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

Tingyao thanked everyone who came to congratulate her. The concubines of the palace, those of higher rank, sent their personal female officials, while those of lower rank, perhaps wanting to find a sturdy tree to lean on, came personally with lavish gifts.

Zhao Siwei's wet nurse, Granny Zheng, spoke first and took care of all the palace servants who came to offer their congratulations. Tingyao only needed to put on a smiling face, which was much easier than the first time.

After everyone had left, Tingyao headed towards the palace. Her gaze fell on the room that belonged to Zhang Zhan, which had been cleaned up and turned into a study. The room was beautifully furnished and was a gift from Zhang Zhan for her wedding.

"Women need to study to have a future. Books can enlighten and wisdom can guide the way. I don't really think much of you. There are too many girls in the capital who are more beautiful than you. It's probably because God took pity on you and gave you great luck. I don't ask you to help Zhao Jiu, but I just ask that you don't drag him down."

Upon entering the study, Tingyao noticed that it not only had books, a table, and writing implements, but also a section that had been recreated to resemble the furnishings of her boudoir.

An Sheng was a maid sent by Zhang Zhan. She was a maid who had not yet reached marriageable age and was said to be the eldest granddaughter of the nanny who served his grandmother in the Zhang family.

"The young master said that the princess is different from other girls. She has sacrificed too much to marry the Ninth Prince. In the end, there will always be arguments when living together. She can't go back to her parents' home, so this little house is half her own home. Closing the door is like turning a blind eye to everything."

"Did you choose a new name?" Tingyao asked.

An Sheng shook his head, "It's about finding peace and stability in life."

This also serves as a reminder to her.

Tingyao quite liked the room, and then asked Zheng, the old woman who was following her, "Where will Young Master Zhang stay when he comes in the future?"

“Young Master Zhang said he’ll go and change the academy in front when he has some free time,” said Granny Zheng with a smile. “Young Master Zhang was just joking. He’ll definitely avoid coming here as much as possible in the future.”

Tingyao: "Such words must not be said in front of Prince Zhang in the future. The Ninth Prince's residence is also Prince Zhang's residence. Issue an order: if anyone in the palace dares to prevent Prince Zhang from entering as freely as before because of my marriage, I will make sure that person becomes the first drop of blood on my hands."

Granny Zheng was surprised that Tingyao would say such a thing; she seemed like a well-behaved and gentle girl.

Before Zheng Mama could react, Tingyao led her out, saying to Shishi, "Go and choose the most valuable gift from the congratulatory gifts, and also select a set of writing implements to send to the Marquis's residence."

Finally, I asked Shishi, "Where's **?" How strange, why isn't that girl here?

Shishi didn't know how to answer, so Se Niang spoke for her: "**Miss Shishi can't enter the palace, but she sent in a congratulatory gift. Would Your Majesty like to take a look?"

It seems that Meng** from the previous life has come.

This isn't like her at all.

Why not come?

Serniang said, "I was originally going to come, but His Highness the Ninth Prince said that it was against the rules, so I sent a gift and didn't come."

Seeing the look Tingyao was giving him, Jingzhe nodded. "Yes, I personally watched Miss Meng leave the palace. She will definitely come tomorrow. If, if Your Majesty really wants to see her, I will make the arrangements immediately."

Zhao Siwei said that from now on, the Jiufu Hall will be based on Tingyao.

Tingyao shook her head. In her previous life, she insisted on coming despite the palace rules because marriage was something that couldn't be done in public.

Suddenly he's become so well-behaved for the rest of his life? What if he comes to make a scene in the bridal chamber late at night? Zhao Siwei would have to strangle him to death.

Serniang spoke up, "By the way, would you like to see the concubine?"

Tingyao remembered that the concubine did not need to see her. Se Niang continued, "The concubine wants to see you. Her maid has come to invite her many times. After all, she is a daughter of the Yan family, so I thought I should let Your Majesty decide."

According to palace rules, it is not necessary to meet her. However, the status of the concubine is a bit too noble. Compared with this proper imperial concubine, she is even more worthy of respect. Therefore, it is better to let Tingyao decide for herself. In this way, right and wrong will have nothing to do with them.

Tingyao felt she had nothing better to do, so she suggested going to take a look.

Otherwise, if we go back inside, we'll just be sitting there in a daze, and who knows when Zhao Siwei will come back.

We arrived at Yan Yuezhu's courtyard.

Yan Xiyue, dressed in the pink wedding gown of a concubine, paced anxiously in the courtyard.

"Your Majesty." Upon seeing the person who entered, Yan Yuezhu remembered her current status and said, "This humble servant greets Your Majesty."

Tingyao told everyone to stay still and followed Yan Yuezhu to the side, asking, "What's wrong?"

"I have already placed the letter in my father's study as instructed by His Highness the Ninth Prince, but... but I am really afraid, will this really cost my father his life?"

“Since His Highness the Ninth Prince has made a promise, of course he won’t. Besides, the Crown Prince is still alive, and above the Crown Prince is the Empress.”

Yan Yuezhu placed her hand on her abdomen, "Ninth Prince, can you truly accept this child...?"

Before Tingyao could speak, Jingzhe suddenly rushed in from outside, "Your Majesty, something has happened!"

Tingyao: "Something happened?"

Jingzhe: "Just now, His Highness the Ninth Prince was accused of framing the Yan family. The accuser was a guest advisor to the Crown Prince!"

Tingyao's gaze immediately fell on Yan Yuezhu's face.

Yan Yuezhu visibly swayed, "I...I don't know!"

"Don't you know? You are now the Ninth Prince's concubine. Your fate is intertwined with his. If His Majesty doesn't want you to enter the palace, do you think you can become this concubine? His Majesty might be using you to enter the Ninth Prince's palace to tell your Yan family that no matter who the court belongs to in the future, your family will be given a way to survive."

"Everything Your Highness is doing now is to find a way for your family to survive. The matter was to be accomplished in secrecy, yet you have told others about it ahead of time!"

Yan Yuezhu was so frightened that she wanted to kneel down, but Tingyao turned her away and stopped her from kneeling. "We two have really brought bad luck to His Highness. Tomorrow we will be the hottest topic in the entire harem. And you're trying to harm me. Do you really think I won't dare to do anything to you?"

"I... I just mentioned it casually. Isn't he the Crown Prince's guest advisor? Shouldn't he be going to tell the Crown Prince too?" Yan Yuezhu said urgently.

"Since he knows you're carrying his child, naturally he's thinking of climbing the social ladder by marrying into the Yan family. Everyone knows that the Crown Prince is only possible through the Yan family, right? It's highly likely that your sister, the Crown Princess, is paving the way for him. And now..."

Tingyao pondered for a moment, "Would you choose a man, or your family?"

“Of course they’re my family, but this child—” She paused, a chill running down her spine as Tingyao stared at her. “I’ll do whatever Your Majesty says!”

Tingyao glanced at her stomach, then turned to Zhenniang and said, "Go prepare a bowl of abortifacient medicine, ready to feed it to the concubine at any time."

Zhenniang was stunned for a moment, but immediately lowered her head to prepare.

Tingyao glanced at Yan Yuezhu for a moment, then shook her head.

Back in the house, Tingyao didn't go inside, but instead sat on a stone bench outside the courtyard.

Ruyi brought out a cloak for her, and hearing Tingyao say that she wasn't cold, she said, "Today is an auspicious day, Your Highness, please don't catch a cold."

Tingyao smiled.

However, Shishi quietly went to find Jingzhe and said, "Today is the wedding day. At least let the Ninth Prince come back, even if it's just for a drink."

Jingzhe said, "His Highness is probably very busy right now."

Someone came in from outside, and Jingzhe went out. Someone handed her a piece of paper. After reading it, Jingzhe's eyes widened and her gaze fell on Tingyao.

Tingyao's gaze fell on Jingzhe, and she asked, "What's wrong? How are things with the Yan family?"

She guessed that Zhao Siwei had probably sent news about the Yan family's current progress.

During the Awakening of Insects, it was reported that His Highness said he wouldn't be back tonight and told the Empress to rest early. He promised he would return tomorrow—

"No, the note is Miss Meng's handwriting!" Shishi immediately interrupted.

Tingyao placed the white fungus soup she was carrying onto a plate. "Jingzhe, bring it here!"

She said it was wrong of Meng not to come.

This person will definitely come back today, and will even ask her whether Chao Siwei is more important, or her, his little sister.

Jingzhe shook her head, then turned her hands behind her back, trying to crumple up the note in her hand.

Shishi pounced on it and snatched it, even biting it in the air; the note flew through the air.

Ruyi immediately went to pick it up.

Jingzhe: "This is confidential, you must not look!"

Zhenniang and Seniang reached out to stop Jingzhe from coming.

"Jingzhe, His Highness the Ninth Prince said that the Empress is the most powerful person in our palace."

"His Highness the Ninth Prince said that there is nothing that Your Highness cannot see or know."

Ruyi opened the note and handed it to Tingyao, then craned her neck to look at it as well.

With just one glance, Tingyao's heart stopped.

—Come quickly, your grandmother has passed away.

Grandma Ji is gone?

For a few seconds, Tingyao's vision went black. She then walked outside, tears streaming down her face.

What happened to Grandma?

She walked out, clutching the note.

Jingzhe followed behind her, saying, "Your Majesty, you mustn't act recklessly today, or people will criticize you!"

"What kind of decorum is it for the bride to wander around the palace so freely on her wedding day!"

"Regardless of your grandmother's situation, today is a royal celebration. Her Majesty is no longer a daughter of the Ji family, but a daughter-in-law of the imperial family!"

“That’s my grandmother!” Tingyao pushed Jingzhe away. “I’ll take full responsibility!”

Jingzhe knelt down, clutching her sleeve, "How can you bear this? It's causing trouble for the Ninth Prince. The Yan family suddenly attacked, and then your grandmother too. This is all aimed at the Ninth Prince. We can't, we can't..."

“That’s my grandmother!” Tingyao pushed her hand away. “If my grandmother really died and I couldn’t see her one last time, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself!”

Tingyao ran outside, and several people followed her.

Jingzhe looked back at the person who had disappeared, and then at Lidong, a fellow bodyguard who was coming to help her. "Who killed Old Madam Ji? Today, when Her Majesty left the palace, I specifically peeked over the wall and saw that, apart from being a little irritable, the old lady seemed to be perfectly healthy."

Jingzhe stood up. "I don't know who it was, but this news must have been thanks to Consort Xian. Do you think Consort Xian really wants to break ties with our Prince?"

Before him was Zhang Zhan, and after him was Ting Yao.

Do you really think Zhao Siwei wouldn't dare to do anything disrespectful to his mother?

Moreover, the palace gates are already closed and cannot be opened.

Tingyao ran to the palace gate, but was stopped by the guards.

"Get out of my way! I am the Ninth Imperial Consort. How dare you offend my dignity? You have a death wish!"

Tingyao shooed the people away and looked at the closed palace gates.

This wasn't her first time living in the Forbidden City, so she naturally knew the rules.

Serniang seemed to be thinking of a solution, while Zhenniang had already taken out the gold hairpin from her hair and handed it to the head of the night watchman, and knelt down directly, "Please help my lady, even if the sky falls, our Ninth Prince will hold it up."

The night watchman immediately stepped back; this was a matter of life and death, involving the extermination of nine generations of his family.

Clutching the note, Tingyao could only pound on the palace gate with her clenched fist, large, hopeless tears falling down her face.

Serniang turned around: "This servant will go find Consort Xian!"

Tingyao bit her lip, when she suddenly heard a voice outside calling out "Sister!"

“**!” Tingyao lowered her head, looking at the door.

Meng** was indeed outside the door. "Sister, is that you? It really is you! I can't get in. You have to find a way out. Your grandmother is dying, but Zhong Youling borrowed her time from the King of Hell. You have to see her one last time!"

"The Yan family's place is surrounded. My men went to look for them, but they couldn't find the Ninth Prince or Zhang Zhan. Do you have any way to open the palace gates? If so, and if they can't be opened, what do you want to say? I'll go and tell Old Madam Ji for you!"

Tingyao was in so much pain that she couldn't speak. She curled up at the palace gate, only able to peek through a small crack.

Regardless of any conspiracy involved, Old Mrs. Ji is truly going to die.

Why? She had already extended Old Mrs. Ji's life!

"Princess, go find His Highness!" Tingyao shouted at the door.

Meng**: "I sent my brother! ***Her Highness isn't at the Princess's Residence! What other options are there? Tell me, whether it's opening inside or outside, what methods are there!"

Tingyao was in unbearable pain.

Consort Xian wouldn't give it to her. Empress Yan could help her, but now that the Yan family is in trouble, and it was Zhao Siwei who did it, Empress Yan would definitely not help him.

As for Zhao Fucang, he would probably only think that she had disgraced the royal family.

Shishi Ruyi was extremely anxious and could only look at Jingzhe's face.

If there were a way, people wouldn't be putting things away during the Awakening of Insects.

Tingyao slowly stood up, leaning against the red palace gate, and looked at Se Niang who was going to find Consort Xian.

Serniang shook her head, not wanting to say those unpleasant words anymore.

Tingyao said to Meng**, "If my grandmother really dies, send me a letter."

Meng** exclaimed and knocked on the door, calling out to her sisters, but Tingyao didn't respond at all.

Tingyao staggered a few steps, but did not let anyone help her.

Her gaze and purpose were both focused on one place.

Consort Xian.

Isn't today's situation just like Zhang Zhan's that night?

Tingyao walked to the entrance of Consort Xian's palace and did not move, but stood quietly.

Shishi, Ruyi, Zhenniang, Seniang, and Jingzhe looked at each other, wondering what Tingyao was going to do.

The people inside came out first.

"What is the Ninth Imperial Consort doing here at this hour? It's just according to palace rules—"

“Tell your master that my grandmother is dead, and she will definitely not live much longer.”

Shishi, Ruyi, Zhenniang, Seniang, and Jingzhe are all fools.

Tingyao pulled out the peacock hairpin that Consort Xian had given her that day, threw it on the ground, and said, "Go tell her."

She'll wait here.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly.

Tears welled up in the mountains, but she didn't want them to fall anymore.