Love from a stepdaughter

After the sun set, the temperature dropped.

Zhou Yunshen looked at the sleeping Jiang Shuyue and draped his cloak over her.

Ever since learning that the Fourth Prince was the instigator behind the upheaval at the Marquis's Residence, he could no longer look at him the same way.

Over the past few days, he had even considered getting rid of him.

But an emperor's son was hardly someone he could eliminate on a whim. Besides, the boy was already eleven and had built up considerable forces of his own, both openly and in secret.

At court, tugging a single hair could move the entire body. Nothing was that simple.

"Jiang An, Fourth Prince, we have plenty of time ahead. Let's take our time playing this game."

In the Empress Dowager's chambers, Prince Huai had drunk a few extra cups over dinner because he was so happy.

Prince Huai leaned into the Empress Dowager's arms like a child. "Mother, d'you know? My legs can be saved! The person who hurt me back then, who ruined the bonds between us brothers and between mother and sons, was actually Commandery Princess Qingping!"

"Mother, once I recover, I'll make that venomous woman... that venomous woman..."

Dizzy with drink, Prince Huai slumped into the Empress Dowager's arms.

Two palace maids wheeled Prince Huai away and attended to him as he settled down to sleep in the palace.

Nanny Gui served the Empress Dowager a cup of green tea. "Your Majesty, I secretly sent four people over today. One couldn't hear anything, but the other three corroborated His Highness's account."

The Empress Dowager drew a deep breath and snapped the prayer beads in her hand.

Ever since Commandery Princess Qingping had married into the Qi Family, the Empress Dowager had not only treated her with every courtesy but also supported the entire Qingping Family. Even when the emperor expressed considerable displeasure, she had persisted.

Who would have thought that the person who had harmed her imperial son was someone so close to her?

Nanny Gui did not know how to console her either.

Thinking of the estrangement between the Empress Dowager and the emperor over the years, then of Prince Huai's legs, even killing that venomous woman ten thousand times would not have been enough to vent their fury.

"Hasn't Qingping always been asking me to bestow a marriage upon her nephew? Who was the one who couldn't hear the inner voice today?"

"It was Cui'er, the young maid sent by the Imperial Household Department three years ago. You praised her beauty, obedience, and cleverness, and she was promoted to a second-rank palace maid last year."

"Yes, I remember now. She is indeed a clever, quick-witted girl. Keeping such a fine child in the palace would only hold her back. Issue my decree: I shall adopt Cui'er as my daughter and bestow her in marriage upon Commandery Princess Qingping's nephew."

Nanny Gui paused in surprise. "Wouldn't that be elevating her?"

"Those who are not of our clan are bound to harbor other loyalties. Anyone who cannot hear the inner voice has something to hide. No matter who sent her, I will not tolerate her here."

"Better to send her to Commandery Princess Qingping and give her something to choke on."

In the stillness of the night, the Empress Dowager stroked Prince Huai's hair, tears streaming down her face.

If she had failed Prince Huai by not protecting him, then she had wronged her eldest son even more.

The Empress Dowager did not know what to do and hid off to one side, wiping away her tears alone.

Nanny Gui smiled. "Your Majesty, while you were dining earlier, His Majesty sent someone over with tea. At this hour, he probably hasn't retired yet. Why not send him a bowl of calming soup?"

"Yes, and send some steamed egg custard too. It was his favorite as a child. Remember to add a little minced meat."

"Of course. I understand. Rest assured, Your Majesty."

The next day, when the Qingping Family received the imperial decree bestowing the marriage, they nearly fainted with rage.

The Duke of Qi had been summoned to the Imperial Palace first thing that morning. When he returned, Commandery Princess Qingping was still mocking him and raising a furious commotion.

The Duke of Qi sent Commandery Princess Qingping flying with a slap. "You still have the nerve to talk? The Empress Dowager and His Majesty know all about the vile things you've done. It's already an act of mercy that they haven't flayed you alive!"

"If you still want a decent life, behave yourself. If you stir up any more trouble, we might as well end this marriage!"

"Oh, there's one more thing I forgot to tell you. Your Noblewoman's Title has been revoked, and the Qingping Family's ancestors have also been removed from the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

"If you refuse to accept it, you can go to the palace and appeal to His Majesty. But I advise you to think carefully. You might walk in on your feet and come out carried flat."

"Someone, strip her of her authority over the household and put the Third Concubine in charge for now. Tie up those old servants she brought from her maiden home too, and find a broker to sell them off. From now on, every letter leaving this courtyard must be handed to me first."

Commandery Princess Qingping had never suffered such humiliation.

She smashed the porcelain in fury and shouted, "Qi Youcai, what right do you have to treat me this way? I am Commandery Princess Qingping! You have no right to do this to me!"

The mere thought of what the Empress Dowager and the emperor had told him made the Duke of Qi's eyes turn crimson with rage.

He had sought this marriage himself, but years of being cold-shouldered had worn his love at first sight down into water-still indifference.

After learning what she had done, the Duke of Qi had even wanted to kill her.

The Duke of Qi stared at her coldly. "If not for the Marchioness of Zhennan's sake, His Majesty would already have ordered you strangled. If you still want Ling'er to marry safely, stop stirring up trouble. Otherwise, even I won't be able to protect her."

The Duke of Qi swept out, leaving Commandery Princess Qingping swaying as she braced herself against the table.

Your daughter? He used to dote on Ling'er. He had never used words like that before.

Could he know the truth about Ling'er's parentage too?

Then what would happen to Shi Lang?

Commandery Princess Qingping did not dare think about it, nor could she allow herself to.

She knew only that the one person she had to protect now was the daughter she had borne Shi Lang.

Within a single day, every member of the Qingping Family holding office was investigated. All who could be transferred were transferred, while those without learning or ability were dismissed and replaced by people with clean family backgrounds.

At the same time, another minor incident became the talk of the townspeople over tea and meals.

The largest rouge shop in the Capital City had caught fire. Proprietor Shi and his wife had perished in the flames, leaving only their two young sons alive.

Jiang Shuyue and Zhou Luming were strolling through the streets when they heard everyone discussing the incident, and they found it rather chilling.

"How could it suddenly catch fire like that?"

"Who knows? Perhaps the weather was dry and they weren't careful while cooking the rouge."

Jiang Shuyue sighed. "It's one thing for the adults to be careless, but those poor children suffered for it. What happened to the two boys? I heard the older one is only five and the younger one is only two. Do they have relatives to look after them?"

"Don't worry. Relatives are already taking care of them, and they're very wealthy. They should look after the children well."

"That's good, then."

Zhou Luming smiled. The Duke of Qi's wife had borne children with that man surnamed Shi, so they counted as relatives. And the Duke of Qi really was very rich.

She truly hadn't told a single lie!

The system had wanted to spill some juicy gossip, but in the end, it kept its mouth shut.

It really was getting better and better at understanding human nature!

"Well, well, isn't this Eldest Miss Zhou, the one engaged to Shen Rufeng?"

Zhou Luming frowned and stared at the gaudily dressed woman nearby, her expression wary and disgusted.

"Chu Xin'er, what are you doing here?"

"Do you own Phoenix Avenue? My friends and I came here to buy a few things. Do we need your permission?"

Chu Xin'er brazenly looked Jiang Shuyue up and down. "Are you the Marchioness of Zhennan? Becoming a stepmother at such a young age must leave a bitter taste in your mouth, doesn't it?"

Jiang Shuyue smiled. "Yes, it does. Luming keeps buying me things, and it makes me feel terribly guilty! Miss Chu, since you're such good friends with our Luming, do help me talk some sense into her."

"If she keeps buying things like this, I'm truly worried the Marquis's Residence's little treasury won't be able to take it!"