In Ji Muqing’s Luo Courtyard.

The room was piled high with gifts.

Whether sent from the imperial palace or brought from Prince Yi’s manor, every precious item was present, each one of the finest quality.

Inside, many young maidservants bustled about, coming and going, either carrying things in or bringing things out.

When Ji Wanxin arrived.

“Second Young Miss?” Someone exclaimed in surprise. “Why are you here? Didn’t you just arrive? Why aren’t you resting?”

She coughed lightly. “I came to see Elder Sister and see if there’s anything I can help with.”

“No need, no need. We maidservants can handle the work. Second Young Miss, you should go rest.”

“It’s fine.” She smiled gently, her voice very soft.

Ji Muqing, who had been sitting at her vanity, saw her through the mirror and rose with great delight, walking toward her.

“Wanxin, when did you arrive?” Ji Muqing intimately linked arms with her.

So enthusiastic!

Ji Wanxin’s body suddenly stiffened.

While she was still in a daze, she had already been pulled inside and seated at the vanity.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I could have gone out to welcome you.”

“Elder Sister, you’re about to be married, you must be very busy, so Father didn’t notify you.”

“Father came too?”

“He’s in the front hall discussing your wedding.”

“Really, he came without saying anything. Big Brother too—he should have called me to go out to the main gate to welcome you all.” Ji Muqing looked displeased.

Ji Wanxin stared at her. Was this person still the same Ji Muqing who would glare fiercely at her whenever they met?

Looking at her, she had the same face, but her temperament seemed… quite different.

She withdrew her linked arm. “Elder Sister, is there anything you need me to help with?”

“Look at you, treating me like a stranger, aren’t you? We’re sisters, blood sisters.” Ji Muqing deliberately raised her voice very high, as if afraid others wouldn’t know.

But hearing this made Ji Wanxin’s skin crawl. She forced a smile.

Ji Muqing looked at her warmly and grasped her hand again. “Wanxin, I know there were many unpleasant incidents between us before, but all that is in the past. From now on, let’s get along well as sisters. When I become Princess Yi, I’ll always remember your kindness. If you need help with anything, just tell me. As long as I have food to eat, I’ll never let you go hungry.”

“Elder Sister…”

“Oh, right.” She suddenly called out, bringing over a gift box. Opening it, she said, “This is thousand-year ginseng bestowed by His Majesty, a tribute item. Your health has always been poor, and Father mentioned in his letter that you’re about to marry Young Master Shen—that’s wonderful news. But before the wedding, taking care of your health is most important.”

She forcibly pressed the thousand-year ginseng into her hands.

Ji Wanxin smiled awkwardly, not knowing whether to accept or refuse, so she simply set it aside.

“Thank you, Elder Sister.”

“No need.” Ji Muqing smiled, pulling her close. “I’m getting married tomorrow, and because everything was so rushed, I didn’t have time to commission many jewelry pieces. You’ve always had good taste—come help me look. Which ones should I wear on my wedding day?”

On the vanity, boxes large and small contained heaps of gold and silver jewelry.

Selecting from such an array, no wonder she couldn’t choose.

“Help me look.”

“Mm.”

Ji Wanxin did genuinely help her select, looking left and comparing right, finally choosing a hairpin with a sapphire pendant.

“This hairpin suits you well. The wedding dress is red, so wearing a blue hairpin on your head will actually make you look more spirited.”

“You’re so thoughtful.” Ji Muqing took it and inserted it in her hair, looking at herself in the mirror. “Mm, not bad, but…”

Hm?

She removed the hairpin and inserted it in Ji Wanxin’s hair, saying with an appreciative gaze, “Still, it looks even better on you, Wanxin. After all, you’re also getting married and will also wear a red wedding dress. This hairpin—I’ll give it to you. Wear it on your wedding day.”

“I couldn’t possibly.” She hastily declined, trying to remove the hairpin.

But Ji Muqing stopped her.

“What do you mean you couldn’t? We’re sisters. As your elder sister, it’s only natural for me to give you things. Don’t treat me like a stranger—keep it.”

Ji Wanxin couldn’t refuse, but her heart stirred with suspicion.

Before, Ji Muqing had hated her enough to want to crush her to death. What was happening now? Why was she being so kind to her?

This kind of kindness was actually rather frightening.

That day, Ji Muqing kept pulling her along to select things, constantly pressing items into her hands, being extremely generous.

Even the maidservants in the room benefited from this!

They all said the eldest young miss was kind-hearted.

But privately, they said Ji Muqing must be possessed to be so generous.

…

Prince Yi’s grand wedding was handled jointly by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Academy.

When Minister Liang of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs at the Imperial Academy learned of this news, he was extremely surprised and immediately went to seek an audience with Consort Xiao.

Back then, his own daughter had been pushed to her death by Ji Muqing. For revenge, he had joined forces with Consort Xiao to scheme away Ji Muqing’s position as Crown Princess and had caused Gao Bingze’s death, making him a scapegoat. Consort Xiao had repeatedly claimed she pitied his daughter’s tragic death, but what was this now?

He had gone to great lengths to ensure Ji Muqing lost the Crown Princess title, and now Consort Xiao had actually petitioned His Majesty to bestow her upon Prince Yi. If Prince Yi became Crown Prince in the future, wouldn’t Ji Muqing still be Crown Princess? It was as if he had accomplished nothing, while his daughter died so unjustly. He couldn’t swallow this grievance.

He refused to accept it!

Consort Xiao knew he would certainly come, so she had prepared a pot of good tea early and waited.

“Prince Yi is getting married tomorrow. Isn’t the Imperial Academy preparing with the Ministry of Rites? How does Liang Zongzheng still have time to see this consort?”

Asking while knowing full well.

“This subject doesn’t understand why Your Ladyship petitioned His Majesty to arrange a marriage, bestowing the Ji family’s daughter upon Prince Yi?” He questioned her.

How could he not be angry?

Consort Xiao sat there calmly, her delicate hands holding a teacup. Her red lips gently blew across the tea’s surface several times before she slowly took a sip.

“Minister Liang, this consort knows you harbor resentment. When Xu’er was killed by Miss Ji, this consort truly felt heartbroken.”

“If that’s so, why would Your Ladyship make her Princess Yi?”

“This consort has my own reasons. Liang Zongzheng need not inquire further.”

“This subject doesn’t understand. Your Ladyship repeatedly claimed it was to help this subject’s daughter that this subject sacrificed Gao Bingze. But now, Your Ladyship has elevated her to Princess Yi. If Prince Yi ascends to the throne, she will become the nation’s mother in the future. My daughter died so unjustly, yet she will sit securely in the empress’s position. How can Your Ladyship expect this subject to swallow that grievance?”

“When and where did this consort ever say that Ji Muqing would become the nation’s mother in the future?” Consort Xiao set down her cup with a stern expression, sneering disdainfully and raising her elegant brows. “She’s just a young girl from the Ji family—she’s not worthy of being the nation’s mother of our Great Lin.”

Hm?

Liang Zongzheng didn’t understand.