Shen Yu lowered her head and retreated repeatedly. From the moment she entered the courtyard until now, she had never dared to face Liu Yu directly.

Ten days ago, the incident she caused at the Zuo family spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital. Master Mu was not afraid of gossip, but he was mainly worried that the Mu family would be involved in the struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince Yan.

Therefore, Master Mu hurriedly discussed the marriage between her and Gu Dalang with Master Gu. The betrothal and name-asking had already taken place, and Madam Mu had also asked the matchmaker to obtain Gu Dalang's birth date and time.

The Gu and Mu families were already acquainted, and she grew up in the Gu family, so marrying Gu Dalang was the best choice for her.

Faced with Liu Yu's infatuation, she had no choice but to tell the truth: "Young Master Liu, please don't speak nonsense. Shen Yu's marriage is arranged by her parents, and besides, Shen Yu has already promised to the eldest brother of the Gu family."

After saying this, Chen Yu hurriedly left, but Liu Yu stood there, his eyes welling up with tears.

------

When Chen Yu returned to the Mu family, it was already noon.

After lunch, Master Mu got into his carriage and went out. As soon as Chen Yu reached the gate, she was stopped by Cuiwei and Cuizhu. "Miss, if you run out again, Master will break our legs."

Chen Yu could only sit on the threshold, watching people come and go outside and listening to the laughter and chatter on the street.

"The Duchess of the State has adopted a goddaughter."

"I heard that the woman is acquainted with the Mu family's daughter."

"Shh... coming, coming..."

Shen Yu peeked out and saw a radiant woman step out of the grand sedan chair. Squinting to look closer, she realized it was Hong Yu.

Hongyu was wearing a white dress with red peonies, and her smooth hair was adorned with a golden peony hairpin. But... why was her bangs, which were straight up to her eyebrows, styled up?

Hongyu walked towards Chenyu, followed by a group of maids and servants, as well as dozens of guards. This impressive display of power truly startled Chenyu.

Shen Yu was very puzzled. In the small courtyard in the south of the city, what kind of plan did Hong Yu offer to the Empress? Yan Wang happily followed the Empress away.

Only three hours have passed, and Hongyu has become the adopted daughter of the Duchess of the State again. What methods did Hongyu use?

Hongyu smiled, her lips pursed, and walked into the Mu family home with Chenyu in her arms.

In her boudoir.

The two sat facing each other, Chen Yu with her head down, looking sullen. Hong Yu had previously sworn an oath to her: to be honest with each other and support one another in this life. However, Hong Yu had secretly done many scheming things behind her back.

Hongyu was overjoyed and took out an object to hand to Chenyu.

"Sister, Brother Liu Yu asked me to give this to you."

Mentioning Liu Yu, Shen Yu's heart clenched. Liu Yu had come to the Mu family to propose marriage for her many times, shielded her from blows, and was willing to risk his life for her...

Looking up, Hongyu was holding a piece of red cloth in both hands, and in the center of the red cloth was a white jade mandarin duck hairpin.

She did not accept it. The white jade mandarin duck hairpin belonged to the matriarch of the household, and if she accepted it, it would mean that she accepted Liu Yu's feelings.

"I don't like this white jade mandarin duck hairpin. Please return it to Young Master Liu."

“Sister, Hongyu is now the adopted daughter of the Duchess. If you marry into the Duke’s mansion, we will be family…”

When it came to the Duchess taking Hongyu as her goddaughter, Chenyu had many questions for Hongyu.

Why did you choose to become a godparent to the Duke's family?

“Sister, whether in my past life or before, Hongyu was a servant and only dared to call you Miss Chenyu. Later, when Hongyu learned that she was the daughter of the Grand Tutor, she still only dared to call you Sister Chenyu. Hongyu has never dared to offend you…”

Before Hongyu could finish speaking, Chenyu was furious. Her almond-shaped eyes widened as she retorted, "You dare not offend me? You used me to escape the Bai family. You dare not offend me? You used me and Liu Yu to get close to Prince Yan. You dare not offend me? You used me and Brother Zhao to deceive the Empress."

"hehe……"

Hongyu actually smiled, but her moist eyes were filled with helplessness. Now she had gotten what she wanted, but she had also broken Chenyu's heart.

That was out of necessity!

Shen Yu was born into a prominent family, and was doted on by Master Mu, Madam Mu, and the entire Mu family.

But what about her? She was just the eldest daughter who wasn't valued by Grand Tutor Zhang. If she wanted to turn her life around, she could only try every means and any method to climb up the social ladder, which led her to take advantage of Chen Yu.

She sat down next to Chen Yu and took her hand.

Chen Yu broke free, hugged her arms tightly, hid her hands, and turned her face away from Hong Yu.

Hongyu was not annoyed. Looking at Chenyu's angry face, she put on a smile and said, "Sister is still so straightforward and impatient, not allowing Hongyu to speak. Now that Hongyu is in a high position, I dare to sit on equal footing with you and call you sister. Hongyu came here today only to thank sister for her help. If it weren't for sister showing mercy, Hongyu would not have been able to pass the Empress's test and enter the Yan Prince's mansion."

Shen Yu looked at Hong Yu in astonishment, finally understanding why Hong Yu's bangs were tied up. It turned out she had become Yan Wang's woman. [Was Hong Yu Yan Wang's personal maid? Or his concubine?]

Hongyu nodded. She had become sworn relatives with the Duke's family, which elevated her status. The Empress then fulfilled her promise and conferred upon her the title of Consort of Prince Yan.

A concubine, to put it bluntly, is a mistress of Prince Yan. What she desires is the incomparably prestigious position of princess. Although things aren't going her way, as long as she can serve Prince Yan, becoming a princess is just around the corner.

Her heart was brimming with joy, and she couldn't hide the smile on her face. She quickly covered her mouth with her handkerchief and whispered, "Hongyu has finally gotten her wish; she's finally found a powerful backer."

Seeing Hongyu's beaming smile, Chenyu quickly recalled Hongyu's scheme: first, she severed ties with Grand Tutor Zhang, then she fabricated a story to curry favor with Prince Yan. Perhaps the Empress looked down on Hongyu's status, so Hongyu became sworn relatives with the Duke's mansion...

It turns out that Hongyu is a scheming woman who will stop at nothing to climb the social ladder!

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