However, even though she remained noble in title, Princess Fuping had already shut herself away in the Buddhist hall, chanting scriptures for over fifty years. Her heart had long turned to ash, and she had become like withered wood.

Therefore, after her rebirth, Princess Fuping had been unable for a very long time to free herself from the circumstances of her previous life, unable to speak openly and completely with Consort De.

When it came down to it, her tragic situation in her previous life had been orchestrated by Consort De herself. For the sake of the throne, Consort De had sought to curry favor with the despicable Chen family, marrying her off to that despicable scoundrel Chen Zhiyan.

In this lifetime, she had tried time and again to make Consort De abandon this notion, never expecting that Consort De would seem possessed. In other matters, Consort De treated her fairly well, but once it involved the throne, Consort De would immediately cast aside all maternal affection.

And now, she was saying those same words again…

“This matter is settled. Tomorrow I’ll have someone summon Madam Chen to the palace to discuss your marriage!”

“Mother Consort…”

Consort De paid no attention to Princess Fuping’s words, pointing at the door and saying coldly, “If you still acknowledge me as your mother consort, then get out of here this instant!”

Princess Fuping’s tears fell like rain, her heart cut like a knife.

She wanted to make one last effort. “Mother Consort, we cannot compete with the Crown Prince. Mother Consort, please let go, won’t you? I beg you, please let go…”

Consort De slapped her across the face, her beautiful features contorting grotesquely like a demon as she snarled through gritted teeth, “Nonsense! This consort was born with the destiny of a phoenix. Your imperial brother is brilliant and wise – everyone says he has the bearing of a ruler who will restore the dynasty. How dare you curse us? You can’t stand to see us succeed – what kind of thing are you? If this consort wants you to be a noble princess, then you are a princess. If this consort wants you to be lower than a commoner, then you’ll be lower than a commoner! Even if Chen Zhiyan is a dissolute wastrel, he is Grand Secretary Chen’s legitimate grandson, and for that reason alone, you must marry him! Your betrothal will be announced tomorrow – get out immediately!”

Princess Fuping stood stunned like a wooden statue. So Mother Consort knew what kind of person Chen Zhiyan was?

Knowing this, she still wanted her to marry him?

Princess Fuping completely forgot about the pain on her face, staring blankly at Consort De. “Mother Consort, you know Chen Zhiyan is this kind of person, yet you still want me to marry him…”

“Those who achieve great things don’t concern themselves with trivial matters. What does your small sacrifice amount to? Once your imperial brother ascends the throne, what won’t you have? No matter how dissolute Chen Zhiyan is, he’ll still have to show you respect! To not even understand this – I truly raised you for nothing!”

Princess Fuping’s heart filled with confusion.

Why was it that, being mothers themselves, her feelings were so different from her own feelings back then?

After her daughter fell seriously ill, she barely wanted to live anymore. If her death could restore her daughter’s clarity of mind, she would gladly die. If not for her daughter, she would have gone to the underworld long ago – why endure so many years of suffering?

Consort De continued scolding angrily for a while longer before finally turning and leaving.

Princess Fuping stood in the hall for a moment before returning to her sleeping quarters with a swollen face and wooden expression.

She tried desperately to think of how to avoid the tragedy of her previous life. Thinking about being betrothed tomorrow, Princess Fuping’s heart filled with sorrow and hesitation.

She wanted her daughter.

Only by marrying Chen Zhiyan would she give birth to that child from her previous life. She owed that child too much – she wanted to give that child a different life.

Thinking of her daughter’s ice-bright intelligence and soft, adorable nature before her illness, Princess Fuping’s tears fell like rain as she sobbed breathlessly.

She wanted her daughter – she wanted her!

Then so be it – she would marry!

However, she absolutely would not let her daughter relive the tragedy of the previous life. So after marrying Chen Zhiyan and giving birth to her daughter, she would need to leave herself an escape route.

This time, she would be more selfish, living only for herself and her daughter.

A few days later, Qin Shuying heard about Princess Fuping being betrothed to Chen Zhiyan, Grand Secretary Chen’s grandson. At the time, Qin Shuying was very surprised.

Qin Shuying basically kept track of the family affairs of the capital’s powerful families. This Chen Zhiyan was a notorious playboy – not only fickle-hearted but also heartless and utterly cunning and sinister.

Since Princess Fuping was reborn, didn’t she know what kind of person Chen Zhiyan was? Why didn’t she avoid this marriage? Also, who exactly had Princess Fuping married in her previous life? Why had she asked such strange questions last time?

However, the current Qin Shuying could only think about these things privately. She had been frequently dealing with Luo Meixiang’s troublemaking lately and didn’t have much energy to manage other affairs.

Having failed to find in-laws at the palace banquet, Luo Meixiang had become increasingly anxious upon returning. She went out almost daily – attending this family’s celebration feast and that family’s funeral. She seized every opportunity to go out and promote her two fine sons, completely losing the dignified bearing of a noble lady she once had.

Qin Shuying didn’t interfere with her, wanting to see what tricks she might have up her sleeve. But since Luo Meixiang was ultimately a member of the Liang family, while guarding against her, Qin Shuying also had to be careful that Luo Meixiang wouldn’t do something foolish.

This day happened to be the Dragon Boat Festival.

The sun blazed like fire, and the fragrance of rice dumplings filled the air. Qin Shuying was talking with Liang Zhen, who had returned to deliver rice dumplings. According to the capital’s customs, married daughters should return to their natal homes during the Dragon Boat Festival to deliver rice dumplings.

She heard Lu Ye’s loud voice outside saying something, and soon the voice grew closer and closer. Qin Shuying and Liang Zhen exchanged glances, both feeling this was not a good sign.

Sure enough, Luo Meixiang entered with a livid face. “Eldest daughter-in-law, how do you manage this courtyard? Even a maid dares to block me and prevent me from entering!”

Lu Ye showed no weakness. “Old Madam, this servant has been wronged. How would this servant dare block Old Madam? This servant was thinking of you – I heard that yesterday you coughed up blood. This servant was afraid you had lost too much blood and your old eyes were dim, that you might not recognize the way, so this servant spoke a few extra words to give you directions.”

Qin Shuying understood Lu Ye’s meaning – Luo Meixiang had probably said something unpleasant at the door, and Lu Ye had deliberately played dumb, which had angered Luo Meixiang.

Ever since Luo Meixiang had insisted on replacing Lu Ye with her own people, Lu Ye had steeled her heart to oppose Luo Meixiang to the end.

So Lu Ye would often pretend to be confused while perfectly understanding the situation. Luo Meixiang could do nothing about Lu Ye now, and every time she saw Lu Ye, she showed an unpleasant expression, which made her chest ache with anger.

Qin Shuying smiled. “Lu Ye, Old Madam is Old Madam. Your voice is indeed a bit too loud. Hurry and go down.”

Hearing Qin Shuying’s painless and harmless words – ostensibly scolding Lu Ye but actually protecting her – Luo Meixiang became even more furious, her chest aching, yet she was helpless.

This wasn’t the first or second time Lu Ye had deliberately angered her, and Qin Shuying always brushed it off lightly, never truly punishing Lu Ye.

Changing her tactics, Luo Meixiang directed her attention toward Liang Zhen. “Eldest young madam, you’ve returned to your natal home to deliver rice dumplings?”

Liang Zhen sat upright without moving, responding coolly, “Yes.”

Luo Meixiang sneered. “How strange indeed. I’m not dead yet, so when you come to your natal home to deliver rice dumplings, why don’t you even come to my room to pay your respects?”