When Miss Wang San—now known as Wang Shi—awoke, the maid keeping watch by the bed let out a delighted shout: “The Heir’s Consort has awakened!”

Soon several maids and servant women hurried in, surrounding Wang Shi with solicitous inquiries about her wellbeing.

Wang Shi stared blankly at the silver hooks on the bed canopy, her expression wooden.

Her thoughts were still stuck at the moment before she fainted.

The heir… kept male favorites?

Had kept them even before marriage?

Understanding dawned in Wang Shi’s heart.

No wonder on their wedding night the heir had fallen asleep immediately. No wonder during these days he had never touched her, only wanting her to sleep on the floor.

So the heir favored men!

A plain-faced, proper maid walked in and curtsied slightly: “Heir’s Consort, the Princess Consort requests your presence.”

Before Wang Shi could recover herself, the maids helped her up to arrange her clothes and hair, escorting her to the main courtyard.

Princess Pingnan had also awakened. She was listlessly leaning on her beauty couch, appearing as if she had aged several years.

“Princess Consort, the Heir’s Consort has arrived.”

Princess Pingnan nodded.

A moment later, Wang Shi entered and curtsied in greeting: “Mother Consort.”

Princess Pingnan stared at Wang Shi for an instant, then said to Wei Wen: “Wen’er, you may leave first.”

Wei Wen, who had been standing guard to one side, rose and walked out without a word.

After dismissing the servants, Princess Pingnan spoke slowly: “Wang Shi, how exactly has the heir… treated you?”

Wang Shi’s face suddenly flushed red, humiliation surging to her heart.

“At a time like this, don’t hide anything from me.”

Wang Shi raised her eyes, tears contained within: “The heir, he has never touched your daughter-in-law…”

Princess Pingnan gripped the armrest forcefully, her complexion becoming even more pale: “That scoundrel!”

Those who favored men had existed since ancient times, but like her second son who wouldn’t even touch his new bride—this was simply unheard of.

Was this unfilial son trying to end Prince Pingnan’s bloodline?

Thinking of Prince Pingnan’s terrible health, her eldest son’s cold attitude, and her second son’s absurd preferences, a fishy sweetness surged up Princess Pingnan’s throat.

News of Prince Pingnan’s heir snatching Miss Luo’s companion off the street quickly spread through every street and alley of the capital.

Among those most impacted by this was the Heir’s Consort’s natal family—the Household of Junior Minister Wang.

The bit of pride Junior Minister Wang had felt these past days was shattered to pieces in this moment. He couldn’t help complaining to Old Madam Wang.

“I said the match was too high for us, but you refused to listen. Now look—everyone is laughing at our family for climbing high and falling flat on our faces…”

Before Junior Minister Wang could finish complaining, Old Madam Wang spat: “The master is being wise after the fact now. Weren’t you also in high spirits back then, saying you wouldn’t have to worry about competing for wild boars at the next hunt?”

Junior Minister Wang’s old face heated up. He glared at his old wife and swept his sleeves as he walked out.

Old Madam Wang fumed. When the First Madam came to pay respects, she refused to see her.

The First Madam was rebuffed and, under the strange gazes of the servants, forced herself to return to her room, angrily smashing a teacup.

Sitting dejectedly on her beauty couch, the First Madam could almost hear the servants gossiping.

“Tsk tsk, truly man’s schemes are inferior to heaven’s plans. The First Madam schemed for Miss San and stole Miss Da’s good match, only for her to marry someone who only loves men…”

“Exactly. Although Miss San became an heir’s consort with great glory, if she’s not favored by the heir, what use is it if she can’t even have a son or daughter in the future?”

…

The First Madam abruptly stood up, then sat back down.

When a daughter encountered such matters, her natal family should go demand an explanation, but the other party happened to be a prince’s residence.

Thinking of her precious daughter’s grievances at this moment made the First Madam’s heart ache. Thinking further that she herself had become the butt of people’s after-tea jokes made her liver hurt even more. A breath stuck in her chest, unable to go up or down—she had truly experienced what it meant to wish for death.

But Miss Wang Da and Miss Wang Er had entirely different feelings.

In Miss Wang Da’s boudoir, Miss Wang Er closed the doors and windows before throwing herself on her sister: “Elder Sister, have you heard? That this marriage was snatched away by Third Sister back then was truly a stroke of fortune!”

Looking at her sister’s frightened expression, Miss Wang Da smiled gently: “Yes, truly fortunate.”

Joy nearly overflowed from Miss Wang Er’s eyes: “Elder Sister, I should sympathize with Third Sister for encountering such a vexing matter, but somehow I only feel satisfaction…”

She didn’t think herself a vicious person, but right now she just wanted to hum a tune—she couldn’t restrain herself.

Miss Wang Da looked at Miss Wang Er with a smile. Just as Miss Wang Er wondered whether she should feel a bit ashamed, she said softly: “Actually, I also feel happy.”

She wasn’t a saint either. Having been tormented by her stepmother for years and squeezed out by Third Sister, now that the two had met with misfortune, should she go sympathize and comfort them?

Hearing her sister’s words, Miss Wang Er’s nose inexplicably stung. She took Miss Wang Da’s arm: “Elder Sister, things will get better and better for us in the future, won’t they?”

Miss Wang Da nodded firmly: “They will.”

Third Sister’s marriage had become a joke. Grandmother would be more careful about their marriages. She asked for nothing else—finding husbands with upright family customs and reliable character had a very high possibility.

“Elder Sister, why don’t we go eat at Youjian Tavern tonight?”

When good fortune arrives, spirits lift—they should celebrate.

Miss Wang Da patted her sister’s hand: “Another day. Going at this time would invite gossip.”

The news arrived at the Eastern Palace one step later.

“How absurd!” Wei Qiang lost his temper in front of the palace servants, but internally he felt few ripples and even a sense of relief.

With the recent series of incidents, he had vaguely sensed Father Emperor’s displeasure with him. At this time, the more incompetent Prince Pingnan’s residence became, the more it could reduce his pressure.

If Prince Pingnan’s residence were thriving and producing talent after talent, Father Emperor would likely be even more wary.

It must be said that Wei Qiang had guessed Emperor Yong’an’s thoughts correctly.

After Zhou Shan reported Prince Pingnan heir’s absurd behavior to Emperor Yong’an, Emperor Yong’an had someone send consolation gifts to Princess Pingnan and had a palace attendant convey his rebuke of Wei Feng in the tone of an imperial uncle.

This way, the officials and nobles’ view of Prince Pingnan’s residence became subtle.

Prince Pingnan’s heir was worthless, but there was still the Crown Prince!

As long as the Crown Prince proceeded smoothly, Prince Pingnan’s residence couldn’t fail.

After this tumultuous excitement gradually subsided, the new top scholar Su Yao, who had become a Hanlin Academy compiler, was called by his superior to a teahouse for tea and learned that Prince Pingnan’s residence intended to select him as an imperial son-in-law.

The so-called imperial son-in-law was the husband of a county princess.

Su Yao fell silent for a moment.

His superior hinted persuasively: “Prince Pingnan’s residence has only one young county princess. She has outstanding character and appearance and is deeply beloved by the Prince and Princess Consort. In the future, the Prince’s residence will certainly value their only son-in-law greatly… Compiler Su might consider it carefully.”

When sons were worthless, one naturally had to fully support the son-in-law.

Su Yao smiled: “Marriage is a major matter that requires parental decision.”

“I hear your esteemed father will soon arrive in the capital?”

“I received word some days ago. He should arrive within three to five days.”

His superior smiled: “Then the timing is perfect for proper discussion. Compiler Su, one must take the long view.”

A month later, news spread that top scholar Su Yao and Prince Pingnan residence’s young county princess had become engaged.