Mei Xiyuan lost her composure and reason because of love. No matter how much resentment she harbored towards Xuan Yuanhan, she never wanted the person she loved most to be in danger, especially since she needed him to climb to the position she longed for and win the highest honor of her life.

At this moment, her delicate red lips were tightly closed as she tried to calm herself down. Granny Zhao patted her back to help her catch her breath.

Finally, her clenched fists slowly loosened, and at that moment she made up her mind to go all out and throw out that bargaining chip to Lu Tianjiao, a chip that could kill two birds with one stone, but also a chip that no woman could truly accept. Although she knew this would happen sooner or later, she still did not want to compromise with fate so quickly.

So, her forced smile vanished, and she instantly transformed into the proud and unyielding princess of Dongning Kingdom, and also the incomparably noble Princess Qin of Xiqin Kingdom. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her posture and said to Lu Tianjiao, "You don't need to hide anything from me anymore. I have already seen that you harbor feelings for His Highness, and you have also already discovered His Highness's feelings for that servant Yi Shangyun. Am I right?"

Mei Xiyuan spoke these words to Lu Tianjiao with an arrogant air, claiming to be the mistress of the Qin Prince's Mansion. Lu Tianjiao immediately felt that there was no need for him to continue pretending, and he answered her without showing any weakness, even with a bit of self-righteousness.

She raised her head slightly, looking into Mei Xiyuan's eyes, and said clearly, word by word, "That's right, Tianjiao has indeed harbored feelings for Brother Han since childhood, but Tianjiao never considers it a disgrace. Tianjiao and Brother Han have known each other since childhood at Xiqin Academy; they are childhood sweethearts. Tianjiao once swore to the heavens that she would only recognize Brother Han in this life, to live for him and die for him. How could you possibly understand this unforgettable true love? But fate is cruel, and His Majesty has bestowed a marriage upon you and Brother Han. But why? Just because you are the Princess of Dongning? Therefore, I, Lu Tianjiao, must forever be inferior to you? If it weren't for you, Brother Han would have been mine sooner or later. No one cares about him more, understands him more than I do. But because of your appearance, I... I'm not reconciled... I'm not reconciled."

Mei Xiyuan was taken aback by Lu Tianjiao's heartfelt words, but then scoffed. She said to her with utter contempt, "So you think, 'Born for your lord, I'll die for your lord.' Do you think His Highness would have liked you if it weren't for me, his concubine? Would he have made you his concubine? Or... this is just wishful thinking on your part. His Highness Prince Qin has never even considered you, let alone cared for you..."

Before Mei Xiyuan could finish speaking, Lu Tianjiao, upon hearing the words "one-sided love," roared with a ferocious expression, "Shut up! How could Brother Han not care about Tianjiao? How could he not cherish Tianjiao? From childhood to adulthood, we've studied together, played together, eaten together, been punished together, been happy together, and been sad together. And you... how much do you really know about Brother Han? You... are just a figurehead princess, aren't you right, Tianjiao?"

Lu Tianjiao glared at Mei Xiyuan as if in a provocation. Upon hearing the words "in name only," Mei Xiyuan became furious and once again lost her composure, saying, "You... how do you know that His Highness and I have not yet consummated our marriage?"

Lu Tianjiao chuckled and said, "I not only know that Brother Han and you haven't consummated your marriage, but I also know that apart from the wedding night when you spent the entire night alone in the bridal chamber, you haven't stepped into Brother Han's bedroom—Lin Yuexuan—since the second day. I wonder if what Tianjiao said is... correct?"

Upon hearing this, Mei Xiyuan gritted her teeth in anger. It turned out that all the grievances she had suffered had already been exposed to this woman in front of her. When Zhao Mama saw this, she stepped forward to try to persuade her, but Mei Xiyuan blocked her way.

Mei Xiyuan took another breath, instantly regaining her haughty demeanor. She continued, "Hmph, even if what you say is true, so what? My marriage to the Prince of Qin was bestowed by His Majesty. Now, not only in this Prince of Qin's mansion, but throughout the entire Western Qin Kingdom, and even the entire Lingkong Continent, everyone knows that only I—Mei Xiyuan—am the true Princess Consort of the Prince of Qin. No matter what, the true mistress of the Prince of Qin's mansion, the rightful wife of the all-powerful God of War, the Prince of Qin, can only be me, Mei Xiyuan, for this lifetime. And what is your identity, Lu Tianjiao?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Tianjiao finally realized that he was completely powerless to look up at her anymore, because it was indeed the case.

She remained silent, like a defeated fighting rooster, unable to rise again. In the end, she lost to the word "origin".

Mei Xiyuan, after reading this, finally let out a satisfied sigh, seemingly having completely vented her anger. This should have been her moment to boast of her achievement, but she didn't. She knew this was merely a prelude to completely devalue the other party, bringing them to their lowest point before she could offer them extremely tempting bargaining chips. She wanted the other party to feel utterly defeated, so that instead of hating her, they would be grateful and subservient to her.

At this moment, Mei Xiyuan gracefully walked over and picked up the bowl of "Azure Snow on the Pool," a dish whose very appearance was pleasing to the eye and refreshing to the soul. She slowly handed it to Lu Tianjiao, smiling gently at her, and said, "Sister, I am not an unreasonable person. I know you are deeply devoted to His Highness. Now that things have come to this, we sisters have spoken frankly, and I know your sincere heart. Now, I have an idea in my mind that can help you achieve your wish. I wonder if you are interested?"

"Your wish has been fulfilled?" Lu Tianjiao pondered for a moment, then slowly took the teacup from Mei Xiyuan and looked at her with a questioning gaze.

Mei Xiyuan feigned composure and sighed, saying, "Sister, you only realize now that I also truly love His Highness. Now that we are sisters, it is only right for you to consider my feelings."

"You mean..." Lu Tianjiao seemed to have some doubts in his heart, but he dared not say it out loud.

So Mei Xiyuan smiled and said, "Since my younger sister likes His Highness, then I will naturally grant her wish."

"Hmph, how could that be? What woman in the world would be willing to share the man she loves with someone else?" Lu Tianjiao sneered.

However, Mei Xiyuan let out a soft sigh, seemingly feigning helplessness, and said, "If this were an ordinary family, perhaps a man would only have one woman in his life. But sister, the one we sisters deeply love is the Prince of Qin, a member of the royal family, a member of the imperial family, the only prince of the Western Qin Kingdom. He is not an ordinary person. Therefore, he is destined not to have only one woman in his life, is he? Since this is already predestined, why should I, sister, fight against fate?"

Lu Tianjiao seemed to understand what Mei Xiyuan meant, but still pretended to avoid the question, saying, "Then what does all this have to do with me?"

"My dear sister is so intelligent, how could you be so confused now? Didn't I just say that since you like His Highness, I will naturally grant your wish and let you become the second princess of the Qin Prince's mansion?"

Upon hearing Mei Xiyuan's words, Zhao Mama, who was standing nearby, was immediately shocked and almost blurted out something. Mei Xiyuan saw this and immediately threw a sharp look at her, which stopped her.

"Hmph, the second princess of the Qin Prince's mansion. I, Lu Tianjiao, have been so proud all my life, yet I've ended up as the second... Oh well... Who told him to be Tianjiao's brother Han?" As Lu Tianjiao spoke, he gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and endured the pain.

Lu Tianjiao knew that Mei Xiyuan wouldn't give her such a good opportunity for nothing, and if she really wanted to enter the Qin Prince's mansion, she would need Mei Xiyuan, the Qin Prince's principal wife, to give her the nod. Even so, for the long years to come, she would forever live in Mei Xiyuan's shadow.

A moment later, she suddenly opened her eyes but didn't look at Mei Xiyuan. Instead, she stared straight ahead and coldly asked, "What are the conditions?"

Mei Xiyuan was surprised that the arrogant and conceited woman in front of her was actually so rational and cautious at this moment, and she was also impressed that she was willing to bow down to her for Xuan Yuanhan.

So she slowly sat down next to Lu Tianjiao and began to talk to her about cooperation in a serious tone, "I'm sure you know better than I do that there's someone who makes both of us sisters feel fear right now, isn't there?"

"You mean... that ugly girl Yi Shangyun?" Upon hearing Lu Tianjiao's words, Mei Xiyuan chuckled leisurely, reached out, took Lu Tianjiao's hand, patted it gently, and said to her softly, "Sister should call me sister, right?"

Looking at Mei Xiyuan's bright, piercing eyes and the alluring beauty mark between her brows that evoked countless tender feelings, Lu Tianjiao pondered for a moment before gently saying, "Sister."

Mei Xiyuan was overjoyed to hear this, "That's more like it! Since we're such close sisters, we should naturally join forces to fight the enemy!"

These words surprised Lu Tianjiao. She thought to herself that, it seemed, after her reminder, she had already realized Xuan Yuanhan's feelings for that ugly girl, Yi Shangyun. So, she hesitated before speaking, "Join forces against the enemy? Sister, you let that girl into the palace, do you mean you're going to...?"

Mei Xiyuan continued, "Then, I wonder if you, my sister, are interested in this matter? If you are not, then I will have to find another young lady from a wealthy family to come to the Prince's mansion and conspire together. I suppose, with Your Highness's noble status, there must be quite a few beautiful young ladies who want to enter the Prince's mansion, right? Alas... if that's the case... I wonder if I can still secure the position of the second Princess Consort for you, my sister. If not, that would be a real pity."

Upon hearing this, Lu Tianjiao was filled with excitement. He remained silent for a long time, as if he had sorted things out, had a clear idea of ​​what was going on, and had made up his mind.

Then, she gently raised a slender hand and reached towards the vase of red plum blossoms on the table beside her. She carefully examined each blooming plum blossom, and finally gently plucked the most beautiful and vibrant one, bringing it close to her nose and smelling it with great relish. After that, she slowly got up and walked step by step toward Mei Xiyuan.

Upon approaching, she gently tucked the delicate, vibrant plum blossom into Mei Xiyuan's hair, making it gleam brilliantly. Then, smiling, she said, "From now on, younger sister will follow your lead without question, be utterly loyal, and work together to plan great things."

Upon hearing this, Mei Xiyuan turned around and smiled at her, taking her delicate, slender hands in hers. The two smiled at each other, each lost in their own thoughts.