The doctor stopped the bleeding in time and administered hemostatic and life-saving medications to the Duke of Jingguo, thus protecting his heart and saving his life.

"My son!" The old lady was so heartbroken she almost fainted. She stood up, supporting herself on the headboard, and only breathed a sigh of relief after hearing that his life was no longer in danger.

When Yuan Fuling arrived, the first thing she saw was the bloodstains on the ground, which resembled blooming plum blossoms, their red color alluring.

Her eyelids twitched, and she stepped into the room with trepidation. She saw the Duke of Jingguo lying on the couch with a deathly pale face, and the Dowager Lady beside him with red eyes from crying.

"Mother, how is my husband?" Yuan Fuling asked cautiously.

The Dowager Lady suddenly raised her head and looked at Yuan Fuling: "It was all your doing that instigated the Duke to neglect the Princess, you wretch!"

Yuan Fuling looked aggrieved after being insulted.

Sitting to the side was Song Hengchuan, who was still shaken by the fright. He also looked up at Yuan Fuling with a deep gaze. Perhaps, if they had dined at Yuehua Pavilion yesterday...

Mother wouldn't be so angry today.

“Grandmother, my mother came to visit Father out of kindness.” Song Yao followed behind, unable to help but speak up for Yuan Fuling.

In the past, the Grand Madam might have given Song Yao a better look, but today, the Grand Madam scolded, "You blind fool! The person lying on this bed is your father. If you hadn't made a scene yesterday, why would the princess have been so furious?"

On the way here, Yuan Fuling already knew the whole story. She never dreamed that the princess would cut off the Duke of Jingguo's arm and remove Song Hengchuan from the list.

"Mother, please calm down." Yuan Fuling dared not be pretentious at this moment. She knelt on the ground and kowtowed to apologize: "It's all my fault. Please take care of yourself. I will atone for my sins and take care of the Duke myself."

The old lady couldn't even muster her anger anymore. Her body went limp as she sat on the couch and looked at Song Hengchuan: "Brother Chuan, the princess is soft-hearted. If you are willing to apologize, you may have one last chance. Once the position of heir falls into the hands of your clan, there will definitely be no place for you in this family."

Song Hengchuan lowered his eyes, concealing the resistance in them.

“Given your mother’s temperament, she won’t let this matter rest until you apologize. She knows exactly what she can do with people: your career prospects, your official position… If she wants to punish someone severely, she won’t let it go easily,” the Dowager said earnestly.

Song Hengchuan couldn't stand it any longer and stood up: "Grandmother, I will go to Yuehua Pavilion to apologize right away."

I can't imagine what value he would have without his title and official position.

Yuan Fuling was about to speak when she was stopped by a sharp look from the Grand Madam, which frightened her so much that she sat down in fear.

"Thinking that you can control the princess just because you've got Chuan-ge'er under your control, you've miscalculated! You fool!" the Grand Madam cursed.

The Grand Madam had only just learned about the princess's banquet for the father and son yesterday, and she was so angry that she wanted to beat Yuan Fuling to death with her own hands.

At their age, they still have the nerve to attract attention and resort to despicable tactics!

Shameless.

Yuan Fuling was so scolded that she couldn't lift her head, and Song Yao was also dragged down with her. The Grand Madam stared at Song Yao with sharp, eagle-like eyes: "You either marry into the Han family or you die."

Song Yao was suddenly stunned.

"Mother, it was all my idea, it has nothing to do with Yao Yao. Young Master Han never really wanted to marry Yao Yao. I... I'll go to Yuehua Pavilion to apologize right now." Yuan Fuling was filled with regret. How could she have known that after all these years, the princess's temper would only get worse?

She could even lay a hand on her own husband.

"If the princess is willing to forgive you, then so be it. If not, there will be no place for you in the Duke of Jingguo's mansion," the Grand Madam warned.

Yuan Fuling got up anxiously and helped Song Yao up as they walked towards Yuehua Pavilion.

The huge room suddenly fell silent.

The old lady's gaze fell on her son on the bed, and tears welled up in her eyes as she cried out, "My son..."

…

Princess Jia Hua unleashed a massacre in her mansion, instantly shocking everyone present.

Several people were kneeling at the entrance of Yuehua Pavilion.

This includes Song Hengchuan.

He knelt upright, his brows furrowed, his gaze somewhat vacant.

"Big brother, how could the princess be so cruel?" Song Yao's timid voice suddenly came from behind. Her eyes were red and swollen. She sniffed and wanted to say a few more words, but when she saw the displeasure in Song Hengchuan's eyes, she wisely shut up.

Yuan Fuling noticed this hint of displeasure and sighed, "Chuan-ge'er, are you blaming your mother?"

“Mother?” Song Hengchuan interrupted softly, “Aunt Yuan should be careful with her words and actions, lest someone find fault with her again.”

Yuan Fuling's heart skipped a beat, and she whispered, "I really didn't expect that a simple dinner would cause such a big problem."

Hearing the mother and daughter crying, Song Hengchuan felt irritable and restless.

The midday sun felt hot on their faces, and their backs were damp with sweat as they stared at the tightly closed door, each lost in their own thoughts.

The atmosphere inside the courtyard was completely different.

Princess Jia Hua personally taught Song Yue and Song Huan how to write characters. As each stroke was completed, the two watched intently, their faces showing no sign of impatience.

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye.

"The Third Miss is making rapid progress, it's as if she's always been raised by the Princess's side," Granny Yang couldn't stop praising.

Song Yue felt a little guilty. Her calligraphy was taught by a veteran of three dynasties and was also supervised by the Emperor of Northern Chu. How could it be bad?

Song Huan leaned over and blinked: "Third Sister writes so well!"

"Huan-jie'er is also quite nice." Princess Jiahua smiled slightly, inviting the two to rest for a while and have some tea and snacks.

During this time, Xiu Shu mentioned the outside world, but Princess Jia Hua pretended not to hear and planned to personally teach the two of them to play chess.

"Singing and dancing are not necessarily necessary, but as the matriarch of the household, you must learn chess." Princess Jia Hua did not want the two of them to learn needlework or poetry.

In her view, those were all things that could be replaced.

In the power struggles within a large family, one must learn how to protect oneself and the means to achieve it.

The two listened attentively.

As evening approached, Princess Jia Hua announced that the day's lessons were temporarily over. Song Yue and Song Huan both stood up and bowed to Princess Jia Hua.

"Thank you, Mother."

"Thank you, Auntie."

Princess Jia Hua smiled broadly, and Xiu Shu cautiously approached, saying, "Princess, there are still people kneeling outside the door."

She raised an eyebrow, casually picked up the teacup, took two sips, then put the cup down and asked, "How is the Duke of Jingguo?"

"Your Highness, the person has already woken up. The Grand Madam is guarding her closely and forbidding anyone from approaching."

Princess Jiahua smiled slightly. The Duke of Jingguo was a man of both literary and military talent, both wise and brave, and he was most proud of his horsemanship and archery. He dreamed of one day leading troops to fight and conquering all directions.

Today, she broke his arm; it hurt her more than if she had killed him.