^[1]T/N This is my Birthday month, so all paid chapters will be 5 this month!!

The second young lady of the Su family was the zhínǚ ^[2]daughter of brother of Crown Princess Su. The third daughter of the Jiang family was the legitimate daughter of the Yīngguó Gōngfǔ. When she meets the prince, she has to call him biǎoshū ^[3]father’s younger male cousin.

These two girls were a good choice for their family background and appearance. They were both the most famous noble ladies in the capital, and they were also the most suitable candidates for tài sūnfēi ^[4]wife of Imperial Grandson.

In terms of family background, Third Miss Jiang was even better. The Yīngguó Gōngfǔ’s family had been inherited for two hundred years. It had strong power and deep roots. Third Miss Jiang was the only legitimate daughter of the Yīngguó Gōngfǔ and was extremely favored.

In terms of appearance and talent, Second Miss Su was stronger. The Su family was a scholarly family. Miss Su was well-read in poetry and books and had outstanding talents and learning. She was known as the most talented woman in the capital.

It all depended on how the Crown Prince and Crown Princess chose.

The Crown Princess didn’t want to say more and deliberately changed the topic: “Let’s not talk about this anymore. By the way, Changping, how are you and your consort lately?”

“Doesn’t matter,” without outsiders present, Changping Gōngzhǔ no longer concealed her impatience, a shadow of annoyance flickering in her expression.

The Crown Princess tactfully explained and comforted: “How can a husband and wife have an overnight feud? Don’t always be so sullen and ask fùmǎ to come to the princess’s house more often…”

Changping Gōngzhǔ sneered sharply: “Fùmǎ recruited two beautiful maidservants last month. He’s been having a great time these days. How could he have the mood to endure my nagging at the princess’s residence?”

The Crown Princess glanced at Changping Gōngzhǔ.

Fùmǎ Xu had hired beautiful maids, but you were not idle either! Didn’t you just get a handsome servant two months ago?

Of course, she just thought about these words in her mind, but never said them out loud.

The Crown Princess changed her perspective and continued to persuade: “You have been married to Fùmǎ Xu for several years, but you have never had an heir. Fùmǎ Xu is naturally worried. If you’re willing to humble yourself a bit and conceive a child sooner, especially a son, the Fùmǎ Xu’s worries will ease.”

When she mentioned the heir, Changping Gōngzhǔ’s expression became colder: “I’m still young and don’t want to have a baby so early.”

Giving birth was so painful and would damage her beautiful appearance, so she didn’t want to have a baby.

Besides, whenever she saw Xu Yuan’s vulgar face, she felt disgust from the bottom of her heart. How could she think of giving him a child?

Snort! If her Royal Mother insistence on not allowing it, she would have divorced Xu Yuan long ago.

Thinking of this, Changping Gōngzhǔ became increasingly unhappy, and her face showed a bit of it.

The Crown Princess looked at Changping Gōngzhǔ and thought to herself. Changping had been married for four years and was already twenty years old this year. Other women at this age were at least mothers of one child, but only Changping Gōngzhǔ could be so willful.

No matter how anxious the Xu family was, they did not dare to rush.

Who didn’t know that the Emperor doted on Changping Gōngzhǔ, and Empress Xu treated her like a drop in her eye? How could the Xu family have the courage to compete with Changping Gōngzhǔ?

The Crown Princess looked impatient when she saw Changping Gōngzhǔ. She didn’t want to speak about it anymore. She quickly dropped the topic.

. .

On the carriage.

Sun Shi and Jiang Shi simultaneously looked at Ling Jingshu, their gazes tinged with a hint of surprise, a bit of astonishment. It was as if they were seeing Ling Jingshu for the first time.

Ling Jingshu was quite calm, and looked back with a smile: “Dà bómǔ, tangsao, why are you looking at me like this? Do I have flowers on my face?”

Jiang Shi joked with a smile, “Your face hasn’t bloomed with flowers, but your mouth seems to have blossomed. Look at you just now, chatting with Princess Changping as sweet as honey, every word so pleasing to hear.”

Sun Shi couldn’t help but say: “Yes, Ah Shu. When did you become so eloquent?”

Ling Jingshu was usually gentle and said few words, but when she occasionally showed her edge, her words were as sharp as a knife. She had never seen someone as eloquent and sweet as today.

It was as if she suddenly changed into a different person.

It made people extremely uncomfortable.

Ling Xiao was also surprised in his heart, but he naturally defended Ling Jingshu: “That Changping Gōngzhǔ’s tone was so aggressive, she was clearly deliberately looking for trouble. Fortunately, Ah Shu is good at speaking, otherwise, she would have suffered a loss today.”

Looking at Ling Xiao as he hurriedly defended her, Ling Jingshu felt warm in her heart and raised the corners of her lips quietly.

“Ah Xiao got it right.”

Ling Jingshu naturally wouldn’t reveal her true intentions. Going along with Lingxiao’s words, she said, “Smart people avoid immediate losses! If I don’t handle it properly in response to Changping Gōngzhǔ’s hostility, I’m afraid it will only provoke her jealousy and dissatisfaction, bringing trouble to the Ling family. It’s better to steel myself and put on a thick skin. It’s better to please her.”

Facts had proved that the benefits of doing so were obvious.

She avoided getting into trouble with Changping Gōngzhǔ when they first met and even coaxed an invitation from Changping Gōngzhǔ. In a few days, she would be able to attend the banquet at the Princess mansion openly…

That made sense.

Sun Shi nodded approvingly: “Ah Shu is right to do this.”

The point was not to cause trouble for the Ling family!

Jiang Shi knew very well what Sun Shi was thinking. Hearing this, she smiled and said, “Of course, it is right to do this, but it’s just hard work for Ah Shu.”

Ling Jingshu never bent down or lowered her head in front of the Imperial Grandson or King Yan. Today, she swallowed her anger and humiliated herself. She must be feeling very aggrieved.

Ling Jingshu smiled faintly: “Actually, it’s not hard at all. In the past, I was too willful and ignorant of the limitations of the world.”

Fortunately, the Imperial Grandson did not care about her offense, and King Yan never became angry because of her sharp tongue. Otherwise, how could she survive to this day safely?

Yesterday at the Huichun Hall, the slap from the maid next to Fúmǐn jùnzhǔ did not fall on Bai Yu’s face, but it fell hard on her heart.

Strength can be broken with ease.

If she wanted to take revenge, she should give up her unnecessary self-esteem and stubbornness. Temporary forbearance and flattery were to better protect oneself and to get closer to the enemy more easily.

Jiang Shi couldn’t guess what Ling Jingshu was thinking, but when she heard Ling Jingshu say this, Jiang Shi was still very happy: “Ah Shu, you have really matured and grown up.”

“To be honest, I’ve secretly worried about you before. Luoyang is under the Emperor’s feet, the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, where officials, nobles, and royal relatives abound. Speaking and acting too sharply and sharply inevitably attracts attention and trouble. If you provoke someone of high status, our Ling family may not be able to protect you.”

“It’s the best thing you can think like this now.”

Ling Jingshu sighed secretly after hearing these sincere words.

Why hadn’t she thought of such obvious reasoning before? She had been stubborn and aloof as if behaving that way could demonstrate her fearlessness of power and nobility.

Fortunately, she was alerted in time and did not continue to be self-righteous.

“Tangsao, thank you for caring about me so much.” Ling Jingshu’s eyes were clear and sincere: “I used to be too willful, which made everyone worry.”

Jiang Shi Jiang pursed her lips and smiled, “We’re all family, there’s no need to thank each other so much, it’s bothersome.”

The two looked at each other and smiled, saying nothing.

. . (To be continued.)