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Behind Princess Rong Zhao, a eunuch presented a tray containing a jade ruyi scepter and a book titled “Precepts for Women.”
Chen Feng wiped her eyes, suppressing her feelings of resentment.
Princess Rong Zhao was truly cunning, spinning both good and bad narratives to her advantage. Despite her noble status, Chen Feng had to endure being mistreated. For the sake of her child from the countryside and for the Chu family…
However, she made a mental note of this debt. When the Golden Swallow emerged, even if she wasn’t present, she would ensure that this debt was settled.
With teary eyes, Chen Feng accepted the jade ruyi and the book, then presented a pair of shoes.
Following this, Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng knelt before Marquis Chu.
Chen Feng bowed and said, “Daughter-in-law pays respects to Father-in-law, wishing you health and longevity.”
Marquis Chu sipped his tea and gently spoke, “Today, you’ve been wronged, it’s my fault. In the future, take good care of your grandfather, serve your husband well, and may the Chu family prosper.” He handed her a red envelope.
He genuinely liked his daughter-in-law. Despite her humble background, she was virtuous, intelligent, kind, and had successfully raised the Eleventh Prince. He wanted to praise her, but refrained for her own sake.
He glanced at Princess Rong Zhao. This woman, lacking in virtue, was stubborn, domineering, and clueless about being manipulated.
If not for the Ninth Prince’s recovery and the Eleventh Prince’s well-being, as a former commander of the Imperial Guards, he wouldn’t have tolerated her or feigned politeness.
Fortunately, the Eleventh Prince was growing up well, the Ninth Prince’s leg was almost healed, the Third Prince held significant military power, and the Emperor had trained personnel for the Ninth Prince. They were ready to dismantle the Wang family and deal with the Sun family…
Chen Feng accepted the red envelope from Lord Chu and presented another pair of shoes.
Marquis Chu nodded approvingly at the shoes, unable to resist praising, “Well done, your craftsmanship is excellent.”
Feeling a bit guilty, Chen Feng resolved to present a pair of shoes she crafted herself to her father-in-law on another day.
After meeting her parents-in-law, she was introduced to others by the maids. Apart from a few members of the Chu family, there were the Second Prince and his spouse, the Seventh Prince couple, the Eighth Prince couple, and several members of the Ma family.
Chen Feng inwardly complained, based on the seniority of Dabao, she was of a higher senority. But according to Princess Rong Zhao’s status, Chen Feng was considered a status below them all.
Except for the Seventh Prince Rui couple, the others’ attitudes were lukewarm.
As Chen Feng sat down, Xue Baoyi came forward to pay her respects.
Xue Baoyi wore a water-red floral brocade jacket and a moon-white pleated skirt, exuding a pure appearance with a hint of disdain in her eyes towards Chen Feng. She insincerely greeted her and unabashedly scrutinized Chen Feng, remarking, “You don’t look good, your name is too plain, not worthy of my big brother.”
Seemingly showing sympathy towards Chu Lingxuan, she appeared to have a decent relationship with him.
Challenging a princess openly wasn’t acceptable, but she couldn’t allow this young girl to disrespect her.
Chen Feng responded, “But my husband thinks I look lovely this way. He believes my name is auspicious and will bring blessings to our family.”
Taken aback by Chen Feng’s retort, Xue Baoyi cursed, “Country bumpkin”, and tossed the purse Chen Feng had given her to a maid, saying, “What garbage, consider it a reward.”
Royal family members were indeed peculiar. Hopefully, Dabao would maintain his pure mindset after acknowledging his heritage.
Ignoring the young girl, Chen Feng lowered her head in contemplation. Princess Rui beside her smiled and whispered, “Chu Lingxuan’s wife, don’t take things to heart. Harming your health through anger will only harm yourself.”
Princess Rui was fair, gentle, and elegant in demeanor.
Chen Feng nodded in acknowledgment. She was touched by Princess Rui’s words. Princess Rong Zhao’s remarks not only embarrassed Chen Feng but also Prince Rui and Princess Rui. However, Princess Rui didn’t seem to hold a grudge.
The two women engaged in a quiet conversation.
At this moment, Princess Rong Zhao was too engrossed in arguing with Third Madam of Chu that she didn’t spare a glance in their direction.
The two women had always been at odds, often exchanging words whenever they met. However, today was different, Third Madam, Princess Changhua seemed to have a strong grip on Princess Rong Zhao’s attention, leaving her exasperated.
Born in the same year, only two months apart, they had never been close and were accustomed to using formal titles rather than sisterly terms.
Having married into the Chu family at different times, they became sisters-in-law. Due to well-known reasons, their relationship was even more strained.
The Second Prince noticed Third Madam Chu’s intense gaze and understood Changhua’s intentions. He thought to himself, “Enjoy your victory, but it won’t last long. Next year, you’ll be a widow, living in sorrow and likely to pass away within six months.”
Knowing Chu Guangkai (Third Master Chu) was short-lived and would meet with an accident next year, preventing him from holding such a high position without intervention from the maternal family…
The Second Prince surveyed the room, noting the uncertainties present, there were two in this room alone.
One was Chu Guangkai’s ascension to Princess Rong Zhao, orchestrated by him and his Empress Mother. The second was this Chen Feng… she didn’t even exist in the previous life. Fortunately, her background wasn’t prominent enough to be a significant asset to the Chu family. However, her behavior today seemed different from what he had expected…
Furthermore, in the previous life, Empress Dowager Yuan only bore the Ninth Prince, but this time she had also given birth to another prince…
Hmm, apart from his wife and the Eighth Prince’s wife, all the women in this room would end up widows, contrary to the previous life! He had intended to spare the Seventh Prince initially, but he proved to be unintelligent, growing closer to Princess Changhua and the Chu family.
Fortunately, when the Chu family wasn’t yet overwhelmingly powerful upon his return, and his maternal family’s influence hadn’t been seized by the Emperor, everything was proceeding according to his plan… However, Chu Guangkai was quite adaptable, arrogant in the past life, he now endured humiliation.
Both Chu Guangkai and Chu Lingxuan would be variables in the future. Even if the Ninth Prince became lame, they couldn’t be spared. Once Chu Guangkai passed away, they needed to find a way to have them accompany him in death as soon as possible.
Only when the Chu family was completely ruined could he rest assured. After dealing with the Third Prince and the Sun family, the Emperor couldn’t delay passing the throne to him.
He couldn’t fathom why the Emperor favored the Third Prince so much, even though the Ninth Prince was lame. The Emperor’s desire to have the Yuan family bloodline inherit the throne couldn’t be fulfilled now, so why support the Third Prince in opposition to him? While the previous life saw support given to the Third Prince for balance, this time, it seemed that the Emperor genuinely favored him. Despite his virtues and qualifications, the Emperor remained indecisive between him and the Third Prince…
With these thoughts, the Second Prince tightened his fist. In the previous life, his Empress Mother, himself, and his maternal family all met tragic ends; this time, he must not repeat the same mistakes!