The cousin's family is extremely wealthy; she deserves to be a concubine.

Hua Sirong couldn't help but point to herself again, as if she wanted to ask me if I had become the ungrateful wretch you mentioned.

But then she thought, if her husband, an official, couldn't help, what could a woman from the inner quarters do?

Sigh, no wonder He Zhizhu kept trying to send her down the path of becoming a prince's concubine today.

At this moment, He Zhizhu's eyes lit up, and she excitedly grasped Hua Sirong's hands, "Although my brother-in-law can't help much, when the Hou family members were exiled, their relatives and friends kept their distance, for fear of getting involved in trouble."

Only my cousin, after selling everything she owned, managed to scrape together travel expenses for the whole family.

Hua Sirong felt relieved; as for money, she figured she still had some in her pocket.

And she must have weighed the matter carefully at the time; the fact that the He family was only sentenced to exile proves that the emperor intended to let them go.

She received a favor and returned some money; surely that wouldn't offend those in power.

“But…” He Zhizhu looked reluctant and whispered, “In order to make our family’s journey to exile easier, my cousin sold two shops in the west city without your husband’s and mother-in-law’s knowledge.”

I had never suffered hardship since I was a child, and I couldn't make it to the place of exile; I died of illness along the way.

My soul flew back to the capital, intending to find you, but your house was occupied by someone else.

I thought you had moved, but I never expected to hear from your neighbors that your mother-in-law had found a better match and was going to marry her son to a divorced woman from an official family.

You, a merchant's wife occupying the position of her son's legal wife, are you not an eyesore?

I originally intended to use my family's affairs to divorce you directly, but the playboy brother of that second-marriage woman took a fancy to you and hinted that he should give you to him to play with.

You finally realized all this in your moment of life and death, but it was too late. Fortunately, although you didn't become that纨绔子弟's concubine, you did become the future emperor's second concubine.

Hua Sirong: ...!!

Her mind is a little confused!

She initially thought He Zhizhu was talking nonsense with a straight face, but even her aunt didn't know that she had two shops in Xicheng, yet He Zhizhu said it accurately.

And the land deed for the house she'll live in in the future is still hidden in a secret compartment of her dressing room.

She had asked Wang Mama to buy it just a few days ago. She still had the habit of having multiple escape routes, which was her way of making a comeback. Apart from Wang Mama, even Chunyan didn't know about it.

But He Zhizhu found out!

So, that dream wasn't just a dream; it was real!

"But you've become a ghost, so why are you coming back to find me?" Hua Sirong stamped her foot; she was afraid of ghosts.

And her messed-up life—she really doesn't yearn for it at all.

It's as if she, Hua Sirong, has eyes that can see right through people. Why is it so difficult for her to marry a reliable poor scholar? Is it really that difficult?

She only wants to find a male tool; as for the rest, she can handle everything: beautiful women, someone who earns money to support the family, concubines and illegitimate children, respect for her parents-in-law, and protection for her younger siblings!

Why is it so difficult!

What should you do if you encounter a problem?

He Zhizhu's answer was to take a shortcut, get to the top in one step, and become a concubine to the prince, thus eliminating all potential problems.

No way with Hua Sirong!

When problems arise, money solves them!

She refused to believe that in this beautiful land, there wasn't a single reliable poor scholar to be found!

If He Zhizhu knew what Hua Sirong was thinking, she could only sigh and wonder why it was her, not her cousin, who was dreaming of being reborn!

So frustrating, so mentally exhausted.

"Cousin, do you believe me now?" Looking at Hua Sirong's unpredictable face, He Zhizhu thought that she had revealed so much useful information, so she should have gained some of her cousin's trust.

Hua Sirong didn't say whether she believed it or not, but only asked He Zhizhu, "What exactly happened to the Marquis's mansion? Cousin, you need to know that the reason our marriage is not going well is ultimately because the Marquis's mansion is in trouble."

If the Marquis's family could still maintain its standing in the capital, even if it was on the decline, two scholars from poor families wouldn't have the guts to directly kill the two cousins.

He Zhizhu hesitated for a long time before deciding whether to reveal it. She had already told her cousin her biggest secret, so what difference would it make? "My father and Aunt Shui from the manor have sided with the current fourth prince."

Hua Sirong understood immediately, "It's a struggle for the throne."

He Zhizhu nodded, "We weren't destined for that. Even if we lost, the Fourth Prince would still be a prince, but our family would not only lose our title, but also be exiled."

Hua Sirong, from a merchant family, couldn't even dream of such a thing. "You should be grateful to be alive." If that person had been any more ruthless, your whole family would have been beheaded.

Be content, young lady!

Hua Sirong couldn't help but tighten her outer garment, feeling a chill on her neck.

"Do you plan to tell your aunt and uncle about your prophetic dream?"

He Zhizhu shook her head. "If my mother finds out, she'll definitely make a scene with Aunt Shui. If my father finds out, he might change his mind and side with the new emperor. Then, he might use us girls as a test."

After saying that, he looked at Hua Sirong meaningfully.

Hua Sirong: ...So your whole family has their eyes on me, huh!

If I ever dream of becoming a legal wife, it would be an eyesore to your whole family.

"Your sixth daughter is also very beautiful." Hua Sirong's implication was subtle.

She wanted to shout it out loud: "I'm not living here for free! Don't try to use me to exchange for your wealth!"

He Zhizhu nodded, "Sixth Sister is indeed beautiful, but you and Sixth Sister each have your own merits. Besides, even if my father believes what I say, he will still bet on both sides."

So, neither you nor Sixth Sister can escape.

"Then what did you mean when you said I would be your concubine?"

You've already become the prince's principal wife, why would you need another concubine like me?

He Zhizhu blushed, while Hua Sirong just wanted to purse her lips. It was too late to feel embarrassed now!

You have the face of a twelve-year-old girl, how did you just say those things, your little mouth chattering away?

"After all, I am the legitimate daughter of a marquis. The future emperor's first wife will pass away in a few years. When he looks for a second wife, he will be too picky and not good enough. If I volunteer myself, the success rate will be very high. If you join us, I believe we will definitely get what we want!"

Hua Sirong: ...So it's not a sure thing after all. Where did you get your confidence from before?

Did you have bad luck in your past life and marry a poor scholar?

Will I be able to turn my life around and take control, and sing my heart out?

"Why don't we tell Uncle and Aunt about this, or even the old lady of the house?" Hua Sirong had a good impression of the old lady.

He Zhizhu hesitated, "Can I tell you? I'm afraid you'll regret it! Right now, my mother just wants to use you as a bargaining chip, but she's ultimately considering blood ties. In my past life, you successfully prevented her from doing what she wanted."

"But if my father intervenes, and you really end up being sent away as a concubine, don't blame me."

What she feared most was that her father would casually give Hua Sirong away.