The beloved is reborn as a substitute, and the tyrant begs for forgiveness every night.

"You...you...what nonsense are you spouting...The Emperor is my uncle! How could I possibly do something so immoral!"

Jiang Xiuxiu was so angry that her face turned red, and she retorted loudly.

Xu Leyao laughed.

"Jiang Xiuxiu, are you mentally challenged? Did you develop idiocy at a young age? Just a few days ago, the Emperor punished my father because you confused the bloodlines of the Marquis's family."

How dare you call the Emperor your uncle?

"Even setting aside the fact that you are an orphan with unknown parents, I, as a true daughter of a marquis, would not dare to address the Emperor as 'uncle.' Because no matter how high the rank of a Noble Consort, she cannot surpass that of the Empress."

At this point, Xu Leyao let out a malicious laugh:

"She was always a concubine."

"presumptuous!"

Jiang's father hurriedly came out from inside and, upon hearing this, angrily shouted at him.

Xu Leyao merely frowned slightly:

"What, Father, are you still dreaming that unattainable dream? Six years have passed, and she still hasn't gotten what she wants. Could it be that in another six years, when she's old and faded, she'll finally get what she desires?"

Father Jiang was so angry that his veins bulged. He was about to teach this unfilial daughter a lesson when he suddenly froze.

He stared at Xu Leyao with a puzzled look for a while, then suddenly laughed.

Jiang's mother, who was standing nearby, felt a chill run down her spine.

"My lord, we mustn't be late for the palace entrance ceremony. Since Xiuxiu is so eager to visit the Imperial Concubine, then..."

He dared not utter the rest of his words under his father's fierce glare.

“Madam, if you still don’t understand the situation, I can ask Mother to take over the household management. Didn’t you say you wanted to go to Fuguang Temple to pray for blessings? Let’s make arrangements as soon as possible.”

Jiang's mother nodded, her face pale.

Jiang Xiuxiu was stripped of her fine clothes and hairpins by the nanny and packed up to be sent to the farthest estate.

"Remember this, all of you: Yongning Manor has only one legitimate daughter! Anyone who dares to confuse the bloodline of the Marquis's family again will not be spared by this Marquis. Do you understand?"

After saying that, Father Jiang turned his gaze to Mother Jiang, who nodded repeatedly in fright.

Jiang Xiuxiu was treated like a puppet, allowing the nannies to torment her.

The moment she was thrown onto the carriage, a wicked smile crept onto her lips as she muttered to herself.

"Jiang Yuwei, do you think you've won? How utterly foolish! Just wait to be crushed to death by the Imperial Concubine!"

"I will be back at the Jiang residence soon."

——

Jiang's mother talked on and on about palace etiquette along the way, but noticed that Xu Leyao was distracted the whole time.

Finally, upon arriving at the gates of the Imperial Concubine's palace, she let out a long sigh:

"When the time comes, you don't need to say anything; I'll speak for you."

Jiang's mother nervously led Xu Leyao inside, and when she saw the bright yellow figure sitting upstairs, her heart finally stopped pounding.

I only hope that Weiwei can be careful with her words and actions and not bring trouble to the Marquis's mansion.

"Your Majesty, look, this is the niece I told you about, my own niece."

Jiang Yunxue's gentle voice came from not far away.

Those who don't know her might think she's as innocent and harmless as she appears.

Zheng Zhihe casually fiddled with the tea lid, as if he really came over to have a cup of tea.

Only he knew how terrified he was when he discovered Jiang Yuwei had disappeared from the estate.

Back then, he was forced to kill the woman he loved most in order to seize the throne.

Now that he has power, he will never allow his lover to disappear from his sight again!

Only his rapidly beating heart knows how tense he is right now.

Jiang Yunxue was quite pleased with Zheng Zhihe's lack of interest, and to show her magnanimity, she continued:

“Raise your head and let your aunt see you.”

Xu Leyao did as she was told, and pretended to be timid as she raised her head.

Seeing her like this, Zheng Zhihe secretly rejoiced.

This little girl is really good at pretending. She's clearly a feisty girl, but she insists on acting all petty.

He and Vivi had a secret that belonged only to the two of them.

Suddenly, a secret joy welled up inside him.

Seeing that Xu Leyao was pretty and charming, and bore no resemblance whatsoever to that domineering and arrogant woman, Jiang Yunxue secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

God knows how terrified she was when she learned that the Emperor had bypassed her and punished her brother for mixing bloodlines.

Thankfully, she doesn't resemble her.

Immediately afterwards, she came down from the platform herself and chatted with Xu Leyao for a while.

Finally, he took off the bracelet from his own hand and put it on Xu Leyao's hand.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't."

Jiang's mother hurriedly refused.

"Weiwei is just a young girl who hasn't even reached marriageable age. How can she be worthy of such a heavy gift?"

Jiang Yunxue smiled faintly:

"Sister-in-law, you flatter me."

"This is just a little trinket that His Majesty bestowed upon me. I'm giving it away as I please."

After saying that, she smiled slightly and turned around to look at the man who was still sitting in his seat drinking tea.

She thought he would return her a loving look, just like always.

Unexpectedly, this time his gaze passed through her and landed on the girl who looked like she hadn't even grown any hair yet.

Her inner alarm bells rang loudly, and she couldn't help but push the bracelet in hard.

The girl had delicate skin, and two bright red marks were left on her skin immediately.

Seeing Xu Leyao's submissive and obedient demeanor, as if she were being manipulated by others, she felt a surge of satisfaction.

That's true, besides that woman, who would dare to make her angry!

After everyone left, she deliberately lamented in front of Zheng Zhihe about her niece's tragic past.

Sure enough, Zheng Zhihe's eyes revealed that tenderness again.

Just like her, Zheng Zhihe is cold-hearted and ruthless, only revealing his true emotions to his own people.

She gripped the teacup tightly and, as always, respectfully saw the emperor off.

He then smashed several of his own teacups before he could barely vent his anger.

Finally, she picked up her pen and wrote letters to her mother and brother.

Since a problem is a problem, let's just get rid of it.

——

Xu Leyao was still immersed in the emotions of seeing her old enemy and did not realize that she was being led further and further away.

Jiang's mother, who had been waiting at the palace gate, was pacing anxiously.

As the young eunuch led her toward the Cold Palace, she seized the opportunity when no one was around and grabbed him by the collar.

"What, does your master want me to accidentally end up in the cold palace and be killed?"

The little eunuch turned pale with fright and was about to sneak away when a black whip wrapped around his waist.

"Trying to run? You think you can survive if I die?"

The young eunuch trembled with fear and knelt on the ground, begging for mercy.

"Miss Jiang, please have mercy, I am just following orders."

It's obvious whose orders they were acting on.

I didn’t expect that even after I’ve been so subservient for so long, Jiang Yunxue still wouldn’t let me go. It seems that she hasn’t been living a glamorous life as she appears to have for the past six years!

Xu Leyao smiled maliciously, carrying the little eunuch step by step towards the palace gate.

I had only walked a few meters when I heard a voice behind me.

"stop!"