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

The Empress Dowager handed the fish bait to Shiqing, then carefully examined Jiang Yunxue.

"What business do you have with me?"

The Empress Dowager went straight to the point and asked.

Jiang Yunxue was momentarily taken aback by her directness.

People in the palace speak in roundabout ways, and the Empress Dowager, with her straightforward nature, was a little unaccustomed to it at first.

However, seeing the slight impatience in the Empress Dowager's eyes, Jiang Yunxue dared not waste her time.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor is now determined to bring my niece from my maternal family into the palace. But if she enters the palace, how am I supposed to conduct myself? I beg Your Majesty to lend a helping hand."

After Jiang Yunxue said this, she saw the Empress Dowager looking at her with a half-smile.

"You think you can get my help just because of that jade hairpin? Consort Jiang, you really don't value my feelings at all."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yunxue felt that she had offended the Empress Dowager.

She quickly bowed and begged for forgiveness, saying, "It is all my fault, Your Majesty. Please punish me."

Although there is no empress now, she waits for the empress to take charge of the affairs of the six palaces.

However, Jiang Yunxue did not dare to act presumptuously in front of the Empress Dowager.

Seeing her so frightened, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but smile.

"What makes Consort Jiang say that? She's just trying to get me to do something in exchange for that jade hairpin."

As the Empress Dowager finished speaking, she looked intently at Jiang Yunxue.

"Where did you get this jade hairpin?"

Upon hearing this question, Jiang Yunxue actually breathed a sigh of relief.

The Empress Dowager's problem was something she had anticipated.

"Your Majesty, this hairpin was obtained by me from a man long ago."

She didn't explicitly state what her relationship was with the man, nor did she say who he was.

There were spies everywhere in the palace.

If what Jiang Yunxue said to the Empress Dowager today gets out, it will definitely have an impact on her.

She's not stupid.

Besides, the Empress Dowager knows the owner of this jade hairpin better than anyone else.

Therefore, even if she didn't explicitly state it, the Empress Dowager already knew the answer.

As expected, the Empress Dowager gave her a deep look and finally nodded.

"Since you've come to exchange this jade hairpin for it, I'll help you this once."

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Jiang Yunxue was overjoyed.

"Thank you for your help, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

Hearing her gratitude, the Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow.

"It's just this once, it won't happen again."

After casually leaving behind these words, the Empress Dowager departed with her poetic sentiments.

As Cai Die watched their departing figures, a hint of hesitation crossed her eyes as she looked at Jiang Yunxue.

"Your Majesty, it would be a great loss to use this item just to exchange for the Empress Dowager's help once."

Hearing Cai Die's words, Jiang Yunxue shook her head.

A smile played on her lips as she gazed into the distance.

Keeping this thing in your possession will only serve as a reminder of the person you've lost.

Besides that, it serves no other purpose whatsoever.

However, if it could earn her a chance to get the Empress Dowager's help, then it wouldn't be a waste of her talent.

Cai Die couldn't see the connection between them, but Jiang Yunxue wasn't stupid.

The Empress Dowager had been fasting and chanting Buddhist prayers, hiding away for so long. If it weren't for the owner of this jade hairpin, she would never have come out this time.

The Empress Dowager's intervention was far more valuable than anything else.

"Go back to the palace."

Jiang Yunxue raised her hand and placed it on Cai Die's outstretched hand.

On the other side, Shiqing, who was beside the Empress Dowager, was also asking her questions.

"Your Majesty, do you really intend to intervene in this matter?"

Seeing Shiqing's worried expression, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but chuckle.

"The poetic sentiment is not what it used to be. Now that I sit on the throne of the Empress Dowager, I naturally have the responsibility to advise the Emperor. Even if the Consort had not produced this item today, I could not have stood idly by."

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Shiqing nodded in agreement.

The Empress Dowager is right.

Although she was only Zheng Zhihe's adoptive mother, she still held the status of an elder.

Moreover, now that the Empress Dowager is supported by the people and serves as a model for the nation, she should naturally fulfill her responsibilities.

"This hairpin was a pleasant surprise."

At this point, the Empress Dowager's face became tinged with sadness again.

"I never expected that Consort Jiang would have her things in her possession."

Seeing the Empress Dowager's expression, Shiqing knew that she was thinking of that prince again.

Thinking of that person's voice and smile, even Shiqing couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

Those were the children she watched grow up.

Whether it be the Six Arts of a Gentleman or poetry, books, and etiquette, he surpasses all the other princes.

Unfortunately, fate was cruel to this talented individual, and he died young.

Shiqing sighed, then comforted the Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, it's a good thing that His Highness hasn't gotten involved in these dirty struggles. Look at the intrigues in the harem; they never stop. Even Consort Jiang, in her high position, has to scheme for herself. If His Highness had so many women behind him, he'd be in for a lot of trouble."

As Shiqing recounted the story, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but recall the scene where her son had once whine and refused to marry.

A smile played on her lips, and she raised her hand to tap Shiqing's forehead.

"I know you are trying to comfort me. I understand that one cannot live in the past."

Shiqing nodded and didn't say anything more.

I understand the principles, but whether I can put them into practice is another matter entirely.

The twists and turns of fate in this world never cease.

Xu Leyao was unaware that the Empress Dowager had reached a cooperation agreement with Jiang Yunxue.

At this moment, she was discussing with Jiang Xiuxiu how to send Jiang to the Third Prince's residence.

"The Third Prince is stubborn and self-willed, and adept at scheming. If you are useless to him, I'm afraid you won't be able to enter the manor without resorting to other means."

Xu Leyao looked at Jiang Xiuxiu and directly pointed out the key issue.

Hearing this, Jiang Xiuxiu frowned.

"But if I use underhanded methods, wouldn't that cut off my chance to grow old with him in the future?"

Upon hearing Jiang Xiuxiu's words, Xu Leyao couldn't help but scoff.

"The Third Prince is not one to indulge in romantic relationships. If you want to stand by his side, your only chance is to demonstrate your usefulness. As long as you can make him reluctant to give you up, then what's the harm in growing old together?"

Xu Leyao gave her a meaningful look.

As soon as she said this, Jiang Xiuxiu immediately looked up and met her gaze.

"Is this true?"

"Whether it's true or not, you probably already know the answer in your heart."

Xu Leyao picked up the tea that Zhu'er had cooled and took a small sip.

"Don't blame me for not warning you, you won't get a second chance this time."

Her voice was cold and clear, but to Jiang Xiuxiu, it sounded like a thunderclap.

Jiang Xiuxiu bit her lip, her eyes gradually hardening.

As Xu Leyao said, she doesn't have a second chance.

Now that things have come to this, what is there that cannot be done?

Jiang Xiuxiu was unwilling to be arranged to marry a rustic man and live a hasty life.