Du Feixue’s feelings for Zhu Yàn were too obvious. After Old Madam Taining comforted her granddaughter, she specifically asked Madam Wen, wife of Marquis Taining, to stay behind.

“You’re quite right. Yan’er is indeed not young anymore—his marriage cannot be delayed further. Do you have any suitable noble daughters of marriageable age in mind?”

Though Old Madam Taining doted on her granddaughter, she knew well that her granddaughter’s temperament was unsuited to be an heir apparent’s wife. Moreover, her granddaughter had to observe three years of mourning for her mother, and her grandson couldn’t wait that long. If she didn’t hurry to settle her grandson’s marriage, should her granddaughter cause any trouble during the mourning period, it would become a laughingstock.

“This daughter-in-law has been paying attention these years. Miss Su from the Minister of Rites’ residence would be excellent.”

“The Su family girl?” Old Madam Taining raised her eyebrows, forming an impression, “Is she the one who’s friendly with Yan’er?”

Madam Wen nodded with a smile: “Precisely.”

“Miss Su is indeed excellent—your judgment is good.” Old Madam Taining nodded with satisfaction, then changed her tone: “However, Minister Su is about to join the cabinet. I’m afraid matchmakers going to the Su family will trample on their threshold. You must act quickly.”

“Old Madam can rest assured. As soon as the first month ends, this daughter-in-law will have someone go test the waters at the Minister’s residence.”

Old Madam Taining slowly nodded.

In the blink of an eye, it was Qiao Zhao’s birthday.

In Grand Commander Jiang’s residence, Jiang Shiran was losing her temper with Jiang Tang.

“I’m not even close to Third Li—why must I go celebrate her birthday?”

“Ran Ran, don’t be willful. Miss Li helped father previously, so consider it going to express father’s gratitude.” Facing his bristling, precious daughter, Jiang Tang completely lost the imposing manner of the Jinlin Guards’ commander.

Since taking the detoxification medicine Miss Li had prepared, he felt his body much lighter. Those previous symptoms of insomnia, muscle cramps, and hair loss were gone.

However, he was the Jinlin Guards’ commander, while Miss Li was a young lady betrothed to Marquis Champion. It was inappropriate for them to meet frequently, but having his daughter go would be much more convenient.

Unfortunately, what gave Jiang Tang a headache was that his daughter seemed naturally at odds with Miss Li—not only could they never get along, but they had developed quite a grudge.

“Father is lying. She doesn’t have three heads and six arms—what help could she give you?” Jiang Shiran bit her lip and sneered coldly. “I thought father had returned to normal, but it turns out he’s still under Third Li’s spell and hasn’t awakened!”

Jiang Tang was somewhat angry: “Child, what nonsense are you spouting?”

He was already advanced in years. Since his wife’s death, he had given up thoughts of remarrying, wholeheartedly raising his daughter. Being spoken to this way by his daughter naturally made him both angry and embarrassed.

“Father is yelling at me!” Jiang Shiran stamped her feet, tears immediately falling. “Fine, I won’t go. If you want to go, go yourself!”

Seeing Jiang Shiran turn and leave, Jiang Tang hurriedly asked: “Ran Ran, where are you going?”

Jiang Shiran didn’t look back: “I’m going to the palace to find Zhenzhen!”

Watching Jiang Shiran run away, Jiang Tang sighed helplessly: “This child…”

The Commander’s residence was vast with spacious grounds. Because Jiang Shiran was angry, her feet seemed to have grown wings. When passing through a moon gate, she nearly collided with someone.

“Be careful—” The person reached out to steady Jiang Shiran.

Once Jiang Shiran saw who it was, she frowned: “Fifth Brother, why are you here?”

Hadn’t Father sent Jiang Wu far away to Jia Feng? How had Jiang Wu returned to the capital even earlier than Thirteenth Brother? What was annoying was that since his return, he unfailingly came to report to her home—did he still want to move in?

“I came to discuss matters with my adoptive father. Where is Ran Ran going?” Jiang Wu was no less handsome than Jiang Shiyi and Jiang Yuanchao, but unfortunately, he had an aquiline nose and a cold temperament. Though he smiled at Jiang Shiran now, it still made the young lady dislike him.

“Do I need to report to Fifth Brother wherever I go?”

“That’s not what I meant—”

Before Jiang Wu could finish, Jiang Shiran had already pushed past him and run away.

Jiang Wu stared after Jiang Shiran’s retreating figure, his eyes flickering, then turned to walk inside.

When Jiang Shiran entered the palace to see Princess Zhenzhen, she was still unhappy, complaining: “Zhenzhen, tell me—has my father been possessed? Why does he treat Third Li so specially?”

Princess Zhenzhen walked forward casually. Though it was still the first month, many flowers bloomed in the Imperial Garden, yet those brilliantly blooming, delicate flowers lost their color before her radiance.

“Perhaps Miss Li truly has helped the Grand Commander.” Princess Zhenzhen unconsciously touched her tender cheek.

Since Miss Li could restore her appearance, it wasn’t impossible that she could help the Jinlin Guards’ commander in some way.

Jiang Shiran stopped before a cluster of flowering plants, her expression displeased: “Zhenzhen, why are you also speaking up for Third Li? I understand now—because she cured your face, you’re grateful to her and feel she’s closer than me, right?”

Princess Zhenzhen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “It’s not that. I’m just making reasonable deductions.”

Jiang Shiran pouted: “Anyway, if you befriend her, I won’t talk to you anymore. During the New Year, when my father drank too much, I heard from him that originally His Majesty had intended to summon Marquis Champion as a prince consort—it would have been either you or Eighth Princess. This means Third Li stole your prince consort!”

“Ran Ran, don’t speak nonsense!” Princess Zhenzhen’s expression changed drastically.

This was in the garden—if anyone overheard, besides losing face, what good would come of it?

Since the father emperor had summoned her and Eighth Sister but hadn’t spoken plainly, that matter was considered past. Only someone like Jiang Shiran, who had no filter, would bring it up randomly when Marquis Champion was already betrothed.

“I’m not speaking nonsense!” Jiang Shiran had been angry when leaving home, and seeing even her good friend wasn’t on her side made her even more annoyed. She stamped her feet: “Fine, I’ll consider it meddling. I’m going back!”

“Ran Ran—”

When Jiang Shiran’s temper flared, no one could stop her. Princess Zhenzhen could only sigh in the end and return to the palace with a dark expression.

The garden quieted down. Eighth Princess, who had been standing behind the flowering plants, slowly emerged. The veins on her pale hands bulged, and two of her carefully manicured nails broke completely.

She had been grateful to Third Li for the ointment that removed the scar on her forehead. But it turned out—it turned out the marriage she had been longing for had been stolen by Third Li! She had even been foolishly hoping that one day she would receive an imperial edict of marriage.

What made it even more desperate was that if she hadn’t accidentally overheard Miss Jiang mention it today, she would never have known that the father emperor had once considered marrying her to Marquis Champion.

Marquis Champion—

Eighth Princess murmured these three words, her heart growing increasingly desolate.

Even living deep in the palace, she had heard of Marquis Champion’s prestige and capabilities. She would never encounter a prince consort more outstanding than him!

Eighth Princess touched her smooth forehead. Since the scar was gone, she no longer needed bangs to cover it, but her favorable impression of Qiao Zhao completely vanished at this moment.