Yun Chu lifted her steps and walked inside.

She grabbed Xie Ping’s wrist and led her outside.

“Mother…”

Xie Ping cried until her legs went weak.

If she left like this, all her plans and schemes would be ruined. Her reputation would be destroyed, and the rest of her life would be finished…

“Madam Xie, please wait.”

Prince An’jing called out angrily.

He was currently being punished and sent to Qing’an Temple. The Emperor had ordered him to reflect properly on his mistakes here and copy Buddhist scriptures daily to calm his mind.

If news of him doing such things with Miss Xie in the Buddhist temple reached the Emperor, the Emperor would definitely not let him off so easily. He might never be able to return to the capital for the rest of his life.

Yun Chu’s footsteps halted. Without turning her head, she said: “Although my Xie family is only of the fifth rank, and an ant can hardly shake a great tree, regardless of what price we must pay, my Xie family will seek justice for our daughter!”

Prince An’jing clenched his fists.

Although the Xie family wasn’t much to speak of, Madam Xie’s maternal family, the Yun family, was one that even the Emperor feared somewhat. How could he dare to use force?

He took several deep breaths, expelling the pent-up frustration in his chest. Walking out of the threshold, just as he was about to speak to Yun Chu, from the corner of his eye he saw Du Ying standing at the bottom of the steps, her eyes red from crying.

If nothing unexpected happened, his mother consort would request the Emperor to grant a marriage between him and Du Ying.

But now, that was probably ruined.

Fortunately, there were countless noble daughters in the capital. He didn’t have to marry a daughter from the Du family.

Right now, the most urgent matter was to placate Madam Xie.

“Madam Xie is being too harsh.” Prince An’jing ignored Du Ying and walked in front of Yun Chu. “I never forced Miss Xie. It was Miss Xie who asked me to meet in the side chamber. My feelings for Miss Xie are sincere. It was only in the heat of passion that I made inappropriate gestures. This is indeed my fault. What must I do for Madam Xie to calm her anger?”

“My Xie family’s legitimate eldest daughter has not yet reached the hairpin ceremony. Even if Prince An’jing were to humbly apologize, this subject’s wife’s anger would be difficult to quell.” Yun Chu’s expression was stern. “Prince An’jing need not say more. Whatever needs to be said, we shall discuss it at the Court of Judicial Review!”

Prince An’jing’s expression darkened. Was she going to file a complaint at the Court of Judicial Review?

He slightly turned his head and saw the Du family sisters. His instinct told him that the Du family’s eldest daughter, Lady Ji, would be happy to serve as a witness.

By then, the charge of forcing a girl who had not yet reached the hairpin ceremony would definitely be placed on his head.

He had already angered the Emperor. If this charge was added on top, he would probably be sent far away to his fief.

While he was deliberating internally, Xie Ping cried even harder.

If this really went to the Court of Judicial Review, then everyone in the entire capital would know she had lost her virtue. Who would dare to marry her then… It would be better to become a concubine in Prince An’jing’s residence. Later, she could slowly plan from there…

She tugged at Yun Chu’s sleeve, choking out: “Mother, I’m willing…”

“You have no place to speak here.” Yun Chu said coldly. “Tingshuang, take the eldest miss to the adjacent side chamber to tidy up her appearance.”

Tingshuang pulled Xie Ping away without allowing any argument.

Xie Ping’s tears had all run dry. Because she wasn’t Mother’s biological daughter, Mother didn’t care about her life or death at all…

“Madam Xie, I am willing to grant Miss Xie the position of secondary consort.” Prince An’jing lowered his head. “Please calm your anger, Madam Xie.”

A secondary consort to an imperial prince was not a position that just any woman could hold. Because one had to be entered into the imperial jade registry, it had to be approved by the Empress before it could be decided.

For him to promise the position of secondary consort here was enough to prove his sincerity.

Yet Yun Chu shook her head: “My Xie family’s legitimate eldest daughter has been raised to be the mistress of the household. She follows propriety and rules in everything. If not for Prince An’jing’s coercion, my daughter would never do such a thing that brings shame to the family!”

Prince An’jing’s face was filled with disbelief.

This Madam Xie’s tone was far too bold. She dared to demand the position of princess consort.

The daughter of a fifth-rank official, who seemed to be born of a mistress at that, a mere concubine-born daughter recorded under the legitimate wife’s name—she wasn’t even qualified to be a secondary consort, yet she dared to covet the position of principal consort?

Xie Ping, who had been led to the adjacent side chamber, was completely stunned.

Mother actually wanted to fight for the position of Princess Consort An’jing for her. Had she gone mad?

Secondary consort was already acceptable. If she pushed for more and angered Prince An’jing, and both sides fell out, then she would truly be finished…

“Madam Xie, this prince will tell you something—a snake trying to swallow an elephant shows a heart that knows no satisfaction.” Prince An’jing again referred to himself as “this prince,” raised his head, and became imposing and overbearing. “Some things that shouldn’t be yours—don’t even dream about them!”

Yun Chu curtsied: “Then this subject’s wife will take my daughter and bid farewell first.”

She walked to the side chamber door, brought Xie Ping along, and directly walked out of the back courtyard of Qing’an Temple.

The two from the Du family also had no heart to stay any longer. The group walked out of the temple and silently walked down the mountain on foot. After walking for quite a while, they finally reached the foot of Dayan Mountain.

Tingshuang helped Xie Ping onto the carriage. Du Ying also boarded the Du family carriage with the help of a maid.

Du Ling looked at Yun Chu with a complicated gaze.

Earlier, standing outside the side chamber, she hadn’t said a word, because she sensed that there seemed to be calculation on Yun Chu’s part in today’s matter.

But in her impression, Yun Chu was a simple and passionate woman who disdained such calculations. This was different from the Yun Chu she knew.

But regardless, today’s matter had severed her younger sister’s hopes. No matter what Miss Xie ultimately gained, their Du family would absolutely never have any relationship with Prince An’jing again.

“Chu Chu, if you decide to file a complaint at the Court of Judicial Review, I will testify for you.” Du Ling spoke slowly. “I hope you can achieve what you wish.”

Yun Chu grasped her friend’s hand: “Ling Ling, today’s matter was not my original intention, but things have come to this. I can only ask you to tell Xiaoying I’m sorry on my behalf.”

Du Ling shook her head: “Xiaoying won’t blame you. Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s return to the city.”

She turned and boarded the carriage.

Yun Chu pressed her lips together.

Du Ling was a clever person. She would definitely see that today’s matter was not simple.

Although the Du family had no interest in the position of princess consort, not wanting it themselves was different from losing it due to being schemed against by others.

Moreover, she had also used Du Ling as a witness, forcing Prince An’jing into a disadvantageous position…

It seemed that in this lifetime, her relationship with Du Ling would only go this far.

But it didn’t matter. As long as Du Ying gave up on Prince An’jing, she wouldn’t foolishly die for love again.

Even if life was lived over again, not everything would go as wished, right?

Yun Chu boarded the carriage.

Before the carriage had even started moving, Xie Ping, who was sitting beside her, knelt on the floor and grabbed the hem of Yun Chu’s dress.

“Mother, I beg you to save me…” Xie Ping’s voice was hoarse from crying. “My status is insufficient to be a princess consort. Prince An’jing won’t agree, Consort De won’t agree, the imperial family won’t agree even more… I’m willing to be a secondary consort. I beg Mother not to report this to the Court of Judicial Review…”

Yun Chu kicked her away: “You schemed so much, all for a mere position of secondary consort?”

Xie Ping’s pupils suddenly constricted. The moment she met Yun Chu’s eyes, she understood—everything she had done, Mother knew about it all.

“You should be glad that Lady Ji and I arrived early. Otherwise, after the deed was done and Prince An’jing lost his novelty toward you and accused you of seduction, do you know what the consequences would be?” Yun Chu enunciated each word. “At minimum, you’d be given a cup of poisoned wine. At worst, the entire Xie family would be implicated because of you. Are you worthy of such a thing?”

Xie Ping trembled all over.

She hadn’t thought of this point.

She gripped the medicine packet in her sleeve, grateful that she hadn’t used the drug. Otherwise, the crime of seducing an imperial prince would have been confirmed.

But although Prince An’jing hadn’t said she seduced him, her current situation was still very difficult. She cried: “Mother, what should I do…”

“What should you do?” Yun Chu sneered coldly. “When you get home, first kneel in the ancestral hall for three days and three nights!”