My stepsister tried to steal the prince's hand in marriage, but little did she know I had been

There is another important event before the imperial examinations.

--marry.

The marriage between Wen Shuyao and Xie Jinghan was personally arranged by the Empress, and even the wedding banquet was held in Wanchun Palace, which shows the Emperor and Empress's affection for Xie Jinghan.

Even when princes got married, there was never a precedent for holding a banquet in the palace.

Xie Jinghan, however, received such an honor.

Some people admire this, while others are jealous.

Kunning Hall.

"Consort Zhang has arrived."

Fang Mama whispered something in the Empress's ear, and as soon as she finished speaking, Consort Zhang's affected voice rang out.

Clearly, he rushed in without waiting for the palace servants to announce his arrival.

As she spoke, Granny Fang glanced at Xie Jinghan out of the corner of her eye.

Consort Zhang, relying on the Emperor's favor, didn't even respect the Empress, yet she was afraid of Xie Jinghan alone.

If she knew Xie Jinghan was here, she would probably regret coming today.

Sure enough, the moment Xie Jinghan saw Consort Zhang enter, a cold glint flashed across his face, and his sharp, peach-blossom eyes stared intently at her.

His existence was something Consort Zhang had not anticipated.

But her expression froze for only a moment before Consort Zhang said softly, "So the Prince is here too. It just so happens that I came to see the Empress today about the Prince."

She was stunningly beautiful, standing out even among the many beautiful concubines in the imperial harem.

For this reason, she gained the emperor's favor, and even the empress had to tolerate her when she acted out.

She looked at Xie Jinghan with a smile. If it weren't for the barely perceptible hint of hostility in her eyes, anyone who saw her would praise her as a caring elder.

However, while such tactics worked well for the emperor, they were utterly useless in Xie Jinghan's eyes.

"She's just a concubine." Xie Jinghan's tone was indifferent and ruthless. "In front of the Empress, you are not worthy to use the word 'I'."

With a casual remark, he successfully turned Consort Zhang's expression from sunny to gloomy.

Not worthy?

She had called him that in front of the emperor many times, and the emperor had never said anything. So why should Xie Jinghan speak?

However, despite her anger, she dared not vent it on Xie Jinghan.

Back when she was young and arrogant, she thought she was the emperor's favorite and even tried to use the emperor to curb Xie Jinghan's arrogance. However, her little trick backfired. Not only did she fail to quell Xie Jinghan's arrogance, but she also ended up being confined to her quarters.

Thinking back on the past, she suppressed her anger and held back before speaking.

“Your Highness is absolutely right.” She curtsied to the Empress. “This concubine, Zhang, greets Your Majesty the Empress.”

"No need for such formalities." The Empress raised her hand and gave Xie Jinghan a reproachful look. "That's just how Jinghan is. Consort, please don't take it to heart."

Consort Zhang sneered inwardly as she listened to her attempts to smooth things over.

However, remembering the purpose of her visit, she smiled and agreed, readily sitting below the Empress.

"Your Majesty, I have come here today to help you resolve your troubles." Consort Zhang smiled kindly. "I have heard that Your Majesty wishes to choose a concubine for the Prince? I do have two suitable candidates in my possession."

Upon hearing this, the Empress did not answer directly, but instead took a sip of tea and waited for Xie Jinghan's reply.

In fact, before Consort Zhang arrived, she had already told Xie Jinghan about the several girls she had selected who had good family backgrounds and gentle temperaments. However, Xie Jinghan only gave a cold reply to this.

"One princess in the mansion is enough."

Recalling Wen Shuyao's bright and dazzling face, the Empress hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not continue to persuade her.

It's normal for a young person to have feelings for someone; we can talk about the concubine issue in a few years.

Unexpectedly, Consort Zhang brought it up again at this moment.

As she was thinking this, Xie Jinghan said impatiently, "I look down on the Zhang family."

Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell silent.

Xie Jinghan's handsome features revealed a coldness as his sharp gaze swept over Consort Zhang.

Being stared at like that, Consort Zhang felt for a moment as if she were a prisoner being interrogated.

At the same time, a surge of anger arose within her, and it seemed to be growing stronger.

They look down on the Zhang family?

Was it this cousin she chose, or... that she, her father, and everyone in the Zhang family looked down on her?

That's absolutely absurd!

Consort Zhang's face flushed red with anger: "Your Highness's words are far too harsh. Our Zhang family is, after all, a family of upright officials. I only wanted to..."

"The Zhang family's reputation has spread throughout the capital. They are nothing but a filthy family that sells its daughters for personal gain. Do they deserve the title of a noble family?" Xie Jing sneered. "If it weren't for you, the Zhang family would be hated by everyone by now."

"You young generals, don't waste your time on me." He said bluntly, "I will never take a member of the Zhang family as a concubine."

“Moreover…” Xie Jinghan stood up and said, word by word, “There will only be one princess in my manor.”

"I don't need any concubines or mistresses."

"I only need her."

He was tall and handsome, and his sweet words completely concealed his menacing aura.

Consort Zhang could no longer conceal her emotions. Her chest heaved violently as she stared at Xie Jinghan in disbelief.

Do you know what you're saying?

"She's the only one?"

Consort Zhang spoke these words with a hoarse voice and great difficulty.

Xie Jinghan, standing above, had a cold expression and nodded slightly under her gaze.

"My affairs are none of your business."

Consort Zhang then looked at the Empress: "Are you just going to...?"

"I cannot make a decision regarding Jinghan's matter." Although the Empress was surprised, she firmly stood on Xie Jinghan's side.

Consort Zhang suppressed her anger; she knew that she would not be able to accomplish what she was looking for today.

She gave the Empress a perfunctory bow and then strode away from Kunning Palace.

Xie Jinghan frowned: "Is the Empress Dowager just going to let her act so arrogantly?"

"Neither side can shake my position." The Empress took a sip of tea, smiled, and said, "Let her be."

No matter how arrogant Consort Zhang was, she couldn't interfere in any palace affairs.

She is no longer the little girl who only wanted to live to be loved by her husband.

At this point, she looked up at Xie Jinghan with a questioning expression.

"How much of what you just said was true? How much was false?"

"Only Wen Shuyao? Is she really that good?"

Xie Jinghan's handsome face showed little expression. He simply said, "Love is an external thing. I don't have much affection for Wen Shuyao."

“But she is a smart woman,” Xie Jinghan said. “I like smart women, and the Jingwang Mansion needs a smart princess.”

"That's all."