Transmigrating into a book to save her best friend, her sickly husband vies for her affections every

That night.

Tingyao was called to the main hall at the front. Before she even entered, she couldn't help but let out a soft "oh!" in her heart.

Surprisingly, the entire Ji family had arrived.

The presence of Ji Anzhi and Ji Fuguang, who are of the same generation as her, means that everyone must be present.

What big thing has happened that the whole family has gathered here?

Even Old Mrs. Ji was invited.

After taking her seat, Tingyao looked at Ji Anzhi for answers, only to find that she just shook her head and could only silently drink her tea.

After Ji Chenbi, who was finally dragged over by the old woman, took his seat, Ji Baiming spoke first, "The Ninth Prince's principal wife has been chosen."

All four daughters of the Ji family received invitations to a banquet at the end of the month.

In other words, the Ji family girl was the candidate.

Which family wouldn't want a princess consort? Not to mention, Zhao Siwei has become quite famous in the capital recently.

It's quite unusual to suddenly announce that a candidate has already been chosen.

Ji Anzhi put down her teacup, glanced at Tingyao who was also a little curious, and felt relieved for a moment.

At this critical juncture, anyone who is accused of being Zhao Siwei's chosen princess consort will undoubtedly become a thorn in the side of many.

It's good that this person isn't Tingyao.

And who was that person who courted death?

They could even have the Ji family specifically say that it must be because their family background and social standing are the same.

Ji Chunhe guessed, "Is it Xu Tutu?"

Despite her disfigurement, she has always been the most popular choice for Zhao Siwei's primary consort.

Until the very end, no one knows who will win.

Liking something can't put food on the table, especially in royalty; only power can.

Zhao Siwei currently has quite a few supporters, but he does not yet have any real military power to rely on.

Compared to Zhao Sicong, who is the crown prince, he lacks a bit of strength.

Ji Fuguang, peeling an orange, interjected, "What are you thinking? Her forehead isn't healed yet. I asked Doctor Zhong, and there's still a scar. According to the rules for selecting imperial concubines, she has absolutely no chance of becoming the principal wife."

Many people speculate that Xu Tutu's forehead has probably healed, but she has been covering it up to keep a low profile, waiting to make a grand appearance at the end of the month.

After all, many people had seen what Zhang Zhan's forehead looked like back then, and they all used the medicine Zhang Zhan prepared and were perfectly fine.

Zhong Youling's medical skills were highly admired by all the medical families in the capital.

Ji Chenbi stamped her foot. She was still playing with crickets when she was dragged away. "Who is it? What, are you our enemy?"

It definitely couldn't be her!

Ji Anzhi is renowned, Ji Chunhe is gentle and quiet, and Ji Tingyao is tactful and diplomatic; no one would choose her.

The Ji family was considered to be benevolent in the capital and had few enemies.

Ji Baiming gazed at Tingyao.

Tingyao straightened her back and spoke first, "**?"

Fortunately, she actually used her brain for a moment and realized that it was Meng**.

Ji Baiming nodded and recounted the information he had received.

“Two hours ago, His Highness the Ninth Prince personally visited the Meng family and ordered them not to arrange a marriage for Meng**. He also demanded that Meng** appear at the banquet at the end of the month, or he would personally come to pick her up.

Ji Anzhi was a little surprised, and then asked, "Were these words said outside the mansion?"

Otherwise, how would they have received the news?

If it's said in public, it's probably for someone else's benefit.

The relationship between Zhao Siwei and Meng** is clearly that of friends.

Ji Baiming shook his head. "No, this was told to me by an informant. However, many people saw Meng escorting the Ninth Prince out and even accepting the Ninth Prince's jade pendant."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Tingyao was a little surprised that Ji Baiming had actually planted spies in the Meng family!

Grandma Zhang lowered her eyes and pondered for a while, "Meng** and the Ninth Prince have a good personal relationship, maybe he's helping out."

Ji Boxue also agreed with his mother's guess: "We can't rule out this possibility, but we are also prepared to make a plan. If we can get the support of the Meng family, it will be entirely beneficial to the Ninth Prince now."

Ji Baizhang raised a question, "But Meng** likes Zhang Zhan."

Although it was a declarative sentence, his eyes revealed a hint of doubt as he looked at Tingyao.

They were asking Tingyao if it was true.

You two are best friends, you must know that, right?

Tingyao nodded.

Ji Baizhang spread his hands, "That's right, then why not let Zhang Zhan marry him? Meng would be more willing that way, and we can look at other candidates for the Ninth Prince's principal wife position. Zhang Zhan was raised by the Ninth Prince, so he'll definitely listen to him, so..."

"So, you mean that His Highness the Ninth Prince likes the Meng family girl?" Madam Yang was a little taken aback, covering her mouth in surprise.

Ji Anzhi boldly said, "Is it possible that His Highness the Ninth Prince failed to persuade Zhang Zhan? After all, Zhang Zhan may appear refined and gentle, but he is likely unruly inside. There is a very high possibility that he would defy His Highness the Ninth Prince."

Ji Chunhe thought it made sense. "Yes, last year when I went to a banquet in the suburbs, I played polo and won a prize. Didn't His Highness just give up the prize? Zhang Zhan smashed his teacup and left with a dark face."

Tingyao asked the question that concerned her most: "So, what is the reason we came here?"

“If the principal wife is Meng**, then the secondary wife should be you.” Ji Baiming looked at Tingyao.

Tingyao: ...

I

go with

you

爹

father!

Grandma Ji's expression changed. "Tingyao, I have other plans."

She had already planned it all out. In a few days, she would have someone spread the news that Tingyao was betrothed as a child, and she absolutely could not let her granddaughter fall into the hands of the royal family.

Ji Baiming looked at Old Madam Ji and sighed, "Now that it seems the Meng family intends to continue this marriage until the Ninth Prince, we must make a decision regarding our relationship with the Meng family. I've discussed it with them, and the Ninth Prince is someone we can gamble on. Therefore, we think—"

"What do you think?" Old Madam Ji asked coldly, feeling that no father in the world could act like this, eagerly sending his daughter to be someone's concubine. "Have Tingyao go find Meng** and have Meng** speak to the Ninth Prince."

Madam Yang hesitated and said, "I don't think it's necessary. If Miss Meng really becomes the Ninth Prince's concubine, our family will speak up for the Ninth Prince more in the future, and the Ninth Prince will naturally understand us. Why let Tingyao go?"

Since Tingyao had no mother to protect her, she naturally had to say a few more words in her defense.

Tingyao is a good girl. Although she said she was learning housekeeping from her, she actually helped Tingyao solve and pointed out many problems.

Whoever marries her in the future will be blessed with good fortune!

"What if Tingyao has a child while ** doesn't? Even sisters sharing a husband often fall out. Not to mention, Tingyao and ** have no relationship."

"I think it would be better to let Tingyao talk to Meng** and make things clear so that Tingyao won't be selected. After all, she's just arrived in the palace, and she definitely wants someone with good connections to accompany her."

Grandma Zhang gave a look of relief.

Yang clutched her handkerchief, still trying her best to speak up for Tingyao.

"I only have a woman's perspective, but I understand that we can't let the children die in these struggles."

The royal family is not a good place; there is absolutely no love, only weighing the pros and cons of giving up or staying temporarily.

This sentence caused the room to fall silent again.

Dou also spoke up, "Yes, Second Sister-in-law is right. Actually, I sent someone to find the medicine. After taking this medicine, something will grow on your face and it won't get better for a while. But after taking the antidote, it will slowly recover in two or three months. I was thinking of going to find Anzhi in a few days."

Ji Anzhi is the most likely candidate from the Ji family to be selected.

But she also felt that Ji Anzhi could clearly marry into a better family and become a wife, so why should she become a concubine for a prince?

What good is winning? You'll still be stuck in that tiny palace for the rest of your life.

How unbearable, how lonely, how pitiful?

Unable to come and go freely, and bound by palace rules, even seeing family members required special favor.

Ji Anzhi was stunned for a moment, not expecting that Dou would suddenly think of her, and couldn't help but be moved.

Sun Shi has stopped paying attention to her, and it seems that Ji Baiming will be in charge of arranging her marriage from now on.

She dared to pledge her life to Zhong Youling because she knew that her future marriage would only be a match of equal social standing, something that would bring honor to Ji Baiming.

Zhong Youling was the emperor's savior and Zhao Siwei's right-hand man. No matter what, he wouldn't do too badly in the future; at the very least, he would become a royal physician.

The only men who could move freely between the imperial court and the inner palace were imperial physicians.

Therefore, Ji Baiming will definitely agree.

Dou said, "The Ninth Prince has been targeted by Xu Tutu. Regardless of now or in the future, as long as Xu Tutu's face recovers—no, regardless of whether it recovers or not—as long as the Xu family helps the Ninth Prince ascend the throne, whether Xu Tutu becomes Empress or not will not affect her important position in the Ninth Prince's heart."

His words were a wake-up call for everyone.

Tingyao listened quietly.

Today, countless families in the capital who received invitations to end-of-month banquets are probably holding large meetings.

However, she knew very well that Zhao Siwei was only helping out.

"Tingyao, what are your thoughts?" Ji Baiming asked.

He seemed to have a slight awakening of paternal love, though not much, but it was enough for him.

In any case, in his opinion, Zhao Siwei was blind and wouldn't even look at Tingyao.

If the child wants to take a chance, then it's not impossible for her to be a concubine if Meng** is the principal wife.

The prerequisite is that you have to go out and move around.

Ji Baizhang said, "Neither your father nor your two uncles will rely on you to get a high position."

Is it necessary? Absolutely not, the location is already quite high.

Tingyao smiled and said, "It's not the end of the month yet, who knows what will happen?"

"What do you mean?" Ji Chunhe asked.

Tingyao: "Anyway, the one who should be the angrier today is Xu Tutu. Has the Duke of Xu's mansion been in contact with His Highness the Ninth Prince lately?"

Ji Fuguang spoke up, "It seems that the Duke of Xu's mansion sent many invitations to His Highness the Ninth Prince, but they were all politely declined. They probably mean that they don't need them."

Dou Shi also adopted a gossipy attitude, saying, "How strange. Even if the Ninth Prince doesn't like Xu Tutu, he shouldn't have to make things so ugly. What deep-seated hatred does he have?"

These two used to be able to get along peacefully, it's really strange.

Ji Chenbi raised his hand, a gossipy face on his face, "I know, I heard it from someone else. I heard that Duke Xu actually prefers Zhang Zhan and wants to bring Zhang Zhan to be his son-in-law, but Duchess Xu and Xu Tutu don't like it!"

Tingyao: ...

Other members of the Ji family: ? ? ?

Where did this little girl hear such outrageous gossip!

This time, not only the women, but also the men all uttered an "Oh!"

The Duke of Xu prefers Zhang Zhan, which is something I've never heard of before.

Anyone who dares to say that is spreading rumors!

"I heard it too, so it's understandable that His Highness didn't go. Xu Tutu and Zhang Zhan, didn't His Highness tell everyone at Second Sister's shop last time? He'll definitely help Zhang Zhan!"

Ji Anzhi thought about it for a moment and realized that it didn't seem like she was talking nonsense.

"It's also possible that Ninth Prince and Zhang Zhan know each other's dark secrets, which is why they've always been so united. If you dare to embarrass me, then come and die with me."

Grandma Ji lowered her eyes and asked softly, "So, who will Young Master Zhang choose?"

"We'll have to see what happens before the end of the month," Tingyao added.

Suddenly, a thunderclap struck.

Everyone in the room was deep in thought.

**

In a private residence.

Zhang Zhan rarely showed sympathy for Zhong Youling, and even expressed dissatisfaction with Zhao Siwei.

"He's really going to die, don't ask anymore."

Zhong Youling clutched his head, his eyes closed, his mind filled with countless thoughts trying to burst forth, but finding no outlet, he could only desperately try to force a crack open.

Fragments of memory, unwilling to be confined, are clamoring for freedom.

Zhao Siwei's voice was full of pressure, "Then, think about it, why did your grandfather die, and why was there a sudden fire?"

Zhang Zhan growled at Zhao Siwei, "Enough!" He patted Zhong Youling on the back, "Are you trying to drive him crazy?"

Zhao Siwei was terrified; where did he learn such interrogation techniques?

"Aren't you investigating too? Otherwise, how could I have so easily obtained the things on this table?"

It is a case file from the Dali Temple, the massacre of the Xu family, the imperial physicians.

Furthermore, two-thirds of the records have been lost.

That means it's something that absolutely cannot be known to others.

Zhang Zhan also felt that he had encountered a living ghost, or that Zhao Siwei had been possessed by some kind of ghost, and had become a completely different person.

From being carefree and irresponsible to being a master strategist.

Or was he too careless?

"How old are you exactly?" Zhao Siwei asked the man with a pained expression.

“You said you are twenty-five this year, but you also said you were ten years old when the fire happened. However, Zhang Zhan found out that you were twenty when you went to Chou Town. You yourself said that you went there to settle down three years later. Are you lying, or did you remember wrong?”

There are too many logical errors.

It was as if the memory had been altered.

Because few people are curious about him, Zhong Youling himself did not realize that his memory was biased or problematic.

Zhong Youling clutched his head, panting heavily, and then said with difficulty, word by word, "It was Grandfather who told me to say I was ten years old..."

He seemed to remember that a woman, a very beautiful woman, had come to his house.

The family was very happy, the wet nurse and mother—

Mother?

Zhong Youling's head was throbbing with pain, and he curled up on the ground, breathing heavily.

No. I'm really going to die.

Zhang Zhan: "Shut up!"

Zhao Fucang's life is now in Zhong Youling's hands!

This is driving someone to their death! That's unacceptable!