At the entrance of the Fifth Prince's residence.

The Fifth Prince personally escorted everyone to the banquet out of the mansion, and even had his steward prepare generous gifts to appease the innocent and frightened guests.

Of course, he couldn't help but give a few words of "admonition" not to spread today's events to outsiders.

Those from humble backgrounds were naturally moved to tears and swore oaths of loyalty.

even……

Several other ladies took advantage of the vacancy of the Fifth Prince's principal wife and concubines in his harem and sent their daughters to the Fifth Prince's harem.

Two more were successful, and thus, the Fifth Prince gained two more concubines in his harem.

Madam Zhao was furious. She risked her reputation and even offended the Fifth Prince to get her daughter into his harem.

Unexpectedly, these ladies used the excuse that they had been frightened in the backyard of the Fifth Prince's residence and had seen an outsider, thus ruining their reputations, to easily send their daughters into the Fifth Prince's residence.

It's true what they say, comparisons are the thief of joy.

The thought of her daughter ruining her reputation and shamelessly clinging to the Fifth Prince, and how she would explain it to her husband when she got home, filled Madam Zhao with grief.

She cried and cursed, cursing those ladies for being inhuman, slapping her face repeatedly, and accusing them of forcing their unwanted daughters on the Fifth Prince.

Finally, even Jiang Xue was criticized, with people saying that she was scheming and always encouraged her daughter to take the lead. They also said that Jiang Xue seemed kind on the surface, but it was all an act, and that she was very wicked at heart.

When she started cursing Jiang Jiaojiao, Jiang Jingtian, who had a fiery temper, lashed her across the face with a whip.

The old woman was so frightened that she dragged and pulled the person away.

The area in front of the mansion finally quieted down.

Jiang Jiaojiao was holding Yuan Bao'er on the left and Luo Feiyan on the right, with the Seventh Prince Li Yan following closely behind. Even the Thirteenth Prince had to stand back. Jiang Jingtian and Jiang Lingtian couldn't squeeze in at all and obediently followed Jin Yuwan as the eldest son, their eyes constantly glancing in Jiang Jiaojiao's direction.

Stepping out of the Fifth Prince's residence, Jiang Jiaojiao smiled at the Fifth Prince, who had regained his gentle demeanor. "Your Highness, there's no need to see me off any further. Everyone says that Your Highness's residence is in an excellent location. I think... Your Highness should find a master to take a look."

Jiang Jiaojiao's suggestion was "well-intentioned".

The Fifth Prince almost lost his smile, which he had managed to put on with great difficulty. His eyes fell on Yuan Bao'er next to Jiang Jiaojiao, and he was slightly taken aback. Was this really his former timid and cowardly princess consort?

The face was still the same face, but the timid look in his eyes, which had never dared to look up at him, was completely gone.

Her slender face made her eyes appear exceptionally large, like grapes, crystal clear, and sparkling with a lively light—a look that the Fifth Prince Li Jue had never seen before.

Relaxed, free, and joyful.

That kind of look can only be found in the wild horses of the northern frontier, the soaring eagles, and the fish swimming in the river.

At that moment, Li Jue's heart trembled, as if a piece had suddenly been missing, causing him to involuntarily take a step forward and blurt out, "If you regret it, I can..."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Feeling the unprecedented gaze and tenderness in the Fifth Prince's eyes, Yuan Bao'er sneered, "I will never regret it!"

She will never regret her choice today, whether in her past life, this life, or the next!

The Fifth Prince choked.

Just as he was about to step forward, Jiang Jiaojiao stepped forward to block his path. "Your Highness, have you ever heard the saying..."

"What?" The Fifth Prince didn't react for a moment.

"Love that comes late is worth less than grass!"

Jiang Jiaojiao chuckled, took the little crybaby by the hand, and walked away. In her mind, she recalled the little crybaby she had first seen in her previous life. The little ghost was disheveled, covered in bloodstains, crying while trying to eat a chicken leg, with two ghosts fighting over the food under its bottom.

Later, the little crybaby said that it was the first time she had mustered the courage to resist and protect her food, but unfortunately... as a ghost, she couldn't eat it no matter what. Thinking that whether she was alive or a ghost, she had never been able to eat the chicken leg she longed for, she couldn't help but feel sad and broke down in tears.

The little crybaby also said that if she could do it all over again, she would trade everything she had—her status, reputation, and fame—for a delicious chicken leg.

now……

It really happened. How could the little crybaby possibly want to go back to the backyard of the prince's mansion where even vegetarian porridge couldn't fill her stomach?

Yuan Bao'er's eyes sparkled as she looked at Jiao Jiao.

She nodded repeatedly. Jiaojiao really understood her best; otherwise, they wouldn't have been best friends with ghosts in their past lives.

The Fifth Prince was humiliated on the spot, his face instantly darkening. His voice was low and almost sinister as he stared fiercely at Yuan Bao'er, "Remember your words today. In the future, even if you beg me, you will never be allowed into my backyard!"

"Hehe, Fifth Prince, rest assured, even if I become a ghost in the future, I will never set foot in your mansion!"

Yuan Bao'er straightened her back and returned the Fifth Prince's proud gaze.

suddenly--

A carriage came speeding towards them, barely stopping in front of the gate steps. The curtain was suddenly flung open, and two hurried figures emerged from inside.

I saw Yuan Bao'er standing opposite the Fifth Prince.

The two women yelled and rushed over. The old woman cried out and slapped Yuan Bao'er, yelling, "You little slut—who gave you the audacity to plot against the imperial heir? Are you going to drag our entire Yuan family down with you?!"

The young master Yuan, who had just been released from confinement, was even more furious and cursed, "You wretch—quickly kowtow and apologize to His Highness! Even if you die, you shall die in the Prince's residence!"

"Smack—"

"Aww—"

Madam Yuan slapped the imperial edict, letting out a bloodcurdling scream. The edict fell to the ground, revealing its contents: "...Effective immediately, the title, regalia, and all privileges of the Crown Princess are stripped. In consideration of her past merits, she is hereby granted gold, silver, and valuables, and is to be sent back to her place of origin..."

"You bitch—"

Upon seeing the imperial edict, Young Master Yuan was even more enraged. Last time, it was this wretched woman who refused to plead with the Fifth Prince, causing him to be imprisoned. Now she has completely offended the Fifth Prince and been deposed. How can he possibly rely on the Fifth Prince's influence in the future?

She might as well be dead; at least she could be buried in the imperial mausoleum as a princess!

Thinking of this, Young Master Yuan's eyes became terrifyingly bright.

Madam Yuan covered her hands in disbelief. This little bitch had actually dodged!

Not only did he dodge it, but he also used the imperial edict to block her slap!

Has that little bitch lost her mind? She must be insane! No wonder she dared... dared to do something so cruel to the imperial heir and was deposed!

Madam Yuan and Young Master Yuan rushed over after hearing a message from Yuan Bao'er's maid. The maid was terrified when she heard that Yuan Bao'er had admitted to pushing Consort Jiang into the water and asked to be divorced. Upon hearing the imperial edict deposing the prince's consort, she hurriedly sent someone to the Yuan residence to deliver the message.

The Yuan family naturally assumed that Yuan Bao'er was responsible for the dethronement of Consort Jiang's unborn child, so they rushed over to plead for her and stop it. At worst, they could marry another daughter into the family to become the prince's consort.

We absolutely cannot lose the connection with the Fifth Prince.

Therefore, Madam Yuan cried out anxiously, "Your Highness—you must not ruin the friendship between our two households because of this vicious little wretch! I have two daughters of marriageable age who are a thousand times more beautiful and kind. They have long admired Your Highness and are willing to enter the household as concubines to serve Your Highness!"