiang Xinrui, a smile flashing in his eyes. He encouraged her, "Xinrui, you will definitely succeed. I believe you will become the pride of our Wei family."

"Oh dear!" Jiang Xinrui suddenly remembered something and exclaimed, "Cousin, I forgot to bring you some water!"

The cold wind outside Yongle Palace was biting, and a hint of anxiety appeared on Jiang Xinrui's beautiful face. She bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes filled with worry. Wei Fengyao looked at her and smiled gently, comforting her:

"Xinrui, don't worry. I have enough water in my water pouch to drink."

Jiang Xinrui breathed a sigh of relief, but was still a little worried: "Cousin, the weather is so cold, won't the water in the water bag freeze?"

Wei Fengyao patted the water pouch at his waist and laughed, "Don't worry, I specially lined this water pouch with sheepskin. It performs very well, and the water inside won't freeze easily."

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Jiang Xinrui's eyes, but she quickly became worried again: "Then, cousin, when you eat snacks, is there enough water in your water pouch to drink?"

Wei Fengyao gently patted Jiang Xinrui's shoulder and smiled, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. But you, it's freezing cold, you should take care to keep warm."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xinrui blushed slightly. She lowered her head and said softly, "I understand, cousin. Then, I'll watch you finish your snacks before I leave."

Wei Fengyao smiled and nodded, picking up the pastries and eating them. Jiang Xinrui stood to the side, watching Wei Fengyao with concern. After watching Wei Fengyao finish the pastries, she reluctantly said goodbye, took out a hand warmer from her sleeve, and handed it to Wei Fengyao: "Cousin, this hand warmer is for you. It's cold, so take good care of yourself."

Wei Fengyao took the hand warmer, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes. He held Jiang Xinrui's hands tightly and said softly, "Xinrui, thank you. I will cherish this hand warmer."

A blush crept across Jiang Xinrui's face. She gently withdrew her hand and turned to leave. Wei Fengyao watched her retreating figure, a warm feeling welling up inside him. He looked down at the hand warmer in his hand, feeling the warmth emanating from it, and thought to himself:

“Xinrui, I have long remembered your concern for me. I will cherish this feeling even more and live up to your expectations.”

By this time, Jiang Xinrui had already walked quite a distance. She glanced back at Wei Fengyao and found him still standing there, watching her leave. A warm feeling welled up in her heart, and she quickened her pace, wanting to pass this warmth on to Wei Fengyao.

The cold wind still blew outside Yongle Palace, but Jiang Xinrui and Wei Fengyao's hearts were filled with warmth and happiness. In this cold winter, they cared for each other, weathered the hardships together, and their feelings for each other grew even stronger.

At this moment, a young eunuch suddenly blocked Jiang Xinrui's path. His face was serious, and his eyes were fixed on Jiang Xinrui, causing her to stop in her tracks.

"Miss Jiang, the Duchess of Wei requests your presence." The young eunuch's voice was deep and powerful.

Jiang Xinrui was slightly taken aback. Her brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes. She turned to look at the maid Du Banli behind her, only to see that Du Banli also looked astonished.

"The Duchess of Wei? What does she want with me?" Jiang Xinrui asked, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible tension.

The young eunuch shook his head, his expression indifferent: "I'm just relaying a message. Miss Jiang will know the specifics when she arrives at Rongfu Garden."

Jiang Xinrui nodded slightly, knowing that asking any further would be pointless. She turned to Du Banli, a hint of comfort in her eyes: "Banli, let's go."

Du Banli immediately followed Jiang Xinrui's steps, her eyes filled with worry. She whispered to Jiang Xinrui, "Miss, we need to be careful."

The journey to Rongfu Garden was not short. Jiang Xinrui and Du Banli followed behind the young eunuch in silence. Jiang Xinrui was filled with doubt; she didn't understand why the Duchess of Wei had suddenly sought her out.

"Do you really not know why the Duchess of Wei wants to see me?" Jiang Xinrui asked the young eunuch again.

The young eunuch shook his head, his face expressionless, like a statue: "I really don't know, Miss Jiang, you'll know when you get to Rongfu Garden."

Jiang Xinrui sighed helplessly, knowing that asking any further would be pointless. She turned to look at Du Banli, who also looked tense.

"Miss, we must be careful," Du Banli reminded her again.

Jiang Xinrui nodded slightly, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes: "I know, Chestnut, I will be careful."

The young eunuch led Jiang Xinrui straight to Rongfu Garden. The two remained silent the entire way, the atmosphere heavy. As the vermilion gates of Rongfu Garden came into view, the young eunuch stopped and turned to Du Banli, saying, "Sister Du, you wait here. I'll take Miss Jiang inside."

A hint of worry flashed in Du Banli's eyes, but he nodded in the end and said softly, "Be careful, His Highness Prince Duan has been in a bad mood lately, so don't offend him."

The young eunuch responded, took Jiang Xinrui's hand, and pushed open the gate of Rongfuyuan.

Inside Rongfu Garden, flowers bloomed in profusion, and trees provided ample shade. Jiang Xinrui couldn't help but sigh inwardly, Rongfu Garden truly lived up to its reputation. However, she couldn't enjoy the beautiful scenery at the moment. She tightly grasped the young eunuch's hand and whispered, "Thank you, young eunuch. I will be careful."

The young eunuch smiled slightly and comforted her, "Miss Jiang, don't worry, I will protect you."

The two walked along the winding path, and not far away, Jiang Xinrui's aunt, the Duchess of Wei, was talking to someone. Jiang Xinrui quickened her pace, calling out, "Aunt, Xinrui is here."

Lady Wei turned her head, saw Jiang Xinrui, and a relieved smile appeared on her face. She hurriedly came forward and said, "Xinrui, what brings you here?"

Just as Jiang Xinrui was about to answer, a figure suddenly appeared behind her. The Prince Duan's cold voice rang out: "Jiang Xinrui, why are you at Rongfu Garden?"

Jiang Xinrui was startled. Knowing the Prince Duan's prejudice against her, she quickly lowered her head and said respectfully, "Your Highness, I have come to visit my aunt."

Prince Duan stared sharply at Jiang Xinrui, a wicked smile playing on his lips: "Didn't you resist marrying me before? Now you're throwing yourself into my arms. Jiang Xinrui, who do you think you are?"