The news that the Crown Prince of Libei had requested a marriage decree in the palace quickly spread throughout the new capital.

The noble ladies from prominent families who had sent portraits to the Empress Dowager's palace were practically wringing their handkerchiefs to shreds in their respective residences.

Everyone was hearing the name of the Princess of Kang Le for the first time and had no idea who she was.

Fortunately, the emperor did not directly grant them marriages, but instead promised them special titles and honors, leaving the noble ladies with a glimmer of hope, while also wanting to compete for the position of Crown Prince's consort.

After all, marrying into such a family would bring one the honor of receiving an imperial decree, a rare and fortunate opportunity.

It is well known that many women from prominent families, even as they grow old, never have the opportunity to be granted an official title.

The fact that the future Crown Prince's consort could be obtained at such a young age is unprecedented since the founding of the Great Jin Dynasty, which is why the women in the capital flocked to her.

As a result, the prominent families in the new capital city all sent people to investigate the origins of this Lord of Kangle Township.

I want to know what kind of woman she is that could win the heart of the Crown Prince of Libei.

The second branch of the Marquis of Lin'an's household learned of the news the following day.

The news had already spread outside yesterday, and today even everyone in the household knows about it.

Chen Siqi stormed into Ding Wanyue's room, followed by Chen Siyi.

At that time, Ding Wanyue had just finished her breakfast. After eating the scallop and fish porridge and rinsing her mouth, she accepted the hot tea handed to her by a servant.

"Mother, what's wrong with the young master? We just delivered the portrait to the Empress Dowager's palace, isn't this a direct slap in the face to the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion!"

When Chen Siqi got angry, she didn't care about dismissing the servants at all. However, the servants were very perceptive and silently withdrew.

Chen Siyi noticed Ding Wanyue's unpleasant expression and reached out to tug at Chen Siqi's sleeve, reminding her to speak carefully and not to displease her mother.

Chen Siqi was furious and completely ignored Chen Siyi's reminders.

In her opinion, Chen Siyi never wanted to marry into the Li Bei Prince's Mansion, so it would be strange if she were willing to speak up for her on this matter.

Ding Wanyue calmly took a sip of tea, put down the teacup, and looked at Chen Siqi as if she were watching a clown.

She even wondered if she had given birth to her eldest daughter without giving her a brain, since she was so stupid.

Chen Siyi pulled her sister over to sit down and whispered to comfort her, "Sister, don't worry, Mother will definitely have a way."

Chen Siqi sat down reluctantly, still complaining, "What good can we do? This Lu Qiqi is not as good as that imposter!"

At least that imposter was ugly and petty, and couldn't possibly take away what she wanted.

She could be manipulated by her sisters, who frequently made her look foolish.

Ding Wanyue looked at her, sighed inwardly, and still said, "That imposter is fake, but people outside don't know that yet."

Our Lin'an Marquis's Mansion brought the person back to the mansion, and then that incident happened before the New Year, making us a laughing stock in the capital.

If the Empress Dowager were to find out about this, do you think she would agree to the marriage?

Chen Siqi was just acting impulsively, but she wasn't completely stupid. After being reminded by Ding Wanyue, she suddenly realized her mistake.

Yes, the mess caused by the counterfeiters is now common knowledge in the new capital.

The imposter hasn't been exposed yet, but the Empress Dowager will find out about their relationship in the next couple of days.

Even if Lu Changping's true identity is revealed after this period of time, the Empress Dowager will still have a bad impression of Lu Qiqi.

Thinking about it this way, they really don't need to do anything; they just need to wait.

Thinking of this, Chen Siqi's expression finally softened.

She heard the news this morning and rushed over. Now that she's calmed down, she's feeling a bit hungry.

So she reached out and took Ding Wanyue's arm, gently resting her head on her shoulder, and said in a coquettish tone, "Mother, I haven't had breakfast this morning, I'm so hungry. I want to eat the porridge you make."

Ding Wanyue was initially a little angry, but seeing her obedient appearance, she realized that she was, after all, her own flesh and blood.

Even the hardest heart can soften.

She pointed at Chen Siqi's forehead with the index finger of her other hand, and smiled helplessly yet affectionately, "You!"

At this moment, Chen Siyi, not wanting to be left out, quickly made her own request, "I also want to drink the porridge that Mother cooked. Mother can't favor my sister alone."

Ding Wanyue was completely appeased. She patted Chen Siqi's forehead and gestured for her to sit down. "Okay, I must have owed you all in my past life. I'll go and make you sit down now."

The second wife's side already knew the news, so the first wife's side was naturally even better informed.

The young lady who was found and returned to the manor after the New Year was not only personally granted the title of County Princess by the Emperor, but has also gained the favor of the Prince of Libei.

When passing by the courtyard where the two sisters lived, all the servants and maids of the Marquis's mansion craned their necks to look inside.

However, the Marquis's residence has its own rules, and they dared not go too far. They could only pass by the courtyard a couple more times than usual.

Upon hearing the news, Shijiu and Li Changlong came over from the neighboring courtyard.

Lu Yao and Lu Qiqi sat side by side, each holding a bowl of tea and sipping it slowly.

She was still reeling from the shock when she learned that the Brother Song who had saved her sister's life during their escape from famine was actually the heir of the Prince of Libei.

Nineteen smiled brightly, "Princess, once the imperial decree of marriage is issued, can I start addressing you as the Crown Prince's Consort?"

Lu Qiqi smiled and pushed the pastries in front of her toward Shijiu, "Then why don't you change your address and call him brother-in-law?"

Nineteen took a piece of hibiscus cake, put it in her mouth, took a bite, and said with a grin, "I'm fine with anything."

Li Changlong looked grave. He knew the prince had his eye on Qiqi while he was in the border town, but he never expected it to be done so openly, with the emperor bestowing the marriage upon him in public.

The emperor has not yet agreed, which makes Qiqi a target of public criticism.

Although he didn't understand the intricacies of the powerful and wealthy, he was very clear about one thing: if a marriage agreement wasn't finalized, the woman's reputation would definitely suffer.

Thinking this, he began to feel a little melancholy again.

Nineteen was joking and making the two sisters laugh, so no one noticed the change in Li Changlong's expression.

The news spread so quickly that it reached the Marquis of Anchang's residence as well.

Lu Changping had severe stomach pains today and stayed in bed instead of attending to her in-laws.

When Yuqing brought the news back, she had just finished drinking a bowl of porridge.

After hearing Yuqing talk about the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion, she began to feel terrified. She never expected that Lu Qiqi would be so lucky.

Her biological mother was the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Lin'an, and now she is able to marry the heir of the Prince of Libei.

Thinking this way, she felt extremely unwilling.

Back in Maoshan Village, Ge Zhou, whom she liked, happened to fall for Lu Qiqi.

Now, things have gotten even worse. Her portrait was sent to the Empress Dowager's palace, but she has received nothing and is now trapped in the Anchang Marquis's mansion.

Why is it that she can't get what she wants no matter how hard she tries?

Lu Qiqi didn't need to do anything to reap the benefits, and thinking about this, the resentment in her heart was almost overflowing.

No, she had to find a way to stay in the Marquis of Anchang's mansion. She couldn't give up everything she had worked so hard for so easily!