Qin Yuan was exceptionally beautiful, and every move she made had a unique charm. The ladies present all sighed inwardly that the daughter of the Qin family chieftain was indeed too attractive.

The crown prince's eyes flickered, and he couldn't help but steal another glance.

Empress Lin said gently, "You are very beautiful. I have heard that you are also very capable. You are already in charge of the household affairs at such a young age. Marquis Dingbei is very fortunate."

Qin Yuan respectfully replied, "I have met Your Majesty the Empress. It is only because my mother-in-law likes me and my clansmen care for me. I am young and still need the guidance of my elders to avoid making mistakes."

Empress Lin sat regally on her high throne, her gaze sharp as lightning, exuding an imposing aura without anger, her demeanor graceful and elegant, completely different from the Empress Lin she had seen in her previous life.

In her previous life, the Crown Prince died without leaving behind a legitimate son. The illegitimate sons and daughters were like sick cats, none of them living past the age of five. When Empress Lin appeared hastily at the palace banquet, her hair was as white as snow, her eyes were cloudy and lifeless, and her whole person exuded an aura of decay.

Life is full of ups and downs, and it all comes down to luck.

It's true what they say: when fortune smiles, prostitutes marry high-ranking officials; when fortune turns, noble ladies end up in brothels.

Who could have imagined that the entire clan of the late empress would become stepping stones for this beautiful foot-washing maid? But who can escape the wrath of Heaven? Empress Lin had painstakingly built her power for many years, only to find it all vanished in an instant.

Empress Lin, with a gentle and kind expression, said, "What a clever daughter-in-law! No wonder your mother-in-law and husband often praise your virtues. I've also heard that your father and cousin highly regard your talent. Good child, sit here and talk slowly, let me take a closer look at you."

That's quite an interesting point; it's clear they really put a lot of thought into her.

Qin Yuan then sat down on the low stool next to Empress Lin.

Empress Lin pulled Gu Baozhu to sit down on the other side, asking, "Baozhu, why haven't you been playing with the Ninth Princess these days? She's been longing to play polo with you. Last time at the Imperial Academy, the Emperor kept praising you and the Marquis of Dingbei, and she's been thinking about it so much that it's giving me a headache."

Gu Baozhu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, it was because of this that my third brother forced me to practice martial arts so that I wouldn't embarrass myself and disgrace the Gu family in the future. Besides, I also had to help my sixth brother take care of my nephews and nieces at home, so I didn't go out much."

The Ninth Princess leaned closer and said, "That Japanese princess spoke highly of you to the Emperor, and later she even had You Da mediate between you and the Yelü hostage, so that you wouldn't fight each other when you met in the future. You've been hiding and haven't been seen since, so I thought I had accidentally offended you."

Gu Baozhu hurriedly waved her hand: "What is the status of the Ninth Princess, and what is the status of this humble woman? How dare I blame the princess? I have been busy with family matters these days and have not gone out much. I hope the princess will forgive me."

The Ninth Princess rolled her eyes countless times in her mind.

This idiot, I was originally trying to sell him something good, but now how am I supposed to have a conversation?

She's too vulgar and dull; how could she be worthy of her prince brother?

Empress Lin met other young girls, some of whom she kept to talk to, and others she dismissed after a few words. Only the two sisters-in-law were kept by her side from beginning to end.

Everyone present saw this and naturally had countless thoughts in their minds.

Empress Lin inquired about Gu Baozhu's marriage again, and Old Madam Gu bowed and smiled apologetically, saying, "This child is still young and can cause trouble. I want her to stay at home and learn more from her sister-in-law so that she can get married in the future."

Qin Yuan lowered her eyes and gently waved the round fan in her hand.

Gu Baozhu immediately raised her voice and said, "How could Mother lie to people?"

Empress Lin said "Oh," and then asked, "What do you mean?"

“My mother told my third brother that the title of Marquis of Dingbei will be awarded to the most capable person in the future. My sixth brother prefers literature to martial arts, and my nephews will probably also pursue a literary career in the future. I will stay in the manor and find a husband, and the children will also be of the Gu family bloodline. Why do you want me to get married? Otherwise, why should I work so hard to learn martial arts from my third brother?”

Gu Baozhu said it so casually.

The crowd erupted in uproar.

Empress Lin's face suddenly darkened. Suppressing her anger, she forced a smile and said, "Does the old lady really believe what she said?"

Madam Gu was somewhat embarrassed: "Your Majesty, Baozhu is just too impatient. I originally wanted to wait until she came of age to say it, but she just blurted it out. As everyone knows, the Gu family only has these few children left. The sixth son has been weak since childhood. When the old Marquis was alive, he tried many methods but couldn't get him to learn martial arts. He was also only half-baked in literature. Now he's only gotten better. He's even published a collection of poems and has gained some fame. People aren't laughing at him behind his back for being pretentious anymore."

The sixth son's children also followed him. As for the third son... he swore he wouldn't marry until he drove away the Yelü family, and he only got married this year. Even so, it's all thanks to the ancestors' blessings. I thought I would never see him get married in this lifetime. Whether he has children or not depends on fate.

The Gu family's title was passed down from their ancestor, who followed the founding emperor in conquering the country. Generations since then have guarded the northern frontier for Daxing. Although the Yelü clan has been driven away, the Di and Rong barbarians remain nearby, so we cannot be complacent. The lineage of the Marquis of Dingbei must be passed down; otherwise, how can we face our ancestors in the afterlife?

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement and couldn't help but discuss it amongst themselves.

"Back then, Emperor Taizu granted the Gu family the right to inherit their title, and Emperor Gaozu also decreed that the Gu family would guard the northern border for generations. Although the Marquis of Dingbei drove away the Yelü clan, it did not guarantee that he could rest easy. In history, every dynasty has faced external threats from the Hu and Rong tribes."

"When Lord Gu died on the battlefield, I remember many ministers impeached the Gu family, saying that the Gu family was incompetent. I thought the Gu family would collapse. Fortunately, there was still the Marquis of Dingbei. It is a pity that of the four sons of Lady Gu, only the Marquis of Dingbei remains now."

"Back then... well, let's not talk about it."

...

Empress Lin lowered her eyes, concealing the fierce look in them.

That old hag is really good at talking; her words, seemingly a heartfelt confession, actually brought up the Gu family's past.

Should we also bring up the matter of the former crown prince?

The Gu family deserves to die!

Empress Lin sighed softly, "The green hills bury loyal bones, and the dead are wrapped in horsehide. They left their youthful faces in the morning and returned with white hair in the evening. It has not been easy for the Gu family. Madam Gu, His Majesty has always kept the Gu family and the old Marquis in his heart. He often says that without the Gu family, there would be no peace in the north. In recent years, the Marquis of Dingbei has been fighting in the north, and the old lady has been waiting for you in the capital. You have all suffered."

Madam You paused on her cane and said, "That godforsaken place in the north, you can find sand in your food. I don't know how those Yelü people survived, and they're all so strong and fierce. It's really not easy for Marquis Dingbei to drive them away. No wonder everyone calls him the God of War."

Madam Gu hurriedly said, "In our families of military merit, who doesn't suffer on the battlefield? The third son made a vow back then because he wanted to avenge his father and brothers and not let his ancestors down. Otherwise, how could he face his ancestors if his ancestors, who had guarded the northern border for generations, were defeated in his generation? How could he be worthy of the title of God of War if he was lucky enough to reclaim the northern border?"

Forget about being a god of war; he hasn't even been granted the title of Duke yet, leaving the third prince in a very difficult position.

That old woman was up to no good.