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

In the deathly silence, Zhang Zhan glanced at the men in the room, took a deep breath, and pointed to the door, "Get out, all of you! If you don't want to die, keep your mouths shut!"

With that, Tingyao lowered her head and dragged Zhong Youling out, not forgetting to close the door behind them. She pressed her ear to eavesdrop and heard Zhang Zhan ask rather disorganized questions: "Explain to me first, how did you end up in a place like this? Come on, start making your own explanation."

It was quiet inside. Then Zhao Siwei tentatively replied, "It's you. What would you say? Tell me so I can remember it and tell my father and mother when I get back."

Footsteps sounded, and Zhang Zhan exclaimed in surprise, "Don't come any closer, stand there!"

Then came Zhao Siwei's voice breaking down, "What are you thinking? I don't like you, what are you afraid of!"

Zhang Zhan's unnaturally loud voice came through the crack in the door, "If I were you, and you were me, would you be scared?"

Zhao Siwei's loud, brash voice rang out, "Why should I be afraid of you? Can you even beat me?"

Zhang Zhan seemed to curse, but it was hard to hear clearly.

Tingyao straightened up and nodded in satisfaction.

Indeed, after today's performance, Zhang Zhan will also be wearing what appears to be a short-sleeved hat, and Meng** will likely be depressed for a long time before things calm down.

That's killing two birds with one stone, no, it's killing three birds with one stone.

Tingyao looked at Zhong Youling, who was being dragged along by Ruyi, and as if she had found a magic touch, she grabbed him and casually led him into the empty room next door.

"Please spare me, young lady." Zhong Youling was so frightened that she pulled back her sleeve, took three steps back, and bowed.

Tingyao cut to the chase, “I know you are a renowned physician in the southeast, but three years ago you were falsely accused of poisoning a family of five. The magistrate petitioned on your behalf with a petition from ten thousand people and changed your sentence to exile. He then deliberately let you go on the way. So I can understand why you dared not tell His Highness who you are, which led to this farce.”

“I can persuade the Ninth Prince to let you go and overturn your case so that you can walk in the world with dignity, but you have to help me save someone. This is my exchange for speaking well of you to the Ninth Prince.”

Tingyao was truly excited; Zhao Siwei had actually brought Zhong Youling directly to her.

Grandma Ji's illness can be cured. If Xu Tutu tries anything underhanded again, the team will have a nanny to save them.

Zhong Youling hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, I promise you, Miss. But are you sure that young master who just rushed in won't kill me?" He had a gentle face, but when he glared at someone, it was as if he were about to stab them.

Tingyao reassured him, "Mr. Zhong, rest assured, Prince Zhang will not do anything to anger His Highness the Ninth Prince to death."

Zhong Youling scratched his head.

He seemed to understand, or perhaps he understood even more.

**

In less than half a day, rumors that the current Ninth Prince was forcing a beautiful man in a brothel spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys.

As night fell, news spread that the Ninth Prince was about to use a male prostitute whose demeanor and bearing were strikingly similar to Zhang Zhan, the heir of the Marquis of Pingyang. This caused a sensation in the capital and shocked the court and the public. The male prostitute's brothel was packed, with everyone wanting to see the place that resembled Zhang Zhan.

The two groups of noble ladies who admired Zhao Siwei and Zhang Zhan broke down in tears, unable to accept it.

This included Meng**, who, upon hearing Tingyao's resolute statement that he truly resembled Zhang Zhan, immediately covered her face and burst into tears, exclaiming, "This author is toxic! What does Zhao Siwei have that makes him worthy of Zhang Zhan? He has a bad temper, is prone to violence, is brainless, and speaks venomously. My idol, my idol, is definitely no match for him..."

Tingyao asked in surprise, "Shouldn't you be wary that Zhang Zhan might be gay?"

Meng** shrieked in defense, "Definitely not! Even if it were, it was Zhao Siwei who forced him! What could Zhang Zhan have done wrong? His only mistake is what he did now—no, it must be a rumor! These two are half-brothers! That beast Zhao Siwei, he doesn't even spare his own brother! Heaven and earth, may lightning strike Zhao Siwei dead!"

In short, Tingyao immediately joined the ranks of those breaking through defenses.

A few days later, a piece of news quietly spread from the palace: the emperor was planning to select a concubine for Zhao Siwei at a banquet at the end of the month.

This official statement acted like a shot in the arm, and the noble ladies who admired Zhao Siwei began to rub their hands together, even crowdfunding money to hire ordinary people to act as online trolls and spread the word that it was all a misunderstanding on Zhao Siwei's behalf. Zhang Zhan's female fans also joined the whitewashing army, using their money to speak out. Both sides spoke together, saying that the two were just good brothers and that they were both talking nonsense.

This banquet, hosted by the Xu family, turned into a situation where the royal family overstepped their bounds and made decisions, including on the list of some of the participating families.

The Ji family residence, in the Cangjin Courtyard.

In contrast, the anxiously pacing Sun Shi, and the quiet tea-drinking Old Madam Ji, Tingyao, and Ji Anzhi appeared far too calm.

Old Madam Ji was annoyed by Madam Sun's nagging and snorted, "You accepted the Crown Prince's reward, which means you've secured a marriage for your daughter with the Crown Prince. Instead of preparing your dowry, what are you doing here in front of me?"

Sun was anxious about this matter.

The invitation to the banquet at the end of the month for the Ji family was actually delivered personally by the Directorate of Ceremonial!

The meaning is quite clear: Ji's daughter is on Zhao Siwei's shortlist of candidates for a concubine.

If given a choice, between the Crown Prince's concubine and the Prince's principal wife, the latter would naturally be better.

Isn't this giving Ji Tingyao an opportunity? That won't do. Madam Sun said with a smile, "What you're saying, old lady, is misleading. The Crown Prince sent the gifts discreetly, and not many people know about them."

"So what do you mean?" Old Mrs. Ji asked with a smile, but a sharp glint flashed in her eyes.

Madam Sun was also shameless and didn't mince words at all. "In my opinion, if Anzhi is favored by the Ninth Prince, then Tingyao can become the Crown Prince's concubine."

Grandma Ji drank her tea in silence, while Tingyao rolled her eyes.

Madam Sun quickly added, "Whether it's the Crown Prince's concubine or the Ninth Prince's principal wife, it's a good match. Our young lady is truly blessed. Don't you think so, eldest young lady? I think it's best if you don't go to the banquet at the end of the month."

Tingyao lowered her head and drank the tea, afraid that if she spoke in beautiful Chinese, Mrs. Sun would not be able to bear it.

However, Ji Anzhi, who was standing next to her, took the initiative to say, "This is not appropriate. The invitation specifically mentions my sister's and my names. My sister must go. Besides, we are not the only family that received the invitation. Regardless of whether it will work out or not, it is always good to give it a try. What does Grandmother say?"

Grandma Ji looked up at Ji Anzhi and said, "Give it a try or not. Well, it's good to let your sister go with you for some fresh air. Alright, you've finished paying your respects. If you have nothing else to do, you can go now."

Upon understanding, Ji Anzhi immediately got up and pulled Sun Shi away.

Grandma Ji asked Tingyao, who was silently drinking her tea, "What are you thinking?"

Tingyao replied seriously, "In terms of appearance, I am not outstanding, and in terms of talent, I am only good at recognizing characters. I am just an ordinary girl. His Highness the Ninth Prince is the apple of His Majesty's eye, so naturally the best girl should be chosen to match him."

“But your second sister is well-regarded in the capital. What will you do if the Ninth Prince chooses her?” Seeing Tingyao’s confused look, Old Madam Ji was very worried for her. “The Crown Prince is not a good match.”

She worried that if Ji Anzhi was chosen, her foolish granddaughter would be forced into a marriage in her place, and the Crown Prince would vent all his dissatisfaction with the Ji family on her.

Tingyao smiled and said, "Who doesn't know that Xu Tutu and the Ninth Prince are childhood sweethearts?"

Grandma Ji scoffed, "The idea of ​​childhood sweethearts is nothing but an exaggeration by the Xu family."

When Duke Xu went to war, the Empress Dowager took Xu Tutu into the palace and raised her for three years. After that, she would visit the palace frequently.

“If the Ninth Prince truly liked Xu Tutu, he would have already made a deal with her. In terms of family background, Xu Tutu is undoubtedly the best choice, and Meng** also has a chance, since the Meng family has never taken sides. Furthermore, there is Princess Yongkang.”

The third female character, Princess Yongkang, is Zhang Zhan's first wife in the book. Due to Meng**'s shady dealings, she had never met this person in her previous life.

Seeing that Tingyao remained silent for a long time, Old Mrs. Ji squinted and asked, "Do you have someone you like?"

Tingyao pretended not to understand: "I love my grandmother the most, and I want to spend my whole life with her."

Grandma Ji sighed. "My honest granddaughter..."