The Laba Festival palace banquet ended hastily.

The Duke’s Manor Heir was thrown into prison, and the Court of Judicial Review strictly investigated the case.

Over these years, Duke’s Manor had no achievements. Many families also had grievances with the Duke’s Wife, so they continuously submitted memorials of impeachment.

In this case, both witness and physical evidence were complete. In the end, the Emperor, under pressure from all sides, stripped Duke’s Manor of its title.

“Erlang…” The Duke’s Wife looked at His Majesty before her, her voice choking. “This was clearly someone deliberately framing him. Can’t Erlang investigate further?”

The two of them were in Jinying Hall.

This was a secluded hall where no palace attendants came and went. Since the Grand Empress Dowager’s death, the two of them often met here.

But after Duke’s Manor was gone, the title of Duke’s Wife was also gone. For Li Jingshu to enter the palace again would be difficult as ascending to heaven.

“The Court of Judicial Review has already determined the case. There’s no need to investigate further.” The Emperor’s voice was extremely indifferent. “I will grant you the title of Second-Rank Lady, allowing you to enter the palace at any time. What title would you like?”

Li Jingshu raised her eyes.

Although she was fifty years old, she had never given birth. Over these years, she rarely worried, indulged in pleasure, and never let herself suffer grievances. She was exceptionally well-maintained.

Between her frowns and smiles, there were still traces of her twenty-year-old self.

“I don’t want any Second-Rank Lady title. I… just want to always be together with Erlang.”

Li Jingshu leaned against the Emperor’s chest, her voice full of tenderness.

The Emperor reached out to embrace her: “How about this—I’ll use the excuse that Dowager Consort Duan needs companionship and order you to reside in the palace long-term.”

Li Jingshu bit her lip in embarrassment.

Would she forever only be able to appear by Erlang’s side in such a capacity?

After so many years, she was truly fed up.

“Erlang, I still remember—back then, you swore before the Late Emperor that you would definitely marry me…” Li Jingshu said softly. “Under pressure from the Late Emperor, you and I could only separate… Now the Late Emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager are both gone. No one can dictate your choices anymore. Erlang, why not…”

The Emperor’s thin lips pressed together.

Back then, young and spirited, he was determined to obtain the woman he loved. For this, he quarreled with the Late Emperor for over half a year, ultimately ending in his compromise.

After ascending to the highest position, he schemed to make the Duke suddenly die, thus obtaining the person he couldn’t have in his youth.

Everyone in the marketplace said he was lustful. He admitted this, but no matter how lustful, he still knew what could be done and what couldn’t.

If he took a First-Rank Duke’s widow as a consort, the Censorate would definitely impeach him madly. Perhaps some old officials would even bash their heads against pillars in death remonstrance…

He knew he had wronged Li Jingshu, so both openly and secretly, he protected her.

Even if Duke’s Manor was gone, he wouldn’t let her life be difficult.

“With me here, no one dares harm you.”

Hearing this, Li Jingshu disappointedly lowered her eyelids.

Between her and his reputation, Erlang chose his reputation.

She suddenly felt that these twenty-plus years of hers were like a joke…

Although Duke’s Manor was stripped of its title, the Emperor, considering ancestral merits, preserved Duke’s Manor and allowed the next three generations to reside there.

This matter became fodder for the capital’s common people’s conversations over tea and meals.

And these past few days, Tingxue married.

As Yun Chu’s most trusted senior maid, she gave Tingxue ample ceremony, having her marry out from the prince’s manor’s side gate, with a grand sedan chair all the way to the Cheng family residence.

Because she was with child, Yun Chu didn’t go to drink the celebratory wine.

After entering mid-twelfth month, the New Year atmosphere grew stronger. Princess Qinghua brought her legitimate eldest son, Meng Shen, back to the capital to attend the New Year’s Eve banquet.

Originally this year in September, Meng Shen was supposed to enter the Imperial Academy, but at that time Yun Chu and Chu Yi were being punished and weren’t in the capital. Princess Qinghua worried that her son would have no one to protect him at the Imperial Academy, so she delayed coming to the capital until now.

Previously when she returned to the capital, she would stay in Changqiu Palace where Consort Yin resided.

But from now on, her son would live at Prince Pingxi’s manor, so she followed along to stay at the manor to familiarize herself with the environment and, incidentally, to arrange everything for her son’s food, clothing, lodging, and transportation.

Yun Chu had long since had people prepare a welcoming banquet.

“Second Sister, this journey was arduous.” Yun Chu stood at the manor gate to welcome them. “It’s cold outside. Please come in quickly.”

“Aunt.” Meng Shen was eight years old, a well-mannered child. He cupped his hands toward Yun Chu in salute. “I’ve troubled Aunt to personally welcome us.”

Princess Qinghua glanced at Yun Chu’s lower abdomen: “Yi’er wrote to me saying you’re with child. Have you had someone check whether it’s a boy or girl?”

The smile on Yun Chu’s face didn’t change: “This year the Imperial Academy has a new teacher, a member of the Wang family. As everyone knows, Wang family members have eccentric temperaments. When Shen’er goes to study at the Imperial Academy, he still must be careful not to offend Teacher Wang’s taboos, or it won’t be good if he’s deliberately ignored.”

Princess Qinghua’s attention indeed shifted: “Which Wang family teacher has such airs? The Imperial Academy is full of imperial princes, grandsons, and meritorious nobles. Someone surnamed Wang actually dares to ignore them?”

“It’s the Teacher Wang most respected by the current Emperor.” Yun Chu said. “Teacher Wang had already retired, but Father Emperor expended great effort to invite him out from the mountains…”

Hearing this, Princess Qinghua hurriedly said: “Then quickly tell me, what are Teacher Wang’s taboos?”

Talking along the way, they entered the warm pavilion. Maids orderly brought up steaming hot dishes, and the group sat around the table.

“The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review invited the Prince for tea. He’ll only return later.” Yun Chu said. “No need to wait for the Prince. Let’s eat first.”

Princess Qinghua was somewhat unhappy. She only returned to the capital once a year, yet her own younger brother didn’t personally welcome her.

Her unhappiness showed on her face.

Meng Shen spoke up: “These past six months, Uncle has been relieved of his Ministry of Works duties. He really should make more connections.”

Princess Qinghua came to her senses. Ever since half a year ago when Yun Chu caused Concubine Fang to miscarry, Chu Yi had been beaten with rods and dismissed from office. To this day, he still hadn’t returned to court.

A dignified prince not attending court for over half a year—his former confidants had probably long since defected.

He really should make more connections and quickly be restored to his original position, so Shen’er’s days in the capital would also be easier.

Speaking of which, it was all Yun Chu’s fault for causing someone else’s child to be lost. Who knows what deep hatred and resentment there was.

“I won’t ask much about the specific circumstances of Concubine Fang’s miscarriage.” Princess Qinghua looked at Yun Chu and said. “Now that you’re pregnant, you can no longer serve Yi’er. Shouldn’t side consorts, secondary consorts, and concubines be arranged?”

She paused and continued: “On the first day of your marriage to Yi’er, I mentioned this. At that time, bringing it up was indeed inappropriate, but now is the right time.”

Yun Chu put down her chopsticks, her expression half-smiling.

Her expression somewhat angered Princess Qinghua: “Not to mention the imperial family, even speaking of lower-ranked households—which man doesn’t have three or four wives? You’re also a woman who’s been married. How can you not know to care for your man? If you insist on being jealous, then I, as elder sister-in-law, can only do some unseemly things.”

Yun Chu asked: “What unseemly things?”

“I’ll select a few women to send over to fill out Prince Pingxi’s manor’s inner residence.” Princess Qinghua looked completely justified. “If you won’t handle it, naturally someone must.”