On the way back to the Fifth Princess's courtyard, they would have to pass by the First Prince's place. Jing Le remembered this thought.

When I passed by my brothers' place with my sisters-in-law a little while later, I shouted "Brother!" to attract their attention.

This marked the beginning of their first meeting.

Among that group of young masters from aristocratic families, my brothers are undoubtedly outstanding individuals—tall, handsome, and exceptionally good-looking.

He'll definitely charm several of the older women in the family.

I'm such a genius.

Jing Le complained as she walked, and the princesses smiled knowingly and cooperated, slowly walking towards the corridor on the man's side.

The four princes coughed awkwardly; Lele was too direct, and they were a little overwhelmed.

What you say comes true.

"Eldest brother, second brother, third brother, fourth brother."

Jing Le called out loudly, and the little man ran very fast, arriving at their side in an instant.

The young women did indeed spot the most prominent group of people among them.

The two looked at each other and blushed.

Jing Le found it amusing.

[Oh, oh, oh, they've hit it off! Looks like they're quite destined for each other. I'd better remind the brothers to protect their wives, or things will turn tragic.]

The princes exchanged glances, the meaning of which only they knew: they would soon send the concubines to ask their father for a decree to grant them marriage.

With their protection, none of what happened afterward will occur.

...

A few days later, the marriages of several princes were finally settled, and the Cao, Shen, and Jian families all received imperial decrees to grant them marriages.

The Cao residence.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Cao Jinyao, a virtuous and kind daughter of the Cao family, is hereby bestowed upon Prince Rui, Jing Wenrui, as his wife..."

After the eunuch who came to deliver the imperial decree finished reading it aloud, he repeatedly expressed his congratulations:

"Haha, Lord Cao, Madam Cao, congratulations! His Highness Prince Rui is a handsome and talented man, and your sister is Princess Anle."

His Majesty dotes on her greatly; the young lady from that family is truly blessed.

"Father-in-law, you've worked hard. Here, this is just a small token of my appreciation."

Lord Cao, all smiles, grabbed the eunuch delivering the imperial decree and stuffed a large red envelope into his hand.

Cao Jinyao, who was standing beside Madam Cao, did not expect the news to come so suddenly. She turned around and exchanged a glance with her mother, and saw that she understood.

When we attended the banquet, my mother said that it was possible that the ladies were looking for suitable matches for the coming-of-age princes.

It turned out that not only was this true, but it also happened to him. Thinking of the handsome and tall Third Prince, Prince Rui...

Her pretty face flushed red with embarrassment.

The illegitimate daughter behind her was consumed with jealousy. Why did all these good things go to her legitimate sister? And now she was even betrothed to the third prince.

He could only marry a son from a family whose official rank was one level lower than his father's.

She was unwilling to accept that she could only become a concubine if she wanted to marry into a wealthy family.

His hands were clenched tightly under his sleeves.

The Shen household was also filled with joy. After seeing off the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree, Lord Shen and his wife dismissed the servants and looked at their obedient daughter, asking:

"Ya'er, are you really willing to marry the Second Prince? If you are not, your father will go to the palace now to request an audience with the Emperor."

I believe His Majesty will rescind his decree.

"Yes, His Majesty is a wise ruler, and he would certainly not force anyone to do something against their will."

Madam Shen said kindly.

"Father, I am willing."

Shen Ya's face flushed red, and her heart pounded wildly at the thought of becoming that noble man's wife.

That's the advantage of meeting you that day; at least the first impression was very good.

The Jian residence was also bustling with activity.

Firstly, Jian Aoshuang arranged a marriage with the fourth prince; secondly, her eldest son-in-law escorted her eldest daughter back to the mansion for a short stay.

"Hahaha, today is a good day. Shuang'er will be the Fourth Prince's consort from now on. Guards, the whole mansion will be rewarded."

Lord Jian was overjoyed.

"Father, although it's an arranged marriage, we should still ask my younger sister's opinion. What if she doesn't want to?"

Miss Jian Jiayang showed no joy on her face. Receiving her husband's hint, she immediately spoke up.

"Yang'er's words make sense. Our family isn't the kind that sells its daughters for personal gain. If Shuang'er isn't willing..."

Our family will go and request an audience with the Emperor.

Mrs. Jane said domineeringly that she only had two daughters, and everything had to be to her daughters' liking.

"That's right, little sister, tell me what you think."

Jian Jiayang knew that his younger sister was proud and arrogant, looked down on ordinary people, and disliked the royal harem, so she would definitely not agree.

Then my plan can be implemented.

"I'm willing."

Jian Aoshuang's answer made Jian Jiayang's pupils dilate:

"What? You're willing? Didn't you say you looked down on royalty? How come you're willing now?"

This crazy scene left the Jian family members completely astonished.

"Enough, Jian Jiayang, look at yourself now, you're like a shrew."

Lord Jian's face was as black as ink.

"Father, don't be angry." After saying that, Jian Aoshuang looked at her eldest sister and continued:

"What my elder sister said was indeed what my younger sister thought in the past, but that thinking was too one-sided. My younger sister has already reflected on it."

After meeting the Fourth Prince, the younger sister realized that kinship did exist even in the palace.

She witnessed the Fourth Prince interacting with the other princes that day, and she also saw his attitude towards Princess Anle.

His eyes were full of doting affection; that couldn't be faked.

This really appealed to her.

"No, you can't get married, you..."

"That's enough, Jiayang, that's where you're wrong."

Jian Jiayang wanted to continue speaking, but her husband stopped her and scolded her.

"Father-in-law, please calm down. Jiayang hasn't been sleeping well lately and is just talking nonsense."

"Alright, since you haven't rested well, you should go back."

Lord Jian waved goodbye to the guest.

The Mu residence presented a completely different scene.

Mu Qianqian also received an imperial decree confirming her marriage; the wedding preparations had already been completed.

Just then, the auspicious day calculated by the Imperial Astronomical Observatory was also determined.

The 26th of this month is exactly right.

The room of Mu Xue'er, the illegitimate daughter of the Mu family.

"Mother, that slut is getting married at twenty-six. If we don't take action now, I won't be able to marry Prince Xuan. What should we do?"

Mu Xue'er was crying in the arms of a beautiful woman.

"Xue'er, don't cry. Mother has already bought the medicine. We'll give it to her tonight, and I guarantee she'll get weaker every day."

"Just wait until the wedding day, then you can simply wait to get into the bridal sedan chair."

The woman was none other than Lord Mu's aunt.

They didn't realize that a man in black was crouching on the roof, having overheard their entire conversation.

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the study of Prince Xuan's residence.

"Your Majesty, you are right. That mother and daughter have already bought poison and plan to use it on the Princess tonight."

"Then, when it's time for the bridal sedan chair, we'll switch things up."

The man in black knelt on the ground to report.

"Hmph, very good, those two poisonous women."

The eldest prince, enraged, shattered the teacup and then said:

"Send a few female bodyguards who know medicine to serve Miss Mu, and say that I sent them."

"Yes, Master."

This same scene also occurred in the residences of several other princes.

They all sent people to protect them, but they all stayed in the shadows.