Xie Ping left in a daze.

Tingxue came in to report, “Madam, the master has been taking medicine this entire half month. This servant has personally disposed of all the medicinal dregs from the medicine pot…”

Yun Chu nodded.

If killing weren’t against the law, if she weren’t afraid of news spreading that a Yun family daughter had murdered her husband, she truly wanted to end Xie Jingyu’s life with one slash of a blade.

However, the days were still long. She would take it slowly, slowly destroying Xie Jingyu’s spirit and body bit by bit, making him pay for her two children who died miserably.

Before long, Chen Defu followed Tingshuang into the side hall, bowing as he reported, “The matter Madam instructed has been handled. When Second Young Master heard about this matter, he made a huge scene at the manor. Only after the master whipped him did he settle down.”

Yun Chu smiled faintly.

She had someone tell Xie Shiwei about how He Shi had been driven to her death by one son and one daughter working together.

She also conveniently told Xie Shiwei that his leg injury could actually have been treated back then, but because Xie Shi’an prevented it, the Xie family simply let it be.

Xie Shiwei was someone who would seek revenge for the smallest grievance. After learning these two things, he would definitely make a huge scene.

She only needed to find an opportunity to bring Xie Shiwei back.

“As for He Xu’s side, he hasn’t made any movements in Jizhou,” Chen Defu inquired. “Should we continue to have people watch him?”

Yun Chu nodded. “This person will be of great use.”

With He Lingying dead, He Xu became the most critical figure. Of course he had to be kept around.

Chen Defu made note of this, then handed Yun Chu the account books from the ice shop for the past half month.

Yun Chu flipped through them, surprised even herself—the net profit had actually reached over a hundred thousand taels of silver. With this sum of money, it truly made everything convenient.

The hot spring manor still had about a month before completion. Once deep autumn arrived, they could open for business, but before that, she still needed to find an ally.

In her previous life, this manor was acquired by Imperial Concubine Hui, one of the four consorts in the rear palace. Imperial Concubine Hui was the birth mother of the Second Prince… The Second Prince had always had a reputation for being virtuous, with an excellent reputation among the common people. If she hadn’t learned before her death that Xie Shi’an was on the Second Prince’s ship, she would have truly believed the Second Prince was someone who didn’t compete or fight for power…

When Xie Shi’an failed to win over the Yun family for the Second Prince, he used the most ruthless move.

Xie Shi’an was the blade in the Second Prince’s hand. The true executioner who killed so many people from the Yun family up and down was actually the Second Prince.

Fortunately, Father would be returning to the capital soon. She would tell Father about these matters in great detail…

The matter of the hot spring manor alliance still required careful consideration. Those who could contend with Imperial Concubine Hui and the Second Prince were only a few…

The night passed silently.

Early the next morning, after everyone had paid their respects, Yun Chu was just preparing to call a tailor to make a few garments when Tingfeng came running hurriedly, “Madam, someone has come from the palace!”

Yun Chu set aside her matters and rose to walk toward the front courtyard.

It turned out to be an old acquaintance—Nanny Fu from Imperial Concubine De’s side. A while ago, she had stayed at the Xie family for half a month teaching Xie Ping the rules. After Xie Ping had learned adequately, she returned to the palace.

Now she came bearing Imperial Concubine De’s words: “Imperial Concubine De invites Madam Xie and Miss Xie to enter the palace for tea. Please come.”

Xie Ping anxiously clutched the handkerchief in her hand.

The experiences she encountered when entering the palace last time were vivid in her mind. She feared that this time also…

However, this time Imperial Concubine De had also invited her mother. Mother was the eldest daughter of the Yun family—Imperial Concubine De surely wouldn’t fail to give Mother face.

Thinking this, she finally felt at ease.

Yun Chu and Xie Ping took a carriage to the palace gates, following Nanny Fu all the way to the entrance of Imperial Concubine De’s Changqing Palace.

“Madam Xie and Miss Xie, please wait a moment.”

Nanny Fu left the two at the palace entrance and strode into the great hall.

Xie Ping nervously twisted her fingers. Fortunately, this time she wasn’t kept waiting long. Nanny Fu quickly emerged and allowed the two to enter.

“This subject pays respects to Imperial Concubine De and greets Your Ladyship.”

Yun Chu bowed gracefully, performing a standard court courtesy.

“Madam Xie, there’s no need for such formality. Please sit.” Imperial Concubine De smiled as she granted them seats.

Xie Ping didn’t dare sit. She stood beside Yun Chu with lowered brows and compliant eyes, watching her nose and her heart, striving to maintain perfect deportment without any errors.

Yun Chu appeared poised and natural, without any constraint.

Before her marriage, she had often accompanied her mother to court banquets, able to conduct herself freely even before the Emperor, let alone before the imperial consorts.

“Madam Xie truly lives up to being a daughter of a military family.” Imperial Concubine De smiled. “I summoned Madam Xie to the palace because there is a matter I need to inform you about.”

Yun Chu set down her teacup. “Your Ladyship, please speak.”

“Seeing Miss Xie and our Fourth Prince’s wedding date drawing ever closer, I too have become nervous,” Imperial Concubine De said in a conversational manner. “A while ago, His Majesty told me that Fourth Prince’s courtyard was rather empty, and asked me to select a woman to marry into Prince An’jing’s manor as a side consort on the same day as Miss Xie, so they can look after each other.”

Xie Ping’s complexion suddenly turned deathly pale.

She never imagined that entering the palace, she would hear such words. This was even harder to accept than being slapped across the face.

“What is this expression, Miss Xie?” Imperial Concubine De looked at her askance. “What, do you have an objection?”

“This subject wouldn’t dare.” Xie Ping kept her head lowered, suppressing the emotion in her voice as she spoke cautiously, “This subject is merely curious who the other sister might be.”

“It’s the eldest miss of the Shi family,” Imperial Concubine De smiled. “She’s two years older than you, but you are the princess consort, so no matter how young you are, she must still address you as elder sister.”

Xie Ping’s heart sank to rock bottom.

The Shi family was a third-rank family. Eldest Miss Shi was the daughter of the previous Madam Shi. Although she wasn’t favored by her stepmother, she was still the legitimate eldest daughter. A third-rank legitimate eldest daughter becoming a side consort, while she, the illegitimate daughter of a fifth-rank official, became the primary consort… With both marrying into the prince’s manor on the same day, she didn’t dare imagine what would await her.

She clutched her palm fiercely and spoke insincerely, “To serve the prince together with Miss Shi is this subject’s fortune.”

“It’s good that you have this awareness,” Imperial Concubine De lifted her teacup. “After becoming Princess Consort of An’jing, as the mistress you must be magnanimous and tolerant. Don’t let me hear any jokes about petty jealousy.”

Xie Ping’s head dropped extremely low. “Yes, this subject has remembered everything.”

Upon leaving Changqing Palace, Xie Ping could no longer control herself, tears streaming down her face. “Mother, what should I do? What am I to do in the future…”

Without her husband’s favor, and with an additional side consort whose background and status were far higher than hers, she truly didn’t know what to do anymore.

“Wipe your tears dry. If people see, they’ll think you suffered some grievance in Imperial Concubine De’s palace, and there will be even greater suffering ahead,” Yun Chu spoke. “As an imperial prince, he won’t have just one side consort. Once you enter the household, Imperial Concubine De will quickly arrange a second one. If all you know is to cry, can you cry enough? Remember, you are the princess consort. Your status is established. No one can do anything to you.”

Xie Ping forcibly held back her tears.

Yes, she was the primary consort. In Prince An’jing’s manor, she would be like a mother figure. Mother could do whatever she wanted in the Xie family without anyone daring to speak up. Once she went to the prince’s manor, that Miss Shi would also have to follow her instructions. What did she have to fear?

Yun Chu and Xie Ping walked to the palace gates. Turning around, she thanked the young eunuch who had escorted them out and gave him a reward.

At that moment, a carriage slowly stopped at the palace entrance.

Yun Chu raised her head and looked over, seeing Prince Pingxi, Chu Yi.