Three years ago, Duanning Jùnzhǔ admired King Xingyang Lu Lin as a man, and shyly asked Emperor Yongjia to be a matchmaker.

  Emperor Yongjia also felt that this was a good marriage and was happy to see it come true. He never thought that Lu Lin would reject me as soon as he opened his mouth.

  Duanning Jùnzhǔ didn’t give up and took the initiative to go to Lu’s residence.

  In Duanning Jùnzhǔ’s mind, it must be Miss Lu who doesn’t want her father to remarry. Therefore, Miss Lu must be persuaded first.

  Twelve-year-old Lu Mingyu was much taller than girls of the same age, with slender legs, heroic brows, and bright eyes, and she spoke straightforwardly: “Is the Jùnzhǔ seeing me because of my father?” 

Duanning Jùnzhǔ replied softly: “I took the liberty of coming here today, please don’t take offense, Fourth Miss Lu.”

  Lu Mingyu said: “I didn’t take offense. However, the Jùnzhǔ came to find me, and it was really a mistake. I never opposed my father’s remarriage. As long as I can remember, I have persuaded him to marry again. It is my father who is not ready to get married.”

  Such words sounded like excuses no matter how they sound.

  Duanning Jùnzhǔ looked at those magnanimous black eyes, not knowing what it was like, and said softly after a long while: “Since Miss Lu does not object, then I will go to see King Xingyang in person.” 

Lu Mingyu smiled faintly: “Okay. I also hope that you can convince my father. Don’t worry, if my father is willing to marry you, I will respect you and will never deliberately make things difficult.” 

Then, Duanning Jùnzhǔ went to see Lu Lin, feeling affectionate. After confessing her heart, her nose was bruised and her face was swollen.

  Duanning Jùnzhǔ was hit hard by this, and she cried for a few days after returning to her mansion. Afterward, she lived in seclusion, rarely showed up in front of people unless it was necessary, and never saw Lu Mingyu again.

  Today was Princess Jing’an’s Jiji ceremony, and Duanning Jùnzhǔ naturally came to the palace.

  The moment she saw Lu Mingyu, Duanning Jùnzhǔ’s dead silent heart rippled quietly. Can’t help but come over to chat.

  Actually, Duanning Jùnzhǔ didn’t mean anything else. It was purely a subconscious move. Lu Mingyu slowed down, and responded politely with a smile: “Duanning Jùnzhǔ, I haven’t seen you for a long time, how are you?”

  Duanning Jùnzhǔ didn’t know what to say.

  What can she say?

  What Lu Lin said back then was the truth, and he didn’t lie to her. In the past three years, Lu Lin still hasn’t remarried and she heard that he doesn’t even have a servant girl by his side.

  Such a man who was devoted to his deceased wife and kept himself clean for her was worthy of the love of all women. He didn’t want to marry her, so she just watched him silently and from afar.

  Duanning Jùnzhǔ settled down, and said with a soft smile, “I’m fine. You and the Second Prince have made an appointment, and after you marry, you will be the Second Prince’s consort. You have to call me tánggū.”^[1]Cousin aunt. Paternal Grandfather’s brother’s daughter

Lu Mingyu smiled and nodded, and she secretly sighed in her heart.

  Back then, she was really happy to have a stepmother. Duanning Jùnzhǔ had a noble status, was beautiful, and had a gentle temperament, without any hint of disrespect or neglect towards her own father.

  However, her own father, Lu Lin, was unwilling, and as a daughter, she could not force her own father to remarry.

  …

  In just two sentences, the two of them stopped talking.

  Empress Dowager Zhao and Empress Qiao walked over together. Empress Dowager Zhao was in front, and Empress Qiao walked a few steps behind to show her respect.

  Empress Dowager Zhao didn’t want to see Empress Qiao, so she could barely tolerate being with her. At this time, the most honorable mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of Great Wei came together, and everyone greeted them together. The scene was too lively to describe.

  The crowd, headed by Concubine Meng, saluted together: “I have met the Empress Dowager.”

  After everyone got up, Empress Dowager Zhao said with a smile again: “Girl Yu, come here and help Aijia.”

  Under the eyes of everyone, the charming and exquisite Zhao Yu curled up her mouth: “Yes, Yu’er respectfully obeys the orders of the Empress Dowager.” Stepping forward lightly, she lifted the arm of Empress Dowager Zhao.

  Everyone: “…”

  Empress Dowager was consistent in her favoritism and lack of concealment which remained unchanged over the years.

  Empress Qiao sneered in her heart.

  However, with her reserved self-cultivation, she couldn’t do the same thing, so she had to endure it silently.

  Meng Yunluo felt deeply frustrated but couldn’t show it outwardly. The discontent in her heart was even more suffocating.

  Meng Yunluo glanced around quickly, walked to Lu Mingyu’s side while turning around, and said in a low voice, “Look at Zhao Yu, relying on the Empress Dowager’s favor, holding her head up and chest up, it’s annoying to watch.” 

Luo Mingyu remained unruffled, with no hint of a frown. “What’s there to be upset about? Empress Dowager has always favored Zhao Yu, and you are well aware of that. Don’t worry, when Su Zhaorong arrives, she will show favoritism towards you.”

Meng Yunluo: “…” 

Meng Yunluo felt as if her lungs were about to burst from the tension.

  But what Lu Mingyu said, she couldn’t refute it. Su Zhaorong was Li Hao’s biological mother, and Li Hao was the most filial son. In the future when she marries Li Hao, she had to be filial to Su Zhaorong.

  The more she thought about it, the more depressed she became!

  Lu Mingyu glanced at Meng Yunluo who had a tight and pretty face, feeling very happy in her heart.

  Think of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao will be there. ^[2]The Chinese version of the saying, speak of the devil and the devil will be there. You can read more here

  As soon as Empress Dowager Zhao took her seat, Concubine Qin and Su Zhaorong came.

  Concubine Qin has been a little haggard and thin recently, today she deliberately wore bright dresses and makeup, and she was smiling all over her face.

  Su Zhaorong was born with a delicate and charming appearance, but she became softer and more beautiful after carefully dressing up. Just looking at her appearance alone, she was firmly number one in the harem.

  The Empress Dowager Zhao looked down on Su Zhaorong the most, she immediately frowned and criticized: “Today is a good day for Jing’an hairpin ceremony, why did Su Zhaorong come later than Ai’s family?” 

Su Zhaorong: “…” 

Concubine Qin and her both came together. The Empress Dowager Zhao didn’t talk about Concubine Qin, she just scolded her, deliberately making her ashamed in front of everyone.

  Su Zhaorong was aggrieved and embarrassed and had no choice but to salute and apologize: “The concubine is indeed late, please forgive me, Empress Dowager.”

  The Empress Dowager Zhao snorted lightly: “Ah Hao has made a marriage, and you are going to be a mother-in-law soon. From now on, you should set an example in your words and actions for your future daughter-in-law.”

Meng Yunluo: “…” 

Su Zhaorong lowered her head in response.

  As Meng Yunluo observed her future mother-in-law’s submissive and acquiescent behavior, she felt an indescribable sense of frustration and suffocation in her heart.

  Looking at the corner of Lu Mingyu’s mouth that seemed to be smiling but not smiling, Meng Yunluo became even angrier.

  No matter how angry you can be, you can only endure it.

  Meng Yunluo took a deep breath, lowered her head, and simply kept out of sight.

  After a while, the palace ladies came forward to report: “The auspicious time has come, and the Hairpin ceremony is about to begin. Please move forward, Empress Dowager, Empress, and Consorts to the designated area.” 

The crowd, led by Empress Dowager Zhao, got up and went out in a bustling manner.

  Su Zhaorong had already seen where her future daughter-in-law, Meng Yunluo, was and within a few steps, she reached Meng Yunluo’s side. The voice was weak, pitiful, and helpless: “I’m a little dizzy today, and I can’t breathe well.”

  What else can Meng Yunluo do if the future mother-in-law puts on this appearance?

  Meng Yunluo had no choice but to stretch out her hand to support Su Zhaorong.

  Su Zhaorong was grateful, and reached out to pat the back of Meng Yunluo’s hand: “Third Miss Meng is indeed a filial and sensible girl, Ah Hao has good eyes.” 

A mocking laughter echoed in their ears.